Family holiday to the Ecuadorian Amazon and the Galapagos Islands

Day 1 - Day of arrival - Quito

On arrival at Quito Airport (at a height of 2,850 metres/9,350 feet) you will be met by a local bilingual guide who will transfer you to the Patio Andaluz Hotel (26 miles approximately 60 minutes) which is located in the heart of the colonial quarter of Quito.

On the way you will be briefed on the following days’ activities and any questions answered. We have worked with this hotel for many years. It is a charming, historic hotel with 32 rooms. You will be arriving in the late afternoon so do try the bar and restaurant (payable locally) and perhaps wander into the historical centre.

Overnight at Hotel Patio Andaluz (Bed & Breakfast)

Hotel Patio Andaluz, Quito

Day 2 - Quito

After breakfast you will be collected by your guide to embark on your half day tour and the day’s activities.The historic colonial centre of Quito is one of the best preserved in South America. A visit to the enormous Plaza Grande or Independence Square, surrounded by important historical buildings, is followed by a tour around the Compania de Jesus church, dating from the 17th century and considered to be one of the most beautiful baroque churches in South America. Also on the tour is the San Francisco Church and Monastery, which was built a few months after the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadors in the 16th century, and then on to the enormous statue of the Virgin atop the Panecillo Hill overlooking all of Quito - a truly unique view. The tour will finish with a visit to an artisan chocolate shop for a lesson on chocolate making using Ecuadorian fine aroma cacao. Needless to say a tasting will follow!

Your guide will arrange a lunch (payable locally) before continuing towards the Middle of The World, just north of Quito, a drive of about 19 miles. This is where the equatorial line divides the northern and southern hemispheres. The main monument honours the French scientific expedition that arrived in Ecuador in the 18th century to measure the shape of the earth. The Inti Nan Museum and the GPS location of the equator line will also be visited. Depending on what time you return to your hotel there may be some time for you to explore the historic centre of the capital. Do try a local restaurant (payable locally) for your evening meal.

Overnight at Hotel Patio Andaluz (Bed & Breakfast)

Quito

Day 3 - Sacha Lodge

At an appropriate time (usually at around 11.00am) after breakfast you will be collected from your hotel and taken to Quito Airport. The flight to Coca, a bustling oil town, lasts about half an hour and crosses the Andes.

Sacha Lodge, your accommodation for the next four nights, has a private house in the town where lunch is served and then from the town docks, private canoes will launch to take you on a two-hour journey to Sacha’s Lodge in the Amazon rain forest. A 30-minute hike (you will have help with your luggage) will take you to Pilchicocha lake where you will be met and paddled across the lake to Sacha Lodge where you will arrive at around 15.30 to 16.00 in the afternoon. Please bear in mind that local conditions will determine the exact timings. After a hot, long and probably tiring journey using various transport modes, do take a swim in Lake Pilchicocha which is a black water lake. Or you can observe the local bird life from the lodge’s mini tower, watch the sun set or visit the butterfly house with your naturalist guide to view the many colourful and varied butterflies. After dinner there is a night walk organised, taking you through the forest to view those animals that are active only at night. The excursion could also be by canoe to view the spectacled black caimans with their glowing orange eyes.

Overnight at Sacha Lodge (Full Board)

Sacha Lodge

Day 4 - Canopy Walk

There are several sample itineraries available at the lodge and you should bear in mind that these are all subject to change on both days four and five depending on the local conditions. Today, after an early breakfast, activities begin at between 06.00 to 07.00. The Liana Chica trail leads to a canopy walk for spectacular views of the rainforest canopy and views of the many different species of vibrant coloured birds. The canopy walk is designed as a sturdy walkway enabling guests to casually move along while enjoying the spectacular views.

After the canopy walk, you will follow the Liana Grande trail through terra firma trails and igapo (swamp) forest habitats where native guides will explain many different species of medicinal plants that have been used in their culture for hundreds of years. The Liana Grande trail merges into the Higueron trail, which will take you through pristine primary forest with huge Kapok and Fig trees towering hundreds of feet above your head. After lunch, you may choose to take a leisurely hike along the Rio Napo, or choose a little more challenging hike on the Leoncillo trail to try and spot the elusive dusky Titi monkey. Either way, the trails will lead you back to the main board-walk for your final hike and canoe ride back to the lodge.

Overnight at Sacha Lodge (Full Board)

Canopy walk

Day 5 - Lagartococha Trail

Leaving the lodge after breakfast, you begin your hike on the Lagartococha trail. This trail offers the chance to learn more about the native people and their relationship with the forest. Learn about the trees where native people believe the spirits of their ancestors live, and the mysterious “dwende” or devil-man of the forest. After arriving at lake Lagartococha, there is a tranquil canoe ride through a natural swamp, which is the home of anacondas, caimans, and capybaras. After the canoe ride, a walk follows on the other side of Lake Largatococha where there is the possibility of spotting capuchin or squirrel monkeys playfully jumping through the trees.

On returning from the walk or canoe ride it’s back to the lodge for a refreshing dip in the lake, or a nice relaxing nap in your personal hammock on your private balcony. After lunch, your native guide will teach you how to fish for the infamous razor-toothed piranha (a favourite activity for children). Keep in mind that piranhas will never attack a person and swimming with them at the same time is perfectly safe and fun! At around 15:30, you embark on what many think is the best trail at Sacha, a silent canoe ride through the flooded Amazonian forest. Here, there is a good chance of being surrounded by troops of squirrel, capuchin, and howler monkeys. Keep your eyes peeled for the shy and elusive river otter as well as the incredibly well camouflaged three-toed sloth! Following your canoe ride through the flooded forest, you will reach Sacha ́s 135-foot wooden tower built around an ancient Kapok tree. This is an ideal opportunity for close-up views of vibrantly coloured birds through Sacha ́s powerful telescopes, and from here watch the sun set with an amazing view of Mount Sumaco volcano and, weather permitting, a possible sighting of the snow-covered peaks of the Andes! As the departure from the tower will be just before or after sunset, you will experience a canoe ride back through the flooded forest at night - an awesome experience listening to the symphony of frogs and insects as you navigate through the narrow flooded forest trails, keeping your eyes open for caimans. Watch for the several species of bats flying overhead and listen to the many species of nocturnal birds making their eerie nighttime calls. Finally, after your undoubtedly mesmerisng trip through the Amazon, you will arrive back at lake Pilchicocha and the welcoming lights of Sacha lodge for dinner.

Overnight at Sacha Lodge (Full Board)

Canoe ride through the Amazonian forest

Day 6 - Yasuni National Park

After breakfast - and once more subject to change - there is an opportunity to view four different species of parrots at the same time, something that should not be missed. Sacha is close enough to Yasuni National Park to enable a thirty minute motorised canoe ride down the Napo to the parrot lick.

Leaving at six in the morning from Sacha and arriving at the lick around 7:30 will give you plenty of time to get close up views of the parrots eating the clay to neutralise the acids which they ingest from eating their many different types of fruits and leaves. Lunch and dinner back at the lodge and time to relax.

Overnight at Sacha Lodge (Full Board)

Macaw 'lick' - eating the clay

Day 7 - Quito

An early breakfast at the lodge and a departure at around 07.30 is an opportunity for one last walk on the boardwalk to the river from where it is a 2 hour canoe ride back to Coca Airport for your 35 minute flight back to Quito, where you will arrive at around 12.30. You will be collected by a bilingual guide at the airport and transferred, for your last night, to the Hotel Holiday Inn Airport (17 minutes/8 miles). Lunch and dinner are payable locally.

Overnight at the Holiday Inn Airport (Bed & Breakfast)

Quito

Day 8 - Galapagos Islands cruise

After an early breakfast you will be collected from your hotel and taken to Quito Airport 17 minutes/8 miles) to board your flight to Baltra (2 hours and ten minutes) in the Galapagos. Your INGALA card (landing card) will be given to you by your guide accompanying you to the airport. On arrival you will have to present your INGALA card. Your National Park fee is pre-paid and your names will be on a list that the Galapagos Migration officials will have. You need to give them your names and cruise (Galaxy) and they will confirm that the fee has been paid and you will then go through to the arrivals hall where you will be met by Galaxy Representatives. Today you will sail from Baltra Island to North Seymour Island. Remote, spectacular and utterly unique, the Galapagos islands are a once in a lifetime destination for anyone interested in the natural world. The wonderfully diverse wildlife and dramatic volcanic landscapes exceed expectations, exciting even the most well-travelled visitors. There are 19 islands of varying sizes, located along the equator, 600 miles from the coast of Ecuador. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The bizarre wildlife includes giant tortoises, blue and red footed boobies, marine iguanas, colonies of sea lions and frigate birds. The weather tends to be hot with tropical downpours between December and May, cooler and more overcast June to November.

M/Y EcoGalaxy catamaran, Galapagos Islands has single, double or twin cabins. In total this first-class motor yacht has a total of 8 cabins with a capacity for 16 passengers. It also accommodates 9 crew, one cruise director and one bilingual guide.The M/Y EcoGalaxy measures 114 feet and is a roomy vessel. Cabins are air conditioned and have WiFi. Bathrooms are with shower. The yacht offers a dining room, bar and lounge, polished wood decor, complimentary tea and coffee at any time, library and sundeck. Snorkelling gear, kayaks and paddle board equipment are provided and there are wetsuits for hire. On arrival to San Cristobal you will be met by your guide who will introduce you to an unforgettable journey of breathtaking landscapes and unparalleled biodiversity. Feel the excitement as you step into this living sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage site, marking the beginning of an extraordinary exploration.Your exploratory walks on San Cristobal will be easy. After lunch you will embark your yacht for Lobos Island. Lobos Island, a small islet near San Cristóbal, offers an unforgettable wildlife experience. Upon landing, groups of sea lions will greet you as they play in tidal pools. Walking inland (0.4 miles), you’ll spot Lava lizards, Frigate birds perched in bushes, displaying their inflated red pouches, while Blue-footed boobies nest along the trail, performing their iconic courtship dance. In the calm waters, snorkelling provides an incredible opportunity to swim with playful sea lions, while sea turtles and rays rest on the sandy bottom.

Overnight on Board M/Y EcoGalaxy (days eight to eleven) in your designated cabin(s) on a full board basis.

M/Y EcoGalaxy

Day 9 - Gardner Beach

Gardner beach is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and interesting beaches to visit in the Galapagos. Its fine coral sand and turquoise water give it a totally tropical appearance, which contrasts with the presence of sea lions basking on the beach. You will have the opportunity to walk along the beach (0.5 miles, difficult walk) and learn about the biology of sea lions and other endemic species, such as the Española mockingbird, Marine iguanas and Galapagos hawks. Other highlights include Herons, Galapagos mockingbirds, Darwin finches,Waved Albatross and Lava lizards. There are opportunities to snorkel and take PANGA (small boat) trips.

In the afternoon you will hike (easy 1,1 miles) to Suarez Point on Espanola. This rocky trail is one of the most interesting nature walks you can do in the Galapagos Islands. From the moment you set foot on the island and all the way along the trail, the amount and diversity of fauna is truly amazing. Sea lions and Marine iguanas will be the first ones welcoming you followed by large colonies of sea birds, including Nazca and Blue-footed boobies, gulls and tropicbirds. At the end of the trail you will visit a colony of Waved Albatross (April to January), the largest bird in the islands and one of the most interesting because of its powerful flight and elaborate courtship. Waved Albatross only nest on Española. The views are stunning.

Overnight on Board M/Y EcoGalaxy (Full Board)

Sea lion

Day 10 - Floreana Island

Set sail to Post Office Bay on Floreana Island. In the 1930s, Floreana became the site of a bizarre and fatal real-life mystery. What started as a utopian escape for eccentric German expatriates spiralled into control struggles, tyranny, mysterious disappearances and several deaths. Post Office Bay was often used by whalers to anchor their ships and go up to the highlands to get freshwater and tortoises. Most boats visiting the Galapagos had to visit this bay sooner or later, so a system of mail was established more than 200 years ago. A barrel near the beach became the way to leave messages for other ships and also to the outside world. This mail system is still in use today and will allow you to send postcards from the Galapagos to the outside world. Aside from a small, beautiful beach, the area is great for dinghy tours to look for sea lions, green sea turtles, shorebirds, small sharks and, with some luck, Galapagos penguins. Highlights on this island are Galapagos penguins, Marine iguanas, sea turtles, finches and shorebirds. The short hikes (0.4 miles) here are easy and activities can include snorkelling.

After lunch a 1 mile easy hike to Cormorant point and Devil’s Crow Punta Cormorant is located in the north of Floreana and it is known for its large coastal lagoon with American flamingoes, White-cheeked pintails, Black-necked stilts and other shorebirds. There is a beautiful white sand beach which is an important nesting ground for green sea turtles where you can also see rays and reef sharks. In recent years, a small group of Blue-footed boobies have started to breed right by the trail. This is also a great trail day to look at endemic plants. Highlights include sea turtle nesting sites, Galapagos shearwaters, tropicbirds, Frigate birds, finches and shorebirds. Activities can include snorkelling.

Overnight on Board M/Y EcoGalaxy (Full Board)

Galapagos penguins

Day 11 - Santa Fe Island

A morning sail to Santa Fe Island, nestled in one of the most stunning bays in the Galapagos, boasts towering prickly- pear cacti and ancient lava formations. Its white-sand beach and turquoise waters are home to a large sea lion colony basking under the sun. As you follow the trail, look for the endemic Santa Fe Island iguana and, if lucky, a Galapagos hawk perched atop a cactus scanning for prey. Along the way, Darwin’s finches, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds, and Lava lizards are commonly seen, making this 0.5 mile medium difficulty hike a true wildlife experience. Highlights include stunning views, Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos hawks, Galapagos doves, Santa Fe Island iguanas and Reef sharks. Activities can include snorkelling, PANGA rides, paddle boarding and kayaking.

In the afternoon sail to North and South Plaza Islands. Of the two twin islands, only South Plazas is open to visitors, while North Plaza remains a scientific research site. Despite its small size, South Plaza is teeming with wildlife. Upon landing you will find land iguanas lounging beneath Opuntia cacti, waiting for falling fruit. A large sea lion colony dominates the shore, where playful pups explore tide pools while massive bulls defend their territory. The trail leads to a dramatic cliffside, offering breathtaking ocean views where frigate birds, Blue-footed boobies, Red-billed tropicbirds, and Swallow-tailed gulls soar. A blanket of reddish succulents which covers the island adds to its striking beauty.

Overnight on Board M/Y EcoGalaxy (Full Board)

Iguana

Day 12 - Santa Cruz Island and return to Quito

Sail to Santa Cruz Island to visit the Charles Darwin Station. This is a nonprofit organization which has been working for decades together with the Galapagos National Park Authority to preserve the biodiversity of these unique islands. During the visit you will learn about the projects that both institutions carry out together to protect the native species and eradicate the invasive ones which are threatening the Galapagos environment. One of the most important and emblematic projects has been the reproduction of the giant tortoises in captivity. This visit is mostly outdoors in a beautiful dry native forest with giant cactus and many other interesting native plants. It is also a unique place to view endemic Darwin finches, as well as flycatchers and mockingbirds.

Afterwards, you will be transferred to Baltra Airport on the uninhabited island of Baltra (South Seymour) for your return flight to Quito. On arrival in Quito you will be transferred to the Holiday Inn Airport for your overnight stay. Lunch and dinner are payable locally on this day.

Overnight at the Holiday Inn Airport (Bed & Breakfast)

Giant tortoise

Day 13 - Day of departure

After breakfast you will be collected from the hotel and transferred to Quito Airport for your flight home.