Galapagos Islands nature odyssey tour itinerary details

Nature Odyssey 15 day itinerary

The below is a 15 day nature odyssey based on an 8 day Galapagos Islands cruise departure on board the Galapagos Odyssey (tour departs weekly, every Monday and Friday), it also includes 2 nights at an Amazon lodge, 2 nights in the clouds and 2 nights in Quito or Guayaquil. Other itinerary options (3 and 4 night Galapagos cruises) and departure dates are available as well as other boat options.

The right hand column explains alternative cruise itineraries

Day 1 Monday: Quito or Guayaquil

Arrive on your international flight. Greeting at the airport by a Latin Trails English speaking representative. Assistance and transfer to your hotel. Accommodation at Swissotel or similar in Quito.

Day 2 Tuesday: Quito - Papallacta - Cotococha Amazon lodge

We begin our nature odyssey departing from Quito early in the morning. We will drive up the Eastern Cordillera, where we will pass through a 4,065m mountain pass. Though it can by foggy at this height, when the weather is clear you’ll be astounded by the magnificent views of the Antizana volcano and the surrounding paramo wetlands. In a few hours we’ll reach Las Termas de Papallacta, Ecuador’s most beautifully situated thermal hot springs Resort and Spa.

After enjoying the invigorating atmosphere of Papallacta´s Thermal Hot Springs, we will continue our odyssey to the village of Baeza where we will enjoy lunch at Gina’s. Here we can feast on the most sumptuous trout in all of Ecuador. After lunch we will continue through the last hills of the Cordillera to the Cotococha Amazon Lodge, where we will be welcomed with a guayusa tea, a local drink. We will have dinner at Cotococha Amazon Lodge, and afterwards have the opportunity to relax in Cotococha’s cosy lounge with a welcoming drink in front of a fireplace.
(B, L, D)

Day 3 Wednesday: Cotococha Amazon lodge

Today you have a variety of choices for excursions in our Amazon nature odyssey. One of Cotococha’s local guides will accompany you on each trip to ensure you get the most out of each experience. Of the excursions offered, you can choose to visit the Animal Rescue Centre "AmaZOOnico," where you can observe a variety of native Amazon rainforest species, such as monkeys, toucans, agoutis, snakes, caimans, tapirs, and many more. Or, you can visit a Quichua community where you will learn about their local traditions and customs. At the Quichua community you can practice the blowpipe, see how the local fermented ‘chica’ drink is made, and listen to the locals as they tell stories about the Amazon rainforest. During this Ecuador nature tour, there are excellent opportunities to swim, or even take an authentic balsa raft ride downstream.
(B, L, D)

Day 4 Thursday: Cotococha Amazon lodge - Puyo - Baños - Luna Runtun Adventure Spa

After our breakfast at Cotococha Amazon Lodge we will depart for Baños. On our way to Baños we will stop in Puyo, where we can have lunch and visit a Casa de balsa (Balsa wood house). While at the Casa de balsa, local inhabitants will show us how they make souvenirs of balsa wood. You will also have an opportunity to buy some of their handmade souvenirs. Afterwards, our route will take us to Molienda, a sugar-cane factory where we can observe how Ecuadorians make alcoholic drinks out of sugar cane. On our way back from Puyo you can enjoy spectacular views of Pastaza Gorge, the surrounding cloud forest, and the numerous waterfalls that cascade down the valleys on either side of the road.

We will also visit El Paillon del Diablo, a waterfall that cascades down the valley into a bowl-shaped pool below. If you take a close look at the pool, you will notice the face of the devil swimming in its crystal clear waters. At the end of the afternoon we will arrive at Baños. We will drive up to Luna Runtun where we will spend the night above the clouds with a spectacular view, dinner is included.
(B, L, D)

Day 5 Friday: Luna Runtun Adventure Spa & the village of Baños

Today we will spend the day wandering around Baños, a town famous for its thermal hot springs that boast healing powers. As you explore the city of Baños you can visit the church, go mountain biking, horseback riding, or hike to one of the viewpoints from where you can see the Tungurahua, one of the active volcanoes located in Ecuador. Luna Runtun your adventure spa also offers a fine menu of spa treatments and adventure trails into the surrounding cloudforest and natural areas. You can also enjoy the pool and hot tub viewing the mountains. Overnight at Luna Runtun.
(B, L, D)

Day 6 Saturday: Luna Runtun Adventure Spa - Salasaca community - Cotopaxi National Park - Hacienda San Agustin del Callo - Quito

In the early morning on the fifth day we’ll depart for an invigorating visit to the Cotopaxi National Park, the world’s highest snow-capped active volcano. On our way we will stop at Salasaca, an indigenous community where that boasts a rich variety of tapestries and other woven products made by the local people. Afterwards, we will continue up to the park where will pay a visit to a quaint little museum that provides information about the park, its nature, geology, history of eruptions, and pictures of the Cotopaxi volcano (5,897m).

Next, we will continue our trek into the park where will make our way to LimpiopungoLake at 3800m. Here, we can acclimate to the altitude by enjoying a leisurely walk on which we can observe semi-wild horses, a variety of ducks and hummingbirds, and the Andean gull and lapwing. Afterwards we’ll return to the parking lot at 4600m, from where it's a strenuous 45-minute walk up to the José Ribas refuge at 4800m, a mountain cabin halfway up the volcano. Here we will enjoy a short break at the refuge and if we feel fit enough you have the option to continue to the nearby glacier, where you’ll have an incredible opportunity to photograph the spectacular scenery, which includes immense ice walls and deep crevasses. Before returning to Quito we will have lunch under the view of majestic Cotopaxi at the Inca hacienda San Agustin and explore the Inca ruins located here. Return to Quito and check in at your hotel.
(B, L)

Day 7 Sunday: Quito or Guayaqui - Baltra airport, Galapagos

Transfer to airport.
Flight to Galapagos and Transfer to the yacht.

AM: Baltra airport, Galapagos
Upon arrival at Baltra travellers pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands and to pay the park entrance fee of $100 (unless prepaid). Guides will meet you, collect your luggage and escort you on the short bus ride to the harbour. Motorized rafts, called ‘Pangas’ will transport you to the Galapagos Odyssey and our crew will welcome you onboard and offer a safety briefing. After departure and lunch, the first island visit is made.

PM: Santa Cruz Island - Bachas Beach
These two small beaches are found to the West of Turtle Cove. Their sand is made of decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft, making it a favourite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish water lagoon, where occasionally it is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. The other beach is longer, but it has two old barges that were abandoned during the Second World War, when the USA used Baltra Island as a strategically point to protect the Panama Channel.
(B,D)

Day 8 Monday:

AM: Bartholomew Island

Bartholomew Island is situated across Santiago Island. It has an altitude of 114mts, from where we can observe one of the most beautiful sceneries of the Galapagos Islands, such as: volcanic cones, lunar-like craters, lava fields and the famous pinnacle formed of Toba eroded by the sea. There is very little vegetation on this island.

It has two breathtaking beaches where marine turtles exist and at the base of the pinnacle, is a very small colony of Galapagos penguins.

PM: Sullivan Bay (Santiago)

Santiago, also called James, or San Salvador Island, is located in the west central part of the Galapagos archipelago. It is the fourth largest island in the archipelago (following Isabela, Fernandina and Santa Cruz). With the exception of some of the large western volcanos of Isabela and Fernandina, it is the also most volcanically active, with many young flows and cones to be seen, particularly along the south, west, and east coasts. These may even be seen from the summit of Volcan Darwin and from space. A number of historic eruptions have been reported over the last 2 centuries. Santiago actually consists of two coalesced volcanos: a typical shield volcano on the northwest end and a low, linear fissure volcano on the southeast end.

(B,L,D)

Day 9 Tuesday:

AM Sierra Negra Volcano, Isabela island
Isabela Island, the largest and one of the youngest in the Galapagos. We land in Puerto Villamil, which has the second smallest population in Galapagos with around 3000 habitants.
We head up to the highlands from Puerto Villamil. We set up our horses to ride a couple of miles or short trip by car to Sierra Negra slope for a hiking on uneven terrain until we arrive to the Sierra Negra volcano rim. Sierra Negra is the second widest crater in the world. From this viewpoint you have fantastic sights to the 6 x 5 -mile-wide crater, the rest of the volcanoes, and the Perry Isthmus. From here we can hike to Chico Volcano to watch the striking lava formations, examples of the geological occurrences that have created the Galapagos Islands

PM White Tipped Reef Shark Canal ( Tintoreras)
A delightful place will be reached by a nice zodiac ride, "Tintoreras” are small island in front of the Puerto Villamil coast.
Common sightings are Heron on lookout on mangrove branch and Galapagos Penguin and sea lion pup on shore. White-tipped reef sharks are fairly common in the archipelago. Their name in Spanish is tintorera, thus the name of this site as they are always found here resting in the shallow waters
(B,L,D)

Day 10 Wednesday:

AM – Highlands (Santa Cruz)
The trail to the highlands leaves from Bellavista and passes through the agricultural zone, near the National Park boundary, the Miconia Zone and then goes to the Fern and Sedge zone. With clear weather (unpredictable) this area affords beautiful scenes of rolling hills and extinct volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery all year round. Great possibilities to see giant tortoises in the wild.

PM – Charles Darwin Station (Santa Cruz)
Although the great majority of Galapagos visitors come here to observe and appreciate natural wonders, it is also interesting to learn how the protection and conservation of the islands are carried out. One of the principal attractions are National Park information center, Van Staelen Exhibition Hall, Breeding and Rearing Center for young tortoises, Lonesome George (tortoise from Pinta), adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity.
(B,L,D)

Day 11 Thursday:

AM - Leon Dormido - Interpretation Center (San Cristobal)
In the morning we visit Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido) also known as the Sleeping Lion because of its resemblance. It is located off the coast of San Cristobal. The remains of a lava cone eroded by the sea, the two vertical rocks rising 500 feet from the ocean form a small channel that is navigable by small boats. This Galapagos Islands natural monument has become a favorite sight for cruises due to the many Tropicbirds, Frigates and boobies that fill the surrounding air.

Beneath the sea the nearly crystal waters offer a brilliant show of colorful tropical fish and invertebrates. Later on we head to the Interpretation Center. It was built with the cooperation of the Spanish Science Centre and it gives a very good introduction to the Galaagos islands, its marine and land life, fauna and flora. It is located in the outskirts of the small city of Pto. Baquerizo Moreno, which is the capital of the Galapagos Province.

PM – Loberia (San Cristobal)
In the afternoon we will visit Lobería, which can be found a short 10 minute bus ride or a nice 30 min. walk south from Puerto Baquerizo. Traveler's frequently note the unusual color of the plants as they near the beach. La Lobería is 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'll enjoy the sea lions, marine iguanas, bird watching, and even Galapagos giant tortoises. You have to always stay on the path and try not to disturb the wildlife!
(B,L,D)

Day 12 Friday:

AM Española Island - Gardner Bay
Located on the north-eastern coast of Hood, Gardner Bay provides an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming and an opportunity to observe sea lions. Here we can also observe sharks on the crystalline waters of the ocean

AM Española Island -Punta Suarez
This rocky point of land sustains one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galapagos including the only nesting site in the world for the Waved-Algatross. Along its southern shore, high cliffs rise up from the sea affording the visitor spectacular views of soaring birds and of the blow whole, where water spouts up to 50-75 feet into the air according to the intensity of the surf.
(B,L,D)

Day 13 Saturday:

AM – Punta Cormorant (Floreana)
This site probably, offers one of the largest and the best flamingo lagoon in the Galapagos. It is situated between two tuff cones that give the area a special atmosphere. There are various species of shorebirds to be seen besides flamingos, the most frequent are common stilts, white-checked pintail ducks and other migratories. This is a unique zone due to the high percentage of endemism in the plant life. Is also very interesting the two distinct beaches: the “green beach (due to high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand) and the “Flour sand beach” made up of coral.

PM – Post office bay & Gordon Rocks (Floreana)
Historically, this site is the location of a wooden barrel that was placed in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. It has been used since this time by mariners and tourists as a post office. The idea is to carry letters or postcards to their destination by hand. Apart from being the Post Office Barrel, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists. After this historic visit we have the opportunity to snorkel by Gordon rocks and excellent marine site with possibilities to discover the underwater wonders of the archipelago
(B,L,D)

Day 14 Sunday:

AM: Seymour North Island
North Seymour is an uplifted (as opposed to volcanic) island and so is generally flat and strewn with boulders. There are good nesting sites here for a large population of magnificent frigate birds. Blue-footed boobies perform their courtship dance in the more open areas and swallow-tailed gulls perch on the cliff edges. Despite the tremendous surf that can pound the outer shore, sea lions haul out onto the beach and can be found bodysurfing.

Here is where you can admire the beautiful frigate birds and nests of blue-footed boobies. Watch your step, as the boobies don't worry much about where they nest, and you might just step on one. The trees are dotted with male frigate birds trying to attract the attention of the ladies by inflating their bright red skin flaps. They sometimes fly in the air to call more attention to themselves, which is, in itself, a funny display, as the puffy flap throws off their sense of balance! There's a circular path that takes you through the island to a beautiful, rocky shore where the waves crash a silvery-blue.

After your visit to Seymour North Island, transfer to the airport in Baltra. Flight back to Quito or Guayaquil. Greeting and transfer to your hotel. Accommodation at Swissotel or similar in Quito / Oro Verde or similar in Guayaquil.
(B)

Day 15 Monday: Quito or Guayaquil - Trip extension or homebound

Transfer out by Latin Trails representative to the airport for your international flight or to join your trip extension.

Note: Itineraries are subject to variations due to weather conditions or Galapagos National Park regulations. B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner.

Alternative nature odyssey itineraries

Below are a list of alternative nature odyssey itineraries and departure days, 3 and 4 nights in the Galapagos Islands boarding the Galapagos Odyssey.

Galapagos Odyssey yacht, 3 night cruise, 5 day Andes to Amazon Odyssey (program starts Friday)

Day 1: Quito, greeting, assistance and transfer to hotel

Day 2: Quito - hot springs - Amazon lodge

Day 3: Amazon lodge

Day 4: Amazon lodge - Adventure Spa

Day 5: Adventure Spa & Baños town

Day 6: Adventure Spa - Cotopaxi - Quito

Day 7 - 10: Galapagos Islands cruise, Galapagos Odyssey yacht

Day 11: Quito or Guayaquil - transfer out.

Galapagos Odyssey yacht, 4 night cruise, 5 day Andes to Amazon Odyssey (program starts Monday)