TRAVEL NATION BEST OF ECUADOR & GALAPAGOS:
14 days / 13 nights from £2375 per person
based on 2 sharing in 3* accommodation (does not include international flights)

Highlights included:

Quito

Otavalo Market Town

Cotopaxi volcano

Amazon Rainforest

Galapagos Islands

Day 1: Quito
Arrive into Quito, meet and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Quito

Day 2: Quito (B)
Full day walking tour of Quito including the Old Town and ending at a lookout point with a great view of Quito.
Overnight in Quito

Day 3: Quito - Otavalo - Quito (B/L)
This full day trip takes us through dramatic mountain scenery to the textile market of Otavalo, where you can browse many stalls filled with traditional weavings, watch and learn as the Otavaleños barter in silence, in marked contrast to the raucous noise of other markets; take your time to negotiate the best bargains. We will continue to the Indian village of Peguche, to learn about culture and everyday life in the homes of this weaving community. Lunch is at one of the charming country inns or haciendas of the area.
Overnight in Quito

Day 4: Quito - Cotopaxi - Quito (B/L/D)
Early departure from Quito by motorcar on the Pan-American Highway to the south, to visit the Cotopaxi National Park, an ecological sanctuary of 88,920 acres, around the magnificent Cotopaxi Volcano, which rises 5897 meters (19,347 feet) above sea level. The evergreen landscape of the Ecuadorian highlands is one of the main attractions, along valleys and mountains covered by multicolored fields. A short walk around the lagoon allows the observation of the Andean flora. Lunch is at a hacienda or local restaurant before returning to Quito in the afternoon.

Day 5: Quito - Amazon (B/L/D)
Leaving Quito today we will travel to our Amazon lodge by plane, chiva (local bus), motor boat and dugout canoe, along the way we have a good chance of seeing monkeys, toucans and parrots. Upon arrival we will settle in with a welcome drink. After dinner there is an optional trip to observe caiman around the lake and soak in the sounds of the lake at night.
Overnight at Amazon Lodge

Day 6: Amazon (B/L/D)
We set off early to reach one of the best parrot clay licks in Ecuador by around 8am, when the parrots start to become active. A total of 11 species of parrots, parakeets and macaws can be seen. Later, hike along forest trail to visit to the Quichua community of Añangu and share time with a local family learning about their activities.
Overnight at Amazon Lodge

Day 7: Amazon (B/L/D)
After an early breakfast, we visit a canopy tower deep within the terra firme forest. As you ascend the 12-story tower, you pass through different levels of the forest and emerge on top of a huge Ceiba tree. Here you cross onto a wooden platform that is actually built into the tree and experience the view formerly reserved only for the birds.
Overnight at Amazon Lodge

Day 8: Amazon (B/L/D)
Early departure and last excursion canoeing back to the Napo river, the creek may reveal new sights of Giant otters, Monk Saki monkeys or many other rare birds. We get back to Coca with plenty of time to check in for our flight back to Quito.
Overnight in Quito

Day 9: Quito – Galapagos (B/L/D)
Arrival by plane to San Cristobal Island and transfer to the MV SANTA CRUZ, which will be anchored at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the provincial capital of the Galápagos Islands. In the afternoon we will visit the white coralline beach of Cerro Brujo. Highlights ashore include the Chatham (San Cristobal) Mockingbird, Chatham Lava Lizard; both species are endemic to this island, and seen nowhere else in Galapagos. We may also spot Yellow Warblers, Galapagos flycatchers and with luck a Vermillion flycatcher (endemic subspecies to San Cristobal).

Day 10: Galapagos
Morning outing to Punta Suarez for an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April - December), Nazca (masked boobies), blue-footed boobies, swallow-tail gulls, and the famous blowhole. Back on board for lunch.

In the afternoon disembark at Punta Cormorant at an olivine-crystal beach for an easy walk that includes a brackish water lagoon where bird species like Greater flamingos, pintail ducks, common stilts, herons, sandpipers, and others may be observed. This outing also includes a white-sand beach where sea turtles come out at night for nesting (from December to May). Possibility of snorkeling from the beach, or join our Glass Bottom Boat or advanced snorkeling panga if conditions permit.

Day 11: Galapagos
This morning brings us to the youngest island, Fernandina. Disembark for a one-mile walk. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness with lots of wildlife. Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing their island habitat with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, and hawks. The nutrient-rich waters of the west can also bring surprises like encountering sea birds feeding, dolphins, and possibly whales.

In the afternoon, depending on the conditions of the ocean, we will schedule a snorkeling outing along the cliffs of partly-sunken Ecuador Volcano, in the northern tip of Isabela Island. This is the nesting place for flightless cormorants, the only existing marine birds in the world other than penguins that have changed their condition of flying birds to diving birds. Wildlife here also includes Sea lions, Galápagos Fur seals, Galápagos Penguins, Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies and noddy terns. This area has a very rich marine life, and is seasonally visited by green sea turtles.

Day 12: Galapagos – Guayaquil (B)
This morning we have an optional excursion to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the rearing in captivity program for the famous giant tortoises. Here we will get to understand the conservation efforts promoted by this institution, and stroll among an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest where endemic land birds can be seen. After an hour visit, return to Baltra Island airport in time for our flight back to the continent.

Escorted transfer from Guayaquil airport to your chosen hotel. Overnight in Guayaquil

Day 13: Guayaquil (B)
Day at leisure in Guayaquil

Day 14: Guayaquil (B)
Escorted transfer between your hotel and the airport to catch your international flight.