Galápagos & Amazon

In the morning you’ll be transferred to the Quito airport for a breathtaking flight high over the Andes to the frontier town of Coca. From Coca, a motorized canoe will deliver you to the your Amazon lodge along the Napo, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon. For those who opt for a cruise, you’ll take the same journey to the embarkation point. To help you get your bearings on arrival, you’ll receive a welcome orientation with refreshments. Spend the rest of the day getting acquainted with your jungle accommodations, take guided walks with your naturalist, and take in the sounds and sights. (B,L,D)

Amazon tours are known for their lush, exciting ecology, and this one is no exception. Your time in the rainforest is filled with fascinating activities, including jungle walks, dugout canoe rides, birdwatching and visits to the clay lick favored by parrots where you’ll witness some of the jungle’s most colorful displays. Be on the lookout for monkeys, capibaras, and tons of incredible birds. Depending on which trip you choose, you may have additional activities like community visits, butterfly observatory, kayaking, piranha fishing, and spa treatments. On this Amazon adventure, you’ll also explore the rainforest from the treetops with climbs up observation towers or canopy walkway. Explore the jungle in small groups with your knowledgeable naturalist guide, or book a private guide. For the birders, we can arrange birding specialist guides. (B,L,D)

In the early morning, you’ll depart the Amazon for the airport for the return flight to Quito. Your guide will transfer you to your Quito hotel and you’ll enjoy the rest of the day and evening at leisure. Tomorrow you fly to the Galápagos Islands! (B)

Today begins with the transfer to the airport for the 600-mile flight to the Galápagos. Galápagos Island tours are a varied mix of some of the worlds most fascinating flora and fauna. Upon arriving in the Islands, you’ll be transferred to your vessel to begin your Galápagos wildlife adventure. Depending on the Galápagos cruise you’ve selected, you’ll be spending five to eight glorious days in this magical archipelago. Not into cruising? We also offer land based tours! (B,L,D)

The next few days are spent exploring the fascinating Galápagos Islands. Each of the Galápagos Islands has its own particular topography, ecology and wildlife. For those on cruises, you’ll visit two landing sites each day, led by your naturalist guide, and have hiking and snorkeling opportunities, an evening briefing, and time to relax onboard. For those opting for land based tours, you’ll enjoy an array of daily excursions with options for more active adventures and opportunities to interact with local communities. No matter what itinerary you choose, cruise or land-based,  you’ll be blown away by the wildlife you’ll encounter. For general information, please check out our cruise and land tour itineraries on this website. Contact us to determine what the right kind of Galápagos tour is for you! (B,L,D)

Alas, Galápagos tours don’t last forever. Some tours squeeze in one last short excursion before heading to the airport for your return flight to Quito. Arrive in the late afternoon and enjoy your final night in Quito, Ecuador. (B)

Today you depart Quito, marking the end of your trip to Ecuador. If you are interested trip extensions to explore Quito and the surrounding Andes region, we would be happy to arrange them. (B)