Nature and Birding in the Ecuadorian Cloud Forest and Galápagos Islands

Upon arrival at the Quito International Airport, after clearing customs and collecting your luggage, you will be met and transferred to Quito for overnight.

Early morning breakfast and program orientation before departing to Sachatamia Reserve, making several stops en route along the Paseo del Quinde ecoroute, known also as Nono-Mindo Road. Your first stop is at Yanacocha Biological Reserve. At an altitude of approximately 10,000 feet, and comprising 2,371 acres, this protected area was established to safeguard the critically endangered and endemic Black-breasted Puffleg. After a picnic lunch in the reserve, continue driving with quick stops to look for stunners such as Toucan Barbet, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, and Beautiful Jay. Stop at Alambi Cloud Forest Reserve, where 250 species-including 32 varieties of hummingbirds-have been recorded. The reserve covers a large range of altitudes (4,750 to 7,210 feet) and spans two major basins: the Alambi Valley and the pristine Goaycape Valley. While at Alambi, stop to visit a plant nursery that's at the heart of a community reforestation project and learn more about the program and the various species of flowering plants being cultivated to restore habitat for the Black-breasted Puffleg. Continue to Mindo in time for dinner.
Some of the birds of the day: At Yanacocha: Andean Guan, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Golden-breasted and Sapphire-vented Pufflegs, Great Sapphirewing, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Ocellated and Blackish Tapaculos, Black-chested and Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanagers, Golden-crowned Tanager, En route: Toucan Barbet, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Beautiful Jay, At Alambi: Brown Violetear, Booted Racket-tail, Fawn-breasted and Green-crowned Brilliants, and Silver-throated Tanagers.

This morning, visit Milpe Bird Sanctuary, a 250-acre subtropical rainforest reserve with an altitudinal range of 3,350 to 3,770 feet and protecting an important tract of remnant forest in the Chocó foothills. The Chocó is an ecoregion and biodiversity hotspot that ranges from the Pacific coast of Colombia south to Ecuador, and it supports 62 restricted-range species, the largest of any Endemic Bird Area in the Americas. In the afternoon, visit the productive feeders at the family-run San Tadeo Birdwatching Spot. Transfer to Puembo Birding Garden for dinner and overnight.
Some of the birds of the day: At Milpe: Pallid Dove, White-whiskered Hermit, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Blue-tailed (Chocó) Trogon, Chocó Toucan, Esmeraldas Antbird, Club-winged Manakin, and Rufous-throated Tanager. At San Tadeo: Violet-tailed Sylph, Red-headed Barbet, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Flame-faced Tanager, Black-capped Tanager, Golden-naped Tanager, and more Chocó endemics: Brown Inca, Velvet-purple Coronet, Empress Brilliant, Dusky Chlorospingus, and Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager.

Early this morning you will be transferred to the Quito International Airport for your flight to the Galápagos Islands, specifically the island of Baltra. You will be met by your guide from M/Y Tip Top IV, who will assist you in transferring to the yacht. As the crew weighs anchor, you'll be greeted with your first orientation and a light snack. After boarding M/Y Tip Top IV, attend your first orientation and have a light snack. In the afternoon, take a panga ride around Black Turtle Cove, a series of mangrove surrounded coves and islets. Here you can observe whitetip reef sharks, sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, and yellow cow nosed rays. Each day during the cruise will include optional time for swimming, snorkeling and/or kayaking for those who would like. Return to the yacht for a welcome cocktail with the entire crew, followed by dinner. Please note: Cruise itineraries are subject to change without prior notice due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. weather) or at the discretion of the captain, guide, or the Galápagos National Park.

After breakfast, make a wet landing at Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island to walk and observe frigatebirds, herons, mockingbirds, boobies, shore birds, turtles, marine iguanas, etc. Return to the boat for a delicious lunch. Later in the afternoon, make a dry landing on Prince Philips's Steps (El Barranco) to walk and observe the interesting lives of the birds here. Each night during the cruise, you'll have dinner and a nightly orientation aboard the boat; during tonight's orientation, learn about conservation efforts to protect the islands.

After breakfast, visit the Interpretation Center Fausto Llerena Breeding Center inside the Charles Darwin Research Station. Learn about the station's important conservation and education work, and see some of the giant tortoises that are being raised for reintroduction into the wild. After lunch explore the native forests in El Chato Reserve, then go to a farm to search for giant tortoises in the wild. Return to the yacht for dinner and our night orientation.

After breakfast, take a panga ride at Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island to observe plenty of sea lions, marine iguanas, Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies, and Flightless Cormorants. In the afternoon, make a dry landing at Punta Espinosa on Fernandina Island to observe a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, Flightless Cormorants, and clumps of lava cactus.

After breakfast, take a panga ride around Tagus Cove, a protected cove between the shoulders of two volcanic craters which protect it from the open sea; look for marine iguanas, sea lions, and a variety of birds, including Galapagos Penguins, Flightless Cormorants, and Blue-footed Boobies. Return to the yacht for lunch. In the afternoon, take a panga ride around the islets of Elizabeth Bay for the chance to see marine iguanas, penguins, sea turtles, herons, and Blue-footed Boobies.

After breakfast, make a wet landing on Isabela Island's Urbina Bay to walk and observe a coral area, land iguanas, Flightless Cormorants, and giant tortoises. Sail further south to Punta Moreno for another wet landing. Walk along shore lagoons located among petrified lava flows where different type of birds can be seen. Enjoy panoramic views of the famous volcanoes Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul, as well as the highest part of nearby Fernandina Island. Return to the yacht for dinner and our night orientation.

After breakfast, make a wet landing at Cormorant Point on Floreana for a short walk to the island's flamingo lagoon. Continue walking to reach La Picona beach to look for sea turtles amid their spawning grounds. Later, take a panga ride around Champion Islet, a small island off the coast of Floreana Island. The principal attraction is the nearly extinct Floreana Mockingbird; also look for Swallow-tailed Gulls, Nazca Boobies, and Brown Noddies. This is a great place for snorkeling; sea turtles, reef fishes, Galapagos Penguins, and whitetip reef sharks can all be seen here. In the afternoon, make a wet landing at Post Office Bay, a historical site that recalls the days of the 18th century whalers who placed a wooden barrel here to use as a post office - a tradition that continues today.

After breakfast, make an early wet landing on Mosquera Islet. Formed as a result of a volcanic uprising, this small islet consists of a white sand beach, tide pools, and a reef of rocks and coral. Observe colonies of sea lions, Brown Pelicans, Blue footed Boobies, and Sally Lightfoot crabs; the contrast between the crabs' bright red and blue coloration against the black lava is stunning. Afterwards continue to the Baltra airport. Lunch at the airport is on own today. Your flight today will be to Guayaquil on Ecuador's coast. Upon arrival, after collecting your luggage, you will be met and transferred to Hotel Oro Verde. You will have the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Meet together during the early evening for a festive farewell dinner at the hotel.

This morning, at the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the Guayaquil International Airport for your flight out.