Ecuador Galapagos Luxury Wildlife Adventure on Alya Tour

Your Guides

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The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Luis D.

Luis was born in Seville, Spain, and graduated from the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid with a degree in Environmental Biology. He is fluent in Spanish, English, and French and has guided in Galapagos since 1999. In addition to being a professional nature photographer, Luis has a Master's Degree in Geographic Ecology and is active with conservation groups. A born teacher, he enthusiastically shares his knowledge of Galapagos with people of all ages. He lives in Quito with his wife, twin sons, and daughter and is MT Sobek's head naturalist guide. 

Patricia S.

Patricia has been guiding diving trips in Galapagos since 1999. A native of Switzerland and originally a journalist for the Swiss News Agency, Patricia started her career in guiding as a divemaster in Honduras in 1995 and as a naturalist guide in Costa Rica. She is fascinated by wildlife, is a passionate teacher, and an active conservationist in the islands. As a resident of Galapagos, she will be able to give you an insider's viewpoint of life in the islands. Patricia is fluent in English, German, and French.

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                    [Headline] => Arrive in Quito
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Welcome to the historic city of Quito, the capital of Ecuador. An MT Sobek representative will meet you outside customs at the airport and escort you to your deluxe boutique hotel located in the heart of the Old Town. After settling in at the hotel, the rest of the day is free to unwind, take advantage of the spa services or begin your exploration of this dynamic city. Dinner is on your own tonight.
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                    [Headline] => Cultural Experience & Quito Old Town Center, Journey to the Cloud Forest
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After breakfast, participate in one of the interactive Illa Experiences and learn how local artisans make a local product using authentic ancestral methods. Afterwards, set out on a guided tour of colonial Quito. The city\'s UNESCO-listed old town contains the best examples of Colonial Baroque architecture in South America! Depart Quito in the early afternoon, stopping for lunch on the rim of Pululahua Crater, and journey northwest into the cloud forest, witnessing a drastic change of landscape as you descend from 9,186 to 3,200 feet above sea level. Stretch your legs at Alambi, a private riverside reserve, and take advantage of your first chance to see some of the beautiful birds from this area. Continue down to Kapari Nature Lodge, your home for the next two nights - a perfect oasis of comfort housed within the Andean Chocó biosphere reserve, one of the most biodiverse places on the planet.
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                    [Headline] => Explore the Cloud Forest at Kapari
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When the lowland rainforests rise to the mountains, a new ecosystem called the cloud forest dominates the Andean slopes. This misty temperate world is the realm of the epiphytes: orchids, bromeliads and ferns cover the trees with a green mantle, providing food and refuge for an incredible diversity of life forms. It is also a world of incredibly attractive birds, which will delight both the eye of the expert and the casual birdwatcher. Discover the beauty of the forest at your own pace, choosing as many activities as you wish. Set out on a nature hike across several spectacular viewpoints of the valley and the Rio Blanco, observing the endemic flora and fauna. Arrive back at the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, opt to stay at the lodge and relax, visiting the bird garden, enjoying a spa treatment, or taking a dip in the heated pool or Jacuzzi. Alternately, set out on a 2.5-hour guided afternoon walk along the Roadrunner Path through the middle of the forest, in search of the rare Banded Ground-Cuckoo Roadrunner, one of the emblematic species of Kapari, as well as toucans, trogons, trepatroncos, and anthills. After dinner at the lodge, join an optional night walk to look for frogs, snakes, owls, and other nocturnal critters.
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                    [Headline] => Walk the Trails at Kapari & Taste Gourmet Specialties in Quito
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Rise early for a short hike to strategically chosen sites where more than 40 species of birds and some mammals can be observed. One hiding place was developed especially for photographers and bird lovers, where it\'s common to sight as many as 35 species of birds in one hour: hummingbirds, toucans, tanagers, seedlings, trepatroncos, motmot, among others, as well as some species of mammals such as the mate head, agouti, and squirrels. Return to the lodge for a full breakfast, then drive to the Milpe Reserve for a short hike along this pristine forest\'s excellent trail system. Continue the drive back towards Quito, stopping for lunch and birdwatching amid orchids, bromeliads, and heliconias at the elegant wooden Sachatamia Lodge. Arrive to Quito in the late afternoon and check back in to Illa Experience Hotel. Gather for an evening briefing about the upcoming Galápagos portion of the adventure, followed by a special tasting dinner at a local restaurant.
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                    [Headline] => Fly to the Galápagos Islands & See Giant Tortoises in the Wild
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Rise for breakfast and an early transfer flight from Quito to Baltra Island in the Galápagos. After meeting your naturalist guide, take a short transfer from Baltra to Santa Cruz Island. Here a private vehicle awaits to take you to the lush highlands of Santa Cruz for a special opportunity to see giant tortoises in their wild and natural habitat. The Galápagos Islands are named after these magnificent, ancient creatures and the experience with them is magical. Next, transfer to Puerto Ayora for a stroll along the main street to the harbor, where you will board your private luxury catamaran. Enjoy a welcome dinner onboard.
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                    [Headline] => Explore Moreno Point & Elizabeth Bay on Isabela Island
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In the morning, disembark at Moreno Point, which is located near Elizabeth Bay on the west coast of Isabela Island. The plethora of birds seen during the panga ride along the striking rocky shores, and while walking along the path through lava rocks leading to tide pools and mangroves, create a birdwatcher\'s delight, including flamingoes, penguins, cormorants, Galápagos mockingbirds, and Darwin finches. Snorkel amid sea turtles and many species of fish. Look carefully in the long seaweed and you might find a sea horse!      

In the afternoon, explore Elizabeth Bay, a beautiful sheltered bay surrounded by large mangroves and barren lava fields. Take a panga cruise to explore many channels, pools and coves teeming with life. This is one of the best locations in the islands to see Galápagos penguins. Flightless cormorants also nest in the area and blue-footed boobies and pelicans often fish in these shallow and rich waters. Rays and sea turtles are also very abundant. Return to the boat for cocktail hour and dinner.
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                    [Headline] => Hike & Snorkel at Isabela\'s Urbina Bay and Discover Fernandina Island
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After breakfast, make a wet landing to explore Urbina Bay — famous for having uplifted 15 feet along 2 miles of coastline exposing corals and invertebrates in its strata. Follow your guide on the trail to look for Galápagos land iguanas, Galápagos hawks, finches, and (mostly between January and June) giant tortoises. Snorkel from the beach to see sea turtles, cormorants, penguins and an abundance of colorful fish.    

After lunch, anchor near Punta Espinosa on Fernandina Island — said to be the largest ecologically pristine island in the world and one of the highlights of the trip. As soon as you land in the volcanic landscape you will be amazed by hundreds of marine iguanas basking in the sun, as this is the largest colony of these unique reptiles. Sea lion pups often play in the tidal pools while flightless cormorants dry their miniaturized wings nearby. This is a great hunting ground for Galápagos hawks who often perch on the mangroves looking for lizards, baby iguanas, herons and doves. Snorkel amid sea turtles, and look out for marine iguanas feeding on the abundant seaweed underwater. You may even spot a cormorant underwater as it chases fish through the reef.
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                    [Headline] => Isabela\'s Tagus Cove & Vicente Roca Point
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In the morning, visit Tagus Cove, located to the west of Darwin Volcano on Isabela Island. While walking, inspect the inscriptions left by pirates in the 1800\'s. From here, you can see Darwin Lake, perched above sea level, but full of saltwater. It contains no fish, but it is very common to see a variety of bird species. After the walk, cruise by panga along the coast of Isabela to look for penguins, cormorants, marine iguanas and a very unique species: the Galápagos martin, a small endemic bird which is one of the most endangered species on the island. Snorkelers will have great chances of swimming with penguins, cormorants and sea turtles.
 
In the afternoon, set out for an unforgettable panga cruise along the dramatic cliffs of Punta Vicente Roca, the remnants of an ancient volcanic caldera. Ride ocean swells beneath the cliffs in search of nesting boobies and explore a huge marine cave. The area is also known to be a good location for whales and dolphins. Snorkel in the cove amid a spectacular variety of sealife including seahorses, sea turtles, and the strange but fascinating Mola-mola (sunfish).

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                    [Headline] => Hike & Snorkel on Santiago Island
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Wake for a wet landing on Santiago\'s soft, sandy Espumilla Beach. Walk the island\'s lagoon and beach, surrounded by large mangrove trees and a very interesting native dry forest, which is home to raptors and a great diversity of finches.    

After lunch, make another wet landing, this time on the dark, sandy volcanic beach of Puerto Egas. The trail follows the rocky coastline, where tide pools are home to sponges, hermit crabs, and fish including the world\'s only four-eyed blenny. Sea lions bask on the rocks, along with marine iguanas and shore birds. At the end of the trail, visit the grottos for a chance to see a colony of Galápagos fur seals up close. Also snorkel from the beach and explore an area of rocky bottoms which is excellent for fish, turtles and reef sharks. Often, sea lions are also present and are happy to interact with divers.
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                    [Headline] => Depart from the Galápagos in Baltra & Return to Quito
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Arrive this morning for a wet landing at Bachas Beach on the north side of Santa Cruz Island. Encounter sea lions on the beautiful, white-sand beach, look for flamingos and great blue herons in the lagoon, and spot hatchlings\' footprints leading from the nest to the water\'s edge (sea turtles nest here from November to May). Then disembark the Alya and transfer to Baltra for your flight back to Quito. An MT Sobek representative will greet you at Quito airport and provide assistance to meet your connecting late-night flight home, or opt to stay on in Quito to join us for one of our extensions in Ecuador or Peru!
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    [ActivityHighlight] => This trip is considered easy to moderate, which is usually appropriate for travelers in generally fit condition. Your days will be filled with nature walks in the cloud forest and in the Galápagos Islands, plus swimming, snorkeling, daily panga (zodiac) rides, and kayaking on the cruise portion. Please note that terrain in the cloud forest and on the islands is often varied and uneven. Terrain can also be slippery. There is one day of touring in the city of Quito.
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Accommodations

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Deluxe accommodations throughout, from the boutique hotel in Quito, to the eco-lodge in the cloud forest and our new luxury catamaran with private balconies.

Illa Experience Hotel

Luxury Hotel

Illa Experience is a deluxe new boutique hotel with just 10 rooms, housed in a restored colonial mansion in the historic San Marcos neighborhood of Quito's Old Town. The family owners take great care in providing an immersive experience to capture the traditions, flavors, and scents of a local, traditional home, as well as chances to meet local artisans who make the neighborhood such a special place. The elegant contemporary rooms overlook the Old Town or quiet internal patios and feature unique design details drawn from family traditions. An award-winning gourmet restaurant and rooftop bar celebrate local ingredients and recipes, and the spa features a Jacuzzi, sauna, and small fitness center, with massage treatments available.

 

Kapari Lodge & Spa

Luxury Hotels

Located within a pristine ecological reserve just two hours from Quito and thirty minutes from Mindo, Kapari Lodge is surrounded by one of the last remnants of primeval forest in the world. This beautiful lodge is nestled atop a natural cliff in the Andean Chocó biosphere reserve, a biodiversity hotspot with hundreds of endemic species of birds, as well as amphibians, reptiles, and captivating flora. Immediately surrounding elevations range from 2400-3200 feet above sea level, so there's the opportunity to observe several ecosystems: cloud forest, montane and subtropical forest. The 12 comfortable suites have spacious private bathrooms, and an outdoor pool and Jacuzzi offer impressive panoramic views of the forest and the Rio Blanco.

Alya

Luxury Small Ship

Indulge in exceptional style and comfort aboard Alya, a 103-foot luxury catamaran built in 2016. Eight comfortable cabins each have a private balcony, flexible bed configuration (King or two twin beds), en-suite bathroom, spacious closets, air-conditioning, feather pillows and luxury cotton sheets, and mini-safe. An additional ninth cabin is available for single accommodations, and is the only cabin with no private balcony. There is an abundance of natural light throughout, and the lounge and deck areas are spacious and beautifully designed — including a Jacuzzi, movable sunroof, and both indoor and outdoor dining options! Use of paddle boards and kayaks, as well as wetsuits, fins and masks for snorkeling are all included.

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