Ecuadorian Amazon & Galapagos on Catamaran
14 DAYS & 13 NIGHTS - Rates on request
Private accommodation - Board according to program
Itinerary
Day 1 - Quito
Welcome at Quito airport and transfer to hotel.
Meals on your own. Night at hotel
Day 2 - Quito: sightseeing & Mitad del Mundo
Breakfast.
Tour of Quito's historic city center
A cultural walk punctuated by visits to the temples and colonial squares of this declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978 begins in the north of Quito, crossing the modern part of the city and arriving at the old town via the narrow streets of the colonial era. It is surrounded by the Government Palace with its splendid wrought-iron balustrades, the Archbishop's Palace with its triangular or arched pediment windows, the Town Hall and the Cathedral, where you can admire paintings by the Quito school.
Visit theChurch of the Society of Jesuschurch, one of the most remarkable in Latin America, thanks to its gold leaf decoration, which completely covers the interior of the temple, and its Baroque and Mudejar style, which has earned it the title of South America's richest church.church of San FranciscoOn the square, the convent boasts a monumental facade with a huge terrace. Inside, the church blends Baroque, Mudejar and Plateresque styles.
The city tour ends with a visit to the hill of the Panecillo hill on top of which stands the statue of the Virgin of Quito, offering a superb view of the city.
Lunch included.
In the afternoon, visit the Mitad del Mundo monument north of Quito, where the Equator line or latitude 00 is located.
A monument marks the crossing of this equatorial line, the location of which was determined by Charles Marie de La Condamine during the first French Geodetic Mission in the 18th century.
Inside this mini-city (a reconstruction of a small traditional village), you'll visit an visit to an ethnographic museum presenting Ecuador's rich ethnic heritage the different groups currently living in the country, their customs, dress and traditions. An excellent introduction to Ecuador's incredible ethnic and cultural diversity.
Near the monument, there are several small souvenir stores, as well as museums preserving objects linked to Ecuador's history.
Return to Quito.
Dinner on your own & overnight stay.
Days 3 to 6 - Amazonia: Masphi Lodge 4 days / 3 nights
Breakfast.
And departure for Amazonia. Meals included during your stay in Masphi
The adventure begins around 8:30 am. You'll be picked up by Mashpi transport to begin your journey northwest of Quito's metropolitan district.
The highway runs along the western flank of the Andes mountain range, next to the Mid-World Monument, which marks the equator.
We then continue our journey eastwards, descending the mountain range, following the course of the Blanco River and observing how the vegetation changes as we descend considerably in altitude.
After passing through the town of Nanegalito, we head northwest on alternate winding roads, passing the Tulipe archaeological site and several farming communities. We arrived at the Lodge at midday.
Your time with us in Mashpi is yours. With our expedition staff, you can choose any of the activities on offer, always accompanied, at your own pace, by a naturalist guide and an expert local guide.
On day of your arrival, you'll plan your activities with the team and receive a lecture on Mashpi and all its wonders.
After lunch and a rest, you'll set off in the afternoon for an activity, perhaps an introductory walk through our magical forest along paths that wind around roots and trees, adorned with orchids, lianas and bromeliads.
As night fallsa new group of creatures emerges, and the guide can point out the frogs (some are transparent!), snakes and tarantulas that can be found on a nocturnal stroll.
The next day could start at sunrise on the panoramic terrace, watching - and hearing - a flock of birds fly around the lodge.
After breakfast, you can walk to a waterfall, take a dip in the spectacular fountain, then head for the hummingbird garden.
Another option is to discover the wonderful butterflies at the Life Center.
After lunch, you can pedal between two points in the forest about 200m apart by Aerial Bicycle, then climb the Observation Tower to enjoy the Reserve in its entirety and admire the sun setting behind the clouds...
For the eveningWe have prepared a series of lectures: "The hidden fauna of Mashpi", "Chocó, a biological hotspot" on the formation and diversity of Chocó, or on our scientific research projects. The lectures will be given by one of our naturalists or our resident biologist at 7.30pm.
You might want to save the best for the last day; a hike followed by a dynamic ride above the forest canopy, aboard our incredible and unique aerial gondola: the Dragonfly. A truly incredible experience!
Of course, you can also explore other trails in the forest, go to another waterfall or find a corner to contemplate and reflect on your experience.
On the last day of the program, transport will leave for Quito before midday.
Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7 - Galapagos: 5-day/4-night cruise
Breakfast.
Transfer to the airport with your driver.
✈ Flight to Baltra.
Arrive in Baltra and be met at the airport by your Galapagos National Park naturalist guide.
On arrival at the Seymour Ecological Airport, travelers will pass through an airport inspection point to ensure that no foreign plants or animals are brought into the islands, and to pay the park entry fee of $100 usd. Your guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage and escort you on a short bus ride to the port.
Transfer to the boat and check into your cabin.
Refreshments and lunch on board.
Visit to "Black Turtle Cove" on Santa Cruz Island
Black Turtle Cove takes its name from the abundance here of green sea turtles, known locally as "tortugas negras". The excursion is by zodiac, where we explore shallow channels and small coves surrounded by magnificent mangrove forests. Reef sharks, sea turtles and several species of rays inhabit this beautiful, tranquil spot, which is considered an important mating area for sea turtles and a nursery for several species of shark. Herons, pelicans and blue-footed boobies are also common here, as they hunt in the anchovy beds.
Highlights: Blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, green sea turtles, rays, herons, blue-footed boobies, mangroves.
Return aboard the Alya. Dinner on board & overnight.
Day 8 - Island Genovesa
Breakfast on board.
Morning: Visit to Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island
Genovesa is a birdwatcher's favorite island, home to huge colonies of seabirds. As soon as you set foot on the beach, you'll be amazed by the sound of hundreds of blue-footed boobies, red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, gulls and frigate birds flying overhead, perched in the bushes or nesting on the sandy terrain. The trail is an incredible wildlife-watching experience, for, there are animals everywhere, sea lions and marine iguanas near the sea, night herons, lava gulls and ring-tailed gulls, Darwin's finches, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds and many other species inland.
Snorkelling / Underwater hiking: The bay offers several places for underwater hiking, in deep water along the cliffs and on the other side of the bay with shallow water near the beach. In both cases, the marine fauna is abundant and you'll be able to observe many tropical fish with great chances of seeing sharks, rays and sea lions among others.
Highlights: The Magnificent Frigate, Red-legged Boobies and Nazca Boobies, Galapagos Sea Lions, Lava Gulls and Swallow-tailed Gulls, Yellow-crowned Night Herons, Genovesa Ground Finch, Genovesa Cactus Finch, Galapagos Mockingbirds.
Hiking trail: distance 1.2 km
Lunch on board.
Afternoon: Visit to the "El Barranco" site on the island of Genovesa
El Barranco is located in the southern part of Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island. The cliffs facing the sea are made of very fragile fractured lava, making it the ideal place for storm petrels to establish their colonies, which in turn attracts a large population of short-eared owls that feed on the nesting birds. Red-legged boobies and Nazca boobies are abundant along the trail. At the foot of the cliffs, you can see Galapagos fur seals resting in shaded areas, as well as several species of seabird.
Snorkelling / Underwater hiking: You can hike along the cliffs where there are lots of tropical fish and starfish, with great chances of seeing sharks, rays and sea lions.
Highlights: Breeding Great frigatebirds, Nazca red-legged and masked boobies, Galapagos fur seals, swallow-tailed gulls, lava gulls, yellow-crowned night herons, Genovesa ground chaffinch, Genovesa cactus chaffinch, Galapagos mockingbirds, phaetons.
Hiking trail: distance 1.2 km
Return aboard the Alya. Dinner on board& overnight.
Day 9 - Santiago Island
Breakfast on board.
Morning: Visit to the Sullivan Bay site on Santiago Island
This hike is a journey into understanding the birth of these volcanic islands. You'll walk through a very well-preserved Pahoehoe lava flow, giving you endless opportunities to see the delicate textures of this type of lava, which appear in only a few places around the world. At first glance, the arid landscape seems completely devoid of life, but look carefully for pioneer plants, lava lizards and small birds. Along the shore, you can find penguins, pelicans and oystercatchers.
Snorkelling / Diving: You can swim or dive from a coral sand beach or from the dinghies. Diving underwater is like traveling to another world: while the land is almost lifeless, the sea is teeming with life, including large schools of tropical fish, Galapagos penguins, reef sharks, sea turtles and rays.
Highlights: Pahoehoe lava, Galapagos penguins, Magpie oystercatchers, Galapagos falcons.
Hiking trail: distance 2.2 km
Lunch on board.
Afternoon: Visit to Bartolomé Island
Bartolomé is one of the most emblematic spots in the Galapagos and one of the few places where you can see penguins without traveling to the remote western regions of Isabela and Fernandina. You'll have a breathtaking view of Pinnacle Rock, located in the northern part of the island, right next to a beautiful peach-colored sandy beach. The hike to the top of the island is fantastic, offering incredible views of lunar landscapes with scattered volcanic cones. Many of them are visible from this vantage point, as well as Sullivan's Bay and Pinnacle Rock.
Snorkelling / Diving: You can swim or dive from the beach. This area has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best snorkeling sites in the Galapagos, not only because of its clear, calm water, but also because of the presence of penguins, which are relatively easy to find while snorkeling, as well as an incredible diversity of fish, colorful invertebrates, sea lions, sea turtles, rays and reef sharks.
Highlights: Galapagos penguins, volcanic landscapes, Pinnacle rock, blue-footed boobies, herons, sea lions, sharks.
Hiking trail: distance 1.5 km
Return aboard the Alya. Dinner on board & overnight.
Day 10 - Sombrero Chino- Mosquera Island
Breakfast on board.
Morning: Visit to the "Chinese Hat" islet
This small islet is formed by a perfectly symmetrical volcanic cone, hence the name "Chinese Hat". It is separated from Santiago by a narrow channel forming one of the islands' most beautiful bays. The turquoise-blue water and coral sand beaches surrounded by dark lava rocks give this area a truly tropical character, making the discovery of penguins resting on the rocks all the more surprising. The trail skirts the shoreline and passes through a small colony of sea lions.
Snorkelling / Underwater hiking: When you swim here, you'll be mesmerized by the incredible colors of the fish and the slender silhouettes of the reef sharks, and it's not uncommon to see a penguin darting through the water to chase anchovies like a little torpedo.
Highlights: Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos penguins, lava tubes, oystercatchers, Galapagos falcons.
Hiking trail: distance 1.3 km
Lunch on board.
Afternoon: Visit to the "Mosquera" islet
The Mosquera islet is mainly a barren sandbar with a few rocky areas and scattered salt-resistant plants. You can stroll along the beach and see mischievous baby sea lions surfing the waves and having a good time in the tide pools. Look out for endemic gulls, which often fly over the beach in search of food.
Snorkelling : If the waves aren't too big, you can dive at the northern tip of the island or on one of the small beaches on the sheltered side.
Highlights: Galapagos sea lions, lava gulls, oystercatchers, shorebirds
Hiking trail: There is no trail, but you can walk along a sandy area 0.6 km long.
Return aboard the Alya. Dinner on board & overnight.
Day 11 - Darwin Station & Oatavalo
Breakfast on board.
Morning: Visit to the Charles Darwin station
The Charles Darwin Station is a non-profit organization that has been working for decades with the Galapagos National Park to preserve the biodiversity of these unique islands. On this tour, you'll learn about the projects the two institutions are carrying out together to protect endemic species and eradicate invasive species that threaten the Galapagos environment. One of the most important and emblematic projects has been the reproduction of giant land tortoises in captivity. The visit takes place mainly outdoors, in a beautiful native dry forest with giant cacti and many other interesting native plants. It's - also a fantastic place to find several species of Darwin's endemic finches, as well as flycatchers and mockingbirds.
Highlights: breeding program for giant tortoises and Galapagos land iguanas, Darwin's finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, Galapagos flycatchers, yellow warblers.
After the visit, transfer to Baltra airport.
✈ Flight to Quito.
Arrival and transfer to Otavalo with your driver guide english-speaking.
Lunch on your own.
Dinner & overnight at the hacienda.
Day 12 - Otavalo: visit to local projects proposed by Hacienda Zuleta
Breakfast.
Today, take advantage of the many activities offered by the Zuleta site: in addition to producing an excellent cheese, one of the most renowned in Ecuador, it has founded a project to rehabilitate the famous condors. From now on, you'll certainly be able to observe this emblematic bird. Possibility of excursions: horse or carriage rides (additional cost), bike rental, cooking or sewing classes, birdwatching, evening campfires...
Meals and overnight at the hacienda.
Day 13 - Otavalo - Quito: sightseeing along the way
Breakfast.
Departure forthe lakes region and the small town of Otavalo: visit the famous craft market, known for its wide variety of handicrafts: ponchos, straw hats, silver jewelry, etc.
Continuation to Lake Cuicocha (3,200 m), inside the crater of an active volcano that collapsed on itself millions of years ago. We'll hike for about 1 hour.
Lunch.
Visit Cascade Peguche is a beautiful waterfall about 20 meters high and 6 meters wide, set in about 40 hectares of forest. It has a magnificent path through a eucalyptus forest. It is also an indigenous ceremonial center.
Back to Quito
Dinner on your own & overnight at the hotel.
Day 14 - Quito - return
Breakfast.
At the agreed time, transfer to the airport and assistance with check-in for your international flight.
Meals on your own.
Hotels
Quito: Casa Gangotena - www.casagangotena.com
Masphi: Masphi lodge - www.mashpilodge.com
Otavalo: Hacienda Zuleta - www.zuleta.com
Galapagos: Catamaran Alya - www.alyaonboard.com
Hotel categories are based on national standards. Hotels are subject to availability at the time of booking. In the event of non-availability, they will be replaced by hotels of equivalent category. Upgrade to a higher category is possible.
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INCLUS CONTIENENT ET MASPHI LOGE :
- 9 nights' accommodation in a double room (breakfast included) in the establishments listed below or equivalent.
- Meal plan: as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Guide/driver service english-speaking (2-3 pax) and driver + guide english-speaking (4-6 pax) for Quito - Mitad del Mundo - Otavalo.
- Visits mentioned with Spanish/English guide during stay at Masphi lodge.
- Free soft drinks with meals at Mashpi Lodge.
- All land transfers in private tourist vehicles / with driver.
- Certified Spanish-speaking guide for tours of Quito's historic center.
- Ongoing assistance from our guide-accompanist throughout the itinerary and from our local team based in Quito.
INCLUDED GALAPAGOS CRUISE :
- Airport assistance in Quito.
- Transport and fuel surcharge in the Galapagos Marine Reserve.
- 4 nights, double cabin accommodation subject to availability.
- Bilingual naturalist guide (English-Spanish).
- Personalized crew service.
- All meals during the cruise, from lunch on the first day to breakfast on the last day.
- A snack after each activity (except on the last day).
- Welcome cocktail.
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CONTINENT AND MASPHI LOGE :
- Beverages.
- Meals not mentioned.
- Tips (drivers, restaurants, guides, etc.), extras and any other personal expenses.
- Luggage allowance.
- International flights.
GALAPAGOS CRUISE :
- Plane ticket to the Galapagos Islands from/to the mainland (Quito or Guayaquil).
- International flights to/from Ecuador
- Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($100 per person) payment at Baltra airport entrance in cash.
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Additional services not listed
