Quito, Galápagos y Amazonía · Yasuní Ecolodge · 11 días

Upon your arrival, a representative from our agency will give you a warm welcome at Quito Airport and accompany you to the hotel.

Begin your day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel before setting out on an unforgettable journey through the Middle of the World. Our first stop is the Pululahua Crater, whose name means “smoke of water” in the indigenous Kichwa language. Pululahua is an inactive volcano and one of the few places on Earth as spectacular as this natural wonder. It is also home to one of only two inhabited volcanic craters in the world. After admiring the breathtaking views, we continue to the Intiñan Museum, where your tour guide will demonstrate fascinating physics experiments that prove you are standing exactly at latitude 0° 0’ 0’’. The tour continues with a stroll through the Middle of the World City, a charming colonial-style town. Upon entering, you’ll walk along Geodetic Avenue, flanked by 13 stone busts honoring the members of the French Geodesic Mission, who arrived in Ecuador in 1736. Inside the complex stands the iconic Equator Monument, a nine-story structure offering panoramic views of this unique location at the center of the world. Here, you will enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, featuring a set menu and one included drink. After lunch, you will be transferred to your hotel in Quito, with free time to relax or enjoy the city on your own.

Transfer to the airport for your flight from Quito to the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival, your guide will greet you and accompany you on a shuttle bus to the Baltra Channel, followed by a ferry ride to Santa Cruz Island. From there, take private transportation to the highlands to visit the Twin Craters, a stunning volcanic formation. Surrounded by lush vegetation, this area is home to a variety of endemic birds, making it a perfect introduction to the islands’ incredible biodiversity. Continue to a private ranch, where a short nature walk will bring you face-to-face with the iconic Galapagos Giant Tortoises in their natural habitat — a truly unforgettable experience and a perfect photo opportunity. Stroll through the fascinating lava tunnels, natural formations created by ancient eruptions. After the tour, enjoy a delicious set-menu lunch with one drink at the ranch. In the afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, one of the most important conservation and research centers in the Galapagos. Here, you’ll learn about ongoing efforts to protect the fragile ecosystem, including the breeding and care of giant tortoises and other endemic species. A visit to the interpretation center offers fascinating insights into the islands’ geology, volcanic origins, and the movement of tectonic plates that shaped this extraordinary archipelago. After an enriching day, transfer to your hotel for check-in. The evening is free for you to relax or explore the charming town on your own — the perfect opportunity to stroll along the waterfront, shop for local souvenirs, or enjoy a quiet dinner in one of the island’s welcoming restaurants.

Breakfast at the Hotel & Full-Day Excursion to North Seymour Island After breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the Itabaca Channel, where you will board the yacht that will take you to North Seymour Island, one of the most remarkable destinations in the Galapagos. North Seymour is a hiker’s paradise, featuring a scenic 2-mile circular trail that crosses the island’s interior and follows its rocky coastline. Along the way, you’ll encounter some of the largest seabird colonies in the archipelago. This island is home to the famous blue-footed boobies and the striking frigatebirds, both visible year-round. Watch in awe as the male frigatebirds inflate their vibrant red pouches to attract females, or observe the playful courtship dance of the blue-footed boobies — a fascinating ritual where males present a perfect pebble as a gift to win their mate. These unforgettable wildlife encounters are among the highlights of visiting the Galapagos. After a delicious lunch on board, dive into an exciting snorkeling session in the pristine waters surrounding the island. Keep your eyes open for sea turtles, Galapagos sharks, and playful sea lions that often swim close to shore, creating a truly magical experience. In the afternoon, head to the tranquil Bachas Beach, a beautiful stretch of white sand where you can relax, swim, or simply enjoy the unique natural beauty of the Galapagos coastline. Your tour concludes around 4:00 PM, after which you will be comfortably transferred back to your hotel to unwind and enjoy the rest of your evening at leisure.

06:30 AM – After enjoying your boxed breakfast, you’ll be picked up at the hotel for a short walk to Ayora Port, where your journey to Isabela Island, the largest island in the Galapagos, begins. The scenic boat ride takes approximately two hours, offering beautiful views of the Galapagos waters along the way. Upon arrival at Puerto Villamil, we’ll visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, a must-see for wildlife enthusiasts. Here, you’ll have the chance to observe tortoises of all ages, from hatchlings to fully grown adults, and learn about the important conservation and breeding programs designed to protect these iconic and endangered creatures. Next, we’ll explore the Flamingo Lagoon and the stunning beaches of Isabela Island, where you can observe large colonies of sea lions and marine iguanas lounging in the sun, playing along the shore, and interacting naturally in their habitats. This is a perfect opportunity for photography and enjoying the unique Galapagos wildlife up close. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we’ll head to Tintoreras Islet, just south of Puerto Villamil. This islet is known for its calm turquoise waters and incredible wildlife. You’ll have the chance to see sea lions, marine iguanas, sea turtles, and stingrays in their natural environment. Keep an eye out for the white-tip reef sharks that often rest in the lava channels. You’ll enjoy approximately 45 minutes of snorkeling, immersing yourself in this vibrant marine ecosystem. At 3:00 PM, we’ll begin our return journey to Puerto Ayora, arriving around 5:00 PM. The evening is free for you to relax at the hotel, explore the town, or enjoy a peaceful stroll along the waterfront, taking in the charming atmosphere of this unique island community.

Start your day with a delicious American breakfast at the hotel before checking out. Enjoy a leisurely morning to explore Puerto Ayora, stroll along the charming streets, and shop for local souvenirs to remember your unforgettable Galapagos adventure. Later, you will be transferred to the Itabaca Channel, where you’ll take a shared ferry to Baltra Island. Enjoy the scenic views as you cross the channel, soaking in the unique landscapes of the Galapagos one last time. Upon arrival at Baltra, board the shared shuttle bus to the airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador. Upon arrival in Quito, you’ll be warmly welcomed at the airport and transferred to the city. Check in at your hotel and take some time to relax and unwind after your exciting journey through the Galapagos. The evening is free to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Quito, perhaps exploring nearby restaurants, walking through the historic streets, or simply resting.

Transfer to the airport for your flight from Quito to the Ecuadorian Amazon. After a flight of approximately 30 minutes over the Eastern Andes to Puerto Francisco de Orellana—known as El Coca—and a 10-minute private transfer, you will be welcomed at the lodge's private dock. There, you can rest briefly, use the facilities, and enjoy a refreshing drink before embarking on this extraordinary Ecuadorian Amazon experience. Next, you will begin a fascinating two-hour journey along the majestic Napo River aboard comfortable, covered boats. A boxed lunch will be served during the trip as you take in the scenery and lush vegetation along the route to Yasuní Ecolodge, situated in the heart of Yasuní National Park. Upon arrival, you will be greeted with a traditional guayusa drink and can settle into your cabin before taking a short rest. In the afternoon, you will hike to an impressive 40-meter-high observation tower, where you can gaze out over the Amazon canopy and enjoy a spectacular sunset view, with excellent opportunities to spot birds, primates, and other local wildlife. Alternatively, you may choose to take a relaxing sunset kayak ride on the calm waters of the Napo River.

After breakfast, you will set out on a motorboat excursion to one of the most iconic sites in the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve: the parrot and parakeet clay licks located along the banks of the Napo River. At the first clay lick, you will have the opportunity to observe the intense activity of the parrots as they descend in flocks to feed on the minerals found in the cliff face. Afterward, you will take a roughly 20-minute walk through the *terra firme* (upland) forest to reach a second clay lick, where parrots, parakeets, and macaws can also be seen. Protected by the Kichwa Añangu Community, this site is a prime location for wildlife viewing within their territory. The day continues with an enriching cultural immersion at the Kuri Muyu Interpretation Center, a facility managed by the community's women, known as *mamakunas*. There, you can learn more about Kichwa culture—including their traditions, music, and dances—and the deep connection they share with the Amazon rainforest. The visit also includes time to browse the handicraft shop, which showcases items created by community members. Following the visit, you will return to the lodge for lunch and some downtime. In the afternoon, you will hike along *terra firme* trails—an excellent opportunity to spot primates, such as the golden-mantled tamarin and the red titi monkey. After dinner, an exciting night walk will reveal another fascinating side of the Amazon rainforest, offering the chance to observe insects, reptiles, arachnids, and amphibians as the forest comes alive after dark.

After breakfast, you will depart by motorboat for the mouth of the Añangu River, a unique blackwater ecosystem that winds approximately 6 kilometers into the protected Amazon rainforest. From there, you will continue the journey in a paddle canoe, enjoying a quiet, serene ride through narrow channels framed by lush vegetation. This setting offers excellent wildlife-viewing opportunities, with the chance to spot monkeys, birds, and other local species, as well as explore a habitat frequented by caimans and otters. Afterwards, you will return to the lodge for lunch and some downtime. In the afternoon, you can choose between two experiences: visiting an observation tower for a spectacular view of the Amazon canopy and a better chance of spotting birds and primates, or taking a leisurely ride on a traditional-style catamaran—an experience that blends immersion in nature with the stories, legends, and traditional songs of Kichwa culture.

To conclude this unforgettable experience, you will have the optional opportunity to participate in the ancestral *guayusada* ritual, a Kichwa tradition that begins around 4:30 a.m. During this gathering, you can share the sacred *guayusa* drink with a local family and learn about ancestral knowledge passed down through generations, accompanied by traditional songs. If you wish, you may also share your dreams to be interpreted by a wise *mamakuna*—an experience deeply rooted in the Amazonian worldview. After breakfast, you will begin the return journey to El Coca, traveling once again along the Napo River and enjoying the extraordinary landscapes of the Ecuadorian Amazon for the last time. Upon arrival in El Coca, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight to Quito. Upon arrival in Quito, you will receive a warm welcome at the airport and be transferred to the city to enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, featuring a set menu and a drink.

This final day offers an opportunity to reflect and rest before your return flight, allowing you to cherish the memories of your extraordinary adventure in the Galápagos and mainland Ecuador. Transfers depart from the hotel approximately four hours before your flight time. Depending on your flight schedule, you can have breakfast and rest or explore Quito on your own. Breakfast at hotel. Check-out and transfer to the airport for your flight. Arrival at airport and boarding.