Itinerary

Day 1. Caracas

Arrival and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2. Caracas – Puerto Ordaz – Canaima (Breakfast & lunch)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Puerto Ordaz and connect with your flight onto Canaima. (NOTE: Max. 10 Kg luggage & 2 Kg. carry on, per person) Arrival and transfer to your lodge for two night’s accommodation.
After lunch, you will embark on an excursion to the Canaima Lagoon & Sapo waterfalls. We will set off from the sandy pink beaches of the Canaima Lagoon, to tour this enchanting area, taking us so close to the raging falls that we can feel it’s refreshing mist. From there, we will depart by canoe, and witness the natural beauty of Sapito Falls, allowing us to live the experience of walking behind a powerful curtain of water, just a few inches away from us. We will take a leisurely 20-minute walk to Puerto Ucaima where we will again take-off in the dugout canoes. While traveling up the Carrao River to the Sabana (plain) de Mayupa, we will experience the exciting rapids of Mayupa and witness the natural beauty of this idyllic land. Overnight at the Lodge.

Day 3. Angel Falls tour (Breakfast & lunch)

After an early breakfast we will travel two hours by boat on the Rio Carrao to our Angel Falls base at Raton Island. From this camp we will head to the base of the Angel falls. On this one hour and fifteen minute trek the lush primary tropical forest will entrance you with its greenery and diversity of plant life and the calls of its tropical animals and bird species. Arrival at the base of Angel Falls, we will have time to relax on the large rocks warmed by the sun, take some pictures of the raging waterfall, and take a dip in the pool created at its base.
After trekking back down to our day camp we will be greeted with a traditional Indian barbecue prepared by our Pemon hosts. An exciting return down the rapids will follow, and we will arrive around 5 p.m.

Day 4. Canaima – Caracas (Breakfast)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Puerto Ordaz and connecting flight to Caracas. Arriving back in Caracas at 7pm. Overnight accommodation.

Day 5. Caracas - Quito (Breakfast)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Quito. Reception and transfer to your hotel.

Day 6. Quito – Galapagos Islands (All meals) - Itinerary subject to change

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Baltra. Welcome by the crew of the yacht before a visit to the second largest island in the Galapagos, Santa Cruz. With six different zones of vegetation: Coastal, Arid, Transition, Scalesia, Miconia, and Pampa Zones. The lush green scenery of the Santa Cruz highlands is a welcome contrast to the aridity of the lower islands.

Day 7. Floreana – Punta Cormorant (All meals)

Punta Cormorant offers two highly contrasting beaches; the landing beach is of volcanic origin and is composed of olivine crystals, giving it a greenish tinge. At the end of the short trail is a carbonate beach of very fine white sand, formed by the erosion of coral skeletons; it is also a nesting site for green sea turtles. Between these two beaches is a salt lagoon frequented by flamingoes, pintails, stilts, and other wading birds. An old eroded volcanic cone called Devil's Crown is a popular roosting site for seabirds such as boobies, pelicans, and frigates and it is not uncommon to see red-billed tropicbirds in rocky crevices. The center of the crown is an outstanding snorkeling spot full of sea lions and colourful fish.

Day 8. Española – Gardner Bay – Punta Suarez (All meals)

Today, we will visit the isolated Española where there is a high percentage of endemic fauna. Gardner Bay, on the eastern shore has a magnificent beach. The beach is frequented by sea lions, and is a major nesting site for marine turtles. Around the small islets nearby, snorkelers will come across many species of fish, turtles and perhaps even sharks. On a trail leading to the western part of the island, several nesting sites of the waved albatross will be encountered. These huge birds nest here from April to December. Finally at Punta Suarez, along with many nesting seabirds there are mockingbirds, Galapagos doves and Galapagos hawks. Several types of reptile, including the marine iguana and the lava lizard, are also inhabitants of the island. Here you may also see a spectacular blowhole, which shoots spray 30 metres into the air.

Day 9. Leon Dormido – San Cristobal – La Loberia (All meals)

Today we will pass the shattered rock "Leon Dormido" also known as Kicker Rock, which serves as a nesting place for many sea birds. A visit to the Interpretation Centre at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno before visiting La Lobería, home to a large sea lion colony and nursery. There are frequently dozens of sea lions visible at any time. Low tide is one of the best times to visit however, since it is when the mother's bring the pups into the tide pools for swimming lessons. Here you will see the sea lions, marine iguanas and even giant tortoises.

Day 10. Santa Cruz - Quito (Breakfast)

Our last day on the Enchanted Islands where after breakfast we will visit The Charles Darwin Research Station. The station is also a tortoise breeding centre, where tortoises of different species are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. The most famous inhabitant is probably Lonesome George, the only survivor of this specific turtle species. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the mainland. Arrival in Quito, reception and transfer to your hotel.

Day 11. Quito – Cotopaxi - Quito (Breakfast & lunch)

After breakfast, we head south through the avenue of the volcanoes and on towards Cotopaxi National Park. During the drive, we shall see several dormant and active volcanoes, including Pasochoa, Ruminahui and Corazon volcanoes along this spectacular journey.
Arrival to Lasso and lunch at the wonderful colonial Cienega Hacienda. After lunch, we shall make a visit to the fabulous San Agustin de Callo Hacienda, at the very foot of Cotopaxi Volcano. The Hacienda was first written about by the Spanish chronicler, Cieza de Leon (1553) and is one of only two major Inca sites in Ecuador. This temple or palace was built around 1440 AD by one of the last Inca emperors, Huayna Cápac, and to this day the remaining rooms prevail as a magnificent sample of the unique style of Inca construction. The site is currently being investigated by Dr. David Brown of the University of Texas, the funding of which was provided by the National Geographic Society. Previously unknown portions of Inca walls and foundations have been discovered throughout the restoration process of the house.
Since the 15th century San Agustin de Callo has served as an Inca fortress, Augustinian convent and temporary home of the French Geodesic Mission whose scientific results helped to determine the true shape of the planet. After the visit, a return to Quito and your hotel.

Day 12. Quito - Otavalo (Breakfast)

After breakfast, head north in the direction to one of the most prosperous communities in the country, Otavalo where you will find the famous Ponchos’ Market, here you can find colourful handicrafts like rugs, clothes, Panama hats, pictures, jewelry, etc.
In the afternoon, if there is time, we will will visit Cotacachi town known for its famous leather handicrafts. Late afternoon return to Quito.
Free evening. Celebrate Christmas Eve Mass at a local church (we can provide some options)

Day 13. Quito (Breakfast)

After breakfast, a visit colonial Quito, declared by UNESCO as a world heritage site in 1978. You may enjoy the Old Town, including the Plaza de la Independencia; as the President still conducts business here. It is also the home of the tomb of Sucre and houses interesting 17th and 18th century paintings.
The Plaza de San Francisco which was constructed by the Spanish in 1553 has a high altar made of gold and beautifully carved ceilings.

Day 14: Quito Breakfast)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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