Private Galapagos Marvels by Land and Mashpi’s Cloud Forest

Arrive in Quito and transfer to your charming boutique-style hotel conveniently located in the Historic Center neighborhood.  Overnight at Mamá Cuchara by Art Hotels, where comfort, local charm, and stunning surroundings create the perfect retreat.

Today we explore the northern coast. We either visit Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock), Punta Pitt or Cerro Brujo. The visiting site depends on the weekday and the Galapagos National Park regulations. On our exploration trip, we make sure to search the nearby coves and cliffs for sea turtles, sea lions, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, and Nazca boobies. Here we have the chance to get up close and personal with sea lions in their favorite playground. As we snorkel, we might see eagle rays, golden rays, Galapagos sharks, starfish, clams, and thousands of tropical fish. If we’re lucky, we may even come across hammerhead sharks.  As the sun sets on our day under the waves, we return to the hotel to for a relaxed evening.  Overnight at the Golden Bay Hotel.

Today we explore the northern coast. We either visit Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock), Punta Pitt or Cerro Brujo. The visiting site depends on the weekday and the Galapagos National Park regulations. On our exploration trip, we make sure to search the nearby coves and cliffs for sea turtles, sea lions, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, and Nazca boobies. Here we have the chance to get up close and personal with sea lions in their favorite playground. As we snorkel, we might see eagle rays, golden rays, Galapagos sharks, starfish, clams, and thousands of tropical fish. If we’re lucky, we may even come across hammerhead sharks.  As the sun sets on our day under the waves, we return to the hotel to for a relaxed evening.  Overnight at the Golden Bay Hotel.

In the morning, we take a short inter-island flight to Isabela Island, the largest island in the Galapagos. It´s constantly changing and evolving due to the six shield volcanoes, rendering it one of the most volcanically active spots on the planet. After a short small aircraft flight, we settle into our hotel.  We then set out on a one-of-a-kind hike that will take us through an incredible variety of coastal ecosystems, along the way we spot giant tortoises, flamingos, and other wildlife as we pass through white sand beaches, the alluring poison apple forest, a gaping lava tube, dark mangroves and brackish lagoons.  After a nourishing lunch, we explored Tintoreras, a group of small islets filled with hidden coves and isolated beaches. Here we find the endemic Galapagos penguin, as well as reef sharks, sea turtles and sea lions. At the end of the day, we retire to our hotel.  We finish the evening with a delicious dinner and an optional stroll down the expansive beach and the sand streets of idyllic Puerto Villamil. Overnight at Iguana Crossing Hotel.

We board a speed boat or internal flight to Santa Cruz Island early in the morning. Along the way, we keep an eye out for whales and dolphins in the ocean around us. After checking in we head to El Chato nature reserve in the Santa Cruz highlands, home to the Galapagos giant tortoise. It is an honor to hike among these fascinating, gentle giants, who on average live to be over 175 years old. El Chato is also home to many pintail ducks, finches, frigate birds, egrets, and the beautiful vermillion flycatcher.

Our hike continues through some incredible lava tunnels created by flowing magma. Legend has it that the buccaneers who once frequented the Galapagos used these deep caves to hide Inca gold plundered from Spanish ships! After some pirate stories from our guides, we head up to Los Gemelos, a pair of deep volcanic sinkholes at the high point of Santa Cruz. The path takes us through a forest of endemic Scalesia trees covered in ferns and epiphytes where we’ll keep a lookout for the resident short-eared owl.

If there is enough time, we may visit the Charles Darwin Research Station where local scientists rear endemic plants and animals for educational, scientific, and conservation purposes. We’ll learn about the ongoing conservation efforts to protect the future of the Galapagos.

In the late afternoon, we get ready to celebrate our once-in-a-lifetime trip with a delicious farewell dinner. We soak up the ambiance of our last night in the Galapagos with magnificent views of the brightly-lit ships in the bay and the town beyond. Overnight at Angermeyer Hotel.

Finally, it’s time to bid a fond farewell to the magic island as we transfer to Baltra Island for our return flight to the mainland (not included). Note: To optimize travel time to Mashpi, it’s recommended to prioritize booking the earliest flight arriving in Quito before 2:00 pm.

 Upon arrival, a land transfer takes you on a 4-hour drive to Mashpi Lodge and Reserve.  Nestled amidst the lush greenery of the Ecuadorian Chocó rainforest, your next two days will be spent immersed in the wonders of Mashpi Lodge. This luxurious eco-resort offers a unique blend of comfort and adventure, allowing you to experience the cloud forest’s magic fully. Upon arrival at the Lodge, you are warmly greeted in a dedicated expedition room. Here, friendly staff will handle your check-in, provide your room keys, and offer a comprehensive orientation to everything Mashpi offers. This informative session ensures you have a clear understanding of the lodge’s operations and gets you excited to explore the wonders of the surrounding rainforest.  Overnight at Mashpi Lodge.

Included on your stay is the Dragonfly Cable Car System.  Inspired by the remarkable dragonfly, known for its exceptional vision, our Dragonfly Cable Car System offers a breathtaking perspective of the rainforest canopy.  Glide through the treetops in one of our four gondolas, aptly named “dragonflies,” along a 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) circuit.  The 15-minute walk (1444 feet/440 meters) from the lodge to the departure station is a pleasant prelude to your aerial adventure. The cable car system itself features two main stations and six support towers. For added convenience, gondola boarding and disembarking is available at Tower 4.  Each gondola comfortably accommodates four explorers and a guide.  Spaced approximately 1640 feet (500 meters) apart, they travel a distance of nearly 1.3 miles (2 kilometers) in each direction at a leisurely pace of less than 2 miles per hour (3 kilometers per hour).  The entire round-trip journey takes approximately 2 hours.  Unfold the wonders of the rainforest ecosystem as you soar above the tree line.  Panoramic vistas unveil the rich tapestry of the reserve’s flora and fauna, with its vibrant colors, captivating scents, and the constant movement of life.  This unforgettable experience can be seamlessly combined with other hiking trails detailed within this guide.  After your exhilarating Dragonfly Cable Car adventure, the rest of your stay remains open for you to design your perfect rainforest exploration.  Mashpi Reserve boasts a diverse selection of guided tours, each offering unique opportunities to delve deeper into the wonders of this remarkable ecosystem.  Whether your interests lie in birdwatching, exploring hidden trails, or encountering nocturnal creatures, knowledgeable guides are always available to lead the way.  Overnight at Mashpi Lodge.

After your immersive experience at Mashpi Lodge, unwinding amidst the breathtaking cloud forest, it’s time for your comfortable 4-hour drive back to Quito. Overnight at Mamá Cuchara by Arts Hotel.

Transfer to the airport for your return flight home or extend your trip to visit more of Ecuador’s natural wonders.