The following is a sample Ecuador, Quito, Upper Amazon Lodge and Galapagos Islands Itinerary based on our recent President’s Group Adventure tour.

We can duplicate this for your own private tour or make any changes you prefer and customize it to your specifications.

Contact us for more details or to answer your questions at the email listed on the bottom of this page.

      

Ecuador, Quito, Upper Amazon Lodge and Galapagos Islands

December 30: Canada - Quito

Today we will fly to the Ecuadorian capital of Quito located in a broad valley high in the Andean mountains. We’ll be met by our local guides and taken to our hotel for the night. Old Quito is the largest of all the remaining Spanish colonial cities and was the world’s first declared UNESCO World Heritage Site.

December 31: Quito – Otavalo

Today, we will head north from Quito to Otavalo and visit the Indian Market which is the mostwell known tourist attraction in the Ecuadorian Andes, for it has been an economic and social center for more than 4000 years. We will visit sewing villages and learn about the indigenous culture and their handicrafts. Afterwards, we will go to Casa Mojanda where we will spend the night, have time to relax and eat dinner and of course celebrate the New Year! B,L,D

January 01: Visiting Cotocahi and Return to Quito

Happy New Year! After breakfast, we will visit Cuicocha Lake where we will hike around its trails. It sits inside an old crater on the south side of the Cotacachi volcano. This lake offers an attractive vegetative system with a variant temperature where if you are lucky you can observe snow on the top of the volcano. Back to Quito. B,L

January 02: Flight to Coca and transfer to Sani Lodge

Today we fly from Quito into the Amazon forest and on to one of the myriad tributaries of the Amazon river. Here in Ecuador we are in the deepest Amazonian rainforest at the headwaters close to the Andes. Clustered on the shore of a remote lagoon are newly constructed private, thatch-roofed cabañas. Each is equipped with single or double beds, electric lights, and modern bathrooms with showers. And since the facility is powered entirely by solar panels, there is no noisy generator to drown out the magical night sounds of the jungle. B,L,D Each day at Sani lodge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXDbF8l16EY

January 03: At Sani Lodge Daily Activities (these vary with current conditions)

06:00 Breakfast

06:45 Departure to the Chorongo Trail

45-minute canoe ride across the lagoon enjoying the morning activity (birds, caimans, monkeys, etc.) on the lagoon

3 - 4-hour hike on the Chorongo Trail including a small snack break in between

45-minute return canoe ride

13:00 Lunch

16:30 2-hour hike on the Swamp Trail

18:30 Return to the Lodge

19:00 Dinner

20:00 Caiman watching or night hike (both optional)

January 04: At Sani Lodge Daily Activities

06:00 Breakfast

06:45 Departure to the 30-m birdwatch tower

5-minute canoe ride to the Aguila trail head

10-minute walk to the birdwatch tower

birdwatching, listening to the sounds of the Howler Monkeys

09:00 Departure from birdwatch tower to the Aguila Trail. 2 ½ hours hike back to the lodge exploring the jungle; flora and fauna

13:00 Lunch

16:30 Piranha-fishing in the lagoon and float for sunset

19:00 Dinner

January 05: Sani Lodge to Quito and Tour

06:00 Breakfast

06:45 Departure from Sani Lodge

30-minute dawn boat ride on the Challuayacu

3 hour and 30 min boat-ride on the Río Napo

Transfer to Coca Airport Return Quito.

1:15 Departure of return flight to Quito

1:50 Arrival in Quito This afternoon we explore the old city on a guided tour. Colonial Quito is a city of narrow cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed walls above which the steeples and cupolas of historic churches can be seen. We will walk through the Main Plaza, where you will see the Government Palace, the Cathedral, and some of the most important churches built around the XVI and XVII centuries, including the monastery of San Francisco which was started 5 days after the founding of the city in 1534. B

January 06: Galapagos

This morning we will transfer to the airport for a flight from Quito, to Baltra in the Galapagos then we will take a flight for thirty minutes over the spectacular Galapagos marine scenery to Isabela Island.

After some time to settle into your rooms in our beach front hotel, our tour will begin with a relaxing walk on the 1.2km boardwalk to the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre where the endangered giant tortoise population of the Galapagos Islands is presently recovering.

On our way we will pass by three lagoons where we will likely see Flamingos. Once at the Centre a guided tour will be provided in the several large areas where turtles of different ages are being raised before being released into the wild. We will have the option to either walk to the Centre and back via the boardwalk, or for those who prefer, be dropped off by car at the Centre and walk back along the boardwalk and enjoy the sunset on our way back. Dinner at a local restaurant on the main plaza. Overnight Albermarle Hotel B,L, D

January 07: Galapagos - Isabela Island

Today our journey starts with a visit to Roca Unión, a small island full of life, where we can snorkel amidst clouds of brightly coloured fish, and watch sea lions and boobie birds from the surface. At Turtle Cove, a secret spot used by fisherman, considered one of the island’s major attractions, we will have plenty of opportunities to snorkel through a maze of small islands and arches (and for the experts, tunnels) in the company of fish, sea turtles and occasional white tipped sharks (no worries - they are non-aggressive) and rays. There will be more opportunities to snorkel with sea turtles at Finados and from our boat out on the open water the chance to watch sea turtles and manta rays against a background of varied coastal beaches and rocky shores where sea turtles nest. The afternoon is free for wandering or simply relaxing in a hammock and reading a book. We will eat supper in one of the village’s friendly restaurants. B, L, D

(Yes, that’s a penguin - at the equator no less)

January 08: Galapagos - Isabela Island

Our next marine experience starts at the white tip shark canal and a tour around the small island of Tintoreras where we will be able to see the diversity of the Galapagos Islands in miniature. During this morning we will be able to observe a variety of animals and birds: seals and various species of sea birds around the harbour, perhaps a ray or turtle, penguins, sharks and marine iguanas (nesting in season). Amongst the natural features you will be able to observe are pumice stones resulting from the eruption of Alcedo, the highest volcano on the island, as well as white lichens which have the ability to grow directly on bare volcanic rock. There is also a small channel on this tiny island where white tipped sharks rest during the daytime and where sea lions often play around them; we may also have the chance to see eagle rays near the harbour. After the visit you will have the opportunity for a relaxing snorkel in the bay.

This afternoon, we will head off by vehicle for the ‘Humedales (wetlands) trail’, to an area which was designated a RAMSAR site of international importance in 2002. The road ends at the Muro de las Lagrimas (Wall of Tears), which was raised in the late 1940’s by the inmates of a prison colony built on the site of a World War II US base. The road initially follows Villamil beach, passing by the cemetery which offers us a glimpse of the history of the island’s settlement. After wandering this outstanding system of trails and pathways which leads us through mangroves and marine iguana colonies we will be able to enjoy a picnic catered by the women of the village and then return to the hotel by way of the beach. Free afternoon. We finish off with a delicious supper at the hotel. B, L, D

January 09: Galapagos - Isabela Island

This morning, our journey will take us on a short hike to the volcanic highlands and then on to Campo Duro for lunch. Here you will have the opportunity to see giant tortoises being raised in a semi natural state for reintroduction into the natural environment. The rest of the day is at leisure to beach it stroll the area or hammock surf with a good book and a cool drink. We end this unforgettable time on Isabela with an island farewell dinner. B,L,D

January 10: Galapagos - San Cristobal Island

Today our guide will pick us up from our hotel to take us to the airport for our short flight to San Cristobal Island. Upon arrival on San Cristobal island we will be transferred to the Hotel Orca which is five minutes away from the airport. After the check in procedure we will head to the Interpretation Center. Here we will find information on the natural and human history of the islands. From here, there is a short walk to Cerro Las Tijeretas, this is a great place for bird observation and also gives us the possibility for snorkeling. The Galapagos Islands are an ideal site for these kinds of activities as the several currents that pass through the islands make it possible to observe more than 500 species of fish. This does not include other wildlife like sea lions, sea turtles and the endemic marine iguana. There are other snorkeling sites on the island such as Playa Mann and Cabo de Horno which may also be visited.    B, L, D

January 11: Galapagos - San Cristobal Island

After breakfast we will head to the Highlands. There are several points of interest here, both natural and historical. The highlands were home to the Hacienda El Progreso which was owned by Manuel J Cobos. From El Progreso there is a short drive to the Junco Lagoon. Junco lagoon is an extinct volcano which now is one of the few fresh water sources in the islands. This is a good site for bird observation such as frigate birds which bathe in the lagoon, mocking birds and Darwin finches. On occasion wild horses can be seen in the surroundings. After this visit there will be another short drive to the Galapaguera. This facility was set up by the Galapagos National Park in order to study several species of giant tortoises that live on the island. From here we will visit Puerto Chino which is a beautiful white sand beach which is good for snorkeling, swimming or simply relaxing. B, L, D

January 12: Flight to Quito

This morning we will start our journey back to Quito. There will be time to explore Quito on your own or perhaps take part in an optional tour in the city or surroundings (details to be announced). Tonight we’ll have a farewell dinner in Ecuador at a local Quito restaurant. B, D

January 13: Quito and Return Home

Our flight leaves in the evening affording us more time to explore Quito or perhaps arrange another optional tour.

January 14: Arrive Home

Our overnight flights deposit us back in the Canadian winter but with warm memories to melt our way through the remainder of the season.

Pricing

The following prices are based on a minimum of 10 passengers. The maximum number of passengers for this trip will be limited to 14.

A) Land and Local Air Price - per person twin sharing: $4670 CAD; $5150 Single Occupancy (we will try and arrange room sharing where requested and suitable)

B) International Air Price - Ottawa or Toronto Departures: $1158.76 (subject to change re potential fuel surcharges).

Included:

• All accommodation in various hotels and lodges. Hotels: Dann Carlton Quito (subject to change), Casa Mojanda Otavalo, Sani Lodge, Hotel Patio Andaluz Quito, Hotel Albermarle and Orca Hotel on Galapagos Islands.

• Meals as noted

• Locally guided daily tours as described

• Transfers

• Local airfares.

These prices are accurate as of January, 2009. Please contact us for updated pricing.