Physical Difficulty
Cultural rating
Wildlife expectation
Discover the enchanted Galapagos Islands which offer countless opportunities to witness a unique abundance of wildlife in a unique setting, unlike any other on the planet. Due to its isolation, the Galapagos formed a natural sanctuary that preserves species, allowing them to evolve over thousands of years. This is one of the few places on earth that allows such close and intimate contact with wildlife. Experience the magic of Ecuador by immersing yourself into the fascinating natural world of the Amazon, one of the true wonders of the planet. You don’t have to venture too far to enjoy the spectacular biodiversity of the River Napo.
Special features of our 12 day Luxury Galapagos and Amazon Adventure:
Type of Tourism: Nature, Biodiversity, Luxury, Jungle.
Places to Visit: Quito, Galapagos, Amazon
Duration: 12 Days and 11 Nights.
Type of Service: private tours.
Accommodation: 4 star hotels at every destination that you will visit. These hotels had been carefully chosen and we can guarantee that you will feel comfortable and your every need catered for.
Today is arrival day to Quito, the capital of Ecuador. This well preserved colonial city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano. You can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area if you arrive early. In the evening, the guide will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 6 pm. We will discuss the details and questions you may have about the tour. This first day is a good acclimatizati...
Today, we will head to the Quito airport for the flight to the island of Baltra in the Galapagos. At the Baltra airport, you will have VIP access into the lounge. On arrival, we will continue to Santa Cruz, crossing the narrow Itabaca channel by ferry. We will head to the luxury Pikaia Lodge. We will have lunch in the lodge’s Evolution Restaurant or on the Pool Terrace. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax and enjoy the lodge’s surroundings and facilities. We recommend walking, jogging or cycling the 3.5 km of trail...
Today after breakfast, we will head out on a private tour to the highlands of Santa Cruz. The highlands are home to the iconic giant Galapagos tortoises. Here we will visit a private ranch for lunch before we go on a turtle spotting hike. We can witness some lava tubes, which are formed when the surface of a lava stream solidifies. Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure to relax and explore this beautiful Island
Today we will head out by yacht to visit the stunning Santa Fe Islands or Seymour Islands. We can enjoy some of the best snorkelling in the Galapagos to marvel at the amazing marine wildlife. We can enjoy a buffet lunch with traditional Ecuadorian food.
Visit to the Uninhabited Island
Today we will head out by yacht to visit the stunning Santa Fe Islands or Seymour Islands. We can enjoy some of the best snorkelling in the Galapagos to marvel at the amazing marine wildlife. We can enjoy a buffet lunch with traditional Ecuadorian food.
Today we will leave these amazing Islands to head back to the capital. There will be a final opportunity to take some photos of the sea lions before we fly back to the mainland. On arrival to the Quito airport, we will be collected and taken to the Zuleta Hacienda in Otavalo.
Today is a day to enjoy the optional activities that the Zuleta Hacienda offers. You can learn about the conservation program Cóndor Huasi which seeks to preserve the emblematic Andean condor in its natural habitat.
You can also see how the Hacienda retains its authenticity as a working farm, producing milk, wheat, barley, 14 cheeses, cream, trout, wool, mutton, horses, wood, and even compost from their earthworm farm.
Another activity is the exclusive stable with their own breed of Zuleteño ...
Today is another day to enjoy the optional activities that the Zuleta Hacienda offers. Try your hand at a traditional cooking class or embroidery class a traditional activity here, or head out into the grounds of the Hacienda for one of the impressive hiking trails.
Today, we will leave the hacienda very early in the morning to take our flight to the Ecuadorian Amazon. After a brief flight, we will arrive at the Puerto Francisco de Orellana “El Coca” airport in the jungle. We will then head to the main dock at the Napo River. We will sail downstream for 2 hours to mark the start of a spectacular jungle experience in Ecuador's tropical Amazon rainforest. We will arrive at the main dock and your first close encounter with the rainforest begins when we head to the lodge in a...
Today, we will wake early to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and we will head to the Observation Tower. The lookout tower has spectacular views over the jungle, standing at a whopping 37 metres high. Our expert guide will help us spot a number of bird species and if we are lucky, a primate or two! On the way back, we will hike along the Tucaneta trail to learn about the medicinal plants of the jungle as well as information about the ecology and natural history of the area. After lunch, we will head out on the Charapa Trail ...
Today we will wake up early once more and head out to the parrot clay lick to see one of the most fascinating displays of bird species in the world. Hundreds of parrots and parakeets gather here to feed from the mineral-rich soil, an important part of their diet. Binoculars are essential to really capture the moment. We will then head to a Cultural Activity, where an Amazonian Kichwa woman will welcome you at their community centre to share the life of these indigenous people. This remote experience is unique and offers an authentic ...
Today we will depart from the mighty Amazon and head back to the airport in La coca for our flight back to the capital. Our guide will be there to assist you with your check-in for your international connection back home, or on to your next exciting destination!
You can check our safety protocols in the following link: https://adventurejourneys.com/news-about-covid-19
We do not include travel or health insurance and we strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance for any unexpected circumstances. This is not obligatory, however. An full travel insurance policy that covers cancellations and delays as well as medical insurance.
We suggest that you speak with your doctor to ensure that you are up-to-date with the recommended vaccinations when traveling to the destination. In any case, a negative Coronavirus Molecular Test (PCR) is needed to enter the country.
We suggest that you speak with your doctor to ensure what medications you will need to bring to the destination. Pharmacies and drugstores are common in all cities, however, it is not certain that you will be able to find a specific drug that you can find in your country of origin.
As in any city in the world, there can be pickpockets in crowded places. We suggest being vigilant at all times, but if you are in a group you will always be safer.
We do not include the cost of any domestic or international flight in any of our programs. These services must be booked independently by each guest.
Yes, hotels will charge the cost of a double room as standard, so a single supplement will be charged if you are traveling alone.
VA Expeditions is supported by Valencia Travel, a company with more than 12 years of foundation with a solid financial position. We have insurance from the insurance company La Positiva, that supports us and protects our guests from any eventuality at the destination, covering our guests for more than 5 million US dollars.
Each trip is customizable, but there may be additional restrictions and expenses in each case. We suggest contacting your sales representative for more information.
Yes, in addition to multi-day programs, we offer half-day experiences and excursions without overnight, which you can purchase as additional services. In case you wish to purchase one of these services, you can ask your guide, the transfer representative or your sales representative to provide you with the support you need.
Yes, you can add additional or optional services to your regular tour. We appreciate contacting your sales representative for any changes you wish to make.
Yes, you can travel with children and we have many activities to do as a family, however, depending on your itinerary, some experiences can be a bit demanding for young children. As a recommendation, we suggest that you ask your sales consultant if the tour you wish to book is suitable for children.
We work with a maximum group size of 12 passengers for sustainability reasons and a more personaized experience.
We suggest making your reservations at least one month before your trip in order to reserve the best hotels, transportation and services for your travel dates, however, in last minute cases, we can reserve up to 15 days in advance.
We suggest consulting with your embassy to review any documents, tests or special visa you need for your trip.
The official currency in Ecuador is the United States dollar (USD). In large cities there is a good chance that you will find ATMs or ATMs, however, we suggest that you do not rely entirely on this solution, as it may not be enabled to work with your bank.
Yes, we cater for all special dietary requirements. Please let us know at the time of booking if you have any allergies or special dietary needs.
As a sustainable travel company, we are in constant search of how we can improve the sustainability of our operations, that is why we carry out the following activities to generate a fair and sustainable development in our areas of operation: "Women & Weaving - Sacha Warmi" project to support women from an indigenous community in the Ecuadorian Andes and Pan Animalia
a project to improve the quality of life of stray dogs in Galapagos Islands.
Tips are not included in the cost of the tour. You should plan to tip 10% in restaurants and for your guided services, however, tipping is never required.
Cultural norms vary within each Latin American country, even within each city within the country, however, we recommend the following measures to have a pleasant visit in each destination: Latin American culture in general tends to be closer and more informal than in others cultures, so there is usually always a friendly approach in all conversations, and going directly to the point could be considered offensive to some people. Personal space can be much shorter as well, but without being interpreted as sexual in nature.
The schedules are also usually more relaxed and informal, however, this is not the case of VA EXPEDITIONS, since we will always respect the hours indicated in your itinerary. This may be different for other appointments that you can book on your own at other locations.
This depends on each itinerary, and will be indicated in the detail of the day. However, our itineraries always usually include free times to offer more flexibility to our guests.
For any emergency, we appreciate contacting the following number: +593 2 255 8805
At VA Expeditions we believe that every action we take should generate a positive impact on the communities and the environment of our entire production chain, which is why we carry out various activities focused on this objective. For an example of our sustainable projects, visit: https://adventurejourneys.com/pan-animalia/
All our guests have 24/7 support for any type of emergency or eventuality. For emergencies you can contact the following number: +593 2 255 8805. For general inquiries, you can write to us at the following email: info@valenciatravelcusco.com
This depends on each itinerary, but generally is a ratio of one guide for every nine guests.
This depends on the type of the type of Travel insurance that the passenger has. We recommend that you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy for better care and hospital facilities.
The tours are carried out by an expert team that has determined the optimal times of visits to make the most of our guests' time, without rushing. All our programs are customizable, so if at any time at the destination you want to adjust the pace of the trip, you can ask your guide to reach a consensus with the whole group in case you need to make adjustments to the pace of the trip.
Each trip is customizable, but there may be additional restrictions and expenses in each case. We suggest contacting your sales representative for more information.
Yes, you can safely store any luggage at your hotel.
For city tours, there are public bathrooms available, in remote destinations bathroom facilities are more sparse.
In the mountains and remote places there is no Internet connection. Hotels and public places usually have WIFI available.
In cities and tourist centers you will have good telephone reception. In remote areas, there may be no cell phone reception.
It depends on each itinerary. We suggest contacting your account representative to give you specific information regarding your program.
The tap water in Ecuador is not always friendly on the stomach for those who haven't been in Latin America for a while. There is purified water in each of the accommodations which you can use to fill up each morning, so be sure to pack a reusable water bottle or two. There will also be water in the transportation.
Thank you very much for your interest! You can follow us on our networks:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vaexpeditions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vaexpeditions/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/vaexpeditions
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vaexpeditions
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vaexpeditions/