Travel to this outstanding region and combine two of South America’s finest wildlife destinations - the Amazon and the unique Galápagos Islands.
The Amazon rainforest is a rich paradise, home to an incredible diversity of mammals, birds, and fish. Nestled within this lush wilderness, Napo Wildlife Centre serves as the perfect base for exploring the dense jungle. From this comfortable eco-lodge in the heart of the jungle, you traverse winding trails and navigate meandering rivers, and discover its colourful and varied wildlife.
Continuing your journey to the Galapagos Islands, you board your vessel and sail from island to island, exploring this unique volcanic landscape. Enjoy close encounters with its prolific birdlife and fearless land and sea-dwelling wildlife, including, Galapagos sea lion, land and marine iguana, giant tortoise, blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds.
The itinerary shown below is based on travelling on board Beluga, however we offer a variety of other vessels to suit all budgets. Please contact us for more information.
Suggested Itinerary
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Day 1:
Fly to Quito
Fly from London to Quito, arriving later the same day. On arrival you're met by one of our representatives and transferred to your hotel.
Accommodation: La Casona de la Ronda, 1-night
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Day 2:
Fly to the Amazon
Departing Quito, a 30-minute flight over the eastern Andes mountain range takes you to Coca, where you then board a motorised canoe along the Napo River for around two and a half hours, with lunch en route. After arriving at the lodge's entry dock, you disembark and then take a peaceful dugout canoe ride, paddling along a narrow creek that connects to the lake where the lodge is located. There are good possibilities of monkey sightings, in addition to large birds such as toucans, parrots or even macaws. You should arrive at the lodge in the late afternoon, and after dinner there's an optional caiman observation around the lake.
Accommodation: Napo Wildlife Lodge, 3-nights
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Day 3:
Rainforest activities: canopy walkway, trail walks
An early start takes you to the best and easy access parrot clay licks in Ecuador, about one hour away from the lodge, reaching them at around 8 o'clock. A total of 11 species of parrots, parakeets and macaws can be seen. Later, hike along the forest trails to visit the Quichua community of Añangu and spend some time with a family there. Return to the creek and hike through the forest for about 30 minutes until you reach the second parrot clay lick where (subject to weather conditions) you can see different species of parrots, parakeets and even macaws.
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Day 4:
Rainforest activities: canopy walkway, trail walks
After an early breakfast, depart from the lodge to the 36-metre canopy tower on the Napo, a great way to experience the life above the forest floor. You should see flocks of colourful tanagers pass right through the canopy, blue macaws and yellow macaws; birds that are virtually impossible to see from the forest floor far below are suddenly right beside you, oblivious to your presence. After lunch back at the lodge, you can hike along primary forest to discover the forest interior, with possibilities of finding lizards, or the unique and endemic golden mantle tamarin monkeys. After the hike, explore the lake and creeks by dugout canoe, with chances of running into a giant otter family on the way.
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Day 5:
Fly to Quito
An early departure takes you on your last excursion, canoeing back to the Napo River; the creek may reveal new sights of giant otters, monk saki monkeys or many other rare birds. Then it's time to board the motorised canoe to return to Coca, and a flight back to Quito.
Accommodation: La Casona de la Ronda, 1-night
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Days 6-12
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Fly to the Galapagos Islands
Fly to the Galapagos Islands (included), where you transfer to your vessel.
Over the next few days, explore the Galapagos archipelago with its unique biological identity. You should see a phenomenal amount of wildlife as you cruise from island to island, and encounter sea lions, land iguanas, frigatebirds, giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies to name a few. Choose your preferred expedition voyage from our Eastern Galapagos Highlights or Western Galapagos Highlights.
Accommodation: Beluga, 7-nights
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Day 13:
Disembark and fly home
This morning, you visit Black Turtle Cove, located on the north side of Santa Cruz. At certain times of year, you can see nesting marine turtles. Rays, sharks, and pelicans can also be found here. Afterwards, disembark and return to the mainland for your return flight back to the UK.
EXPEDITION VESSEL
LUXURY VESSEL
