Ecuador 12 days tour | Galapagos, Amazon & Quito

Arrive at any time and reception at Mariscal Sucre Airport in Quito by our Guide. Transfer In.
Accommodations in Quito.

Transfer out to the Mariscal Sucre Airport escorted by our guide to take the plane to the Galapagos Islands. Once on Galapagos our English speaking guide will be waiting for you at the airport in Baltra, who will then take you to the port of Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island) for lunch.

Afterwards, we will take the Public speedboat to Isabela (14:00), which lasts approximately two and a half hours. After arriving at Isabela, we will take a brief rest at the hotel and then head to the Flamingo Lagoon, which is the largest coastal lagoon found in the Galapagos and is one of the main reproductive sites for the majority of flamingos.

Accommodation in Isabela Island.

OPTION 1: Sierra Negra Volcano

Early in the morning (8:00 am), after breakfast, get ready for the Sierra Negra Volcano hike (comfortable clothes, walking shoes and a light rain jacket are recommended). Make sure your camera is stored in waterproof bags, wear some sunscreen, bring water, and a hat! Yourself will prepare your box lunch at the hotel with the foodstuff of your choice. 

We will then travel approximately 45 minutes by truck or bus to begin the 12 km hike (approx. 4 hours). The hike is long in terms of distance, but not very difficult as the inclines and declines are quite gradual. (There is an option to ride horses for an additional cost, if interested please let us know beforehand).

Sierra Negra Volcano has the second largest crater in the world, measuring approximately 6 miles in diameter and 300 feet deep. We will then reach Volcan Chico, which should provide a spectacular view of the islands.

Once we get back to the hotel we will take a short break to rest. In the afternoon, get to do some fine snorkeling in Concha Perla. Swim with sea lions, colorful varieties of fish and, with luck, sea turtles and rays. Return to the hotel to rest before heading to dinner at a local restaurant indicated by the guide.

OPTION 2: (Los Tuneles – extra cost)

There are two departure times for this tour, one at 08:00 am with return time at 13:00 pm approx., and one at 11:00 am, with return time at 16:00 pm. approx. The chosen departure time for your tour might vary; hence, you will be notified on the departure time for this day trip on the night before the tour.

Cabo Rosa aka. Los Tuneles is perhaps one of the most beautiful sights in the archipelago. Continuous volcanic eruptions petrified into tunnel-like lava formations right in the middle of the sea, and crystal clear turquoise water allows an amazing view of marine vegetation and playful sea lions. 

The tour begins early at 8:00am via speedboat and the first stop is a small islet in the middle of the ocean, home to pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and sea lions. Finados snorkeling site is the next stop, where you can swim next to sea turtles, Tintoreras sharks (endemic to the islands), trumpet fish and surgeonfish. With some luck, eagle and golden rays will come to this site too.

Getting to Los Tuneles will take around 1 ½ – 2 hrs. Once there, the speedboat will navigate through various spots in and around the Lava Tunnels. Here you get the chance to do some more snorkeling and enjoy some short walks while observing the landscape and wildlife inhabiting the area. A box lunch on board will be provided for this day. Dinner will be served at the local specified restaurant.

Accommodations in Isabela Island.

After breakfasts, get ready to visit to Tintoreras Islet. Make our way to the dock of Puerto Villamil in order to embark on small speedboats (12 passenger capacity). After a short ride (approx. 20 min.) we will arrive at Tintoreras Islet. The name of the islet derives from the sharks that inhabit in the waters surrounding the islet, the famous white-tipped fins Tintorera Sharks. The islet is one of the most fascinating places on Isabela Island.

Galapagos sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, Sally Lightfoot Crabs, sea turtles, pelicans, and Galapagos Penguins can all be found in this site. It is also one of main breeding sites for marine iguanas, and a great spot to get a close-up with them. After a hike around the islet, get back on the boat and cool off by snorkeling in the waters nearby. Swimming next to multicolor fish, starfish, sea urchins, and with luck manta rays, sharks, and sea lions is a major highlight in this excursion. After a fascinating experience we will return to the hotel for lunch.

In the afternoon, visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center of Isabela. Here you can observe a variety of species of giant tortoises. You will also hear how this center has successfully bred and raise the giant tortoises to preserve many endangered subspecies. Afterwards, we will visit the Wall of Tears (Muro de las Lagrimas). 

Between 1946 and 1959 Isabela Island was used as a penal colony by the Ecuadorian government, and the prisoners were obligated to build this wall out of the sharp and hard volcanic rocks. The wall is 100 meters long and 7 meters high.  

On the way back we will make a visit to a Lava Tunnel near the Wall- Visits to Mirador Orchilla, Estero de Isabela, and Playa del Amor are also programmed. We will then return to the hotel to rest before heading to dinner at a local restaurant specified by the guide.

Accommodations in Isabela Island.

At 5:00 a.m. we will prepare ourselves to go to the dock (wake-up at 4:30 AM). We will take the public speedboat, which leaves at 6:00 a.m. (subject to change), From Isabela to Puerto Ayora (2 hour and a half estimated travel time).

Upon arrival the guide will take us to eat breakfast, after which we will take a short rest before making our way to the Highlands of Santa Cruz. Here we will have the unforgettable opportunity to observe the famous Giant Tortoises in their natural environment, which also known as Galapagos, and it is from these wonderful creatures which the Islands derive their name.

We will also be able to see the famous Galapagos Finches, Bird Wizards, as well as endemic vegetation such as Escelacias forests and Matazarnos. After our incredible encounter with the Giant Tortoises, we will return to Puerto Ayora for lunch.

The afternoon before the guide will have indicated the hour to meet to begin the visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station.

Here we will find a variety of Giant Tortoise representing their fellow specie of each island in the archipelago. We will also listen about the ongoing conservation efforts directed at preserving the Giant Tortoises, as well as the environment of the archipelago as a whole. After this we will make a short visit to the Art Galleries of Puerto Ayora and then eat lunch. Return to the hotel to rest before heading to dinner at a local restaurant indicated by the guide.

Accommodations in Santa Cruz Island.

NOTE: Destination depends on availability

On the final day we recommend waking up at 6:00 am to have enough time to prepare ourselves for the transfer from Puerto Ayora to Baltra Airport. We will eat breakfast there, and then depart for Baltra where you will catch your return flight to either Quito or Guayaquil.

Depending on the time of the flights, we may be able to visit two sunken “holes”, similar to craters, known as “Los Gemelos” “Twin Craters”. (For this reason we recommend booking your return flight for the afternoon). These craters were formed by the collapse of the earth beneath which lava had passed and created giant tunnels, which facilitated the collapse and creation of the craters.

NOTE: Itinerary on Galapagos is subject to change without prior warning depending on seasonal changes, weather conditions, and adjustments in policies set by the Galapagos National Park, and other unforeseen circumstances that may arise.

In Quito Transfer in escorted by our guide. 

Optional Tour.
On the evening we will begin our City tour by Night. (Aprox. 2 hrs.) We will drive to the downtown of Quito where the city still keeps the old flair of the past centuries; beautiful and colonial little balconies and houses are common along the streets. We leave our car and walk to the Independence square , where we can enjoy looking at beautifully illuminated areas of the downtown, like the Cathedral, the Jesuit Church of La Compañia de Jesus, and the San Francisco square .

Quito Historical Center hold a very special charm on its ancient architecture enhanced under the city night lights. After this, we continue our tour to the Panecillo, a small hill located in the center of the city, which allows us a 360º view of Quito. After enjoying breath- taking scenery, we drive back to our Tourist Class Hotel. (B)

Accommodation in Quito.

Transfer out to the Mariscal Sucre Airport escorted by our guide to take the plane to the Lago Agrio.

We will take a short 30-minutes flight, arriving into Lago Agrio; After picking you up from the airport, a representative of the agency will help you checking in to your flights into the jungle.

Once at Lago Agrio Airport our private transportation will drive you (2 ½ – 3 hours) to “El Puente” (The Bridge), which is the entrance to the Cuyabeno Reserve on “El Puente.  Here we will enjoy our box lunch and continue the trip via motorized dugout-canoe. The luggage will be covered with plastic for protection, to prevent it from getting wet in the event of rain. We will arrive around dusk to the beautiful TAPIR LODGE (05:00-06:00 PM). Dinner will be served at approximately 07:30 PM. overnight spent in our cozy and relaxing lodge.

Accommodation in the amazon.

Cuyabeno Reserve Tapir Lodge. After a good night’s slumber, our day begins with a delicious breakfast, which is served at approximately 07:30 AM. At 08:30 AM we will meet at our pier and take our canoe, to navigate upstream to “Laguna Grande” (Big Lake) enjoying a slow ride in order to observe the surrounding Flora (orchids, bromeliads, Heliconias) and Fauna like (squirrel, black mantled tamarin, and Saki monkeys.

Our travel time should be about 30 minutes once we get there, we will appreciate this one of a kind Iago or inundated forest. After completing the Iagoon excursion, we will travel to “Terra Firme” and begin a trek on a path called Palma Roja “Red Palm”; this path will be our first encounter with primary rain forest and with Woodpeckers, Tanagers, Macaws, and Toucans; and if we are lucky enough we will come across two or three species of monkeys .

Our return time should be around 01:30 PM, to take the canoe back to Tapir. Lunch will be served there and at 4:00 PM we will again meet at our pier, and take the canoe to a new area of “Laguna Grande, to enjoy spectacular sunset views. Once the evening activities are concluded, we will return to Tapir around 07:00 PM. You can enjoy of an optional nigh walk before going to bed at Tapir Lodge.

Accommodation in the amazon.

Breakfasts at 07:30 AM. Today we will travel downstream the Cuyabeno River. On our way we will observe different kind of birds (toucans, macaws, kingfishers, Oropendolas) following the river; we will stop at a small Indian settlement. There will have the opportunity to visit and meet Tomás the local Shaman, as well as his family.

After spending some time with them and an optional shamanic ceremony, we say goodbye to Tomás and his family (about 03:00 PM) and navigate back to the Puerto Bolivar village, where we will be greeted by a local Siona family, and take part in the preparation of Cassava Bread. The Yuca (Cassava) Root. Again we take our dugout and navigate back to Tapir arriving just before dusk. Dinner will be served at around 08:00 PM. overnight spent at Tapir Lodge.

Accommodation in the amazon.

On this day, guests will have the option to choose their activities with the guide, ranging from bird watching, canoeing, fishing, or hiking tours in the rain forest. Lunch will be served at Tapir.

In the afternoon our guests can enjoy some leisure time and enjoy the last Sunset over the lake, so as the navigation inside the flooded forest. Dinner will be served at around 08:00 PM. After dinner we will serve and enjoy a farewell Passion Fruit Cocktail, as we take a little time to introduce our hard working staff. Overnight at Tapir Lodge.

Accommodation in the amazon.

Breakfast will be served at 08:00 AM. After breakfast we will coordinate and schedule your departure from Tapir lodge. We will leave Tapir Lodge at 9:30, and make our way back to the bridge. From there, our private transportation will drive us back to Lago Agrio, in time to get the flight back to Quito. Transfer In to your Hotel.

Accommodations in Quito.