Galapagos & Amazon (Archipel I)

Galapagos & Amazon (Archipel I)

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15 Days From

$11550

Galapagos & Amazon (Archipel I)

15 Days Starting in Quito and ending in Guayaquil

Visiting: Ecuador, Galapagos Islands

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

WAJ

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 16

Physical rating:

Easy

Age range:

16-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:

English
From: $11550

NB: Prices correct on 08-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Spend a week up high and down low in the Amazon, looking for giant otters, sloth, monkeys, caiman and many colourful species of bird. By contrast, the volcanic islands of the Galapagos offer a very different encounter: Sea lions scatter the beaches, fearless Marine iguanas find camouflage on blackened rocks and countless birds nest in the cliffs above.

Highlights

  • Stay in the Napo Wildlife Centre, a community-owned lodge within the UNESCO Biosphere of Yasuni National Park

  • Visit parrot clay licks, explore the lake by dug-out canoe and walk through primary rainforest

  • Seven nights aboard a catamaran exploring the Galapagos Islands - a maximum of 16 clients on board

  • Snorkel with iridescent fish, playful Sea lions and turtles

  • Fantastic on-board service with experienced naturalist guide

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Start Quito

The adventure begins in Quito, aim to arrive at the hotel this afternoon/evening. Free transfers are available for all clients. A local guide will welcome you to Quito and explain the schedule for the next few days.



Accommodation: Hotel Casona de la Ronda (or similar)

Day 2 : Quito City Tour

Meals Included: Breakfast

We have a half-day city tour of Quito, one of the smaller and more attractive of the capitals of South America - 2,850m high in the western cordillera of the Andes. Quito is the second highest capital in the world, and as always at altitude, it is a good idea not to do anything too strenuous at first!



We explore the colonial centre with its narrow streets and hanging balconies. The tour usually includes the Independence Plaza, flanked by the Presidential and the Archbishop palaces as well as La Compañia Church with its impressive gold leaf decorations. A short drive brings us to El Panecillo Hill for a panoramic view of the city and to admire the 45m high statue of the ‘Virgen de Quito’, the only original Madonna with wings. Please note that entrance fees are not included.



Accommodation: Hotel Casona de la Ronda (or similar)

Day 3 : Fly To Coca; Canoe Excursion To Napo Wildlife Centre

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer to Quito airport this morning for a 40-minute flight from Quito to Coca. A short drive takes us to the dock where we board a large, motorized canoe for a two-hour ride down-stream. At the entrance to the Napo Wildlife Centre reserve, we transfer to smaller, paddled dug-out canoes so as not to disturb the wildlife. This paddle can take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours depending on what sightings we have (we may have the chance to spot Giant otters, along with monkeys and countless bird species including toucans, parrots, and macaws). The final part of the journey involves crossing the spectacular Anangu Lake and arriving at the lodge to receive a welcome drink and briefing.



Accommodation: Napo Wildlife Centre

Day 4 - 5 : Two Days At The Napo Wildlife Centre

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spend the next two days at the Napo Wildlife Centre (NWC). Choice and flexibility are key at the lodge but hopefully the following information should give you a good idea of what to expect. Rather than fixed programmes, the guide will design the most suitable schedule to match the groups physical condition and personal interests. Early starts are necessary in order to maximise our wildlife viewing opportunities. NWC has one of the best parrot clay licks in Ecuador, located around one hour from the lodge. We aim to arrive at the lick before the parrot activity kicks off fully at around 7-8am. The lodge also has a 36m-canopy tower, which offers a fantastic insight into the various vertical layers of the jungle and their inhabitants. Spider monkeys frequent the higher canopy searching for fruit and the panoramic view from the top is magnificent, as is the bird viewing. Numerous trails from the lodge offer hikes amongst the primary rainforest and we will head out during the day to learn about the trees and the forest and at night in search of caiman and other nocturnal creatures. Naturally, exploring the lake and creeks by dug-out canoe is a highlight and one of the best ways to see larger animals.



Accommodation: Napo Wildlife Centre

Day 6 : Fly To Quito

Meals Included: Breakfast

Return to Quito the same way we arrived - paddled canoe down the creek, motorised canoe back up the river to Coca and then a short drive to the airport for the flight to Quito.



Accommodation: Hotel Casona de la Ronda (or similar)

Day 7 : Discover Quito At Your Leisure

Meals Included: Breakfast

We include a free day in Quito to allow time for any delays coming back from the rainforest. An optional excursion to the cloud forest can be organised for this day at the start of the tour.



Accommodation: Hotel Casona de la Ronda (or similar)

Day 8 : Fly To Baltra Airport On The Galapagos And Visit Bachas Beach

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning: Fly to Galapagos



Transfer to Quito Airport and fly to Baltra Airport in the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival, you pass through the airport inspection point to make sure no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the island, and to pay the national park entrance fee. Your guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbour where a dinghy will take you to the yacht.



Afternoon: Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz)



This is a lovely bay with soft, white coral sand frequently visited by egg-laying sea turtles – watch your step! After enjoying leisure time at the beach, you could explore a small lagoon hidden behind bushes, where occasionally it is possible to observe flamingos, black-necked stilts and whimbrels. You might also see rusty barges, which were abandoned here after the Second World War when the USA rented this island as a strategic point to protect the Panama Channel from Japan.



Accommodation: Archipel I

Day 9 : Genovesa Island

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning: Prince Philip's Steps



Genovesa has a royal touch. Follow in the footsteps of Prince Philip – who admired the Galapagos for many years – and visit this favourite birding spot, home to the largest breeding colonies of red-footed and nazca boobies and short-eared owls, which hunt on foot.



Afternoon: Darwin Bay



One of the outer islands and among the most exclusive spots on the Galapagos, Genovesa is well worth last night's longer navigation. This compact site displays the varied coastal ecosystems of the Galapagos in miniature – nearly too much for a single day.



Accommodation: Archipel I

Day 10 : Bartolomé And Santiago

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning: Bartolomé



This tiny volcano islet is just recently born out of fire. Enter its wild setting of spatter cones and craters and admire beautiful panoramas of the Galapagos.



Afternoon: Sullivan Bay (Santiago)



Sullivan Bay is incomparable to any other site; setting foot on the recently solidified lava flow is like walking on the moon.



Accommodation: Archipel I

Day 11 : Santa Cruz Island

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning: El Chato Reserve – Twin Craters



El Chato Reserve is a protected area and part of the Galapagos National Park, extending from Cerro El Chato as far down as the southwestern coast of Santa Cruz Island.



Afternoon: Fausto Llerena Breeding Center



On a tour of the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, you can see the tortoises of Española Island, ending in the tortoise exhibit corral. Tortoises of this corral are accustomed to humans – an excellent chance to capture a photo for your wall back home.



Accommodation: Archipel I

Day 12 : Floreana Island

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning: Cormorant Point and Devil’s Crown



The peninsula of Cormorant Point forms the extreme north cape of Floreana, which exists out of smaller volcanic cones, covered by a tropical dry forest of palo santo. At the landing beach, you will be welcomed by a small Galapagos sea lion colony. The green sand on this beach contains a high percentage of glassy olivine crystals, which have been blown out by the surrounding tuff cones. The flour-sand beach on the southern side of the peninsula is made of even finer white-coral sand, which feels very smooth on the feet. Parrotfish have pulverised it, grinding the calcareous skeletons of living coral. You can spot schools of stingrays who love the sandy bottom to hide. During the first months of the year, Pacific green turtles come ashore to bury their eggs.



Devil’s Crown is one of the best snorkelling spots in the Galapagos due to the coral reef in its centre, which attracts a lot of marine life. Here you can spot Galapagos penguins, sea lions, sea turtles, many different colourful fish and even dolphins. The current can be a bit strong sometimes, so it should not be attempted by novice swimmers.



Afternoon: Post Office Bay and Baroness Lookout



Historically, this site was the location of a wooden barrel placed by an 18th-century whaling ship crew; letters placed inside were collected and delivered by sailors returning home. Tourists still leave thousands of letters here today and many still reach their destination. You can also relax on the beach at Post Office Bay, where you may see Galapagos sea lions, Pacific green turtles, golden rays and Galapagos penguins (this is the only place in the southeastern archipelago where penguins reside). You can also climb Baroness Lookout, a small basaltic cone, and enjoy paradisiacal views of the coastline. This viewpoint was the favourite spot the eccentric baroness and self-proclaimed Empress of Galapagos, Eloisa von Wagner, who was one of the first settlers on Floreana.



Accommodation: Archipel I

Day 13 : Española Island

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning: Osborn Islet and Gardner Bay



The striking white beach at Gardner Bay is an important breeding site for Pacific green turtles. However, without a doubt, its main attraction is the Galapagos sea lion colony. Females stay year-round in this nursery, suckling their pups until they are three years' old, although they start to fish at five months. During the breeding and mating season, the colony becomes even bigger.



Afternoon: Suarez Point



The west tip of Española is a dream for birdwatchers and photographers. Feel as though you're within an exciting nature documentary and hike a short distance from colourful marine iguanas.



Accommodation: Archipel I

Day 14 : San Cristobal Island

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning: Pitt Point



Two wind-sculpted tuff cones at Pitt Point constitute the easternmost end of the Galapagos and were the first sight of land for the crew of Darwin’s HMS Beagle.



Afternoon: Witch Hill



Enjoy a leisurely afternoon in Witch Hill's crescent-shaped beach of soft powdery sand.



Accommodation: Archipel I

Day 15 : Disembark San Cristobal; Fly To Guayaquil And End

Meals Included: Breakfast

Morning: Lobos Islet (San Cristobal) and Transfer to San Cristobal Airport



The Lobos Islet’s beach harbours a colony of Galapagos sea lions. As in other colonies in the archipelago, you can approach nurturing females within a few metres. In the breeding season, this colony is also visited by territorial males, defending and mating the harem on their part of the beach. This low islet is home to more than just Galapagos sea lions, two other emblematic species breed here: male blue-footed boobies and great frigate birds who try to impress the females (and tourists) with clumsy dances, heaving their striking blue feet or blowing up their balloon-sized scarlet pouches.



Assisted by the naturalist guide and some crew members, the dinghy will bring you and your luggage to San Cristobal, where we take the airport shuttle. From here, we fly to Guayaquil where it's possible to connect with international flights from 6pm onwards.

What's Included

  • All breakfasts, 10 lunches, 10 dinners

  • All accommodation

  • All transport and listed activities

  • Tour leader throughout

  • Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)

  • Arrival and departure transfers

  • Snorkel equipment (mask, snorkel and fins) available free of charge on board

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Single accommodation (availble on request)

  • Visas or vaccinations

  • Compulsory Galapagos taxes US$220, paid locally

Accommodation

On this trip, we spend:



Four nights in a hotel (normally Hotel Casona de la Ronda)

Three nights in a jungle lodge at Napo Wildlife Centre, where you stay in individual wooden and concrete cabins. The centre is small with only 12 cabins.

We also spend seven nights on a catamaran (see below for more)



Worth knowing



Single rooms can be arranged for a supplement for the four hotel nights in Quito and the three nights at the Napo Wildlife Centre, subject to availability – please enquire at the time of booking.

Unfortunately, we cannot offer single cabins on board the boat in the Galapagos, and you will be paired up with another traveller of the same sex for the seven nights on board.

Food

All breakfasts, 10 lunches and 10 dinners included. On board meals are plentiful with a wide choice of international and local cuisine. Breakfasts will usually consist of cheese, meats, eggs, cereal, toasts, yoghurts, and fruits. Snacks are provided mid-morning and mid-afternoon, and for lunches and dinner soup usually precedes the main course. Alcoholic drinks are available on board (approx. US$4 per beer, US$32.50 for a bottle of wine, around US10 for selected cocktails) and the crew request that you do not bring your own alcohol with you. Drinking water, tea, coffee and juice is freely available at no additional charge. At Napo Wildlife Centre, breakfast is a large buffet of cereals, fresh fruit and breads with cheese, eggs and jams. Lunch and dinner are usually three courses and served by a waiter. The lodge has a well-stocked bar. Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for on this holiday - please do inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so that our local team can be well prepared.

Check out our Q&As

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    16+ age people can go on this tour.

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Arrival and departure transfers

  • What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

    4 nights comfortable hotel and 3 nights jungle lodge.

  • What is the maximum group size?

    16

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

GALAPAGOS & AMAZON

This is a truly memorable trip. The Amazon and Galapagos so very different but both providing opportunities to see a variety of wildlife and at a proximity you never believed possible.

Galapagos and Amazon

What a fantastic adventure! The rain forest was amazing, paddling up the creek to the Napo Wildlife Centre was like going to a different world. The cabanas were lovely, food plentiful and tasty. We saw Giant River Otters twice! Wow! It was the rain forest, so guess what, it rained! (but not all the time.) Cachalote was equally comfortable, if a little cramped, and Cookie produced excellent meals, need to go on a diet now. The walks on the islands were short, but interesting with an abundance of wildlife providing loads of photo opportunities.Snorkeling was brilliant, even for a novice like me. The Hotel Vieja Cuba in Quito was quaint and unusual.

GALAPAGOS & AMAZON

A wonderful and well organised trip which exceeded all my expectations. The Napo accomodation was in the most amazing setting, and the bungalows were beautiful. The Cachalote scooner for the Galapagos cruise was just perfect. With just 16 people, it is easy to get to know your fellow travellers, and all the crew made your 8 days feel extra special.

GALAPAGOS & AMAZON

When booking a trip to the Galapagos one immediately thinks of Charles Darwin's adventures and the shift in thinking they caused. How could such a trip to these isles ever compare to such grand impressions of them. Is it even remotely possible to see what Darwin saw or even begin to imagine what he felt as he walked on the islands? The answer is yes, if you book with Exodus!

What an experience!!!!

I hoped for a lot, but expected nothing (especially in the Amazon) but we saw more wildlife than I knew there was! And as for the Galapagos.....Sensational. Holiday of a lifetime and would recommend to anyone. Truly brilliant. Am delighted to have managed to have whittled my photos down to about 650 (and 35 videos!). The Napo Lodge was stunning with fabulous staff but the Cachalotte was possibly even better (though cabin much smaller and less glamorous than lodge). The memories will be something I treasure forever. The organisation from beginning to end made everything so easy and I will definitely be travelling with Exodus again.

GALAPAGOS & AMAZON

An excellent trip to two different environments (plus Quito), seeing lots of wildlife and visiting wild places, new experiences (snorkelling and being at the highest altitude that I've been to). The itineraries at Napo and in the Galapagos Islands are busy but there's also time to relax and just enjoy the sights and sounds.

GALAPAGOS & AMAZON

A fantastic two and half weeks. The organisation of all the guides was superb, excellent food through out the holiday and the wildlife sightseeing in both the Amazonian rainforest and on and around the Galapagos Islands was sensational.

Galapagos & Amazon, what a combo!

The Napo Lodge Wildlife centre lodges are amazing and very comfortable. Lots of wildlife to see from the open canoe up the various creeks and the easy walking through the jungle. In Galapagos we did the western itinerary (B) this time having done the eastern itinerary 10 years ago. We found the two to be quite different in some ways with noticeably fewer seabirds on this trip compared to 10 years ago although they were slightly different times of year. However this itinerary is much better for penguins and turtles and the flightless cormorant can only be seen on itinerary B. B is said to be better for whales but we didn't see any - just dolphins. Either way it is a tremendous wildlife experience but don't expect an idyllic tropical island paradise, the islands can be quite stark and barren and the water is cold despite it being on the equator.

GALAPAGOS & AMAZON

I have no regrets in taking this trip and if I could turn back time I would do exactly the same again. You already imagine this is the trip of a lifetime and for me it was.

Amazon and Galapagos

Excellent wildlife, the snorkeling was amazing - turtles, sea lions and occasional (small) sharks. Good guides. Hectic with early starts and busy schedule. Worst experience was having my bag with all my valuables stolen from the hotel lobby - although we were aware of steet crime we did expect to be safe within the hotel.

Read all 20 reviews

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