Your Travel Experience with Galapagos PRO
Day 1
Transfer to hotel
Day 1 - 4
Overnight stay at the Go Quito Hotel.
Day 2
Quito city tour: historic old town & equatorial monument
Today, you will discover Quito. In 1978, UNESCO declared the historic center of Ecuador’s capital a World Heritage Site, making Quito the first city in the world to receive this distinction. Quito is home to the largest and best-preserved historic center in South America. With its numerous sights, colonial townhouses, countless churches, and monasteries, the influence of the Catholic Church is still unmistakable today. Your tour begins in the heart of the colonial old town at Plaza de la Independencia, also known as Plaza Grande. Here, you can watch the daily life of the locals, visit the Presidential Palace, and stroll through the many narrow streets and alleys. You will then continue to Plaza San Francisco and the magnificent La Compañía Church, whose construction was begun by the Jesuits in 1605. Afterwards, you will drive up to the so-called “Panecillo” (“Little Bread Roll”), a hill offering spectacular panoramic views over the city. On a clear day, you can see four volcanoes from here: Cotopaxi, Antisana, Cayambe, and Pichincha. Later, you will travel to the “Mitad del Mundo”, the “Middle of the World”, located on the Equator at 0° latitude. Here, you can stand with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and the other in the Southern Hemisphere.
Day 3
Cotopaxi volcano - Hacienda Ciénega - and rose plantation
Early in the morning, we drive approximately 80 kilometers south to Cotopaxi National Park. Cotopaxi, which became active again in August 2015, is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. A beautiful hike takes us to a viewpoint overlooking the volcano, where, under favorable conditions, we may be able to witness it releasing ash. With good visibility, this is a truly spectacular experience. Around lunchtime, we continue to Hacienda La Ciénega, a historic estate that already captivated Alexander von Humboldt. To this day, the hacienda preserves the secrets of many historical events and welcomes travelers with a delicious lunch and a fascinating collection of stories. The hacienda’s gardens are an attraction in their own right and are always worth exploring. Afterwards, we visit a beautiful rose plantation, showcasing one of Ecuador’s most successful export products. In the early evening, we enjoy the sunset over the magnificent landscape before returning to Quito.
Day 4
Transfer to the Airport
Flight to Coca in the Amazon rainforest
Day 3 - 7
Overnight stay at Napo Wildlife Center.
Day 1: Arrival at the Lodge Upon arrival at Coca Airport, you will be met and transferred to the port of Francisco de Orellana. There, you will board a comfortable motorboat for an approximately two-hour journey downstream along the Napo River. A light snack will be served during the journey. At the port facilities of the Napo Wildlife Center, you will make a short stop, giving you the opportunity to freshen up and take a brief break. You will then continue your journey for another approximately 1.5 hours until you reach a small, idyllic bay where the Napo Wildlife Lodge is located. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed with a refreshing drink.
Day 2 Morning: Premium Amazon Jungle Tour Your adventure begins early in the morning. After approximately one hour of hiking, you will reach the parrot clay lick around 7:30 or 8:30 a.m. the best time to observe the fascinating birdlife. Every day, around eleven different bird species, including parrots, macaws, and parakeets, gather here to feed on the mineral-rich clay. This impressive natural spectacle offers unique insights into the behavior of these colorful birds.
Afternoon: Añangu Kichwa Community You will hike along a forest trail and visit the Añangu Kichwa community. Here, you will have the opportunity to spend time with a local family and learn more about the community’s customs, traditions, and way of life. The trail then leads through the terra firme forest “terra firme” meaning “firm land” to an idyllic bay. After approximately 30 minutes, you will reach another parrot clay lick, where, with a little luck, you may observe various species of parrots and parakeets. A light snack will be served on site. In the late afternoon, you return to the lodge with many new impressions and unforgettable experiences.
Day 3 Morning: Observation Tower After breakfast, you will hike to an observation tower located about 30 minutes away. From here, you will enjoy an impressive view over the seemingly endless expanse and fascinating beauty of the Amazon rainforest. The 36-meter-high observation tower offers excellent opportunities for birdwatching. With a little luck, you may spot Blue-and-yellow Macaws, large toucans, parakeets, kingfishers, and many other bird species.
Afternoon: Wildlife of the Terra Firme Forest After lunch, you will once again set out to explore the fascinating and mysterious wildlife of the terra firme forest. With a little luck, you may encounter various monkey species, including the endemic Golden-mantled Tamarin. The extraordinary insect life of the Amazon also holds countless surprises. With a little luck, you may even spot snakes and other rare wildlife.
Day 4: Return to Quito – Paddling on the Napo River Early in the morning, you will leave the lodge for your final excursion. By canoe, you will paddle along the Napo River, exploring the fascinating natural surroundings of the Amazon. In a quiet bay, you will have the opportunity to observe Giant River Otters, Saki Monkeys, and other rare wildlife. Afterwards, you will reach the port facilities, where you will have another opportunity to freshen up. You will then travel by motorized canoe for approximately two hours back to the port of Francisco de Orellana (Coca), where your Amazon adventure comes to an end.
Please note that the order of activities may be subject to change locally.
Day 7
Flight to Quito
Transfer
You will be met at Quito Airport and transferred to your hotel.
Day 7 - 8
Overnight stay
Overnight stay at the Go Quito Hotel.
Day 8
Transfer
Early in the morning, you will be transferred to Quito Airport.
Flight to the Galapagos-Islands
Day 8 - 15
Cruise on board the Tip Top II
The first class motor catamaran Tip Top II was built in 2008 and refitted in 2015/2016. It belongs to the fleet of Rolf Wittmer's shipping company and has a capacity of 16 passengers with 4 deluxe double cabins on the main deck, 4 deluxe double cabins on the upper deck and two deluxe single cabins on the main deck. The upper deck cabins have a private balcony. All cabins are equipped with a safe, hairdryer and air conditioning. Guests can also expect a lounge, a spacious dining area, an outdoor bar and an inviting sun deck. With these many amenities and a beautifully designed expedition program, the Tip Top II offers an unforgettable Galapagos cruise.
Key features:
- Each cabin with private bathroom and air conditioning
- Bar
- Dining room
- Sun deck
Day 8
Transfer from the airport to the catamaran
Your guide, who will also accompany you throughout the following days on board, will be waiting for you at Baltra Airport. The crew will take care of your luggage while you travel by bus for approximately 5 kilometers to the pier. From there, you will board the catamaran directly.
As the crew weighs anchor and the cruise begins, you will receive an introduction to the daily schedule and enjoy a small snack on board as you get ready for the experiences that lie ahead.
Playa Las Bachas on the island Santa Cruz
Afternoon:
Your first stop is Las Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz Island. During each walk, your guide will share fascinating insights into the wildlife of the Galápagos, explaining the behavior and habitat of the islands’ many bird and animal species.
Optional: Time to swim and/or snorkel for those who wish to do so.
In the evening, you will receive an introduction to the Galápagos Islands and their unique ecosystem. The day comes to a close with a welcome cocktail with the entire crew, followed by dinner on board.
Day 9
Prince Phillip's Steps, Insel Genovesa
Morning:
El Barranco, named after Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, is a natural rock formation that rises steeply towards the highest point of the cliff. From there, a winding trail leads into the interior of the island.
Genovesa is renowned for its extraordinary diversity of birdlife. Even during the somewhat slippery ascent, and especially once you reach the top, you will be surrounded by a remarkable variety of bird species, including Blue-footed Boobies, Red-footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies, small Galápagos Owls, Galápagos Doves, and many other coastal birds.
But birds are not the only wildlife you can encounter here. Lava lizards, marine iguanas, and sea lions can also be spotted along the way.
Darwin Bay on the island Genovesa
Afternoon:
After lunch, you will make a wet landing at Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island. Here, you can observe frigatebirds, herons, mockingbirds, boobies, shorebirds, turtles, marine iguanas, and many other species.
Optional: Time for those who wish to swim, snorkel, or go kayaking.
Afterwards, you will return on board to enjoy a delicious lunch.
Day 10
Island South Plaza
Morning:
After a hearty breakfast, you will make a dry landing at the pier of South Plaza Island. Here, you are sure to enjoy the antics of the island’s playful sea lions. A walk through a forest of giant cacti offers the opportunity to spot land iguanas and a variety of tropical bird species.
After the excursion, you will return to the catamaran for lunch.
Island Santa Fé
Afternoon:
After lunch, you will reach Santa Fe Island, where you will make a wet landing. You will explore the island’s cactus forest and encounter a colony of endemic Santa Fe land iguanas.
Optional: Time for those who wish to swim, snorkel, and/or go kayaking.
In the late afternoon, you will return to the catamaran for dinner.
Day 11
Hightlands of Santa Cruz Island
Morning:
After breakfast, you will disembark and take a bus into the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to explore the island’s native forests. Along the way, you will pass the impressive Twin Craters, where you will have the opportunity to stop for photos. You will then visit one of the local farms, where giant tortoises can be observed roaming freely in their natural habitat.
Today, you will enjoy lunch at the farm.
Fausto Llerena Tortoise Centre on Santa Cruz Island
Afternoon:
After lunch at the farm, you will return to the coastal town of Puerto Ayora and visit the Fausto Llerena Interpretation Center, where you will learn more about the life and conservation of the Galápagos giant tortoises.
Afterwards, you will return on board the catamaran for dinner.
Day 12
Post Office Bay on island Floreana
In the morning:
In the 18th century, whalers passing by Floreana Island brought a wooden barrel ashore and used it as an unofficial mailbox. This tradition continues to this day. Visitors leave addressed postcards in the barrel and browse through the messages left by others, taking postcards with them to deliver back home.
Optional: Time for those who wish to swim and/or snorkel.
Afterwards, you will visit the Mirador de la Baronesa in the northern part of the island. This scenic viewpoint is steeped in the fascinating and mysterious story of an Austrian baroness and the disappearance of her suitors.
Punta Cormorant on the island Floreana
Afternoon:
You will explore the black sand beach of Punta Cormorant, which shimmers with a greenish hue in the sunlight. This distinctive color is caused by sparkling olivine crystals, evidence of the island’s intense volcanic activity.
Passing a large saltwater lagoon, you will reach a partially submerged volcanic crater known as Devil’s Crown, a true paradise for snorkelers. The gently sloping, sandy crater walls are often visited by sea stars, sea turtles, and tropical fish, while juvenile whitetip reef sharks prefer the rocky caves at the bottom of the crater.
Day 13
Punta Suarez on Española Island
Morning:
Española is a geologically fascinating island where you will explore spectacular volcanic formations and encounter a remarkable variety of wildlife. Large colonies of sea lions and seabirds can be found here, including the Española Mockingbird, Nazca Boobies, and the spectacular Red-billed Tropicbird. You may also spot marine iguanas, lava lizards, and brightly colored Sally Lightfoot crabs.
After a fairly long hike past Nazca and Blue-footed Boobies, you will reach the nesting sites, which are sometimes located right in the middle of the trail. Other fascinating bird species include Galápagos Doves, Galápagos Hawks, Swallow-tailed Gulls, and the world’s largest colony of Galápagos Albatrosses. During the breeding season from May to December, observing these magnificent birds is an absolute highlight.
Along the way, you will also admire Española’s dramatic landscape, including the famous blowhole, where seawater is forced through a volcanic opening and spectacularly propelled more than 23 meters into the air.
Gardner Bay/Islet - Island Española
Afternoon:
You will make a landing on a beautiful white coral beach inhabited by a colony of sea lions. As there are no designated trails, you will remain along the shoreline, where you can observe Galápagos Hawks, American Oystercatchers, Galápagos Doves, mockingbirds, Yellow Warblers, lava lizards, and marine iguanas. You may also encounter three species of Darwin’s finches: the Large Cactus Finch (Geospiza conirostris), a species similar in appearance to the Large Ground Finch; the Small Ground Finch (Geospiza fuliginosa); and the Warbler Finch (Certhidea olivacea), another endemic species.
While swimming and snorkeling, you can discover the diverse underwater world, with California sea angels, neon gobies, parrotfish, manta rays, and whitetip reef sharks.
Optional: Time for those who wish to swim and/or snorkel.
Afterwards, you will visit Osborn Island, where you can enjoy a walk along a beautiful white sandy beach and observe sea lions. The area also offers excellent opportunities for swimming and snorkeling.
Day 14
Kicker Rock and Cerro Brujo on San Cristóbal island
Afternoon:
Kicker Rock, known locally as León Dormido, is a striking tuff rock formation off the coast of San Cristóbal and an important nesting site for seabirds. As you cruise around the formation, you can spot frigatebirds, Blue-footed Boobies, and Nazca Boobies.
Surrounded by a dramatic volcanic landscape, the bay of Cerro Brujo (“Witch Hill”) is considered one of the most beautiful places on San Cristóbal. Blue-footed Boobies, sea lions, and crabs can be found among the surrounding rocks. While snorkeling, you may encounter sea turtles and rays, while the beach offers spectacular views of the northern coastline in good weather.
Gianni Arismendy Interpretation Center on San Cristóbal Island
Afternoon:
You will visit the Gianni Arismendy Interpretation Center on San Cristóbal, where you will learn more about the formation and evolution of the Galápagos Islands, including both their natural history and human settlement, as well as ongoing conservation efforts.
You will then have some free time in town to do any last-minute shopping or visit an ATM.
Day 15
Black Turtle Cove, Santa Cruz island
Early morning:
Early in the morning, you will explore Black Turtle Cove by panga, navigating through mangrove-lined channels where you can often spot marine wildlife such as sea turtles, rays, and reef sharks.
Afterwards, you will return to the yacht for your farewell breakfast.
You will then be transferred to Baltra Airport in time for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.
Departure from Batra Island
Flight to Guayaquil