currency
Highlights of Ecuador
cost
From AUD $3140 (3 Star), AUD $4095 (4 Star)
departure
Saturdays
duration
10 Days
locations
Quito, Galapagos Islands, Amazon Jungle
A 10 day wildlife lovers tour of the fascinating country of Ecuador!
Take a 10 day snapshot tour of the wonderful country of Ecuador. Starting in the lively city of Quito, we will tour the “enchanted Islands” of Galapagos on board a comfortable yacht and taking in one of the most interactive wildlife experiences on earth. This is followed by a trip to the Amazon jungle to observe a wide variety of exciting animals such as monkeys, caimans and piranhas. Truly one not to be missed for the nature lover!
Day 1: Arrival in Quito
Arrival in the vibrant city of Quito where we will collect you at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Overnight.
Day 2: City Tour: Breakfast
Quito colonial city tour exploring the bustling streets and squares of the largest historical old town in the Americas. Visit some of its most important churches such as the majestic La Compañía and iconic San Francisco which have stunning multi-ethnic designs and cultural heritage. Return to hotel for overnight.
Day 3: Quito – Galapagos – North Seymour: All meals
Transfer to the airport for flight to Galapagos. Arrival and transfer to the Galapagos vessel to start the tour to the enchanted Islands.
Our nature guides lead shore excursions twice a day. Attend lectures explaining the geology, history, evolution, flora and fauna of the islands are provided in several languages. Our fine array of meals will amaze you, from the buffet breakfast to gourmet dinners, ice cream festivals, and night barbecues.
Dry landing in North Seymour. Guests will see swallow-tailed gulls and sea lions. This site is a major nesting colony of blue-footed boobies, and has the largest colony of the magnificent frigate bird. Travelers will also see both marine iguanas and land iguanas. Opportunities for snorkeling.
Day 4: Santa Cruz (Dragon Hill or Venice): All meals
After a Wet landing we walk to a salt-water pond behind the beach, where pink flamingoes can occasionally be observed and there is a great view of the bay. This is a nesting site for re-introducing land iguanas, and there is also a Scalesia tree forest.
Passengers may opt to take a dinghy to Venice inlet and observe the vegetation and marine animals like spotted eagle rays, golden rays, mullets, sharks and sea turtles.
Day 5: Española (Suárez Point) - San Cristóbal: All meals
Travel to Española to earn more about the lava terrain and cross the inactive lava fields. Besides the sea lion colonies, this is a very important site for bird watching. Many species, such as the hooded mocking bird and red-billed tropic bird can be seen and observed closely.
See a large colony of marine iguanas, lava lizards, and Sally Light-foot crabs. After a short trek, we will see colonies of masked and blue-footed boobies. The nesting grounds sometimes overlap the trail. Visitors will also find Galapagos doves, hawks and swallow-tailed gulls and then reach the world’s largest colony of waved albatross.
Then we will visit San Cristóbal breeding center and learn about the National Park’s breeding program with the giant tortoises.
Day 6: Santa Cruz (Carrión Point) – Quito: Breakfast
During this visit to Santa Cruz you can snorkel and see a variety of fish, rays and perhaps the harmless white-tip reef sharks. From Punta Carrion the short navigation is through the beautiful Itabaca Channel with its turquoise waters.
Return to the Galapagos Legend, check-out and transfer to the airport. Arrival in Quito and transfer to hotel for overnight.
Day 7: Quito - Coca – Amazon Lodge: All meals
Transfer to the airport for flight to Coca. Arrival in Coca and here we will take a transfer and a canoe ride to the jungle lodge. After lunch you are free time to take a refreshing dip in the lake as well as some local bird and butterfly watching before dinner.
Day 8: Amazon Lodge: All meals
After an early start. We will hike to observe birds in the rainforest, where giant kapok trees can also be observed. Here we will have a picnic lunch before a slow-paced hike along the Napo River. Return to lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Amazon Lodge: All meals
After breakfast, we will hike along a Lagartococha path. Once there, we take a cruise on the river to observe anacondas, caimans and capuchino monkeys. Return to the lodge for lunch followed by a ride in the canoe to try and catch the deadly piranha!
Afterwards, we will climb up an observation tower to observe birds and Mount Sumaco and have a breath-taking view of the rainforest. Return to lodge for last supper in these wonderful surroundings.
Day 10: Coca – Quito: All meals
Early departure for the last observation of monkeys before we say our goodbyes and return to Coca and then onward flight to Quito.
END OF OUR SERVICES
Day 1: Arrival in Quito
Arrival in the vibrant city of Quito where we will collect you at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Overnight.
Day 2: City Tour: Breakfast
Quito colonial city tour exploring the bustling streets and squares of the largest historical old town in the Americas. Visit some of its most important churches such as the majestic La Compañía and iconic San Francisco which have stunning multi-ethnic designs and cultural heritage. Return to hotel for overnight.
Day 3: Quito – Galapagos – North Seymour: All meals
Transfer to the airport for flight to Galapagos. Arrival and transfer to the Galapagos vessel to start the tour to the enchanted Islands.
Our nature guides lead shore excursions twice a day. Attend lectures explaining the geology, history, evolution, flora and fauna of the islands are provided in several languages. Our fine array of meals will amaze you, from the buffet breakfast to gourmet dinners, ice cream festivals, and night barbecues.
Dry landing in North Seymour. Guests will see swallow-tailed gulls and sea lions. This site is a major nesting colony of blue-footed boobies, and has the largest colony of the magnificent frigate bird. Travelers will also see both marine iguanas and land iguanas. Opportunities for snorkeling.
Day 4: Santa Cruz (Dragon Hill or Venice): All meals
After a Wet landing we walk to a salt-water pond behind the beach, where pink flamingoes can occasionally be observed and there is a great view of the bay. This is a nesting site for re-introducing land iguanas, and there is also a Scalesia tree forest.
Passengers may opt to take a dinghy to Venice inlet and observe the vegetation and marine animals like spotted eagle rays, golden rays, mullets, sharks and sea turtles.
Day 5: Española (Suárez Point) - San Cristóbal: All meals
Travel to Española to earn more about the lava terrain and cross the inactive lava fields. Besides the sea lion colonies, this is a very important site for bird watching. Many species, such as the hooded mocking bird and red-billed tropic bird can be seen and observed closely.
See a large colony of marine iguanas, lava lizards, and Sally Light-foot crabs. After a short trek, we will see colonies of masked and blue-footed boobies. The nesting grounds sometimes overlap the trail. Visitors will also find Galapagos doves, hawks and swallow-tailed gulls and then reach the world’s largest colony of waved albatross.
Then we will visit San Cristóbal breeding center and learn about the National Park’s breeding program with the giant tortoises.
Day 6: Santa Cruz (Carrión Point) – Quito: Breakfast
During this visit to Santa Cruz you can snorkel and see a variety of fish, rays and perhaps the harmless white-tip reef sharks. From Punta Carrion the short navigation is through the beautiful Itabaca Channel with its turquoise waters.
Return to the Galapagos Legend, check-out and transfer to the airport. Arrival in Quito and transfer to hotel for overnight.
Day 7: Quito - Coca – Amazon Lodge: All meals
Transfer to the airport for flight to Coca. Arrival in Coca and here we will take a transfer and a canoe ride to the jungle lodge. After lunch you are free time to take a refreshing dip in the lake as well as some local bird and butterfly watching before dinner.
Day 8: Amazon Lodge: All meals
After an early start. We will hike to observe birds in the rainforest, where giant kapok trees can also be observed. Here we will have a picnic lunch before a slow-paced hike along the Napo River. Return to lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Amazon Lodge: All meals
After breakfast, we will hike along a Lagartococha path. Once there, we take a cruise on the river to observe anacondas, caimans and capuchino monkeys. Return to the lodge for lunch followed by a ride in the canoe to try and catch the deadly piranha!
Afterwards, we will climb up an observation tower to observe birds and Mount Sumaco and have a breath-taking view of the rainforest. Return to lodge for last supper in these wonderful surroundings.
Day 10: Coca – Quito: All meals
Early departure for the last observation of monkeys before we say our goodbyes and return to Coca and then onward flight to Quito.
END OF OUR SERVICES
| Accommodation | Hotel (3*) Cabin on boat Amazon Lodge |
| Inclusions |
Tours |
| Difficulty Rating | 1 (easy) |
| Sustainability | Carbon Offsets not available for this tour Local foods used on tour Local guides used (English speaking). |
| Single Surcharge | Ask us for details |
| Notes |
Galapagos cruise is with Galapagos Legend or Coral I or II. Other vessels availble on request. Tour may have a surcharge in peak season. |
| Price dependent on: | Availability and season. |
Receive Exclusive Deals and Specials
From our E-Newsletter
From our E-Newsletter
Chimu Adventures is now a member of
