Ecuador and Galápagos | Ultimate Ecuador: Biodiversity in the Amazon and Galápagos

Upon arrival at the airport in Quito proceed through Immigration, Baggage Claim and Customs before exiting the secured area of the airport. A Holbrook representative will be waiting outside the exit door with a Holbrook sign to assist with your transfer to the hotel. Most flights arrive to Quito in the evening. No meals included on this day. Quito's elevation range from 9,223 ft - 9,883 ft. To minimize your chances of experiencing altitude sickness, try to get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, avoid alcohol and fatty foods, consume high carbohydrate foods, and avoid strenuous exercise at high elevations.

This morning after breakfast, we will officially meet our Ecuadorian guide who will be together with us throughout the program during the Welcome Orientation. Afterwards we will start our exploration of Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Surrounded by volcanoes, Quito is a unique city that boasts one of the largest and best preserved colonial centers in America. Visit La Compañía Church, Alabado Museum (pre Columbian art), and San Francisco Church. After lunch at a local restaurant, we will enjoy a visit to the Museo Casa del Alabado. We will return to our hotel in the late afternoon and have the rest of the day at leisure.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a 45-minute flight to Coca also known as Puerto Francisco de Orellana. The port city is the capital of the Orellana province and one of the country's gateways to exploring the Amazon. Upon arrival, head to Francisco de Orellana port for the two hour boat ride down the Napo River - an important Amazonian tributary and country's longest river. We'll have box lunch on the boat. After disembarkation, we'll walk on a raised boardwalk to Pilchicocha Lake to board canoes for the final leg of our journey. Once we check-in, we will meet our local guides and have an orientation to our Amazon Lodge and activities. A typical day will begin at sunrise or earlier, to take advantage of the cool morning hours when the rainforest animals are most active. Afternoon excursions begin between 3:00-4:00 p.m. and often continue into the evening, when the nocturnal insect and frog chorus begins. In between activities, there is time to freshen up, relax, or swim in the black water lake home to many species of fish. During excursions, our group will be divided into small groups, each of which will be led by a native expert with knowledge of the rainforest's medicinal and other useful plants, and a bilingual naturalist educated in the biology and ecology of the area. Of the incredible 1,600 bird species registered in Ecuador, 600 (37 percent) have been seen at Sacha Lodge. That's almost 7 percent of the species found in the entire world! Enjoy observing birds at the mini tower and the butterfly house before dinner at the lodge. After dinner, accompany your naturalist guide on a night walk through the rainforest to view some of the hundreds of different species of mammals that can only be found at night. PLEASE NOTE: The flight to Coca has a limit of 50 lbs per person for checked luggage. The excess luggage can be left at Quito and our field staff will make the necessary arrangements for the transfer between Quito hotels.

Begin the day at the Yasuni National Park Parrot Lick and learn about the life and habits of the local parrot population. The parrot lick is an exposed clay bank where brightly colored parrots of several different species gather in the morning hours. When weather conditions are ideal (sunny and dry) the parrots can often be seen perching on and eating the exposed clay. This activity is strictly weather-dependent since the parrots do not appear when it rains. In case of rain, we will try to visit the lick the next day. Activities will be substituted accordingly. After spending time at the clay lick, well stop at the Shipati Warmi project, an initiative run by and benefiting the women of the Providencia community of Yasuní. We'll learn about the people of Amazonia, about their daily lives - how they dry clothes in the jungle and the challenges of getting to school - their language, and customs. In the afternoon hike along the Liana Chica Trail arriving at the canopy walk, for spectacular views of the rainforest and the many different species of birds. Designed to be a self-standing rigid suspension, the canopy walk is one of only a few in the world! Located within Sacha´s private reserve, two miles from the shores of the Rio Napo and one mile from the lodge, the bird walk gives you the opportunity to get an up close and personal view of the rainforest canopy.

Depart from the lodge after breakfast, and begin the hike on Lagartococha Trail. This trail offers the chance to learn more about the indigenous people and their relationship with the forest. Learn about the trees where residents believe the spirits of their ancestors live, and the mysterious "dwende" or devil man of the forest. After arriving at Lake Lagartococha, take a tranquil canoe ride through a natural swamp, which is home to anacondas, caimans, and capybaras. After the canoe ride, a walk on the other side of Largatococha may give you the opportunity to spot capuchin or squirrel monkeys playfully jumping through the trees. Return from the walk and head back to the lodge for a refreshing dip in the lake, or a nice relaxing nap in your personal hammock on your private balcony. After lunch, your local guide will teach you how to fish for the infamous razor toothed piranha. In the afternoon begin a silent canoe ride through the flooded Amazonian forest; to spot the shy and elusive river otter as well as the incredibly well camouflaged three toed sloth. After your ride through the flooded forest, arrive at Sacha´s 135 foot wooden tower built around an ancient Kapok tree. View vibrantly colored birds through powerful scopes, and watch the sunset with an amazing view of Mount Sumaco, a volcano. Possibly, you'll get a view of the snow covered caps of the Andes! A canoe ride back through the flooded forest at night provides for a different sensory experience; listen to the symphony of frogs and insects, nocturnal birds making their eerie nighttime calls, see the glowing eyes of the caimans, and watch for the several species of bats flying over your heads. Arrive back at Lake Pilchicocha to the welcoming lights of Sacha lodge. Our last night at the Amazon, we'll have a barbecue dinner in the lodge's outdoor dining area and say farewell to the Amazon and to our local guides.

After breakfast transfer to Coca by boat for the late morning flight back to Quito. Upon arrival in Quito, we will transfer to a local restaurant for lunch. Continue your journey to the breathtaking Cloud Forest area, a nature lovers' paradise. Arrive in Mindo and enjoy orientation walk along Hotel Gardens

This morning, visit Milpe Bird Sanctuary, a 250 acre subtropical rainforest reserve with an altitudinal range of 3,350 to 3,770 feet and protecting an important tract of remnant forest in the Chocó foothills. This ecological gem offers bird enthusiasts a remarkable opportunity to walk in pathways. Be prepared to encounter a diverse array of stunning avian species, including the unique Club-Winged Manakin, Golden Manakin, the distinctive Umbrella Bird, and the striking Chocó Toucan. Following your morning among the birds, the journey continues to Mashpi village, a serene community situated within the biodiverse Chocó-Andean Forest. Here, you'll engage with local residents and gain a deeper understanding of their inspiring sustainable initiatives designed to safeguard their precious forest and the surrounding natural environment. Lunch, showcasing the comforting flavors indigenous to the Chocó forest, awaits you. This meal will be specially prepared by the Women of Mashpi association and served at a family-run reserve conveniently located beside the chocolate farm, ensuring a great transition to your next activity. The afternoon continues with a visit to an organic chocolate farm. This immersive tour will reveal the journey of cocoa, from its cultivation to its transformation into fine chocolate. You'll gain firsthand knowledge of the farm's holistic sustainable practices, covering everything from the creation of organic fertilizers and essential nutrients to land preparation, harvesting the cocoa pods, and finally, culminating in a delightful chocolate tasting that celebrates the rich output of their dedicated work. Please note, the farm tour is scheduled to commence at 2:00 PM and will conclude after approximately two hours. As the day's enriching discoveries draw to a close, you will comfortable return to the hotel, leaving the remainder of your evening free for personal relaxation

Join the environmental educational program focused on conservation, research, and sustainable agriculture. Learn about the significance of the Cloud Forest, its impact on human living, and the effects of global warming. Savor lunch prepared with local organic products and discover new flavors. Talking about Cloud and Choco Forest could not be complete without learning about one of the best coffees in the world, the high-altitude coffee! Visit a family-owned organic coffee farm to learn about the process of specialty coffee-making and participate in a coffee tasting activity, Return to the hotel. Rest of the afternoon free to enjoy the hotel facilities.

Depart for Puembo today. En route, stop at the Pululahua geobotanical reserve for a short walk to observe something very unique, an inhabited volcanic crater that is located very close to the equator. Continue to a restaurant located at the border of the Pululahua volcano crater for lunch and a lecture by a geologist about Ecuador's Geology and Galapagos formations. Afterwards continue to the hotel to relax and get ready for our journey to the Galapagos Islands.
PLEASE NOTE: There is a 44 pounds weight limit for the flight the next day to Galapagos Islands. You can leave your extra luggage at this hotel, as we will be coming back for our last night to the same location.
- 5 day cruises are Thursday to Monday - West (B) or South (D)
- 4 day cruises are Monday to Thursday - North (A) or East (C)

Very early this morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to the Baltra Airport in Galapagos. Upon arrival you will be met by our naturalist guides will greet us at the airport and transfer us to the luxurious M/V Galapagos Legend. After lunch aboard the vessel, explore Bachas Beach, named for some wrecked World War II barges whose ribs are still visible in the sand this visitor site offers great swimming, a lovely walk along the shore,

After breakfast, land at James Bay (Puerto Egas) on Santiago Island to walk and observe sponges, snails, hermit crabs, a variety of shore birds, barnacles, the endemic four-eyed blenny, marine iguanas, and sea lions. After lunch, make a wet landing on Rábida Island to walk and observe marine iguanas, sea lions, Blue footed and Nazca Boobies, and Brown Pelicans. Arrive at a small saltwater lagoon where you may be able to see American Flamingos.

This morning disembark on Isabela Island at Urbina Bay, a coral area at the base of Alcedo Volcano with land iguanas, Flightless Cormorants, and giant tortoises. Return to the yacht for lunch. In the afternoon, take a panga ride around Tagus Cove, located between the shoulders of two volcanic craters, which protect it from the open sea. Observe marine iguanas, sea lions, and a variety of birds, including Galápagos Penguins, Flightless Cormorants, and Blue-footed Boobies. This evening enjoy a presentation by your Galapagos guide before dinner.

Today visit Espinosa Point on Fernandina Island to observe a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, Flightless Cormorants, and clumps of lava cactus. Later this afternoon, we make a panga ride on Punta Vicente Roca to observe plenty of sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed and masked boobies, and flightless cormorants. There will be time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel.

After an early breakfast we take the bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island for a visit to the native forests and the Twin Craters, two formations caused by the collapse of surface material caused by underground fissures. Afterwards transfer to Baltra for our flight back to Quito. Lunch will be on your own. At Baltra airport, there are opportunities to get a sandwich and drink. This afternoon at leisure. A farewell dinner will be served at the hotel.

This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.