13-Day Galapagos, Ecuador, Andes & Amazon: Ultimate Small Group Experience

Tour Overview

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrive Guayaquil

Welcome to Ecuador’s largest city. Evening walk along the Malecon 2000. Overnight in Guayaquil.

Day 2-4: Galapagos — Isabela Island

Fly to Galapagos, then boat to Isabela — the largest and wildest island. Day 2: Flamingo lagoons, giant tortoise breeding center. Day 3: Sierra Negra volcano hike (world’s second-largest volcanic crater), Volcan Chico lava fields. Day 4: Los Tuneles — snorkeling through lava tunnels with sea turtles, penguins, seahorses, and reef sharks. Fly back to mainland.

Day 5: Fly to Quito

Guayaquil to Quito. Afternoon at leisure to acclimatize to the altitude (2,850m).

Day 6: Quito Colonial Center

Full day exploring UNESCO-listed colonial Quito, Middle of the World monument. Evening Ecuadorian cuisine experience.

Day 7: Papallacta Hot Springs

Day trip to Papallacta thermal springs in the high Andes. Relax in natural volcanic pools at 3,300m surrounded by mountain peaks.

Day 8-10: Amazon Deep Jungle — Coca

Fly over the Andes to Coca, then motorized canoe 2 hours into the Amazon. Three days at Napo Wildlife Center or similar eco-lodge: canopy tower for birdwatching (macaws, toucans, parrots), canoe trails through blackwater creeks, jungle hikes, night walks, parrot clay licks at dawn, and visits to Kichwa Añangu community.

Day 11-12: Quito at Leisure

Return to Quito. Free days for optional activities: Mindo cloud forest birdwatching, Cotopaxi volcano day trip, or explore Quito’s museums and gastronomy. Farewell dinner on the final evening.

Day 13: Depart Quito

Depart Ecuador with memories of Galapagos wildlife, Amazon jungle, and Andean culture.

Inclusions

• 12 nights in premium lodges and hotels
• Daily breakfast + all meals in Amazon and Galapagos
• All flights (mainland-Galapagos-mainland, Quito-Coca-Quito)
• Expert naturalist guides (max 1:8 ratio)
• Galapagos National Park fee + INGALA transit card
• Premium snorkeling equipment

Why This Tour

• Small group (max 16) for intimate wildlife encounters
• Isabela Island — the wildest and least-visited major island in the Galapagos
• Deep Amazon experience at Napo Wildlife Center — one of the Amazon’s premier eco-lodges
• Perfect for photographers and serious wildlife enthusiasts

What’s Not Included

• Entrance fees to attractions
• Tour Guide
• Meal (lunch and dinner)
• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses