Ecuador's Signature 16-Day Tour: Luxury Galápagos & Amazon

(Example itinerary - Subject to changes depending on the day of departure)

Your adventure begins with a flight from mainland Ecuador to Baltra Island in the Galápagos. Upon arrival, you will be directed to a VIP lounge where representatives from Pikaia Lodge will assist you. The journey to the lodge starts with a transfer to the Itabaca Channel, followed by a short 7-minute boat ride to Santa Cruz Island. A scenic 45-minute trip in private transport takes you up into the highlands to the stunning Pikaia Lodge, located in the heart of its own private giant tortoise reserve. After a welcome drink and a briefing, you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch before spending the afternoon at your leisure. You can relax by the infinity pool, indulge in a spa treatment, or explore the lodge’s beautiful grounds, keeping an eye out for its famous reptilian residents.

Your first full day of exploration takes you aboard the lodge's private yacht, the M/Y Pikaia I, for a journey to two remarkable islands. After breakfast onboard in your assigned private cabin, you will visit South Plaza Island, a small but spectacular island carpeted in red Sesuvium plants and home to a large colony of Galápagos land iguanas. You will also spot countless sea lions, red-billed tropicbirds, and swallow-tailed gulls. After a buffet lunch onboard, the yacht sails to Santa Fe Island, known for its beautiful white sand beach and a forest of giant Opuntia cacti. Here, you will be greeted by hordes of playful sea lions and have the opportunity for fantastic snorkeling in the turquoise waters, searching for sea turtles and marine iguanas. You will return to the lodge in the early evening for dinner.

Today you will explore the wonders of Santa Cruz Island itself on a half-day land-based excursion. After breakfast at the lodge, your guide will lead you on a morning exploration of the highlands. A highlight of this tour is a visit to a private estate like Rancho Chato II, where you can observe giant tortoises roaming freely in their natural habitat. You will also have the chance to explore the island's impressive lava tunnels, underground channels formed by flowing magma that you can walk through for over a kilometer. Another possible visit is to Los Gemelos, or the Twin Craters, which are actually giant sinkholes surrounded by a beautiful Scalesia forest. You will return to the lodge for lunch and have the afternoon free to relax and enjoy the facilities.

Another full-day yacht exploration awaits, this time heading to North Seymour Island, one of the most important bird breeding sites in the Galápagos. This flat, arid island is famous for its large colonies of blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigatebirds. During mating season, you can witness the boobies' comical courtship dance and see the male frigatebirds inflate their vibrant red gular sacs to attract a mate. After the hike, you will enjoy lunch back on the yacht as you cruise to Bachas Beach on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. This beautiful white-sand beach is a major nesting site for Galápagos green sea turtles. Behind the beach, a brackish lagoon is often home to wading birds, including flamingos. There will be time for swimming and snorkeling before returning to Pikaia Lodge.

Today offers another half-day of land-based exploration focused on the coastal areas and culture of Santa Cruz Island. Depending on the schedule determined by the lodge, you may visit the renowned Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora. Here, you can learn about the vital conservation efforts being made to protect the islands' ecosystems and see giant tortoises in various stages of development. Another possibility is a visit to a stunning beach like Tortuga Bay, a spectacular stretch of white sand reached by a trail through a dry forest, where you can observe large marine iguanas. Alternatively, you could explore Garrapatero Beach, a gorgeous sandy cove surrounded by mangroves with a freshwater lake that attracts flamingos. You'll return to the lodge for lunch, with the afternoon free for personal pursuits.

An early start is required for today's unforgettable yacht journey to Bartolomé Island, home to one of the most famous and photographed vistas in the Galápagos. Upon arrival, you will ascend a wooden staircase of over 360 steps to the island's summit. The reward is a breathtaking panoramic view of the twin bays below, set against the iconic backdrop of Pinnacle Rock. The island's beaches are also a place to spot the charming Galápagos penguin—the only penguin species found north of the equator. In the afternoon, you will make a dry landing at Sullivan Bay on nearby Santiago Island. Here, you will walk across a vast and surreal field of pahoehoe (ropy) lava flows, a testament to the powerful volcanic forces that formed these islands.

For your final full day of exploration, you will experience the marine environment from a different perspective aboard the Pikaia II, a smaller and more intimate vessel perfect for coastal tours. This half-day excursion focuses on providing an exceptional snorkeling experience in some of Santa Cruz's most beautiful and secluded spots. Depending on the season and conditions, you might visit La Fe, a pristine beach where you can snorkel in crystal-clear water alongside sea lions, marine iguanas, and rays. Another possibility is Playa Escondida ("Hidden Beach"), a rarely visited location accessible only by special permission, offering amazing opportunities for swimming and observing sea turtles. You'll return to the lodge for lunch and have a final afternoon to relax and pack, savoring your last moments in this magical place.

Your Galápagos adventure concludes this morning. After breakfast, you will check out from Pikaia Lodge and be transferred privately back to the Baltra airport for your flight to Quito on the mainland. Upon arrival in the capital, you will be greeted and transferred to a luxury hotel for an overnight stay. This relaxing evening in the Andes serves as the perfect interlude, allowing you to rest and prepare for the next phase of your expedition. It's a moment to reflect on the incredible volcanic landscapes and unique wildlife of the islands before you plunge into the vibrant, living world of the Amazon rainforest tomorrow.

Your Amazonian adventure begins in Quito, where you will take a short 30-minute flight to the bustling jungle city of Coca. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the main dock to board a motorized canoe for a scenic 90-minute journey down the majestic Napo River. As the urban landscape gives way to dense rainforest, the journey itself becomes an introduction to the Amazon's beauty. You will soon reach the M/V Anakonda, your luxurious floating home for the week. Once aboard, you will be greeted by expert naturalist guides who will provide a brief but informative introduction to the region. After settling in, the day concludes with a delicious dinner followed by an exhilarating nighttime forest walk to experience the sounds and life of the nocturnal jungle.

Today is dedicated to exploring the wonders of the world-renowned Yasuní National Park, one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. The morning exploration will focus on the lower Napo River, spotting diverse bird species like eagles and oropendolas. In the afternoon, the mission is to find the legendary pink river dolphin in its natural habitat. You'll learn about conservation programs designed to provide a safe haven for these unique creatures. The cultural immersion continues with a visit to the Secoya community, an ancestral indigenous group residing near Yasuní. They will warmly welcome you and share their culture, including a demonstration of how to prepare traditional cassava bread, a staple of their diet.

Your day begins with a meaningful visit to an authentic Kichwa family living on the banks of the Napo River, offering a direct opportunity to learn about their lifestyle from community members. After this enriching cultural exchange, you will return to the Anakonda for a different kind of immersion. Join the expert onboard chef for a hands-on cooking class, where you will learn to prepare exquisite traditional Ecuadorian dishes. The afternoon is yours to customize: relax in the open-air hot tub, enjoy cocktails at the lounge, try traditional handicrafting, or for the more active, explore the nearby ecosystem via kayak. As evening falls, the observation deck provides a perfect venue for stargazing in the clear Amazonian sky.

Prepare for a breathtaking change in perspective as you start the day with a visit to an observation tower constructed in a giant, ancient kapok tree. Ascending to the top, you are rewarded with an impressive 360-degree view over the vast, unbroken sea of green treetops, offering a true sense of the Amazon's sheer scale and vastness. From this vantage point, you can spot birds and other wildlife that are rarely seen from the forest floor. In the afternoon, you will delve back into the jungle for a walk through the primary forest to spot different plant and wildlife species endemic to this ecosystem. This is also an opportunity to search for the peculiar hoatzin, a prehistoric-looking bird known locally as the "stinkbird".

The day’s adventure begins with a serene kayaking excursion on the Indillama River, a tranquil tributary of the Napo that leads into Yasuní National Park. The kayaks' smooth, silent glide provides an ideal opportunity for spotting wildlife without disturbance, allowing for close encounters with monkeys and birds along the riverbanks. Canoes are also available to travel in search of even more wildlife. After a full day of adventure, guests can take advantage of the observation deck for a magical view under the stars or opt for a guided night walk through the jungle in search of fascinating nocturnal creatures.

Today you will journey downstream to the delta of the Pañayacu River, where you will embark on a canoe trip to Pañacocha Lake, which translates to "Piranha Lagoon" in the native Kichwa language. This blackwater ecosystem is a thriving habitat for an incredible array of aquatic animals, including piranhas, the Paíche or pirarucu (one of the world's largest freshwater fish), and the white caiman. The surrounding protected rainforest is home to numerous primate and bird species, which you will spot during a walk with your guides. For lunch, you'll be treated to an Amazon-style barbeque, followed by opportunities for kayaking and swimming before returning to the ship.

An early start is required for one of the Amazon's most incredible sights: a visit to the famous parrot clay licks. This unique place is rich in minerals and attracts hundreds of colorful parrots, parakeets, and other Amazonian birds, who congregate here to lick the clay to aid their digestion. The sight and sound of this vibrant gathering is an unforgettable experience. In the afternoon, you will visit a Kichwa women's community project, where you will learn about the indigenous lifestyle along the Napo river and their ancestral culture. You will have the opportunity to support the community directly by purchasing handicrafts, local products, and souvenirs.

Your ultimate Ecuadorian expedition concludes today. After a final breakfast, you will enjoy the return journey upriver by motorized canoe to the city of Coca. From here, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Quito, where you can connect with your international flight home. You depart with a lifetime of memories, having experienced the profound biodiversity and natural majesty of both the Galápagos Islands and the Amazon rainforest in unparalleled comfort and style.