Galapagos Cruise and Amazon with Cloud Forest

Day 1 - Quiito

Arrival transfer from Airport to your hotel. A briefing will be provided upon arrival and check-in.

Overnight Hotel Boutique Patio Andaluz or similar.

Day 2 - Quito

Quito is home to one of the largest and best-preserved colonial centres in South America. Highlights include Independence Square (Plaza Grande), the iconic La Compañía de Jesús church (widely regarded as one of the most beautiful churches on the continent), the San Francisco Church and Monastery, and the Virgin of El Panecillo, which looks out over the entire city.

As a unique added experience, there will also be a visit to an artisan chocolate shop, where you will learn about Ecuadorian Fine Aroma Cacao and the traditional chocolate-making process.

The Middle of the World monument lies approximately 18 miles (30 km) north of Quito, where you can stand on the equatorial line dividing the northern and southern hemispheres. Highlights include the celebrated main monument and the Intiñan Museum, which marks the true equator and explores its fascinating natural phenomena.

Overnight Hotel Boutique Patio Andaluz or similar.

Day 3 - Mindo Cloud Forest

Leave the city behind for an immersive full-day Mindo Cloud Forest adventure, perfect for those who appreciate natural beauty and outdoor exploration. A two-hour drive from Quito takes you into the heart of the Chocó Andino, a region celebrated worldwide for its extraordinary biodiversity. On arrival, you will begin a hike along riverside trails, discovering a series of waterfalls along the way, with the opportunity to swim in crystal-clear natural pools surrounded by lush tropical forest.

The afternoon is dedicated to Mindo’s most celebrated residents: its birds. As one of the world’s premier birdwatching destinations, the area offers the chance to observe a wide variety of colourful species in their natural habitat, including hummingbirds, known for their vivid colours and remarkable agility in flight. This tour offers a balanced mix of active hiking and quiet nature observation, providing a wonderful introduction to the wonders of the cloud forest before returning to Quito.

Time permitting, optional visits to orchid and butterfly gardens are also available, as well as the chance to sample some of the exceptional locally produced chocolate.

Overnight Hotel Boutique Patio Andaluz or similar.

Day 4 - The Amazon

Transfer to the airport for a 30-minute flight over the Andes brings you to Coca, a bustling town in the heart of the Amazon Basin. After a light lunch at Sacha’s private house, you will make your way to the town docks to board Sacha’s private canoes for a two-hour journey downriver to the lodge.

A 30-minute hike through the rainforest leads you to Lake Pilchicocha, where native staff are on hand to paddle you across the water to your final destination. Arrival at Sacha Lodge is expected at around 15:30 to 16:00 (subject to change).

The afternoon is yours to enjoy. Take a swim in the lake, a black-water habitat rich in fish and wildlife, or climb the mini tower for an excellent opportunity to spot several bird species common to the area. It is also a wonderful spot to watch the sunset. Visit the butterfly house with your naturalist guide to admire the vivid colours of the many butterfly species on display.

After dinner, join your naturalist guide on a night walk through the rainforest to discover the hundreds of species that only emerge after dark, or take a canoe ride across the lake in search of spectacled and black caimans, their eyes glowing orange in the darkness as you paddle quietly towards them.

Overnight Sacha Lodge (Full Board)

Day 5 - The Amazon

Morning activities begin between 06:00 and 07:00. Set out on the Liana Chica trail and arrive at the canopy walk, offering spectacular views across the rainforest canopy and its many vibrantly coloured bird species.

One of only a few self-standing rigid suspension canopy walks in the world, this remarkable structure sits within Sacha’s private reserve, two miles from the banks of the Rio Napo and one mile from the lodge. Two of the three towers feature observation decks at every 12 metres, making them accessible to all guests. The walkway itself sits at 36 metres high and stretches 275 metres in length, offering a true bird’s-eye view of the tropical rainforest in all its splendour.

The walk continues along the Liana Grande trail through terra firma and igapó forest habitats, where native guides will introduce you to the many medicinal plants that have been used in their culture for hundreds of years. This trail leads into the Higuerón trail, taking you through pristine primary forest where enormous Kapok and Fig trees tower high above your head.

After lunch, you may choose a leisurely hike along the Rio Napo or a more challenging walk on the Leoncillo trail in search of the elusive dusky titi monkey. Both routes lead back to the main boardwalk for the final hike and canoe ride back to the lodge.

Overnight Sacha Lodge (full board)

Day 6 - The Amazon

Leaving the lodge after breakfast, you will set out on the Lagartococha trail, which offers a fascinating insight into the relationship between the native people and the forest. Hear about the trees in which local people believe the spirits of their ancestors reside, and the mysterious “duende,” the legendary devil-man of the forest.

On reaching Lake Lagartococha, a tranquil canoe ride takes you through a natural swamp, home to anacondas, caimans, and capybaras. A walk on the far side of the lake may reward you with sightings of capuchin or squirrel monkeys leaping playfully through the trees.

Return to the lodge for a refreshing swim in the lake or a restful afternoon in your private hammock on your balcony.

After lunch, your native guide will teach you how to fish for the infamous razor-toothed piranha. Rest assured that piranhas pose no threat to swimmers, so you are welcome to fish and swim at the same time.

At around 15:30, you will embark on what many consider the highlight of any stay at Sacha: a silent canoe ride through the flooded Amazonian forest. This is a wonderful opportunity to find yourself surrounded by troops of squirrel, capuchin, and howler monkeys. Keep a look out too for the shy river otter and the remarkably well-camouflaged three-toed sloth.

The canoe ride brings you to Sacha’s 135-foot wooden tower, built around an ancient Kapok tree. Here, powerful scopes allow for close-up views of brilliantly coloured birds, and the sun sets over a breathtaking panorama that includes the volcano Mount Sumaco and, on a clear day, the snow-capped peaks of the Andes. Leaving the tower at dusk, the canoe ride back through the flooded forest after dark is an experience you will not soon forget. Listen to the symphony of frogs and insects as you navigate the narrow waterways, keeping watch for caimans, bats overhead, and the eerie calls of nocturnal birds. The journey concludes with a return across Lake Pilchicocha and the welcoming lights of Sacha Lodge.

Overnight Sacha Lodge (full board)

Day 7 - Quito

After breakfast, depart the lodge at 07:30 for one final walk along the boardwalk to the river, followed by a two-hour canoe ride back to Coca and a 35-minute flight to Quito, on arrival transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight Hotel Boutique Patio Andaluz or similar.

Day 8 - Galapagos Baltra

Transfer to the airport and fly to the Galapagos and board your small cruise ship. The first stop in Bachas Beach. Set on the northern coast of Santa Cruz, Las Bachas is a beautiful beach ideal for swimming. It also holds one of the few traces of the U.S. World War II era in the Galápagos, with the remains of a floating pier still visible. The area is rich in wildlife, where you might spot flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black-necked stilts and whimbrels. Just offshore, sea turtles are known to nest along the shoreline.

Day 9 - Galapagos Genovesa Island

A day on Genovesa Island offers a fascinating mix of dramatic landscapes and abundant wildlife.

Located along the southern edge of Darwin Bay, this remote island is one of the youngest in the Galápagos from a geological perspective. After landing, you’ll follow a 1.5 km trail across volcanic rock, a walk that typically takes around two hours and showcases the island’s rugged terrain and fragile lava formations along the cliffs.

Later, continue to El Barranco, also known as Prince Philip’s Steps. Here, a steep and rocky path leads up to a striking cliff-top viewpoint, rewarding you with sweeping ocean vistas. This area is rich in wildlife and vegetation, including palo santo trees, and is a prime spot to observe red-footed boobies, short-eared owls, Galápagos swallows and Galápagos doves in their natural habitat.

Day 10 - Galapagos Santa Fe

A day exploring South Plaza and Santa Fe islands reveals two very different but equally captivating sides of the Galápagos. Begin at South Plaza, a small island with dramatic cliffs formed by uplifted lava. Despite its size, it is teeming with life. The landscape is dotted with Opuntia cacti and is home to one of the largest sea lion colonies in the archipelago, where playful pups can often be seen along the shore. The island is also known for its striking land iguanas, whose yellow and reddish tones blend with the terrain. A highlight of the visit is the Sesuvium plant, which transforms with the seasons—lush green to yellow during the rains, and a vivid red in the dry months from late June through January. Later, continue to Santa Fe Island (Barrington), where a calm, sheltered bay on the north-east coast provides a picturesque anchorage. From here, two walking trails invite exploration. One leads up to a scenic cliff-top viewpoint with sweeping coastal views, while the other winds inland from a small beach through a forest of towering prickly pear cacti, offering a closer look at the island’s unique flora and tranquil atmosphere.

Day 11 - Galapagos Santa Cruz

A day on Santa Cruz Island offers a wonderful contrast between lush highlands and important conservation efforts. Your morning begins with a journey inland from Puerto Ayora into the verdant highlands of Santa Cruz. Travelling by bus, you’ll notice a striking change in scenery as the landscape shifts from arid coastal terrain to a deep green environment. Here, Scalesia trees dominate the landscape, creating a misty, almost forest-like setting unique to the Galápagos. A highlight of the visit is exploring the island’s lava tubes, vast underground tunnels stretching for over half a mile. Walking through these natural formations is a truly surreal experience, offering a glimpse into the island’s volcanic origins. Later in the day, return towards Puerto Ayora to visit the Fausto Llerena Tortoise Centre. This long-running conservation programme, established in 1965 by the Galápagos National Park Directorate and the Charles Darwin Foundation, plays a vital role in protecting the giant tortoise population, particularly those from Pinzón Island. During your visit, you’ll have the chance to observe tortoises at every stage of life, from tiny hatchlings to juveniles and impressive full grown adultswhile learning about the ongoing efforts to preserve these iconic creatures.

Day 12 - Galapagos Floreana Island

A day on Floreana Island blends fascinating history with unique landscapes and wildlife encounters. Begin at the Baroness Viewing Point, where easy walking trails offer sweeping views and a chance to take in the island’s flora and fauna. This site is steeped in intrigue, once home to a mysterious baroness whose story is linked to an unsolved murder. Continue inland to Asilo de la Paz, a hill rising around 450 metres, where you can visit a historic pirates’ cave and a rare freshwater spring, both tucked at its base and offering insight into the island’s past inhabitants. Later, visit Post Office Bay, where a centuries old tradition lives on. Established by 18th-century whalers, a simple wooden barrel still serves as an informal postbox, where visitors leave postcards and hand-deliver others upon returning home. The day also brings opportunities for wildlife and marine exploration, from the vibrant underwater world around Champion Islet, home to species such as the red-lipped batfish and blue lobster, to Cormorant Point, where a lagoon attracts flamingos, stilts and pintails. Nearby, the island’s contrasting beaches stand out, from the green hued sands rich in olivine crystals to the bright white coral shoreline.

Day 13 - Galapagos Española Island

A day on Española Island is rich in dramatic scenery and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Begin at Suárez Point, a spectacular coastal site where you can observe blue-footed Nazca and waved albatrosses, particularly during breeding season. The cliffs here serve as a natural launch point for the albatrosses, while the famous blowhole sends jets of water high into the air, creating a striking backdrop and excellent photo opportunities.

Later, unwind at Gardner Bay, on the island’s eastern shore, where a wide stretch of white sand is home to large colonies of sea lions. This peaceful setting is ideal for relaxing, swimming or snorkelling along the rocky edges. Nearby, Osborn Islet offers further opportunities to explore the marine life of the Galápagos, with sightings of sea lions, colourful reef fish such as parrotfish and butterfly fish, coral formations, and occasionally the distinctive red-lipped batfish.

Day 14 - Galapagos San Cristobal Island

A day around San Cristóbal Island showcases some of the Galápagos’ most iconic scenery and marine life. Begin with a visit to Kicker Rock, a dramatic volcanic formation rising steeply from the ocean, its twin cliffs separated by a narrow channel. Although there is no landing here, the surrounding waters are ideal for snorkelling, diving or kayaking, offering the chance to spot an array of marine species in this striking setting.

Later, head to Witch Hill on the island’s northern coast, where a powder-soft white sand beach and clear turquoise waters create one of the most picturesque spots in the archipelago. This is an excellent place for swimming and snorkelling, with the chance to see sea turtles, rays and various booby species. Continue to nearby Lobos Island, aptly named for its lively sea lion colonies, where you can also enjoy further snorkelling and spot blue-footed and Nazca boobies. Round off the day at the Gianni Arismendy Interpretation Centre, where engaging exhibits provide insight into the islands’ natural history, human heritage and ongoing conservation efforts.

Day 15 - Galapagos Santa Cruz Island

Your final day in the Galápagos begins with a peaceful visit to Black Turtle Cove, located on the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. Accessible only by dinghy, this quiet inlet is fringed by dense mangroves and offers a calm, sheltered environment for a variety of marine life. As you glide through the shallow waters, keep an eye out for black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles and an array of rays, often seen beneath the surface in this natural nursery.

After your visit, return to Baltra to disembark and transfer to the airport for your onward journey. From here, you’ll begin your journey home, typically connecting via Quito, bringing your Galápagos adventure to a close.