Once you land in the lively city of Quito, our designated driver will be there to greet you. He will be holding a sign with your name for easy recognition. He will then escort you to your hotel, where you can relax and get settled.

Pick Up: 9:00 am from your hotel’s lobby.

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Quito, a city where the divine and the delicious intertwine. This exclusive tour offers you private transportation and the insights of a knowledgeable English-speaking guide, making it a seamless exploration of Quito’s architectural splendor and culinary richness. Your adventure starts with visits to the most awe-inspiring churches in the city—La Compañía, known for its stunning Baroque gold interiors; San Francisco Church, a site steeped in history and beauty; the Basilica, with its remarkable neo-Gothic architecture; and the Iglesia Museo Catedral Primada, a museum-cathedral that tells the spiritual story of Quito. Each stop reveals layers of history, art, and devotion, showcasing the city’s deep cultural roots.

The tour then transitions from historical exploration to a delightful culinary experience at a mystery location. Here, with a skilled local chef, you’ll dive into Ecuadorian cuisine, learning to prepare traditional dishes that reflect the country’s diverse flavors and cooking techniques. This interactive cooking class fills your day with fun and flavor and culminates in a delicious lunch where you can savor the dishes you’ve created, sharing stories and impressions with your fellow travelers.

As the day winds down, you’re transported back to your hotel, leaving you with a rich tapestry of experiences from Quito’s holy sites to its hearty cuisine. This half-day tour is more than just a glimpse into the city’s landmarks; it’s an intimate encounter with the soul of Quito, designed for those who seek to understand the essence of places through their history, art, and flavors.

This action-packed itinerary strikes the perfect balance between incredible opportunities to see rare wildlife species and adventures to explore the fascinating wonders of the untouched Amazon rainforest.

You will always be accompanied by a highly experienced naturalist guide and a native guide to lead you through every step, ensuring that you create memories that will last a lifetime.

At the Quito International Airport, you will be met by one of our La Selva representatives in the National Departure area. They will assist you with the check-in process and briefly brief you about the journey.

After a 30-minute commercial flight to Puerto Francisco de Orellana “El Coca,” our representative will take you to our office, located along the Napo River pier, in a private vehicle.

The next two and a half hours will be spent in a motorized canoe heading down river, beginning an unforgettable experience in the Amazon rainforest. We will provide you with a box lunch and extra drinks for this part of the trip.

At the end of the motorized canoe ride, you will be dropped off at La Selva’s main dock, where the final leg of the trip to the lodge will be completed in a paddle canoe. The only things you must take care of during this part of the trip are your carry-on and camera equipment; all other luggage will be transported by La Selva staff.

The manager will wait to greet you with a refreshing beverage, snacks, and a brief briefing about your La Selva stay.

Intro to the Rainforest

After some rest and time to unpack, one of the Naturalist Guides will give you some basic information about the tropical rainforest, the Amazon, and how La Selva operates.

The idea is to begin your activities with general knowledge of the unique place you have just arrived at.

Matapalo Charapa Trail

This trail was given the Spanish name of the famous Strangler fig (Ficus sp), one of many remarkable trees on this short walk.

Mahogany trees over 400 years old can be seen, and your guides will share their knowledge of the flora and fauna seen along the trail with you.

Due to the time of day, soft natural light shines through the canopy, and diurnal and nocturnal animals are beginning their daily transitional activities.

Night Canoe Ride

Garza Cocha Lagoon is a great place to search for caimans, bats, owls, and night mammals with the help of a spotlight the guides will use. There are also great opportunities for stargazing if the night sky is clear!

Snacks

You can find snacks at the bar and order cocktails from the bartender. There is also a non-alcoholic beverage station where you can help yourself to limitless tea and coffee!

Dinner

Find your seat and get comfortable while our servers serve you each course.

Wake Up Call

Breakfast

Observation Tower & Mandi Cocha.

After a 15-minute walk, the observation tower comes into sight, soaring an impressive 120 ft above the forest floor. Your Naturalist and Native guides, with the help of a sighting scope, will show you colorful birds enjoying the canopy and maybe even certain primates. After another 30-minute walk from the tower, we reach Mandi Cocha.

This small lake features different vegetation and landscapes that display the beauty of the flooded forest. With a little bit of luck, our guests might spot the famous giant otters that make their home nearby. This endangered species is difficult to find, but during this visit, there’s a chance we might see them!

Lunch

Garza Cocha Lake

This lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Ecuadorian Amazon. This is one of several opportunities to spot several species of monkeys and birds. Sometimes, huge groups of squirrel monkeys join families of capuchin monkeys to look for food.

Howler monkeys also like to spend the late afternoon around the lake.

The hoatzin, a sizeable, unique bird found only in pristine Amazon environments, is easy to spot.

Night Walk

You need only a flashlight and your camera to see the jungle come alive at night. Your guides may take you to places where you may see amphibians, insects, reptiles, birds, and nocturnal mammals.

Dinner

During your free time between activities, you can use our kayaks, get a massage, participate in a yoga class, or just relax in your room and take a nap!

Wake Up Call

Breakfast

Parrot Clay Lick and Pilchi Community.

After an early breakfast, you will return to the Napo River and take a motorized canoe ride to the clay lick, one of the most fascinating displays of the wild world. Hundreds of parrots and parakeets gather here to eat the mineral-rich soil, an important part of their diet. Binoculars are essential to capture the moment.

At the indigenous community of Pilchi, you will learn about how the first nations of the Amazon lived, dating back thousands of years. This includes how they dress, what they eat, how they cook, and the many ways they use what the forest provides in their daily lives. It is a truly unique, fascinating, and fun experience!

Please don’t be shy about asking them questions; be brave enough to try some traditional drinks and food! They love to share their ancestral knowledge and spread awareness about their culture and where they live.

Lunch

Coto Trail

This is a fantastic walk that goes from the lodge to the edge of the Garza Cocha Lake. In the afternoon, the soft rays of sunlight make this walk a unique experience and the perfect opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this fantastic forest.

Your guide will point out and explain all the fascinating creatures that you come across, and our native guide will show you some of the medicinal plants that they have had for thousands of years. A canoe ride back to the lodge will allow you to see Caymans, bats, and other nocturnal wildlife in and around the lake, giving this activity a fantastic ending!

Departure Briefing

Our manager will provide you with all the necessary information about your departure procedure for the following day, and our bartender will offer you a delicious farewell cocktail.

Dinner

During your free time between activities, you can use our kayaks, get a massage, participate in a yoga class, or just relax in your room and take a nap!

Wake Up Call

Breakfast

Departure to Coca: According to your briefing the night before, you will have an early wake-up call, breakfast, and departure from the lodge.

The lodge staff will assist you with your checked luggage, and the motorized canoe ride will head upstream back to Coca. Our representatives will then take you to the La Selva office to use the restrooms.

After a short break, they will take you to the airport and help you with your boarding passes and checked luggage.

Once you land in  Quito, our designated driver will greet you. He will be holding a sign with your name for easy recognition. He will then escort you to your hotel, where you can relax and get settled.

BALTRA AIRPORT – BARTHOLOMEW ISLAND

Upon arrival, reception and assistance at the airport, transfer from Baltra Airport to the M/C Endemic.

After lunch, you will discover Bartholomew Island. Once here, you will ascend to admire the spectacular panorama of Sullivan Bay and the famous Pinnacle Rock. The beaches at the foot of the Pinnacle Rock are excellent for snorkeling, from which you can discover the marvelous underwater world. With a bit of luck, you’ll get to snorkel with penguins.

FLOREANA ISLAND: Devil´s Crown /Cormorant Point – Baroness’ Lookout/ Post Office Bay

After breakfast, the first spot to visit is Devil´s Crown, an underwater volcanic crater almost entirely covered by Galapagos waters. A tiny portion of the rock formation, which looks like a crown, can be seen above. The underwater world is very rich in coral reefs and abundant marine species. Due to its location in open waters, birds are also part of this visitor point.

Or visit Cormorant Point, where you will land on a green olivine sand beach. Following a 100-meter path, you will soon reach a lagoon with flamingos.

Activities: Dinghy riding, snorkeling & walking.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Baroness’ Lookout (Mirador de la Baronesa). This viewpoint is located to the north of Floreana Island. The trail-up is straightforward; steps are placed in this area for security. Your naturalist guide will tell the murder and mystery legend of the Baroness.

You can also go to the Post Office Bay, which keeps the legendary post barrel that whalers historically used to post their mail.

Activities: Short walking (less than 0.6mi/ 1km) & snorkeling.

SANTIAGO ISLAND: Chinese Hat – NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND

After breakfast, you will visit Chinese Hat, a small islet off the south coast of Santiago with a maximum elevation of 160 feet (52 meters). Though within easy reach of Santa Cruz, Chinese Hat is typically only visited by those aboard a Galapagos Cruise.

Activities: Walking, snorkeling, kayaking, dinghy ride.

In the afternoon, North Seymour Island will be discovered. It is located slightly to the north of Baltra. It is a low, flat island formed by submarine lava formation uplift. Covered with low, bushy vegetation, it contains the largest colony of magnificent frigate birds in the Galapagos. There is also a large population of blue-footed boobies that perform an amusing courtship dance when nesting conditions are right.

Activities: Walking, snorkeling, dinghy ride.

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND: Black Turtle Cove – BALTRA AIRPORT

After breakfast, visit Black Turtle Cove, located on the north shore of Santa Cruz. It illustrates how mangroves alter the marine environment to create a rich and unique habitat. Three mangrove species crowd the area from the shore into the lagoon, reaching almost a mile inland.

As you drift through quiet waters in the dinghy, you will likely see spotted eagle and diamond-shaped mustard rays, which swim in a diamond formation. White-tipped reef sharks slip beneath the boat, and Pacific green sea turtles come to the surface for air and to mate. Waterfowl, including pelicans, herons, and egrets, all feed in the cove. This is a peaceful place that will make you feel calm.

Activities:  dinghy ride, snorkeling.

After this last visit, transfer to Baltra airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.
Assistance and farewell at the airport.

Once you land in Quito, our designated driver will greet you. He will be holding a sign with your name for easy recognition. He will then escort you to your hotel, where you can relax and get settled.

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding has been a Plaza family tradition for over a hundred years. Hacienda Zuleta is known for its beautiful Zuleteño horses – a unique mixture of the Spanish-Andalusian, the Thoroughbred, and the American Quarter Horse. The outcome of this crossbreeding is a robust and noble Andean horse with the perfect disposition for trail-riding. The rider can explore the stunning Andean countryside on different trails from 9,000 to 11,000 feet above sea level. You will be safe with our knowledgeable, friendly local guides, or we can provide a bilingual speaker for an extra charge. All rides include a tasty snack complemented with our homemade fruit juice. Full-day rides include a delicious picnic with a luxury option for an additional charge on specific routes.

For your convenience and security, we provide a complete Andean saddle (very similar to the Western saddle) with a deep seat and comfortable sheepskin lining. You are also given a rain poncho, rubber boots or half chaps, and a helmet.

Embroidery Class

Every stitch is a piece of my soul; even if I can’t go abroad, my embroidery goes for me. – Teresa Casa, famous local embroidered. Become part of the famous creative tradition of Zuleta and try your hand at embroidery with the help of our friendly local experts!

We are thrilled to welcome you on an extraordinary adventure that breathes new life into the age-old tradition of navigating reed kayaks on the serene waters of San Pablo Lagoon (Imbacocha). This distinctive journey, steeped in authenticity and cultural significance, allows you to engage directly with the heritage of the Andean people.

The expedition, extending around 1 hour and 45 minutes, is not just a tour but an immersive experience. You’ll be enveloped in the rich tapestry of Andean traditions as you glide across the calm lagoon, cradled in the craftsmanship of the reed kayak beneath you.

This unique opportunity provides an intimate understanding of the Andean worldview and its people. Through this journey, you will witness and actively participate in the revival and celebration of a practice that has shaped the lives of generations. So, prepare for an unforgettable voyage that transcends the commonplace, taking you back to the heart of Andean culture.

After this fantastic experience, we will continue to La Compañia de Jesus Hacienda for lunch and the experience of a rose plantation—drop off at Quito Airport.