16-DAY GALAPAGOS & YASUNI AMAZON CAMPING

16-DAY GALAPAGOS & YASUNI AMAZON CAMPING

16 DAYS

FROM $4.573

Trip type

Moderate adventure expeditionns in treeking, biking, rafting, hiking, snorkeling, kayaking and diving in the Ecuatorian Andes, Amazon and the Galapagos Islands.
Active Adventure

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

Basic tours offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences and up close encounters with local comunities. Accomodations are comfortable, well located and modest. Often in remote areas with limited access.
Casual

Small Group Departure

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

TRIP OVERVIEW

This unique eco-tour is perfect for active and adventurous travelers in search of wildlife, nature and authentic ancestral cultures. 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. Flip to the Ecuador mainland and depart for the ultimate deep-Amazon kayak expedition in a remote and untouched area of the UNESCO YASUNI Biosphere Reserve & National Park. Experience the tremendous biodiversity and wildlife of the reserve and connect with a native Kichwa tribe still living in the authentic and traditional way, while camping in the heart of the dense rainforest. Live the adventure as you promote long-term conservation and sustainability in two of the most precious,diverse ecosystems in the world!

Unique Experiences:

  • Camp along the river shore in the heart of the Amazon rainforest and explore the jungle in the dark through an amazing night hike.
  • Snorkel with sea turtles, sea lions and hummer head sharks at Kicker Rock, the best site in the Galpagos islands.

 

TRIP ACTIVITIES

Biking
Caoning
Culture
Hiking
Kayaking
Snorkeling
Wildlife
Swimming
This unique eco-tour is perfect for active and adventurous travelers in search of wildlife, nature and authentic ancestral cultures. 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. Flip to the Ecuador mainland and depart for the ultimate deep-Amazon kayak expedition in a remote and untouched area of the UNESCO YASUNI Biosphere Reserve & National Park. Experience the tremendous biodiversity and wildlife of the reserve and connect with a native Kichwa tribe still living in the authentic and traditional way, while camping in the heart of the dense rainforest. Live the adventure as you promote long-term conservation and sustainability in two of the most precious,diverse ecosystems in the world!

Unique Experiences:

  • Camp along the river shore in the heart of the Amazon rainforest and explore the jungle in the dark through an amazing night hike.
  • Snorkel with sea turtles, sea lions and hummer head sharks at Kicker Rock, the best site in the Galpagos islands.

 

Biking
Caoning
Culture
Hiking
Kayaking
Snorkeling
Wildlife
Swimming

Meet your AJ trip leader and group at 6:00 pm.

Welcome to Quito! The largest, best-preserved colonial city in 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 on the Pacific coast and the place where Charles Darwin based his theory of the evolution of species. We will board a morning flight from Quito to the island of San Cristobal. Once we arrive, we have a transfer to the hotel in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and a short briefing about the next days, before the adventure begins.

In the afternoon we will head to “La Loberia ”, which is a home beach for large Galapagos sea lions. We can spot them while snorkeling, as they are very curious and approach to swim next to you underwater. They may also be lazing over rocks or just lazy dozing in the sand. We also get to see yellow warbler birds, frigate birds, and several species of Darwin’s finches along the beach. In between the rocks we can find marine iguanas, which you can only see in Galapagos. We also have the time to go for a refreshing swim, explore the waters with our snorkel equipment and enjoy the beach.

Accommodation: Blue Marlin Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

In the morning, we will take a boat to Kicker Rock, located off the coast of San Cristobal, also known as the Sleeping Lion (Leon Dormido) because of some resemblance. This is the remains of a lava cone eroded by the sea, two vertical rocks rising 500 ft (150 m) above the ocean form a small channel that is navigable by small boats. This Galapagos Island’s natural monument has become a spectacular site due to the many tropical birds, frigate birds and boobies that fill the sky in this area. Beneath the sea, the crystal waters offer a brilliant show of colorful fish, such as rainbow fish and sharks, like the hammerhead and white tip. After lunch, we will spend some time on the beach and travel back to the hotel.

Accommodation: Blue Marlin Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

IIn the morning, hop to Isabela Island, the largest island in the archipelago, and where the 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.

In the afternoon, we will explore the beautiful coastline on an exclusive trail on our bikes, taking us through an incredible ecosystem with a wide variety of wildlife including flamingos, marine iguanas and giant tortoises. We start with a visit to the Wall of Tears, a massive wall built with lava rocks. This site dates back to the 1950s, when Isabela was used as a penal colony and prisoners were forced to build the wall to keep them from going mad, because of the isolation they experienced.

As we continue our ride along the coast, we will explore pristine, white sand beaches, mangrove forests and lagoons. This area is filled with a plethora of bird life, including American oystercatchers, herons, flamingos, finches and many other shore birds, as well as the ubiquitous sea lions and marine iguanas.

Before dinner we can enjoy a breathtaking sunset on the beach of Puerto Villamil.

Accommodation: Cormorant Beach House or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

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.

This will be the best snorkeling opportunity with all these beautiful animals, including the curious Galapagos penguin 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: Cormorant Beach House 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 October 2005.
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: Cormorant Beach House 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: Casa de Judy or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Today, you can experience the Galapagos at your own desire, whether that be scuba diving (request in advance) or just time to relax on the beach! As an option, you can go on a self-guided exploration walk through a dry forest to Tortuga Bay (3.5 mi/ 5.6 km), a beautiful white sand beach and a nesting site to thousands of marine turtles. This beautiful place invites swimming or snorkeling. Alternatively, you can join any of the optional activities (at an extra cost), such as a trip to Floreana Island, Bartolome Island or a scuba-diving day trip, just to mention a few.
Accommodation: Casa de Judy 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.

Today will be a morning City tour in the UNESCO old town of Quito and a free afternoon to explore the city on your own or take an optional day tour. Adventure Journeys can help you to organize a day trip or city tour.
In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel for a welcome briefing and there will be plenty of time to discuss details and answer any questions you may have regarding your Yasuni rainforest adventure.

Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

Let’s board a morning flight or super early drive by car to the town of Coca town to begin our adventure. We’ll take a scenic drive to the Shiripuno River, at the entrance of the YASUNI National Park. While the guides prepare our gear, we’ll enjoy a riverside picnic. Our first expedition will be canoeing down this gorgeous river surrounded by complete nature and wildlife. Along the way, we will have opportunities to spot river turtles, monkeys, caiman, and many species of birds like the oropendola, caciques, kingfishers, macaws, toucans, parrots, and more.

We will finally arrive at a local Huaorani family where we will spend our first night in the deep amazon.

The Huaoroai tribe is definitely one of the most unique groups in the entire Amazon rainforest and it is known to be the last contact by the western society. This special group of people continues to depend on the forest for its survival and its customs have been kept alive until now. In our visit we will learn very much about local living manners and traditions.

Accommodation: Camping in Yasuni Park by a local family.

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner.

We wake up in the morning with the sunrise to be part of a local activity with the family walking in the forest to collect some leaves from palms in order to manufacture the most useful natural fiber. We will also learn about the plants that are more used in the daily bases, including a deep knowledge with medicinal plants.

After spending a cultural morning, we will enjoy lunch with the family and continue with the kayaks down the river heading deeper into the jungle. Every day in the Amazon is a new adventure: the more we paddle, the more pristine and wilder the jungle becomes with new exciting opportunities to encounter more wildlife, such as different types of monkeys, capybara, tapir, swallows, flycatchers, herons, sandpipers and hawks.  Late afternoon, we arrived at our campsite, located on the Shiripuno riverside. Our chef will prepare a special taste dinner for us tonight.

Accommodation: Shiripuno basic lodge in Yasuni Park.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

After a delicious breakfast we will start early in the morning kayaking by canoe down the Shiripuno river to reach the entrance to the Amarun – Cocha, which means Anaconda Lagoon in the native language. This is located in the most pristine forest in the area and with luck, we may see the biggest and most beautiful snake on the planet. We will also enjoy breathtaking landscapes with incredible dark and clear waters in a flooded forest. Over here we will discover the mythic piranhas, caimans, boas, and more. Later we will canoe back to the camp site and after a nice break at the hammocks, we will go on a night exploration to view insects, frogs, and possibly some snakes.

Accommodation: Shiripuno basic lodge in Yasuni Park.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

In the morning we will take a hike in the pristine forest to the clay lick the earliest possible. It is one of our best adventures in the jungle, visiting the Lamederos or Saladeros (Animal clay lick) where there is a big concentration of different species animals such us peccaries, deer, rodents and some colorful birds such us; parrots, macaws, and sometimes few predators surrounding the area. They come to feed on the clay from the mineral-enriched ground, which helps them digest and detoxifies from the poisons of their main diet. Such places are unique in the Amazon rainforest; because they offer a great chance to see a wide range of Amazon wildlife species.After lunch we will take a hike in the pristine forest this time to learn about the rich flora of the area and how important are the medicinal plants in the local life, and all its different uses in daily life. On the way back we can enjoy some piranha fishing.

Later we will board the canoe to navigate a couple of hours to spend our last night with a local Huaorani family.

Accommodation: Camping in Yasuni Park by a local family

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

This  early morning we will start our navigation back from the deep Amazon up to the river by canoe for around one hour to the Shiripuno bridge in order to take our transportation back to Coca for 2 hours. On the way, we will have our last chances for spotting amazing wildlife especially the early starters such as birds and riverside creature. Later we will return to Coca and take the flight back to Quito.

Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Today our trip will end and you will have your International departures. 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 enchanted land. We wish you a “buen viaje”!

Meals included: Breakfast.

What’s Included?

  • Transportation: Airfare Quito – Galapagos – Quito round trip, airfare Quito-Coca round trip, airport transfers (national flights), one way flight San Cristobal-Isabela, sea transportation Santa Cruz – Isabela islands, private and comfortable land and sea transportation, motorized canoe, dugout canoe.
  • Accommodation based in double occupancy: 5* hotel in Quito, 3+ star hotels in Galapagos, comfortable camping in Yasuni National Park.
  • Meals: 14 breakfasts, 9 lunches,  5 dinners.
  • Activities: Snorkeling at Kicker Rock and Isla de los Lobos, trekking to the top of Sierra Negra active volcano in Isabela Island, snorkeling in Lava Tunnels, kayaking in Tintoreras, biking to the Wall of Tears, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, hiking in Santa Cruz highlands, kayaking Tiputini River, visiting the untouched zone in Yasuni National Park, hiking to the animals clay lick (Saladero), visiting the Quichua communities in the intangible zone of Yasuni National Park, piranha fishing, wildlife spotting, jungle night hikes.
  • Gear:  Snorkeling mask and fins, life vest, mountain bikes, dugout canoe with outboard motor, rubber boots, Eureka tents, air mattresses, bathroom tent, portable toilet, social kitchen.
  • Trip Leader:  Certified AJ expert English-speaking adventure Trip Leader  and naturalist local guides in Galapagos National Park.

What is not included?

  • My Own Room & Tent supplement: $839.
  • International flights.
  • Airport transfer (international flights).
  • Travel insurance (mandatory).
  • Meals not described in the itinerary – estimated budget USD $300 USD.
  • INGALA transit card: USD $20 per person, cash only (subject to change).
  • Galapagos National Park fee: USD $100 per person, cash only (subject to change).
  • USD $10 pier-use fee at Puerto Villamil.
  • Wetsuit for rent: USD $10.
  • Personal expenses.
  • Tips.
Please select listing to show.

ITINERARY

Meet your AJ trip leader and group at 6:00 pm.

Welcome to Quito! The largest, best-preserved colonial city in 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 on the Pacific coast and the place where Charles Darwin based his theory of the evolution of species. We will board a morning flight from Quito to the island of San Cristobal. Once we arrive, we have a transfer to the hotel in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and a short briefing about the next days, before the adventure begins.

In the afternoon we will head to “La Loberia ”, which is a home beach for large Galapagos sea lions. We can spot them while snorkeling, as they are very curious and approach to swim next to you underwater. They may also be lazing over rocks or just lazy dozing in the sand. We also get to see yellow warbler birds, frigate birds, and several species of Darwin’s finches along the beach. In between the rocks we can find marine iguanas, which you can only see in Galapagos. We also have the time to go for a refreshing swim, explore the waters with our snorkel equipment and enjoy the beach.

Accommodation: Blue Marlin Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

In the morning, we will take a boat to Kicker Rock, located off the coast of San Cristobal, also known as the Sleeping Lion (Leon Dormido) because of some resemblance. This is the remains of a lava cone eroded by the sea, two vertical rocks rising 500 ft (150 m) above the ocean form a small channel that is navigable by small boats. This Galapagos Island’s natural monument has become a spectacular site due to the many tropical birds, frigate birds and boobies that fill the sky in this area. Beneath the sea, the crystal waters offer a brilliant show of colorful fish, such as rainbow fish and sharks, like the hammerhead and white tip. After lunch, we will spend some time on the beach and travel back to the hotel.

Accommodation: Blue Marlin Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

IIn the morning, hop to Isabela Island, the largest island in the archipelago, and where the 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.

In the afternoon, we will explore the beautiful coastline on an exclusive trail on our bikes, taking us through an incredible ecosystem with a wide variety of wildlife including flamingos, marine iguanas and giant tortoises. We start with a visit to the Wall of Tears, a massive wall built with lava rocks. This site dates back to the 1950s, when Isabela was used as a penal colony and prisoners were forced to build the wall to keep them from going mad, because of the isolation they experienced.

As we continue our ride along the coast, we will explore pristine, white sand beaches, mangrove forests and lagoons. This area is filled with a plethora of bird life, including American oystercatchers, herons, flamingos, finches and many other shore birds, as well as the ubiquitous sea lions and marine iguanas.

Before dinner we can enjoy a breathtaking sunset on the beach of Puerto Villamil.

Accommodation: Cormorant Beach House or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

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.

This will be the best snorkeling opportunity with all these beautiful animals, including the curious Galapagos penguin 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: Cormorant Beach House 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 October 2005.
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: Cormorant Beach House 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: Casa de Judy or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Today, you can experience the Galapagos at your own desire, whether that be scuba diving (request in advance) or just time to relax on the beach! As an option, you can go on a self-guided exploration walk through a dry forest to Tortuga Bay (3.5 mi/ 5.6 km), a beautiful white sand beach and a nesting site to thousands of marine turtles. This beautiful place invites swimming or snorkeling. Alternatively, you can join any of the optional activities (at an extra cost), such as a trip to Floreana Island, Bartolome Island or a scuba-diving day trip, just to mention a few.
Accommodation: Casa de Judy 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.

Today will be a morning City tour in the UNESCO old town of Quito and a free afternoon to explore the city on your own or take an optional day tour. Adventure Journeys can help you to organize a day trip or city tour.
In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel for a welcome briefing and there will be plenty of time to discuss details and answer any questions you may have regarding your Yasuni rainforest adventure.

Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

Let’s board a morning flight or super early drive by car to the town of Coca town to begin our adventure. We’ll take a scenic drive to the Shiripuno River, at the entrance of the YASUNI National Park. While the guides prepare our gear, we’ll enjoy a riverside picnic. Our first expedition will be canoeing down this gorgeous river surrounded by complete nature and wildlife. Along the way, we will have opportunities to spot river turtles, monkeys, caiman, and many species of birds like the oropendola, caciques, kingfishers, macaws, toucans, parrots, and more.

We will finally arrive at a local Huaorani family where we will spend our first night in the deep amazon.

The Huaoroai tribe is definitely one of the most unique groups in the entire Amazon rainforest and it is known to be the last contact by the western society. This special group of people continues to depend on the forest for its survival and its customs have been kept alive until now. In our visit we will learn very much about local living manners and traditions.

Accommodation: Camping in Yasuni Park by a local family.

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner.

We wake up in the morning with the sunrise to be part of a local activity with the family walking in the forest to collect some leaves from palms in order to manufacture the most useful natural fiber. We will also learn about the plants that are more used in the daily bases, including a deep knowledge with medicinal plants.

After spending a cultural morning, we will enjoy lunch with the family and continue with the kayaks down the river heading deeper into the jungle. Every day in the Amazon is a new adventure: the more we paddle, the more pristine and wilder the jungle becomes with new exciting opportunities to encounter more wildlife, such as different types of monkeys, capybara, tapir, swallows, flycatchers, herons, sandpipers and hawks.  Late afternoon, we arrived at our campsite, located on the Shiripuno riverside. Our chef will prepare a special taste dinner for us tonight.

Accommodation: Shiripuno basic lodge in Yasuni Park.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

After a delicious breakfast we will start early in the morning kayaking by canoe down the Shiripuno river to reach the entrance to the Amarun – Cocha, which means Anaconda Lagoon in the native language. This is located in the most pristine forest in the area and with luck, we may see the biggest and most beautiful snake on the planet. We will also enjoy breathtaking landscapes with incredible dark and clear waters in a flooded forest. Over here we will discover the mythic piranhas, caimans, boas, and more. Later we will canoe back to the camp site and after a nice break at the hammocks, we will go on a night exploration to view insects, frogs, and possibly some snakes.

Accommodation: Shiripuno basic lodge in Yasuni Park.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

In the morning we will take a hike in the pristine forest to the clay lick the earliest possible. It is one of our best adventures in the jungle, visiting the Lamederos or Saladeros (Animal clay lick) where there is a big concentration of different species animals such us peccaries, deer, rodents and some colorful birds such us; parrots, macaws, and sometimes few predators surrounding the area. They come to feed on the clay from the mineral-enriched ground, which helps them digest and detoxifies from the poisons of their main diet. Such places are unique in the Amazon rainforest; because they offer a great chance to see a wide range of Amazon wildlife species.After lunch we will take a hike in the pristine forest this time to learn about the rich flora of the area and how important are the medicinal plants in the local life, and all its different uses in daily life. On the way back we can enjoy some piranha fishing.

Later we will board the canoe to navigate a couple of hours to spend our last night with a local Huaorani family.

Accommodation: Camping in Yasuni Park by a local family

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

This  early morning we will start our navigation back from the deep Amazon up to the river by canoe for around one hour to the Shiripuno bridge in order to take our transportation back to Coca for 2 hours. On the way, we will have our last chances for spotting amazing wildlife especially the early starters such as birds and riverside creature. Later we will return to Coca and take the flight back to Quito.

Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Today our trip will end and you will have your International departures. 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 enchanted land. We wish you a “buen viaje”!

Meals included: Breakfast.

PHOTOS FROM OUR GALLERY

What’s Included?

  • Transportation: Airfare Quito – Galapagos – Quito round trip, airfare Quito-Coca round trip, airport transfers (national flights), one way flight San Cristobal-Isabela, sea transportation Santa Cruz – Isabela islands, private and comfortable land and sea transportation, motorized canoe, dugout canoe.
  • Accommodation based in double occupancy: 5* hotel in Quito, 3+ star hotels in Galapagos, comfortable camping in Yasuni National Park.
  • Meals: 14 breakfasts, 9 lunches,  5 dinners.
  • Activities: Snorkeling at Kicker Rock and Isla de los Lobos, trekking to the top of Sierra Negra active volcano in Isabela Island, snorkeling in Lava Tunnels, kayaking in Tintoreras, biking to the Wall of Tears, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, hiking in Santa Cruz highlands, kayaking Tiputini River, visiting the untouched zone in Yasuni National Park, hiking to the animals clay lick (Saladero), visiting the Quichua communities in the intangible zone of Yasuni National Park, piranha fishing, wildlife spotting, jungle night hikes.
  • Gear:  Snorkeling mask and fins, life vest, mountain bikes, dugout canoe with outboard motor, rubber boots, Eureka tents, air mattresses, bathroom tent, portable toilet, social kitchen.
  • Trip Leader:  Certified AJ expert English-speaking adventure Trip Leader  and naturalist local guides in Galapagos National Park.

What is not included?

  • My Own Room & Tent supplement: $839.
  • International flights.
  • Airport transfer (international flights).
  • Travel insurance (mandatory).
  • Meals not described in the itinerary – estimated budget USD $300 USD.
  • INGALA transit card: USD $20 per person, cash only (subject to change).
  • Galapagos National Park fee: USD $100 per person, cash only (subject to change).
  • USD $10 pier-use fee at Puerto Villamil.
  • Wetsuit for rent: USD $10.
  • Personal expenses.
  • Tips.

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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 of specific wildlife in the itinerary or trip details is not a guarantee that it will be seen during the trip.

FLIGHT TIME:

30 min. flight each way (Quito-Coca-Quito).

2:45 hours each way from Quito to Galapagos. Regular size aircraft. About 140 passengers.

45 minutes from San Cristobal to Isabela. Small size aircraft. 9 passengers.

BOAT TRAVEL TIME:

2 hours from Isabela to Santa Cruz.

45 minutes each way - Lava Tunnels.

45 minutes each way - Kicker Rock.

DRIVING TIME:

1 hours driving each way to river.

45 minutes Airport transfers in Quito.

45 minutes Airport transfers in Galapagos.

45 minutes each way to Sierra Negra.

PROVINCE: Pichincha, Orellana, Pastaza and Galapagos

TERRITORY: Quito City, Yasuni National Park, Pañacocha Flooded forest reserve and Galapagos Islands National Park

ALTITUDE: From sea level (most activities) to 1 200m (3,937 ft -Sierra Negra Volcano).

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

KAYAKING TIME: 2 hours.

SNORKELING TIME: 1 – 2 hours a day.

BIKING TIME: 3 hours total.

HIKING TIME

Sierra Negra: 5 hours total.

El Chato Tortoises Reserve: 1 hour total.

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 to Challenge. This program is located in The Galapagos Islands, includes multisport activities, long hike to the Sierra Negra Volcano, snorkeling almost every day, sea kayaking to view wildlife, and biking mostly on flat roads.

GEAR: Adventure and protective equipment, snorkeling mask, fins, life jackets, mountain bikes, helmets, kayaks and paddle.

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 rain forest 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 mandatory for this trip. We strongly recommend to ensure that routine immunizations such as tetanus and diphtheria are up to date and to consider Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations. Please ask your doctor for advice.

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