Compare Galápagos Expedition: Darwin’s Playground, Central and North by Quark Expeditions vs Ecuador in 11 days - Private Amazon & Galapagos Experience - Charm by Exoticca
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 10 days | 11 days |
| Price From | $ 5,998 | $ 2,899 |
| Price Per Day | $ 600 | $ 264 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small ship cruise | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | 10 breakfasts and Full-Board in Amazon. |
| Description |
Exploring the Galapagos Islands is never mundane, and from the time you board our small expedition ship Evolution, you’ll recognize this as the adventure of a lifetime. Stroll among pricklypear cactus and look for yellow land iguanas on one of the smallest islands of the archipelago. Take a Zodiac cruise, or frolic in waters teeming with marine life. Genovesa Island, often called “Bird Island”, is home to one of the largest and most diverse bird populations in the Galapagos - bird species here include red-footed boobies, short-eared owls and the rare lava gull. A true highlight is your opportunity to swim, kayak or snorkel in the water-filled calderas of extinct volcanoes! Wrap it up with a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you can learn about conservation efforts on the islands, and see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. |
Discover Ecuador on an unforgettable private journey from the tropical Amazon rainforest to the wildlife-rich Galapagos Islands. Touch down in Quito, the historic Andean capital, before exploring the amazing Amazon in Tena. The island of San Cristobal is your gateway to the Galapagos Islands as you search for blue-footed boobies and sea turtles, before ending your adventure in Guayaquil. |
Day 1: Arrive Guayaquil, Ecuador
Fly independently to Guayaquil, Ecuador, and transfer to the preexpedition hotel.
Day 2: Embarkation Day, Playa Ochoa and Kicker Rock
Fly to the islands, landing on San Cristobal, and board the Evolution. Stroll along the beach at Playa Ochoa, where a nearby tidal lagoon plays host to flamingos, finches and Chatham mockingbirds. At sunset, we cruise around Kicker Rock.
Day 3: South Plaza Island
At only 426 feet (130 m) wide, South Plaza is one of the smallest islands in the archipelago. Look for yellow land iguanas on a walk to a grove of pricklypear cactus. Non-hikers can enjoy a Zodiac cruise, watching for swallowtailed gulls, red-billed tropicbirds and blue-footed boobies. Since there is no true trail on Mosquera Islands, you are able to stroll at your leisure.
Day 4: Sombrero Chino Island / Santiago Island: Puerto Egas
The tiny uplifted island of Sombrero Chino – or Chinese Hat – features a primeval landscape of volcanic rubble and lava tubes. The “land” is made of a few adjacent craters and old, fragile pahoehoe lava flows. Vegetation is just starting to take hold, including colorful carpetweed plants. Enjoy a Zodiac cruise and swim before lunch. This afternoon, search the tide pools of Puerto Egas for sea life. During low tide, we may see marine iguanas feeding on algae. Our naturalists will point out the birdlife, including great blue herons, lava herons, oystercatchers and yellowcrowned night herons.
Day 5: Genovesa Island
Genovesa is often referred to as “Bird Island” for the vast numbers of pelagic seabirds that come here to nest. And while Genovesa harbors one of the Galapagos’ largest and most diverse bird populations, there are no land reptiles — with the exception of some very small marine iguanas. This is due to the direction of the ocean currents, which couldn’t carry the terrestrial animals here. Climb Prince Philip’s Steps to an area with colonies of red-footed boobies. Watch for short-eared owls which feed on the petrels that fly about. Explore Darwin Bay, home to the rare lava gull. While anchored at Genovesa, enjoy an opportunity to swim, kayak and snorkel in the calm caldera of this partially eroded volcano.
Day 6: North Seymour Island / Santa Fe Island
North Seymour is the nesting site for a large population of magnificent frigate birds and the only place where we can always find males showing their red pouches to attract females. Plus, we are sure to see blue-footed boobies perform their comical courtship dance in the open areas. Hike to a scenic lagoon, where we may observe Galapagos hawks, mockingbirds and a variety of Darwin’s finches. You may kayak and snorkel from the beach.
Day 7: Floreana Island
Hike to Post Office Bay, once used by navigators to send mail with homebound messengers. Swim and kayak in the bay before a walk along the olivine beaches of Punta Cormorant. After hiking to a flamingo lagoon, spot fish and sea turtles during a relaxing stroll along the beach. Enjoy superb snorkeling at Devil’s Crown, where sea water has filled the sunken cone of an extinct volcano.
Day 8: Santa Cruz Island
Begin at the Charles Darwin Research Station, learning about work being done to preserve Galapagos wildlife. Head into the forested highlands, with ample opportunity to see giant tortoises in their verdant habitat. Walk through the forest surrounding a pair of pit craters, an excellent place to spot vermillion flycatchers. Time permitting, walk underground to explore a lava tube.
Day 9: Depart Galápagos for Mainland Ecuador
Enjoy a Zodiac cruise through Black Turtle Cove, drifting silently through this area of mangroves. Fly to Guayaquil, with time to relax at the post-expedition hotel.
Day 10: Depart Guayaquil
Board independent flights home.
Day 1: US - Quito
Arrive at your US departure airport, ready for a flight to Quito. Arrive in Quito, the capital of Ecuador and a city famed for its high vantage point in the Andean mountains and its ancient Incan significance. Private transfer to your hotel and overnight stay in Quito. If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
Day 2: Quito
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day in Quito at your leisure taking some time to enjoy the beautiful climate and natural environment. We recommend enjoying our excursion to Otavalo* or booking our Pack of 3 Excursions**. Overnight stay in Quito. * Optional Otavalo Tour: Otavalo is the capital of Cantón and is a predominantly indigenous city in the Imbabura province of Ecuador. The city has about 90,000 inhabitants and is surrounded by the peaks of Imbabura, Cotacachi, and the Mojanda volcanoes. You will be transported by your private driver and will enjoy tasting custard apples and biscuits before heading to visit Cotacachi and Cuicocha. ** Optional Experience Ecuador - Pack of 3 Excursions: Experience Ecuador to the fullest with this pack of three excursions. Visit the famous Quilotoa Crater Lake on an excursion through the Andean Mountains to discover the local culture and natural wonders of the Andes. In the Galapagos Islands, enjoy an authentic cooking class on Playa Mann in San Cristobal, known for its population of sea lions, to learn the secrets of the local cuisine. Finally, take a tour of Puerto el Morro in Guayaquil to visit a natural dolphin reserve, accompanied by a professional biologist guide.
Day 3: Quito - Tena - Amazon
Breakfast at the hotel. Set off into the Ecuadorian highlands and down into the rainforest, headed for Tena, in the Amazon. Continue through verdant landscapes towards the lodge, in the heart of the jungle. Along the way, you'll stop in Guango Lodge, where you'll see many species of hummingbirds. Arrive at the Amazon Lodge in time for dinner and enjoy a night-walk to admire the nocturnal wildlife as the rainforest comes to life after sundown. Overnight stay in the Amazon. Note: Activities in the Lodge are shared with other guests.
Day 4: Amazon
Seize the day and awake early for a short canoe ride upriver to visit the Parrot Saladero, a unique place where parrots and parakeets gather in order to obtain the minerals that help them to digest the fruits or seeds they eat. Hundreds of parrots descend to the clay wall to eat the mineral-rich soil. Return to the lodge for breakfast before heading out for a nature walk through the rainforest. In the afternoon, after lunch, visit an Amazonian Kichwa community to learn about their way of life and the interaction they have with the forest. Try a traditional fermented cassava drink and some of their traditional dishes. The visit ends with a traditional dance performed by the children of the community. Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. Note: Activities in the Lodge are shared with other guests.
Day 5: Amazon - Tena - Quito
After breakfast at the lodge, return to Tena and continue your journey, heading back towards the capital. At your arrival, meet a local guide who will take you on a fascinating guided tour of some most emblematic sights of Quito. Explore the Historic Center, declared a World Heritage Site for its great beauty, and also discover the city's traditional market where you can taste a great variety of tropical fruits grown in Ecuador. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Quito.
Day 6: Quito - Galapagos (San Cristobal)
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart to the airport this morning for a flight to the Galapagos Islands, a true wonder of nature known for its immense biodiversity! San Cristobal is the easternmost Galapagos island and is home to a rich array of unique wildlife, such as blue and red-footed boobies, marine iguanas and Galapagos sea lions. It's also the island that Charles Darwin first explored during his research into the islands. Upon arrival, private transfer to the hotel. Then, you'll have free time to explore the beautiful San Cristobal island on your own. Overnight stay in San Cristobal.
Day 7: Galapagos (San Cristobal)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today enjoy a private tour to the Interpretation Center & Tijeretas. There, you will get to know more about the formation of the islands, the arrival of humans and the importance of conservation. Then, during the 2 hours hike, you will find gorgeous views along the way and also a small cove in which you can snorkel. The rest of the day you be at your leasure. Overnight stay in San Cristobal.
Day 8: Galapagos (San Cristobal)
After breakfast at the hotel, the day is free for you to explore the Galapagos at your own. Overnight stay in San Cristobal.
Day 9: Galapagos (San Cristobal)
Breakfast at the hotel. Time at your leisure to continue discovering the island. We recommend you to visit some of the unhabitated islands around, you can book it at destiantion. Overnight stay in San Cristobal.
Day 10: Galapagos (San Cristobal) - Guayaquil
Breakfast at the hotel. Head back to the mainland, with a flight from San Cristobal airport. Arrive in Guayaquil, and join a private transfer to your hotel in the city centre. Guayaquil is the largest city in Ecuador and is located on the Pacific Coast. Later, enjoy a walking tour of the city, visiting the Malecon, Paque Iguanas and Las Peñas neighbourhood. Overnight stay in Guayaquil.
Day 11: Guayaquil - Night on board
Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, private transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US. Night on board. Please note: Depending on the flight departure time you may arrive back in the US today.
Day 12: US
Arrive in the US and end your trip.
