10-DAY GALAPAGOS AND AMAZON QUEST

10-DAY GALAPAGOS AND AMAZON QUEST

10 DAYS

FROM $3.059

Trip type

Private customized family friendly adventures; creating long-lasting memories and educational experiences for your loved ones that you care most about.
Family

Activity Level

Daily activities may include short hikes and drives on bumpy roads. Voyagers should be in good health and wear comfortable walking shoes to endure standing for prolonged periods of time.
Moderate

Service Level

Comfortable and appropriate accommodations, mostly local-won and with big personality, and mix of public and private transport especially with sea, train and flights.
Standard

Small Group Departure

Max. 16 / Av. 10
Or call +001 305 2805599

TRIP OVERVIEW

Experience the best combination adventure in Ecuador by exploring The Galapagos and Amazon, kayaking, snorkeling & trekking all in one trip! Travel to Galapagos to witness wildlife closer than anywhere else on the planet. Swim with sea lions, sea turtles, penguins, sharks, and the only marine iguana in the world. Hike the top of active volcanoes in Isabela Island and search for the famous giant tortoises. Discover the high biological diversity of the pristine Amazon rain forest and share time with the local Kichwa community and learn about their ancestral customs, while enjoying your stay at the Amazon-Lodge.

Unique Experiences:

  • Visit a native local family in the middle of the Amazon jungle and look for monkeys.
  • Snorkel through lava formations with sea turtles, penguins, sea horses, sea lions and sharks.

TRIP ACTIVITIES

Caoning
Culture
Hiking
Kayaking
Snorkeling
Swimming
Experience the best combination adventure in Ecuador by exploring The Galapagos and Amazon, kayaking, snorkeling & trekking all in one trip! Travel to Galapagos to witness wildlife closer than anywhere else on the planet. Swim with sea lions, sea turtles, penguins, sharks, and the only marine iguana in the world. Hike the top of active volcanoes in Isabela Island and search for the famous giant tortoises. Discover the high biological diversity of the pristine Amazon rain forest and share time with the local Kichwa community and learn about their ancestral customs, while enjoying your stay at the Amazon-Lodge.

Unique Experiences:

  • Visit a native local family in the middle of the Amazon jungle and look for monkeys.
  • Snorkel through lava formations with sea turtles, penguins, sea horses, sea lions and sharks.
Caoning
Culture
Hiking
Kayaking
Snorkeling
Swimming

Welcome to Quito! The largest, best-preserved colonial city of America – declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano.
Depending on your arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. ADVENTURE JOURNEYS can help you to organize a day trip (please request in advance). In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 18:00 hours. At this time we will discuss the details and questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an acclimation and information day.

Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar.

Meals included: none.

Today we get ready to explore the most amazing archipelago in the Pacific coast and the place where Charles Darwin based his theory on the evolution of species. We will board a morning flight from Quito to the island of Baltra. Once we arrive, we head to the town of Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galapagos. From here we will take a quick boat to the largest island in the archipelago and where most of the volcanic activity in the Galapagos is reported. The island was formed by six shield volcanoes, Alcedo, Cerra Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf; five of them are still active which makes the island one of the most volcanically active places on earth.

The Galapagos Islands is located 600 miles (965.6 km) from the coast of Ecuador, it is really important to understand that you will have to take air, road and sea transportation to get there.

Accommodation: Albemarle or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Explore the amazing formations of lava created by the last eruptions of the volcanic island along the seashore. This magical place has historically been filmed by BBC and National Geographic for their documentaries. It is a labyrinth of lava arches made of crystal clear water full of sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, sharks and more. The turtles navigate their own highway from the mangroves to the open sea through “Los Tuneles”. Here, we will have the best snorkeling opportunity with all these beautiful animals, including the curious Galapagos penguins playing around.

Before or after the trip, you can enjoy some optional activities such as snorkeling at “Concha de Perla”, biking or just relaxing on the exotic white-sand beaches of Isabela Island. We recommend you to take some time to visit the giant tortoise breeding center located walking distance from the hotel.

Accommodation: Albemarle or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

 

After driving up from Puerto Villamil to the trail head, we will prepare our backpacks for the hike into a young forest ecosystem, a world of recent geological history. Our destination is the rim of Sierra Negra Crater, an active volcano which last erupted in June 2018.
Upon arrival, we take in breathtaking views and explore the circumference of the massive, lava-filled crater, a caldera that is over six miles across at its widest point. If we feel energetic enough, we can continue our hike to Volcan Chico, a secondary crater that has a wild landscape of puffing fumaroles and colorful lava formations; great examples of the dramatic geological events that have formed the Galapagos Islands over millennia.
In the afternoon we will visit Tintoreras Islet, located at a short distance from Puerto Villamil and home to a great variety of wildlife. Its turquoise, crystalline waters are inhabited by white-tipped reef sharks, Galapagos Penguins, marine turtles and sea lions. One of its beaches, surrounded by mangroves, is one of the few sites where marine iguanas can reproduce successfully.

Accommodation: Albemarle or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

In the morning, traverse from Isabela to Santa Cruz Island to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Once we arrive, we will check in at the hotel. We will then visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about many of the endemic species seen in the wild, as well as the ongoing conservation and management efforts on the Galapagos Islands. In the afternoon, we will head to the ‘El Chato’ reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz, home to the famous Galapagos tortoises. Hiking through El Chato’s beautiful landscape with these lumbering giants is an unforgettable experience! We will also see other highland wildlife such as pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches and frigatebirds, which gather to wash the salt off their feathers at a freshwater lake. Afterwards, return to Puerto Ayora to spend the evening in Galapagos’ most populous town.

Accommodation: La Isla or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

 

After our final breakfast on the Galapagos Island and the last photos taken of sea lions, we have a transfer to Baltra’s airport in time to catch the flight back to the mainland.

Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Early in the morning, we will drive down along a curved panoramic road towards the Amazon RainForest; as we descend from an altitude of 3000 m to 500 m (9843 ft to 1640 ft), you will observe how the landscape and vegetation change drastically between climates. Later, we also stop at the “Guacamayos-Macaw Lookout,” located between Antisana and Sumaco National Reserves (low elevation cloud forest), to observe the magic blanket of clouds that covers the Amazon rainforest, until we finally arrive at the Arajuno River, where a motor canoe will take us 20 minutes up the river to the Eco Lodge. Then have a short break and before dinner there is an optional nocturnal hike to view insects.

Accommodation: Amazon Lodge

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

 

Early in the morning with the sunrise we take a canoe up the Arajuno river to go visit the Saladero, this is how the locals call a Parrot’s clay lick, here we will have a very close wildlife encounter, as this birds come almost every morning, they like licking this clay as it is full of minerals they need to be able to digest, this is because their main diet are nuts. After breakfast we will go for a hike in the Amazon pristine forest to learn more about the flora, fauna and the techniques of survival that people need when living here. In the Afternoon we will visit the nearby Kichwa community, they will share their traditions and stories with us.

Accommodation: Amazon Lodge

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Today we head back to the Andes Mountains and before going to Quito we will stop at Papallacta hot springs to soak in the volcanic pools, it is optional to take any spa treatment.

Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Today our trip will end with your International departure. Take with you your memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this spectacular paradise. We wish you a “Buen viaje!”

Meals included: Breakfast.

What’s Included?

  • Transportation: Airport transfers (national flights), sea transportation Santa Cruz – Isabela islands round trip, comfortable land and sea transportation, canoe in the Amazon.
  • Accommodation based in double occupancy: 5* hotel in Quito, 3+ star hotels in Galapagos, Amazon Lodge.
  • Meals: 9 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches and 2 Dinners.
  • Activities: Trekking to Sierra Negra active volcano in Isabela Island, snorkeling in Tintoreras and Lava Tunnels, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, hiking in Santa Cruz highlands, hiking in the Amazon, visiting local Kichwa Community, night jungle walk, swimming in volcanic hot springs, hiking in the cloud forest.
  • Gear:  Hiking sticks, sit on top kayaks, life vest, paddles, snorkeling mask and fins.
  • Trip Leader:  Certified AJ expert English-speaking adventure Trip Leader and naturalist local guides in Galapagos National Park.

What is not included?

  • International flights.
  • Flight to/from Galapagos – $ 520 USD.
  • Galapagos Ingala Card – $ 20 USD.
  • Galapagos National Park Fee – $ 100 USD.
  • Isabela Pier Fee – $ 10 USD.
  • My own room supplement – estimated budget $ 940 USD.
  • Airport transfers.
  • Travel insurance (mandatory).
  • Meals not described in the itinerary – estimated budget $ 160 USD.
  • Tips for guides, drivers and hotels. – estimated budget $ 160 USD.
Please select listing to show.

ITINERARY

Welcome to Quito! The largest, best-preserved colonial city of America – declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano.
Depending on your arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. ADVENTURE JOURNEYS can help you to organize a day trip (please request in advance). In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 18:00 hours. At this time we will discuss the details and questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an acclimation and information day.

Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar.

Meals included: none.

Today we get ready to explore the most amazing archipelago in the Pacific coast and the place where Charles Darwin based his theory on the evolution of species. We will board a morning flight from Quito to the island of Baltra. Once we arrive, we head to the town of Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galapagos. From here we will take a quick boat to the largest island in the archipelago and where most of the volcanic activity in the Galapagos is reported. The island was formed by six shield volcanoes, Alcedo, Cerra Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf; five of them are still active which makes the island one of the most volcanically active places on earth.

The Galapagos Islands is located 600 miles (965.6 km) from the coast of Ecuador, it is really important to understand that you will have to take air, road and sea transportation to get there.

Accommodation: Albemarle or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Explore the amazing formations of lava created by the last eruptions of the volcanic island along the seashore. This magical place has historically been filmed by BBC and National Geographic for their documentaries. It is a labyrinth of lava arches made of crystal clear water full of sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, sharks and more. The turtles navigate their own highway from the mangroves to the open sea through “Los Tuneles”. Here, we will have the best snorkeling opportunity with all these beautiful animals, including the curious Galapagos penguins playing around.

Before or after the trip, you can enjoy some optional activities such as snorkeling at “Concha de Perla”, biking or just relaxing on the exotic white-sand beaches of Isabela Island. We recommend you to take some time to visit the giant tortoise breeding center located walking distance from the hotel.

Accommodation: Albemarle or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

 

After driving up from Puerto Villamil to the trail head, we will prepare our backpacks for the hike into a young forest ecosystem, a world of recent geological history. Our destination is the rim of Sierra Negra Crater, an active volcano which last erupted in June 2018.
Upon arrival, we take in breathtaking views and explore the circumference of the massive, lava-filled crater, a caldera that is over six miles across at its widest point. If we feel energetic enough, we can continue our hike to Volcan Chico, a secondary crater that has a wild landscape of puffing fumaroles and colorful lava formations; great examples of the dramatic geological events that have formed the Galapagos Islands over millennia.
In the afternoon we will visit Tintoreras Islet, located at a short distance from Puerto Villamil and home to a great variety of wildlife. Its turquoise, crystalline waters are inhabited by white-tipped reef sharks, Galapagos Penguins, marine turtles and sea lions. One of its beaches, surrounded by mangroves, is one of the few sites where marine iguanas can reproduce successfully.

Accommodation: Albemarle or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

In the morning, traverse from Isabela to Santa Cruz Island to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Once we arrive, we will check in at the hotel. We will then visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about many of the endemic species seen in the wild, as well as the ongoing conservation and management efforts on the Galapagos Islands. In the afternoon, we will head to the ‘El Chato’ reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz, home to the famous Galapagos tortoises. Hiking through El Chato’s beautiful landscape with these lumbering giants is an unforgettable experience! We will also see other highland wildlife such as pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches and frigatebirds, which gather to wash the salt off their feathers at a freshwater lake. Afterwards, return to Puerto Ayora to spend the evening in Galapagos’ most populous town.

Accommodation: La Isla or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

 

After our final breakfast on the Galapagos Island and the last photos taken of sea lions, we have a transfer to Baltra’s airport in time to catch the flight back to the mainland.

Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Early in the morning, we will drive down along a curved panoramic road towards the Amazon RainForest; as we descend from an altitude of 3000 m to 500 m (9843 ft to 1640 ft), you will observe how the landscape and vegetation change drastically between climates. Later, we also stop at the “Guacamayos-Macaw Lookout,” located between Antisana and Sumaco National Reserves (low elevation cloud forest), to observe the magic blanket of clouds that covers the Amazon rainforest, until we finally arrive at the Arajuno River, where a motor canoe will take us 20 minutes up the river to the Eco Lodge. Then have a short break and before dinner there is an optional nocturnal hike to view insects.

Accommodation: Amazon Lodge

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

 

Early in the morning with the sunrise we take a canoe up the Arajuno river to go visit the Saladero, this is how the locals call a Parrot’s clay lick, here we will have a very close wildlife encounter, as this birds come almost every morning, they like licking this clay as it is full of minerals they need to be able to digest, this is because their main diet are nuts. After breakfast we will go for a hike in the Amazon pristine forest to learn more about the flora, fauna and the techniques of survival that people need when living here. In the Afternoon we will visit the nearby Kichwa community, they will share their traditions and stories with us.

Accommodation: Amazon Lodge

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Today we head back to the Andes Mountains and before going to Quito we will stop at Papallacta hot springs to soak in the volcanic pools, it is optional to take any spa treatment.

Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Today our trip will end with your International departure. Take with you your memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this spectacular paradise. We wish you a “Buen viaje!”

Meals included: Breakfast.

PHOTOS FROM OUR GALLERY

What’s Included?

  • Transportation: Airport transfers (national flights), sea transportation Santa Cruz – Isabela islands round trip, comfortable land and sea transportation, canoe in the Amazon.
  • Accommodation based in double occupancy: 5* hotel in Quito, 3+ star hotels in Galapagos, Amazon Lodge.
  • Meals: 9 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches and 2 Dinners.
  • Activities: Trekking to Sierra Negra active volcano in Isabela Island, snorkeling in Tintoreras and Lava Tunnels, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, hiking in Santa Cruz highlands, hiking in the Amazon, visiting local Kichwa Community, night jungle walk, swimming in volcanic hot springs, hiking in the cloud forest.
  • Gear:  Hiking sticks, sit on top kayaks, life vest, paddles, snorkeling mask and fins.
  • Trip Leader:  Certified AJ expert English-speaking adventure Trip Leader and naturalist local guides in Galapagos National Park.

What is not included?

  • International flights.
  • Flight to/from Galapagos – $ 520 USD.
  • Galapagos Ingala Card – $ 20 USD.
  • Galapagos National Park Fee – $ 100 USD.
  • Isabela Pier Fee – $ 10 USD.
  • My own room supplement – estimated budget $ 940 USD.
  • Airport transfers.
  • Travel insurance (mandatory).
  • Meals not described in the itinerary – estimated budget $ 160 USD.
  • Tips for guides, drivers and hotels. – estimated budget $ 160 USD.

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About YOUR ADVENTURE

TRIP DETAILS

ITINERARY DISCLAIMER: It is our intention to adhere to the itinerary described; however, due to our travel style, on occasions it may be necessary or desirable to make small changes. Weather conditions and unpredictable local circumstances may lead us to make alterations to the route and/or travel times. Hotels and flight schedules might change according to availability. Any mention to specific wildlife in the itinerary or trip details is not a guarantee that it will be seen during the trip.

FLIGHT TIME: 2h 45 min each way from Quito to Galapagos. Regular size aircraft: about 140 passengers.

BOAT TRAVEL TIME: 2 hours each way from Isabela to Santa Cruz.

DRIVING TIME:

2 - 3 hours a day while in mainland.

45 minutes Airport transfers in Quito.

45 minutes Airport transfers in Galapagos.

45 minutes each way to Sierra Negra.

PROVINCE: Pichincha, Napo and Galapagos.

TERRITORY: Quito City, Galapagos Islands National Park and Amazon Rainforest.

TREKKING TIME:

Sierra Negra: 30 minutes easy uphill; 1.5 hours on flat terrain; 30 minutes downhill; 2 hours same way back.

Amazon: 3 hours moderate.

Amazon: 1 hour easy loop for the nocturnal hike in the jungle.

Cloud forest: 1 hour easy uphill; 1 hour downhill same way back.

ALTITUDE: 

Quito: 2800 m (9,186 ft.).

Galapagos: From sea level (most activities) to 1200 m (3,937 ft.) - Sierra Negra Volcano.

Amazon: 510 m (1,640 ft.).

Papallacta: 3300 m (10,827 ft.).

AVG. TEMP. : Day 15-34ºC / 59-93ºF - Night 12-17ºC / 53-62ºF

KAYAKING TIME: 2 hours.

WEATHER TEMPERATURES: December to May: 80ºF to 90ºF / 25ºC to 30ºC. June to September: 60ºF to 70ºF / 15ºC to 20ºC. October to December: 70ºF to 80ºF/ 15ºC to 25ºC.

WATER: The waters of the Galapagos Islands are a unique mixture of warm and cold water, ranging between 65ºF and 85ºF.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Moderate: The hiking in Sierra Negra is moderate but long (muddy during the wet season from July to November). The sea-kayaking on Isabela Island is easy as well as the snorkelling. The jungle walks are moderate, mostly on flat terrain. The trekking in the cloudforest is easy.

GEAR: Snorkels, masks and fins, sit on top double kayaks, dugout canoes with outboard motor, rubber boots, hiking sticks.

ACCOMODATION: All prices are based on double-occupancy. If you are traveling solo, you will be matched with another participant of your same sex. If you prefer to have a single room, please contact AJ prior to your departure to arrange your accommodation at an extra cost.

MEALS: Traveling with Adventure Journeys you will have the possibility to experience and taste local food and snacks. Your guide will help you identify typical food and suggest the best places to enjoy it. Some meals are not included in order to give you some flexibility about where, what and with whom to eat. You have the option to share these meals with the group, however there is no obligation to do this. If you have any allergies or food restrictions, please inform AJ prior to your departure.

Vegetarians, Vegans and Gluten Free people are very welcome in our trip, our guides are always ready to coordinate with chefs and restaurants for substitute meals for them, as Ecuador is very well known for its great diversity of gastronomy.

YOUR TRIP LEADERS AND GUIDES: All AJ guides and trip leaders are highly experienced, licensed from the Tourism University to operate in Ecuador and certified as Wilderness Adventure First Aid respondents. They all have approved several extra training courses for kayaking, rafting, biking and horse riding, besides this they all are Ecuadorian and have a fantastic personality. We always carry a complete first aid kit in our trips.

In some locations and for some activities, local guides join the trip leaders to provide an added service and make sure we practice sustainable tourism involving local indigenous people in our operation.

In the Galapagos Islands, minimum 4 participants for the AJ trip leader service are required.

SUSTAINABLE ECO AND CULTURAL TOURISM: Clients receive interpretation and education about the ecology and conservation of the Andes, Amazon Rainforest and Galapagos Islands, and learn about the factors that threaten it. We aim to promote long-term conservation of both local people cultural identity and the environment. We transport out and recycle all non-organic garbage and we prefer to work with local suppliers. Your visit will encourage the local communities to support responsible eco-tourism as a sustainable alternative for their living.

HEALTH INFORMATION: Please inform AJ of any existing medical conditions (i.e. pregnancy, diabetes, etc). Yellow fever, Hepatitis B vaccination and Malaria Medication are recommended when traveling to the tropics. Please ask your doctor for advice.

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