Ecuador & Galapagos
Explore Magical Islands
Charles Darwin called it “a little world within itself”. Sailors referred to is as “Las Encantadas”, the Enchanted Islands. Lying on the eastern Pacific Ocean, straddling the equator off the west coast of South America, the Galápagos is the most pristine archipelago to be found anywhere in the tropics. It is so remote, so untouched, that the act of wading ashore can make you feel like you are the first to do so.
Join us on this wonderful journey.
Tour Highlights
• Try for South America’s “Big Five” Brazilian Tapir, Maned Wolf, Giant Anteater, Giant Otter, and Jaguar
• Witness the “Big Five” of birds: Red Legged Seriema, Greater Rhea, Hyacinth Macaw, Toco Toucan, and Helmeted Manakin. Add Southern Screamer, Sunbittern, Scarlet- headed Blackbird, and so many more!
• Explore both sides of the Transpantaneira wilderness by boat and road on safari-like excursions
• Find five species of kingfisher
• Enjoy local cuisine and hospitality at fazendas (working cattle ranches) at several stages along the road
• Boat the Cuiabá River for an excellent chance at a Jaguar sighting
• See water birds in mass congregation — like those of the Everglades, but magnified!
• Find at least four species of monkeys and several hundred species of birds
• Scan for night birds under intense southern sky constellations; spotlight for mammals, too!
• Enjoy optional fishing at two locations (additional cost for local boat and guide)
Tour Summary
Tour Specifications
9-Night / 10-Day Wildlife & Birding Safari with Carlos Chavarría or Rainforest Experience guide.
Group Size: 6-8 Travelers
Rates: $3525 per person (based on double occupancy), $3995 single request.
Include: Local flights from Quito to San Cristóbal and Baltra to Quito, lodging in double room, entrance fees, tours, snorkeling equipment, bilingual guide through the trip, bilingual local guide at the Islands, transportation (marine and terrestrial), meals as indicated on the program.
Does not include Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($100), Galápagos Tourism Card ($20), Isabela Island entrance fee ($15), tips, and drinks.
Itinerary
Day 1.
Flight to Quito. Transfer to hotel. Overnight at La Jimenita Hotel.
Day 2.
Breakfast and transfer to the Airport. We will take a flight to San Cristóbal Island, and from there in a short ride, check in at Opuntia Hotel. We will have lunch at San Cristóbal town. After lunch, visit the Interpretation Center, and do a wonderful coastal hike to Tijeretas Bay. Sea Lions, Frigatebirds, Gulls and other great biodiversity will be seen on the trails. Dinner on your own at San Cristóbal town. Hotel Miconia (B, L)
Day 3.
After a great breakfast observing Galapagos Finches, we will walk to the dock. Travel to Española: this island have the biggest colony of Waved Albatros, and other great fauna. We will have our lunch onboard, and in the afternoon, chance to enjoy the beach on this beautiful island, and snorkeling. Return to our hotel. Dinner on your own at San Cristóbal. Hotel Miconia (B, L)
Day 4.
We will have a breakfast to go, and walk to the dock, where we will take a boat, to travel to Santa Cruz Island. Check in at DejaVu Hotel, and from there we will travel by bus to the Rancho Primicias, where we will explore the grounds looking for wild Galapagos Tortoises. Great chance to learn about the conservation of these magnificent reptiles. Traditional lunch at the farm. In the afternoon we will return to Santa Cruz town, and hike on the trails that goes to Tortuga Bay. Enjoy the ocean with the Marine Iguanas, and other great endemic species. Travel back by boat to our hotel. Dinner on your own at Santa Cruz. Hotel DejaVu (B, L)
Day 5.
Early breakfast and travel by bus over the mountains of Santa Cruz to get Puerto Ayora. There, we will take a boat to travel to Bartolomé and Santiago Island. A majestic view of the Islands, in a place that was used as a location for the famous Russel Crowe’s movie Master and Commander. Lunch onboard, and afternoon free time to snorkel on the coast of Santiago. Sealions and maybe penguins. Return to Santa Cruz. Time to explore the shopping centers. Dinner on your own at Santa Cruz. Hotel Dejavu. (B, L)
Day 6.
After a great breakfast, walk to Charles Darwin Center. This wonderful facility will explain the multiple efforts by Ecuador government and the NGO to protect the fragile biodiversity of the Islands. Lunch in Santa Cruz town and take a boat to travel to Isabela Island. Check in at Hotel Casita de la Playa. Dinner on your own at Isabela town. Hotel Cormorant o similar (B, L)
Day 7.
Breakfast at hotel. We will drive in a traditional Isabela bus to the highlands of Sierra Negra Volcano. A hike on the National Park to reach the peak of this mountain. If the weather helps, we will see that impressive “big caldera”, one of the craters of this volcano. After the hike we will visit a local farm, where we will have a great traditional lunch, with products from the farm. Free afternoon to enjoy the Island. Optional hike to the dock along the coast. Dinner on your own at Isabela town. Hotel Casita de la Playa o similar (B, L)
Day 8.
Breakfast at Hotel. Short drive to visit Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center, to learn about the efforts to maintain the population of native tortoises of the island. After this visit, we will walk back to Isabela, through a wetland, where the native Flamingos can be observed. Lunch at Isabela. In the afternoon we will take a small boat to visit Tintoreras island, good chances to see White-tipped Reef Sharks. Snorkeling on this wonderful reef, where normally penguins can be spotted. That night we will have dinner together to celebrate the last night at the Archipelago. Hotel Cormorant or similar (B, L, D)
Day 9.
Breakfast at hotel and travel to dock to travel by boat to Santa Cruz. Travel by bus to Puerto Ayora and the Baltra Airport, to take the flight to Quito. Transfer to hotel Hacienda La Jimenita. Farewell dinner. Hotel Hacienda La Jimenita. (B, D)
Day 10.
Breakfast at hotel. For the ones that return home, available transfer to the Airport.