ECUADOR: Northern Jocotoco Reserves and Galapagos Islands

Length of Tour

12-days/11-nights

SIMPLE ITINERARY

AUG 29: Ariival in Quito / Hotel San Jose de Puembo
AUG 30: Drive to Mindo / Septimo Paraiso
AUG 31: Drive from Mindo to Canande Reserve
SEPT 1: Canande Reserve
SEPT 2: Canande Reserve
SEPT 3: Drive from Canande Reserve to Quito
SEPT 4: Flight to San Cristobal Galapagos / Solaris Yacht
SEPT 5: Española Island
SEPT 6: Floreana & Champion Islands
SEPT 7: Sullivan Bay / Santiago & Bartolomé Islands
SEPT 8: Santa Cruz Island / Baltra for flight to Quito
SEPT 9: Flights Home

EXPANDED ITINERARY

AUG 29: Ariival in Quito / Hotel San Jose de Puembo

Arrive in Quito and meet driver for transfer to hotel for the night.

AUG 30: Drive to Mindo / Septimo Paraiso

Early start to drive the Nono-Mindo Road to our first Jocotoco Reserve, Yanacocha. Here we will seek the Shining Sunbeam and Sword-billed Hummingbirds among others. We also hope to find Scarlet-bellied and Blue-winged Mountain Tanagers and so much more!

AUG 31: Drive from Mindo to Jocotoco’s Canande Reserve
Our drive today will take us to the lower elevations of the Choco region of the state of Esmeraldas… of course with birding stops along the way.

SEPT 1 & 2: Jocotoco’s Canande Reserve

From the Jocotoco website… The Chocó forests of northwest Ecuador form part of one of the ten most important biodiversity hotspots globally. The Chocó lies between the Andes and the Pacific coast, and stretches from Panama, through Colombia, and into northwest Ecuador. With more than 11,000 species of vascular plants, the Chocó is the floristic hotspot of the Americas. The Ecuadorian Chocó alone supports 900 species of birds, more than 8% of all bird species on Earth. The Chocó even surpasses the Amazon in the number of endemic and range-restricted species.

SEPT 3: Drive from Canande Reserve to Quito

Today we will return to Quito with a few stops along the way.

SEPT 4: Flight to San Cristobal Galapagos / Solaris Yacht

Departing on an early flight, we will arrive in the Galapagos and board our yacht in time for lunch. After lunch we will visit the highlands of San Cristobal to learn about Jocotoco’s work with the endangered Galapagos Petrel. We will also visit one of the Giant Tortoise breeding centers in the archipelago.

SEPT 5: Española Island

Our relaxing morning on Española’s Gardiner Beach will include the endemic Española Cactus Finch and the quite gregarious Española Mockingbird. Afterward will be our first snorkeling opportunity, often with playful sea lions.

Our afternoon visit to Punta Suarez will introduce us to the breeding endemic Waved Albatross, where we will enjoy seeing fluffy chicks and the adult’s pair-bonding dance. Blue-footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies, Swallow-tailed Gulls, Red-billed Tropicbirds and Galapagos Hawks all nest here as well.

SEPT 6: Floreana & Champion Islands

Our morning visit will be to the Flamingo Lagoon where we will find American Flamingos, White-cheeked Pintail Ducks, migrating shorebirds and, possibly, Chilean Flamingos. Later we will visit Champion Islet for a zodiac ride along the shores to seek the highly endangered Floreana Mockingbird.

Our afternoon plan, as permits allow, will be to visit the highlands of Floreana to seek another highly endangered species, the Medium Tree Finch.

SEPT 7: Sullivan Bay / Santiago & Bartolomé Islands

Today we will wake to a landscape icon of the islands… Pinnacle Rock. We will enjoy a zodiac ride in search of the Galapagos Penguins that breed here before we explore the 130 year old poe’hoe’hoe lava field on Santiago Island before enjoying wonderful snorkel… maybe with the penguins joining us!

After lunch we will have a second snorkel with another possible chance of swimming with penguins. Later afternoon we will walk the wooden stairway on Bartolomé Island to the overlook of Pinnacle Rock.

SEPT 8: Santa Cruz Island / Baltra for flight to Quito

Our final morning in the Galapagos will take us to Black Turtle Cove… a mangrove “nursery” for many fish, including several species of sharks and rays. And of course… lots of Green Sea Turtles!

Afterward we will land at Baltra Island for our flight back to Quito for the night… with a farewell dinner at our hotel.

SEPT 9: Flights Home

Flights home throughout the day.

Cost

Cost is per person, based upon double occupancy, from Quito, Ecuador (Airport code UIO.
This trip ends in Quito, Ecuador (Airport code UIO).

Gratuities on Mainland

Edison – ~$25/day per participant
Driver – ~$10/day per participant

Gratuities on Yacht

Crew – $150/full tour per participant
Naturalist – $75/full tour per participant

Other costs

Galapagos Entrance Fee – $200 per person

Wet Suit Rental – $TBD (optional)

Single Supplement

If a single hotel room is preferred, or we are unable to find a suitable roommate for you, a single supplement fee of $0 will be assessed.

NOTE: For boat-based tours, see pricing options for single cabins. Single cabin cost includes the single hotel cost above.

Minimum Number

If fewer than the minimum number of required participants are registered, we may still be able to run the trip by adding a small-group supplement fee, per person, determined by the number of participants registered.

Deposit Requirements

A $2,000 deposit per person is required to hold each space on this tour. Deposit may be made online by clicking the "Book Your Trip Now" button and using any credit card. If you prefer, you may call us at 888-875-9453 to pay by phone. You may also mail us a check, however, remember that all space is held on a first come-first served basis as deposits are received.

How to Book

In order to hold your space, click the "Book Your Trip Now" button above and complete the deposit process, including payment of the deposit through our Paypal portal using ANY CREDIT CARD. Upon completion of deposit, please visit our secure, online CLIENT INFORMATION FORM to complete your registration.

Final Payment

For all land-based tours: full payment by check is due 120 days prior to the departure date.

For all boat-based adventure cruises of 7-days or longer: full payment by check is required 180 days prior to departure.

NOTE: If you prefer to use credit card for final payment, a 3% fee may be added to cover the credit card merchant fees we incur.

Garden Hotel San Jose de Puembo

In Quito we will enjoy the wonderful Garden Hotel San Jose de Puembo, located only 15 minutes from the new airport near Quito. Spacious rooms and an excellent restaurant sit in a small town surrounded by rolling hills. Birds, llamas and beautiful flowers can be found in the hotel’s gardens. While here, enjoy the relaxing hot tub.

Septimo Paraiso Lodge

Septimo Paraiso Lodge lies on a private reserve set at about 5000 feet above sea level. The lodge offers luxury well beyond its rustic setting. Large rooms with full bath… some with spectacular views, are surrounded by rainforest. The birding is spectacular!

Chocó Lodge

Located in the lowland Chocó forest, one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, Chocó Lodge invites you to experience the wild in its most vibrant form. Located in Esmeraldas Province, at around 300 meters above sea level, this cozy eco-lodge immerses you in a natural symphonybirdsong, cicadas, rustling trees, and the distant calls of monkeys all come together in a chorus unlike any other.

From the moment you arrive, nature welcomes you in full force: three species of monkeys swing through the treetops, and rare and endemic birds of the Chocó become a daily part of the scenery.

At the heart of the lodge, a forest-immersed restaurant invites you to enjoy delicious local dishes while surrounded by the sights and sounds of the rainforest.

A highlight of your stay is the 35-meter observation tower, a window into the canopys hidden world. From up here, you can marvel at the lush treetop layers and witness the vibrant life that thrives overhead.

We are also proud pioneers in science and conservation. Chocó Lab is the first scientific research station in Ecuadors lowland Chocó, where Fundación Jocotoco develops cutting-edge projects in forest regeneration and innovative conservation strategies for this invaluable natural heritage.

SOLARIS YACHT (Click for yacht web site)

Category – First Class motor yacht

Length – 118 ft

Beam – 29 ft

Capacity – 16 passengers

Accommodations – All cabins are all above deck with doors that open outside to the deck. Each has private bath, hot showers and air conditioning. A top sun deck and large bow and stern area offer great pelagic viewing. Comfortable bar and lounge areas with TV and projector for presentations round out our boat.

Crew – Captain, 5 sailors, 2 chefs and 2 mechanics plus our National Park naturalist/guide.

Electricity – Two 110v/220v generators, standard USA three-prong receptacles throughout the yacht.

Activity Level Rating: 2 (Note: 1 is easy and 5 is difficult)

Some high altitude in Ecuador and a couple rocky trails in Galapagos.

Purchasing Flights

Do not purchase your flights until the trip has been confirmed to go.

Detailed Trip Information

Upon notification that final payment is due (120 days prior to departure for land based tours / 180 days for boat based tours), you will receive a trip package of detailed information for your tour.

Any additional information about the trip, including lodgings, contacts, participants, meeting locations, etc., will sent about 2 weeks prior to the trip departure, or after final payment is received for late registrants.

Travel Insurance

As with all tours, we recommend purchasing Travel Insurance to help cover your investment, for covered reasons. Please see our section on Travel Insurance.

Passport & Visa

US Citizens may require a visa to enter certain foreign countries. See above for any required visa information.

Participants arriving to the USA from a foreign country may need to get a travel visa to enter the United States. Be sure to check the requirements for your country of origin.

Itinerary Changes

The trip itinerary is developed many months ahead of time. Occasionally, despite our best planning, changes may occur during the trip, or we may be forced to alter our plans. Changes may occur because of weather, road conditions, safety concerns or other circumstances. In these situations, it is the leader(s) responsibility to carefully consider and implement appropriate alternatives. Any additional costs incurred because of changes will be the responsibility of each individual participant. Refunds will not be issued as a result of itinerary changes.