Ecuador in Depth
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Overview
Highlights
- Explore historic towns of Quito and Otavalo
- Travel aboard 36-passenger, luxury riverboat Anakonda
- Canoe blackwater rivers, spotting caiman, manatee, monkey and sloth
- Visit indigenous villages in Yasuní National Park, learn their traditional life
- See scarlet and chestnut-fronted macaws at clay licks of the Amazon basin
- Incomparable Galapagos wildlife: penguins, tortoises and much, much more
- Snorkelling with sea lions, turtles, reef sharks, manta rays and marine iguanas
- Trek up the flanks of 5897-metre Cotopaxi, world’s highest active volcano
- Stay in traditional, exquisite haciendas and ride the famous Devil’s Nose Train
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Destinations
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Trip includes
- Ship's accommodation. All public areas are open to all passengers.
- All meals on board ship.
- All shore excursions from the ship including Zodiacs.
- Lectures, videos, slide and film shows and guide services.
- Basic emergency medical services.
- Port taxes and port charges imposed by government authorities.
- Pre-departure information and briefing.
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Itinerary
Check into your hotel in Quito and explore this magnificent city on a city tour including San Francisco Church, the Presidential and Archbishop Palaces and the Jesuit Compañía de Jesus. We also visit the Equator, Otavalo and Parque Condor.
We fly to Coca, catch motorised canoe down Napo River to Pompeya to be welcomed aboard MV Anakonda. As we continue overnight past Nuevo Rocafuerte on the Peruvian border we will receive introductory and safety briefings.
Explore Aguarico and Cocaya rivers, canoe Lagarto Cocha (small lakes and blackwater river), home to parrots, toucans, monkeys, tapirs, anacondas and caimans. Onboard lectures as we return to the Napo River tributaries of Yasuní and Tiputini.
Visit Indian school, motor into blackwater creeks in search of giant otters; visit a fantastic wildlife observation tower, spectacular parrot clay-licks and Limoncocha Biological Reserve, home to more than 478 bird species and black caiman.
We disembark in Pompeya, and board motorised canoes to Coca for flights to Quito, then transfer to our hotel with breathtaking views of Cotopaxi volcano.
We visit the majestic Cotopaxi National Park, the historic town of Cuenca, ride the historical Devil’s Nose train, stay in traditional haciendas and hike on 5897-metre Cotopaxi, the world’s highest active volcano. We watch for white-tailed deer, llamas, Andean foxes and the mighty condor.
After some further exploration, we depart for Ecuador’s largest city, Guayaquil. We visit the new urban areas and Las Penas, the city’s most charming district.
We fly from Guayaquil to Baltra to join our expedition ship Isabela II. We receive introductory and safety briefings en route to Santa Cruz, for a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Institute. We sail to northern islands including South Plaza and North Seymour with ...
On Bartolomé, the summit trail provides views of Pinnacle Rock. We enjoy the red volcanic beach on Rabida and the birdwatchers paradise of Egas Port on Santiago. On Santa Cruz we search for the unique roving Galapagos tortoises, and Floreana Island offers an opportunity to view the great flamingos and nesting sea turtles.
On Española Island we walk over lava terrain and see the famous blowhole. Then on San Cristobal, we visit the capital of the Galapagos Islands, taking in the Museum of Natural History and the Cerro Colarado Tortoise Reserve. We explore the tuff cone of Cerro Brujo, Pitt Point and Pitt Islet hoping to see blue footed and red footed Nazca, black-necked stilts and Ruddy Turnstones.
After our breakfast onboard M/Y Isabella II, we depart of the airport for our flight back to the mainland and Ecuadorian capital, Quito. Tonight we celebrate new friends and a wonderful adventure with a group farewell dinner.
After fond good-byes, we transfer to the airport.
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Aurora Expeditions.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Tour Operator
From the start, Aurora Expeditions was destined to be different. Co-founders Greg and Margaret Mortimer had a passion for adventure, exploring wild places and sharing the experience with friends and in 1991, Aurora Expeditions, named in honour of Sir Douglas Mawson’s ship, was born.
Their aim was simple - to take small groups of travellers on voyages of discovery to regions that inspired them, thereby creating lifelong ambassadors for the preservation and protection of these sacred places. More than two decades later, that pioneering spirit burns just as brightly, as does our preference for small-group, personal expeditions.
At sea, all of our expeditions are on ships of 60-passengers or less. We are one of the only companies operating trips of this size. Less people means more solitude and greater flexibility if tides, currents, ice or weather dictate a schedule change. And because we have less people to ferry ashore, we often make more landings.
Our treks in Nepal, Bhutan and Patagonia are limited to 16 expeditioners each. This ensures personal attention and a nice mix of people to share the adventure.
We make the most of our size advantage to create intimate expeditions varying in length from 10 to 23 days. Simply choose the region you’d like to explore, the amount of time you’ve got and what activities you enjoy. Focus on one destination or combine back-to-back trips for the ultimate adventure.
You’ll be accompanied by expedition staff we believe are the world’s best. Remote area specialists, their on-board lectures entertain and expand your knowledge.
Whether you’re joining us for the first time or returning for another thrilling adventure, our original goals remain unchanged. Explore wild places that stir the soul, offer personal attention on unforgettable expeditions and welcome new friends into the Aurora family.
Expedition Staff: Aurora is proud of its expedition staff and we are fortunate to have a team of expert naturalists, historians, earth scientists and special guest lecturers that make each journey an unforgettable adventure. Education and interpretation are key elements of our voyages and we have built up a team whose experience and enthusiasm ensures you come away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of these magnificent, far flung corners of the globe.
Why travel with Aurora Expeditions?
1. With over 200 voyages to Antarctica alone, we put the spirit in adventure and exploration by travelling to some of the most wild and remote areas in the world.
2. Our small ships carry only 54 passengers, allowing you to have a truly intimate experience with nature.
3. Our expedition staff are experienced, enthusiastic and among the best in the industry – they are our secret to success.
4. We push the boundaries of expedition cruising! Flexible itineraries , Zodiac landings , an ‘open bridge’ policy, onboard lectures and optional adventure activities such as sea kayaking, scuba diving, photography, climbing and camping!
5. We are proud to be the first Australian member of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) and Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO).
6. We are deeply committed to education and preservation of the environment, respectfully visiting these wilderness areas, creating lifelong ambassadors for their protection.
7. We love what we do! We are dedicated to providing a 'trip of lifetime' whilst ensuring the safety and well being of our passengers, crew and expedition staff.
Whether you travel on one of our Antarctica cruises, Arctic cruises or even our PNG and Kimberley cruises you will be expedition cruising, the Aurora way.
Our small, expedition-style Antarctic cruises are the best way to explore this incredible last frontier and as our past passengers will testify, our trips provide premium Antarctica travel experiences.
Whether you come face-to-face with a polar bear on an Arctic cruise; meet the local warriors in Papua New Guinea; are one of the first to explore a remote Russian island; or find yourself surrounded by hundreds of nesting penguins on an Antarctica cruise, our versatile itineraries allow all our expeditions, including our onshore Antarctic tours, to be individual and unique.
The choice is easy – when it comes to your next Kimberley, Papua New Guinea, Russian, Arctic or Antarctica tours – expedition-cruising, the Aurora way, will open your eyes to a world of discovery.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- Air transport to and from the ship not mentioned above.
- Visa, passport and vaccination charges and airport departure taxes.
- Hotels and meals not included in ship cruise itinerary.
- Optional excursions not included in the ship cruise itinerary.
- Laundry, postage, personal clothing, medical expenses, personal travel insurance
- Items of a personal nature such as bar charges and phone calls.
- Emergency evacuation charges.
M/V Anakonda is a purpose-built, 45 metre, 36-passenger expedition ship offering all inclusive comfort in the middle of the Ecuadorian Amazon. The observation deck with outdoor lounge and spa are ideal places to relax and enjoy spectacular views. Excursions are in fiberglass ecologic canoes equipped with four-stroke, low emission engines. The M/V Anakonda is truely the most unique way to experience the Amazon.
Staff & Crew: 25 Guests: 36 Length: 45 metres Breadth: 9 metres Decks: 4 Cruising Speed: 12 knots
Deck Plan
We recommend cancellation insurance. If it becomes necessary to cancel your expedition, we ask that you notify your Travel Agent or our Sales Team immediately in writing. Cancellation will take effect upon receipt by Aurora Expeditions of your written notice. Cancellation made before 90 days of expedition departure are subject to a non refundable deposit of $2,500, however your deposit may be transferred towards a different expedition for a fee of $500. Transfers are subject to availability and are only valid on expeditions that depart within 12 months from date of transfer and you are permitted one transfer only. Funds will not be held in suspense and new booking must be advised at time of requested transfer. You must pay the difference between the original booked price and the price of any transferred booking including the new deposit amount. If cancellation takes place less than 90 days prior to departure, you will be required to pay the full cost of the expedition.
All meals on board ship
Any person under 18 years of age must travel with their legal guardian. Travelling when pregnant is not recommended.
Health, Fitness, Trip Grades and Age Limits
It is your responsibility to advise Aurora Expeditions of any preexisting medical conditions and /or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase risk of you requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of an expedition and the enjoyment of other expedition members. You are required to provide an assessment of your medical condition from a fully qualified medical practitioner.
Aurora Expeditions reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your booking and refund the money paid by you, less any unrecoverable costs. Aurora Expeditions also reserves the right to cancel your participation in an expedition at any time, including after the commencement of the trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition and/or disability could be reasonably expected to aff ect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other expedition members.
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