Kapawi Ecological
Reserve is located
deep in the
Ecuadorian
Rainforest


Delicious food
awaits you in the
Amazon and the
Galapagos


A plethora of
butterflies can be
found in the Amazon


The squirrel monkey is
one of the many
primate species
to be found


The Red-footed
booby is one of
three booby species
to be seen in the
Galapagos Islands


Giant tortoises have
given the Galapagos
their name

Classic Expedition to the

Ecuadorian Amazon &

The Islands of the Galapagos

 

Snow-capped mountains, lush and steamy rainforests, amazing culture, and the enchanting Galapagos Islands, all combine to make Ecuador one of the most intriguing countries in South America. Discover the natural beauty of Ecuador from its colonial splendor, to its spectacular rainforests, to species found nowhere else on earth. Explore one of the most remote areas of the Ecuadorian Amazon basin accompanied on hikes by Achuar and naturalist guides, hike the slopes of Volcano Cotopaxi, and then cruise the islands of the Galapagos.

Day 1 - Miami/Quito

Fly via Miami to Quito. Upon arrival, you will be escorted to your hotel. GRAND HOTEL MERCURE ALAMEDA. 

Day 2 - Otavalo Country

Discover the vibrant culture of the highlands. Depart on a scenic bus ride to South America's most famous Indian far - the Otavalo Market. Saturday is market day and what a bustling affair it is - alive with the sounds of Andean pipe music as people barter in Spanish, English and Quechua (a derivative of the Incan language) for colorful woolens, jewelry, wall hangings and instruments. Enjoy a typical Ecuadorian Cotacachi and unique bread dough handicrafts in Calderon on your return to Quito. GRAND HOTEL MERCURE ALAMEDA. (B, L)

Days 3/4/5/6 - Kapawi Ecological Reserve

Fly by light aircraft  to the Kapawi Ecological Reserve on the Pastaza River, the most remote area of the Ecuadorian Amazon basin. Meet your naturalist and Achuar guide, a member of the last indigenous group in the Ecuadorian rain forest. Isolated for centuries, the Achuar were discovered in the early 1970’s. They are proud to share their traditions and their knowledge of the resident 500 species of birds, and the medicinal and practical uses of the plants and trees during hikes in the rainforest. Visit Achuar communities, enjoy canoe trips and overnight stays in the lodge or in tents. Each room in your eco-lodge has a verandah for private wildlife sightings, private bathroom, sun-heated showers, and electricity provided by a photovoltaic system. KAPAWI ECOLOGICAL RESERVE. (B,L,D Daily)

Day 7 - Kapawi Ecological Reserve/Quito

This morning canoe to the Achuar community and fly Quito where the rest of your afternoon and evening are at leisure. GRAND HOTEL MERCURE ALAMEDA. (B)

Day 8 - Quito/Galapagos: San Cristobal Island

This morning fly to San Cristobal Island and board the M/V GALAPAGOS EXPLORE II. An all-suite, air-conditioned ship boasting 50 spacious cabins, a small fresh-water pool, Jacuzzi, solarium and library,will ensure much more comfort than Darwin’s voyage to the Galapagos Islands. Enjoy exceptional food, drink and daily lectures by knowledgeable naturalists. Each day, drop anchor and go ashore in a panga (small boat) accompanied by naturalists for close encounters with some of the world’s most unique wildlife. After a briefing on board, explore the beautiful, white powder sand beach where you may spot your first Sally Lightfoot crabs, Brown Pelicans and Blue-footed Boobies. (All Meals)

Day 9 - Galapagos Islands: Bartolome & James Islands
Explore Bartolome, a small rugged island off the eastern shore of Santiago. Opposite Sulivan Bay, a cascade of lava is punctuated with fine white sand at the water's edge. Together Bartolome and Sulivan Bay evoke a lunar landscape of cones and craters. Climb to the summit of a once active volcano for panoramic views. Down below the water is crystal clear and on one side you can swim and snorkel with schools of fish and penguins, and on the other look for sea turtles and white-tipped sharks close to the shore. Continue to James Island where you may see the Great Blue Heron, Lava Heron and Yellow-crowned Night Heron. At the fur seal grotts you can swim with the shy fur seals that hide in cool caves. (All Meals)

Day 10 - Galapagos Islands: Fernandina & Isabela Islands

Cross the Bolivar Canal and disembark at Fernandina to see hundreds of marine iguanas, the largest colony in Galapagos, bask in the sun along the rugged shoreline. Observe sea lion harems with resident bulls carefully guarding their territory. Flightless Cormorants build their nests on the point and Galapagos Hawks fly overhead. Fernandina Island was the site of a recent spectacular volcano eruption in the spring of 2005. Evidence of recent lava flows formed by this active volcano stretch their way around the coast. This afternoon visit Isabela Island - the largest in the Galapagos, formed when six volcanoes flowed together. Look for giant tortoises and land iguanas on urbina Bay where a volcanic uplifting in 1954 left unique marine skeletons in the lavascape. (All Meals)

Day 11 - North Seymour/Santa Cruz Island

After a dry landing on North Seymour Island, follow a trail that leads to sea lions, Swallow-tailed Gulls and Blue-footed Boobies. Visit the largest colony of Magnificent Frigatebirds found in Galapagos. Continue to Santa Cruz Island. The lush greenery of the Santa Cruz Highlands is a welcome contrast to the arid scenry of the smaller, lower islands. Visit El Chato, a privately-owned reserve where giant tortoises can be observed in the wild. Also see the famed lava tunnels, underground tunnels dug by hot lava twist, turn and intertwine while providing an exciting opportunity to view the immense effect of volcanic activity. (All Meals)

Day 12 - San Cristobal Island/Guayaquil

Disembark at San Cristobal Island and visit the Interpretation Center. Then, fly to Guayaquil, Ecuador's prot city. You are escorted to your deluxe hotel, where your day is free to relax poolside or explore the town. HILTON COLON GUAYAQUIL. (B)

Day 13 - Guayaquil/Miami

Bid Ecuador and the enchanged islands of the Galapagos "adios" as you are transferred to the airport for your return flights home. (B)

Optional Post-Extension to Peru
Extend your adventure to Peru where the faded remains of the Incan Empire and Spanish conquistadors live side-by-side. Fly to Cuzco, once the capital of the Incan Empire. Today, descendants of the original Incas dress and speak much in the same way as their ancestors. Visit the bustling market at Pisac and its magnificent Inca citadel. Then it's on by rail to legendary Machu Picchu – the "lost" city of the Incas, to discover the remains of Machu Picchu's temples, houses, terraces, gardens. Walk the Inca Trail to Inti Punku – the Sun Gate. Return to Cuzco and explore the nearby temples of the Sun and the Moon, the fortress of Sacsayhuaman and Ollantaytambo.

Your Journey Includes:

  • Roundtrip flights from Miami. Plus, flights to Kapawi and the Galapagos, and in the Peru post-extension.
  • Best available accommodations at hotels and cruise ship in Ecuador.
  • All meals as specified.
  • 5-Days/4-Nights program at Kapawi Ecological Reserve with Achuar and naturalist guides.
  • 5-Days/4-Nights Cruise to the Galapagos Islands on the M/V GALAPAGOS EXPLORER II with naturalist guide.  Accommodations are in double, air-conditioned cabins, outside with private facilities. 
  • Gratuities for baggage handling, hotel tips and taxes.
  • All entrance fees to places of interest visited and on sightseeing tours indicated in the itinerary, EXCEPT for the Galapagos Islands entrance fee, which is billed and payable before departure form the USA.
  • Complimentary backpack, passport wallet, and baggage tags.

Call Today to begin planning your journey of a
lifetime (800) 627-1244