13 Day Galapagos, Ecuador, Andes & Amazon - Friday Departure
Dates & Prices
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Friday, Jul 12, 2024 | Wednesday, Jul 24, 2024 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
Friday, Jul 26, 2024 | Wednesday, Aug 07, 2024 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
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Friday, Dec 06, 2024 | Wednesday, Dec 18, 2024 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
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Promotions
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Exclusive, $800 Off South America Escorted Tours
Exclusive, $800 Off South America Escorted Tours
Promotion Details
Offer applies to new bookings made through June 30, 2024. $400 per person savings is valid on 2024/2025 departures that are 6 days or longer escorted South America tours. Promotion is not combinable with any other offer. Additional restrictions may apply.
Exclusive, $1000 Off Small Group Tours
Exclusive, $1000 Off Small Group Tours
Promotion Details
Offer applies to new bookings made through June 30, 2024. $500 per person savings is valid on 2024/2025 departures of Discovery or Walking escorted tours. Promotion is not combinable with any other offer. Additional restrictions may apply.
Save 5% - Cash Payment Discount
Save 5% - Cash Payment Discount
Promotion Details
Gate 1 offers the flexibility of paying for your vacation by credit card or check. Choose check for your final payment to save 5% off of your remaining balance. Full details will be sent with your invoice.
Tour Itinerary
Your Galapagos itinerary may vary according to weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety issues and wildlife migration patterns.
DAY 1, Friday - Depart for EcuadorDepart for Guayaquil, Ecuador's sprawling and vivacious port city; transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to rest, relax or explore the city's many museums and botanical gardens
Overnight: Guayaquil
DAY 2, Saturday - Cocoa Plantation, Discover Guayaquil
The day begins with orientation meeting with your Tour Manager, followed by viewing the lush natural scenery of the lowlands of Ecuador as you drive past banana plantations to a working Cocoa (Cacao) Plantation. Learn about the history of cocoa beans and see the modern process that begins after the beans are picked from the cocoa trees. After a lunch of local favorites, back to Guayaquil and Seminario Park, home to arboreal Iguanas. Then, view the contrasting architecture of the city's Neo-Gothic Cathedral, Moorish clock tower, and the impressive La Rotonda Monument that depicts the historic meeting in 1822 of Bolívar and San Martín. At the end of the day, stunning panoramas of the city await you from Santa Ana Hill, where the city was founded in the 16th century. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the hotel with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers
Overnight: Guayaquil
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3, Sunday - Galapagos Islands, Isabela Island
Embark this morning on a journey to the beginning of time on the flight to the Galapagos Archipelago of volcanic islands, five million years in the making. Land at Baltra airport and continue your trip* to the small village of Puerto Villamil on Isabela, the largest island in the Galapagos considered the 'gem' of the archipelago. Named after Queen Isabella of Spain, this enchanting island offers an expansive beach, beautiful natural surroundings and striking pink flamingos which gracefully traverse the lagoons and marshes at dusk. Arrive at your lodge nestled in the highlands in time for dinner *The trip by speedboat to and from Isabela Island is approximately 3 hours long and cruises through open sea. The ride can be very rough and passengers prone to motion sickness should consult with their physician. May 28, 2024 through August 26, 2024 departures will use light aircraft flights (9 person seat small planes) to travel to and from Isabela Island.
Overnight: Isabela Island
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4, Monday - Tintoreras Islet, Wall of Tears
In Puerto Villamil, board a panga (dingy) to Tintoreras Islet. In this small bay with its calm turquoise waters and white sand beach, views of sea lions, sea turtles, penguins and marine iguanas. Enjoy time for swimming or snorkeling in the bay. When the tide is low, in the shallow crevice you can see the island's famous whitetip reef sharks. There's also a lava trail which leads to two beaches, an important nesting site for marine iguanas. After lunch at the lodge, an afternoon hike to the historic 'Wall of Tears' that stands as a monument to prisoners brought to the island who perished while forced to construct the 'pointless' barrier - a sad reminder of the history of Isabela. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, dinner is together at the lodge
Overnight: Isabela Island
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5, Tuesday - Sierra Negra Volcano, Los Humedales Mangroves, Turtle Breeding Center
Hike this morning to Sierra Negra, one of the most active volcanoes on the archipelago; its caldera is the second largest in the world with a diameter of six miles. Trek across an alien landscape of fascinating geological features. After lunch at the lodge, visit Los Humedales, a complex of trails where you can see all four species of mangroves found in the Galapagos. Following the path, discover secluded beaches, lava tunnels, and natural pools. In this mating area for pink flamingos, you also can observe many different species of migratory birds. Then, a fascinating visit to the Turtle Breeding Center where you learn more about the National Park's conservation programs to save the iconic Galapagos Tortoises on the brink of extinction. Tonight at dinner, share photos of some of today's amazing sights
Overnight: Isabela Island
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6, Wednesday - Depart the Galapagos, Quito
Awake early today for your journey back to Baltra*. Bid farewell to the Galapagos and fly to colonial Quito, capital of Ecuador. Upon late afternoon arrival, check into your hotel. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for dinner at the hotel *The trip by speedboat to and from Isabela Island is approximately 3 hours long and cruises through open sea. The ride can be very rough and passengers prone to motion sickness should consult with their physician. May 28, 2024 through August 26, 2024 departures will use light aircraft flights (9 person seat small planes) to travel to and from Isabela Island.
Overnight: Quito
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7, Thursday - Middle of the World, Papallacta Hot Springs
This morning, visit the Middle of the World Monument, located at a latitude of 0º, and stand with one foot in the Northern and one in the Southern Hemisphere. Free time to explore the area and shop for souvenirs. After lunch on your own, journey to Papallacta located in the Andes Mountains. The remainder of the day is at leisure or, join the optional tour to Papallacta's spas and hot springs, for which it is famous Before dinner, there's time to unwind in the comforting steaming thermal baths surrounded by the magic of nature. Later, perhaps opt for a soothing massage in this jungle paradise
Optional: Termas de Papallacta Spa Package (PM)
Overnight: Papallacta
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8, Friday - The Ecuadorian Amazon
A short flight over the Andes Mountains takes you to the town of Coca, jumping off point to the Ecuadorian Amazon, home to more varieties of plants and animals than any other place on earth! Stop for a box lunch before boarding a motorized canoe for a long but scenic journey down the river to your lodge. Upon entering the lodge's private reserve, walk along a raised boardwalk that stretches through a dense flooded palm forest in which several species of monkeys are often sighted. Dugout canoes await to transport you across Pilchicocha Lake to your accommodations at the lodge. Settle in, enjoy birdwatching from the mini-tower, or, refresh from the day with a cool swim. After dinner, a walk through the rainforest with your naturalist guide, or, perhaps a canoe ride on the lake to view the spectacled and black caimans as you silently paddle across the lake. The Amazon is the world's largest ecosystem
Overnight: Coca (Amazon)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9, Saturday - Exploring the Amazon, Rainforest Canopy Walk
Awake early this morning to begin your adventure -- enjoy the sounds, the serenity, and the magnificent foliage. A highlight of the day is the "Canopy Walk," one of only a few self-standing suspension canopy walkways in the world. Pause to view extraordinary panoramas from the observation platforms of this 900 foot long walkway, suspended at a height of 120 feet above the forest floor. Afterward, a walk in the pristine forest where native guides explain the many different species of medicinal plants used in their culture for hundreds of years. Later, try paddling dugout canoes along the nearby blackwater creeks where luxuriant lianas, bromeliads, and palm trees thrive. After an adventurous morning, a relaxing lunch before this afternoon's choice of a leisurely hike along the Rio Napo, a challenging hike on the trails or, a tranquil canoe ride. Dinner together caps an adventurous day
Overnight: Coca (Amazon)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10, Sunday - Interpretation Center, Piranha Fishing, Canoe Ride in the Forest
This morning, visit the Nueva Providencia Interpretation Center located across the Napo River, where you speak with women from the community to learn more about the Kichwa lifestyle. Here, you'll see many different fibers used for weaving before a tasting of traditional local food! Upon your return to the lodge, a native guide teaches how to fish for the infamous razor-toothed Piranha. Then, take a silent canoe ride through the flooded Amazonian forest - you'll be surrounded by friendly squirrel, capuchin, and howler monkeys. Later, arrive at a 135-foot metal tower from where you can get fabulous views of vibrantly colored birds through powerful scopes. Listen to the symphony of frogs and insects as you navigate by canoe through the narrow trail, keeping your eyes open for caimans. After dinner tonight, a nocturnal jungle walk and canoe trip by flashlight to discover night creatures seldom seen during the day
Overnight: Coca (Amazon)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11, Monday - Quito's Treasures of Art and Architecture
Bid farewell to the amazing Amazon Basin this morning, and settle in for a long ride by canoe to Coca. After a box lunch, transfer to the airport for the flight to Quito. Upon arrival, the discovery of Quito with its treasures of art and architecture begins in the historic colonial quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A walking tour of the city starts at Independence Plaza, flanked by the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop's Palace. Continue to the Metropolitan Cultural Center with its exhibits highlighting Ecuadorian culture and rich history. Visit the Compania of Jesus Church with its beautiful gilded interior. Time to enjoy this delightful city on your own with its lovely markets, cafes and superb cuisine
Overnight: Quito
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 12, Tuesday - Otavalo Market, Rose Plantation
Begin the day with a visit to the market in Otavalo, one of the largest in South America run by the local Otavaleños. Here, enjoy the lively atmosphere and browse the various stalls for traditional goods such as handwoven cloth and rugs, jewelry and more. Afterwards, visit a rose plantation and hear about Ecuador's major rose cultivation industry. Although roses are not native to Ecuador, the country has a perfect environment for rose cultivation and is presently one of the world's major producers. Delight in the display of brightly colored roses, then after lunch return to Quito. Tonight, savor dinner in the center of Quito
Overnight: Quito
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 13, Wednesday - Depart Ecuador
Transfer to the airport for your departure flightSome flights depart shortly after midnight in the very early morning of Day 13 and will require a transfer on Day 12. Transfers depart the hotel approximately 4 hours prior to flight time
Meals: Breakfast
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Package Includes
Some departure dates may be offered from an alternate nearby airport. Check flight itinerary options when booking.
Other departure cities available.
Tour Highlights
Thanks to our small group size, we can get to the heart of our destination, visit places that other tours miss, and get to know the locals.
†Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates
Not Included:
Optional tours and gratuities.
Additional Information:
Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers, but does include flights Guayaquil-Baltra, Baltra-Quito, Quito-Coca, Coca-Quito
June through August departures use light aircraft flights (9 seat small planes) to travel to and from Isabela Island. There is a weight restriction for luggage of 24 pounds per person (including hand luggage), and any additional luggage will be securely held at Baltra airport and retrieved on Day 6 prior to your flight to Quito. Cargo space is limited therefore please pack your belongings in a soft-sided duffel bag. Traditional suitcases with rigid frames or hard plastic sides should not be used.
Some flights depart shortly after midnight in the very early morning of Day 12 and will require a transfer on Day 11. Transfers depart the hotel approximately 4 hours prior to flight time.
Passport numbers for all passengers must be submitted before documents can be issued.
The route and program may vary according to weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety issues and wildlife migration patterns. Wildlife and visits listed in the itinerary are based upon optimal conditions and therefore subject to change.
Health and Safety Protocols for Discovery By Gate1 Tours
At Gate 1 we take your safety and security very seriously. We have a strong network of tour managers, local offices, ground operators and colleagues which help us stay informed in all the destinations that we operate. We closely monitor local situations which enable us to make the operational decisions necessary to keep our tours running safely. Millions of people travel the world each year and experience enjoyable and safe trips but crimes against people and property are sadly a fact of life. It is very important to be aware of your surroundings and avoid drawing attention to yourself. Please remember that you have the same responsibility for your personal safety and possessions as you do at home. It is essential to prepare for a safe and healthy travel abroad. Therefore before you travel, we strongly recommend that you visit the website of the US Department of State at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html for up-to-date travel advice on the countries that you are visiting. The website provides useful information on subjects such as safety and security information, health precautions and medications, health insurance and additional tips for traveling abroad. If you do not reside in the United States, we recommend you check your government's travel advisory website for any country you will be visiting. We recommend that you review the safety guidance that may be provided by us, our agents or suppliers, either before you go or when you arrive in your destination. You can also find helpful tips on our website in the "Trip Preparation" tab of each of our tour packages. We do know that in-spite of careful planning, things can sometimes still go wrong, so rest assured, we will be there to help and support you.
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Hilton Colon Guayaquil
This first class hotel is located in the financial and commercial zone of Guayaquil.
Scalesia Lodge
This tourist class lodge is located in the highlands of Isabela Island.
EB Hotel by Eurobuilding Quito
This first class hotel is about a 45 minute drive from city center of Quito.
Termas de Papallacta
This first class hotel, known for its thermal baths, is located on the banks of the Papallacta river.
Sacha Lodge
This superior tourist class lodge overlooks Pilchicocha Lake.
Dann Carlton Hotel
This superior first class hotel is located in the financial and business district of Quito.
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Question: How many suitcases can I take with me on my trip?
Question: Is Airfare Included in the Price?
Superb experience and guides were great.
The trip to Jordan was fabulous. The accommodations were lovely. Our guide was excellent. His knowledge was superb. He had good humor & was kind & patient. I have been on every continent & have traveled with different companies. This is in my top 3 trips of all the places I have been. I loved this country. The people & sites were wonderful. Please let Gate 1 know this guide deserves recognition. He was the best.
This was a fantastic trip with varied activities and a superb tour guide.
Exalent trip we are so pleased with the service we will call you to plan the next trip
Well thought and executed trip
The Gate1 tour guide/managers were very knowledgeable, courteous, professional and entertaining.
Great trip great value
Gate 1's tour operators are very good. It is organized and follows the published itinerary. The hotels are nice and as described.
Trip was great experience. Enjoyed the itinerary and tour manager.
Great experience. Our personal guide very experienced and personal. First class hotels and great excursions.
Our accommodations were excellent. The tour was fabulous. The logistics for booking and traveling were clear and easy.
Everyone from our agent (Trena) to our our guide (Fred) were awesome. Would highly recommend gate 1 to any and all. Went above and beyond our expectations..JOB WELL DONE!!! Thanks for a great vacation..
This was a great tour. All the places we visited were worth seeing, and the combination of activities was very good.
The rooms, the meals, the bus, and the tour guide were superior. The tour was more than expected. All our questions and needs were met. The whole operation was well managed and smooth.
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This was an amazing trip. It exceeded my expectations. I loved it. My tour guide did an excellent job. She made sure to assist us even late in the evening with tickets as we are still in Japan and not leaving until two after the tour. She surprised us with unexpected, unplanned experiences for all to enjoy. I loved her. We really had so much fun even though there older tourists with different personalities she went beyond the call of duty to understand and have patience with them. I will definitely book a future tour with Gate1.