2021 & 2022 Globus Guided Tours - Globus® Vacation Packages

Independent Galapagos cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend with Ecuador's Amazon (ISK2)

11-Day Package from Quito to Guayaquil

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How deep is your love of adventure? Is it deep enough to follow the course of Charles Darwin to discover your own love affair with the wildlife paradise of the Galápagos Islands and the Amazon Rainforest? If so, this Globus Independent tour in South America is pointing you in the right direction. Ignite your independent spirit on a canoe trip downriver from Coca to the comfort of your Amazon Rainforest lodge, where you’re in good hands with a naturalist guide to explore the jungle from its rainforest canopy to the forest floor. Be awestruck by the wealth of wildlife that thrive in this tropical wilderness.

Next, explore the historic heart of Quito and depart for parts unknown, where blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises, and diving iguanas of the Galápagos give new meaning to mind-blowing discoveries. Cruise in luxury on the Galápagos Legend and explore the archipelago in the company of a naturalist guide. Sail upon pristine waters to discover the perfectly evolved creatures who thrive on this volcanic archipelago. Stroll the sand where sea lions bask and albatross brace against the updrafts above the cliffs. Sail, snorkel, and simply stay in a state of astonishment through the islands of Santa Cruz, South Plaza Island, and other island sanctuaries of spectacular species. Visit the Giant Tortoise Reserve where conservationists work to protect the gentle giants for which the islands are named. Treat yourself to a tour that is exclusively yours with free time, me time, and optional adventures that speak to your independent spirit!

Special features included in this tour:

  • 3-night Amazon eco-lodge experience with activities
  • Private guided sightseeing of Quito’s colonial center, including Independence Square and the Basilica
  • 3-night Galápagos cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend with naturalist-led excursions
  • Landing at North Seymour Island to view blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and sea lions
  • Hike to the summit of Bartolomé Island with panoramic views of Pinnacle Rock
  • Landing at Santiago Island’s Sullivan Bay for a guided hike and snorkeling
  • Visit to San Cristobal’s Pitt Islet and Cerro Brujo lagoon for seabird viewing and snorkeling
  • Guided visit to the Giant Tortoise Reserve on San Cristobal Island
  • Roundtrip internal flights to Coca and between mainland Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands

Dates & Prices Book Online
800.268.3636
Independent Galapagos cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend with Ecuador's Amazon map

 Photo Highlights

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

Buffet breakfast daily; 6 lunches; 6 three-course dinners


Notes:

Transportation is as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary and includes private airport transfers to/from intra-vacation flights. Internal flights to/from the Galápagos and the Ecuadorian Amazon are included. Local Guide service is provided in Quito. A naturalist in the Galápagos & Amazon is also provided.

In the Galápagos, there will be “wet landings” meaning guests will need to be able to jump in the water, out of the boats/zodiacs, and walk a couple of meters to the beaches. Terrain is rocky and uneven. Itinerary in the Galápagos is subject to change.

For the Amazon adventure, guests should be prepared for eco-lodging due to their remote nature in the rainforest. The itinerary in the Amazon is subject to favorable weather conditions and water levels. When conditions are unfavorable, alternative accommodations and excursions will be provided. Further, guests should be prepared for sustained walking, possibly muddy conditions, and be able to get into/out of small watercraft such as canoes and small fishing boats.

Maximum elevation is 9,350 ft.

This vacation includes the following intra-vacation air segments in the vacation price: Quito/Coca, Coca/Quito, Quito/Galápagos, and Galápagos/Guayaquil. All other flights are not included in the vacation price but can be purchased.

Galápagos package includes Galápagos National Park entrance fee and transit card

 Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE IN QUITO, ECUADOR

Welcome to Quito, where your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.

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Day 2 QUITO–COCA–AMAZON LODGE


Transfer to the airport for your flight to Coca, where you’ll be met by your naturalist guide. Continue your journey by motorboat along the Napo River, watching for colorful birdlife such as herons, kingfishers, and other species along the riverbanks. Arrive at your Amazon lodge, beautifully situated on the shores of Napo River Lake and surrounded by pristine rainforest. This evening, gather for a welcome briefing followed by dinner as you settle into your jungle surroundings.



Please note:
The itinerary in the Amazon is subject to favorable weather conditions and water levels. When conditions are unfavorable, alternative accommodations and excursions will be provided.

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Breakfast Breakfast
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Day 3 AMAZON LODGE


During your stay, enjoy immersive nature excursions with a naturalist who brings the wonders of the Amazon to life, with daily activities thoughtfully adapted to weather conditions. Experience the forest from above on a suspended canopy walkway, where your guide points out vibrant bird species flitting through the treetops. Guided jungle walks reveal the Amazon’s extraordinary biodiversity, including medicinal plants used by native cultures for centuries. As night falls, set out on a night walk or canoe ride to encounter fascinating creatures rarely seen during the daylight hours.



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Day 4 AMAZON LODGE


Continue your immersive Amazon exploration with experiences that showcase the region’s extraordinary biodiversity. Visit the lodge’s butterfly house, one of the largest in Ecuador, before cruising through the flooded forest in search of squirrel monkeys, capuchins, and howler monkeys—perhaps even spotting the remarkably well-camouflaged three‑toed sloth. After trying your hand at piranha fishing, ascend the Kapok Tree Tower, rising 150 feet above the forest floor, where you’ll enjoy close-up views of birds as the sun sets over volcanic Mount Sumaco and the distant Andes.



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Breakfast Breakfast
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Day 5 AMAZON LODGE–COCA–QUITO


Depart your Amazon lodge and fly from Coca to Quito where a Globus representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the Quito hotel for a free evening.



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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 6 QUITO


Your included private city tour showcases the rich legacy left by the Incas and the Spaniards. See Independence Square, dominated by its formidable cathedral, San Francisco Plaza Church, and the Basilica with its marvelous stained-glass windows.



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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 7 QUITO–BALTRA (EMBARKATION)–GALÁPAGOS CRUISING: NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND


Transfer to the airport for your flight to Baltra, where you’ll meet your expert naturalist and transfer to board the Galápagos Legend for an unforgettable three-night cruise. Set sail to North Seymour Island, a dramatic landmass formed by ancient underwater volcanic eruptions that layered lava across the ocean floor. Take a guided walk among impressive nesting colonies of blue-footed boobies, magnificent and great frigate birds, and swallow-tailed gulls, while gaining insight into the remarkable breeding cycles of Galápagos seabirds. Along the way, encounter playful sea lions, land iguanas, and—if luck is on your side—the elusive endemic Galápagos snake.



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Breakfast Breakfast
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Day 8 CRUISING: BARTOLOMÉ ISLAND & SANTIAGO ISLAND

Awake at Bartolomé Island to explore a striking moonscape shaped by volcanic parasitic cones. Hike to the summit for sweeping views of the surrounding islands and iconic Pinnacle Rock, while keeping an eye out for marine iguanas, lava lizards, and blue-footed boobies along the way. Bartolomé also boasts some of the best snorkeling in the Galápagos, with crystal-clear waters revealing sea turtles, white‑tipped reef sharks, and—on occasion—Galápagos penguins. This afternoon, sail to Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island and walk across young pahoehoe lava flows formed in the late 19th century, where reddish‑yellow tuff cones are dotted with emerging plant life. The otherworldly terrain feels like stepping onto another planet. After your guided walk, enjoy snorkeling from a white-sand beach, where you may encounter penguins, sea lions, sharks, and rays gliding through the water.



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Breakfast Breakfast
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Day 9 CRUISING: SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND


Arrive at Pitt Islet on San Cristóbal and walk to the summit of a volcanic tuff cone, where multiple breathtaking viewpoints reward your climb. This remarkable site is one of the few places in the Galápagos where all three booby species—blue‑footed, red‑footed, and Nazca—can be seen together, along with two species of frigate birds and a lively sea lion colony. The surrounding waters are ideal for dinghy rides to observe seabirds up close and offer excellent snorkeling opportunities. Continue to Cerro Brujo, where a coastal lagoon attracts migratory birds such as black‑necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, sandpipers, and white‑cheeked pintails. Enjoy stunning views of Kicker Rock, southern San Cristóbal, and the island’s rugged coastline, with time included to swim alongside sea lions and other marine life in the clear waters.



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Breakfast Breakfast
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Day 10 CRUISING: SAN CRISTOBAL (DISEMBARKATION)–GUAYAQUIL


After breakfast, disembark in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and visit the Giant Tortoise Reserve on San Cristóbal, where you’ll learn about the national park’s important conservation and breeding programs dedicated to protecting these endangered icons of the Galápagos. Return to the port village for a final opportunity to browse for souvenirs before bidding farewell to the enchanted islands. Later, transfer to San Cristóbal Airport for your flight to Guayaquil, where you’ll be taken to your hotel for a free evening.



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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 11 GUAYAQUIL


Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.



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Breakfast Breakfast

 Tour Director

With GLOBUS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

ANA CECILIA CARDENAS

Escorting tours for more than 10 years

“I always liked to travel and that is why after finishing high school, I decided to study tourism administration. While I was studying at the University, I started to work as a tour guide and found it very interesting. Being a tour guide allows me to meet people from many different places and it took me to incredible places. For a period of time I moved to Argentina where I taught Spanish and English but I missed my family and country, so I decided to come back to Ecuador. When I came back to Quito, I worked as a Key Account Executive for a tour operator, which was a great experience for my career, but after a time, I decided to be a tour guide again. I realized I enjoy being with people outside in the nature more than working in an office, and I am able to have more time for other activities I like, such as painting and working with the children of my church.”

Tour Director - ANA CECILIA CARDENAS

 Accommodations

 Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyGlobus site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 CAD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 CAD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 CAD)
$$$$ (Over $150)


Quito
Guayaquil

Quito

Teleferico

Teleferico

Take a ride in the highest cable way in South America and get to know this amazing city, Quito, in a totally different way.

Price Range: $$$

Middle of the World

Middle of the World

Travel to the Equatorial Monument which marks the exact Middle of the World, latitude 0, where you can stand with a foot on each hemisphere.

Price Range: $$

Panoramic Quito by Night with Dinner

Panoramic Quito by Night with Dinner

Drive into the old Colonial city during the evening for views of the romantic plazas and the impressive public and religious buildings followed by dinner.

Price Range: $$$$

Guayaquil

Guayaquil City Tour

Guayaquil City Tour

On this Guayaquil city tour, get to know the most interesting parts of this tropical and busy metropolis.

Price Range: $$



The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.