Nature's Paradise

Galapagos

& Amazon

Ecuador's Natural Habitats

Commence your journey with a stay at one of the best properties in Quito – Casa Gangotena. Enjoy time to appreciate old-world charm while being on the doorstep of the heart of the colonial city and its cobblestone streets to explore, before spending a day out at Otavalo shopping at its markets and appreciating the handicrafts along with meeting local Indians and admiring their traditions.

Spend 4 nights in the Amazon, a unique experience in a remote environment truly off the grid, where the journey to get there is part of the experience in itself! Look out for wildlife such as monkeys, parrot clay licks, macaws, giant otters, caimans, wild pigs and more! Head out on hiking trails and interact with people from the Kichwa Community of Anangu.

After a night back in Quito, fly to the Galapagos Islands for a different type of wildlife viewing and to explore one of the best marine archipelagos in the world. Sail from island to island on the 7-night Northern and Western route aboard the MV Origin with daily excursions to admire blue-footed boobies, seals, flamingos, giant tortoises, sharks…the list is huge! Explore the islands and waters either on walks/trails, by zodiac, kayak or paddle board, or perhaps by swimming and snorkelling! Walk about dried up lava trails, watch the mating dance of blue footed boobies or perhaps admire the slow stroll of the giant tortoise!

Finish your itinerary in style with a final night in Guayaquil at the Hotel del Parque, where you can enjoy old-world charm, local cuisine, perhaps a high tea in the gardens with orchids all around you, or simply resting and relaxing before returning home.

You will love

  • Variety of styles of accommodation
  • Journeying by boat through Yasuni National Park
  • Exploring the Galapagos by boat
  • Extensive array of land and marine animal viewing

16 UNFORGETTABLE DAYS

PLEASE NOTE:

This itinerary provides the perfect framework for a spectacular journey but it is an example only. All journeys will be individually designed and quoted on a case by case basis.

DAY 1 | QUITO

Arrive to Quito and check into your accommodation, Casa Gangotena. Freshen up and head out with your guide to walk about the Old Quito. Return to your accommodation late afternoon for high tea and to relax.

DAY 2 | QUITO

Your guide will pick you up after breakfast this morning and take you to Otavalo to explore its colourful markets, to see the local people and to experience their history, customs, handicrafts and music. Enjoy a traditional lunch at a local’s home before returning to Quito.

DAY 3 | AMAZON

Fly from Quito to Coca, before a 5 minute transfer to the port to start a motorized boat journey towards Napo Wildlife Centre. After approximately 2.5 hours on the boat and with your packed lunch which you eat along the way, transfer into dugout canoes for the remainder 1-1.5 hours to travel through small inlets to arrive to the lodge. Check in and the remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.

DAY 4 | AMAZON

After breakfast, experience life above the forest floor by visiting the 36 metre canopy tower where you can look out for over 600 species of bird such as macaws, toucans, flycatchers or even spider or howler monkeys. After an Ecuadorian lunch back at the lodge, you can choose to hike through Terra Firme forest to explore its complex eco-system. After the hike, explore the surrounding lake and creeks, perhaps running into a giant otter family.

DAY 5 | AMAZON

This morning with an early start, take a short boat ride and visit the parrot clay licks. Return to the land area and take a short hike to the parakeet’s clay lick. Have lunch at Napo cultural centre and in the afternoon visit the interpretation centre to learn about the traditions of the ancestral Kichwa community of Anangu.

DAY 6 | AMAZON

This morning hike along the Tiputini trail, enjoying the mixture of terra-firma and swamp forests while searching for wildlife such as white-faced capuchin monkeys, sloths, pigmy squirrels and more. Return to the lodge for lunch and for some down-time. Later in the afternoon take a paddle canoe deeper into the areas of the surrounding creeks to see more wildlife such as the hoatzin and caiman.

DAY 7 | QUITO

After a VERY early breakfast, leave the lodge and return back to Quito the same way that you arrived. Check back into Casa Gangotena, and the afternoon and evening are at leisure.

DAY 8 | GALAPAGOS

Fly to San Cristobal in the Galapagos and take a bus and zodiac to board the MV Origin. After a briefing and safety drill enjoy lunch, then set off to Cerro Colorado to visit Centro de Crianza Jacinto Gordillo to learn about giant tortoises. Enjoy a welcome cocktail reception this evening with a multi course dinner.

DAY 9 | GALAPAGOS

This morning arrive to Genova Island, one of the best places for bird watching given its variety of species. Guides will point out red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies and storm petrels on an open lava field. After a bbq lunch on the yacht and a demonstration on how to make Ecuadorian ceviche, explore the cliffs up close either by kayak or stand-up paddleboard, or perhaps snorkelling. Later this afternoon, arrive to Darwin Bay beach and explore the fauna and fauna, along with a swim with friendly sea lions. Dinner is back on board the boat.

DAY 10 | GALAPAGOS

Visit Las Bachas on the northern side of Santa Cruz and admire the dozens of pink flamingoes, and walk along the beach, swim or snorkel. In the afternoon after lunch step ashore on Cerro Dragon and admire the bay and its island landscape. Look out for all sorts of birds and iguana, this evening returning to the boat for dinner.

DAY 11 | GALAPAGOS

Start off the day with a zodiac ride at Punta Vicente Roca. Navigate through the wave-sculpted cavies close to the tuff walls covered in Sally light-foot crabs. Snorkel here with the penguins diving about in the water and look out for sea turtles, poking their head above the surface. After lunch, sunbake on the terrace as you pass through the Bolivar Channel on the yacht. Look out for whales or dolphin which you may see, before arriving to disembark at Urbina Bay on Isabela Island. Admire the island’s diverse array of species such as its land and marine iguanas, brown pelicans, flightless cormorants and the occasional tortoise. After dinner on board this evening step out onto the deck and admire the depth of the Milky Way.

DAY 12 | GALAPAGOS

This morning arrive to Punta Espinoza on Fernandina, the youngest island in Galapagos, formed by active volcanoes that stretch along the coast. Observe sea lion harems on the beach, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants and more, and take time to snorkel in the waters in the company of large turtles which frequent the area. After a bbq lunch back on board you will learn about Charles Darwin and his Theory of evolution. After lunch, go ashore Tagus Cove and later explore the shoreline by kayak or paddleboard if you choose. This evening sail toward the geographic centre of the archipelago and cross the equator for the third and final time.

DAY 13 | GALAPAGOS

Disembark on the dark red beach of Rabida (Jervis) Island. Walk to the saltwater lagoon filled with flamingoes, along with looking out for marine iguanas, mockingbirds and yellow warblers. Choose to snorkel if you wish and you may see a colony of sea lions or rays. After lunch visit Black Turtle Cove and its inlets, view pairs of mating sea turtles (Sep-Feb), white-tipped reef sharks and rays. This evening enjoy the Captain’s Farewell cocktail with your crew, dinner and a special presentation by your guides.

DAY 14 | GALAPAGOS

This morning you will be anchored at Academy back. Disembark at Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Explore the town of Puerto Ayora with its 24,000 people. Return to the yacht for lunch and later board a bus for a short ride to a lava tunnel, then to explore large deep craters. Stop in at a privately owned hacienda where giant tortoises roam freely, and this evening either dine back on the yacht or in town at your leisure.

DAY 15 | GUAYAQUIL

Disembark after breakfast and travel by bus to Cerro Tijeratas where frigate birds are nesting. Follow the trail to Punta Carola for a spectacular view, then your journey comes to and end, flying back to the mainland to Guayaquil. Upon arrival, check into the beautiful Hotel del Parque where the afternoon and evening is at leisure to explore the Parque Historico’s grounds.

DAY 16 | INFLIGHT

Today your journey comes to an end. Commence your way home, or perhaps continue elsewhere in South America.

ACCOMMODATION

A handpicked selection

Casa Gangotena – Quito

Casa Gangotena Boutique Hotel sits within a carefully restored historic mansion overlooking the historic Plaza San Francisco. It offers 31 rooms decorated with eye-catching style and contemporary design. Sophisticated and eclectic Casa Gangotena retains all its historic charm with a sense of contemporary chic. Read More

Napo Wildlife Centre – Yasuni, Amazon

The Napo Wildlife Centre is located on the banks of the Anangucocha Lake, within the unique and ancestral territory of the Kitchwa Anangu Community, in the heart of Yasuni. Napo Wildlife Centre is a real paradise for nature lovers, eco-travellers and adventure seekers looking for an authentic jungle experience. Read More

Ecoventura M/V Origin

Ecoventura alternates two different 7-night itineraries in the Galapagos islands, exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site embarking on guided land excursions while observing local wildlife such as giant tortoises, land iguanas, sea lions, blue-footed boobies and more, while travelling on a state of the art luxury vessel in comfort and in style. Read more

Hotel Del Parque – Guayaquil

Housed in a in a lovingly restored 19th century property, Hotel del Parque is characterful yet elegant, nestled in a tropical garden oasis where you will wake each morning to the sounds of parrots and spider monkeys. Enjoy the garden of orchids, tram lines through the grounds and an insight into the area's history. Read More

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