We offer two jungle itineraries, one staying in a lodge and one cruising the river. Both itineraries include 4 nights in the jungle and offer the opportunity to follow jungle trails, visit lakes, see the wildlife and get an insight into the jungle way of life.
Jungle Lodge Itinerary
Sacha Lodge, Rio Napo
Day 1 (Wednesday)
Flight from the UK to Quito (3 nights).
Day 2 (Thursday)
Optional Colonial Quito excursion.
Day 3 (Friday)
Optional Otavalo excursion.
Day 4 (Saturday)
Morning flight from Quito to Baltra in the Galapagos. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz, where we see the work done in the conservation of the flora and fauna of the islands. We transfer to the Galapagos Voyager yacht, our home for the next 7 nights, where we have lunch. In the afternoon, we visit the the highlands of Santa Cruz, where there are giant tortoises.
Day 5 (Sunday)
Today we visit the islands of Plaza Sur and Sante Fe, both with sea birds, marine iguanas, sea lions and good snorkelling.
Day 6 (Monday)
We sail to Española, the most southerly island, and visit Punta Suarez, walking among the blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, waved albatrosses and other sea birds. In the afternoon we visit Gardner Bay, a beautiful beach which is excellent for swimming and snorkeling.
Day 7 (Tuesday)
This morning, we pass Leon Dormido, a sheer-walled tuff cone. On San Cristobal we visit the interpretation centre, and then Isla Lobos, a small island of rocky lava, with many sea lions and sea birds..
Day 8 (Wednesday)
This morning we visit Playa Las Bachas on Santa Cruz, a beautiful white sandy beach, ideal for swimming. In the afternoon, we visit Black Turtle Cove, where we ride by panga through the mangrove swamps, where there are rays, marine turtles and white tipped sharks.
Day 9 (Thursday)
Today we visit one of the most remote islands, Genovesa, an outpost for many seabirds. In the morning, we visit Prince Phillip’s steps, an excellent spot for snorkelling. On our afternoon walk in Darwin Bay, we may see red-footed boobies, masked boobies and tropicbirds as well as marine iguanas.
Day 10 (Friday)
After a long cruise, we arrive at Sullivan Bay where strange lava formations can be found. From there on we sail to Bartolome, where we can climb to summit of this volcanic island. From here, there are wonderful views. We can also snorkel with penguins in the surrounding sea.
Day 11 (Saturday)
Our final excursion to the Gemelos craters on Santa Cruz, before transferring to the airport for your flight back to Quito (2 nights).
Day 12 (Sunday)
A free day in Quito. Take our optional Bellavista Cloud Forest excursion.
Day 13 ( Monday)
Morning flight to Coca, then a two-hour motorized canoe ride down the Napo River to the Lodge on Pilchicocha lake, arriving in time for a swim. Visit the mini-tower to observe birds and watch the sun set. After dinner, take a walk to explore the forest after dark.
Day 14 (Tuesday)
A morning visit to the canopy walkway to observe the jungle canopy and the varied birdlife. Walk through an igapo forest, where native guides explain the medicinal use of many plants. After lunch, continue through the forest, perhaps seeing the dusky titi monkey.
Day 15 (Wednesday)
Take a canoe ride on Lagartococha lake, home to anacondas, caimans and capybaras. After lunch, fish for piranhas, then a silent canoe ride through the flooded forest, looking for sloths. A climb of a wooden tower built around an ancient kapok tree gives splended sunset views. We return to the lodge by canoe, taking an amazing ride through the night-time flooded forest.
Day 16 (Thursday)
An excursion to the banks of the river, where different species of parrot gather at a clay lick. Then visit a native settlement to learn their way of life. After lunch, follow a trail through the forest, with guides explaining the jungle around you.
Day 17 (Friday)
Return to Coca before flying back to Quito (1 night).
Day 18 (Saturday)
Flight to the UK.
Day 19 (Sunday)
Arrival in the UK.
Please note, jungle excursions may vary due to weather conditions.
Board
Galapagos Voyager: Full board
Jungle Lodge: Full board
Quito: Bed and Breakfast
Jungle Cruise Itinerary
Manatee Amazon Explorer, Rio Napo
Day 1 (Wednesday)
Flight from the UK to Quito (3 nights).
Day 2 (Thursday)
Optional Colonial Quito excursion.
Day 3 (Friday)
Optional Otavalo excursion.
Day 4 (Saturday)
Day 4 (Saturday)
Morning flight from Quito to Baltra in the Galapagos. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz, where we see the work done in the conservation of the flora and fauna of the islands. We transfer to the Galapagos Voyager yacht, our home for the next 7 nights, where we have lunch. In the afternoon, we visit the the highlands of Santa Cruz, where there are giant tortoises.
Day 5 (Sunday)
Today we visit the islands of Plaza Sur and Sante Fe, both with sea birds, marine iguanas, sea lions and good snorkelling.
Day 6 (Monday)
We sail to Española, the most southerly island, and visit Punta Suarez, walking among the blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, waved albatrosses and other sea birds. In the afternoon we visit Gardner Bay, a beautiful beach which is excellent for swimming and snorkeling.
Day 7 (Tuesday)
This morning, we pass Leon Dormido, a sheer-walled tuff cone. On San Cristobal we visit the interpretation centre, and then Isla Lobos, a small island of rocky lava, with many sea lions and sea birds..
Day 8 (Wednesday)
This morning we visit Playa Las Bachas on Santa Cruz, a beautiful white sandy beach, ideal for swimming. In the afternoon, we visit Black Turtle Cove, where we ride by panga through the mangrove swamps, where there are rays, marine turtles and white tipped sharks.
Day 9 (Thursday)
Today we visit one of the most remote islands, Genovesa, an outpost for many seabirds. In the morning, we visit Prince Phillip’s steps, an excellent spot for snorkelling. On our afternoon walk in Darwin Bay, we may see red-footed boobies, masked boobies and tropicbirds as well as marine iguanas.
Day 10 (Friday)
After a long cruise, we arrive at Sullivan Bay where strange lava formations can be found. From there on we sail to Bartolome, where we can climb to summit of this volcanic island. From here, there are wonderful views. We can also snorkel with penguins in the surrounding sea.
Day 11 (Saturday)
Our final excursion to the Gemelos craters on Santa Cruz, before transferring to the airport for your flight back to Quito (2 nights).
Day 12 (Sunday)
Free day in Quito. Take our optional one-day Bellavista Cloud Forest excursion
Day 13 (Monday)
A morning flight from Quito to Coca, from where you take a motorized canoe ride down the Napo River to Manatee Amazon Explorer. The boat then navigates down the river and the guides will explain the Amazon's ecosystem (4 nights).
Day 14 (Tuesday)
Morning walk through the forest to a lagoon, where we can fish for piranhas. We have a picninc lunch, before returning to the Napo River rowing along a small blackwater creek in a native canoe.
Day 15 (Wednesday)
An early excursion to the banks of the river, where different species of parrot gather at a clay lick. The Manatee then sails upriver, and you walk through the jungle to Limoncocha Lake, where over 470 species of birds have been recorded. You can also try piranha fishing here. At night, it is possible to spot black caimans on the lake, before returning to the Manatee.
Day 16 (Thursday)
Today you can row a canoe on a tranquil tributary of the Rio Napo to a native settlement to learn their way of life. Take a walk under the jungle canopy, where the enormous Kapok tree can grow to over 40m tall. There is also a fascinating Amazon museum visit, showing how people used to live in the rainforest.
Day 17 (Friday)
A final look at the jungle as the Manatee sails upriver, before you fly back to Quito (1 night).
Day 18 (Saturday)
Flight to the UK
Day 19 (Sunday)
Arrival in the UK.
Please note, jungle excursions may vary due to weather conditions.
Board
Galapagos Voyager: Full board
Jungle Cruise: Full board
Quito: Bed and Breakfast