The Discovery Journey to
Ecuadorian Amazon & Galapagos Islands

 

Follow the route established by Alexander von Humboldt, the foremost natural scientist of the early 19th century. In fact, Charles Darwin described him as "the greatest scientific traveler who ever lived." Embrace his discoveries, and those who followed collecting and recording geological, zoological and botanical specimens, including 60,000 rare tropical plants. Explore the region's biodiversity - the delights of ancient volcanoes in the Andean Highlands, dense rainforests along the Amazon River basin alive with macaws, monkeys and sloths, and Darwin's own working laboratory, the Galapagos Islands. By land, air and ship - your travels will be comfortable, but no less exciting, because Ecuador still holds in its deepest depths untold wonders.

Days 1/2 - Miami/Quito
Arrive in Quito, where you are escorted to your historic boutique hotel in the heart of 'Quito Antiguo.' Next day, tour this vibrant colonial city of Ecuador with its churches and Spanish gold-glittering altars before ascending almost 13,000 feet via the Teleferico cable car for breathtaking views, including the Avenue of Volcanoes. A traditional dinner completes your day. PATIO ANDALUZ. (B,D)

Days 3/4/5/6 - Amazon Rainforest Cruise
Fly to Francisco de Orellana where a motorized canoe takes you to your 30-passenger comfortable river motor yacht - the MANATEE AMAZON EXPLORER. Your expedition begins as you navigate down the Napo River, a tributary of the mighty Amazon. Activities during your five-day cruise provides opportunities via day and night hikes and canoe trips to view wildlife such as common squirrel monkeys, sloths, pink river dolphins, capybaras and Scarlet Macaws. Point of interest include the Panayacu (Piranha River) named for its infamous piranhas; the Observation Tower for a different view of the rainforest; the Native Museum of the Kichwas to learn about their culture; observe the Kapok tree, one of the tallest in the rainforest while a native guide explains the use of medicinal plants; the CICAME Archeological Museum that preserves pottery from one of the first forest residents and the Limoncocha Biological Reserve, where you will search at night for black caimans. (All Meals Daily)

Days 7/8 - Quito/Cotopaxi
Reach Quito by plane and drive through the Andean Highlands to Cotopaxi. Settle into your luxury hacienda reconstructed on the original site of a pre-Columbian Inca residence. Next day, a bus whisks you to the Andean moorlands of Cotopaxi National Park for a short hike and lunch. Explore bird-filled surrounding with a possible sighting of the majestic Andean Condor, and tour Indian villages with amazing crafts. Also look for herds of wild llamas that have been re-introduced to the park. HACIENDA SAN AGUSTIN DE CALLO. (B Daily)

Day 9 - Chiva Express
After a leisurely mornings, it's all aboard the Chiva Express, a colorfully-painted one-coach train much like a bus on tracks for a visual feast of ever-changing backdrops on your return to Quito. PATIO ANDALUZ. (B)

Day 10 - Galapagos Islands: Santa Cruz/Dragon Hill/Kicker Rock
A flight takes you to the Galapagos Islands. Board the M/V SANTA CRUZ with private facilities, exceptional food and expert naturalists built specifically for exploring the Islands. Cruise through shallow turquoise waters, perfect for sightings of marine turtles, manta rays and sharks. Dry land on Santa Cruz Island's north shore and hike to Dragon Hill for a stunning view of the bay - along the way see land iguanas and the endemic Galapagos Mockingbirds. A sunset cruise around 500 foot tall Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido) may bring views of Nazca and Blue-footed Boobies along its sharp vertical conformation. (All Meals)

Day 11 - Bartolome/James Islands
Explore the rustic beauty of Bartolome's lunar landscape while red Sally Lightfoot crabs scramble sideways across molten lava frozen in time. Hike to the summit of a once active volcano and see Pinnacle Rock. Swim and snorkel with colorful fish and penguins. Move onward to James Islands and the Great Blue Lava and Yellow-crowned Night Herons. At the fur seal grottos you can swim with shy fur seals. (All Meals)

Day 12 - Rabida/North Seymour Islands
Stroll along Rabida Island's red-colored beach to observe marine iguanas and a large colony of sea lions. Tucked behind a strip of green saltbush is a salt pond frequented by Greater Flamingos. Snorkel in the waters to see unique marine life and submarine landscapes. Continue onto North Seymour Island and scenes of Blue-footed Boobies and Magnificent Frigatebird colonies. Watch for scores of Galapagos sea lions on its sandy shores. (All Meals)

Day 13 - Puerto Baquerizo Moreno/San Cristobal Island
Dock at Puerto Baquerizo on San Cristobal Island. Board a bus to the La Galapaguera Center established as a breeding and conservation program. Giant tortoises live in a semi-wild environment and you may encounter them on trails. Time permitting, stop at the island's largest fresh water lake, El Junco, before boarding your dinghy for the white, sandy beaches of Cerro Brujo, home to lounging sea lions and the Chatham Mockingbirds and Galapagos Flycatchers. (All Meals)

Day 14 - Baltra/Guayaquil/Miami
Disembark at Baltra Island for your flight to Guayaquil, where you are transferred to your comfortable hotel. Next morning, board your flight home. (B)

Optional Post-Extension to Peru
Echoes of Spanish conquistadors and ancient civilizations are yours to explore in Peru. The colonial architecture of Lima and the once capital of the Incan Empire, Cusco, give you an insider's view of the descendants of the original Incas, bustling markets and mysterious ruins. Reach Machu Picchu by rail and hike into its mystical past. All the palaces you've read about - Sacsayhuaman, Ollantaytambo, the Sun and the Moon temples and the Sun Gate - are within your reach.

Your Journey Includes:

• Superior and best accommodations at hotels and cruise ships.
• All meals while on the Amazon and Galapagos cruises. All other meals as specified.
• 5-day/4-night Galapagos Islands cruise aboard the M/V Santa Cruz. Naturalist guide provided aboard the ship. Accommodations are in double, air-conditioned cabins, outside with private facilities.
• 5-day/4-night Amazon cruise on the Manatee Explorer.
• All hotel taxes and gratuities for baggage handling.
• Entrance fees to places of interest and sightseeing tours indicated in the itinerary, EXCEPT the Galapagos Islands entrance fee; it is billed and payable before departure from the USA.
• Complimentary passport wallet and baggage tags.
  

2009 Dates	Main Trip Land Only	Single Supplement	Airfare	Extension	Single Supplement
Jun 13-28	$5,895	$2,495	$1,500	$2,795	$795
Jun 11-26	$5,895	$2,495	$1,500	$2,795	$795
Sep 19 - Oct 4	$5,895	$2,495	$1,500	$2,795	$795
Oct 24- Nov 8	$5,895	$2,495	$1,500	$2,795	$795
Dec 5-20	$5,495	$2,495	$1,500	$2,795	$795

*Prices do not reflect applicable taxes.

For reservations or more information, please contact:
Classic Escapes at (800) 627-1244