Ecuador Cloud Forest and Galapagos 2019
Trip 1: November 16-23, 2019 (8 Days, 7 Nights)
Trip 2: November 23-30, 2019 (8 Days 7 nights)
Led by Biologist Andy Bicerra
Group Size: 15 Traveler Limit
Difficulty: Easy
Interested in joining us for this expedition? Let us know here!
Trip Highlights
Experience the legendary diversity of wildlife that the Galapagos Islands have to offer, and the mystique of the Ecuador Cloud Forest. The highlights of the trip include:
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Birding in the Ecuador Cloud Forest, and witnessing the dance of 200+ hummingbirds
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Witness the nesting site of Blue Footed Boobies and Magnificent Frigates
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Search for the Galapagos Tortoise and Galapagos Sea Lions
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and more…
Accommodations
During your trip, you will experience many locations in the Galapagos. Amazonia aims to provide you with the best experience, and so will be traveling to the following locations for accommodations. Please note that locations are subject to change with equivalent accommodations based on availability.
Full Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival to Quito
- Arrive Quito. Airport
meet and greet and transfer in. - Airport Hotel Wyndham
Day 2
Quito-Alambi Cloud Forest
- Early pick up towards the highlands of Pichincha Volcano. Birding towards the Yanacocha reserve. At this
reserve very
good birding is expected with several target birds such as Black Backed Grosbeak, Sword-Billed Hummingbird,Blackbreasted Puffleg, Tyrian Metaltail, Andean Condor. After Yanacocha The Old Nono-Mindo Road is taken birding as we go with the incredible landscapes and changes of habitats, target birds at the road will include Grass-Green
Tanager, Toucan Barbet, Orange Breasted Fruit Eater, Beautiful Jay, Plate-Billed Mountain Toucan, Ocellated Tapaculo, Giant Antpitta. Visiting Tony’s hummingbird garden for an amazing dance of 200 plus hummingbirds and later stopping at the Alambi ridge.- Late afternoon arrival to the award-winning Septimo Paraiso Lodge dinner and overnight.
- B/L/D and accommodation in Septimo Paraiso Lodge.
Day 3
Alambi Cloud Forest – Quito
- Very early wake up to be led to a cock of the rock lek Paz Reserve, some hiking in the dark is expected.
Breakfast atlocation . - Return for lunch at Lodge. Afternoon enjoy the birds at this impressive location (1580 m. above sea level),
Birding in the gardens of the Hosteria (hummingbird and fruit feeders) and trail birding. Transfer to Quito, evening in the Wyndham Airport Hotel. - B/L/D and accommodation at Airport Wyndham Hotel.
Day 4
Quito – Baltra: Primicias Ranch
- Transfer to Quito Airport for flight to Baltra Island Galapagos National Park.
- At the Baltra
Airport our staff will transfer to the hotel, located on Santa Cruz. After lunch, we will visit the “Primicias” Ranch, a privately owned ranch of over 150 acres, adjacent to the territories of the Galapagos National Park. Tortoises migrate from the park to this property in certain seasons. They go there looking for shade, water or suitable places to incubate their eggs. When visiting this farm we stop to see a natural lava tunnel nearly 300 meters long, you can go through a soft lighting installed by the owners. - B/L/D and accommodation in Red Booby Hotel
Day 5
North Seymour
- At 7:00 a.m. a bus for transfer to Itabaca Canal to board the yacht that will take us to North Seymour
Island, which is a great place for hiking. - There is a circular path about 2 miles long that crosses the interior of the island and takes us to explore the rocky coast path. This trail will take you through some of the largest seabird colonies in the Galapagos Islands.
- Here you will have the opportunity to observe nesting sites of Blue-Footed Boobies bright and colorful Magnificent Frigates, which are one of the biggest attractions of Galapagos. After lunch, we will snorkel with green sea turtles and the famous Galapagos sharks, you’ll also appreciate the mischievous sea lions playing and surfing in the sea. Visit Bachas where we can enjoy the wonderful sun and Galapagos Sea.
- Finally, we will be back at
5pm for transfer to your hotel. - B/L/D and accommodation in Red Booby Hotel.
Day 6
Santa Fe Island – Hidden Beach
- After breakfast, you will board a yacht for an hour sail to Santa Fe Island. From its huge precipices, you can
observe a forest of giant endemic cactus and colonies of seabirds, including pelicans, boobies and gulls in
a calm turquoise bay, inhabited by a large number of sea lions. This is an ideal place to snorkel, swim with
stingrays and tropical fish, also occasionally observing sea turtles. - Lunch on board.
- Then we will visit Hidden Beach and have a relaxing time before to return to the hotel.
- B/L/D and accommodation in Red Booby Hotel.
Day 7
Bartolome Island – Sullivan Bay
- At 6:00 a.m. a bus to pick us up for transfer to Itabaca Canal to board the yacht that will take our tour of this island with turquoise waters and beautiful white sand beaches. We will take on board breakfast and after 2 hours of sailing arrive at Bartholomew. Upon arrival, we have to climb a staircase and from the top, you will see a spectacular landscape of two beautiful bays and fascinating formations of lava and volcanic cones. Here is the famous Darwin’s Pinnacle. This is a huge black lava formation that has eroded over time and is the most representative image of the Galapagos archipelago. Near Pinnacle Rock you can also see two beautiful beaches in the form of a crescent. After we snorkel with sea turtles, sharks, white tip reef, tropical fish, sea lions and many other unique marine species. Also, this is the perfect area to observe the Galapagos Penguins.
- After lunch, we visit Sullivan Bay, here you can see some amazing lava formations, the product of a volcanic eruption in 1903. This
is an excellent example of typical forms and colors that contrast with lavas from older types. - B/L/D and accommodation in Red Booby Hotel.
Day 8
Twin Craters – Airport
- After breakfast, take a bus to the airport, on the way you will make a final stop to visit the Twin Craters, geological subsidence in the middle of a forest of
escalecias (native vegetation) located in the highest part of the island. - Breakfast
Reserve Your Expedition Today!
Deposit – $500
$2880 per person in double occupancy room
Single in room add $500.
NOTES:
- Itinerary subject to changes only if beyond our control
- Reservation made with
deposit of $500 per person - Payment can be made by credit card on our PayPal site
Cancellation Policy: 50% of cost up to 120 days before departure. We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. https://buy.travelguard.com/TGI2/proc/stateselector.aspx?br=agentlink&arc=51868&agentlinkasp=yes
This Trip Includes:
- Accommodations
- Meals on the islands
- Local Naturalist Guide
- Transfers in Galapagos
This Trip DOES NOT Include:
- Air Ticket
- Entrance Fee to Galapagos National Park
- Ingala Transit Control Card
- Extra Drinks & Meals
Erika
Our time in the jungle was an absolute highlight on our trip to Peru! Truly amazing! …Again, we had the most wonderful time. Almost more than words can say. The jungle and the Tahuayo Lodge hold very special places in our hearts and CAN NOT WAIT to return. Thank you again for offering such an amazing trip.
Renee
Our trip was INCREDIBLE. The lodge was great, the food was amazing, and the staff were all so friendly. We loved our stays at the B&B, the main lodge, and the ARC.
Tia & Paula
It was incredible and a trip of a lifetime Paul! My sister Paula and I had an amazing time and loved everything — your facilities and staff are top notch and I want to come back with my husband and daughters!!
