Galapagos, Ecuadorian Amazon & Cloud Forest

 Private transfer from Quito Airport to The Hilton Colon Hotel  (Deluxe Room B&B) close to the historic centre of Quito Old Town. You will have the rest of the afternoon and evening to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Quito and the cobbled streets of the old town.

Early morning drive high into the Ecuadorean Cloud Forest to stay at the luxury Mashpi Lodge for two nights. This region is amazingly rich in birdlife with 32 species of hummingbird alone seen from the Lodge.  Afternoon guided walk to see forest waterfalls and birds such as tanager, toucan and the elusive cock-of-the-rock.

Early morning time on the terrace watching birds feeding in the dawn light with naturalist guides. Climb to the observation tower and take a canopy walk . Lots of forest trails later spotting birds, howler monkeys, insects and amazing flora, all in the company of expert guides.

Activity starts at 6.30am with birdlife encounters after early morning refreshments. Later, walk to Copal Waterfall, a beautiful 2 hour hike featuring moss covered trees, orchids and various bird sightings. After lunch, return to Quito and overnight and breakfast at The Hilton Colon.

Transfer to Quito Airport for flight to Coca, then by road and river to Napo Lodge.  Look out for herons and kingfishers on the way. Transfer from riverboat to dugout canoe for further majestic peaceful ride, paddling along narrow creeks. Good sightings of monkeys, parrots, macaws and other large birds

Early morning start to reach probably the best parrot clay licks in Ecuador just over an hour away from the lodge. Weather dependent but usually successful sightings of over 11 species of parrots, parakeets and macaws. Lunch box served at the parrot clay lick observatory with arrival back at the lodge late afternoon.

Early departure to the superb canopy tower, 36 metres above the forest floor for sightings of   tanagers, blue and yellow macaws and spider monkeys in search of fruit. Afternoon walk to observe lizards, colourful manikins and endemic golden mantle tamarind monkeys. Later, explore the creeks by dugout canoe looking for giant otter families.

Early departure, to the Napo river with possible sightings of giant otters, Monk Saki monkeys plus many rare birds. Transfer to the motorised boats and on to the airport  for your flight back to Quito and transfer to Hotel Rincon de Puembo, close to the airport, including breakfast.

Transfer to airport for your Galapagos flight to Baltra, met and board the Santa Cruz.   After briefings, lunch, sail to North Seymour Island for first wildlife sightings of blue- footed boobies, two species of frigate birds, swallow tailed gulls and well as sea lions and iguanas.

Morning panga cruise and snorkelling off Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela Island. See flightless cormorants, green sea turtles and ocean sun fish. Later, sail to Fernandina with high density of marine iguanas sharing space with sea lions, Sally Light-foot crabs, hawks, penguins and flightless cormorants.

Morning walk from Tagus Cove on Isabela to the rim of a crater and Darwin Lake and on to a dramatic view point. Panga cruise and snorkelling. Later, to Urbina Bay to see colourful land iguanas and maybe giant tortoises. Snorkel or swim with flightless cormorants.   

A day spent on Santa Cruz. In Puerto Ayora, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and walk through cactus forest to Tortuga Bay for finches and marine iguanas. Kayaking and swimming. Excursion to the verdant highlands for visit to a giant tortoise reserve.  Mountain biking option.

Floreana. Visit Post Office Bay with its historic barrel post box – continue the tradition and leave or pick up mail yourself for posting!  Afternoon to Champion Islet for underwater exploration on pangas and glass bottom boat. Then to Cormorant Point to see  greater flamingos, pintail ducks, common stilts, herons, sandpipers and many more. 

Breakfast & morning goodbye with a group transfer to Baltra for your flight to Guayaquil. Private transfer to Wyndham Hotel, Guayaquil. Afternoon free for local exploration.

After breakfast, little time to relax before your private transfer to Guayaquil Airport for onward or return travel.