Day 1: Thursday, June 21

Arrive in Quito

Day 2: Galapagos

Fly from Quito to Baltra Island, Galápagos Islands where you will board the Sulidaea a motor sailor known for its pirate ship look. Sail for North Seymour Island, where more sea lions occupy the beach and sea birds nest along the trail through the island's brushy interior. Frigate birds, blue footed boobies, lava gulls, finches, and upon occasion, a whimbrel, can be seen here.

Day 3: Galapagos

In the morning the Sulidae anchors near spectacular Pinnacle Rock, and you take an easy climb to the peak of Bartolomé Island for one of the most eye-popping scenic vistas in the islands; next, snorkeling around the Pinnacle Rock. This afternoon you visit Puerto Egas on Santiago Island. Here the remnants of a few buildings testify to a one-time salt mining operation, but these days the beach is taken over by lounging sea lions. Here too, in tidal coves, can be seen fur seals. Puerto Egas is especially picturesque due to the contrasting colors and forms of the black lava and the lighter brown ashy sediments.

Day 4: Galapagos

The morning visit is to Rábida Isalnd, with a beach of dark red sand where sea lions like to sun, and a lagoon that is likely to be inhabited by sea lions, flamingos, and, in the nesting season, lots of brown pelicans. The afternoon visit is to Cerro Dragón where you can expect to see land iguanas, a forest of Palo Santo, and many land birds, including species of Galápagos finches, made famous by Darwin's studies.

Day 5: Galapagos

Today the Sulidae puts into port at Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, and you will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to see the results of the giant tortoise and land iguana captive breeding projects. You'll also have a chance to do a bit of souvenir shopping in town. Then return to Quito on a short flight.

Day 6: Quito to the Manatee

Depart in the morning by plane from Quito to Francisco de Orellana (Coca), a center of oil production. We will than take motorized canoes out to our “flotel”, The Manatee which will be waiting near the river port. Once aboard the Manatee Amazon Explorer a thrilling adventure of exploring the tropical rain forest and its native communities will begin. You will now experience the surprising Amazon world, its people, more than 560 species of birds, and hundreds of botanical wonders. The Manatee floats along different ecosystems and important natural reserves such as the Yasuni National Park and the

Limoncocha Biological Reserve.

Day 7: Terra Firmae Forest, Lakes and Gorges

In the morning disembark for a stroll on terra firmae forest, towards an interior lagoon on the Yasuni National Park, observing the different ecosystems and accompanied by a Naturalist Guide. The excursion includes the opportunity to swim and fish for the famous piranha, time for rest and lunch. Then return to the mighty Napo River with a native canoe, rowing on a small black water creek or gorge.

Day 8: Parrots and the Limoncocha Biological Reserve

Early departure by motor canoe to visit a very special corner of the jungle, the clay banks of the river where different species of parrots gather daily to eat this clay that helps them digest the seeds they feed on, it is quite a sight, colorful and noisy! Then, back aboard the Manatee to sail upriver and reach one of the tributaries of the Napo to observe the flora and fauna, the surprising pigmy monkeys and then a trek to the installations of what was the Summer Institute of Linguistics of South America in Limoncocha, currently the only Biological Reserve of Ecuador. Upon reaching the Limoncocha Lake, we will board a canoe and travel along the banks of this marshy ecosystem, where over 470 species of birds have been recorded. There is a possibility to fish for piranha, and a short walk. At night, it is possible to observe the black caimans that inhabit the lagoon, quite an experience... Late in the evening return to the Manatee for dinner and sleep.

Day 9: The Return to Quito

Disembark from the Manatee and race up the river on a speedboat back to Coca to catch a short flight back to Quito. In Quito enjoy the local markets and sites.

Day 10:

If time permits get in some last minute shopping and sites before returning home.