JEWELS OF

ECUADOR

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Itinerary 12 days

DAY 1 Quito, Friday

Arrival and transfer to your hotel. Accommodation at Anahi Boutique hotel or similar

Central and Northern Islands Volcanic contours and colors, and the exotic north

This tour focuses on the central islands and sets sail to fabulous northern Genovesa, prime nesting site of Red-footed Booby, to enter deep, silent coves where Green Sea Turtles swim, admire the volcanic contours of iconic Pinnacle Rock and red sand beaches where sea lions lazily soak in the equatorial sun. Share Nazca Booby nesting rituals and swim-time with curious Galapagos Penguins. Don your life jacket for a dry landing at Prince Philip Steps and maybe even enjoy a face-to-face encounter with a groggy Short-eared Owl. Arrive on moonlike landscapes spawn with prehistoric shrubbery, fresh pahoehoe lava formations where lava bubbles are contained in crystallized minerals and pioneering plants strive to survive. Spend the evening star gazing and relaxing with a book before being rocked to sleep as we make our way to our next adventure.

DAY 2 Quito - Galapagos - Mangrove wildlife, Saturday.

PM Upon arrival at Baltra airport we board the Sagitta and navigate a short distance to Black Turtle Cove, a large mangrove lagoon on the north coast of Santa Cruz Island. Pelicans and herons roost on the branches, while marine dwellers such as Green Sea Turtle or Golden Ray may cruise right next to the panga as it makes its way through the mangroves. B.L.D.

DAY 3 Galapagos - Up North , Sunday.

PM: At Prince Philip Steps (dry landing), we climb the edge of a cliff where Frigatebirds, Nazca Boobies, and Red-footed Boobies nest. We will be seeking out the impressive Red-billed Tropicbird amidst Galapagos Storm Petrels. B.L.D.

Galapagos - Contours of Sullivan Bay, Monday. DAY 4

AM: Dry landing at Bartholomew to climb up the wooden steps and reach the summit of this spatter cone for a most breathtaking panorama of the islands well photographed Pinnacle Rock, views of neighbouring Santiago and many other central islands in the distance.

PM: We head across to Sullivan Bay (dry landing) in Santiago to walk over a recent lava flow, including very fresh pahoehoe lava formations, lava bubbles containing crystallized minerals, and pioneer plants. Along the shoreline, we may find Galapagos penguins and herons going after small fish. B.L.D.

AM: We travel to Genovesa Island and reach Darwin Bay (wet landing), a unique site lined with red mangrove and soft-haired prickly pear cacti where Red-footed Boobies and Great Frigatebirds perch tamely.

AM: Wet landing onto Rábida’s deep-red beaches to explore the red island’s fascinating interior and saltwater lagoon. Darwin's finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, and yellow warblers feed off the vegetation; given the right time of the year brown pelicans nesting on salt bushes that fringe the beach. PM: We head across to Cerro Dragón on Santa Cruz’s north-west shore (dry landing); we visit a saltwater lagoon, home to Greater Flamingos, Black-necked Stilts, and White-cheeked Pintails. Further inland we find a fantastic land iguana nesting site. B.L.D.

DAY 5 Galapagos - Mars on earth, Tuesday.

Galapagos - Quito - A last look, Wednesday. DAY 6

AM: Dry landing at Puerto Ayora in Santa Cruz Islands, from which we will visit the wet forests of the highlands in hopes of finding giant tortoises (seasonal). Who would have expected it to be so lush and green on these supposed arid islands? Itinerary A comes to an end as we bus ride back to Baltra airport. NOTE: Passengers ending their trip on this day will be transported by bus to the airport at Baltra. A certified guide will accompany passengers at all times. Flight to Quito. Transfer to hotel. Accommodation at Anahi boutique hotel or similar. B..

DAY 7 Quito, Thursday

Quito City Tour Full day. After breakfast we will begin with our tour. We pick you up at mid-morning and head down to Quito’s historical district. During our time in the historical district, we will have the chance to observe several beautiful churches, the presidential and archbishop palaces, the cathedral, the Jesuit church Compañia de Jesus (one of the most beautiful churches in the world), and the San Francisco church, the first building of importance constructed by the Spanish. We will then visit and art gallery and the Panecillo Hill (winged virgin) lookout. In the afternoon, there is a visit to the middle of the world monument and the solar museum at the Equator line with the Intiñan museum included. B.

DAY 8 Quito - Amazon, Friday.

• Transfer to airport. • Flight to Coca

Exploring the amazon

The most incredible voyage to the Amazon Rainforest with an itinerary that includes visits to an ecosystem with an impressive diversity that is only possible onboard the Manatee Amazon Explorer. The Cuyabeno Natural Reserve, Yasuni National Park (the largest national park in Ecuador), Limoncocha Biological Reserve (the only one in Ecuador), the observation tower, canoe expeditions, walks in the rainforest and the wonderful indigenous peoples in this part of the world await your visit. Afterwards, there will be a transfer from the airport to the Napo River port, where a motorized canoe will take you downstream for approximately one and a half hours; during the trip we will provide important information about the region. Once on board the MANATEE AMAZON EXPLORER, we will start navigating down the Napo River. Lunch will be served and later on we will stop at the Life Under Water Museum and will return onboard after a night walk, for dinner. Everything will depend on the river water level, weather conditions, wildlife behavior, and accessibility to the location. B.L.D.

DAY 9 Amazon, Saturday.

Parrot Clay Lick and Observation Tower

Breakfast will be served on board. Then our excursion to the Parrot Clay lick, a great place to see a lot of bird species. Back on board our lunch will be ready, and in the afternoon we will explore the Chaullacocha black water system, and depending on the river´s water level; we may access this wonderful system either by walking or by paddling a canoe. Then an exploration of the lake shores looking for wildlife, such as turtles, herons, and caymans, and later in the day, a visit to the canopy tower, which is more than 30 meters high, from which an impressive view of the forest can be seen from the top. From this perspective, we can appreciate the secrets of this vast ecosystem that cannot be seen from another angle. The tower has 300 steps that will be worth climbing to get to the top, where the most amazing view awaits you. Return to the MANATEE at night, after searching for caymans on the lake Chaullacocha Lake. B.L.D.

DAY 10 Amazon, Sunday

Pañacocha Biological Corridor

We will continue our navigation downstream to arrive at the mouth of the Pañayacu (Piranha River). After arrival, there will be a canoe trip through the Piranha River to see the sights of this interesting protected forest. There will be the possibility to observe Pink River Dolphins, the agile Common Squirrel Monkeys and much more. The Piranha Lake area is an ecosystem flooded by white waters. The rivers and lakes of that place are the perfect habitat for the infamous Piranha, the Water Monkey Fish (Arawana) and White Caymans. After a refreshing swim in the Piranha Lake, we will enjoy a delicious Amazon-style BBQ and a cold drink at a nearby camping site. In the afternoon, we will go fore an exploration walk, and later on, when we are back on board, we will have dinner and receive a briefing about the next day's program B.L.D.

DAY 11 Amazon - Quito, Monday.

Native Dwelling and returning Quito

Early in the morning we will visit a native dwelling, and then return to the boat and head back to the city of Coca to take the afternoon flight back to Quito. The boat ride upstream will take around two hours; a lunch box will be served enroute. Flight to Quito. Transfer to hotel. Accommodation at Anahi boutique hotel or similar. B.

Finally the time to return to your country, full memories and good experiences will guide your trip back. The breakfast is included this day and the transfer to the airport. B.

DAY 12 Quito, Tuesday.

End of Services

• Private transportation full time • Guidance • Accommodation as listed • Galapagos Cruise 5 days / 4 nights at Sagitta or Maryanne

Premium Sail boats • Manatee Amazon Explorer cruise 4 days / 3 nights • Tours a listed on itinerary • Meals as listed B breakfast L lunch D dinner

Our Trip includes :

Does not includes: • Airfare Quito - Galapagos - Quito $ 549 per person • Airfare Quito - Coca - Quito $ 185 per person • Galapagos entrance fees $110 per person • Amazon Communities fees $ 40 per person • Personal Expenses and Tips • Not listed activities or meals

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Net price per person $

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