Tour Details - ECUADOR & THE GALAPAGOS WITH AMAZON EXTENSION - BOAT DECK
ECUADOR & THE GALAPAGOS WITH AMAZON EXTENSION - BOAT DECK
DISCOUNTS ON EVERY TOUR, UP TO 10% !!!
Tour Duration: 14 days Tour Code: WBGQ-BD2012 Tour Type: Prices From: A$5160 [Tour Dates]
Tour Itinerary
Day
Description
5
ARRIVE IN QUITO, ECUADOR Welcome to Quito, the capital of Ecuador and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.
10
QUITO-COCA Fly from Quito to Coca and travel by CANOE to your Amazon lodge. The Ecuadorian Amazon is the world's largest remaining tropical rainforest, where more life hums, buzzes, chatters, and bubbles than anywhere else on the planet. One Amazonian tree can host more ant species than all of the British Isles put together, one hectare of forest boasts almost as many frog species as all of North America, and the great expanse of jungle contains more than 20% of the earth's vascular plant species. Here you can find a monkey small enough to sit on your fingertip, an 4-kilogram toad, a spider that eats birds, and the world's largest snake-the 9-metre-long anaconda. (B,L,D)
15
AMAZON Today, begin on the suspended CANOPY WALK, boasting views of the rainforest canopy, where your Naturalist will point out many different species of vibrantly colored birds. Continue through the jungle below and learn of the medicinal plants and immense biodiversity that have been used by the native cultures for hundreds of years. After a picnic lunch in the primary forest, return to the lodge by canoe. Tonight, accompany your Local Guide on a night WALK or CANOE ride to discover creatures rarely seen during the day-you many even spot a caiman or two! (B,L,D)
20
AMAZON This morning you may opt to visit a parrot clay lick, a site where parrots and parakeets by the thousands can usually be seen. Later, depart on a Napo River CRUISE through the flooded forest in search of the varied wildlife. Here you will have a good chance of seeing troops of squirrel, capuchin, and howler monkeys-and maybe even the incredibly well-camouflaged 3-toed sloth. After time spent fishing for piranhas, arrive at the KAPOK TREE TOWER, perched 41 metres high. Get close-up views of birds as the sun sets on volcano Mount Sumaco and the Andes. (B,L,D)
25
COCA-QUITO Return to Coca, where you will board your flight to Quito and join Day 1 of your Ecuador and Galapagos trip. (B)
30
ARRIVE IN QUITO, ECUADOR Welcome to Quito!
35
QUITO An included sightseeing tour showcases Quito's treasures: the historic stone murals of the LEGISLATIVE PALACE, Independence Plaza and the 16th-century SAN FRANCISCO MONASTERY, the Jesuit's LA COMPANIA CHURCH with its stunning golden altars, and the impressive paintings at the WORKSHOP & MUSEUM of Oswaldo Guayasamin. Have your photo taken in front of the EQUATORIAL MONUMENT, the "Center of the World." This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner. (B,D)
40
QUITO-BALTRA-GALAPAGOS ISLANDS-FINCH BAY HOTEL Take a morning flight to Baltra, one of the remote Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival, transfer to the highlands of Santa Cruz, where your Naturalist introduces the island's lush and vibrant landscapes. Visit the Giant Tortoises RESERVE for a chance to see the famous Galapagos tortoises in their wild habitat. Next, see the Twin Pit Craters, great depressions of volcanic material formed by a long process of slow sinking of the ground, where exceptional Scalesia trees, ferns, mosses, and orchids can be seen in the surroundings. Later this afternoon, visit the CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION, established to help conserve the Islands' natural habitat and protect the famous giant tortoises. While here, see famous "Lonesome George" and learn about the tortoise rearing program. (B,L,D)
45
GALAPAGOS. FINCH BAY HOTEL Outings today include a list of activities that allow you to have a "Galapagos a la carte" adventure. Perhaps take a hike over the lava rock formations past gigantic cacti to Las Grietas, a uniquie swimming hole created by lava flows. Or choose a walk to Tortuga Bay, a 6-mile-long coralline beach; mountain bike up in the highlands; or swim, snorkel or kayak right off the beach at the hotel. (B,L,D)
50
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (EMBARKATION) CRUISING: SANTA CRUZ ISLAND Today, board the sleek Santa Cruz for five days of CRUISING among various Galapagos Islands. Each day, travel ashore to the remote islands with your expert Naturalist, who introduces you to the unique fauna living free and fearless of man. Visit LAS BACHAS on Santa Cruz Island, where abandoned WWII military barges can be found. Today, it is an important nesting area for the East Pacific Green Sea Turtle. You will also see brackish lagoons just steps away from the sea and white sand beach, which is a feeding ground for various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos. Return to the ship for a briefing on the next day's adventure, followed by a Captain's welcome cocktail and dinner. (B,L,D)
55
CRUISING GALAPAGOS ISLANDS: JAMES ISLAND. After breakfast, join your Naturalist for a coastal exploration along the impressive cliffs of BUCCANEER'S COVE on James Island. Learn about the history of the Island, its relevance for the whalers, pirates and early researchers, including Darwin's epic voyage in 1835. The cove is home to a large number of marine birds, sea lions, and inter-tidal organisms which makes this is a great site for snorkeling too! This afternoon, land at PUERTO EGAS on James Island, known for its black sand beach and a landscape of tuff-stone layers and lava flows. This is a great opportunity to see land and marine birds as well as a colony of fur sea lions, marine iguanas, and Sally Lightfoot crabs. You have the chance to snorkel or swim from the beach, or ride on the glass-bottom boat. (B,L,D)
60
CRUISING GALAPAGOS ISLANDS: RABIDA & BARTOLOME ISLANDS. Disembark at RABIDA ISLAND on a red-colored beach, formed from the unusually high content of iron in the volcanic material. Stroll along the beach of this small island as your Naturalist points out large colonies of sea lions, pelicans, boobies, yellow warblers, and several species of Darwin's finches. Very close to the beach, hidden behind a strip of green saltbush, is a salt pond where, at times, greater flamingos migrate. This is a wonderful place to snorkel from the beach, due to the unique combination of underwater species like the Galapagos dolphin and submarine landscapes. After lunch, en route to our next island, dolphins are often spotted. At BARTOLOME ISLAND, hike to the summit for a stunning view of two beautiful bays and fascinating formations of lava flows and spatter cones, including the iconic Pinnacle Rock. You will also have the chance to snorkel and possibly see Galapagos penguins in tropical waters and even some sharks and rays! (B,L,D)
65
CRUISING GALAPAGOS ISLANDS: TOWER ISLAND. Upon arrival at TOWER ISLAND, your visit to Prince Philip's Steps begins with a scenic panga ride along the cliffs to see the large number of nesting colonies of Nazca Boobies, red-footed boobies, and shore and seabirds in the cliffs' ledges. Disembark at the base of Prince Philip's Steps and climb up the stairs to a trail where birdlife abounds. A walk with your Naturalist reveals large colonies of masked boobies, bluefooted boobies, frigatebirds, storm petrels, and even short-eared owls. In the afternoon, disembark at DARWIN BAY to observe thousands of birds-mainly frigatebirds, red-footed and masked boobies, gulls, herons, finches, and mockingbirds. Return to the beach for swimming and snorkelling at this beautiful natural harbor. The more adventurous can snorkel below the cliffs. (B,L,D)
70
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (DISEMBARKATION) SAN CRISTOBAL-GUAYAQUIL After breakfast, depart for SAN CRISTOBAL, where Charles Darwin first set foot in the Galapagos back in 1835. Visit the GALAPAGUERA at Cerro Colorado to see the breeding program of giant tortoises and learn about this endangered species and its promising recovery. While here, watch for the Chatham (San Cristobal) Mockingbird and Chatham Lava Lizard - both species are endemic to this island and seen nowhere else in the Galapagos. Head to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil, where you will have free time this evening to prepare for your return flight home tomorrow. (B)
75
GUAYAQUIL Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
CRUISE: 4-night cruise in the Galapagos in an outside stateroom (Boat Deck) QUITO: Sightseeing with a Local Guide; Legislative Palace, San Francisco Monastery, La Compania Church, Workshop & Museum of Oswaldo Guayasamin, and Equatorial Monument; welcome dinner GALAPAGOS ISLANDS FINCH BAY HOTEL: Two nights to relax and explore the Galapagos GALAPAGOS ISLANDS CRUISE: Four nights cruising the Galapagos National Park aboard the Santa Cruz; Charles Darwin Research Station; guided sightseeing each day with a local Naturalist ALL INTRA-TOUR FLIGHTS AMAZON EXTENSION: Guided Amazon cruises by Naturalists, canopy walk and butterfly house; dugout canoe excursion; Kapok Tree Tower; nature walks MEALS: American breakfast daily (B), 6 lunches (L), and 7 three course dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Quito and a farewell dinner on board the Santa Cruz. Amazon Extension: 10 additional meals as per itinerary Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the cruise description
Meals Breakfast - 13 Lunch - 9 Dinner - 10
Optional Excursions
To help plan your leisure time, as well as your pre-tour budgeting, here is a list of optional excursions that may be offered on this tour.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your tour. Please note prices may be based on the previous year and are subject to change. Full terms and conditions are contained in the important travel documents.
Optional Excursions
