Experience the wildlife of the Galápagos and the diversity of the Amazon on this ultimate Ecuadorean adventure. Get to know Ecuador inside out—from the Andes to the Islands and miss nothing in between. Explore the jungle by canoe and stay with a local Quichua family. Scour the indigenous handicraft market at Otavalo for special treasures before flying to the Galápagos to spend a week exploring the islands aboard Xavier. Our exclusively operated fleet of yachts offers great value—there’s no better way to explore the region.
Day 1 Quito
Arrive at any time.
Day 2 Quito/Papallacta
Travel to Papallacta Hot Springs and opt for a relaxing afternoon at the hot springs.
Day 3 Papallacta/Tena
Travel by bus into the Amazon Jungle. Spend 2 nights with a local Quichua family at a homestay in a small village. Enjoy nature walks and and learn about local culture.
Day 4 Tena
Spend a full day in the Amazon learning about life at a homestay. Enjoy cooking demonstrations and hiking to nearby waterfalls.
Day 5 Tena
Journey further into the Amazon to a jungle lodge. Included guided walks and canoe rides show the natural history and wildlife. Opt to go whitewater rafting on the Napo River.
Day 6 Tena
Spend another day exploring the area.
Day 7 Tena/Baños
Travel to Baños and enjoy numerous outdoor optional activities available like hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking or soaking in the hot springs.
Day 8 Baños
Enjoy free time to experience all this adventurous town has to offer.
Day 9 Baños
Enjoy another free day to experience all this adventurous town has to offer.
Day 10 Baños/Cuenca
Travel south to the colonial city of Cuenca, stopping en route at the Ingapirca ruins. Enjoy an orientation walk of the city.
Day 11 Cuenca
Enjoy a free day to explore. Opt for a city tour or go hiking in Cajas National Park.
Day 12 Cuenca/Cayambe
Fly back to Quito and continue on to Cayambe. Spend the night in a 400-year-old hacienda at the base of a volcano.
Day 13 Cayambe/Otavalo
Travel to Otavalo. Optional activities include visits to Peguche Waterfall or the Cotacachi leather market, or a hike around Cuicocha Lake.
Day 14 Otavalo
Explore the famous Otavalo handicraft market.
Day 15 Quito
Spend free time in the city before an informational meeting about the Galápagos itinerary in the evening.
Day 16 Quito/Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
Fly to San Cristóbal Island. Meet the Galápagos CEO and transfer to the boat. In the afternoon, visit the Tortoise Breeding Centre before setting off to explore the Galápagos.
Day 17 Punta Pitt/Kicker Rock
Visit Punta Pitt and look for three types of boobies as well as frigatebirds. After, visit Cerro Brujo on San Cristóbal Island to observe sea lions, marine iguanas, and seabirds along the beach. Continue to the dramatic Kicker Rock in the afternoon for a snorkelling excursion.
Day 18 Santiago Island
Morning excursion to Playa Espumilla, one of the most idyllic beaches in the Galápagos Islands and home to thick mangroves and flamingo and sea turtle nesting sites. Continue to Buccaneer Cove to witness the towering cliff wall rock formations before going to Puerto Egas to see a dark-sand beach and tidal pools.
Day 19 Puerto Ayora
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to see the giant Galápagos tortoises and take an excursion to the Santa Cruz Highlands. Free time for shopping or exploration of Puerto Ayora.
Day 20 Chinese Hat/Black Turtle Cove
Visit Chinese Hat for snorkelling opportunities and to observe the birds and sea lions before taking an excursion to Black Turtle Cove to see the marine life.
Day 21 Cerro Dragón/Islas Daphne
Visit Cerro Dragón on the west coast of Santa Cruz Island to see land iguanas and a salt water lagoon frequented by flamingos and other species of birds. Continue to Daphne Island in the afternoon to spot birds and wildlife.
Day 22 Islas Plaza/Santa Fé Island
Land at South Plaza in the morning for wildlife spotting opportunities. Afternoon visit to Santa Fé Island for guided walks to observe the wildlife and plentiful marine iguanas. Opportunities for swimming and snorkelling with the sea lions.
Day 23 San Cristóbal Island/Quito
Visit the Interpretation Centre on San Cristóbal Island before flying back to Quito.
Day 24 Quito
Depart at any time.
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Wellness Moment: Papallacta Hot Springs Visit, Papallacta Your Local Living Moment: Amazon Jungle Experience, Tena Your Discover Moment: Baños
- Papallacta Hot Springs stay
- Amazon Jungle homestay (2 nts)
- Amazon Jungle lodge stay with guided walks and wildlife-spotting (2 nts)
- Baños stay
- Ingapirca ruins stop
- Historic hacienda overnight stay
- Otavalo visit
- Seven nights in the Galápagos Islands
- Incredible wildlife encounters
- Daily opportunities for swimming and snorkelling
- Snorkelling equipment onboard Galápagos yacht
- Internal flights
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- 23 breakfasts
- 10 lunches
- 11 dinners
Reference : GAH