Travel Detail

El Monte Ecolodge is located just outside the town of Mindo and is recognized as a world-class bird watching site by Bird Life International. On arrival, your hosts will offer a short introduction to the lodge and its garden and also provide insights as to the bird species greeting you. El Monte is not simply a place to stay; the Lodge and its owners are dedicated to preserving and protecting the natural beauty of Mindo's Nambillo Forest, one of the most biologically diverse and endangered Cloud Forests in the world. Besides world-class birding, here you will be able to hike in lush cloud forests replete with orchids and bromeliads, as well as enjoying river tubing, the spectacular butterflies of the 'Mariposarium', and hikes to a primary forest reserve. In the afternoon, set out with a naturalist guide on a two-hour exploration of the Rio Mindo and its nearby forests. Along the way you'll have plenty of opportunities to spot a range of birdlife while also learning about the many medicinal plants found in the region as well as their uses.

Stay in private riverside cabanas and see firsthand the moss covered trees, crystal clear streams, spectacular orchids, exotic birds - awaken to the symphony of forest noise, hear the sounds and try to imagine the source. Experience Cloud Forest with all your senses, an ecosystem not widely known by name but could be described as the Garden of Eden or Paradise Found.

Today, your interests will shape your activities. Based on local conditions and your energy levels, you may decide to go on a nature walk from one hour to the entire day, where your naturalist guide will point out many species of plants and help you spot birds and other wildlife. Another option is to visit the waterfall and swim in the refreshing waters of the Rio Nambillo. You may also visit an Orchid Garden, or you might decide to just relax alongside the Rio Mindo in a hammock with a good book in tow.

Stay in private riverside cabanas and see firsthand the moss covered trees, crystal clear streams, spectacular orchids, exotic birds - awaken to the symphony of forest noise, hear the sounds and try to imagine the source. Experience Cloud Forest with all your senses, an ecosystem not widely known by name but could be described as the Garden of Eden or Paradise Found.

Meal Plan: Full Breakfast

Set in a colonial style house built in 1738, La Casona de la Ronda Hotel Boutique offers comfortable accommodation in the historic city centre. Decorated with stylish wooden furnishing and parquet floors, rooms at La Casona de la Ronda are very bright. Drinks from the bar and hot beverages from the coffee shop can be enjoyed in the garden and on the terrace.

This morning, join your guide on a nature walk along the heights of the Cordillera San Lorenzo. Your guide will talk about the birds and animals about that you see along the way, and if the weather permits, you may catch a glimpse of spectacular birds such as the Golden-Headed Quetzal, Choco Toucan, Crimson Rumped Toucanet, among others. Soon after, you'll return to El Monte for lunch, then pack up and begin the return transfer to Quito.

Depart from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island, a flight lasting roughly two hours and 30 minutes (included). Arriving in the Galapagos, you will be picked up at the airport by naturalist guides who will welcome you to the archipelago and assist with the transfer to the nearby pier. After getting acquainted with the vessels, you'll soon set out by dinghy to reach Punta Carrion, found at the entry of the Itabaca Channel in a turquoise lagoon where you will observe sharks, blue-footed boobies and a range of colourful fish.

The M/Y Coral I and the M/Y Coral II have a total of 18 and 11 cabins respectively. The Ocean View, air-conditioned cabins have lower beds and private facilities in which matrimonial, double or triple options are available. We have interconnecting doors suitable for families or friends traveling together. Each cabin includes: safe, entertainment system with LCD TVs, hair dryer, special bedding in each category, and remodelled furniture in each cabin. Our voltage is set for 110-220 volts/60 Hz.

Marvel at the variety of sea life that uses the crevices of the lava cliffs for shelter. Red-billed tropicbirds fly overhead, switching between their nests and the bay, and a small colony of fur seals may be found near the landing site. You will be dropped off at a steep stairway that begins on rocks at the foot of a path that leads through a seabird colony full of Nazca and red-footed boobies. At the plateau, the trail continues inland allowing you to see more nesting booby colonies in the thin Palo Santo forest. Near the end of the trail, over a rocky lava plain, wedge-rumped storm petrels can be observed flying in all directions. If you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of a short-eared Owl. In the afternoon, disembark onto a small sand and coral beach. A short trail heads west along a tidal lagoon and then up a rocky hill that leads to a point overlooking the cliffs and Darwin Bay. Along the trail near the tidal lagoon, visitors will see pairs of swallow-tailed gulls, lava gulls, yellow-crowned and lava herons. The trail continues through Palo Santo trees, Opuntia cacti, and saltbushes inhabited by great frigate birds and red-footed boobies. This is one of the few places in the islands where visitors are guaranteed to see red-footed boobies. It is estimated that more than 200,000 red-footed boobies live in the trees and bushes of Genovesa.

The M/Y Coral I and the M/Y Coral II have a total of 18 and 11 cabins respectively. The Ocean View, air-conditioned cabins have lower beds and private facilities in which matrimonial, double or triple options are available. We have interconnecting doors suitable for families or friends traveling together. Each cabin includes: safe, entertainment system with LCD TVs, hair dryer, special bedding in each category, and remodelled furniture in each cabin. Our voltage is set for 110-220 volts/60 Hz.

Following a wet landing on Rabida Island, you'll find that dark red sand covers the unique beaches of this island, home of sea lions colonies. Rabida is considered the epicenter of the Galapagos Islands due to the diversity of its volcanic geology. Nesting brown pelicans are found from July through September plus nine species of the famous Darwin's finches. Here you'll set out on a dinghy ride past marine cliffs to observe nesting seabirds. Snorkel off the coast, where marine life is particularly active. In the afternoon, you'll visit Bartolome Island. Here, you'll discover a fascinating landscape formed by different volcanic activities - lava bombs, spatter, cinder cones - that resemble the moon. Going up to the summit there will be an impressive view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone known as Pinnacle Rock. You are also likely to encounter marine iguanas, lava lizards, and blue-footed boobies. Beach time is a great opportunity to snorkel and see the famous Galapagos penguins, sea turtles and white-tipped reef sharks among a great variety of colourful fish. For many visitors, this may turn out to be the best snorkeling experience. Crystal clear waters make this the perfect spot to appreciate the incredible marine life it has to offer. Due to its geographical location, the lack of vegetation is immediately noticeable. However, there are pioneer plants including the endemic Tiquilia nesiotica, Chamaesyce, lava cactus, and Scalesia bushes.

The M/Y Coral I and the M/Y Coral II have a total of 18 and 11 cabins respectively. The Ocean View, air-conditioned cabins have lower beds and private facilities in which matrimonial, double or triple options are available. We have interconnecting doors suitable for families or friends traveling together. Each cabin includes: safe, entertainment system with LCD TVs, hair dryer, special bedding in each category, and remodelled furniture in each cabin. Our voltage is set for 110-220 volts/60 Hz.

Meal Plan: Buffet Breakfast

Offering a terrace and spa centre, Wyndham Quito Airport is located in the Quito airport and 23 miles from downtown. The perfect choice when connecting to the Galapagos, the Amazon, the coast or Cuenca.

In the morning you'll make a dry landing onto Santa Cruz Island and head to the highlands. In these parts of the Galapagos it is possible to admire different kinds of birds, such as tree and ground finches, vermillion flycatchers, paint-billed crakes, yellow warblers, and cattle egrets (usually standing on the shells of tortoises). The journey to the reserve offers great opportunities to see the contrasts that the island offers in reference to the variety of ecosystems. The road goes from the coast through the agricultural zone and straight up to the dense humid forests. Often, Galapagos giant tortoises are also seen on the way, wandering through pastures in the paddocks. This spot is a birdwatchers' haven, since almost every land bird present on the island lives or migrates here. After visiting the Highlands Tortoise Reserve, you will be transferred to the airport ahead of your return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.