Galapagos 10 Days
Galapagos See two of the most incredible and iconic wildlife destinations in the world the Amazon Rainforest and the Galápagos Islands on this family trip featuring activities suited for ages 6 and up. In the Amazon, look for monkeys, caimans, and three-toed sloths, as well has hundreds of species of birds and blue morpho butterflies in the middle of a 5,000-acre nature preserve. Then, journey through the Galápagos, where you'll meet 3-foot-long iguanas and 100-year-old tortoises, and snorkel alongside beautiful white-sand beaches under the watchful eye of sea lions. This is a family adventure you'll never forget! Details Testimonials Arrive: Quito, Ecuador Depart: Quito, Ecuador Duration: 10 Days Group Size: 8-16 Guests Minimum Age: 6 Years Old Activity Level: Level 1. "MT Sobek provided the perfect Galápagos experience for a multigenerational family trip. The participants could just savor the experience while experts coordinated the entire trip. Thank you!" Kim O. "Having visited the places that Darwin visited for his evolution theory makes you appreciate all we have in this world!" Laura C.
REASON #01 REASON #02 REASON #03 MT Sobek was one of the first North American companies to bring visitors to the Galápagos Islands, with an inaugural charter for the Sierra Club in 1970. We charter deluxe yachts for a fully MT Sobek-operated experience with our own expert team of naturalist guides and a dedicated Quito office. This trip is the perfect blend of two South American wildlife treasures, the Amazon rainforest and the Galápagos, joined into one epic family adventure ACTIVITIES LODGING CLIMATE Light walks, canoe rides, a cultural visit in the Amazon, chocolate tasting, kayaking, and snorkeling. Easy adventures for the whole family. An eco-lodge set in the midst of a 5,000-acre preserve and a luxurious modern catamaran with sleep-aboard cabins. Comfortable and convenient hotels in Quito. June is considered "cool" season in Galápagos with temperatures of 67-77 F and water temperatures of 65-72 F. In the Amazon, expect 76-84 F with some rain likely. Luis was born in Seville, Spain, and graduated from the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid with a degree in Environmental Biology. He is fluent in Spanish, English, and French and has guided in Galapagos for more than a decade. In addition to being a professional nature photographer, Luis has a Master s Degree in Geographic Ecology and is active with conservation groups. A born teacher, he enthusiastically shares his knowledge of Galapagos with people of all ages. He lives in Quito with his wife, twin sons, and daughter and is MT Sobek s head naturalist guide. Luis Die
Itinerary DAY 1 ARRIVE IN QUITO Welcome to the historic city of Quito, the capital of Ecuador. An MT Sobek representative will meet you outside customs at the airport and escort you to your hotel. After settling in at the hotel, the rest of the evening is free unwind and take advantage of the pool and onsite restaurant. Dinner is on your own tonight. DAY 2 TOUR MINDO & LEARN HOW CHOCOLATE IS MADE After breakfast, depart for a full-day tour to Mindo, a village in the Andes Mountains that's known for its many bird and butterfly species. Visit a cacoa farm and factory and learn how chocolate is made, from harvesting the plants to the final product. Enjoy a welcome lunch surrounded by an incredible diversity of hummingbirds. Return to Quito in the afternoon for an introductory talk and orientation about your trip. In the evening, explore Quito and have dinner on your own. Meals: (B) / (L) DAY 3 JOURNEY TO SACHA LODGE After breakfast, transfer to Quito airport for a short flight to Coca airport, located on the Amazon side of the Andes. From there, take a two-hour motorized boat ride along the Napo River to Sacha Lodge reserve. From the drop-off along the riverside, take a 25-minute jungle walk along a wooden boardwalk to look for monkeys, sloths, and other wildlife. Finally, board a dugout canoe for a 40-minute ride through a jungle canal to get to Sacha Lodge, your home for the next few days. Activity: 25-minute jungle walk & 40-minute easy canoe ride DAY 4 EXPLORE THE AMAZON RAINFOREST AT SACHA LODGE Spend the day exploring the 5,000 acres of pristine rainforest at Sacha Lodge reserve, home to an amazing variety of wildlife. Watch for roving bands of monkeys, hundreds of species of birds, and the occasional anteater,
three-toed sloth, or ocelot. Go for a ride in a dugout canoe, fish for piranhas, and birdwatch from the top of a canopy tower. You can also go on a night walk to look for frogs, spiders, and other nocturnal critters. Activity: Rainforest walks & canoe rides DAY 5 VISIT A NATIVE COMMUNITY Enjoy another full day of activities around Sacha Lodge. Visit the Shipati Warmi project an initiative run by and benefiting the women of the Providencia community of Yasuní to learn about how they live, the food they eat, and their culture. In the afternoon, climb the canopy-walk tower to experience the rainforest from atop the trees. In the evening, you can go on a night canoe ride to look for caimans, snakes, and other nocturnal wildlife. Activity: Rainforest walks & canoe rides DAY 6 RETURN TO QUITO After breakfast, depart Sacha Lodge and take a return boat ride to Coca. Then, board your flight back to Quito and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax at the swimming pool or visit the Old Town on your own. Activity: 40-minute canoe ride & 25-minute jungle walk Meals: (B) / (L) DAY 7 FLY TO THE GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS After breakfast, fly from Quito to Baltra Island in the Galápagos. Take a short transfer from Baltra to Santa Cruz Island. Here a private vehicle awaits to take you to the lush highlands of Santa Cruz for a special opportunity to see giant tortoises in their wild and natural habitat. Next, transfer to Puerto Ayora, the largest settlement in
the Galápagos. Stroll the main street to the harbor, where you will board the Galaxy II catamaran yacht your floating basecamp for the next few days. Enjoy a welcome dinner onboard with the captain. Activity: 1-1.5 hours/1 mile walking DAY 8 EXPLORE FLOREANA ISLAND Wake for a walk on Punta Cormorant, a sandy beach with green olivine crystals. Spot flamingos, sea lions and blue-footed boobies, and learn about the beach's importance for sea turtle nesting. Next, take a short Zodiac ride (small, motorized inflatable boats) to Devil's Crown. Here the current funnels plankton through the small eroded crater, attracting large schools of tropical fish creating a perfect place to snorkel. In the afternoon, visit historic Post Office Bay for a chance to leave your mail at the famous post office barrel and pick up mail to hand deliver, as was the custom centuries ago. Activity: 5-6 hours hiking, swimming & snorkeling DAY 9 SPEND THE DAY ON ESPAÑOLA ISLAND Experience incredible birdlife at Punta Suárez, including the endangered waved albatross (from April to December) and the Nazca booby. In fact birds are everywhere underfoot, on the trail, overhead, diving into the sea, taking off from cliffs, sitting on eggs, and engaging in ritual mating dances. A great tangle of marine iguanas is also usually present nearing our landing site. After lunch, you can swim, snorkel or sun bathe in the company of sea lions on the white-sand beach at Gardner Bay. Activity: 5-6 hours hiking, swimming & snorkeling DAY 10 SAN CRISTOBAL & RETURN TO QUITO After an early breakfast, disembark from the Galaxy II at San Cristobal Island. Visit the Interpretation Center in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the small town which is the administration center for the National Park. Transfer to the airport on San Cristobal in time for your mid-day return flight to Quito, to connect with homeward bound flights. A hotel room at the Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel is provided. You can use your hotel room as a dayroom with
extended check-out and depart on a late evening flight home, or you can use your room as an overnight room and depart the next day. Ask your Adventure Coordinator for details. Lunch and dinner are on your own today. Meals: (B)
Jun 16-25, 2019
2019 $ 5,695 per person Additional Cost $ 20 Transit Control Card $ -250-250 $ 1,700 Single Supplement PRICE INCLUDES Expert leadership from experienced family-friendly adventure guides Accommodations as noted in the itinerary Meals as noted in the daily itinerary Potable water and snacks throughout 1 glass of wine or beer at welcome and farewell dinners Age-appropriate welcome gifts for minors All tips and gratuities for support staff with the exception of your lead adventure guide(s) All necessary canoeing and snorkeling gear All group entrance fees, activities, and ground transportation Arrival and departure day airport transfers PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE International airfare, any airport taxes, or excess baggage charges Dinners on days 1, 2, and 6 Personal expenses such as medical immunizations, phone calls, laundry, or souvenirs Airport transfers if arriving outside of Day 1 Optional travel protection