Exclusive and luxurious discovery of the Galápagos.

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival transfer in Guayaquil

  Upon your arrival at Guayaquil International Airport, and after personally taking the necessary steps to collect your luggage, the driver will welcome you in the airport exit hall with a sign bearing your name. Then, a transfer of about 30 minutes, the time needed to reach the hotel located in the city center. After your arrival, you will have the opportunity to freely explore the capital of the Guayas region. You can walk, first, along the Malecón where you will get a feel for the city. During this walk, you will see the famous Malecón clock, the municipal and government palaces, as well as the impressive Rotonda statue. Next, you can end the visit in the famous, colorful, and elevated neighborhood of Las Peñas, where it is pleasant to share a drink and have dinner if you wish. Dinner at your leisure and overnight in downtown Guayaquil to enjoy the festive atmosphere of the port city.

• day 2

  Start of the cruise on the Sea Star Journey.

  In the morning, transfer to the airport to take your flight to the Galapagos archipelago. Before check-in, you will pay the INGALA migration card ($20/person). About 1h30 of flight is necessary to reach the archipelago from Guayaquil. Upon your arrival in Baltra, you will have to pay the entrance fee required by the Galapagos National Park ($100/person) before being welcomed by the guide with the whole group. Transfer to the boat. In the afternoon, you will make your first visit. Dry landing at the Cerro Dragon site, and walk to the salt lake located behind the beach where you can observe many pink flamingos. You will then go to Dragon Hill, offering a magnificent panorama of the bay. It is also a recognized breeding area for land iguanas. Dinner on board.

• day 3

  Santa Cruz Island and Sombrero Chino

  After breakfast, you will visit the famous site of Black Turtle Cove. This is a superb mangrove lagoon where it is easy to observe sharks and rays. It is also a breeding ground for sea turtles, depending on the season. The water, being translucent and beautiful, will allow you to enjoy a pleasant moment. Return on board for lunch. You will then head to the islet Sombrero Chino, which gets its name from its appearance: a Chinese hat. Also called Chinese Hat, the islet is located off the southeast tip of San Salvador Island. It offers a beautiful visit that begins on a magnificent white sand beach. Several species of seabirds can be spotted, as well as marine iguanas, lava lizards, and Galápagos penguins. The cove offers an excellent opportunity to swim with white-tip reef sharks and tropical fish. Briefing and dinner.

• day 4

  Genovesa Island

  In the morning, you will go to Genovesa Island. First, you will visit the famous site of Darwin Bay, which is the only sandy beach on Genovesa Island. Here, you will notably observe a colony of large Galapagos frigatebirds basking along the beach. During the breeding season, the males display their red pouch located under the beak to the females, in an attempt to impress them. You will also note that the nests of the red-footed boobies are found in the trees, unlike the other two species of boobies which nest directly on the ground! Lunch. In the afternoon, you will go to El Barranco, also called Prince Philip’s Steps, where you can observe many masked boobies, frigatebirds, petrels, and Bahama ducks. During this easy walk, you will cross a small Scalesia forest in which you will observe the short-eared owl. The same path will take you back to your boat. Dinner on board.

• day 5

  Bartholomew Island and Santiago

  This morning will be devoted to visiting Bartolomé Island, one of the uninhabited islands of the Galapagos archipelago. You will surely enjoy the famous desert island. Bartolomé Island, marked by fairly recent volcanism, offers a small steep path that will lead you to the summit (114 m). The almost lunar landscapes, swept by the Pacific winds, make it very easy to take postcard-worthy photos. On this Galapagos island, you will find a small sandy beach where, if you wish, you can swim with the Galapagos penguins and observe iguanas, sea turtles, and other tropical fish. Lunch. Then, you will cross the island to reach another beach where sea turtles usually nest from January to March. Even if the period unfortunately does not allow you to witness this beautiful moment, the turtles will certainly be present. In the afternoon, you will visit Sullivan Bay, located on the east coast of Santiago Island. You will land on a white coral sand beach and begin a walk on a stretch of lava that flowed here less than 100 years ago. It is the ideal place to see and feel the volcanic origin of the Galapagos. Dinner on board.

• day 6

  Santa Cruz Island and return to Quito

  After breakfast, transfer to Baltra airport. You will pass by "Los Gemelos" (the twins), two enormous collapsed lava chambers (craters) that remind us how powerful nature is. You will take a short, easy hike around the craters where you will observe a rich endemic flora and fauna, including the ever-present Scalesia forest. Then, you will head to Baltra airport where you will fly to Quito (stopover in Guayaquil). Free snack at the airport. Upon arrival in Quito in the afternoon, your driver will welcome you in the airport exit hall. Transfer to your hotel located a few hundred meters from the airport. Dinner on your own and overnight near Quito airport.

• day 7

  Departure for Yasuni Park at Napo Wildlife in the Amazon.

  In the morning, departure from Quito to take a flight of about 40 minutes to the city of Coca (Francisco de Orellana). You will fly over the eastern cordillera and arrive at your destination in the middle of the morning. You will be transferred by local bus or taxi from the airport to the port on the Napo River. Then, you will board comfortable motorized canoes for a journey on the river, which will last about 2h30, during which a picnic lunch is provided to passengers. During the transfer, you will be able to observe countless species of birds such as herons or kingfishers. Once you arrive at the entrance port of the Lodge, at the confluence of the Napo and Añanguyacu rivers, you will change boats to board an "enquilla," a small rowing canoe. Thanks to this silent means of transport, you will be able to observe monkeys, toucans, or macaws in dense and enchanting vegetation. In the afternoon, you will arrive at the lodge where you will be welcomed and guided to your cabins. In the evening, after dinner, you can navigate around the Añanguyacu lagoon in search of nocturnal life and listen to the majestic sounds of this place. Night in a very beautiful cabin. Night and dinner at the lodge.

• day 8

  Amazon - Yasuni Park

  This morning, you will attend the parrots' "saladero", one hour from the lodge. Every morning, between 7:30 and 8:30, the parrots feed on clay, an essential element for their well-being. Then, after a half-hour walk in the Amazon forest, you will arrive at a place where you can observe up to 11 species of parrots and parakeets. Please note, this visit depends on weather conditions! You will have lunch at the interpretation center to discover Kichwa culture through crafts, traditions, and the use of natural resources by the indigenous people of the community. You will understand that some traditional healing techniques have existed for centuries. Return to the lodge before sunset. Night and dinner at the lodge.

• day 9

  Amazon - Yasuni Park

  After breakfast, you will leave at dawn for the observation tower overlooking the Amazon rainforest and the Napo River. This 36-meter-high tower, located 20 minutes from the lodge, was opened to visitors in November 2004 so they could observe the local wildlife from above the canopy. The lookout was built according to the highest safety standards. You will be able to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Amazon rainforest and observe stunning landscapes. From the top of the tower, you will see, among others, colorful tanagers, parakeets, toucans, and multiple species of monkeys, which are more active in the morning and before dusk. At the lodge, there is another observation tower overlooking the lagoon. The view is also superb! Lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, you will walk through the primary forest to discover its lush wildlife. This incredible walk in the midst of an unexplored green world will allow you to observe many animals. After the walk, you will have the opportunity to explore the lagoon and its small streams in search of giant otters and caimans. Return to the lodge and dinner.

• day 10

  Amazon and return to Quito

  You will leave early for a final excursion, sailing on the Black River up to the Napo River. There are chances to spot giant otters, flying monkeys, etc. Free lunch at the airport in Coca or in Quito, as you wish. Upon arrival at the boat transfer port, you will head to the city of Coca where you will take your return flight to Quito. Once at the airport of the Ecuadorian capital, you will be taken care of and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in downtown Quito. Dinner at your leisure.

• day 11

  Visit of Quito

  You will set out to discover the colonial city of Quito, capital of the Caras and the Incas, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Partly built under Spanish rule, the city of Quito will dazzle you with its architecture, its tranquility, and its history. You will visit the Jesuit church La Compañía de Jesus, whose construction began in 1605, and its incredible gilding, the Plaza Grande where the cathedral and the Palacio del Gobierno (Government Palace) are located, as well as the churches La Merced and Santo Domingo. You will then pass through La Ronda, a famous colonial street in the Ecuadorian capital, lined with 17th-century buildings. Many artists, politicians, and writers once lived here. Finally, you will end your visit to Quito at the hill of El Panecillo, where the famous statue of the Virgin stands, which is the only statue in the world representing a winged Virgin. You will also enjoy a breathtaking view of the capital. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon, you will visit a charming small pre-Columbian art museum, the Casa del Alabado, displaying 5000 pieces from all over the country. Through the different rooms visited, you will discover the 3 levels of the cosmos with representations of the Gods, Humans, and Spirits. If you prefer, you can also sip a coca tea on San Francisco square, a typical drink of the Andean countries, or a canelazo, a hot alcoholic drink made with cinnamon. You will then go to the famous La Ronda street to try this beverage. Dinner on your own and overnight in Quito.

• day 12

  Departure Transfer

  The driver will pick you up at the hotel to take you to Quito airport. You will arrive there 3 hours before the departure of your international return flight. Lunch and dinner are free on site or on the flight. B