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ECUADOR: CANOPY TO COAST
Ecuadorian Amazon, Quito, The Galapagos
Ecuador is a country of striking diversity, where each region feels distinct yet surprisingly close at hand. On the coast, Guayaquil is both the country’s largest city and the main gateway to the Galápagos. In the highlands, the Andes offer sweeping volcanic landscapes, traditional markets, and historic cities like Quito and Cuenca, each with its own rhythm and character.
The Amazon adds another dimension, with lodges along the Napo River offering a front-row seat to extraordinary wildlife - colorful toucans, playful monkeys, and even the chance of spotting a tapir or river dolphin. Quito’s ornate churches and Guayasamín’s La Capilla del Hombre highlight the country’s rich cultural side, while Otavalo’s artisan markets showcase timeless craftsmanship. Towering volcanoes like Cotopaxi and Chimborazo frame the landscape, and the mainland pairs seamlessly with the Galápagos, where pristine islands and remarkable wildlife round out an experience that is both varied and unforgettable.
DAY 1
Welcome to Ecuador!
Upon arrival at Quito International Airport, you’ll be met by your private guide and transferred directly to your hotel. The evening is yours to unwind - enjoy a quiet dinner, settle in, and rest well before the adventure begins with your journey into the Amazon the following morning.
Where You Will Stay
Wyndham Quito Airport (4 star)
DAY 2
To the Amazon
Your journey into the Amazon begins with a short flight to Coca, followed by a private transfer and a scenic canoe ride down the Napo River. As you move deeper into the rainforest, the scenery shifts dramatically, and your arrival at La Selva lodge feels like stepping into another world. Staff greet you with refreshments and a warm introduction to your stay before you settle into the rhythm of the jungle.
That afternoon, a naturalist guide leads you on your first walk through the forest, where towering mahogany trees and the remarkable strangler fig set the scene. As daylight fades, the forest comes alive with the calls of diurnal and nocturnal wildlife exchanging shifts. The evening is rounded out with cocktails at the bar, followed by a relaxed dinner overlooking the rainforest.
Where You Will Stay
DAY 3
In Depth Amazon Exploration
Your day begins with an early breakfast before setting out to the lodge’s observation tower, rising 120 feet above the canopy. From this vantage point, your guides help you spot brilliantly colored birds and, with luck, troops of monkeys moving through the treetops. On the walk back, there’s the chance to learn about medicinal plants and the deep traditions that surround them.
In the afternoon, a guided walk along the Charapa Trail brings you to the lagoon, where wildlife gathers at dusk and the Amazon sky glows with sunset hues. As evening falls, you return to the water by canoe for a night excursion, spotlighting nocturnal creatures and enjoying breathtaking stargazing before dinner back at the lodge.
Where You Will Stay
DAY 4
All About The Wildlife
The day begins with a journey back to the Napo River to witness one of the Amazon’s most extraordinary sights: the parrot clay licks. Here, hundreds of parrots and parakeets gather in a dazzling display as they feed on the mineral-rich soil, a vital part of their diet. Afterwards, you’ll have the opportunity to visit a Kichwa community, where you’ll be welcomed by local women who share their traditions, stories, and daily life in the Amazon—an intimate cultural encounter not found on any map.
In the afternoon, explore the Garzacocha Lagoon and the Ceiba Trail, one of the most beautiful corners of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Wildlife abounds here, from families of monkeys moving through the canopy to the distinctive calls of howler monkeys echoing in the distance. As evening falls, join your guides for a nocturnal walk, when the forest comes alive with creatures and sounds rarely seen by day. Your final night at La Selva is marked with dinner and a farewell briefing, offering time to reflect on your Amazon experience.
Where You Will Stay
DAY 5
Quito
Your final morning at La Selva begins with an early breakfast before departing by canoe back along the Napo River to Coca. The lodge staff takes care of your luggage while you enjoy the journey upstream, and upon arrival you’ll be assisted at the airport for your flight back to Quito.
On arrival in the capital, you’ll be transferred to Casa Gangotena, a beautifully restored hotel in the historic center. The afternoon is open for you to rest, relax, or enjoy the city at your own pace before continuing your journey.
Where You Will Stay
Casa Gangotena (5 star)
DAYS 6-12
The Galapagos
Your Galápagos journey begins on San Cristóbal, where you’ll board your luxury yacht with Ecoventura. After a warm welcome from the crew and time to settle into your spacious stateroom, the adventure starts immediately as the yacht sets sail past dramatic volcanic formations and bird-filled cliffs. Evenings bring elegant multi-course dining, fine wines, and sunset views from the deck as your yacht quietly navigates between islands.
Days are a seamless blend of discovery and comfort. Guided Zodiac rides take you close to sea cliffs and hidden coves, while naturalist-led hikes reveal bird colonies, rare iguanas, and sweeping island vistas. Snorkeling is a daily highlight, whether alongside playful sea lions, Galápagos penguins, or schools of tropical fish. On Española, you may witness the courtship dance of the waved albatross, while Santa Cruz introduces you to giant tortoises in the highlands and the conservation work of the Charles Darwin Research Station.
Other days bring equally memorable encounters: the climb to Bartolomé’s Pinnacle Rock, sea lions basking on Sombrero Chino, the cactus forests and land iguanas of South Plaza, and the spectacular birdlife of North Seymour, where frigatebirds display their scarlet chests in courtship. Life on board is as rewarding as time ashore, with Relais & Châteaux dining, an open-air Jacuzzi, intimate lectures from your guides, and the highest level of personalized service. The week concludes with a champagne toast at sea—an unforgettable finale to a journey that balances comfort and adventure in one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations.
Where You Will Stay
Ecoventura's Origin, Theory, or Evolve
DAY 13
Farewell
After breakfast, you’ll disembark on San Cristóbal for a final visit to the Interpretation Center, where exhibits trace the human history of the islands. A short walk along the trails offers a last look at the landscape before your transfer to the airport.
From here, a quick flight returns you to Quito, where you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. The afternoon is free to rest and prepare for your onward journey.