LUXURY ADVENTUREEcuador - Galápagos

With Adventure Journeys, we invite you to join us to discover and be the creator of your own adventure for a truly life-changing travel experience.

ABOUT US Adventure Journeys was created by two knowledgeable expert leaders in order to offer the most amazing group adventure experiences and tailor-made trips adjustable to the needs and requests of our guests.

Our mission is to achieve customer satisfaction through our unique client-centered philosophy. Our clients’ happiness, enjoyment and education are the cornerstones of the company’s reputation and success.

Our advantage is the team of Ecuador experts who have the ability to design and create life-changing experiences and guarantee personalized, upscale service according to individual budgets and needs. We focus on highlighting the beauty, environmental significance, and astounding cultural diversity of the Ecuadorian mainland and Galápagos Islands. In addition, our approach to tourism and the local community is to offer sustainable and responsible programs tailored to each individual client.

The Galápagos Islands will inspire you think differently about our world, just as others have when visiting this fascinating place. Be an explorer and discover endemic creatures that call these volcanic islands as home. Witness a unique abundance of wildlife in a setting unlike any other on the planet. Truly understand Charles Darwin’s inspiration when he wrote his theory of evolution, a publication that changed the world.

A truly special UNESCO wildlife preserve, not only protected to sustain natural habitats on land, the Islands also serve as an important marine migration zone. Take the opportunity to understand the importance of the islands and visit Charles Darwin Research Station to see the nursery and other efforts used to maintain the majesty of the islands. Be part of an educational and inspirational journey in one of the most fiercely protected marine wilderness!

GALAPAGOS

Where to stay in Galapagos Islands

ENJOY THE BEST LUXURY AND COMFORT WHILE EXPLORING

Explore eachUnique Island Get the complete experience of Galápagos, with it’s unique wildlife and culture. Collect precious memories from each feature; learn how life is in the archipelago, enjoy the local flavors, discover small towns and

hidden paths.

GIANT TURTOISESSANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS

TORTUGA BAYTHE NICEST BEACH IN GALÁPAGOS

THE LAVA TUNNELS OF ISABELAONE OF THE TOP 5 PLACES FOR SNORKELING

Make the Islandsan Adenture

Bike beside a white sandy beach with marine iguanas basking in the sun, kayak the bays alongside sea lions and penguins, snorkel the reefs swimming among sea turtles, hike along impressive lava trails or inside of the massive Sierra Negra volcano and

so much more in this archipelago paradise.

SNORKELING WITH SEA LIONS TINTORERAS ISLET OF ISABELA

HIKING TO VOLCAN CHICO SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO

SNORKELING WITH SEA LIONS TINTORERAS ISLET OF ISABELA

BIKING TO THE WALL OF TEARSISABELA ISLAND

Small island hopping airplanes of 9 person capacity can be chartered to explore and travel in between the islands, as well as private yachts that cruise luxurious

through the lustrous water.

Traveling between the Islands

ECUADOR FOUR WORLDS, ONE COUNTRY

With us you will be able to have the most amazing vacation by experiencing the awe-inspiring Andes or the mighty Amazon rain forest.

Experience any one of these precious regions, or in any combination as you desire in one trip.

ECUADOR Mainland

COTOPAXI VOLCANO

CHIMBORAZO VOLCANOTHE HIGHEST IN ECUADOR, ALSO KNOWN AS THE KING OF THE ANDES

QUILOTOA CRATER LAKEAN ACTIVE CALDERA LOCATED AT 4 200 METERS (13 860 FT)

OF ALTITUDE IN THE MAGIC ANDES

THEANDES Be inspired by the breath-taking landscapes of the Ecuadorian highlands, shaped by the colossal Andes that have created the famous “Avenue of Volcanoes.”

Let us transport you into the unique adventure of a lifetime by exploring every corner of this magical region. Travel the green painted inter-Andean valleys, hike national parks and discover its immense diversity, meet the inhabitants, uncover the traditions, ride horses off the beaten path along the trails once used by the Incas and more...

QUILOTOA CRATER LAKEAN ACTIVE CALDERA LOCATED AT 4 200 METERS (13 860 FT)

OF ALTITUDE IN THE MAGIC ANDES

TRADITIONAL INDEGENIOUS CULTURES

Baños, a mountain town with spectacular geography located at the base of the active Tungurahua volcano. It is home of natural hotsprings, white water rapids,

canyons and extreme activities that allow you to feel the adrenaline in the air.

PAPALLACTA SPA RESORT IN THE CLOUD FOREST

ZULETA HACIENDASPANISH STYLE LUXURY RANCH

Where to stay

Adventure Journeys’ main goal is to offer the best experience to each of our costumers. We embrace the responsibility to select the best accommodations and

services along our journeys.

We offer farm style historical haciendas hidden in the countryside of the Andean valley, exclusive hotels in colonial cities and eco-lodges of unique charming character. Each accommodation has been carefully evaluated and selected

by our AJ´s team.

AndeanCloud Forest

This unique lodge, located on a scenic plateau in the middle of the cloud tropical forest, features breathtaking views of the surrounding forested mountains right up close through its floor-to-ceiling panoramic glass windows; like a cathedral to the natural world, it protrudes from the verdant hillside, holding unknown comforts and pleasures within.

Only about 100 km (60 miles) northwest of Quito at 950 meters (3 117 feet) above sea level in the middle of Mashpi reserve. This magical place, despite its remote location, can be reached from Quito in around three hours of drive.

MASHPI LODGE

WHAT TO DOMashpi lodge offers a wide menu of activities for all different tastes, from walks inside pristine forest visiting waterfalls to observation towers and cable cars to explore the dense canopy, as well as time to relax and enjoy a massage with natural sounds from the forest.

EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES Dragonfly (Canopy Gondola) - A journey through the canopy.Life Center - Discover dozens of butterflies, many species of orchids and various species of medicinal and ornamental plants.Eleven Trails - To explore the pristine forest.Three Refreshing waterfalls.Observation Tower - To discover the wildlife living in the canopy.Night walks - Learn about the abundant life activity at nighttime.Sky Bike - Adventure journeys by the canopy.

ANDEAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCKMASHPI - ECUADOR

THE

AMAZON

This special ecosystem provides real substance of adventure that truly stirs the imagination. The very mention of the Amazon rain forest excites images of the exotic: lush, tropical foliage thriving about mighty rivers of the basin, a sleek jaguar padding through dense undergrowth, a giant black caiman slipping silently through the still waters of a tranquil lagoon, troops of monkeys leaping through the emerald canopy and all to the accompaniment of the dramatic sounds of the rain forest.

The Amazon basin is the most biodiverse region on earth, accounting for more than one in tenth of the known species, and constituting the largest collection of flora and fauna in the world.

AdventureJourneys’ partner lodges are considered to be high-end with excellent facilities. They are situated in areas of the rain forest renowned for their pristine location and biodiversity. We avoid working with operators that may cut corners with practices that are not ecologically conscious.

Where to stay

AMAZON ECO-LODGE AMAZON RIVER CRUISING

Wellness

The immaculate regions of Ecuador are the perfect excuse to step outside and get active. Stimulate your mind with adventurous activities, acquire mental peace in the tranquil forest, spiritually connect with nature on a closer level, relax to a massage after a wholesome meal and practice yoga in the purest location.

In Adventure Journeys we offer a diverse number of opportunities to improve travel time for your own wellness.

Spending more time outdoors has been shown to improve short-term memory, restore mental energy, reduce stress, and spark creativity.

Take it outside

Adventure Journeys

STAFF

Our expert trip leaders and local naturalist guides will become your friends in the islands and will escort you throughout your journey with the upmost professionalism and service quality.

Adventure Journeys’ staff have been carefully selected by our founders to provide the best professional service in the industry. Each member of our team displays the highest performance and skills within each activity; this kind of customer service is naturally exhibited simply by the passion and enjoyment in what we do.

We provide the highest class of multilingual, expedition leaders and naturalist guides. Our experts have professional backgrounds and are certified by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism and trained and certified in WAFA (Wilderness Advanced First Aid) International Certification. In addition, Adventure Journeys staff has been trained with the skills to provide the best personalized and upscale service for our customers. They go above and beyond to focus in every small detail of the trip to create the unique travel experience of a lifetime.

OUR PEOPLE IS OUR BRAND AND OUR SUCCESS

Adventure SampleECUADOR & GALÁPAGOSLUXURY12 DAYS

Explore the unique wildlife in the Galápagos islands, snorkeling with sea turtles, rays and sea lions, visit highlands with the wild giant tortoises, explore lava tubes in Santa Cruz highlands, Visit Isla lobos, sea lions island

Mashpi actually lies within the Metropolitan District of Quito – the capital of Ecuador. The lodge, which is only about 100 km (60 miles) northwest of Quito as the hummingbird flies, was built at 950 meters (3,117 feet) above sea level.

Quito colonial churches, Equator line and colonial Quito .

>

>

>

A truly unique lifetime adventure blending the spectacular geography of Quito UNESCO city with the northwestern cloud forest and with the enchanted Galápagos Islands, the islands offer endless opportunities to witness a unique abundance of wildlife in a setting unlike any other on the planet. This vacation also provides flexible time to spend on your own and explore the sand beaches, trail in the Galápagos and the cloud forest, and share with lots of wildlife. Be part of an inspirational journey of a lifetime in one of the most fiercely protected marine wilderness’ in the world!

HIGHLIGHTS

OVERVIEW

TRIP ITINERARY

QUITO ARRIVAL DAY

Welcome to Quito! Our AJ staff will meet you at the airport and will transfer you to the hotel for your welcome briefing. Depending on arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. ADVENTURE JOURNEYS can help you to organize a day trip (please request in advance). In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 18:00 hours. At this time, we will discuss the details and questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an acclimation and information day.

Accommodation: Casa GangotenaMeals: N/A

DAY 1

QUITO CITY TOUR

After breakfast, we enjoy a local like city tour exploring the narrow streets of the UNESCO city in the old town, our visit includes important monuments such as: La Basílica church, La Compañía de Jesús Church, San Francisco Church, the Main Independence Square, the Cathedral Church and El Panecillo natural lookout of the city.

Lunch at Pululahua Crater, view point.

In the afternoon we will visit one of the most iconic places in the world: the equator line and we will visit the Intiñan Museum.

Accommodation: Casa GangotenaMeals: Breakfast, Lunch

CLOUD FOREST

The adventure begins at around 08:30 am at one of the main hotels in Quito, when you will be collected by Mashpi transportation for your journey to the northwest corner of Quito. The road passes along the western flank of the Andes, next to the which marks the equatorial line. We then continue westwards, downhill, following the course of the Río Blanco, watching as the vegetation changes with every significant drop in altitude. We arrive at the Lodge at noon.

On your arrival day, you will plan your activities with the team and receive a talk about Mashpi and all its wonders.

When darkness falls, a new troupe of creatures emerges: your guides will accompany you in search out tiny (and some transparent!) frogs, snakes, insects and even tarantulas during a Night Walk.

Accommodation: Mashpi LodgeMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 2 DAY 3

HIGHLANDS - GIANT TORTOISE RESERVE

We will head to the ‘El Chato’ reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz, home to the famous Galápagos tortoises. Hiking through El Chato’s beautiful landscape with these lumbering giants is an unforgettable experience! We will also see other highland wildlife such as pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches and frigate birds, which gather to wash the salt off their feathers at a fresh water lake.

In the afternoon we will visit the Garrapatero cove, considered to have the finest sand in all Galápagos! Enjoy a soothing dip in the waters; take a small trip on a tandem, sit-on-top kayak; lie on the beach; or walk a short distance to a brackish lagoon, home of stilts, plovers, pintails and flamingos.

Accommodation: Finch BayMeals: Breakfast, Lunch

SAN CRISTÓBAL – SANTA CRUZ

In the morning, traverse from San Cristóbal to Santa Cruz Island to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. During our island crossing, we will be on the lookout for dolphins and whales (July to October). Once we arrive, we will check in at the hotel. We will then visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to Learn more about many of the endemic species seen in the wild, as well as the ongoing conservation and management efforts on the Galápagos Islands.

We will take you to the hotel for check in and then you will visit one of the most beautiful and pristine beaches of the Galápagos Islands.

Accommodation: Finch BayMeals: Breakfast, Lunch

SAN CRISTÓBAL

In the morning, we will take a boat to Kicker Rock, located off the coast of San Cristóbal, also known as the Sleeping Lion because of some resemblance. This is the remains of a lava cone eroded by the sea, two vertical rocks rising 500 ft (150 m) above the ocean form a small channel that is navigable by small boats. Beneath the sea, the crystal waters offer a brilliant show of colorful fish, such as rainbow fish and sharks, like the hammerhead and white tip. After lunch, we will spend some time on the beach and travel back to the hotel.

Accommodation: Golden BayMeals: Breakfast, Lunch

CLOUD FOREST

The day might begin at first light on the panoramic terrace, watching – and hearing – a menagerie of birds stirring around the Lodge. After breakfast, you could hike towards a waterfall, bathing in the tremendous crash of water, head to the Hummingbird Garden, or discover the winged wonders of the Life Centre’s butterflies.

After lunch, how about pedaling between two points of the forest around 200 m (655 ft) apart on the aerial Sky Bike, followed by a climb up the Observation Tower to take in the Reserve in its entirety and watch the sun go down behind the clouds.

For the evening, we have prepared a series of different lectures such as the “Secret Wildlife of Mashpi: The Camera Trap Project,” “The Choco: a Biological Hotspot” about the formation and diversity of the Chocó.

Accommodation: Mashpi LodgeMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

CLOUD FOREST TO QUITO

On your last day, there’s more time to explore the forest trails, head to a different waterfall or find a nook to let the whole experience sink in.

We return to the hotel for check out at 11:00 a.m. Our transfer leaves Mashpi Lodge at 11:30 a.m. During your trip back to Quito, you’ll get to enjoy a meal before arriving to your hotel.

Enjoy your afternoon with any of the activities Quito Polo Club offers: horse riding, watching a polo game, walking around and more...

Then prepare for an amazing dinner on one of the most iconic Ecuadorian fusion restaurants.

Accommodation: Quito Polo ClubMeals: Breakfast, Dinner

GALÁPAGOS - SAN CRISTÓBAL

Today we get ready to explore the most amazing archipelago on the Pacific coast and the place where Charles Darwin based his theory of the evolution of species. We will board a morning flight from Quito to the island of San Cristóbal. Once arrived, we have a transfer to the hotel in the town of Puerto Moreno and a short briefing about the next days. In the afternoon we will head to “La Loberia”, which is both a home beach and nursery for large Galápagos sea lions, we can spot them while snorkeling. We also get to see yellow warbler birds, frigate birds, and several species of Darwin’s finches along the beach. In between the rocks we can find marine iguanas, which you can only see in Galápagos. We also have the time to go for a refreshing swim, explore the waters with our snorkel equipment and enjoy the beach.

Accommodation: Golden BayMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4 DAY 6 DAY 8

DAY 9

DAY 7DAY 5

DEPARTURE

Today our trip will end and you will have your International departures. Take with you your memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you “buen viaje”!

Meals: Breakfast

GALAPÁGOS TO GUAYAQUIL

After our final breakfast on the Galápagos Island and the last photos taken of sea lions, we have a transfer to Baltra’s airport in time to catch the flight back to the mainland.

You can spend the afternoon on the Parque Historico of Guayaquil.

Accommodation: Hotel del ParqueMeals: Breakfast

EXCURSION TO BARTOLOMÉ ISLAND

Bartolomé is a small Galápagos Island located 18 miles northwest from the Itabaca Channel. It’s among the most famous of all the islands, due to its fascinating volcanic landscapes and the wildlife encounters it promises.

Arriving in Bartolomé is to enter another-wordly landscape, witness to the islands’ volcanic origins. The summit trail begins with a dry landing, though accompanying sea-lions can make the purpose-built dock more exciting. The trail winds its way uphill over volcanic ash and past craters. The only vegetation is the pioneer Tiquilia plant and the greenish Chamaesyce.

Bartolomé is considered one of the best snorkeling sites in the central islands of the archipelago. Here, we swim at the foot of the famous Pinnacle Rock and around its base, observing many species of parrot fish, marine turtles, sea lions and, if we’re lucky, Galápagos penguins.

After a lunch on board, we motor to Sullivan Bay, located on the eastern coast of Santiago Island. Sullivan Bay is the most interesting lava field in the Galápagos. A short walk on lava is a unique chance to experience the volcanic origins of the islands. “Pahoe hoe” and “AA” lava are the predominant shape in this moon scape. After a land visit we have time to snorkel and enjoy the amazing white sand beach, where it’s easy to observe many different species of fishes, some turtles, sea lions and hopefully Galápagos Penguins.

Accommodation: Finch BayMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10 DAY 11

DAY 12

/adventure.journeys

www.adventurejourneys.com

RECOMMENDED BY

info@adventurejourneys.com +1 602 732 7127 (USA & Canada) +593 2 2558 805 / +593 99 623 6400

Av. República E7-03 y Eloy Alfaro,Ed. María Victoria, Office 3-07,Quito-Ecuador