Locally Hosted Independent Tour Suggested Departure Day: Sunday

ITINERARY (Subject to change without notice):

Sunday - Miami-Quito: Late afternoon departure for flight south to Quito, nestled at 9,000 feet high in the Andes. Upon arrival, meeting by your private guide and transfer to your hotel, the small charming   Casa Aliso, for two stay with breakfast daily.

Monday - Quito: Today you will spend the day exploring this charming Andean capital, designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Drive by the impressive Parliament Building, whose stone mural records Ecuador’s history, and visit St. Augustine Convent with colonial patio, cloisters, coffered ceilings and the vast collection of paintings showing the life of St. Augustine. Continue to the Independence Plaza, flanked by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace and to the Church of San Francisco, one the of great religious buildings of the New World, among other places of interest. Then drive out of the bustling city through small villages to the "Mitad del Mundo" complex, 23 km from the city. There is a typical colonial town with restaurants and gift shops, international pavillions, an excellent ethno-graphic museum, a planetarium and the Equatorial Line where you can straddle two hemispheres at once!   Lunch is included enroute today. (B/L)

Tuesday - Quito - Riobamba:  The adventure starts in Quito with a bus ride to the station of Tambillo, where the "Chiva Express", a colorful one coach train, like a bus on tracks, is ready to depart. A highlight of the trip is to 'ride the roof' with a panoramic view of the stunning Andean region of Ecuador. You will leisurely enjoy the ever-changing scenery as the "Chiva Express" advances along the ancient tracks. A snack is served at the Station of Machachi. and then 'ride the roof' up the slopes of Cotopaxi volcano. Continue by bus to visit an Indian market, lunch and overnight at Riobamba, located at the foot of imposing Chimborazo volcano. Dinner and overnight at the Hosteria Abraspungo. (B/L/D)

Wednesday - Riobamba - Cuenca:  After an early breakfast, transfer to the train station to board the "Chiva Express" for a scenic ride to Alausí. Twist and turn over the Andes, along bridging ravines and river gorges. Arrive to Alausí and prepare to go down the Devil’s Nose switch backs, one of the most impressive feats of rail engineering in the world, and back to Alausí. Continue south along the Andes by motorcar to Cuenca, visiting en route the Inca Ruins of Ingapirca, to arrive at dusk. Accommodations and all meals at the lovely Mansión Alcázar. (B/L/D)

Thursday - Cuenca: Today you will enjoy a full day to discover, at a leisurely pace, the beauty and charm for which Cuenca has been recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site. In the southern Sierra, Cuenca (pop 250,000) , is the third largest city in the country. Rich in cultural traditions and often called the "Athens of Ecuador", Cuenca was founded in 1557 by the Spaniards on the site of Tomebamba, an Inca settlement. The city still retains a colonial air - cobble-stone streets and quaint old buildings wrth tile roofs and flower boxes on iron-scrolled balconies. Its red tiled roofs, cobblestone streets, flowery plazas and museums make it very special. Lunch is served at a cozy restaurant. ( B/L/D)

Friday - Cuenca - Quito - Cotacachi: Morning at leisure to explore this charming city. Mid-day transfer to the airport for the return flight to Quito where you will be met upon arrival and depart immediatrely for the scenic two hour drive north towards Otavalo. Time permitting, you may make a visit or two en route to the town of Cotacachi and the Relais & Chateau country inn,  Hosteria La Mirage  for two  night stay with dinner each evening in the Hosteria's charming restaurant and breakfast each morning at the glass Hummingbird Restaurant. (B/D)

Saturday - Cotacachi: In the morning your local interpreter-guide will take you to visit the town of Otavalo and its colorful Indian market. Plenty of time to visit the market and shop for souvenirs and textiles. This afternoon explore the surrounding area and towns, such as Cotacachi, a leather center; San Antonio de Ibarra, a woodcarving center and Peguche, a textile center. (B/D)

Sunday - Cotacachi - Quito:   Morning return transfer to Quito with drop-off at the Casa Aliso for overnight stay.  This afternoon, you'll take the Teleferico to the summit of Mount Pichincha. The Teleferico, completed only in 2005, has eight cars with a capacity of 6 persons each. The ascent takes 8 to 10 minutes traveling some 2500 linear meters, going from 2950 meters (8850 feet) to 4050 meters (12,150 feeet) altitude. At the summit there is an amusement park. a collection of boutiques and shops offering handicrafts, jewelry, ceramics, clothing paintings and art, a collection of restaurants ranging from sports bar, to typical foods, Fondu, Italian and international cuisine as well as snacks and fast food and more pathways going up to as high as 4600 meters (13,800 feet) offering spectacular vistas and panoramas. (B)

Monday - Quito - Napo Wildlife Center: Morning transfer to the airport to begin your rainforest journey. The flight takes 35 minute flight over the snow capped volcanoes to Puerto Francisco de Orellana, locally know as Coca. where staff from the Napo Wildlife Center will meet and transfer you 5 to 7 minutes to the river where you embark on covered motorized canoe for approximately 2 hours ride (50 miles) downstream on the Napo River. During this trip a good number of birds can be spotted, including herons, kingfishers, ospreys among many others.  The boat will arrive at the northwest boundary of the Yasuni Biosphere Reserve, where the Napo Wildlife Center (NWC) is located by the Anangucocha Lake. To access the lodge you may either take a guided 2 1/2 km (1 1.2 miles) hike with rich forest wildlife, or embark on a quiet and enjoyable paddle dugout canoe ride for 1 1/2 hours along a creek with dense flooded palm forest. On either route it is possible to see several species of monkeys, colorful birds and other potential wildlife. At the end of the walk and near the end of the paddle, there is a superbe view of the lodge across Anangu Lake.

NOTE: There is a luggage weight limit of 20kg per person plus a carry-on such as hand luggage with reading material, camera, binoculars and personal documents. Additional or excess baggage is charged directly by the airline by pound.

Check-in at the lodge, initial briefing on the area and activities. During your stay, all meals and activities as offered by NWC are included. (B/D)

Tuesday - Napo Wildlfe Center: Begin your exploration of the area.  The Napo Wildlife Center supports a unique, 82-square-mile, private nature reserve on the northern edge of the Yasuni National Park. The reserve and associated lodge were created and built by traditional Quichua Indian Community of Anangu in partnership with the nonprofits Tropical Nature and EcoEcuador. Funding for this project came from the charitable contributions to Tropical Nature.

The Napo Wildlife Center is the only lodge on the south bank of the Napo, which harbors 30% more bird and animal species than the north bank. With parrott licks, GIant Otters, Woolly Monkeys and ten other primates, Napo WIldlife Center is the finest wildlife destination in the Amazon of Ecuador.

Activities available include:

• PROFESSIONAL CANOPY TOWER: Only 35 minutes away from the lodge is the best and most professional canopy tower ever built in the Ecuadorian Amazon. It is 125 feet tall, standing right next to a giant 155 Kapok tree with an ample platform provides space for 15 guests. It is possible to spot troppos of howler, capuchins, monk sakis or spider monkeys in the nearest forest. Active feeding bird flocks reach this area - 80 species were sighted in one single morning.

• LAKES & CREEKS: NWC has a large lake with two creeks that can easily be explored, with possibilities to see squirrel, saddlebacked and white fronted capuchin monkeys. NWC has 11 species of monkeys, four species of cayman and a group of giant otters.

• FOREST TRAILS & HIKES: Hikes along a variety of forest types are possible by visiting different trails. On forest trails you can see monkeys, lizards, tortoises, frogs and army ants in addition to an array of birds, including toucans, parrots, manakins and hummingbirds.

• BIRDWATCHING: Over 562 species of birds have been recorded at Napo Wildlife Center, more than 1/3 of all of Ecuador's species.Agami and ZigZag herons are found near the lake and creeks, including all five kingfishers. THe large raptors like Harpy and Crested Eagles find healthy mammal food around the area. The active calls of forest floor mixed species flocks with the largest number of the surprising antbirds can be found. Canopy flocks are normal to run into, helped with the expertise of the top native birdguide along the entire Napo: Jiovanny Rivadeneira.

• THE ANANGU COMMUNITY: Anangu is not only home to the NWC lodge. It has been the ancestral territory of a Quichua indigenous community that has the same name. Anangu pople are active participants of the conservation and management of a larte territory within the park as well as the lodge's partners in tourism. You can join some families on their daily activities when harvesting bananas, coco and manioc, or maybe help prepare chicha, a traditional drink based on cokked and fermenting manioc.

• PARROT BLINDS AT THE NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER: We have constructed blinds at two of the clay licks of the Napo Wildlife Center Reserve Area – the most accessible parrot and macaw clay licks in Ecuador (map). Visiting these clay licks helps to support an 82-square-mile private reserve and also supports Yasuní National Park, which is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.  There are more than a dozen in the area, and two of these clay licks are available to visit.

Wednesday - Napo Wildlife Center: Another day to enjoy activities as offered by NWC. (B/L/D)

Thursday - Napo Wildlife Center: One last day to explore this wildlife rich area. (B/L/D)

Friday - Napo Wildlife Center - Coca - Quito: Morning return to Coca via canoe and motorized canoe, where you catch your return flight to Quito.  Upon arrival, meeting and transfer to the Casa Aliso for overnight stay. (B)

Saturday - Quito - Galapagos Islands: Morning transfer to the airport for your 2 1/2 hour flight out to the Galapagos Islands where you will be met and transferred to your ship, the Eclipse, for your 7-night cruise in these Enchanted Isles.  Afternoon ashore at Las Bachas Beach on the north of Santa Cruz with soft, white sand derived from decomposed coral, making it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind the beach there is a small brackish water lagoon, where it is possible to observe flamingoes and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. (B/L/D)

Sunday - Galapagos Islands: Morning ashore at Puerto Egas (James Bay), on the northwest side of Santiago, with black beach, remains of a salt mining enterprise , Inter-tidal pools and Fur Seals Grottos, one of the only places in the islands where they can be seen. Time to swim or snorkel off the beach, where you will see sea lions, fish and maybe some turtles and reef sharks. In the afternoon go ashore at Bartolomé, a small island that has two visitor sites. At the first site, you can swim and snorkel around Pinnacle Rock, where penguins are usually seen. Back on board for a quick change of clothes and then it is a short dinghy ride to a dry landing for a climb to the highest point on the island. On the way up, you will encounter different volcanic formations, including spatter and tuff cones, lava flow and lava tubes. From the summit you will have a wonderful view of Sullivan Bay. (B/L/D)

Monday - Galapagos Islands: Morning ashore at Darwin Bay, Tower Island (Genovesa) you will find pairs of swallow-tailed gulls, the only nocturnal gull in the world, along with scores of red-footed boobies, with their contrasting red feet and blue bills. Lava gulls, yellow-crowned night herons, whimbrels and other marine birds feed near the shores of a tidal lagoon just beyond the rocky edge that faces the bay. After the land visit you will have the chance to either swim or snorkel off the beach, or go deep water snorkeling. In the afternoon at Prince Philip's Steps, climb up to a plateau that is part of the stretch of land that surrounds Darwin Bay on the eastern side with an incredible number of Nazca and red-footed boobies. The path passes through a dry "palo santo" forest and emerges on the eastern side of the island, where one can see hundreds of storm petrels flying over the extensive lava fields. With a bit of luck, you may even see one or two short-eared owls, the natural predator of the storm petrels. (B/L/D)

Tuesday - Galapagos Islands: Morning at Punta Espinosa, Fernandina Island,  with lava fields stretching towards the ocean from its base. Punta Espinosa is a narrow piece of land where some of the most unique Galapagos species can be seen, including the flightless cormorant, Galapagos snakes, marine iguanas, penguins and the Galapagos hawk. After the walk, you will have the chance to deep water snorkel, with an excellent chance of seeing turtles.  Afternoon ashore at Tagus Cove, Isabela Island, used as an anchoring place for pirates, buccaneers and whalers. Here you will see the names of hundreds of ships painted on the high ridges (a practice now forbidden). Depending on the season, you will either go hiking or snorkeling. and afterwards there will be a panga ride, to see a large number of blue-footed boobies perched on the ledges of the cliffs, as well as marine iguanas, penguins, brown pelicans, brown noddy terns and swallow-tailed gulls. While exploring the channel between Fernandina and Isabela Islands, we sometimes encounter dolphins and whales. (B/L/D)

Wednesday - Galapagos Islands: Morning at Urbina Bay, Isabela Island, a perfect example of the geological activity of the islands. Part of the shoreline was raised more than four meters, and the remains of a variety of mollusks and other sea organisms that were stranded by the sudden uplift can be seen. In the midst of this bizarre setting, massive marine iguanas wander around with flightless cormorants and, in the wet season, giant tortoises. After the walk you will have the opportunity to swim or snorkel off the beach. In the afternoon visit Elizabeth Bay, one of the furthest points of the Galapagos that we will visit on our cruise. After a panga ride around two islets called the Marielas, where penguins, flightless cormorants, herons, and blue-footed boobies can be seen, we will enter a sheltered cove – a wonderful mangrove ecosystem that is a refuge for sea turtles and rays. (B/L/D)

Thursday - Galapagos Islands: Morning ashore at Santa Cruz Island to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station where you will gain insight into the huge efforts being made by scientists, guides, rangers and park managers to preserve this UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will see the famous Galapagos tortoises that are the islands’ namesake. After the visit you will have some free time to explore the town of Puerto Ayora. In the afternoon you'll explore the highlands by bus  where you will visit a tortoise reserve to search for giant tortoises in their natural surroundings. You will also see the twin craters, a pair of giant sink holes left in the ground, which attract Darwin finches and other land birds. (B/L/D)

Friday - Galapagos Islands: Morning ashore at Gardner Bay, Hood Island, with wonderful white sandy beach. It is home to one of the most important colonies of sea lions, and it is also a nesting site for sea turtles. After the beach time you will have a chance to deep water snorkel from the panga at Turtle Rock. In the afternoon visit Punta Suarez, one of the most popular and attractive sites in the Galapagos, with a  high proportion of endemic fauna. A few steps inland from the landing site, groups of Española marine iguanas bask in the sun. Further inland, Nazca and blue-footed boobies nest almost on the trail, Galapagos doves peck around unaware of visitors and finches go about their business. The trail continues towards a blowhole, which is a fissure in the lava where water spurts high into the air like a geyser. The cracks in the cliffs are home to swallow-tailed gulls and red-billed tropicbirds. Further up the cliff in an area of low-lying trees you will find waved albatrosses nesting. The 10,000 to 12,000 pairs of albatrosses on Española represent the entire population of this species on the planet. They perform one of the most spectacular courtship rituals of the animal world. (B/L/D)

Saturday - Galapagos Islands - Guayaquil: Early morning visit to Black Turtle Cove, one of the most beautiful marine sites in Galapagos with a complex maze of tranquil salt-water inlets, surrounded by three different species of mangrove. Its waters are a resting site for sea turtles, rays and sharks. This site is only accessible by panga. Then on-board check-out and transfer to the airport for return flight to Guayaquil.  Meeting upon arrival and transfer to the Hilton Colon Guayaquil for overnight. (B)

Sunday - Guayaquil - Miami: Morning transfer to the airport for your return flight to Miami where you clear immigrations and customs and make connections to your home city.

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