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Day 1: Arrival Quinto
Day 2: City tour – 6 Senses
Day 3: Transfer to the Amazon – Napo Wildlife Centre
Day 4 & 5: Explore the jungle by kayak and walking trails. Amazing wildlife to be seen.
Day 6: Transfer to Quinto Hotel and over night.
Day 7: Fly to Galapagos – Baltra Airport – Board vessel
Day 8: Tintoreras and Sierra Negra
Day 9: Isabela island
Day 10: Fernandina & Isabela
Day 11: Santiago Island
Day 12: San Cristobal & transfer to Airport (Over night accommodation available). End.
Day 1: Arrival – Quito
After arriving at Quito’s Mariscal Sucre Airport, your helpful guide will meet you. He or she will be your personal translator, and assist with the private transfer to your hotel. At the Hotel enjoy a welcome drink, before dinner.
Accommodation: First Class – Luxury Class Hotels
Meals: -/-/D
Day 2: City Tour – 6 senses
This unique adventure for the senses takes you on a curated walk through the winding streets of downtown Quito. Together you will uncover traditions, history and local life of this enchanting city, as you explore the streets of the historic district, you will enter artisan shops, chocolate factories and hidden sweet shops on a trip that covers the past, present and future of Ecuador’s beautiful capital.
Start on the San Juan hill by visiting the Cobo family’s pastry shop. At this small bakery learn the process of making the traditional Quesadilla, one of Quito’s favourite deserts. Get a chance to taste this delicacy and other original treats.
Your second stop is a surprise visit to the ancient location of The temple of the moon. Here experience “El Torno”, an exclusive attraction that takes you into the city’s past while offering expansive views of the amazing domes and rooftops that furnish the skyline. The route takes you through the streets of the seven crosses. Enjoy views of the facades of old colonial homes and churches on along the way to the central plaza.
Your next experience will take you to the very origin of the golden seed “Cacao”. Visit the workshop of the world’s best Chocolate Bar: “Pacari” this chocolate boasts several gold medals from global competitions. Before you get a taste of this unique delicacy you will be introduced to the process of making your own truffles and get a chance to be a chocolatier for a day and mix up exotic fruits, herbs and spices with the famous “Arriba” cocoa beans. All this while learning the entire process from the bean to the bar.
Continue through these historic streets and get a chance to meet a local family that makes their living by creating traditional sweets called Colaciones! You will walk deeper into the heart of Quito, passing by historic buildings made of volcanic stones, the stunning views of the sculpted Compania Church will leave you longing for a visit of its interiors.
To learn more about this and other churches you will make your way to the workshops of the master craftsmen from “The Escuela Quiteña”. These artists keep the secrets of the colonial art in Quito’s churches and museums. They are the people who have been in charge of restoring the altars and painting in these historic gems. They will share their secrets with you and allow you to try your artistic skills.
Our final experience is at the handmade hat workshop; you will get a briefing on the traditional hats from Quito’s historic timeline as well as the distinctive headwear from the different ethnic groups that make up Ecuador’s live culture. Take part in the hat making process. Enjoy a culinary experience at Nuema Restaurant at the end of your wonderful tour of Quito.
This six senses tour will allow you to feel, listen, taste, smell and see Quito. The sixth sense? The love Ecuadorians put into everything they do and their willingness to share with us.
Accommodation: First Class – Luxury Class Hotels
Meals: B/L/-
Day 3: Transfer to the Amazon – Napo Wildlife Centre
Today after breakfast you will be met by your guide and taken to Quito Airport in time for your domestic flight to the Amazon – Napo Wildlife Centre.
Depart Quito for a 30 minute flight to Coca. The flight goes over the beautiful eastern Andes mountain range. After landing, mid morning, proceed on a 5 min transfer in a local chiva (hired bus) or local taxi from the airport to Port Francisco de Orellana. There you will board a comfortable covered motor boat for your trip up The Napo river. Enjoy a tasty lunch box on route. Along the way birds like herons, kingfishers and others can be spotted.
After arriving at Napo Wildlife Centre’s entry dock you will disembark for a restroom break. The option for a peaceful 1 to 2 hour dugout canoe ride is on offer. The route is along a narrow creek that connects to the lake where the lodge is located. Good possibilities of monkey sightings of various species as well as large birds like toucans, parrots or even macaws. Late afternoon arrival to the Napo Wildlife Centre’s lodge and enjoy a welcome drink.
Accommodations: Napo Wildlife Centre
Meals: B/BL/D
Day 4: Deep Amazon Exploration
Wake early to reach the clay licks. They are about an hour away from the lodge. Guests reach these just before parrot activity kicks off between 7:30 to 8:30am. A total of 11 species of parrots, parakeets and macaws can be seen. Later, hike along the forest trail to visit the Kichwa community of Añangu and sharing time with a family during their daily activities.
Return to the creek and hike through a Terra Firme forest for about 30 minutes until arriving at the second parrot clay lick where if the weather conditions are good you will be able to find different species of parrots, parakeets and even macaws. Lunch box served at the parrot clay lick observatory.
Late afternoon arrival back at the lodge.
Accommodations: Napo Wildlife Center
Meals: B/ L/ D
Day 5:
After early breakfast, depart from the lodge for the unique experience at a canopy tower. A 36m high canopy tower opened to guests in November 2004, is a great way to experience the life above the forest floor. This is the second tower at the Napo Wildlife Centre (the first is attached to the dining hall and allows great views of the lake). The tower is located about 30 minutes from the lodge deep within the terra firme forest. As you ascend the 12-floor tower, you pass through different levels of the forest and emerge on top of a huge Ceiba tree. Here you cross onto a wooden platform that is actually built into the tree and experience the view formerly reserved only for the birds.
The metal tower itself was constructed to the highest standards, galvanised, and carefully inspected by engineers. Safety is our highest priority. From top to bottom, there is no finer canopy experience in Eastern Ecuador.
Flocks of colourful tanagers pass right through the canopy of the trees, Blue-and yellow Macaws fly past, in nearby trees Spider Monkeys search for fruit, two species of large toucans call in the early mornings and afternoons, and the life of the forest canopy opens before you.
Birds that are virtually impossible to see from the forest floor far below are suddenly right beside you, oblivious to your presence. The canopy tower opens a whole new world to guests of the Napo Wildlife Centre!
Lunch is served at the lodge. Afternoon visit to a terra firme trail, hike along primary forest to discover the forest interior, possibilities of finding lizards, colourful manakins or the unique and endemic Golden mantle tamarin monkeys are also a possibility.
After the hike, explore the lake and creeks by dugout canoe with great possibilities of seeing a Giant River Otter family on the way… Who knows what is around the next corner?
Accommodations: Napo Wildlife Center
Meals: B/ L/ D
Day 6:
Early departure and last excursion canoeing back to the Napo river, the water way may reveal new sights of Giant otters, Monk Saki monkeys or many other rare birds. Use of the restrooms is encouraged before embarking on your motorised canoe in order to return back to Coca. Arrive after 2 hours boat ride down river, in order to check in for Coca – Quito flight. Schedule to be announced according to departure details and arrangements.
Arrival in Quito you will be transferred to your Hotel.
Accommodation: First Class – Luxury Class Hotels
Meals: B/-/-
Day 7:
Wake up to enjoy your breakfast before your transfer to the Mariscal Sucre International airport for your flight to the Galapagos. Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, visitors must go through an inspection in order to verify that no foreign plants or animals are being introduced to the islands. An entrance fee of $100 (unless it has been prepaid) must be paid to the Galapagos National Park. This payment helps conserve these precious islands. A representative will meet you right outside and help collect your luggage. Then you will be escorted to your bus ride to Puerto Ayora Village.
Although a great majority of Galapagos visitors come here to observe and appreciate the natural wonders, it is also interesting to learn about the protection and conservation of the islands. The National Park information centre, the Van Staelen Exhibition Hall, you will find breeding and rearing centre for young tortoises and adult Galapagos tortoises. The centre is a great introduction to this amazingly intricate and diverse ecosystem.
Accommodation: Seastar Journey Cruise
Meals: B/L/D
Day 8:
A delightful place called Tintorera’s is reached by a zodiac ride. These are small islands located in front of Puerto Villamil. There are lava Herons on the lookout for fish from the mangrove trees. Galapagos penguins and sea lions often pop out on shore as well. White-tipped reef sharks are fairly common in the archipelago. Their name in Spanish is Tintorera, thus the name of this site as they are always found here resting in the shallow waters.
PM: Sierra Negra Volcano
Isabela Island is the largest and one of the youngest islands in the Galapagos archipelago. You will land in Puerto Villamil, which has the second smallest population in Galapagos with approximately 3000 inhabitants. Head up to the highlands from Puerto Villamil to Sierra Negra slope, and later hike to the Sierra Negra volcano rim. Sierra Negra is the second widest crater in the world. From this viewpoint, you have fantastic sights of the 6 x 5 mile wide crater.
Accommodation: Seastar Journey Cruise
Meals: B/L/D
Day 9:
AM: Punta Moreno, Isabela Island
Punta Moreno is located on the north coast of Isabela Island between the Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcanoes. The trail runs along a lava flow Pahohoe. Solidified lava takes the form of an accordion and creates a complex of coastal lagoons where several unique species of birds can be found.
PM: Elizabeth Bay, Isabela Island
The excursion is carried out in a zodiac, therefore there is no landing point. Your zodiac ride starts off with a visit to the Marielas islets where the largest and most important penguin colony in the Galapagos is found. The excursion continues into a cove of red mangroves. Their red roots and green leaves are definitely an attraction. It is here that you are able to observe sea turtles, flightless cormorants, spotted eagle rays, golden rays, brown pelicans and sea lions. Visitors have been able to see Galapagos Hawks soaring overhead whilst schools of Pompano and Dorado fish swim below. A magical place.
Accommodation: Seastar Journey Cruise
Meals: B/L/D
Day 10: Fernandina and Isabela
AM: Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island
Fernandina is the third largest island in the archipelago and has a single visitor site: Punta Espinoza. It is located on the northeastern tip of the island. Just across Tagus Cove.
Marine iguanas here congregate in larger groups in comparison to any other islands. They bask on the sand, swim near the shore and may even block the way at the landing dock, a beautiful show for everyone. Among the unique species found here is the flightless Cormorant. A bird that due to the lack of predators, adjusted its way of survival and now finds food in the ocean. Its wings, tail and feet progressively have adapted for swimming. By looking at this species one can truly witness Darwin’s theory of natural selection. Remember to stay within 2m of the cormorants and penguins!
PM: Tagus Cove, Isabela Island*
Tagus Cove tour continues along the cliffs. The zodiac gives you a good chance to see the Galapagos penguins, the flightless cormorant among other seabirds. From the landing dock you will hike 30 minutes up to the top of the cliff from where you can see the Darwin Lake, an uplifted ultra-saline lake. It is saltier than the ocean itself!
You can also see several volcanoes from this location. Look carefully at the graffiti on the surrounding cliffs of the cove as they were written by pirates, whalers and buccaneers in past centuries.
Accommodation: Seastar Journey Cruise
Meals: B/L/D
Day 11: Isabela Island
AM: Espumilla Beach, Santiago Island
Espumilla beach is located on the northern coast of Santiago Island in James Bay. During the last El Niño one of the two lagoons on this site, underwent a process of sedimentation, thus causing the disappearance of a resident colony of flamingos. The main attractions are the Palo Santo forest. In addition, the beach forms an important site for nesting marine turtles.
PM: Puerto Egas, Santiago Island
It’s black beach is located on the western side of the island and is the main attraction of the island. Their volcanic tuff deposits have favoured the formation of these special black sand beaches.
This site is called Puerto Egas, because there was an attempt from Hector Egas’ company to start the exploitation of salt. This failed because the price of salt in the continent dropped and did not justify its exploitation in Galapagos. The project was abandoned and they left some of the infrastructure behind. A relic of what may have been a seriously damaging environmental process.
Accommodation: Seastar Journey Cruise
Meals: B/L/D
Day 12: San Cristobal
AM: Isla Lobos, San Cristobal
This little island is reached in approximately 1 hour by panga from our boat. Starting at Port Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Island. The trail will lead you across a dry vegetation zone and a substrate of volcanic rocks and sandy areas.
There is a small population of blue-footed boobies and frigate birds, which nest at this site. The beach offers views of a large colony of sea lions and you may see shorebirds.
After your visit to Isla Lobos you will be transferred to the airport in San Cristobal for you pre arranged flight.
Accommodation: First Class – Luxury Class Hotel in Guayaquil if desired.
Meals: B/-/-
Price may vary due to currency fluctuations and supplier charge.
Included:
Private Guidance and Transportation (English Guide)
Tours as listed
Entrance Fees
Meals listed (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Welcome Drink Hotel in Quito
Domestic Flights from Quito – Francisco de Orellana Airport – Quito Airport
4 Days/3 Nights Napo Wildlife Center- Lodge Programme Subject to availability
Seastar Journey 6 Days /5 Nights Subject to availability
Wetsuites and snacks in the cabin (only by the first day) at the Cruises included
Not included:
Personal expenses and tips
Alcoholic drinks and non alcoholic drinks
International flights
Items not specified
Any not mentioned activity
Entrance Fee National Park Galapagos 100 USD per Person (*subject to change)
Transit Card Ingala 20 USD per Person (*subject to change)