Galapagos Islands & Amazon – Ecuador

• Set departure date – Pick Up: Guayaquil International Airport

  ARRIVE GUAYAQUIL
  Arrive to Guayaquil today.
  Upon arrival to Guayaquil, you will be welcomed outside of Customs by an English-speaking assistant holding a sign with your name on it. This representative will direct you to your awaiting vehicle and driver, and accompany you to your hotel to assist with check-in. (Private Transfer)

• Guayaquil - Galapagos Islands

  GUAYAQUIL – GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
  Transfer to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands.
  AM: Arrival at Baltra Airport
  Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, travelers pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands, as well as to pay the park entrance fee of $100 (unless it has been prepaid). A guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbor.
  PM: North Seymour
  This islet is one of most visited sites, and it is teeming with birdlife. An easy circular path takes you through the archipe- lago’s most extensive colonies of blue-footed boobies and frigate birds. At the beginning of the breeding season, adult frigatebird-males blow up their vivid red pouches to impres- sive football-sized balloons.This is one of the few spots where you can compare the magnificent and the great frigatebird breeding next to each other. (B. L. D.) (Private Transfer)

• Galapagos Islands

  GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
  AM: Prince Philip's Steps (Genovesa)
  Before landing, you will make an inflatable dinghy-ride along the eastern arm of the caldera. While we approach, the massive 25 m / 80 ft high walls become overwhelming. Sometimes, a Galapagos fur seal is resting or a seabird is nesting on one of the ledges at the base.
  Then, you have to hike and overcome the steep stairs from the landing dock to a bush of palo santo shrubs on top. Red-footed boobies gratefully use these scarce nesting-places; so that they don’t have to nest on the rocky ground.
  On arriving at the seaside of the rim, the bushes open up and you can enjoy wide views, a strong sea breeze and the amazing flying skills of uncountable seabirds. Following the exposed seaside rim, you will first pass the Nazca boobies and finally reach the extensive storm petrel nesting places, where you might be lucky to spot the well-camouflaged short-eared owl hunting for them on foot.
  PM: Darwin Bay (Genovesa)
  Inside the submerged caldera of Genovesa lies Darwin Bay, with a diameter of more than 1,5 km / 1 mi and it is almost 200 m / 650 ft deep. The small area will surprise you repeatedly, walking along a coral sand beach, crossing barren lava formations and creeks, passing tidal pools, shrubs and further ahead following the top of some cliffs. With this peaceful surrounding, every single species has occupied its own ecological niche (or habitat) without disturbing others. (B. L. D.)

• Galapagos Islands

  GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
  AM: Bartolome
  The beautiful volcano islet of Bartolome is among the youngest of the islands, and on a geological scale was just recently born out of fire. Although at first sight lifeless, Bartolome offers some of the wildest landscapes and best panoramas in the entire archipelago. To enjoy the postcard view of the idyllic ‘Pinnacle Bay’ you have to climb the stairs to the viewpoint on top of the island (114m/375ft). Enter a dramatic world of threatening (though extinguished) nearby spatter cones, craters, and lightweight lava droplets that have been spewed out by fiery fountains. The Summit Trail is also ideal to witness how scanty pioneer vegetation such as lava cactus is struggling to take root in the bare virgin lava fields.
  PM: Sullivan Bay (Santiago)
  Setting foot at the lava stream covering Sullivan Bay is like landing on the moon. The desolate, stretched-out fields seem mostly lifeless, but there is plenty to see on this highly popular site amongst photographers. Pacific green turtles seasonally burry eggs in the tiny white sand beach, where you may also encounter crabs, a strayed blue heron or an oystercatcher. On the lava flow, only sparse pioneer vegetation such as lava cacti and carpetweed are able to grow. You might encounter a lava lizard, locusts or a small snake-species (Galapagos racer). (B. L. D.)

• Galapagos Islands - Quito

  GALAPAGOS ISLANDS – QUITO
  AM: Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz)
  Although the great majority of Galapagos visitors come here to observe and appreciate natural wonders, it is also interesting to learn how the protection and conservation of the islands are done. The main attractions are the National Park information center, the Van Staelen Exhibition Hall, the Breeding and Rearing Center for young tortoises, and adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity.
  Once all activivites are completed we will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Quito
  On arrival to Quito, Ecuador’s colonial capital, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. (B.) (Private Transfer)

• Quito

  QUITO
  This morning, your guide and transportation will pick you up and take you on acomprehensive walking tour of the Colonial District of Quito. On this tour you will visit some of the most famous squares, churches and colonial buildings of the city including the Independence Plaza where you can admire the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace and the Archbishop’s Palace. Furthermore, you'll visit the San Francisco Church and the Basilica of Quito, the oldest Church in South America made almost completely out of volcanic stone. Then head to the 'Panecillo Mirador', the most famous hill of Quito, where you can take pictures of both colonial and modern Quito.
  While walking through the city your guide will help you appreciate the eventful past of Ecuador including the Inca Empire, the Spanish invasion, and its push towards independence.
  Return to your hotel with the afternoon and evening at your leisure. (B.) (Private Tour)

• Quito - Amazon jungle

  QUITO – AMAZON
  Transfer to the airport for a 30-minutes flight over the eastern Andes will take you to the jungle town of Coca. There, members of our staff will be waiting for you to give you warm welcome and take you to the Francisco de Orellana Port –which is only 5 minutes away from the airport. And here is where the real adventure begins! At the port you will get on a motorized canoe downstream the Napo River, the major tributary of the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador. During the trip, you will have the chance to see different birds such as kingfishers, herons and other and admire the incredible views of the Amazon jungle that opens before your eyes. A trip a box lunch will be provided.
  After our two-hours ride along the Napo River, you will arrive at the NWC’s dock entrance where to take a short break to freshen up and use the restrooms. Then, we will continue our way to the lodge on paddle-canoes –motorized canoes are not allowed within the Napo territory. This majestic and peaceful dugout canoe ride a narrow stream will lead us to the Añangu Lake, where the hotel is.
  Late in the afternoon, we will arrive to the Napo Wildlife Center where our staff will welcome you with drinks and show your rooms and other areas of the lodge. (B. L. D.) (Private Transfer)

• Amazon jungle

  AMAZON
  Adventure at the Napo Wildlife Center begins early in the morning! In this second day at the premium Amazon Jungle tour you will presence one of the most incredible nature spectacles you will ever see: the parrot clay licks. It will only take us about an hour to get to the first parrot clay lick which is of easy access from the lodge. Once we get there, at about 7:30 or 8:30 am it will take just a few minutes for birds to show up. It is a real spectacle of colors, about 11 species of bird such as parrots, macaws and parakeets visit the clay licks every day to feed with the minerals that are concentrated in the soil.
  Later on, we will hike along the forest trail to visit the KichwaAnangu to share time with the men, women and children of the community and learning about their every-day-life activities, routines and their ancestral customs and traditions. Then, we will say goodbye to the families and continue our adventure Then, we will go back to the creek and go hiking for 30 minutes throughout a Terra Firme forest until reaching the second parrot clay lick and repeat the experience of seeing a great variety of parrots, parakeets and macaws as you eat a delicious lunch our staff will provide you.
  Late in the afternoon we will arrive back to the NWC to rest and enjoy from our lodge social areas and comfortable-luxury rooms. (B. L. D.)

• Amazon jungle

  AMAZON
  A delicious breakfast will be served at the NWC restaurant early in the morning. After that, we will depart to the Canopy Observation Tower, a high platform from which you will get a close up view of the most amazing views of the jungle. The tower is about 30 minutes from the lodge within the terra forme forest.
  This wooden platform of 36 meters high was built just next a huge and ancient Kapok tree. To get to the top you have to pass through different levels of the forest. Then, when you are finally there, the immensity and beauty of the Amazon jungle opens just before you. There are not enough words to describe it, you have to live it yourself!
  Birds that are just virtually impossible to see from the jungle floor will pass right through you. Flocks of vibrantly colored tanagers, blue-and-yellow macaws and large toucans fly past in the early mornings and afternoons.
  In the afternoon, after have lunch back in the Napo Wildlife Center, we will go deep into a terra firme trail to discover the beautiful and mysterious wildlife that hides in the forest interior. There are great possibilities to see lizards, different species of monkeys such as the endemic Golden Mantle Tamarin monkey, rare and unique insects and even some scary snakes! Also, we will take you to explore the black water Añangu Lake and streams that are home of different species of fish and mammals such as the Giant Otter, a unique specie from the Amazon. (B. L. D.)

• Amazon jungle - Quito - Depart Quito

  AMAZON - QUITO
  Last day, we will depart after an early breakfast to go back to Coca city and repeat the adventure to go out the way you came, a ride on a paddle-canoe to the docking area and then embarking on a motorize canoe to the jungle town.
  During this last excursion the creek may reveal new sights of rare bird species and monkeys and a Giant Otter will possibly show up to good-bye you!
  On arrival to Coca airport you will check-in for your flight to Quito.
  On arrival to Quito connect with your international flight back home. (B.) (Semi-Private Transfer)

The below hand-picked properties feature good location, superior service, and all facilities necessary for a comfortable stay. 

ECUADOR

• Guayaquil: Wyndham
• Galapagos Islands: Yacht / Catamaran Archipel I
• Quito: Hotel Reina Isabel
• Amazon: Napo Wildlife Centre

NOTES:

• Hotel accommodation quoted in lead-in hotel guest rooms unless specified otherwise
• Hotels can easily be changed at the customer request. We have a wide selection so you can be assured of a great place to stay
• Galapagos Islands Cruise. We have several Galapagos Islands cruises and itineraries that you can choose from, please let us know if you wish to change the selected yacht for other vessel orprogram
• Occasionally due to circumstances out of our control, hotels quoted may not be available at the time of booking. In these circumstances when hotels are unavailable, South America Tours Pty Ltd will provide the best possible alternative.
• This is a suggested itinerary. All Tailor-made journeys can be customised to suit. Add in additional highlights, spend more time in areas of particular interest to you, or extend your journey to visit other regions of South America.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Accommodation with private facilities as mentioned in the itinerary
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary:

(B.) = Breakfast

(L.) = Lunch

(D.) = Dinner

• All transport, sightseeing and excursions as per the itinerary unless specified otherwise:

(Private Transfer) = Your own exclusive driver. No queuing for taxis, no stopping en route at tour booking agencies. All private transfers / transport is operated on a private basis – i.e., you won’t be sharing with others

(Private Tour) = Your own, personal tour guide and an exclusive vehicle

(Shared Guide) = Meet other like minded travelers and share the services of a guide / vehicle during the plan sightseeing activity. Typical group size is around 10 travelers.

• Parks and monuments entrance fees
• Professional English speaking local guides throughout
• Service charges and taxes.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

• International & internal flights.
• Internal flights needed: Guayaquil – Galapagos Islands, Galapagos Islands – Quito, Quito – Coca, Coca – Quito.
• We can purchase these flights on your behalf.
• Galapagos National Park entrance fee (USD $100 per person, subject to change) and Transit Control Card (USD $20 per person, subject to change)
• Tourist Visas are not included
• Travel insurance
• Any items not specifically mentioned as included, phone calls, laundry, tips, alcohol, etc.