“Spotting pink dolphins, being treated by a family of endangered giant river otters, caiman sleeping under our glass floor, seeing 18 macaws, and spotting birds and monkeys from the tower at dawn were highlights of Napo in the Amazon.
The Angel was perfect to explore the Galapagos. The yacht was beautiful, staff attentive, and food delicious. The adventures are what stood out most. We snorkeled with 4 giant manta rays, a large group of golden rays, hammerhead sharks, gorgeous fish, marine iguanas, and swam with penguins, sea turtles, and sea lions. The birds were not afraid of us and we got to see them up close. It is truly a magical place and I’d highly recommend it to anyone. Knowmad surprising us with a complimentary upgrade to a suite was amazing!
The planning and trip was so easy. After an initial call we were presented with several ideas and options with a range of prices. Krista, Carmen, and the Knowmad team handled every detail and it was perfect!
The Amazon, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands are incredible. If you are dreaming of a trip there, I’d say don’t wait! Two weeks was the minimum, as there was so much to see and do. It truly was an adventure vacation!”
– Heather, Custom Ecuador, Amazon, & Galapagos Adventure
2-week Galapagos, AMAZON, and Ecuador ADVENTURE
Explore this custom 2-week Ecuador adventure through the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon for inspiration and ideas.
WILDLIFE, NATURE, & CULTURE OF ECUADOR
Day 1 USA – Quito
Take an overnight flight, arriving in Buenos Aires the following morning.
- No meals – Patio Andaluz, 2 Standard Rooms
Day 2 Quito
Visit the equator and Intiñan museum to learn about the nations of the area. Enjoy views of the city at Panecillo Hill before lunch in Old Town. Visit the Plaza de la Independencia, La Catedral de Quito and the Presidential Palace before ending the day at a small Ecuadorian chocolate shop for a tasting.
- B, L – Patio Andaluz, 2 Standard Rooms
Day 3 Quito – Coca – Napo Wildlife Center
Transfer with your guide to the airport for your 30-minute flight to the Amazon Jungle. In Coca, transfer to the dock to continue for 2 hours by motor boat and 2 hours by canoe to Napo Wildlife Center, on the bank of Anangu Lake. Enjoy a welcome drink and briefing before relaxing in your private jungle cottage.
- B, L, D – Napo Wildlife Center, 2 Suite Rooms
Day 4 Napo Wildlife Center
Rise early to reach clay licks filled with parrots, parakeets and macaws. Then, visit Anangu and meet the villagers to learn about their culture before enjoying a picnic lunch at the observatory.
- B, L, D – Napo Wildlife Center, 2 Suite Rooms
Day 5 Napo Wildlife Center
Hike through the jungle to a 120-foot canopy tower to view the flora and fauna of the Amazon from above. Enjoy lunch at the lodge before hiking through the forest looking for amphibians, birds, and monkeys. End the day exploring the waterways by canoe and taking in an Amazonian sunset.B, box L – Senderos Suite and Apart.
- B, L, D – Napo Wildlife Center, 2 Suite Rooms
Day 6 Napo Wildlife Center – Coca – Quito
Return 3-4 hours by boat and onward to the Coca airport. In Quito, meet a Wyndham representative to take the hotel shuttle to your accommodations.
- B – Wyndham Quito Airport, 2 Rooms
Day 7 Quito – Galapagos
AM: Independently check-out and take the Wyndham airport shuttle for your flight. Meet a cruise representative at the ticket counter to check in and receive your ticket and INGALA card (INGALA card & Galapagos National Park fee are pre-paid). To ensure that no plants/animals are brought to the islands, your luggage will be inspected. The plane will likely stop in Guayaquil before continuing to the Galapagos (stay onboard). In the Galapagos, pass through inspection to stamp your Transit Control Card (keep with passport, needed when leaving Galapagos). Meet your Galapagos guide to board your cruise.
PM: Stop at North Seymour Island, formed by a series of submarine lava flows uplifted by tectonic activity. Possibly see Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and magnificent frigatebirds.
- B, L, D – Galapagos Angel, 2 Standard Cabins
Day 8 Santiago Island
AM: Visit Chinese Hat Islet. Its name comes from the distinct shape of the islet’s summit. This small islet is a great location to view many geological formations such as lava tubes and lava flows. Some of the lava formed underwater and subsequently raised above sea level. The presence of coral heads on the hardened lava displays this phenomenon.
PM: Visit Sullivan Bay, located on the southeast side of Santiago Island. A coral beach landing leads you towards a lava field as far as the eye can see. Hunt and peck over the two distinguished types of lava, pahoehoe and ‘a’a, for signs of plant life that have managed to emerge over the past 100 years since the most recent volcanic explosion. A truly amazing volcanic experience…up close and personal!
- B, L, D – Galapagos Angel, 2 Standard Cabins
Day 9 Genovesa Island
AM: Visit the white-sand coral beach of Darwin Bay, which heads a half-mile trail that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls can possibly be spotted here. Further down the path you will find tidal pools where sea lions often play. At the end of the trail, you will find a spectacular view of a cliff.
PM: Visit El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps. It is a steep, rocky path that leads up to a high cliff-face. Appreciate the marvelous view before continuing your tour of the island. Here you will find Palo Santo vegetation, and possibly red-footed boobies, short-eared lava owls, Galapagos swallows, and Galapagos doves.
- B, L, D – Galapagos Angel, 2 Standard Cabins
Day 10 Santiago Island & Rabida Island
AM: On the western side of Santiago Island at Egas Port, also known as James Bay, there are trails that lead to tide pools with lava lizards scattered along the trail, as well as the remains of an old salt mine operation. Fur seals and marine birds can be seen nearby and snorkeling can be enjoyed.
PM: Rabida Island (Jervis) is one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago and a great snorkeling site. Its famous maroon sandy beach and stunning lookouts provide wonderful landscapes. The island is a birdwatcher’s delight. Some of the rarest species are in abundance, such as nine varieties of finches, large-billed flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans. As well as a short hike, you will be able to snorkel with an array of colorful fish.
- B, L, D – Galapagos Angel, 2 Standard Cabins
Day 11 Santa Cruz
AM: The Galapagos Islands are known for tortoises. Today, visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center in Puerto Ayora, where giant tortoises are bred in captivity. Here, hatchling tortoises from 3 inches long to 4-foot-long adults of various subspecies interact with one another. The babies are kept here until they are about four years old and strong enough to survive on their own.
PM: Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz where the deep greens make for a beautiful contrast with much of the dry, lower islands. The dominant vegetation in the highlands is the forest of Scalesia trees creating the lush green color. The lava tubes, over half a mile long, are underground and walking through them is a unique, surreal experience.
- B, L, D – Galapagos Angel, 2 Standard Cabins
Day 12 Española Island
AM: Visit the spectacular Gardner Bay & Osborn Islet. After landing, you can walk across a lovely white- sand beach amongst a busy sea lion colony or dive into the water to swim with sea lion pups. You can also see curious mockingbirds on the beach.
PM: Visit Suarez Point. This area is great for spotting Blue-footed Boobies, albatrosses and Nazca Boobies. A beautiful site on the oceanfront, the large Waved Albatrosses use the cliff as a launching pad. The famous attraction is the magnificent blowhole, spurting water high into the air.
- B, L, D – Galapagos Angel, 2 Standard Cabins
Day 13 Santa Fe Island & South Plaza Island
AM: Visit Santa Fe Island, home to a small picturesque bay and anchorage on the northeast coast. The bay has two visitor trails, one leading to a scenic viewpoint atop a cliff and the other spanning from a small beach to a tall prickly pear cactus forest.
PM: Explore South Plaza Island’s steep cliffs formed by rising lava, now covered by Opuntia cacti. See sea lions, red and yellow land iguanas and a variety of birds.
- B, L, D – Galapagos Angel, 2 Standard Cabins
Day 14 Santa Cruz Island & Baltra – Quito –USA
AM: This morning, visit Black Turtle Cove, a shallow inlet surrounded by mangroves that is a haven for a variety of marine life. Below the surface of the water, you can see both black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, and a variety of rays. Please keep in mind that on this departure day your morning visit will be early and short, as after this final visit you will be transferred to Baltra’s airport to catch your flight back to the mainland. In Quito, exit customs and meet a Wyndham representative to take the hotel shuttle. Enjoy a room during your layover before taking the airport shuttle back for your international flight home.
- B – Wyndham Quito Airport, 2 Rooms
Day 15 USA
Arrive home.
Interested in creating your own incredible experience in South America? Give one of our Trip Specialists a call at 612-315-2894, or email us at [email protected] today!
Knowmad Adventures works closely with independent-minded travelers creating innovative trips to South America. Our specialists in Patagonia, Chile, Machu Picchu, Peru, Argentina, the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador and Antarctica are eager to collaborate and create a trip as unique and authentic as you are, and our experienced South American operations team guarantees you get an insider’s perspective, superior values, and a flawlessly-operated trip.
