zGalapagos & Kapawi in the Amazon

Check in to the 5-star Swissotel, wonderfully located in the heart of the city.

Fly to San Cristobal Island and transfer to your all-suite ship. This afternoon, step ashore to explore Wizard Hill, home to sea lions, Blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas. Tonight’s dinner is followed by the first of your informative nightly briefings from our top-notch shipboard naturalists. Meals B,L,D

Call upon Gardner Bay where your sharp-eyed guide will point out a wide variety of birds and animals including Hood mockingbirds and the Galapagos hawk. This morning, you also have the option to snorkel at Osborn Islet. In the afternoon, go ashore at Punta Suarez where a rocky coastline is home to Nazca boobies and colored marine iguanas. Meals B,L,D

A beach landing at Whale Bay reveals a wide variety of birdlife and unique flora. In the afternoon, walk along the spectacular red sand beaches and cliffs of Rabida Island, home to greater flamingos, Brown Pelicans, Galapagos mockingbirds and raucous sea lions. Meals B,L,D

Visit the Charles Darwin Research Center in Puerto Ayora to learn about the important work being done to preserve the islands’ natural heritage. After lunch, go ashore on Plazas Island for up-close encounters with Sally Lightfoot crabs, land iguanas and maybe even the magnificent frigate bird. Meals B,L,D

Disembark your ship on Baltra Island and transfer to the airport for your included flight to Quito. Upon arrival, transfer to the deluxe Swissotel. Meals B

This morning’s sightseeing takes you from the surrounding mountains into the historic heart of the city, home to the Metropolitan Cathedral, Government Palace and Plaza San Francisco. After lunch in Old Quito, continue along the Panamerican Highway into the picturesque mountain landscapes of the Patate Valley, arriving in Baños for dinner and a tranquil overnight at Hacienda Leito. Meals B,L,D

Drive to Shell, then fly over a vast expanse of rainforest, traveling for about an hour deep into the remote territory of the Achuar Nation. Upon arrival, your Achuar guides will paddle you from the airstrip by dugout canoe to their award-winning Kapawi Ecolodge. Meals B,D

In one of the most remote and well-protected regions of the Amazon Basin, the Achuar Territory comprises nearly 2 million acres of rainforest untouched by logging, mining or oil extraction. Here in 74 communities scattered through the jungle, 7,000 Achuar Indians live much as they have for generations, with many of them now involved in the daily operation of the Kapawi Ecolodge which they now own. During your stay, you will participate in a variety of included Amazon explorations – picking the ones best suited to your interests and physical condition. Every group is accompanied by both a trained naturalist and a native-born Achuar guide. Meals B,L,D

Enjoy another day with your naturalists and Achuar guides, selecting the rainforest activities that best suit your interests and desired level of activity for the day. Birdwatchers can arise early for a light breakfast at 6:00am in order to better observe colorful Amazon species during their early morning hours of heightened activity – including at a nearby clay lick. A hearty buffet breakfast will be served at 8:00am.

Many of our guests choose to visit one of the Achuar communities located close to the Lodge. Before setting out along well-defined jungle trails, you’ll receive a briefing about Achuar cultural norms and guidelines on appropriate behavior. Canoe and kayak excursions are a great way for the more adventurous guests to experience the extraordinary flora and fauna of the Amazon. Meals B,L,D

Early risers might join a pre-breakfast excursion to a nearby Achuar community to participate in an ancient ritual centered on Guayusa, a traditional Achuar beverage used to cleanse the body and spirit. You might even have the opportunity to meet with a community elder for a dream interpretation. After breakfast back at camp, you will again be able to choose the activities best suited to you, ranging from short walks along well-defined trails and extensive hikes deep into virgin territory to explorations by canoe and kayak to search for exotic wildlife including caimans and pink river dolphins. The Amazon region around Kapawi is also a birdwatcher’s paradise; there are more species of birds found in the vicinity than in all of North America. Evening excursions are also available to search for nocturnal species. Meals B,L,D

Depart Kapawi by canoe this morning and then fly back to Shell where you continue overland to the Swissotel in Quito. Meals B

Your tour with us finishes this morning. Meals B