Wild Galapagos & Amazon

Once you have arrived in Quito, make your way to the hotel. Set high in the Andes and straddling the equator, Quito is one of South America’s most atmospheric capitals. Its historic centre is among the best-preserved colonial quarters on the continent and has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its churches, plazas and centuries-old architecture.

Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to head out and begin exploring independently. You can wander through the old town, visit a local café, or simply relax after your journey and adjust to the altitude.

Later in the day, we will gather at the hotel at 6 PM, where we will settle in and prepare for the journey ahead with a welcome briefing. This first day is designed to ease you into Ecuador and provide time to rest before the adventure begins.

Quito - Isabela Island. This morning, we fly to the Galapagos Islands - the remote Pacific archipelago that inspired Charles Darwin’s work on evolution. We take a morning flight from Quito to Baltra.

On arrival, we continue to Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galapagos, before boarding a speedboat for the crossing to Isabela Island.

Isabela is the largest island in the archipelago and one of the most volcanically active places on Earth. It has been shaped by six shield volcanoes - Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf - with five still active today. This powerful geological history defines the landscapes we will explore over the coming days.

Once we reach Isabela, we take time to go through the plans for the adventure ahead, answering questions and preparing for what lies ahead. Today is designed as an acclimatisation and information day, allowing us to settle in after a journey.

We spend the day along Isabela’s coastline, where recent volcanic eruptions have created distinctive lava formations at the water’s edge. This area is well known for its geological features and has been used as a filming location for major nature documentaries.

We snorkel through a network of lava arches and channels known as Los Tuneles. The clear, sheltered water makes this one of the best places in the Galapagos to observe marine life. Sea turtles regularly move through these natural passages between the mangroves and open sea, and we may also see eagle rays, sea lions and reef sharks. Galapagos penguins are often spotted swimming in the area.

Before or after the snorkelling, you can make the most of optional time on Isabela Island. You may choose to snorkel at Concha de Perla, explore the island by bike or relax on the white-sand beaches. You can also visit the nearby Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, located a short walk from the hotel, for a closer look at these well-known inhabitants of the islands.

This morning, we make our way to the trailhead after driving up from Puerto Villamil and prepare for a hike through a young forest shaped by recent volcanic activity. Our route leads us to the rim of Sierra Negra, an active volcano that last erupted in June 2018.

Once at the crater edge, we walk along sections of the vast caldera, taking in wide views across the lava-filled interior. At over six miles across at its widest point, Sierra Negra is one of the largest volcanic craters in the Galapagos and offers a clear perspective on the forces that continue to shape the islands.

For those with additional energy, you can continue hiking to Volcán Chico, a secondary crater with exposed lava fields and active fumaroles that demonstrate the area’s ongoing volcanic activity.

In the afternoon, we return to the pier for a kayaking session in the bay. From the water, we observe Galapagos wildlife at close range, with regular sightings of penguins, blue-footed boobies, pelicans, marine iguanas, sea turtles, sea lions and eagle rays. Juvenile, white-tipped reef sharks, locally known as tintoreras, are also sometimes seen.

We finish the day with a short visit to Concha & Perla, a sheltered snorkelling spot reached by a boardwalk through mangroves. Here we swim in calm waters alongside tropical fish, sea lions, sea turtles, pelicans, mockingbirds and, on occasion, marine iguanas.

Isabela Island - Santa Cruz Island - Puerto Ayora. After breakfast, we depart for Santa Cruz Island, travelling from Isabela to continue our exploration of the Galapagos. On arrival, we check in at our hotel before heading out to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station.

At the research station, we learn more about the endemic species we have encountered in the wild and gain insight into the conservation work and management programmes that protect the fragile ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands.

In the afternoon, we travel into the highlands of Santa Cruz to visit the Primicias Reserve, one of the best places to observe giant Galapagos tortoises in their natural environment. We walk through the reserve alongside these slow-moving giants while also keeping an eye out for other highland wildlife, including pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches and frigatebirds, which often gather around freshwater pools to clean the salt from their feathers.

Later, we return to Puerto Ayora, where we spend the evening in the most populous town in the Galapagos.

Puerto Ayora - Quito. Today, we say farewell to the Galapagos Islands as we make our way to Baltra Airport. Before departing, we have time for final photos and last glimpses of the islands’ ever-present sea lions along the shore.

We then transfer to the airport and board our flight back to mainland Ecuador. On arrival in Quito, we continue to our hotel, where the rest of the day is free to relax after our time in the archipelago or to reflect on the experiences and wildlife encounters of the past few days.

Quito - Amazon Rainforest. We have an early start, leaving the Andes behind as we travel along a winding panoramic road towards the Amazon Rainforest. As we descend from around 3,000 metres to 500 metres, the scenery and vegetation change noticeably, marking the transition from highlands to lowland jungle.

Along the way, we stop at the Guacamayos - Macaw Lookout, positioned between the Antisana and Sumaco National Reserves. From here, cloud cover often hangs over the forest below, offering a first view of the vast Amazon basin.

Our journey continues to the Arajuno River, where we board a motor canoe and travel upstream for around 20 minutes to reach our eco lodge. After time to settle in and take a short rest, you can choose to join an optional nocturnal walk before dinner. This night activity offers the chance to observe insects and other small wildlife that emerge after dark in the rainforest.

This morning, we set out on a guided walk through the Amazon rainforest to explore its remarkable biodiversity. As we move through the jungle, we learn about native plant species, wildlife found in this environment and traditional survival techniques used by people who live deep within the rainforest.

In the afternoon, we visit a local Kichwa community. We are welcomed by community members who share their customs, stories and traditions, offering insight into daily life in the Amazon and the long-standing relationship between the Kichwa people and their surroundings. This visit provides a meaningful cultural experience and a deeper understanding of life in the rainforest.

Amazon Rainforest - Papallacta - Quito. We make our way back to Quito, travelling from the Amazon region towards the Andean highlands. Along the route, we stop at the Papallacta Hot Springs, located in a valley surrounded by volcanoes and cloud forest.

Here, we enjoy time soaking in the naturally heated thermal pools, a relaxing contrast after our days of exploration. For those who would like additional relaxation, you can choose to book optional spa treatments on site before we continue our journey back to the capital.

After our final breakfast, you say goodbye to your fellow travellers and tour leader before making your own way to the airport for your onward flight. Safe Travels!