Circuito 1: Quito -Otavalo - Galápagos

7 days/6 nights

DAY 1: Transfer to the Hotel Patio Andaluz, located at the colonial town in the center of the city. Time to rest and dinner

DAY 2: Breakfast. We will leave the hotel in order to visit the capital city visiting the colonial town with its stroll down cobblestone streets and through flowering plazas, Independence Square, the elegant cathedrals of San Francisco, La Compañía, the main cathedral, and San Agustín, Quito´s oldest monastery. Drive through the residential section and legislative palace (congress). Later we will drive to the Equatorial line monument Placed precisely at latitude - 0 -, the monument is known as MITAD DEL MUNDO. Proximity to this geographic feature gave Ecuador its name. Straddling the line puts one in both the Northern and southern hemispheres at the same time. Lunch in Crater Restaurant. Return to the Hotel and Accommodation

DAY 3: Breakfast. In the morning we will leave Quito to visit Otavalo Indian Market, the most important Indian fare in South America, where you can see a variety of handicrafts, ponchos, tapestries, etc. Return to Quito and accommodation in Patio Andaluz Hotel.

DAY 4(FRIDAY) : Breakfast in the Hotel. Transfer to the Quito airport to take a flight to Galapagos. Arrival by plane to San Cristóbal Island and transfer to the MV SANTA CRUZ, which will be anchored at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the provincial capital of the Galápagos Islands. Cabin assignment and lunch. After lunch, introductory welcome talk and boat drill.

Exploring the Coastline of Stephen's Bay, San Cristóbal (Chatham) Island

As we navigate the irregular coastline adjacent to Stephen's Bay, an odd-shaped rock called León Dormido (Sleeping Lion or Kicker Rock) will delight our first contact with this island. Later, our Expedition Staff will carefully select this afternoon's site for some rewarding wildlife observation. Some of the animal highlights to be encountered include a small sea lion colony, whose shores are also home to many sea birds, including frigate birds and blue-footed boobies. The chosen landing beach will offer a Guayaquil white beach, and a little inland walking may give us a close look at Darwin's Finches, and the island endemic San Cristóbal (Chatham) Mockingbird. Lava lizards are also examples of an island endemic species. Great landscape photography. These are the same shores that Charles Darwin sailed and walked upon, back in September 1835, as San Cristóbal was the first island where he set foot in the Galápagos. ECO Moment and briefing on the next day's activities, followed by a welcome cocktail offered by the Captain and dinner.

DAY 5 (SATURDAY)

Gardner Bay (Española (Hood) Island)

After breakfast, disembark at Gardner Bay (wet landing) for a short walk along the whitest coral beach you can possibly imagine. As you walk along the sand, the many tractor-like marks are evidence of sea turtle nesting. There is much to do here, and you can observe the sea lions' behavior, mockingbirds, and finches, enjoy the beach, snorkel, or ride the glass-bottom boat around nearby islets. Rewarding snorkeling at these locations. Back on board for lunch.

Punta Suarez (Española (Hood) Island)

Afternoon outing at Punta Suarez (dry landing) for an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April - December), Nazca (masked boobies), and the famous blowhole. Great hike for observing blue-footed boobies, swallowtail gulls, the Hood island mockingbird, red-green-black marine iguanas, and of course a rookery of sea lions right at the landing site. For those planning not to walk the entire trail, there will be a dinghy ride arranged along the coastline of Punta Suarez, followed by a very short walk under easy walking conditions. ECO Moment, briefing and dinner.

DAY 6 (SUNDAY)

Urbina Bay (Isabela Island)

Breakfast and disembarkation (wet landing) for a walk at Urbina Bay. This area went through a volcanic uplifting event back in 1954 leaving gaunt marine skeletons, which make the walk remarkably interesting, specially for understanding island colonization. This area is also home to large and very colorful Galápagos land iguanas, and the famous giant tortoises from the population of Alcedo Volcano. Swimming and snorkeling will depend on local sea conditions. Back on board for lunch. As we sail along the Bolívar Channel, astonishing views of the Galápagos' youngest volcanoes can be seen. The nutrient-rich waters of the west can also bring surprises like encountering sea birds feeding, dolphins, and possibly whales.

Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island )

The afternoon brings us to the youngest island, Fernandina. First, a dinghy rides to observe Galápagos penguins, as well as flightless cormorants and then disembark (dry landing) for a one-mile walk. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness with lots of wildlife. Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing their island habitat with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, and hawks. Lava terrain calls for good walking shoes. Snorkeling at this location depends on local sea conditions, and will be announced by the Expedition Staff. Farewell briefing and dinner.

DAY 7 (MONDAY)

Arrival to Baltra and transfer by bus to the airport for the flight back to the continent.

Circuito 2: Guayaquil-Galápagos

5 days/4 nights

DAY 1: Arrival to Guayaquil. Transfer to the Hilton Hotel Colon, where you will be able to enjoy the facilities of the hotel and rest or visit the city.

Lodging.

DAY 2 (FRIDAY): Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to the airport to take a flight to Galapagos. Arrival by plane to San Cristóbal Island and transfer to the MV SANTA CRUZ, which will be anchored at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the provincial capital of the Galápagos Islands. Cabin assignment and lunch. After lunch, introductory welcome talk and boat drill.

Exploring the Coastline of Stephen's Bay, San Cristóbal (Chatham) Island

As we navigate the irregular coastline adjacent to Stephen's Bay, an odd-shaped rock called León Dormido (Sleeping Lion or Kicker Rock) will delight our first contact with this island. Later, our Expedition Staff will carefully select this afternoon's site for some rewarding wildlife observation. Some of the animal highlights to be encountered include a small sea lion colony, whose shores are also home to many sea birds, including frigate birds and blue-footed boobies. The chosen landing beach will offer a coraline white beach, and a little inland walking may give us a close look at Darwin's Finches, and the island endemic San Cristóbal (Chatham) Mockingbird. Lava lizards are also examples of an island endemic species. Great landscape photography. These are the same shores that Charles Darwin sailed and walked upon, back in September 1835, as San Cristóbal was the first island where he set foot in the Galápagos. ECO Moment and briefing on the next day's activities, followed by a welcome cocktail offered by the Captain and dinner.

DAY 3 (SATURDAY)

Gardner Bay (Española (Hood) Island)

After breakfast, disembark at Gardner Bay (wet landing) for a short walk along the whitest coral beach you can possibly imagine. As you walk along the sand, the many tractor-like marks are evidence of sea turtle nesting. There is much to do here, and you can observe the sea lions' behavior, mockingbirds, and finches, enjoy the beach, snorkel, or ride the glass-bottom boat around nearby islets. Rewarding snorkeling at these locations. Back on board for lunch.

Punta Suarez (Española (Hood) Island)

Afternoon outing at Punta Suarez (dry landing) for an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April - December), Nazca (masked boobies), and the famous blowhole. Great hike for observing blue-footed boobies, swallowtail gulls, the Hood island mockingbird, red-green-black marine iguanas, and of course a rookery of sea lions right at the landing site. For those planning not to walk the entire trail, there will be a dinghy ride arranged along the coastline of Punta Suarez, followed by a very short walk under easy walking conditions. ECO Moment, briefing and dinner.

DAY 4 (SUNDAY)

Urbina Bay (Isabela Island)

Breakfast and disembarkation (wet landing) for a walk at Urbina Bay. This area went through a volcanic uplifting event back in 1954 leaving gaunt marine skeletons, which make the walk remarkably interesting, specially for understanding island colonization. This area is also home to large and very colorful Galápagos land iguanas, and the famous giant tortoises from the population of Alcedo Volcano. Swimming and snorkeling will depend on local sea conditions. Back on board for lunch. As we sail along the Bolívar Channel, astonishing views of the Galápagos' youngest volcanoes can be seen. The nutrient-rich waters of the west can also bring surprises like encountering sea birds feeding, dolphins, and possibly whales.

Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island )

The afternoon brings us to the youngest island, Fernandina. First, a dinghy rides to observe Galápagos penguins, as well as flightless cormorants and then disembark (dry landing) for a one-mile walk. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness with lots of wildlife. Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing their island habitat with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, and hawks. Lava terrain calls for good walking shoes. Snorkeling at this location depends on local sea conditions, and will be announced by the Expedition Staff. Farewell briefing and dinner.

DAY 5 (MONDAY)

Arrival to Baltra and transfer by bus to the airport for the flight back to the continent.

Circuito 3 : Guayaquil- Salinas-Machalilla- Isla de la Plata

8 days/7 nights

DAY 1: Arrival to Guayaquil. Transfer to the Hilton Hotel Colon, where you will be able to enjoy the facilities of the hotel and rest or visit the city.

Lodging .

DAY 2 : Breakfast at the Hotel. Transfer to Salinas. Lunch and dinner. Accommodation at Barcelo Colon Miramar.

DAY 08 : Breakfast at the Hotel. Transfer to the airport.

Circuito 4 : Quito- Chiva Express (Quito-Riobamba-Guayaquil)- Galápagos

7 days/ 6 nights

DAY 01: Transfer to the Hotel Patio Andaluz. Departure to the Quito scenic tour, where you will have the opportunity to enjoy the most beautiful views in the capital city. Lodging.

DAY 02: The adventure begins in Quito. The CHIVA EXPRESS train advances by the Avenue of volcanoes, with a shutdown in the Station of Machachi for the lunch, where you can go to the ceiling while the train crosses the flanks of Cotopaxi volcano. Later in bus to visit an indigenous market. Lodging in Riobamba with supper.

DAY 3: Early after the breakfast transfer to the train station to board the CHIVA EXPRESS. We will go trough a beautiful view to Alausi. The rails follow by the steep land, bordering the Andes and crossing bridges constructed over rivers. After a stop in Alausì we will go by the Nose of the devil, a zig - zag considered one of the most impressive works of engineering in the world. Return to Alausì. Later we will take the bus to Huigra station and again on board of the CHIVA EXPRESS to descend from the Andes highlands to the coastline. In the Bucay tropical coast route can be observed the changes from Andean ecosystems to different sort of vegetation. From Bucay continue by highway to Guayaquil, the biggest city of Ecuador. The trip finishes at the Hilton Colon Hotel in Guayaquil.

DAY 4 : Breakfast in the Hotel. Transfer to the airport to take a flight to Galapagos. Arrival by plane to San Cristóbal Island and transfer to the MV SANTA CRUZ, which will be anchored at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the provincial capital of the Galápagos Islands. Cabin assignment and lunch. After lunch, introductory welcome talk and boat drill.

Exploring the Coastline of Stephen's Bay, San Cristóbal (Chatham) Island

As we navigate the irregular coastline adjacent to Stephen's Bay, an odd-shaped rock called León Dormido (Sleeping Lion or Kicker Rock) will delight our first contact with this island. Later, our Expedition Staff will carefully select this afternoon's site for some rewarding wildlife observation. Some of the animal highlights to be encountered include a small sea lion colony, whose shores are also home to many sea birds, including frigate birds and blue-footed boobies. The chosen landing beach will offer a Guayaquil white beach, and a little inland walking may give us a close look at Darwin's Finches, and the island endemic San Cristóbal (Chatham) Mockingbird. Lava lizards are also examples of an island endemic species. Great landscape photography. These are the same shores that Charles Darwin sailed and walked upon, back in September 1835, as San Cristóbal was the first island where he set foot in the Galápagos. ECO Moment and briefing on the next day's activities, followed by a welcome cocktail offered by the Captain and dinner.

DAY 5 (SATURDAY)

Gardner Bay (Española (Hood) Island)

After breakfast, disembark at Gardner Bay (wet landing) for a short walk along the whitest coral beach you can possibly imagine. As you walk along the sand, the many tractor-like marks are evidence of sea turtle nesting. There is much to do here, and you can observe the sea lions' behavior, mockingbirds, and finches, enjoy the beach, snorkel, or ride the glass-bottom boat around nearby islets. Rewarding snorkeling at these locations. Back on board for lunch.

Punta Suarez (Española (Hood) Island)

Afternoon outing at Punta Suarez (dry landing) for an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April - December), Nazca (masked boobies), and the famous blowhole. Great hike for observing blue-footed boobies, swallowtail gulls, the Hood island mockingbird, red-green-black marine iguanas, and of course a rookery of sea lions right at the landing site. For those planning not to walk the entire trail, there will be a dinghy ride arranged along the coastline of Punta Suarez, followed by a very short walk under easy walking conditions. ECO Moment, briefing and dinner.

DAY 6 (SUNDAY)

Urbina Bay (Isabella Island)

Breakfast and disembarkation (wet landing) for a walk at Urbina Bay. This area went through a volcanic uplifting event back in 1954 leaving gaunt marine skeletons, which make the walk remarkably interesting, specially for understanding island colonization. This area is also home to large and very colorful Galápagos land iguanas, and the famous giant tortoises from the population of Alcedo Volcano. Swimming and snorkeling will depend on local sea conditions. Back on board for lunch. As we sail along the Bolívar Channel, astonishing views of the Galápagos' youngest volcanoes can be seen. The nutrient-rich waters of the west can also bring surprises like encountering sea birds feeding, dolphins, and possibly whales.

Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island )

The afternoon brings us to the youngest island, Fernandina. First, a dinghy rides to observe Galápagos penguins, as well as flightless cormorants and then disembark (dry landing) for a one-mile walk. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness with lots of wildlife. Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing their island habitat with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, and hawks. Lava terrain calls for good walking shoes. Snorkeling at this location depends on local sea conditions, and will be announced by the Expedition Staff. Farewell briefing and dinner.

DAY 7 (MONDAY)

Arrival to Baltra and transfer by bus to the airport for the flight back to the continent.

Circuito 5: Quito- Otavalo- Manatee Explorer

6 days / 5 nights

DAY 1 : Transfer to the Hotel Patio Andaluz. We will leave the hotel in order to visit the capital city visiting the colonial town with its stroll down cobblestone streets and through flowering plazas, Independence Square, the elegant cathedrals of San Francisco, La Compañía, the main cathedral, and San Agustín, Quito´s oldest monastery. Drive through the residential section and legislative palace (congress). Later we will drive to the Equatorial line monument Placed precisely at latitude - 0 -, the monument is known as MITAD DEL MUNDO. Proximity to this geographic feature gave Ecuador its name. Straddling the line puts one in both the Northern and southern hemispheres at the same time. Lunch in Crater Restaurant. Return to the Hotel and Accommodation.

DAY 2: Breakfast. In the morning we will leave Quito to visit Otavalo Indian Market, the most important Indian fare in South America, where you can see a variety of handicrafts, ponchos, tapestries, etc. Lunch in Pinsaqui Hacienda. Return to the hotel.

DAY 3 (FRIDAY): Breakfast. Transfer to the airport to take a flight to Coca. Arrival to the fluvial city Francisco de Orellana a petroleum production centres . Manatee will be waiting for us next to the fluvial city. First we will take a canoe and then we will board the Manatee Amazon Explorer to start one of the most exiting adventures in the tropical rainforest. The tour guides will explain us everything about the amazonic jungle with a wide variety birds, animals and plants.