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Contact UsTransfer from the airport to the hotel. A bilingual guide will pick you up from the airport and will transfer you to the hotel. He/ She will be able to assist you in anything you may need. Accommodation in Quito.
*In case of flight delay due to events out of our control, an extra transfer might be charged.
The tour begins visiting the Quito`s downtown, one of the biggest in South America, our first point is the oldest street of the city, La Ronda, that used to be the home of musicians, poets and politics back in time. Here we will encounter with the traditions of the city first by stopping in the gastronomic capsule, to have an explanation of the different local spices that are used for the typical Ecuadorian gastronomy. Continuing we will visit the house of handicrafts made of metal and wood most of them designed for the traditional churches and made by hand for furniture decoration (Tasting costs and tips are not included). After we are done with la Ronda we will visit the Independence Square, surrounded by important historical buildings. Visit the Cathedral (XVI Century), the Presidential Palace, El Sagrario Church (XVII Century), and La Compañia de Jesus (XVII Century), one of the most beautiful baroque churches in South America, Not to be missed are the Church of San Francisco and Monastery, built a few months after the arrival of the Spaniards (XVI Century). Finally we will drive to the viewpoint at the Panecillo hill, where is located the virgin of Quito, the unique winged virgin of the world. You will have a wonderful view over the city and the surrounding mountains and volcanos.
We will drive 30 km. North of Quito, towards the Middle of the World where the equatorial line divides the northern and southern hemispheres. We will visit the main monument built in honor of the French scientific expedition that arrived in Ecuador in the XVIII century to determine the correct location of the equator line. Here you will have the opportunity to visit the Inti Ñan Museum, a scientific and cultural museum, located in the exact crossing of the Equator Line. Return to Quito.
Drive along the Pan-American Highway known as “The Volcanoes Avenue” towards one of the world’s highest active volcanoes-Cotopaxi (5,897 m). We will reach the entrance of Cotopaxi National Park and drive on a third class road through a pine forest to Limpiopungo lagoon, a glacial Andean lake located at 3,800 m, along the slopes of the magnificent Cotopaxi volcano. If weather conditions allow, we will drive further to the parking lot located at 4,500 meters in order to hike up to the shelter at 4,800 meters.
Afterwards we will visit a typical Indigenous Market in this region. Return to Quito and accommodation.
Excursion can also be provided with lunch at a typical restaurant. Activities might be modify due to weather conditions | There are different Indigenous Markets in this region and they vary according to the day
Depart Quito´s airport at 11:00 am (subject to change). A 30-minute flight over the Andes Mountains leads you to a bustling oil town called Coca located in the Amazon Basin. A quick lunch in Sacha´s private house and then we drive to the town docks where you will board Sacha´s private canoes for the 2-hour journey down the river to Sacha´s Lodges property. A 30-minute hike through the rainforest leads you to lake Pilchicocha. Here, you are met by native workers to paddle you across the lake to your final destination. Arrive at Sacha Lodge around 15:30 or 16:00 pm. Swim in Lake Pilchicocha, which is a black water lake home to many species of fish and animals. A refreshing swim after arriving may be just what you need after being in the equatorial heat all day. Bird observing from the mini tower offers guests an excellent opportunity to view several species of birds common around the lodge. It is also a great place to watch the sun set. Visit the butterfly house with your naturalist guide to view the beautiful colors of many different species of butterflies. After dinner, accompany your naturalist guide on a night walk through the rainforest to view the hundreds of different species of animals that can only be found at night. Or maybe a canoe ride on the lake to view the spectacled and black caimans with their glowing orange eyes as you silently paddle across the lake to get a closer view.
Morning activities begin between 6:00 and 7:00. We walk on the trail “Liana Chica” and arrive at the canopy walk, for spectacular views of the rainforest canopy and the many different species of vibrantly colored birds. Designed to be a self-standing rigid suspension canopy walk, it is one of only a few in the world! Located within Sacha´s private reserve, 2 miles from the shores of the Rio Napo and 1 mile from the lodge, the bird walk gives guests the opportunity to get an up close and personal view of the rainforest canopy. Two of the three towers have observation decks, 12 meters high, making it accessible for everyone. The canopy walkway is at 36 meters high and 275 meters long, giving guests a “birds eye view” of all the wonders and beauty the tropical rainforest has to offer. The canopy walk is designed as a sturdy walkway enabling guests to casually move along while enjoying the spectacular views. After the canopy walk, Liana Grande through terra firma and Igapó forest habitats where native guides will explain many different species of medicinal plants that have been being used in their culture for hundreds of years. Liana Grande will turn into the trail Higuerón, which will take you through pristine primary forest with huge Kapok and Fig trees towering hundreds of feet above your head. After lunch, you may choose to take a leisurely hike along the Rio Napo, or choose a little more challenging hike on the trail Leoncillo to try and spot the elusive dusky titi monkey. Either way the trails will lead you back to the main boardwalk for your final hike and canoe ride back to the lodge.
Leaving the lodge after breakfast, you begin your hike on trail Lagartococha. This trail offers you the chance to learn more about the native people and their relationship with the forest. Learn about the trees where native people believe the spirits of their ancestors live, and the mysterious “dwende” or devil-man of the forest. After arriving at lake Lagartococha, take a tranquil canoe ride through a natural swamp, which is the home of anacondas, caimans, and capybaras. After the canoe ride, a walk on the other side of Largatococha may give you the opportunity to spot capuchins or squirrel monkeys playfully jumping through the trees.
These waters are home to many creatures such as caimans, electric eels and giant otters among others. Swimming is possible as long as you follow your guide’s instructions and keep yourself always inside the designated areas. During giant otters and caiman breeding time the lake could be closed for swimming. Around 15:30 you will begin what many think is the best excursion at Sacha, a silent canoe ride through the flooded Amazonian forest, where you have a good chance of being surrounded by troops of squirrels, capuchins and howler monkeys. Keep your eyes peeled for the shy and elusive river otter as well as the incredibly well camouflaged three-toed sloth! After your eye-popping ride through the flooded forest, you will arrive at Sacha´s 135-foot wooden tower built around an ancient Kapok tree. Get close up views of vibrantly colored birds through Sacha´s powerful scopes, and watch the sunset with an amazing view of Mount Sumaco, a volcano, and possibly a view of the snow-covered caps of the Andes! Leaving the tower just before or after sunset will give you an experience not soon forgotten. A canoe ride back through the flooded forest at night will be an awe-inspiring experience. Listen to the symphony of frogs and insects as you navigate through the narrow flooded forest trail, keeping your eyes open for caimans. Watch the several species of bats flying over your heads and listen to the many species of nocturnal birds making their eerie nighttime calls. Finally, after your mesmerizing canoe trip through the Amazon, you will arrive back at lake Pilchicocha and the welcoming lights of Sacha Lodge.
Breakfast and departure from the lodge at 7:30am for an easy walk on the boardwalk to watch monkeys one last time before your final departure. 2-hour canoe ride back to Coca for your 35-minute flight back to Quito. Scheduled arrival at Quito´s airport is at 12:30pm (subject to change).
Arriving at Baltra we will take a shuttle to Santa Cruz Island where we will reach the highlands of the Islands with its green vegetation where we will stop to visit a Ranch. Here we will be able to see Giant Turtles in their natural habitat. Lunch at the ranch.
We will head to the Charles Darwin Station. The center is a reservoir of information on habitats and local conservation, as well as other fascinating relevant statistics. The most striking attraction of this station is certainly the Tortoise Breeding Center, where it is possible to view tortoises of varied sizes and shapes. Travelers here can freely walk and get their photos taken with the tortoises. Among other inhabitants at the center, you can see the land and marine iguanas and different species of birds. Nowadays, it is possible to appreciate the embalmed body of the most famous tortoise: Lonesome George. After this visit we will head to Puerto Ayora to check-in in a selected hotel.
This day you will have the opportunity to do a navigable excursion to another Island, in order to discover the diversity of the Galapagos Islands. The tour consists a hike around the island and afterwards you can snorkel, swim or just relax. Based on availability we can confirm one of the following tours:
Bartolome Island: Discover amazing landscapes, and fascinating geological formations, here you will have great opportunity for snorkeling.
North Seymour Island: The main fauna species of this island are Land Iguanas, the Magnificent Frigate bird with their incredible scarlet regular pouch, blue-footed boobies and their particular courtship dance and sea lions surfing across the waves.
South Plazas: Small island but outstanding concentration of wildlife, dramatic cliffs, spectacular natural red carpet of algae and great contrasts to be seen.
Santa Fe: This Island has a lot of diversity. The lagoons of the Santa Fe Island provide an excellent place for snorkeling alongside colorful fishes, sea lions, giant tuna and even small sharks that are often sited in these environments.
This day you will have the opportunity to do a navigable excursion to another Island, in order to discover the diversity of the Galapagos Islands. The tour consists a hike around the island and afterwards you can snorkel, swim or just relax. Based on availability we can confirm one of the following tours:
Bartolome Island: Discover amazing landscapes, and fascinating geological formations, here you will have a great opportunity for snorkeling.
North Seymour Island: The main fauna species of this island are Land Iguanas, the Magnificent Frigate bird with their incredible scarlet regular pouch, blue-footed boobies and their particular courtship dance and sea lions surfing across the waves.
South Plazas: Small island but outstanding concentration of wildlife, dramatic cliffs, spectacular natural red carpet of algae and great contrasts to be seen.
Santa Fe: This Island has a lot of diversity. The lagoons of the Santa Fe Island provide an excellent place for snorkeling alongside colorful fishes, sea lions, giant tuna and even small sharks that are often sited in these environments.
After breakfast, we will head to the airport for your flight back.
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This sample tour is just an example of a specific itinerary related to the country we just described to give you an idea of what is available in that country when you travel.
All our trips are tailor-made and we are at your disposal to plan your trip in consideration of how many people will be traveling, how many days you wish to travel, the season, the standard and the location of the hotels, the amount of meals you wish to include, the guided tours or experiences which will show you not only the “must see” landmarks but also the special interest sites and events you will love that are off the beaten track.
Gineth is in charge of the Operations Department, supervising ticketing and travel planning. With over twelve years of experience in the travel industry, Gineth has exceptional leadership experience, and her passion for travel has contributed to her successful career.