Fly from the UK overnight to Quito

Transfer to your hotel in Quito for an overnight hotel stay.

A further overnight hotel stay. Enjoy a full day tour with Lenin our National Guide. 8am - 4pm:  Cotopaxi, Mindo, Otavalo, Quilotoa, Old town with Artisan market or Teleferico (Cable Car)

Transfer to the Hakuna Matata Lodge in Tena on the banks of the Amazon River.  Within 3 hours from Quito, you will arrive in our exclusive Lodge in this Amazon Rainforest mountain jungle. From Quito at an altitude of about 7,200 feet the journey as brought us down to  2,000 feet where there are no tropical diseases and no mosquitoes – ideal for a stay in the jungle. In the evening you will enjoy a delicious 3 course gourmet meal in an exclusive atmosphere surrounded by the sounds of the jungle.

A further overnight hotel stay. Today you will drive to the Grand Canyon, an attraction of scenic beauty located near the Jondachi River. You will hike through a primary forest surrounded by many birds and past small waterfalls, until you reach a lagoon beautifully hidden at the deepest point of the canyon, where you can take a refreshing swim. After a short break and a small snack, you’ll start your hike back. After a delicious lunch, the next adventure awaits: Equipped with headlamp and helmet, you can choose between two different limestone caves – either you explore “Templo de Ceremonia” or “Cueva de Elefante“. In the first cave, you will first walk through water before climbing a few metres up the rock walls to exit. In the evening, you will have dinner at the lodge. (Other activities are available - call for details).

A further overnight hotel stay. Enjoy white water rafting on the Jatunyacu River. You will start at the highest accessible point of the river, in a secluded corner of the jungle. The approx’ 25 kilometre long tour has a level of 3 / 3+ and is suitable for both beginners and advanced paddlers, especially with the safety instructions and introduction to paddling given beforehand by the rafting team. If you feel like doing something more relaxed, you can also go rafting on the Anzu River, which has a level of 2 / 3, perfect for families with children! On both tours, you will have a lunch break with a picnic on the riverbank before reaching your final destination, Puerto Napo. After a long day on the water, you can look forward to a delicious dinner back at the lodge. (Other activities are available - please call for details).

Transfer back to Quito for an overnight hotel stay.

A further overnight hotel stay in Quito. Free time to explore at leisure.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Baltra. Embark the luxury yacht on Baltra for a 7-night cruise. You will arrive at Baltra Island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by a Galapagos Cachalote crew member and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing. Cruise to Santa Cruz for the Highlands of Santa Cruz where Galapagos giant tortoises can be seen in the wild in the highlands of Santa Cruz. Visit the Charles Darwin Station is a research facility and National Park Information centre. The Charles Darwin Station has a giant tortoise and land iguana breeding program and interpretation centre.

Sombrero Chino is a small volcanic island just off the southeast tip of Santiago. The name of the island describes the shape of the island. Fauna includes Sea lions, marine iguanas and the Galapagos penguin.  Rábida Island is a small island with a dark red coral sand beach. Highlights include the lagoon with flamingoes, pelican nesting site, sea lion bachelor colony, and a snorkelling site at the end of the beach.

In the morning visit the Sierra Negra Volcano, which is the largest basaltic caldera in the Galapagos with a diameter of 6.2 miles (10 km). The site offers impressive views and the opportunity to observe up to seven species of finches and a rich display of vegetation. The north side of the caldera provides evidence of its most recent volcanic activity in 2005. In the afternoon visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Centre which is located about one mile (1.5 km) from Puerto Villamil. Here, tortoise populations from South Isabela, Sierra Negra Volcano, Cerro Azul, Cazuela, Cinco Cerros, Roca Union, San Pedro, Tables and Cerro Paloma have been bred in captivity. In total there are 330 juvenile and adult tortoises.

In the morning visit Moreno Point which is located in the central southwestern coast of Isabela Island. The site has spectacular views of volcanoes Alcedo, Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul. Some highlights include impressive lava flows, desolate and pristine landscape, varied and unusual arid zone vegetation. In the afternoon Elizabeth Bay is only accessible by dinghy. It is possible to see penguins on the small islets in the bay. The end of the bay is long and narrow surrounded by three species of mangroves. Galapagos Sea Turtles and rays can usually be seen in the water.

In the morning visit Urbina Bay which is located at the base of Alcedo Volcano on the west coast between Tagus Cove and Elizabeth Bay. This area experienced a major uplift in 1954 causing the land to rise over 16 feet. The coast expanded half a mile out leaving marine life stranded on the new shore. This area is also a great place for snorkelling. In the afternoon you will visit Tagus Cove on Isabela Island which is located across from Fernandina Island, near the Bolivar Channel dividing the two islands. This spot has been frequented by ships since the 1800s, using the area as an anchorage site. Trails winding by Lake Darwin up to a ridge display wonderful views.

In the morning cruise to Vincente Roca Point on Isabella. Comprised of two separate coves, Vicente Roca Point is a large bay with spectacular sea life. Keep an eye out for seahorses, sea turtles, and the strange yet fascinating Mola mola (or sun fish) while you snorkel. In the afternoon cruise to Espinoza Point crossing the Bolivar Channel that divides Isabela and Fernandina Islands, you will land at Espinoza Point, and after walking past a colony of marine iguanas and a group of sea lions, you will reach the island’s highlight: the flightless cormorant nesting site. This area also provides a great opportunity to see the Galapagos hawk.

Santiago Island is located between Isabela and Santa Cruz Islands. This Island offers a wide variety of seabirds, marine iguanas and fur seals. At Puerto Egas enjoy a walk along the rocky coast line that will you show you a view of some of Galapagos’ best tide pools. Some highlights include: Sugar loaf volcano, fur seals, oystercatchers, marine iguana colony, and old salt mine. On Bartholomew Island - the hike will take you to the highest point on Bartholomew for a spectacular view. Sea lions and penguins can be seen around Pinnacle Rock. There is a sandy beach with great swimming and snorkelling.

This flat piece of land originated after an uplifting event thousands of years ago. The island is home to endemic Palo Santo trees, colonies of blue-footed boobies, swallow tailed gulls, and magnificent frigate birds.. After this final visit, you will be transferred to the Baltra airport in time for your flight back to the mainland to connect with your overnight flight home from Quito.