Ecuador Flora and Fauna Tour - 12 Days
DAY 1: ARRIVAL – QUITO
On arrival in Quito your guide will be waiting for you at the airport and take you to your hotel in Quito.
Depending on the time of arrival, a Panoramic City tour can be done during the afternoon. At dark the architectural facades of Quito’s historical centre are beautifully lit and their detailed art deco and neoclassical ornaments are emphasized. At the end you can marvel the illuminated metropolis in all its glory from the panoramic viewpoint of El Panecillo hill.
DAY 2: QUITO - MINDO
The next day your guide will be waiting for you at the airport and take you to Mindo. There you will start your first expedition into the beautiful cloud forest and do some birding to see the hundreds of colibris and various other types of birds.
Mindo is famous for its waterfalls, crystal clear rivers and over 260 different birds as well as a great variety in flowers and plants.
DAY 3: MINDO - QUITO
After breakfast you will leave for another excursion to spend most of the day birding enjoying the breathtaking nature, observing butterflies and learning about flora and fauna from an English speaking guide. Today you will have the chance to do a full day of birding. Make sure you bring your binoculars so you can see the colorful birds up close. However, not only the animals you can observe are spectacular, but you will also be able to see various types of orchids and other exotic plants and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
In the afternoon a driver will bring you back to Quito, where you will arrive at your hotel.
DAY 4: QUITO – AMAZON JUNGLE
Today you will get picked up at your hotel by your guide to go to the Amazon Forest. After your arrival you’ll be picked up by your Amazon lodge’s own private transportation. There you will start your jungle experience.
Discover the lush, green jungle of the Amazonian forest area zone. In this area of pristine beauty, botanists have discovered around 300 species of trees in one hectare alone. It is a heaven to be explored with its impressive vegetation and humid, earthy odor, along with the song of hidden frogs, extravagant birds, the wind-like cries of howler monkeys and the constant buzzing and chirping of a fascinating variety of insects.
DAY 5: AMAZON JUNGLE
After breakfast at your lodge, you will once more have the opportunity to see monkeys, birds, caimans, turtles and pink river dolphins. In the canoe you will go further into the jungle, which will feel like a different, magical world.
Enjoy the breathtaking flora of the region and learn from native guides about plants, animals and culture.
DAY 6: AMAZON JUNGLE
Enjoy another day in the rich environment of the Ecuadorian rain forest. Wander through the incredibly green surroundings, hear the sounds of the jungle and get to know just another dozens of species.
DAY 7: AMAZON JUNGLE - QUITO
Today, after a few more hours of rain forest experience, you will be taken back to Quito, where your guide will be waiting for you to bring you to your hotel.
DAY 8: QUITO – GALAPAGOS – SANTA CRUZ
This day is the start of your Galapagos adventure. Today in the morning you will head to the Airport to board your flight on route to the Enchanted Galapagos Archipelago. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your cruise to begin your unforgettable tour. A trip to the Galapagos is a unique and unforgettable experience. The natural scenery, the wildlife on the islands as well as underwater is so diverse and abundant, that it is considered one of the most impressive and magical places in the world to visit. This trip to the Galapagos brings you closer to nature than ever before. In short, a trip you will never forget!
Day 09: Galapagos Islands
Enjoy a full day of guided excursions on the islands, where you will be able to follow in Darwin’s footsteps and observe the famous birds, turtles and various other types of animals.
Day 10: Galapagos Islands
Another day of getting to know the enchanted archipelago is waiting for you. Enjoy beautiful beaches, take photos of the most extraordinary scenery or observe the underwater world snorkeling.
Day 11: Galapagos Islands
Again, you will spend your day on board your yacht, where you can enjoy being on the sea, as well as experiencing Galapagos’ beautiful nature on different excursions.
Day 12: Galapagos Islands – End of services
After having enjoyed a wonderful experience on Galapagos, you will fly back to the Ecuadorian mainland (Guayaquil), where you can either take your flight back home or onwards to another country.
On arrival in Quito your guide will be waiting for you at the airport and take you to your hotel in Quito.
Depending on the time of arrival, a Panoramic City tour can be done during the afternoon. At dark the architectural facades of Quito’s historical centre are beautifully lit and their detailed art deco and neoclassical ornaments are emphasized. At the end you can marvel the illuminated metropolis in all its glory from the panoramic viewpoint of El Panecillo hill.
DAY 2: QUITO - MINDO
The next day your guide will be waiting for you at the airport and take you to Mindo. There you will start your first expedition into the beautiful cloud forest and do some birding to see the hundreds of colibris and various other types of birds.
Mindo is famous for its waterfalls, crystal clear rivers and over 260 different birds as well as a great variety in flowers and plants.
DAY 3: MINDO - QUITO
After breakfast you will leave for another excursion to spend most of the day birding enjoying the breathtaking nature, observing butterflies and learning about flora and fauna from an English speaking guide. Today you will have the chance to do a full day of birding. Make sure you bring your binoculars so you can see the colorful birds up close. However, not only the animals you can observe are spectacular, but you will also be able to see various types of orchids and other exotic plants and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
In the afternoon a driver will bring you back to Quito, where you will arrive at your hotel.
DAY 4: QUITO – AMAZON JUNGLE
Today you will get picked up at your hotel by your guide to go to the Amazon Forest. After your arrival you’ll be picked up by your Amazon lodge’s own private transportation. There you will start your jungle experience.
Discover the lush, green jungle of the Amazonian forest area zone. In this area of pristine beauty, botanists have discovered around 300 species of trees in one hectare alone. It is a heaven to be explored with its impressive vegetation and humid, earthy odor, along with the song of hidden frogs, extravagant birds, the wind-like cries of howler monkeys and the constant buzzing and chirping of a fascinating variety of insects.
DAY 5: AMAZON JUNGLE
After breakfast at your lodge, you will once more have the opportunity to see monkeys, birds, caimans, turtles and pink river dolphins. In the canoe you will go further into the jungle, which will feel like a different, magical world.
Enjoy the breathtaking flora of the region and learn from native guides about plants, animals and culture.
DAY 6: AMAZON JUNGLE
Enjoy another day in the rich environment of the Ecuadorian rain forest. Wander through the incredibly green surroundings, hear the sounds of the jungle and get to know just another dozens of species.
DAY 7: AMAZON JUNGLE - QUITO
Today, after a few more hours of rain forest experience, you will be taken back to Quito, where your guide will be waiting for you to bring you to your hotel.
DAY 8: QUITO – GALAPAGOS – SANTA CRUZ
This day is the start of your Galapagos adventure. Today in the morning you will head to the Airport to board your flight on route to the Enchanted Galapagos Archipelago. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your cruise to begin your unforgettable tour. A trip to the Galapagos is a unique and unforgettable experience. The natural scenery, the wildlife on the islands as well as underwater is so diverse and abundant, that it is considered one of the most impressive and magical places in the world to visit. This trip to the Galapagos brings you closer to nature than ever before. In short, a trip you will never forget!
Day 09: Galapagos Islands
Enjoy a full day of guided excursions on the islands, where you will be able to follow in Darwin’s footsteps and observe the famous birds, turtles and various other types of animals.
Day 10: Galapagos Islands
Another day of getting to know the enchanted archipelago is waiting for you. Enjoy beautiful beaches, take photos of the most extraordinary scenery or observe the underwater world snorkeling.
Day 11: Galapagos Islands
Again, you will spend your day on board your yacht, where you can enjoy being on the sea, as well as experiencing Galapagos’ beautiful nature on different excursions.
Day 12: Galapagos Islands – End of services
After having enjoyed a wonderful experience on Galapagos, you will fly back to the Ecuadorian mainland (Guayaquil), where you can either take your flight back home or onwards to another country.
2nd Option for Mindo
DAY 2: QUITO - MINDO
Yanacocha reserve: The reserve was established in 2001 to protect almost the entire known world population of the Critically Endangered hummingbird, the Black-breasted Puffleg, whose known range is restricted to the Pichincha Volcano, just north west of Quito. The habitat is mainly high altitude Polylepis forest, of a type which is severely depleted throughout the Andes due to agriculture and charcoal production.
The management of the reserve very much involves the local community, who offered the land for purchase to Fundación Jocotoco. It is a popular site for visitors from Quito, with spectacular views over the summit of Pichincha, and to more distant volcanoes. Many of the hummingbirds, including Swordbills can be closely seen at feeders.
The route of the Waterfalls: The large number of Ecuador waterfalls isn't surprising in a country of towering mountain peaks and deep plunging valleys. Almost anywhere you go in and around the mountains you will find some waterfall famous in the area. Some waterfalls require quite a hike to see, but you will rarely be disappointed. Throughout the Mindo Nambillo Reserve is a natural complex of 15 waterfalls of different heights and unique beauty.
DAY 3: MINDO - QUITO
Early in the morning we will pick you up to drive to the Reserve. We’ll make a hike with your English-speaking guide who’ll explain us all details about the exuberant vegetation and bird life.
Quetzal cocoa factory. - Nestled in the cloud forest of the Andes Mountains, El Quetzal is the ultimate destination for cacao and culinary enthusiasts alike. We offer exclusive tours of our bean-to-bar chocolate factory, located on-site. You will see (and sample!) every step of the chocolate making process and get to try our delectable, world-famous brownies.
There you’ll have an amazing place to have your lunch.
The Butterfly farm.- Admire and enjoy our interactive butterfly garden, where you can see the 4 stages of the butterfly life, surrounded by 1200 colorful butterflies at the same time. While you are in the exhibition you can feed one or more of our 25 different species of butterflies. Hosteria Mariposas de Mindo is the largest butterfly exhibition in Ecuador and the one that has the most species flying all over you. Part of our butterfly production goes back into the wild, as part of our conservation program in the area.
*The order of the tour can change depending on the hotel category chosen.
DAY 2: QUITO - MINDO
Yanacocha reserve: The reserve was established in 2001 to protect almost the entire known world population of the Critically Endangered hummingbird, the Black-breasted Puffleg, whose known range is restricted to the Pichincha Volcano, just north west of Quito. The habitat is mainly high altitude Polylepis forest, of a type which is severely depleted throughout the Andes due to agriculture and charcoal production.
The management of the reserve very much involves the local community, who offered the land for purchase to Fundación Jocotoco. It is a popular site for visitors from Quito, with spectacular views over the summit of Pichincha, and to more distant volcanoes. Many of the hummingbirds, including Swordbills can be closely seen at feeders.
The route of the Waterfalls: The large number of Ecuador waterfalls isn't surprising in a country of towering mountain peaks and deep plunging valleys. Almost anywhere you go in and around the mountains you will find some waterfall famous in the area. Some waterfalls require quite a hike to see, but you will rarely be disappointed. Throughout the Mindo Nambillo Reserve is a natural complex of 15 waterfalls of different heights and unique beauty.
DAY 3: MINDO - QUITO
Early in the morning we will pick you up to drive to the Reserve. We’ll make a hike with your English-speaking guide who’ll explain us all details about the exuberant vegetation and bird life.
Quetzal cocoa factory. - Nestled in the cloud forest of the Andes Mountains, El Quetzal is the ultimate destination for cacao and culinary enthusiasts alike. We offer exclusive tours of our bean-to-bar chocolate factory, located on-site. You will see (and sample!) every step of the chocolate making process and get to try our delectable, world-famous brownies.
There you’ll have an amazing place to have your lunch.
The Butterfly farm.- Admire and enjoy our interactive butterfly garden, where you can see the 4 stages of the butterfly life, surrounded by 1200 colorful butterflies at the same time. While you are in the exhibition you can feed one or more of our 25 different species of butterflies. Hosteria Mariposas de Mindo is the largest butterfly exhibition in Ecuador and the one that has the most species flying all over you. Part of our butterfly production goes back into the wild, as part of our conservation program in the area.
*The order of the tour can change depending on the hotel category chosen.
Price per person in double room*: Includes a 5 days cruise at the end of the tour.
Tourist class = $3759
tourist superior = $4589
first class = $5620
Tourist class = $3759
tourist superior = $4589
first class = $5620
Class |
Quito |
Cloud Forest |
Amazon |
Galapagos |
tourist |
Sierra Madre or similar |
Bellavista |
Itamandi Lodge or similar |
Nemo I (cruise starts Monday or Thursday) |
tourist superior |
Reina Isabela or similar |
Bellavista |
Yasuni Kichwa Ecolodge or similar |
San Jose (cruise starts on Friday) |
first class |
Casona de La Ronda or similar |
Bellavista |
Napo Wildlife Center or similar |
Treasure of Galapagos (cruise starts on Tuesday or Friday) |
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Includes:
Does not include:
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