A journey through ancient waters and living forests, from the enchanted Galapagos Islands to the beating heart of the Amazon
Ocean to rainforest: Journey from the Galapagos to the Amazon
Ecuador, Peru
Your journey at a glance
Trace the rhythms of nature across islands, forests, and rivers.
Welcome to a 14-night journey through two of the world’s most iconic ecosystems — the Galapagos Islands and the Peruvian Amazon. From volcanic outcrops teeming with seabirds to rainforest waterways alive with pink dolphins and scarlet macaws, this trip invites you into the heart of the wild.
Sail aboard elegant expedition vessels, guided by expert naturalists and enriched by encounters with rare wildlife, vibrant communities, and stories of conservation. Whether snorkelling with sea lions or drifting through dawn mist on the Marañón River, each day reveals the beauty of evolution and ecology in motion.
This is a voyage for the curious, the conscious, and those who find meaning in nature’s grandeur.
2 nights Quito | 7 nights Galapagos Islands | 1 night Lima | 4 nights Amazon
The itinerary for the Galapagos Explorer follows the Best of East route but can be adjusted to the Best of the West, depending on dates.
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A taste of what to expect…
Day 1 | Arrival
Quito, Ecuador
Upon arrival in Ecuador’s capital, you’ll be met by an &Beyond representative and transferred to your hotel in the historic heart of the city. Nestled among Andean peaks, Quito is a city of layered history, cobbled charm, and vibrant culture. Relax into the elegance of Casa Gangotena — a restored Republican mansion overlooking Plaza San Francisco.
Day 2
Quito, Ecuador
Discover Quito’s UNESCO-listed old town on a guided tour through colonial plazas, ornate cathedrals, and hillside viewpoints. A highlight of the day includes a hands-on chocolate workshop at Galería Ecuador, where you’ll learn to temper, mix, and shape your own truffles using Andean cacao and native flavours like Cusco salt and chocolate nibs.
Day 3
North Seymour Island, Galapagos
&Beyond Galapagos Explorer
Fly from Quito to the Galapagos Islands and board your private luxury yacht. After settling in, set out to explore North Seymour Island, where you may spot nesting blue-footed boobies, land iguanas, and colonies of frigatebirds beneath the twisted branches of palo santo trees.
Day 4
San Cristóbal Island, Galapagos
Sail to Punta Pitt and the monumental Kicker Rock, where eroded lava formations shelter a vibrant marine world. Visit Lobos Island to observe blue-footed boobies and nesting frigatebirds, then snorkel in the company of sea lions and tropical fish in crystalline waters.
Day 5
Española Island, Galapagos
Visit Gardner Bay and Osborn Islet for sun-soaked beaches and snorkelling in clear, fish-rich waters. Later, explore Punta Suarez — home to a remarkable colony of sea birds, including the critically endangered waved albatross. Watch out for dramatic blowholes sending ocean spray high into the air.
Day 6
Floreana Island, Galapagos
Explore the lagoon of Punta Cormorant, where flamingos and white-cheeked pintail ducks feed in the shallows. Walk along Flour Sands Beach and snorkel off Champion Island. In the afternoon, continue the ancient tradition at Post Office Bay by leaving a postcard in the iconic barrel that 18th-century sailors used as an unofficial mailbox.
Day 7
Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre to learn about conservation efforts protecting giant tortoises and land iguanas. In the afternoon, journey into the highlands to explore Los Gemelos (‘The Twins’) sinkholes and the El Chato Tortoise Reserve, where several subspecies of giant tortoise roam freely.
Day 8
Santa Cruz & Bartolomé Islands, Galapagos
Walk among sun-basking land iguanas on Cerro Dragón before continuing to Bartolomé Island. Hike to the summit of an extinct volcano for panoramic views of Pinnacle Rock, then snorkel in turquoise waters alongside penguins and tropical fish.
Day 9
Genovesa Island, Galapagos
Sail north to Genovesa Island, a paradise for seabird enthusiasts. Its central crater is filled with salt water while ocean erosion over time created Darwin Bay on its southern slope. Explore this tiny island and hike Prince Philip’s Steps in search of red-footed boobies, masked boobies, and Darwin’s finches — four distinct species inhabit this remote volcanic outpost.
Day 10
Lima, Peru
Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport
Spend your last few hours in the Galapagos exploring Daphne Major, the larger of two islands north of Santa Cruz. Nazca boobies, red-billed tropicbirds and blue-footed boobies can be found nesting here. Thereafter, it is time to wave a fond farewell to the Galapagos as you head for your onward flight.
Disembark and say farewell to the Galapagos as you fly from Baltra via Quito to Lima. Upon arrival, you’ll be met and escorted to your hotel conveniently located within the airport complex — ideal for tomorrow’s early Amazon departure.
Day 11
Nauta, Peru
&Beyond Amazon Explorer
Fly to the Amazon frontier town of Iquitos and travel onward to Nauta, where your river adventure begins. Board the Amazon Explorer and set off on your first guided skiff ride, gliding through the waterways of the Peruvian Amazon as dusk settles over the jungle.
Day 12
Amazon, Peru
Set out to the birthplace of the Amazon River, where the Ucayali and Marañón rivers merge. Watch for pink river dolphins and squirrel monkeys before visiting a nearby riverside community and butterfly farm. After sunset, head into the forest on a guided night walk to encounter poison dart frogs, pink-toed tarantulas, and other nocturnal wonders.
Day 13
Amazon, Peru
Begin the day with a peaceful skiff ride on Clavero Lake — a blackwater oxbow lake rich in birdlife and ideal for kayaking or piranha fishing. Later, cruise the Ucayali River, observing life along the banks and gaining insight into the traditions of local fishermen.
Day 14
Amazon
Rise early for a guided walk along the Yarapa River, where sightings may include sloths, woolly monkeys, pygmy marmosets, and toucans. Visit a local shamanic community to learn about Amazonian medicinal plants before venturing into pristine primary forest for a guided night exploration.
As evening falls, prepare for an exhilarating night exploration in a Primary Forest — a pristine, ancient ecosystem that has remained untouched by significant human activity. Known for its dense vegetation and incredible biodiversity, this area provides a rare look into one of the Amazon’s most vital and intact habitats.
Day 15 | Departure
Lima, Peru
Disembark in Iquitos and enjoy a morning city tour including the Museum of Indigenous Cultures and the historic Plaza de Armas. After a farewell brunch, transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima and onward connection.
Stay here on this journey
Rates
Please keep in mind that this tour can be tailormade by speaking to one of our Travel Specialists.
What's included
Ecuador:- Accommodation in Quito
- Domestic flights from Quito Airport (UIO) to Baltra Island Airport (GPS)
- Accommodation
- Three meals daily
- Soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, teas and coffees, and refreshments on excursions
- All excursions including panga boat rides, hikes, island visits, beach walks, visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, sea kayaking and snorkelling (included snorkelling gear: short wetsuit, mask, snorkel and fins)
- Guides' Journal with illustrations of fauna and flora to record your sightings
- Area map with illustrated Star Birds checklist
- Emergency medical evacuation insurance
- VAT
- VIP Lounge at the Galapagos’ airports
- Road transfers to and from Seymour Airport on Baltra Island Internet (via Starlink)
- Accommodation in Lima
- Accommodation
- Three meals daily
- Soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, tea and coffee, and refreshments on excursions
- All excursions, including guided walks, skiff experiences, kayaking and community visits
- Guides' Journal with illustrations of fauna and flora to record your sightings
- Area map with illustrated Star Birds checklist
- Emergency medical evacuation insurance
- VAT
- Laundry
- Internet (via Starlink)
- The exclusive use of one pair of SWAROVSKI OPTIK binoculars per room to share, for the duration of your stay
What's not included
- International Airfare
- Domestic Air Tickets (quoted separately) - Lima/Cusco/Lima/Iquitos/Lima approximately USD 850 per person
- Early check in or late check-out charges
- Items of personal nature like laundry, phone calls, etc.
- Administration fee
- Telephone calls
- All items of a personal nature
- Gratuities
- Champagne, cognacs, fine wines, premium brand spirits and cigars
- Landing fees
- Early check in and late check out
- Domestic flights except for UIO/GPS/UIO
- Visas (visit our partner, Sherpa, for reliable and convenient access to all visa-related requirements, supporting information, and costs)
- Travel insurance (visit our partner, Global Rescue, for more information).
- Park fees
- Migratory card
Conditions
- Rates are valid for: 29 September to 16 November 2026
- Children and small group rates upon request
- Prices are subject to change as per change in Government / Hotel / Airline policy without prior notice
- Rates include only those items specified in your itinerary
- Please note, the names of hotels mentioned in our proposal only indicate that our rates have been based on usage of these hotels. It is not to be construed that accommodation is confirmed at these hotels until and unless we convey the confirmations to you on receipt of your acceptance. However in the event of any of the above mentioned hotels not becoming available at the time of initiating the reservations, we shall book alternate accommodation at a similar or next best available hotel and shall pass on the difference of rates (supplement/reduction whatever applicable) to you.
- The rates quoted are subject to change without prior warning, should there be any increases in Park Fees, Fuel, Sales Tax or VAT, third party services, or any other circumstances beyond our control in the regions featured in this quote/booking
- All guests must take out comprehensive travel insurance covering them for personal effects, personal accident, medical and emergency travel expenses, cancellation and curtailment
- &Beyond reserves the right to modify program itineraries, including arranged sightseeing, and substitute accommodations, including vessels and trains, at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond &Beyond's control. Every effort will be made to operate itineraries as planned, but alterations may occur after the final itinerary has been issued.
- Rates are subject to change
- &Beyond Trading Terms apply
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