Amazon Luxury Cruise & Galápagos Island Hopping - 10 Days

Highlights

• Board a luxury cruise for a memorable Amazon adventure
• Explore rainforest lakes by kayak and visit the mythical Piranha Lagoon
• Stroll alongside Galápagos tortoises at the Charles Darwin Station
• Snorkel with penguins and sea lions in the rocky Las Tintoreras islet
• Spend a day on the coral sands of Tortuga Beach

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Quito, Explore

Welcome to Quito, the capital of Ecuador! This marvel of a city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, standing at an altitude of 9,350 feet (2,850 m) and welcoming visitors with its picturesque plazas situated between mountain peaks. Quito has an abundance of market stands, shamanistic healers, fourth-generation hat makers, and a vibrant and sophisticated culinary and nightlife scene.

This luxe holiday starts with your arrival at the airport. There, your personal driver will pick you up for the ride to Casa Gangotena. Located in the city's historic Old Town, this luxurious 5-star hotel is situated in a beautifully restored mansion overlooking Plaza San Francisco. Each of its elegant rooms and suites is outfitted with mod-cons and luxury amenities, from flat-screen TVs to plush bedding. You can dine at the hotel's gourmet restaurant, which celebrates traditional Ecuadorian cuisine, enjoy a smart cocktail at the classic mahogany bar, or relax in the garden amid lush greenery.

Spend the rest of the day exploring the city at your own pace. Visit the historic Old Town to discover the colonial churches of San Francisco, La Compañia, and other historical landmarks, or head to the fascinating Equator Monument, which also houses the Ethnographical Museum. If you're feeling adventurous, ride a cable car up the slopes of the nearby Pichincha volcano for dizzying views over the city from 12,942 feet (3,944 m).

Day 2: Fly to Coca, Board Manatee River Cruise, Night Hike 

Early in the morning, your driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you back to the airport for the 40-minute flight to Coca. Located in the northeastern Amazon region, on the banks of the Río Napo, this small city is where your epic rainforest adventure begins. A transfer will take you to the city's dock, where you'll board a motorized canoe for a 90-minute journey down the river.

Enjoy the lush beauty of the Amazon and Yasuni National Park en route before reaching the Manatee Amazon Explorer. This 5-star riverboat features river-facing suites with balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows to ensure you don't miss a bit of riverine scenery. Moreover, the suites are equipped with creature comforts, befitting a luxury hotel, which include plush beds, air-conditioning, and en suite baths with hot water and whirlpool tubs. For a bit of fun and relaxation, head to the top decks, where you can sip a cocktail at the bar or soak in the outdoor hot tub.

After receiving a warm welcome aboard from the ship's staff, local expert naturalist guides will join you for a brief, informative introduction to the Ecuadorian Amazon. Afterward, guests can explore the cruise ship and admire the rainforest landscape as you glide down the Río Napo. After a delicious dinner, disembark to take a nighttime forest walk to hear the sounds of the rainforest and observe nocturnal wildlife before returning to the cruise for a restful evening on the river.

Day 3: Manatee River Cruise: Piranha Lagoon Kayaking & Barbecue 

Travel downstream today to the Pañayacu River Delta, where you'll embark on a canoe trip to Pañacocha. Known as "Piranha Lagoon" in the native Kichwa language, this rich ecosystem is flooded by river water, creating the perfect habitat for piranhas, paíche or pirarucu (one of the world's largest freshwater fish), white caiman, and hundreds of other aquatic animals. The surrounding rainforest is home to primates and various bird species, which you can spot on a walk with your guides.

Recharge your energy with an Amazon-style barbecue at a community camp, and after a short rest, enjoy some more aquatic activities such as kayaking and/or swimming. Back on board the Manatee, your guides will give another engaging talk on the region before dinner.

Day 4: Manatee River Cruise: Parrot Clay Licks & Native Amazon Communities

Set out early in your motorized canoes today to witness one of the most incredible sights on this side of the western Amazon—the famous parrot clay licks. This unique place is rich in minerals and attracts hundreds of colorful parrots, parakeets, and Amazon birds who meet up here to lick the clay, which provides a healthy boost to their digestion.

In the afternoon, stop to visit the Kichwa Women's Community Project, where you'll learn about the Indigenous lifestyle and ancestral culture along the Río Napo. You'll also have the opportunity to support the local community by purchasing handicrafts, local products, and souvenirs, as well as participating in the Charapas Turtle Conservation program.

Day 5: Return to Puerto Providencia, Transfer to Coca, Fly to Quito

Savor a final morning on the river as your Amazon adventure comes to an end. After returning to Puerto Providencia, you'll disembark from the Manatee Amazon Explorer and ride back to the city of Coca in a motorized canoe. Landing at Coca, you'll be met and transferred to the airport to catch a short flight back to Quito.

Upon arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport, your driver will pick you up for a quick ride to your nearby accommodation: Wyndham Quito. This 4-star hotel's primary feature is that it's conveniently located near the airport—however, it doesn't skimp on amenities. After checking in, you can take a dip in the indoor pool, indulge in a spa treatment, or relax in your spacious room or suite. For dinner, check out Gran Condor, the hotel's main restaurant, which serves international and local dishes with fresh ingredients.

Day 6: Fly to the Galápagos, Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station

The big day is here! Today, you'll transfer to the airport to catch your flight to the Galápagos Islands. After arriving at Baltra Airport, your guide will take you to nearby Isla Santa Cruz. Enjoy lunch at a local farm in the highlands, followed by observing giant turtles in the wild. Then, continue to Puerto Ayora and hop in a boat for a speedy ride to nearby Finch Bay.

Sitting on this secluded beachfront location is your accommodation: Finch Bay Galápagos Hotel. With its eco-friendly design and gorgeous freshwater pool, Finch Bay is everything you could want in a resort-style Gálapagos experience. The spacious rooms and suites feature private terraces with hammocks, plus modern baths with rainfall showers. The hotel offers kayaks and bicycles for guest use, and when you get hungry, you can grab a bite at the Finch Bay Restaurant, which focuses on fresh seafood utilizing locally sourced ingredients.

In the afternoon, you'll head to the Charles Darwin Station, where scientists from all over the world meet and work together on environmental projects such as water analysis, animal protection, and the effects of tourism on nature. Here, you can pay a memorable visit to the turtle rearing station, where the animals are raised before being released into the wild. Make sure to keep an eye out for the many basking land iguanas that live around the station.

Day 7: Speedboat to Isla Isabela, Snorkeling & Wildlife at Las Tintoreras

Start your morning with a two-hour speed boat trip to Isla Isabela. There, you'll check into your hotel, Albemarle. It sits on the soft white sands of Cuna del Sol Beach and features expansive suites with private balconies. Even better, the on-site restaurant serves meals at all hours of the day amid prime ocean views. The hotel also arranges tours and activities, so after arriving, make your way to the Flamingo Lagoon or the Giant Tortoise Breeding Station to learn about the local wildlife.

After lunch, join a group tour to visit the Tintoreras Islet for a short hike and some snorkeling. Here, you can see Humboldt penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions, and sharks, which rest in the natural channels formed by lava flows. As you snorkel in the turquoise waters, you'll spot colorful fish, sea turtles, rays, and penguins. The rest of your evening is free, with an overnight stay on Isla Isabela.

Day 8: Speedboat to Isla Santa Cruz, Hike, Kayak & Snorkel Tortuga Bay

Early this morning, take the speedboat back to Isla Santa Cruz, where you'll spend the day exploring this area on foot and by water. Start with a 45-minute hike from Puerto Ayora to the heavenly Tortuga Bay. Famed for its soft coral sand and spectacular scenery, this stretch of coast is considered one of the archipelago's most picturesque spots.

Take a kayak out onto the water to see marine life up close and admire the coastline from a different perspective—observing colonies of marine iguanas and marine birds, as well as mangroves, cactuses forests, and fascinating coastal flora. After kayaking, sunbathe on the beach or head back under the waves for some afternoon snorkeling before returning to Puerto Ayora for the evening.

Day 9: Day Trip Yacht Excursion to an Uninhabited Island

Today, you'll travel by yacht to an uninhabited island near Santa Cruz. Depending on the weather, scheduling, and permissions granted by the national park, you'll visit one of the following islands: Santa Fé, South Plazas, Bartolomé, or Seymour Norte.

Each island is a marvel unto itself, offering spectacular scenery and opportunities to see rare wildlife. Santa Fé and South Plazas are home to endemic land iguanas, while Bartolomé is known for its beautiful lava flows. On Seymour Norte, look for frigate birds and blue-footed boobies. In the evening, return to Puerto Ayora to enjoy some free time.

Day 10: Fly to Quito, Depart

If there's enough free time before your transfer to the airport, do some last-minute souvenir shopping or take a final stroll through Puerto Ayora. At the designated time, your driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the Itabaca Channel, which you'll cross on a ferry. For the last part of your trip to the airport, take the public shuttle bus to the terminal, where you'll catch a flight back to the mainland and continue your onward journey. Safe travels!