Amazon and Galapagos Cruising

11 day, 23 meals. Extend your escorted South America tour and glide through the Amazon rainforest aboard a custom-designed river ship. Then explore Ecuador’s capital, Quito, before cruising amid the wildlife-rich islands of the Galápagos archipelago.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive Iquitos, Nauta, Amazon Cruise

At the end of your escorted journey, fly from Lima to Iquitos, gateway to the Peruvian Amazon. From here, a private vehicle will transfer you to the small riverside port town of Nauta, where the Delfin III awaits. After being welcomed on board, learn about the region you’ll be cruising through at an orientation presentation, before being treated to the first of many delicious meals in the ship’s restaurant tonight.

Day 2: Amazon Cruise

This morning, a skiff will deliver you to firm ground so that you can embark on a walk along the Fundo Casual jungle trail with your naturalist guide. Watch for the local wildlife and learn about daily life in this part of the Amazon. In the afternoon, your ship will start cruising along the Yanayacu and Pucate rivers through one of the best-preserved zones of the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Here perhaps go for swim or paddle board, keeping an eye out all the while for the famous pink river dolphins that call this section of the waterway home.

Day 3: Amazon Cruise

After breakfast, embark on a skiff exploration along the Samiria River, where an abundance of wildlife hides in the deep rainforest. Watch for blue and yellow macaws, scarlet macaws, toucans, umbrella birds, monkeys, and capybaras, among other creatures. After lunch, you’ll head for Nauta Cano Creek, where you may like to go fishing for piranhas. As night approaches, your guide will take you on a night safari in search of caiman alligators and night birds.

Day 4: Amazon Cruise, Nauta, Iquitos, Lima

Farewelling the river, disembark your ship and travel by private vehicle back to Iquitos. Transfer to the airport in Iquitos for your flight to the Peruvian capital, Lima. On arrival in Lima, transfer to your hotel.

Day 5: Lima, Guayaquil

Be transferred to the airport this morning for your flight from Lima to Guayaquil. This afternoon, enjoy time at leisure in Ecuador’s second largest city, or set off on an in-depth city tour (additional expense).

Day 6: Guayaquil, Galapagos Islands (Baltra and Santa Cruz islands)

Fly to Baltra Island in the Galapagos archipelago and be driven to the Itabaca Channel before taking a ferry to Santa Cruz Island. Savour lunch at a local restaurant in the island’s humid highlands before continuing to the archipelago’s biggest town, Puerto Ayora. Visit the fascinating Charle Darwin Research Station and Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, then enjoy a walk along Puerto Ayora’s main street before boarding Yacht Isabela II, your home for the next four nights. Settle in, relax and enjoy a Captain’s Welcome Cocktail and Dinner on board.

Day 7: Galapagos Islands Cruise (Bartolome and Santiago islands)

Visit Bartolome Island this morning, where terrific panoramic views await after climbing a wooden staircase to the top of the island. After the walk, board a panga (a Zodiac-like boat) for a ride around the imposing Pinnacle Rock as you keep your eyes peeled for Galapagos penguins, dolphins and other marine life. After lunch, re-join a panga headed to Santiago Island’s Sullivan Bay, home to a pristine white coral sand beach that provides a perfect base for swimming. You can also join a walking trail through the island’s unique lava fields.

Day 8: Galapagos Islands (Santa Cruz and Santiago islands)

Set off on a walk at Dragon Hill on the north coast of Santa Cruz Island, first reaching a brackish water lagoon where you can admire the diverse birdlife including shorebirds, ducks and American flamingos. Continue inland, soaking in scenic views of the bay and other islands and enjoying the chance view land iguanas. Following the walk, you can snorkel in the clear waters off the shore on the lookout for rays, green turtles and sharks. After lunch, explore cliffs of Buccaneer Cove on Santiago Island as you learn about the history of the region. See various marine birds and sea lions and see unique rock formations before enjoying more opportunities to explore the area your way either snorkelling, taking a panga ride or seeing below the surface on a glass-bottom boat.

Day 9: Galapagos Islands (Isabela and Fernandina islands)

More amazing landscapes and wildlife await today. Isabela Island is the first destination, where you can see Galapagos fur seals, nesting Nazca boobies, penguins and marine iguanas. If conditions permit, you’ll also have the chance to snorkel along the cliffs. Later, visit the archipelago’s youngest island, Fernandina, a pristine ecosystem bursting with wildlife and free of introduced species. Local animals to admire include hawks, penguins, flightless cormorants and countless marine iguanas, while the island’s live volcano dominates the amazing scenery.

Day 10: Galapagos Islands (Baltra Island), Guayaquil

Your Galapagos journey comes to an end this morning as you disembark your ship at Baltra Island and transfer to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil. Enjoy this evening at leisure.

Day 11: Depart Guayaquil

After breakfast, be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.