Ecuador Galapagos and Amazon Program
Tour Code: ACC-ECD1 | Duration: 11 days
Depending on guest mobility needs, we can use a VAN with an electric lift or a small SUV for the guest that can transfer
manually into a car. Hotels used in the highlands and Amazon are accessible.
For Galapagos it is very important to know that we use a land-based system on San Cristobal Island. We use a one floor
friendly accessible house, which has a beautiful view of the bay and it is very accessible. Also important to know the
bathroom in Galapagos is adapted for people with disabilities, but it does not present the same accessibility as the one
in the Amazon. In order to fully enjoy the tour, guest must have full upper body mobility, since all transfers in Galapagos
are done manually and some activities of the tour require guest to have upper body mobility. Tour is based on an all inclusive
basis (bilingual guide, hotels, meals, transportation, entrance fees to National Parks, equipment rented if needed).
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Day 1 (includes lunch and dinner)
Arrival in Quito. Pick up from airport and transfer to hotel. Depending on arrival time,
lunch and free afternoon to rest. After dinner briefing about the program by our tour leader.
For people arriving early in the morning, we will visit the Middle of the World Monument to visit
the IntiÑam museum and observe several experiments that prove we are in the middle of the world.
In mid afternoon we return to the hotel to rest and recover from the long trip.
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Day 2 (includes breakfast, lunch and dinner)
After breakfast we will drive to the Amazon. On our way we will cross two mountain chains and will drive
though seven different climate floors. Depending on weather we will see some volcanoes and will try food
specialties on the way. We will have several stops which include a visit to an Environmental Communication
Centre in the entrance to the Amazon Region, where we will be lecture about most important facts for the
Amazon conservation. Arrival at Huasquila Amazon Lodge (accessible) around 2:00 pm, welcome cocktail, lunch
and briefing. After lunch we will visit an animal rescue center with local animals that have been recovered
from illegal animal trade. If we are lucky maybe we will be able to take a picture of a monkey jumping around.
Return to the lodge for dinner.
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Day 3 (includes breakfast, lunch and dinner)
In the morning we will travel to the Anzu river (1,5 hour drive), where we will take a raft in a very
calm river (class II). We will start our adventure of going down the river admiring the Amazon nature
on each side of the river. During the trip we can stop at several points of interest to take pictures
and relax in the river. Even though the river is very calm, of course we will raft down the river with
several kayakers at all time for safety reasons. We will finish our journey around 3:00 pm and start our
way back to the lodge. Dinner and rest of the evening for chatting at the lodge (play games, cards, etc)
enjoying a delicious tropical juice or wine.
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Day 4 (includes breakfast, lunch and dinner)
We will go for a quick walk/hike trough secondary rain forest. For this activity we will use an off
road wheelchair to enter the path. If for any reason we can not do the activity, a local native guide
will bring the medicinal plants from the hike to show us at the lodge area the different uses of the plants.
After lunch we will visit an indigenous community, where we will have the opportunity to interact with the
natives, learn their costumes, observe them prepare their food, perform some dances and for the most adventurous
get a cleansing of the body and soul done by an indigenous doctor (shaman). Return to the lodge for dinner and
enjoy our last night at the Amazon.
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Day 5 (includes breakfast, lunch and dinner)
After breakfast we will drive back towards Quito. On the way we will make a 2 hour stop for lunch
at one of Ecuador´s hot spot for birdwatching. The views of the landscape from this area are simply
magnificent. We will arrive to Quito in the afternoon in order to prepare for the Galapagos trip.
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Day 6 (includes breakfast, lunch and dinner)
We will leave towards Galapagos Islands. We arrive at San Cristóbal around lunch time.
We will be staying at one beautiful house overlooking the ocean (wheelchair friendly). After
lunch we will take a walk on San Cristobal's downtown, admiring the sea lions on the beach,
boardwalk, and sidewalk.
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Day 7 (includes breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Today we will be safely transfer into kayaks. We will go to observe iguanas, as well as
bluefooted boobies, always with the observation of the sea lions. A professional kayaker will
join you (2 persons per kayak). After lunch we will go back to the hotel and the afternoon we will
spend it at a location called La Loberia where sea lions, marine tortoises, marine iguanas and birds
can be spotted.
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Day 8 (includes breakfast, lunch and dinner)
After breakfast we will drive across the Island to the Galapaguera. There we will see the
famous Galapagos Turtles. On our way back we will stop at the Environmental Communication Centre
where we will learn about the Island´s history, learn the most important facts about the conservation
and hazards of the Islands. The rest of the evening we will go in a horseback ride to the highest point of
San Cristobal. We will have a delicious barbecue at this location and enjoy the company of the stars from
this location. Return to San Cristobal to spend the night.
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Day 9 (includes breakfast, lunch and dinner)
After breakfast you will have a couple of hours to enjoy a massage, get a cooking lesson,
learn how to manufacture a handicraft with the locals of the Island. Around 1:00 pm we take our
flight back to Quito. Arrive to Quito around 4:00 pm.
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Day 10 (includes breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Visit to Quito’s Colonial Center, declared World Culture Heritage by UNESCO. Visit the churches and
squares and get to know their history and most interesting facts. Then we will visit the skylift of Quito,
where we will reach an altitude of 4100 meters. From this altitude we will have a great overview of Quito
and the surrounding mountains (if lucky we will observe the snow cover mountains that surround Quito). We
will have a hot drink at this location and then come back down to Quito. After dinner we will give you a
final overview of the trip with a presentation of all the pictures we have taken during the excursions. We
will give every guest a CD with the pictures as a remembrance gift.
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Day 11 (includes all meals before flight)
Departure
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PRICE PER PERSON (minimum two): US$3650.00 double occupancy
Price includes: All tours and activities specified in program | Accommodations specified in program | All entrance fees during tours and activities specified in program | All meals specified in program | Transportation specified in program
The price doesn’t include: | International airfares and airport taxes
- Galapagos flights from Quito
- Galapagos entrance fees | Any expenses not specified in program (personal expenses, alcoholic beverages, souvenirs, laundry, etc)
| Equipment rental or supply (if necessary)
| Personal insurance
| Any medical expenses
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