Visit the Photo Gallery Tuesday, Aug. 15 – Fly to Quito (altitude 9,446'), transfer to your hotel.
Wednesday Aug. 16 – Today we start our tour of Quito with the modern sector, continuing towards the city's historic district. See Independence Square, flanked by the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace and City Hall. Stroll past El Sagrario Church and marvel at the exquisite stone facade of La Compañía, founded by the Jesuit order. Visit San Francisco Church, built over the ruins of the Inca Palace in the16th century. Ride up the road to the top of Panecillo for a breathtaking view of Quito. Private tours include a visit to the home of philanthropist Maria Augusta Urrutia. Rest stop at a traditional ice cream shop or at a coffee brewery for refreshments.
Quito, as the first World Heritage site in the world, recognized by the UNESCO in 1978, holds an uncountable wealth of experiences for every visitor. Quito´s historic center is the best preserved and least altered in all of Latin America, conserving the milieu of Colonial times with all its richness and diversity. To walk in this patrimony of humanity is to step into a bygone era, the ambience of the past unbroken, the tremendous energy of the present abundant in the plazas and streets, all bustling with life. The historic center is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets lined with exquisite monasteries, an incredible number of churches as well as antiquated houses, all examples of the most beautiful colonial architecture of the continent. Its famous wealth of religious paintings and sculptures abundantly decorate many of the temples and museums, pure examples of the Quito School of Art, a fusion of culture and styles, which makes Quito unequalled. Represented are five centuries of art, in which local artists shrouded signs of their indigenous culture, their gods, their beliefs and their traditions. The pleasure of discovering these hidden messages enhances one´s understanding and experience of Quito´s enchanting past. (B)
Thursday Aug. 17 – Depart from Quito toward the Avenue of the Volcanos, where the highest mountains of Ecuador tower above verdant valleys. Visit the Indian Market of Saquisilí en route and ascend to the foothills of Mt. Chimborazo, the highest of the Ecuadorian Andes. Lunch at Chimborazo refuge, Estrella del Chimborazo on the slopes of the highest mountain in Ecuador. In the afternoon take a short walk in the beautiful high plains area. Drive down into the valley of Riobamba checking in at Hacienda Abraspungo for overnight and dinner. (All meals)
Friday Aug. 18 – A very early departure for the train station to board the Autoferro for a scenic train ride passing through many indigenous villages. Then travel down the Devil’s Nose switchbacks to Chanchan. The rail line from Guayaquil to Quito was finished in 1908 and continued to run until 1997 when the effects of "el niño" curtailed the train’s run past Sibambe. This ride offers spectacular views of the snow-capped peaks of Chimborazo and Carihuairazo, as well as the thrilling descent through a series of tight zigzags carved out of the rock. Disembark at Alausí for lunch and a motorcoach ride to the Inca ruins of Ingapirca. The largest Inca ruin in Ecuador, Ingapirca (or "Inca Walls,") was found to have cemeteries, observatories, roads, storage rooms, priest’s chambers, and a plaza in addition to the site’s most impressive structure – the oval Temple of the Sun, which was an important ceremonial and ritual center for the local Cañari as well as the Inca. Check in at Posada de Ingapirca for overnight and dinner (All meals)
Saturday Aug. 19 – A full day excursion today to the beautiful colonial city of Cuenca, UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Site and a real hidden treasure. Discover fascinating places in the Historical Center of Cuenca, like the "New" Cathedral with its many ecumenical architectural details, and the Panama hat factory. It’s a fact that "Panama hats" have always come from the Cuenca area of Ecuador, not Panama! While walking along the narrow cobblestone streets, you will be delighted with the beautiful squares, churches, temples and houses adorned with carvings and iron scrolled balconies. It is home to beautiful 14th and 15th century architecture, colonial parks and plazas, neighborhoods that date back to the first days of the Spanish conquest of the area, and religious art museums showcasing some of Ecuador’s most impressive artwork. Lunch at Villarosa, one of the finest restaurants in Cuenca. Dinner another of Cuenca’s finest hostelries. (All meals)
Sunday Aug. 20 – Twenty miles west of Cuenca are the wild, cold, cloudy moors of El Cajas National Park, where the average elevation is 10,500’. The rugged terrain is the legacy left by glaciers as they retreated some 5 million years ago. Today the nearly 70,000 acres of moors are home to many different species of flora and fauna, including rabbits, fox, wolves, deer, mountain tapirs and beavers and in some sectors you may even find the endangered Spectacled Bear! Condors, hummingbirds, swamp gulls, hawks, the elusive gray- breasted toucan, wild ducks and curinquengues are among the many birds which inhabit the park. Today we will enjoy this landscape in the morning. After lunch at Hosteria Las Dos Chorreras, return to Cuenca and transfer to the airport for flight back to Quito. Transfer to our hotel in Quito. (B,L)
Monday Aug. 21 – Sacha Lodge. Your journey to the Amazon basin begins with a 45 minute flight over the Andes mountains from Quito to the port town of Puerto Francisco de Orellana. Here a shaded motorized canoe awaits you for a 50-mile, 2 hour trip down the Napo River, a tributary of the Amazon itself. Upon arrival at the 5000-acre private reserve, you will take your first walk along a raised boardwalk through dense flooded palm forest where squirrel monkeys and tiny pigmy marmosets are often sighted. The path leads to Pilchicocha Lake, where dugout canoes await to take you over to the Lodge. After a welcome cocktail and orientation briefing, you will be shown to your comfortable rooms, which provide 24-hour electricity, private bathrooms with hot water showers, ceiling fans and porches with hammocks overlooking the jungle. Later, there is usually time to swim, bird watch or visit a small lookout with a scenic view of the lake and cabins before sunset. (All meals)
Tuesday Aug. 22 – The group will be divided into smaller groups for activities, which will be led by both a native guide with expert knowledge of the rainforest’s medicinal plants, and a bilingual naturalist guide educated in the ecology of the area. Each group will decide on its own wake-up and breakfast time, as well as the difficulty and duration of their morning outings. During the first morning you may follow trails through pristine "terra firme" forest, where 150-foot kapok trees tower above and roots form huge buttresses to give them support. For the adventurous, it is also possible to follow a path along fallen tree trunks and a steel cable zip-line through rich swampland!
After lunch you may visit the butterfly farm, where you will be shown how these beautiful insects are bred and raised, and later be free to wander through "the flying room", where hundreds of colorful butterflies including spectacular blue morphs flutter from flower to flower. Later, paddle along an ancient oxbow lake hidden at the end of one of our forest trails, where luxuriant lianas, bromeliads and palm trees thrive.
In the evening you may search for caiman on the lake, or take a walk to experience the jungle and its creatures after dark. (All meals)
Wednesday Aug. 23 – The Canopy Walk has just been completed and it consists of three towers. The outside towers are around 150 ft. and the middle one is a bit shorter. The walkway is approximately 250 meters long. This walkway allows people to travel among the trees of the rainforest and experience the completely different world of the canopy. An incredible diversity of colorful birds can be seen, and it is possible that you will view sloths and be eye to eye with several species of monkeys.
Another option is a visit to the 135-foot observation tower. Situated on a hill and constructed around a giant kapok tree for stability, this tower allows guests to climb into and above the rainforest canopy for a magnificent view of the surrounding area. Either shortly after sunrise or before sunset, from the tower’s ample platform it is possible to observe toucans, parrots, and dozens of other colorful bird species in the treetops. With some luck, noisy howler monkeys, foraging squirrel monkeys or the gentle three-toed sloth may also be seen, especially with the aid of a powerful telescope provided by your guides.
The tower may be reached on foot via a half-hour walk through "terra firme" forest, which is an easy way to get there at or before sunrise. However, no one can miss out on at least a one- way trip to or from the tower along Orchid Creek, Pilchicocha Lake’s natural black water runoff to the Napo River. In a dugout canoe guests may follow this winding stream through untamed palm forest for about an hour, a trip that many choose to repeat.
In the afternoon you make take some time to fish for the infamous razor-toothed piraña, and later follow strategically raised boardwalks through seasonally flooded forest where walking on the ground would be nearly impossible during most of the year. Keep an eye out for the anacondas! (All meals)
One of the many other optional, weather-permitted activities for a full morning is a visit to the Yasuní parrot lick, an exposed clay bank where brightly colored parrots of several different species gather in the early morning. In ideal conditions (sunny and dry) thousands of parrots can be seen gathering around this bank for a spectacular show of sound and color. (All meals)
Thursday Aug. 24 – After breakfast you will walk back out to the Napo River for the trip to Puerto Francisco de Orellana, and the flight to Quito. (B) Friday Aug. 25 – A full day tour to the world-famous Otavalo Market in the north of Ecuador. We will visit the home and workshop of Miguel Andrango, one of the last of the backstrap loom weavers in Ecuador, for a demonstration of spinning and weaving. We will also visit other artisans known for leatherworking or woodcarving. Lunch will be at the Puerto Lago resort beside Jatun Cocha Lake in the shadow of Mt. Imbabura which guards the province. Return to Quito for dinner and overnight. (B,L)
Saturday Aug. 26 – San Cristobal Island – Fly from Quito to San Cristobal, easternmost of the Galapagos Islands, to begin your cruise. All shore excursions are included, though the exact itinerary on the islands is subject to change. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is the capital of the Galapagos province and the location of the extraordinary Interpretation Center for Galapagos National Park. You’ll board the ship and settle into your cabin. Your seagoing home is the M/V Galapagos Explorer II, a 293-foot, first-class ocean-going cruise ship that carries up to 100 passengers. Comfortable cabins feature air-conditioning, private bathrooms and a small sitting area. Experienced naturalists lead shore expeditions to seek out wildlife and help us learn about the fascinating natural history of these volcanic islands. When you’re not exploring, you can enjoy the ship’s pool, solarium and reading room without experiencing the motion of a smaller vessel.
Your first day in Galapagos you'll visit Cerro Brujo, a beautiful beach located in San Cristobal Island. Hiking, swimming and snorkeling are available. Sandy beach, Sally Lightfoot Crabs, Brown Pelicans, Blue-footed Boobies. (All meals)
Sunday Aug. 27: Bartolome Island & James (Santiago) Island –
Morning: Bartolome Island – The first destination is Bartolome, an island of varied volcanic formations with a 350-foot summit and a fabulous 360º view. Depending upon the weather, you may be able to spot five other islands, one of the most spectacular views of the archipelago. You’ll make a wet landing in a cove to see a small colony of Galapagos penguins—the only penguins north of the equator. Sea lions are also found here. Behind the beach can be found red and white mangroves, salt bush, morning glory and prickly pear cactuses.
Afternoon: Puerto Egas, James (Santiago) Island –
This afternoon you’ll visit Puerto Egas on James (Santiago) Island. The landing is on a black beach with eroded rock formations in the background. The trail crosses the dry interior, where the remains of a salt-mining enterprise can still be seen and then continues along the coast. Intertidal pools are home to a variety of invertebrate organisms. Land iguanas are scattered around feeding on exposed algae while Oyster Catchers try to capture Sally Lightfoot Crabs. The trail then leads to the Fur Seal Grottos, one of the only places in the islands where Fur Seals can be seen. Puerto Egas is a good spot for taking pictures. (All meals)
Monday Aug. 28: Fernandina Island & Isabela Island –Morning: Fernandina Island
On the youngest and westernmost island in Galapagos, you’ll land at Punta Espinoza, a narrow stretch of land where some of the most unusual Galapagos species can be seen. While the panga driver skillfully eludes the reef to reach the landing site near a small mangrove forest, look for penguins diving off the rocks into the water. Sally Lightfoot Crabs disperse on the lava near the shore and herons, sandpipers and whimbrels explore the mangrove roots. Marine iguanas congregate in larger groups here than on any other island. They are everywhere: basking in the sand, swimming near the shore, grazing on the exposed seaweed in the lava and blocking the way at the landing dock. This is one of the few places where there is the opportunity, if the water is clear, of watching them feed underwater while you snorkel.Following a trail inland, two different types of lava flows can be seen and compared. At the tip of one of the small peninsulas, Flightless Cormorants are found. Without predators on the island, these serpent-necked birds adapted for swimming and not for flight, another example of evolution at work in "nature’s laboratory."
Afternoon: Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela Island
Largest of the Galapagos islands, Isabela is composed of six shield volcanoes merged into a single land mass. Wolf Volcano on Isabela is also the highest point in the archipelago. The Galapagos Explorer II is one of only a few faster, better-equipped boats able to make the long journey from the central islands to the visitor sites on the western side of Isabela. The trip is more than worthwhile, however, for the unique species that occur only in this part of the archipelago, and because the landscape, with massive volcanoes silhouetted against the sky, offers a striking contrast to the lower-lying islands of the east.Located on the north-western tip of Isabela island, Punta Vicente Roca is visited by dinghy. The dinghies are launched on a coastal dinghy-ride that skirts 400-500-foot cliff sides. Blue- footed boobies, masked boobies & pelicans can be seen here. Also, very many sea-turtles feed along this shoreline. Reaching a rocky pile of large basalt, there are colonies of fur-seals & marine iguanas in groups, basking in the sun. Sea lions are also in evidence. Continuing along the sheer cliffs, the dingy will approach a secluded cove where dark and yellow rock are superposed. At this point we will be close to the large cave that allows for snorkeling or sight seeing. At the cave you will see a great variety of marine life, specially marine invertebrates. One starts at the intersection between the dark and yellow rock and swims all the way around the small point into the cave, all the way into the cave & then out of the cave until the next point.
The water here, referred to as the Galapagos Ice-box, is often murky and very cold. Therefore, one must snorkel very close to the rock in order to see anything but it may produce some of the most exiting snorkeling in Galapagos. Manta rays, sea turtles, sea- lions, sting-rays, many fish, even dolphins & sunfish have been seen and snorkeled with in this bay. Near the cave there are Galapagos penguins, marine iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, masked boobies, brown noddy 's, blue footed boobies and breathtaking scenery beyond compare. (all meals)
Tuesday Aug. 29: Seymour Norte, Santa Cruz Island –
Morning: North Seymour
A small flat, rocky island where sea lions and marine iguanas hang out next to a surf wave. The interior has a Palo Santo small Opuntia cactus forest with Bluefooted boobies and magnificent Frigate bird colonies. An hour and a half visit. Dry landing.Afternoon: : Highlands & Lava Tunnels
Wednesday Aug. 30: San Cristobal Island/Quito –
Today we will board a bus for a 45-minute ride through changing vegetation zones to the Santa Cruz Highlands. Here, about 40 giant tortoises live in the wild. By approaching quietly, you can find and observe a giant Galapagos turtle on your own. You also hike to lava tube tunnels made by lava as it cooled. (All meals)Morning: Interpretation Center
Afternoon: Return flight to Quito and transfer to your hotel (B)
Your last morning, you'll visit the Interpretation Center. Donated by the Spanish Government in 1998, this state of the art facility offers both tourist and the inhabitants a complete education on the Islands. Your visit to the Archipelago is taken to a new level since its inauguration.An optional 3 more nights on board the Galapagos Explorer II will be available for those who wish to spend 8 days on the Islands.
Thursday Aug. 31 – A day at leisure is your last opportunity to enjoy the eternal spring of Quito, or take the optional 3 night extension on the cruise ship. For those who wish to return tonight on the evening flight to the US, arrangements will be made.
Friday Sept. 1 – Fly back to the US on your scheduled flight.
18 days+ optional cruise extension.
(Meals included in tour: B= Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Not included in price: Galapagos Park fee, Ecuador departure tax, tips, meals or admissions not mentioned in itinerary, beverages at some meals, additional hotel nights and additional transfers.)
Tour price: $3819
Ecuadorian airfare: $694 (subject to change)
Galapagos Park fee: $100 (subject to change)
International airfare: Group rate available