Ecuador: Amazon and Galapagos Islands

Day 1

Accommodation: JW Marriott Hotel Quito

Arrive in Quito

Bienvenidos! An Adventures by Disney representative will greet you, assist with your luggage and ensure smooth transport to the JW Marriott Hotel.

JW Marriott Hotel Quito

Welcome to Quito, also known as "The Middle of the Earth"! This grand hotel in Ecuador's capital is surrounded by mesmerizing views of the distant snow-capped mountains and volcanoes. Sit back and stretch your legs while your Adventure Guides check you in. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you may opt to have a family dinner on your own at the hotel.           

Day 2

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: The Anakonda Riverboat         

Welcome Breakfast

Buenos Días! Enjoy an early morning welcome breakfast with your fellow Adventurers as you prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.

Travel into the Amazon Basin

Hop aboard a private motor coach to the airport for a short flight to the city of Coca. Here you will be introduced to water travel local-style—a motorized canoe. Now you're closing in on your destination—and your home for the next four nights—the Anakonda, a refined riverboat.

Settle into the Anakonda

Explore this finely appointed vessel—reserved privately for Adventures by Disney—with three levels, observation deck, multiple sitting areas, outdoor whirlpool spa and an al fresco lounge.

Nature Observation

Stroll the decks or find a nook to view the surroundings and relax with fellow Adventurers. As the Anakonda navigates the river, there are plenty of rewards for those with a keen eye.

Exclusive Welcome Dinner

Share your excitement and get to know your fellow Adventurers as you dine on delightful fare and toast your first night in the Amazon region.

Nocturnal Rainforest Walk

Venture into the rainforest for a guided experience like no other. You may possibly witness animals that would go unseen during daylight including night tree frogs, kinkajous and exotic insects. Go for it! You only live once.

Day 3

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: The Anakonda Riverboat         

Early Morning Rainforest Trek

At the break of dawn, take a tour into the rainforest guided by a local expert who has called the Amazon home for his entire life. Witness and learn about the forest and its inhabitants as this rich ecosystem shifts from night to daylight activity.

Canoe Excursion Along the Napo River

Take an afternoon canoe trip to let your senses take in the sights, sounds and scents of this lush environment. There is a destination however; you will paddle through a habitat of the pink river dolphin. In and around the area you may also see black caimans, toucans, monkeys, bats, river turtles, and rare sloth sightings.

Disney Movie Night

Adults can relax while Junior Adventurers enjoy a Disney movie with snacks and soft drinks. Grownups can always join in if they wish!

Day 4

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodations: The Anakonda Riverboat

Visit a Local Community

Visit a small village to meet local artisans and watch them at work. Here you'll have the opportunity to meet the locals, make crafts and acquire genuine craft work to commemorate your Amazon adventure.

Canopy Tower Walk

Ascend into the jungle canopy and see nature from a whole new angle, learning all about this unique habitat and the plant life that makes it possible.

Stargazing in the Amazon

During one of your nights in the Amazon (weather permitting), you'll turn your attention to the heavens as hundreds of far-off stars put on a dazzling light show.

Day 5

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodations: The Anakonda Riverboat       

Parrot Clay Licks

There are several theories as to why certain parrots and other birds eat clay. But one thing is certain—once you see hundreds of bird’s rain from the sky to eat soil, you will not forget it.

Lunch at Remote River Lodge

Visit a river lodge to interact with the locals and partake in a tasty cooked lunch.

Limoncocha Biological Reserve

With over 450 species, this reserve is a birdwatcher's paradise and one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. The dense jungle contains many medicinal plants that have been used for generations and some yet to be realized. At dusk, you can watch the fireflies come out in a natural light show, and you might also get to see a black caiman.

Dinner

Enjoy a sumptuous dinner as the sun sets aboard the Anakonda.

Day 6

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: JW Marriott Hotel Quito           

Morning Excursion

Take one last stroll through the Amazon for another chance at a rare wildlife sighting before returning to the Anakonda for lunch.

Say "Adiós" to the Amazon

Disembark the Anakonda via motorized canoe back to the city of Coca and to your flight back to Quito. Transfer from the Quito airport to the JW Marriott Hotel.

Cooking Class at Zazu

Zazu is one of Quito's top restaurants and you're in for a treat! Before your dinner at this trendy eatery, you'll learn how to create local favorites like ceviche—using fresh, local ingredients—while the Junior Adventurers prepare dessert!

Day 7

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: JW Marriott Hotel Quito

Walking Tour of City Center

Named one of the best preserved city centers in the Americas by UNESCO, Quito is a wonderful place to walk and take in the regional flavor. Guided through the colonial core by a resident expert, you will stroll down the famous thoroughfare La Ronda, enjoy its architecture and meet a local craftsman.

The Sweetest Parts of Quito

Visit a chocolate shop on La Ronda, learn about how some of the greatest chocolate in the world is made here and—of course—taste some! After you sample a selection of Quito's delicious sweets, you'll have a delicious lunch.

Mercados Central and Artesanal

See the locals shop amongst the bustle, sounds, scents and many hues of the Mercado Artesanal and Mercado Central. Here you can discover handmade textiles, jewelry, crafts, fresh produce and local delicacies.

Evening on Your Own

Take the motor coach back to the hotel and the evening is yours to do with as you wish. Explore Quito's wide variety of dining options from refined cuisine to family fare for a delicious evening of your own making.

Day 8

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Finch Bay Hotel            

Fly to the Galapagos Islands

After an early breakfast, you will head to the Quito airport for your flight to Baltra and the next leg of your adventure.

Afternoon at The Finch Hotel and Lunch

Enjoy an introduction to the hotel and surrounding environs, along with a well-deserved beverage! Take in ocean vistas from the pool deck as the sun dips into the horizon.

Dinner at the Hotel & Stargazing in the Galapagos

Savor your first night in the Galapagos with a spectacular dinner at the hotel. Then, for your evening entertainment, turn your gaze skyward for a welcoming light show from the galaxies!

Day 9

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Finch Bay Hotel            

Breakfast

Fuel up for a particularly active day covering land and sea, with a dip in the sea, as well.

Santa Fe Island Yacht Excursion

After breakfast you'll navigate the azure waters to this small, conspicuously flat island. On land can be seen Palo Santo trees, which translates as "holy trees" and are said to have traditional healing powers. The island is also home to a large colony of blue-footed boobies, magnificent frigate birds and swallow-tailed gulls. If you're lucky, you might catch a sea lion body surfing the on-shore swells.

Lunch

Return to the yacht to grab a bite, relax a bit—then head off for the next adventure.

Dinner

Head back to the Finch Hotel to share stories around the pool and enjoy a most well-earned and satisfying meal.

**Due to party size limitations on the yacht, your groups' Day 9 & 10 experiences may be swapped, but all Adventurers will get a chance to enjoy all the activities in the described itinerary.

Day 10

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Finch Bay Hotel            

Mountain Bike to Snorkeling

Bike and explore a new snorkeling spot! Ride to a leeward point where you can explore the sea life along the bluffs and underwater rocks. You'll get a chance to see pink flamingos, marine iguanas and land iguanas.

Las Grietas at High Tide

Hike back to this small canyon in the earth to explore the various pools at high tide. When the tide is in, the lower pools are accessible to sea life, so bring snorkel gear. You'll also be able to go birdwatching, sea kayaking, shopping in Puerta Ayora, or just enjoy the pool and beach-front access.

Dinner

Look back on this magical adventure as you watch your last sunset in the Galapagos. Junior Adventurers get to celebrate together with a pizza party and Disney movie.

**Due to party size limitations on the yacht, your groups' Day 9 & 10 experiences may be swapped, but all Adventurers will get a chance to enjoy all the activities in the described itinerary.

Day 11

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: JW Marriott Hotel Quito          

See the Galapagos Tortoise in the Wild

After breakfast, take a short walk to see the famed giant tortoises cruising their natural habitat at their usual unhurried pace.

Galapagos Tortoises and Lava Tubes

After lunch, take a privately guided tour of the El Chato Tortoise Reserve to learn about these elegant behemoths as you walk among them. Continue on to explore the otherworldly realm of underground lava tubes. Along the way you can see many of the islands' bird species including Darwin's finches, cattle egrets and short-eared owls.

Return to Quito

Bid goodbye to the finches as you take wing and fly back from the Galapagos to Quito in preparation for your trip home.

Farewell Dinner in Quito

Meet with your fellow Adventurers for this final feast in Ecuador. A surprise awaits as you relive together the highlights of your trip.

Traditional Ecuadorian Musical Entertainment

Sway with the rhythms that rock the Andean mountains at this exclusive musical show featuring Ecuadorian musicians. They even give music lessons to all who want to try playing the pipes

Day 12

Depart Quito for all Points Homeward

After breakfast, transfer to Quito Airport where your Adventure Guides will provide you and your luggage with a final assist.