ECUADOR & GALAPAGOS LUXURY
A truly unique lifetime adventure blending the spectacular geography of Quito UNESCO city with the northwestern cloud forest and with the enchanted Galápagos Islands, the islands offer endless opportunities to witness a unique abundance of wildlife in a setting unlike any other on the planet. This is one of the few places on earth that allows such close and intimate contact with the wildlife. The Galápagos form a natural sanctuary that preserves species; this allowed them to evolve their unique features for countless millennia. This vacation also provides flexible time to spend on your own and explore the sand beaches, trail in the Galápagos and the cloud forest, and share with lots of wildlife. Be part of an inspirational journey of a lifetime in one of the most fiercely protected marine wilderness’ in the world!
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DepartureQuito / Ecuador
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IncludedActivitiesDomestic flightsLand TransportationMeals detailed in the itinerary
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Not IncludedFees and entrances to parks and museumsAirport tranfer in & outInternational flight
FROM OUR GALLERY
DAY 1: QUITO ARRIVAL DAY
Welcome to Quito! The largest, best preserved colonial city of America -declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano.
Depending on arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. ADVENTURE JOURNEYS can help you to organize a day trip (please request in advance). In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 18:00 hours. At this time, we will discuss the details and questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an acclimation and information day.
Meals included: none.
DAY 2: ARRIVE IN GALAPAGOS
Today we get ready to explore the most amazing archipelago in the Pacific coast and the place where Charles Darwin based his theory on the evolution of species. We will board a morning flight from Quito to the island of Baltra. Once we arrive, we head to the town of Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galapagos. From here we will flight to the largest island in the archipelago and where the most of the volcanic activity in the Galapagos is reported: Isabela Island. The island was formed by six shield volcanoes, Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf; five of them are still active which makes the island one of the most volcanically active places on earth.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 3: SNORKEL AT LAVA TUNNELS
Explore the amazing formations of lava created by the last eruptions of the volcanic island along the seashore. This magical place has historically been filmed by BBC and National Geographic for their documentaries. It is a labyrinth of lava arches comprised of crystal clear water full of sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, sharks and more. The turtles navigate their own highway from the mangroves to the open sea through "Los Tuneles". Here, we will have the best snorkeling opportunity with all these beautiful animals, including the curious Galapagos penguins playing around.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
DAY 4: HIKE AND KAYAK
After driving up from Puerto Villamil to the trail head, we will prepare our backpacks for the hike into a young forest ecosystem, a world of recent geological history. Our destination is the rim of Sierra Negra Crater, an active volcano which last erupted in June 2018.
Accommodation: Iguana Crossing
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
DAY 5: CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION
In the morning, we will take a flight from Isabela to Santa Cruz Island to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Once we arrive, we will check in at the hotel. We will then visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about many of the endemic species seen in the wild, as well as the ongoing conservation and management efforts on the Galapagos Islands. In the afternoon, we will head to the 'El Chato' reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz, home to the famous Galapagos tortoises. Hiking through El Chato's beautiful landscape with these lumbering giants is an unforgettable experience! We will also see other highland wildlife such as pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches and frigatebirds, which gather to wash the salt off their feathers at a fresh water lake. Afterwards, return to Puerto Ayora to spend the evening in Galapagos' most populous town.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 6: FLIGHT BACK TO QUITO
After our final breakfast on the Galapagos Island and the last photos taken of sea lions, we have a transfer to Baltra's airport in time to catch the flight back to the mainland.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 7: DAY AT LEISURE
Today is a day on your own to explore the beautiful surroundings of Quito, ADVENTURE JOURNEYS can help you to organize a day trip:
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 8: HIKE IN COTOPAXI
After breakfast, we leave Quito driving southwards along the gorgeous Avenue of Volcanoes, getting the chance to see the colorful Andean fields. On our way, we will reach 12,000 feet. (3657 meters). After arriving at the Cotopaxi National Park, we will go hiking around Limpiopungo lagoon of the foot hills of the Rumiñahui volcano. From here, we have the best views of Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world. If the weather conditions permit, we will attempt to trek to the basecamp at 16000 ft. (4876 m).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
DAY 9: BIKING IN THE CLOUD FOREST
This morning we cross country mountain bike from the Llanganates National Park down to the Pastaza River Canyon, enjoying the beauty of the special cloud rain forest climate. The road brings us through some Andean farms and a great canyon with many waterfalls.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 10: CANYONING IN THE AMAZON
This morning we will hit the road of the waterfalls. The first stop will be at the Bride´s Veil waterfall, where we will take the Tarabita (cable car) to get across the Pastaza River. Then we will hike down to the Pailon del Diablo waterfall, the second highest in Ecuador.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
DAY 11: RAFTING IN THE AMAZON
We greet the day by preparing our gear to paddle the wild waves of the Jatunyacu River, located just a 5 minute drive from the homestead. The beauty of this river will inspire you and reveal the magic of the Amazon rain forest. After a very important safety briefing from our rafting guides, we will start our class III rafting expedition down the Jatunyacu River, well known for its clear waters and awesome rapids. We will have a lot of fun playing some games and also exploring one of the canyons. The end of the journey offers us a stop for a picnic, prepared by our guides.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
DAY 12: DEPARTURE
Today our trip will end and you will have your International departures. An AJ staff member will pick you up and take you to the airport. Take with you your memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you “buen viaje”!
Meals included: Breakfast.
WRITE A REVIEW
What's Included?
- Transportation: Domestic flights Quito-Galápagos-Quito, international and domestic airport transfers, airfare in Galápagos (between islands), comfortable land transportation and sea transportation.
- Accommodation based in double occupancy: Luxury hotels in Quito and Galapagos, Luxury Eco-Lodge in the cloud forest.
- Meals: 11 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 1 dinner.
- Trip Leader: Certified AJ expert English-speaking guide.
What is not included?
- My Own Room supplement cost.
- Travel insurance mandatory.
- Galápagos National Park Fee USD $100.
- Transit control Card USD $20.
- Pier use USD $10.
- Entrance fees not listed.
- International air (also applied to trans-border flights).
- Applicable tourist visas.
- Incidentals.
- Airport taxes.
- Tips or gratuities; recommended $15 to $20 per day for guides and driver.
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary; food budget USD $300.
- Optional tour or optional admissions.
IMPORTANT DETAILS
FLIGHT TIME: 2h 45 min each way from Quito to Galapagos. Regular size aircraft. About 140 passengers.
DRIVING TIME:
2 - 3 hours a day while in mainland.
45 minutes each way in Sierra Negra.
PROVINCE: Pichincha, Galapagos, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Pastaza, Napo.
SEASON: All year.
BOATING TIME:
ALTITUDE:
Quito: 2800 m (9,186 ft.).
AVG. TEMP. : Day 15-34ºC / 59-93ºF - Night 12-17ºC / 53-62ºF.
KAYAKING TIME: 2 hours.
SNORKELING TIME:
Tintoreras: 1 hour.
BIKING TIME: 1 hour moderate uphill; 2 hours downhill (terrain: cobblestone, dirt, muddy and asphalt).
TREKKING TIME
RAFTING TIME: From 3 to 4 hours depending on water level.
GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS: Andes highlands, Amazon rainforest and Galapagos Islands in Ecuador.
WATER: The waters of the Galapagos Islands are a unique mixture of warm and cold water, ranging between 65ºF and 85ºF
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Moderate to Challenging: Hiking in Sierra Negra is moderate but long and muddy during the wet season (from July to November); snorkeling is easy. In the cloud forest the uphill biking part can be challenging but there is always a truck behind supporting the team; the whitewater rafting on the Jatunyacu is Class III; the trekking in the cloud forest is moderate.
ACCOMODATION: All prices are based on double-occupancy. If you are traveling solo, you will be matched with another participant of your same gender. If you prefer to have a single room, please contact AJ prior to your departure to arrange your accommodation at an extra cost.
MEALS: Traveling with Adventure Journeys you will have the possibility to experience and taste local food and snacks. Your guide will help you identify typical food and suggest the best places to enjoy it. Some meals are not included in order to give you some flexibility about where, what and with whom to eat. You have the option to share these meals with the group, however there is no obligation to do this. If you have any allergies or food restrictions, please inform AJ prior to your departure.
YOUR TRIP LEADERS AND GUIDES: All AJ guides and trip leaders are highly experienced, licensed from the Tourism University to operate in Ecuador and certified as Wilderness Adventure First Aid respondents. They all have approved several extra training courses for kayaking, rafting, biking and horse riding, besides this they all are Ecuadorian and have a fantastic personality. We always carry a complete first aid kit in our trips.
SUSTAINABLE ECO AND CULTURAL TOURISM: Clients receive interpretation and education about the ecology and conservation of the Andes, Amazon Rainforest and Galapagos Islands, and learn about the factors that threaten it. We aim to promote long-term conservation of both local people cultural identity and the environment. We transport out and recycle all non-organic garbage and we prefer to work with local suppliers. Your visit will encourage the local communities to support responsible eco-tourism as a sustainable alternative for their living.
HEALTH INFORMATION: Please inform AJ of any existing medical conditions (i.e. pregnancy, diabetes, etc). Yellow fever, Hepatitis B vaccination and Malaria Medication are recommended when traveling to the tropics. Please ask your doctor for advice.