Wild Galapagos & Amazon
Why the Galapagos & Amazon? Biodiversity hotspot. Unique, 'tame' wildlife. Islands & Jungles.
Of course, there are lots of options & permutations... so contact us to tailor-make a tour just for you.
Why a Galapagos & Amazon Tour?
Wildlife biodiversity hotspot - abundant & endemic wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. Charles Darwin's inspiration.
Close Encounters - rare privilege to see & get close to wildlife with no natural fear of humans. Penguins, land & sea iguanas, red footed boobys, giant tortoises & more!
The Amazon - discover the world's largest tropical forest, and another wildlife biodiversity hotspot: tropical birds, spider & howler monkeys, tapirs, amphibians & reptiles.
Snorkelling, scuba diving, walking - a wildlife safari where you can be active, and get closer to both land animals & marine life.
Highlights: Up close & personal with unique wildlife on rugged, remote islands.
Is this for me? For those who want a deep & varied Galapagos Islands experience.
Day | Location | |||||
1 | Quito | |||||
2 | Galapagos Cruise Tour - 6 Days / 5 Nights + |
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3 | Galapagos Islands Cruise | |||||
4 | Galapagos Islands Cruise | |||||
5 | Galapagos Islands Cruise | |||||
6 | Galapagos Islands Cruise | |||||
7 | Santa Cruz/ Isabela Island | |||||
8 | Santa Cruz/ Isabela Island | |||||
9 | Quito | |||||
10 | Depart | |||||
Safari Highlights | ||||||
Cruise Galapagos Islands: From Santa Cruz Island to Rabida, Isabela, Fernandina & North Seymour. Explore via: boat, dingy rides, on foot & snorkelling. |
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Day | Activities & Highlights | |||
1 | Arrive in Quito & transfer to hotel. Relax & prepare for coming days of adventure. (B) | |||
2 | Transfer to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands. Arrive Baltra Island and board your Galapagos cruise boat.
NOTE: The following itinerary is an example of a Galapagos Cruise. We will recommend the best cruise for you depending on your interests, time of year, duration preferred & of course budget.
Cruise to Rabida Island for sea lions, birds & snorkelling. Birds: Galapagos hawks, Large-billed Flycatchers, nine types of finches, brown pelicans. (B D) |
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3 | Isabela Island - youngest & largest island in the archipelago. Vicente Roca Point - from the boat, look for penguins, Nazca & blue-footed boobies, terns, sea lions. Snorkelling: rays, sea turtles, seahorses, puffer & even sun fish. Fernandina Island - pristine, dominated by a volcano & lava fields. See unusual flightless cormorants, marine iguanas, penguins & the volcano. (B L D) |
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4 | Isabela's Tagus Cove - Enjoy a long hike today, see Darwin volcano & lake plus amazing vistas. More flightless cormorants & penguins here. Urbina Bay - an exciting trip - see Galapagos' biggest Land Iguanas! Also giant tortoises & hawks. In the water: sea turtles, coral reef, rays, fish. (B L D) |
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5 | Elizabeth Bay & Moreno Point - explore by dingy ride, snorkelling & a hike. See a mangrove forest, which is a unique sight in the Galapagos. Spot sea lions, penguins & blue-footed boobies, as well as green sea turtles & reef sharks. (B L D) |
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6 | Puerto Villamil - where native people & wildlife meet. Absorb the local history & culture here, whilst enjoying the white sand beaches, marine iguanas, shore birds, blue-footed boobies. (B L D) | |||
7 | Beautiful North Seymour Island - Frigate birds, Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies, both land & marine iguanas.
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8 | Visit pristine Garrapatero beach, where white sand meets black lava. See marine iguanas. Watch coastal birds, including penguins, blue-footed boobies, and more. Opportunity for kayaking & mountain biking. (B L D) | |||
9 | After a relaxed morning, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Quito. On arrival, transfer to your hotel where you can relax. (B L D) | |||
10 | Transfer to the airport for your onward flight home, or continue with one of our other adventures. (B) | |||
Want more Luxury or Exclusivity? from $10,585 to $15,000+
Highlights: Galapagos Islands wildlife by sea & Amazon jungle wildlife.
Is this for me? For those that want a diversity of experiences: from islands to jungles.
Day | Location | |||||
1 | Quito | |||||
2 | Galapagos Cruise Tour - 5 Days / 4 Nights + |
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3 | Galapagos Islands | |||||
4 | Galapagos Islands | |||||
5 | Galapagos Islands | |||||
6 | Quito | |||||
7 | Amazon | |||||
8 | Amazon | |||||
9 | Amazon | |||||
10 | Depart | |||||
Safari Highlights | ||||||
Cruise Galapagos Islands: From Santa Cruz Island to Bartholomew, Santiago, South Plazas, Santa Fe & San Cristobal. Floreana, Isabel & even remote Marchena & Genovesa. |
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Day | Activities & Highlights | |||||
1 |
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2 | Transfer to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands. Arrive and board your Galapagos cruise boat.
NOTE: The following itinerary is an example of a Galapagos Cruise. We will recommend the best cruise for you depending on your interests, time of year, duration preferred & of course budget.
Cruise to the Bachas Beach of Santa Cruz Island for an easy introduction to the Galapagos Islands. You may see flamingos, stilts, whimbrels, Sally Lightfoot & hermit crabs & even nesting sea turtles if you're lucky! |
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3 | Bartholomew Island. Climb to the summit of the extinct volcano with amazing red, orange & black volcanic formations. Chance to see Galapagos penguins, and enjoy fantastic landscapes. Go snorkelling for chance to see colourful fish & reef sharks. Then onward to Santiago Island's Sullivan Bay. | |||||
4 | South Plazas Island. A lava island covered with Opunita cactus. Sea lion colonies, & colourful red & yellow Land Iguanas, as well as Nazca Boobies. On to Santa Fe Island. | |||||
5 | San Cristobal Island. Witch Hill - Powder white sand & abundant wildlife. Birds include: various Booby birds, finches, mockingbirds, various shore birds. In the ocean: sea turtles, rays, colourful fish, sponge corals. Pitt Point islet - Booby galore: Nazca, red-footed & blue-footed Boobies. Excellent for snorkelling & scuba diving. |
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6 | San Cristobal Island. Interpretation centre & Galapaguera. Learn about the Galapagos' natural & human history, & conservation efforts. See Giant tortoises & various land birds. Fly back to mainland Ecuador to overnight before heading off on your Amazon jungle adventure. |
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7 | Fly &/or road transfer from Quito to Coca and on to your chosen Amazon jungle lodge. Here you will be surrounded by the sights & sounds of the tropical Amazonian jungle in Cuyabeno National Park. | |||||
8 | Over the next two days, explore the Amazon up close & personal: hiking on foot & canoeing on the river. Chance for nocturnal hikes, and a visit to the parrot clay lick & the canopy tower. Visit with & learn about the culture of the local indigenous tribes people. | |||||
9 | Another day to explore the Amazon rainforest. | |||||
10 | After breakfast, return road &/or flight to Quito, for your onward international flight home. | |||||
Want more Luxury or Exclusivity? from $11,985 to $18,000+
Want even more?
Go on a specialist scuba diving cruise in the Galapagos.
Or head inland in Ecuador: Visit the Amazon jungle, experience the Andes Mountains from Quito to the cloud forest & the highlands.
Venture into Peru & go to Machu Picchu.
The options are endless; the choice is yours! Here are a few ideas:
Amazon Jungle - min 3 nights From US$ 1,580 pp for 3 nights. |
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Andes Mountain Experience - min 2 nights From US$ 990 pp for 2 nights. |
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Machu Picchu, Peru - min 4 nights From US$ 1,950 pp for 4 nights. |
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Iguazu Falls, Argentina & Brazil - min 3 nights Incl airport transfers, accommodation & breakfast (not including flights). |
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Q: How much does it cost?
A: The short answer: It depends....
The long answer: The world's wildlife & wilderness destinations are often expensive because of strict government controls, high park fees & complex logistics. Amongst other things, it also depends on accommodation quality, location & exclusivity; what type of vehicles are used; whether you're flying around lots; and how many days you spend in country.
Whatever your budget, we will recommend the best possible adventure to suit you.
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Prices based on 2 people travelling, sharing a room.
Choose your own Private Safari or a Small Group - contact us for your tailor-made adventure!
No hidden costs - Guaranteed!
We include everything possible to make your adventure as easy as possible.
Accommodation & responsible travel
We are strongly committed to the principles of responsible travel, and therefore recommend accommodations that are trying to do the right thing - by the environment, their staff & local communities, and their guests! Environmental initiatives include using renewable energy such as solar power, using low-impact structures, reducing waste, and recycling wherever possible. They support their local communities by providing employment as well as educational, medical, and other support; some even include profit-share arrangements. Many have, or support, anti-poaching units to de-snare and protect the wilderness areas within which they operate.
Great, so what's the difference between a luxury vacation and an even more luxurious or exclusive one?
Luxury | More Luxury & Exclusivity | ||
High quality cruises & accommodation, Low-key, focus on wildlife & comfort. Food & service is of a good standard. |
Smaller, intimate cruises & accommodation, Highly personalised tours, focus on wildlife & superior comfort. High standards of Guiding, food & service. |
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Accommodation featured: | Accommodation featured: | ||
Majestic Yacht Tip Top III Yacht Tip Top IV Yacht Casa Aliso, Quito |
Integrity Luxury Motor Yacht Petrel Luxury Catamaran Sacha Lodge, Amazon Rainforest |
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We clearly explain what's included & what's not:
Inclusions: All your accommodation, most meals, wildlife viewing, hiking, snorkelling & dingy-based activities from your Cruise boat/ yacht, all internal flights, all airport transfers.
All government taxes, fuel surcharges, Park & Conservancy entrance fees are included and correct as at date of quote. However they are subject to government & local authority imposed changes, often without notice (!) and therefore beyond our control. We will always endeavour to minimise their impact and inform you if a supplement is required.
Exclusions: International airfares to & from your chosen destination. Visa fees, personal & travel insurance, excursions not specified, drinks unless specified, laundry, telephone or internet costs, gratuities, and all other personal expenses. Some Airports now charge safety fees, which are payable directly at each airport upon departure.
Additional things to consider: Busy times of the year normally have a supplement added by the accommodation providers - Easter, Xmas & New Year holidays. These will be included in our costs - so no surprises when you get there!
Q: When is the best time to go to Ecuador?
A: It depends on what you want to see & experience.
Ecuador experiences rainy & dry seasons, with each area varying considerably with altitude. The Galapagos is a year-round destination, however the best time to travel depends on your interests, and whether you're also going to the Amazon and/or venturing into the mountains.
If you're constrained to travelling at a particular time, don't worry: we'll recommend the best places & parks - and the best parts of the parks - to visit at that time.
If you have specific interests - then you do need to travel at the right time of year, AND to the right destination.
Guide to the seasons & best time to go to the Galapagos Islands & Amazon rainforest in Ecuador:
Galapagos Islands & Coast |
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Amazon Rainforest - the Oriente April - July are the wettest time of year. On balance, October and November are the best time of year to visit with enough water allowing river travel, and wildlife being relatively easier to spot than during the wet season. |
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Andes Highlands June - September is the cool, dry season, with generally clearer days. It can get very chilly in the mountains! October to May is the rainy season, but October & February - April tending to have the highest rainfall. The amount of rainfall is are quite variable depending on where exactly you're going within the highlands. |
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Whenever you choose to travel, rest assured that when you choose to travel with us, we will advise you of the best locations, seasons and dates for your particular interests.