Compare Galapagos Adventure: Northern Islands (Grand Daphne) by Intrepid Travel vs Huaorani Photography Safari by Tropic Journeys in Nature

Day 1 Quito

The adventure gets underway in Quito, Ecuador’s sprawling but refined capital city. A welcome meeting will be held this evening at either 5 pm or 6 pm so that you can meet your fellow travellers, but aside from that you are free to check out the city on your own today. If you arrive with time to spare, perhaps head to Quito’s Old Town and pick one (or more) of the 30 churches to explore. After your welcome meeting, head to a small, local restaurant for dinner with your group. You can expect some pretty mouth-watering aromas from the fresh flavours of traditional Ecuadorian cuisine. Think quinoa, pork and vegetable dishes laced with local herbs, lemongrass and rich sauces all sourced from local farms. You might even get to try the traditional Locro (potato soup).

Day 2 Quito/Isla San Cristobal

Rise and shine! An early start is necessary this morning to make it to the Galapagos with time to play today. This could mean leaving as early as 4.30 am, and an Intrepid representative will confirm the exact departure time during the welcome meeting on day 1. Transfer to Mariscal Sucre International Airport (aka Quito Airport), enjoying a boxed breakfast en route. On arrival in the Galapagos, meet your local naturalist guide in the arrival hall and transfer to the Grande Daphne. Climb aboard and settle into your assigned cabin, meet the crew and listen to a safety drill. With the formalities out of the way, sit down to lunch and get to know your shipmates a little better. The first stop today is the San Cristobal Interpretation Center. The centre brings the history and geography of the archipelago to life, from its volcanic origins to the present day. Get a complete overview of the Galapagos, the perfect way to start your adventure. This afternoon, there will be an opportunity to travel to the highlands in order to view Giant Tortoises in a protected area. Please note that this will be your only opportunity on this trip to see these magnificent creatures, but the price is not included in your trip price. This optional excursion will take approximately 2 hours with a shared cost around US 120, though individual cost will vary depending on how many of your group choose to partake.

Day 3 Isla Santa Fe/Isla Plaza Sur

Take a walk on Isla Santa Fe, home to a collection of the most spectacular wildlife in the Galapagos. You can expect to see sea lions, Galapagos hawks, land iguanas, a variety of finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, marine turtles, frigatebirds, Galapagos doves and lava lizards. Phew. The approximately 1.5-hour hike takes you along the coast and through a forest of opuntia (prickly pear cacti). The trail can be a little rocky, so mind your step and wear solid walking shoes. Later enjoy a snorkel in deep water and look out for schools of fish, rays and sea turtles. Afterwards, continue to Isla Plaza Sur, a small, picturesque island. Take a walk (approximately 1.5 hours), getting close to sea lions and passing one of the Galapagos’ largest land iguana populations which rest among cacti. The southern cliffs of Plaza Sur are great for spotting tropicbirds and swallow-tailed gulls, as well as ‘the Gentlemen’s Club’ – a gathering of male sea lions. Today there may be an extra stop along the way to Plaza Sur to restock the provisions for the boat. Later tonight, set sail for Isla Genovesa. Estimated travel time/distance: Isla San Cristobal to Isla Santa Fe: 3.5 hours (26 nautical miles) Isla Santa Fe to Isla Plaza Sur: 2 hours (16 nautical miles) Isla Plaza Sur to Bahia Darwin (Isla Genovesa): 7.5 hours (59 nautical miles)

Day 4 Isla Genovesa

After an overnight sail, reach Isla Genovesa, the archipelago's north-eastern outpost. It’s undeniably worth the voyage. Dolphins are often spotted in the waters here, so keep your eyes peeled. These varied landscapes are a twitcher's paradise, with all three kinds of boobies, including the rare red-footed booby, making their home here. Next up is Bahia Darwin (Darwin Beach), another superb site with large breeding colonies of seabirds and frigates and other birds such as lava herons, swallow-tailed gulls, mockingbirds and, hopefully, vampire finches. Enjoy a moderate walk (approximately 2.5 hours) that passes tide pools, sea lions and diamond stingrays. This walk involves sand and some rocky sections. The steep Prince Philip's Steps lead you to the heart of the seabird rookeries, with birds overhead and nesting among the cliffs. Look out for storm petrels on the island’s rocky plains; Genovesa is the only place in the world where these birds can be seen flying during the day. Afterwards, perhaps cool off with a snorkel. The island's magnificent marine life makes for spectacular snorkelling – you might encounter manta rays, sharks, turtles and moray eels, plus many species of fish. Later tonight, depart Isla Genovesa for Isla Santiago. Estimated travel time/distance: Prince Philip's Steps to Bahia Sullivan (Isla Santiago): 8 hours (48 miles)

Day 5 Isla Santiago/Isla Santa Cruz

On Santiago Island's eastern coast sits Bahia Sullivan. Take a walk along pahoehoe lava (approximately 1 hour), which was created by an eruption that occurred here in 1897. With some luck you might see some marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs, sea lions, finches, turtles, sharks and penguins. During your walk, as always, your naturalist guide will take you through the geological history of the island. Travel to Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill): one of the best places to see land iguanas in the islands. From our dry landing, walk to a brackish, lagoon spotting lagoon birds such as stilts, pintail ducks, sandpipers, sanderlings and flamingos. Further inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western area of the archipelago. This area is a nesting site for land iguanas, which is constantly monitored and assisted by the Charles Darwin Research Station. The arid-zone vegetation makes for an ideal place to see Darwin's finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, the endemic Galapagos flycatcher and yellow warblers. The path can be challenging but it will be worth it for a spectacular view of the bay. Estimated travel time/distance: Bahia Sullivan to Cerro Dragon: 1.40 hours (17 nautical miles) Cerro Dragon to Black Turtle Cove :50 minutes (8 nautical miles)

Day 6 Isla Santa Cruz/Quito

Brave an early start to explore Caleta Tortuga Negra (Black Turtle Cove) on a Zodiac ride. This red mangrove wetland is located on the north shore of Isla Santa Cruz. A breeding area for green turtles, this is a good place to catch sight of them mating. There is also abundant bird life, such as the yellow warbler and lava heron. It is also a nursery for golden cow-nose rays, eagle rays and Galapagos sharks. This is your final excursion before you head to the airport in Isla Baltra for your flight back to Quito. The flight will stop over in Guayaquil en route, arriving at Quito Airport at approximately 4 pm. Enjoy a transfer back to your hotel. Your local Intrepid representative may stop by at your hotel this evening to get your feedback on your Galapagos experience. Estimated travel times/distance: Daphne to Isla Baltra: 15 mins Flight time Isla Baltra to Quito: approx 3.5 hours (including transit in Guayaquil) Transfer Quito Airport to Hotel: 1 hour (depending on traffic)

Day 7 Quito

There are no activities planned for the final day after breakfast. There are many fascinating things to do in and around Quito, so consider staying for a few days to explore. If you are planning to spend more time in this charming city, consider booking an Urban Adventure. These day tours are the perfect crash course in the city. Find out more at urbanadventures.com/destination/Quito-tours.

Day 1: Coca to Huaorani

From Coca, we will drive through the jungle for two hours until we reach the Shiripuno River. Upon arrival to the Shiripuno Bridge, we will have a quick safety introduction before setting off on our journey upriver in motorized canoe. As soon as the canoe starts moving, our naturalist guide will begin to identify the different plants, birds and animals surrounding us. We will continue upstream until we arrive at the Huaorani Territory and Reserve and our confortable Huaorani Campsite. We will get to Nenkepare for lunch where we will spend the night here camping out in a well-constructed and comfortable campsite that is part of a community initiative. After lunch we will take an easy stroll to the cascade and back takes about three hours, and once you arrive at the waterfall, you can jump into the clear, energizing waters to recharge for the return walk. Along the way, your naturalist guide will point out the special features of the area influenced by the humidity of the falls as well as the special plants and animals you might have the opportunity to see. A small charge will be made to cover the costs of maintaining the trail.

This is a moderate hike of about 90 minutes, beginning with a short steep ascent after which you walk along the ridges of undulating hills allowing you views midway into the canopy, where you may see such birds as toucans, piping guans and hawks. Listen for the incessant call of the Screaming Piha, a loud but small bird that is rarely spotted.

PHOTOGRAPHY: _ Photographic session of the waterfall and surrounding landscapes. _ Night hike and Macro-photography of Amphibians and reptiles, insects and plants of the area.

Day 2: Yame reserve, Yasuni National Park and Apaika Community

Today we will head upriver on an hour canoe ride and stop at the Apaika community, which is set in the heart of the Yame Reserve, a 55,000-hectare protected area managed by the Huaorani Communities that inhabit this region and lead the ecotourism initiatives. Here you will visit Apaikaês mini interpretation center, where you can learn more about Yasuni National Park. You will also be able to join the community in some of its daily activities and share in its history, myths and magic. As you travel upriver on the beautiful Shiripuno River, keep binoculars and camera ready for such birds as striking Yellow-rumped Caciques, kiskadees, kingfishers, and egrets among other species.

Arrival at the Huaorani Ecolodge

Upon arrival at the intimate, safe, and comfortable Huaorani Ecolodge, you will get the chance to settle in and have lunch before taking a guided, introductory hike on the rainforest Discovery Trail. On this walk, you will learn about the Huaorani culture and the surrounding Amazon rainforest. After dinner, you have the option of resting up for the next day of your adventure or going on an exciting night hike with your local guide.

PHOTOGRAPHY:

- Daytime photography of amphibians, reptiles, insects and birds under natural light.

- Night hike in search of Amphibian and reptiles, insects and plants to photography/Search of Caimans.

Day 3: Learn about Huaorani hunting and survival techniques, hike through beautiful rainforest, cool off in a pristine jungle river, and meet the local Huaorani community.

Learn hunting and survival techniques

Today is hunting day! Huaorani survive in the forest by hunting monkeys, birds, other animals, fishing in the river, and gathering fruits, tubers, and vegetables. While you will learn about basic hunting techniques, donÕt worry, no animals will be killed. One of the main goals of this project is the preservation of traditional Huaorani practices to keep Huaorani culture alive and protect the rainforest. Therefore, after breakfast, a Huaorani guide will take you on a long nature hike into the forest.

The local guides will teach you how to set traps, make fires without matches, build a quick jungle shelter, use a blowgun, swing a machete, and catch fish in small creeks. Your guide may also show you which insects can be eaten, identify medicinal plants and explain their uses, and show you where they find clay for making pottery.

A swim and visit to the local Huaorani community

While hiking through the rainforest, you will enjoy views over the vast jungle canopy before eventually reaching the cool waters of a jungle river. While taking a dip in the river, local community members may join you to cool off in the waters. After going for a swim in the heart of the Amazon, you will be treated to a tasty lunch before a relaxed, informal visit at the Huaorani community. You will probably be invited to enjoy a bowl of ÒchuculaÓ (a sweet drink made from ripe bananas) and may get the chance to admire such beautiful handmade artifacts as woven hammocks and bags, traps, blowguns, and necklaces made from jungle seeds. You will also have the chance to visit the Bi-cultural Ecology Education project and learn how to harvest manioc, a Huaorani staple.

A visit to a community handicraft market

If you like, you can visit the communities handicraft market to purchase some of their hand-crafted products. Hand-crafted goods help the Huaorani maintain their culture, and buying such crafts provides direct support to the Huaorani families who make them. At the end of the afternoon, a pleasant canoe-ride takes you back to the lodge. After dinner, your naturalist guide will give a half hour talk on a subject of interest. Or, if you would prefer to go on a night hike, just let your guide know!

PHOTOGRAPHY

- Photography session of animals in the morning (session with sunlight/natural light). - Visit to Huaorani Community.

Day 4: An exciting day of hikes through pristine rainforest, canoe rides on oxbow lakes, and chances to see exotic rainforest wildlife!

A guided hike through primary rainforest

The day starts out with breakfast or an optional early guided walk in the forest followed by breakfast. This is followed by a three hour walk through primary forest with immense towering trees, crystal clear streams, and a myriad of bird calls from the jungle. The trail leads to a hilltop crowned by a massive Ceibo tree over 40 meters (131 feet) tall.

Peccaries, Leaf-cutter Ants, and a canoe ride

The trail then follows a path that parallels the Shiripuno River and crosses small tributaries, including one that occasionally hosts groups of White-collared Peccaries. You will probably see tracks of these wild, rainforest hogs, may smell them, and might even glimpse them. You will also see a huge Leaf-cutter Ant nest before reaching a small oxbow lake. A walk along the lake leads to a river where a canoe will take you back to the lodge.

Another canoe ride, a visit to a salt lick, and nocturnal animals

After a delicious lunch at the lodge, you will canoe back downstream to an oxbow lake known as the "Cocha Peque–a". At the lake, you will have a very good chance of seeing the extraordinary Hoatzin (one of the few birds that feeds almost exclusively on leaves), Squirrel Monkeys, Capybaras (the worlds largest rodent), Caimans, and might even see an Anaconda.

On the way back to the lodge, you will watch a salt-clay lick that is often used by various animals and birds. This is an excellent site for viewing rare wildlife and birds as many animals gather here to feed on the mineral-rich clay.

The return trip from the clay lick offers a chance at seeing nocturnal animals. Since many of the rainforest animals are nocturnal, this is your best opportunity to see some of these elusive creatures. You may spot various snakes, frogs, bizarre bugs, kinkajous, owls, and other animals.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Photography session of huge Ceiba Tress Search for wild peccaries Nocturnal animals and Macro-Photography.

Day 5: A memorable day punctuated by a canoe ride down the Shiripuno River and Toxic Tour

An early canoe ride down the Shiripuno

This day starts early to give a better chance at seeing a variety of colorful Amazonian birds on our way out of Huaorani territory. The tranquility of the morning will allow you to appreciate the true peace and calm of the rainforest, and is the perfect time to relax and engage in intimate conversations, reflect on the past few days of the journey, or to learn some Huaorani vocabulary. The effects of oil exploration on Huoarani lands

After returning to the campsite on the Shiripuno, you will continue on downstream by canoe to the infamous "Auca Road". On the way, your guides will start to tell you about how oil exploration has affected their lands. The Auca Road was built by oil companies in the early 1970s to search for oil on Huoarani lands and is named after the Huoarani as "Auca" is the name given to them by their lowland Quichua neighbors (Auca means "Fierce" or "Savage").

As you travel along the Auca Road, you wont help but notice the stark difference between intact rainforest and deforestation that occurs when roads are carved out of the surrounding jungle. This road is paralleled by pipelines that go from the Huaorani community of Tihuino up to Lago Agrio (the oil hub of eastern Ecuador) before the oil is pumped across the Andes to the Pacific port of Esmeraldas. This part of your tour illustrates the reality of the threats facing the rainforest and the Huaorani people as much of the road passes through land that was formerly forested and lived in by Huoarani peoples. It will also help you realize why your visit to Huaorani Ecolodge was so important!

After a 2 hour overland ride on the Auca Road, you reach the town of Coca.

PHOTOGRAPHY

- Take your camera and shoot the reality of oil exploration, an important testimonial of your visit and the treats the HUaorani people are trying to protect from using ecotourism as a tool for conservation.