Galapagos and Amazon Tour

This trip includes 6 nights cruising around the Galapagos islands on board the Explorer II, a 100 passenger luxury small cruise ship. You can of course select any other yacht and even cruise length, and we will send you the revised itinerary and prices by email.

Day 1: Arrive in Quito
Upon arrival in Quito transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Quito.

Day 2: Quito - Galapagos, Santiago Island
Transfer from the hotel to the airport to board the flight to Galapagos. The flight from Quito (via Guayaquil) to the Galapagos is approximately 2 ½ hours on a Boeing 727. Arrival in Galapagos, your guide will meet you and drive you from the airport to the pier and a zodiac ride, you’ll board the ship Explorer II and settle into your cabin. 

Sullivan Bay, this site of great geological interest is located south-east of Santiago Island. Anyone interested in volcanology and geology is delighted with the incredible lava formations of Sullivan Bay. The area is covered by lava flows pahohoe type (lava solidified in a corrugated or accordion fashion). Sullivan lava formed in 1897, is geologically a very young flow. The magma formed is flat, but the movement of underground lava, the rapid cooling and other eruptions led to the break in many places. One can observe marine and terrestrial birds, a colony of Galapagos fur seals and black marine iguanas adapted very well to this environment.

(Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 3: Galapagos, Bartolome - Santiago
Bartolome, in this island is located pinnacle rock, one of the most known landscapes of the Galapagos Islands. The island has an area of 1.2 km2 and is an extinct volcano with a variety of red, orange, green, black and bright soils, bright volcanic formations and recent volcanic cones. Species to meet in the way include brown pelican, Galapagos penguins, tintorera sharks and sea turtles. Its landscape is unique, presents scenarios that could be compared with photographs taken on the moon. For this visit, you need a good physical condition as there is a stairway with 360 steps up to the top of the island and see this beautiful place. On this visit you can decide between hiking or stay on the beach for snorkeling.

Espumilla beach is located on the northern coast of Santiago Island in James Bay. The main attractions of this place are a palo santo (saint wood) forest, beach and landscape. The beach is an important site for sea turtles nesting; watch your step in the high dunes because those are favorite nesting places. It offers a beautiful white sand beach that has been popular with visitors since the time of the whalers and pirates, to carry fresh water. During the last El Niño one of the two lagoons in this site underwent a process of sedimentation, causing that an important colony of flamingos disappeared. This beautiful beach is a great place for swimming and snorkeling.

(Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 4: Galapagos, Isabela - Fernandina
Punta Vicente Roca, if you want an adventure in this marine reserve cannot miss snorkeling when visiting this area. In this privileged place is located a Galapagos fur seals colony, an endemic species to the islands. Punta Vicente Roca is on Isabela Island, the largest island of the archipelago and with more active volcanoes. Swimming with sea turtles and see a variety of fish are activities that only this marine reserve can offer. Then we invite you to take a tour to enjoy a majestic landscape made of volcanic lava intrusions and a sheer cliff, accompanied by Galapagos penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions, masked boobies, blue footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, frigate birds and flightless cormorants

Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island
Fernandina is the third largest island and one of the youngest in the archipelago. You can find different types of lava flows, being the pahoehoe lava the one that will call more your attention. You can see the first colonization of plants and animals. It is a mangrove area where you can appreciate the geological differences that only Galapagos offers. The predominant species in this place is the endemic flightless cormorant. You will also find the largest colony of marine iguanas, as well as the Galapagos snake, Galapagos hawk, marine iguanas, lava lizards, Galapagos fur seals and Galapagos penguins. In this island is found the volcano La Cumbre that erupted last time in 2009.

(Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 5: Galapagos, Isabela
Bachas Tagus Cove is located west of Darwin volcano on Isabela Island. It was a favorite place for pirates and whalers and where a tradition has continued since that time: the registration of ships' names. This is a place that records the history of the islands. Its name originated from a British warship that went through the islands in 1814 looking for Galapagos tortoises for food. The trail leads inland; along Lake Darwin several terrestrial birds can be watched, as well as the characteristic vegetation of this arid zone. Finally, we observe the lava fields of the Darwin volcano. Darwin Lake contains salt water and its depth is approximately 9m. It has no fish or other special life. The lake lies within a cone of tuff.

Bahia Elizabeth, this is a bay formed by the union of volcanoes Sierra Negra and Alcedo in the narrowest part of Isabela Island. There is a small cove within the bay with protected and calm water and surrounded by high and colorful mangrove trees that contrast with the lava, creating an appropriate place for sea turtles. Landing is not allowed at this point, however, a trip around the bay in zodiac is possible where you can see the turtle's pond. On the small islands of the bay it is possible to see penguins, marine iguanas, blue footed boobies, masked boobies and gulls, rays, sharks, pelicans, boobies, many fish, sea lions, flightless cormorants, penguins, among other wildlife. From June to September you can see some whales.

(Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 6: Galapagos, Floreana
This island has an area of 170 km². During the early 20th century, the island became a kind of promised land for many Norwegians who arrived in search of better days. It has a colorful history of buccaneers, whalers and settlers.

Post Office or Post Office Bay is a historic site that reminds us the days of the whalers, when they came to Galapagos for tortoises and fresh water. At Post Office Bay we found also remains of a Norwegians settlement. The visit lasts an hour. Besides the historic part you will see species such as yellow warbler, singer finch, Galapagos sea lion and brown pelican

In the afternoon, options: a. Punta Cormorant, b. Corona del diablo, c. Champion
On this visit you will have the opportunity to choose between walking to the pond to see one of the largest colony of flamingos in the Galapagos Islands or go snorkeling. In this island with volcanic craters there are reefs such as Devil's Crown or Champion, one of the best places for swimming or snorkeling. The site Punta Cormorant is on the north coast of Floreana. The trail distance is approximate 720 meters and passes through a pond, gazebo, a fine sand beach of different colors and a sea turtles nesting area.

(Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 7: Galapagos, San Cristobal
Punta Galapaguera Cerro Colorado, it is located in the South East of San Cristobal Island in the vicinity of Cerro Colorado, one of the few places where you can see Calandrinia galapagosa, an endemic plant to San Cristobal in danger of extinction. The access is by land. The site was built in 2002 to increase the population of the giant tortoise population also endemic to San Cristobal, one of the 11 populations of Galapagos land tortoises (Geochelone Chathamensi). It includes 12 hectares (120,000 square meters) of dry forest in the area of Cerro Verde. Because the fertility of captivity breeders, this program has yielded its first results in 2005-2006 after the arrival of 11 new members. These tortoises have their corrals at the entrance of the Galapaguera. There is also a small interpretation center where visitors learn about these reptiles and the conservation and breeding programs. Along the trail you can observe different birds such as mocking birds, yellow warblers and small ground finch, tree finch and flycatchers

Ochoa Beach, a small white sandy beach made of coral with a length of 160 meters, surrounded by shrubs such as mountain savory, manzanillo, shawls and carob. It is also home for blue-footed boobies, frigates, pelicans and gulls. In the sea it is possible to see rays, turtles, sea lions and tropical fish. It was one of the beaches where Charles Darwin walked in September 1835, as San Cristobal was the first island of the Galapagos where he landed. Near the beach there is a seasonal pond, coastal and migratory birds are regularly seen. It is one of the sites to find the endemic to San Cristobal mockingbird. There is an important colony of Galapagos sea lions in the area. One of the outstanding flora species in this site is matazarno, a species highly prized for its hardness and durability. Ghosts and hermits crabs are common species in this site as well.

(Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 8: Galapagos - Quito
The Twins are, geologically speaking, considered as craters despite they were not directly formed due to volcanic activity. They are subsidence craters formed by a series of eruptions when the islands were still active. Twins craters are the only place on the island where the Scalesia forest grows. Some species of Galapagos finches and often the beautiful vermilion flycatcher can be seen here. The vermilion flycatcher is the most prominent land bird in the upper parts of almost every island; the Twins is perhaps the best place for its observation since they occur in large numbers in the Scalesia forest. Flycatchers are curious and usually pretty tame. They feed on insects, often caught with the peak in mid-flight. Another plant that draws attention in the Twins is the guayabillo tree, which has a clean and smooth bark.

Then transfer to the Galapagos airport on time for your flight to mainland. Upon arrival in Quito. Transfer from the airport to hotel. Overnight in Quito.

(Included meals: breakfast)

Day 9: Quito (city tour)
Colonial city tour (Private transportation, bilingual guide, entrance to La Compañía Church, San Francisco Museum, snack, hat factory): due to the beauty and history of colonial Quito, the main emphasis of this tour is given to the old city. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Quito.

(Included meals: breakfast)

Day 10: Quito (free day)
Day at leisure for optional activities. Overnight in Quito.

(Included meals: breakfast)

Day 11: Quito - Amazon
Transfer from the hotel to airport for your flight to Shell. Upon arrival at the Shell airport you will be meet by the lodge representative then taken to the Kapawi Lodge.

(Included meals: breakfast, dinner)

Days 11-15: Kapawi Lodge (Mon-Fri)
4 nights program. Kapawi is an excellent lodge if you want to experience the depths of the Amazon. Close to the border with Peru, there are no roads, logging or oil exploitation in the area, and access is only by air. Here you can experience first-hand how the Achuar indians live and preserve their way of life. Birding is also very good.

The lodge accommodates up to 50 guests and was built in accordance to the Achuar concept of architecture. Kapawi offer 20 double and triple rooms with private bathrooms, sun heated showers and electricity provided by a solar panel system.  The Lodge provides multiple activities in programs that are characterized by their flexibility: they allow you to design day by day, with the rest of your group and your guide, the most suitable program for your interests and desired activity level. Most itineraries include visits to the Achuar communities, hikes in the rain forest, canoeing, bird watching, and other activities. According to your interests and physical condition (but not your age!), they offer three alternative programs: easy, moderate, and difficult. These programs depend mainly on the distance and time you would like to spend on our trails; all other activities can be included in any program.

(Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 15: Amazon - Quito
Transfer from Kapawi to the airfield on time to board the flight back to Quito. Upon arrival in Quito transfer from airport to hotel. Overnight in Quito.

(Included meals: breakfast)

Day 16: Fly out from Quito
Transfer from your hotel to the airport for your international flight.

(Included meals: breakfast)