Colonial Quito, an Amazon River Cruise, Cloud Forest Adventure & Galapagos Islands Cruise

Saturday, 11 July 2026

Fly to Quito

Depart the UK on a daytime flight to Quito. On arrival, our guide will transfer you to your chosen hotel for a 2-night stay including breakfast.

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Sunday, 12 July 2026

Guided tour of Quito

Enjoy an afternoon guided tour of Quito, including the historic old part of the city with its fabulous colonial architecture, many convents, churches and small streets to explore.

We will visit the three main squares including impressive San Francisco square as well as the Presidential Palace and the Gold Museum.

 

Monday, 13 July 2026

Fly to Coca and embark the Manatee Amazon Explorer

Transfer to the airport and fly to Coca. Transfer by boat on the Napo River to the Manatee Amazon Explorer riverboat for your 7-night cruise including all meals and excursions. Once settled on board, after dinner, the expert local naturalist guides will brief you on the Ecuadorian Amazon and the exciting week ahead. 

 

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Tuesday, 14 July 2026

Pañayacu River Delta

Today travel downstream to the Pañayacu River delta, where we will take a canoe trip to experience the sights of this fascinating water reserve. Pañacocha Lake is an ecosystem flooded by blackwaters. Pañacocha means “Piranha Lake” in the native Quechua language. The surrounding protected Rainforest is home to 9 species of primates, 500 species of birds and more than 100 fish species. 

Enjoy nature walks led by the naturalist guides, and relax at a nearby campsite where we will enjoy a delicious Amazon-style BBQ. After lunch, we will do some kayaking, and the bravest among us will enjoy a nice refreshing swim in the Piranha Lake! 

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Wednesday, 15 July 2026

Parrot Clay Licks & Obervation Tower

This morning, we will set out on canoes to observe one of the most incredible sights on this side of the Western Amazon – the Parrot Clay Licks. This unique place is rich in minerals and attracts hundreds of colourful parrots, parakeets and amazon birds, every day. Later, we visit a Quechua Cultural Centre, where we will learn about Amazon communities and their ancestral culture, traditions, and cuisine. 

Before sunset, we will visit an observation tower in the rainforest canopy, which offers an astonishing 360-degree view of the Amazon basin and is the perfect photo opportunity! Birdwatchers and bird-lovers alike will especially enjoy this outing.

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Thursday, 16 July 2026

Indillama & Napo Rivers and Yasuni National Park

We will begin today kayaking along the Indillama River, one of the Napo River’s tributaries, which leads us into Yasuni National Park. Kayaks are smooth and silent, providing the very best opportunity to observe wildlife. Canoes can also be used to travel in search of more wildlife. 

After an adventure-filled day, after dinner, you may choose to take a night walk through the jungle to observe nocturnal creatures.

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Friday, 17 July 2026

Pink River Dolphins in Yasuni National Park

Early in the morning, we visit Yasuni National Park. This is a pristine and relatively undisturbed region of the Ecuadorian Amazon and home of the legendary Pink River Dolphin! Here, we also find anacondas, river turtles and various primate species, as well as the colourful Hoatzin, a unique bird that is known locally as the “Stinky Turkey”.

The afternoon will bring us back on board the M/V Manatee Amazon Explorer where you can relax on the sundeck or try your hands at making traditional handicrafts, as we continue our cruise upstream.

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Saturday, 18 July 2026

Quechua family and canoeing

We will start the day off by visiting an authentic Quechua family located on the banks of the Napo River, where we will receive cultural immersion and the opportunity to learn directly from members of the local community.

We will then board the M/V Manatee Amazon Explorer for lunch and some leisure time as we continue our journey upstream. On board, you can join a cooking class with our chef who will share recipes and techniques for preparing exquisite traditional Ecuadorian food that you can replicate at home.

Later in the afternoon, we will go canoeing in a blackwater lake, home to giant otters and the magnificent, albeit elusive manatee. We will also enjoy a pleasant hike in the Riparian/Gallery Forest, where we have the chance to spot a flock of birds and marvel at the intricate organisation of a colony of leaf-cutter ants by the “Giant Fig Tree”, a truly majestic tree that is home to an abundance of wildlife, much like the “Giant Kapok Tree” that we will be visiting tomorrow.

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Sunday, 19 July 2026

Forest adventure and observation tower visit

Today explore the forest for a walk to discover a myriad of different animals and plant species that can only be found in the Amazon basin.

In the afternoon, visit a canopy tower, built against a giant Kapok tree. The perspective at the top of this observation tower is truly glorious, looming above the lush treetops and providing a view of the sheer vastness of the Amazon Basin.

In the evening, we will bravely venture into the river on a canoe to search for black caimans.

Monday, 20 July 2026

Fly back to Quito

Disembark the Manatee Explorer after breakfast and transfer by boat to Coca. Fly to Quito and transfer to Hacienda La Jimenta for a 2-night stay including breakfast.

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Tuesday, 21 July 2026

Chiche River Canyon & condors

Located in the valley of Tumbaco in the 'Giant Hummingbird' private reserve, Hacienda Jimenita offers much for the visitor to enjoy. Today, take an ecological trail through a Eucalyptus Forest to the scenic Chiche River Canyon. The Reserve is surrounded by abundant nature with two rivers and the chance to observe condors.

Wednesday, 22 July 2026

Drive to Mindo Cloud Forest

After breakfast, we drive north past the “Mitad del Mundo” Equator Monument to reach Mindo, located in a large subtropical valley basin. Check into your chosen lodge for a 3-night stay including breakfast. Here, experience the beauty of Ecuador’s biodiversity in the cloud forest. Bird lovers in particular will be in for a treat, with hummingbirds, butterflies, and orchids in abundance. Hike in the forest and visit a butterfly farm, where you’ll also see orchids and hummingbirds. 

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Thursday, 23 July 2026

Birdwatching tour and chocolate workshop

Today, visit the Ángel Paz Reserve, home to the Andean Cock of the Rock, also known as the Andean Rock Cock or Red Rock Cock - a songbird from the family of ornamental birds. After lunch, enjoy a chocolate workshop where you’ll learn how chocolate is made and, of course, get to taste it yourself.

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Friday, 24 July 2026

Exploring Mindo Cloud Forest

Today visit the Yellow House Trails in Mindo Cloud Forest. It’s a private reserve of 200 hectares featuring a variety of birds and butterflies, including species with transparent wings, as well as wildflowers such as orchids and bromeliads.

This peaceful private sanctuary is famous for its fruit and nectar feeders, offering the perfect opportunity to get up close and photograph colourful hummingbirds, exotic tanagers, and toucans. It is a wonderful spot to relax and enjoy the vibrant biodiversity of the Chocó Andean forest.

Saturday, 25 July 2026

Return to Quito

This morning, visit El Pahuma Orchid Reserve, where you can admire the beauty of hundreds of orchid species. Following a short hiking trail, we will eventually reach a waterfall where we can take a refreshing dip. We return to Quito in the afternoon where you check into your chosen hotel for a 1-night stay including breakfast. 

Sunday, 26 July 2026

Fly to the Galapagos and embark your chosen yacht

Transfer to Quito Airport and fly to Baltra Island int he Galapagos. Our guide will meet and transfer you to your chosen yacht for a 7-night cruise including all meals and excursions. The tower itinerary on the first class M/V Beluga follows.

In the afternoon, visit the highlands of Santa Cruz where wild giant tortoises can be observed. Continue to the Charles Darwin Station, famous for its giant tortoise and land iguana breeding program.

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Monday, 27 July 2026

Santa Fe and South Plaza Islands

This morning explore Santa Fé Island, home to land iguanas, a pelican nesting site, sea lion colony, mockingbird and Palo Santo trees.

In the afternoon, visit South Plaza Island with its tall Opuntia cactus, land and marine iguanas, and a rocky cliff that looks out towards open ocean which is also a nesting site for red-billed tropic birds and gulls, and a seal lion bachelor colony.

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Tuesday, 28 July 2026

San Cristóbal Island

Today we visit San Cristóbal Island, the easternmost island of Galapagos and also one of the oldest. Cerro Brujo is a white sand beach on the west side of San Cristóbal where we can observe Sally Lightfoot crabs, marine iguanas, and sea lions.

In the afternoon, visit Galapaguera & El Junco, a freshwater lagoon with great views from its altitude of 700m in the highlands of San Cristóbal. Rainwater has collected in the caldera for hundreds of years and formed this lagoon. Galapaguera is a good area to see tortoises in their natural environment

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Wednesday, 29 July 2026

Española (Hood) Island

After breakfast, visit Española Island, the oldest of the Southern Islands and is the southernmost in the archipelago. Because of its remote location a unique range of endemic species evolved here. At Gardner Bay relax on a beautiful white sandy beach inhabited by sea lion colonies. Snorkel at Islote Gardner and Islote Osborn.

After lunch, we visit Punta Suarez where along the cliff we visit a blowhole where seawater is forced about 20m into the air. Wildlife highlights include waved albatross (April-Dec), Galapagos Hawks, blue-footed boobies, Ñasca boobies, and Española lava lizards.

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Thursday, 30 July 2026

Floreana Island

This morning we visit Floreana Island, best known for its colourful history of buccaneers, whalers, convicts, and early colonists. After lunch, explore Punta Cormorant with two contrasting beaches and a large inland lagoon where pink flamingoes can be seen.

We continue to Devils Crown, a snorkelling site located just off Punta Cormorant. And finally today, we visit Post office Bay, one of the few sites visited for its human history. Visit the wooden mail barrel where letters are dropped off and picked up and remains of the Norwegian fishing village.

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Friday, 31 July 2026

Santa Cruz & Santiago Islands

This morning we visit Santa Cruz Island. Some highlights include small lagoons with flamingos, Palo Santo trees, and Opuntia cactus. Continue to Santiago Island, home to a wide variety of seabirds, marine iguanas and fur seals.

In the afternoon, visit Sullivan Bay, a 100 hundred year old lava flow field where you can observe pahoehoe formations and lava bubbles.

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Saturday, 01 August 2026

Genovesa Island

After breakfast, visit Genovesa Island, an eroded flat volcanic island, with a natural harbour. Darwin Bay has steep cliffs, home to thousands of frigate birds, red-footed boobies, noddy terns, lava gulls, tropicbirds, doves, storm petrels and darwin's finches.

In the afternoon, we visit Prince Philip's Steps and observe the unique "Short eared owl", fur seals and many species of seabirds travelling by dinghy.

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Sunday, 02 August 2026

Turtle Cove and fly back to the UK

Disembark after breakfast and visit Turtle Cove, a red mangrove lagoon on Santa Cruz and a perfect example of how mangroves alter the marine environment to create a rich and unique habitat. Continue to Baltra for your return flight to Guayquil to connect with your overnight flight back to the UK.

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Monday, 03 August 2026

Arrive in the UK

Arrive back in the UK in the morning.