Luxury Galapagos and Amazon Adventure

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 trails on the lodge’s grounds, or you can take a swim in the pool. This afternoon is also a good chance of encountering resident tortoises in the grounds of the lodge.  In the evening, we will meet our guide for a complimentary cocktail in the DNA Bar.

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 horses. You will find horses for every riding level and you will be provided with good quality equipment to head out on horseback, cowboy style to explore some of our glorious trails of the estate.

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 paddle canoe. We will be greeted with a refreshing juice, snacks and a short briefing for the next few days at this jungle paradise. In the afternoon, a local guide will tell us all about this tropical rainforest so that you have some background knowledge of the amazing places you will visit over the next few days. Early evening, we will head out on a trail called the Matapalo Trail, named after the famous Strangler fig, just one of the many trees that surround us. 400-year-old Mahogany trees are also present amongst an array of stunning flora and fauna. There is perfect natural light to appreciate diurnal and nocturnal animals beginning their daily activities at this time of the day. At the bar, you can find snacks and order cocktails from the bartender. Or, feel free to drink a tea or coffee before we have dinner.

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 heading to the lagoon. The trail is excellent for spotting different mammals, monkeys and birds that come closer to the lagoon at this time of day in search of food. It is also perfect for watching a spectacular Amazonian sunset from the canoe.  In the evening, we will head out on a night Canoe Ride to see some of the nocturnal species from the canoe. This is also a great opportunity for stargazing! 

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 insight into these Amazon people and the community they live in.  After lunch, we will head out on the Coto Trail, taking us from the lodge to the edge of the Garzacocha Lagoon. The light from the sun will be behind us most of the time, making for a stunning experience and the perfect opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this amazing forest. Groups of black-mantled tamarin monkeys can be spotted along the trail this walk and if we are lucky, we will see tapirs too. 

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!