Trip Overview
Departures
Trip Dates + Prices
Duration
11 Days
Activities
Boating/Rafting
Camping
Hiking
Kayaking
Wildlife Viewing
Physical Rating
Moderate
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Sea Lions and the Sleeping Lion
Experience the Galápagos from a front row seat—the cockpit of a kayak! This itinerary allows for a very intimate discovery of the islands. We paddle and dog-paddle in the company of green sea turtles and playful sea lions. The sights above and below the water are unmatched. On this adventure, we camp for two nights on Manglecito Beach, hike Frigatebird Hill and snorkel in the shadows of the “sleeping lion” (León Dormido). We check off all the Island faves: the blue-footed and masked boobies, frigatebirds, prehistoric marine iguanas, lava herons, giant tortoises and curious penguins.
Paddle with Penguins
Eagle Rays and Sun Rays
Poke around biodiverse tidal pools, swim in Tortuga Bay, kayak deep into the mangroves and walk along powder-white beaches. We visit Isabela Island’s Tortoise Breeding Center and a wild tortoise sanctuary on Santa Cruz. This trip offers all the feels: underwater caves, active volcanoes, eagle rays, sun rays, sea stars and the pinprick of stars overhead.
This was an amazing trip! Every last detail and logistic was considered and taken care of! We had no worries! Ali and Janni were phenomenal guides—both so knowledgeable and fun! Thank you for an experience of a lifetime!”
Brenda K.
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Itinerary
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Day 1
Arrival
Reset and Refresh
This adventure includes a convenient one-night pre-trip stay at the Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel. As most North American-based flights arrive late in the evening, this will allow you time to reset and refresh for the next day’s early departure to the Islands. No activities or meals are scheduled on this day, though you are free to connect and make independent plans with your fellow Wild Women at the hotel.
Please note: This pre-trip accommodation is considered Day 1 of the trip. Dependent on the month you are traveling, your pre-trip night at the Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel will be: February 17, April 13, August 17, October 12 or November 23, 2024.
Accommodations
Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel
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Day 2
Into the Galápagos
Mingling in Manglecito
We meet in the domestic terminal of Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) for our domestic flight to the capital of the province of Galápagos, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (SCY), on San Cristobal Island, Galápagos. Our Wild Women guide will be waiting for us at the airport in San Cristobal.
Upon arrival, we take a shuttle to a local restaurant for lunch and a trip debrief to get into the Galápagos groove! A boat will transfer us to Manglecito Beach, where we spend two nights immersed in nature with the constellations above and a lapping wave soundtrack to lull us to sleep. Before that, we have a thorough introduction to tandem kayaking in the sheltered indigo bay by our campsite. This fun and interactive session will cover correct techniques and essential safety procedures. Expect to paddle six nautical miles!
Included Meals
Lunch and dinner (*light breakfast options will be provided at the hotel)
Accommodations
Manglecito Beach Camping Island, San Cristobal
The Paddle
6 nautical miles (3–4 hours)
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Day 3
Kicker Rock
The Sleeping Lion
Our day will begin with a paddle along the dramatic coast towards Puerto Grande camp. Here, we have some time to walk the shoreline of Puerto Grande’s porcelain-white sand beach before a boat ride towards the iconic Kicker Rock (it’s also known as León Dormido for its sleeping lion resemblance). The eroded remnants of the volcanic tuff cone is a popular perch for blue-footed and masked boobies and frigatebirds.
We take full advantage of the biodiversity here and check out the underwater world by snorkel. Be on high alert for hammerhead, Galápagos and white-tipped reef sharks, eagle rays, curious green sea turtles and a colorful reel of reef fish.
In the afternoon, we return to our campsite at Manglecito. If clear skies permit, we might be able to see the Southern Cross. The “Crux” (Cross) is composed of five shimmery stars that are rarely visible in the Northern Hemisphere.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Manglecito Beach Camping Island, San Cristobal
The Paddle
6 nautical miles (3–4 hours)
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Day 4
San Cristobal Island
Pirates of the Seas
This morning we climb into our kayaks and log another six nautical miles before lunch. We observe the antics of blue-footed boobies as they torpedo into the water in pursuit of fish and look for sea turtles poking their heads up like periscopes.
In the afternoon, we climb Cerro de las Tijeretas (Frigatebird Hill) to take in the coastal panoramas and watch the namesake seabirds cruise the thermals. The “pirates of the seas” brazenly steal food from distracted boobies. The frigatebirds’ deeply forked tails, hooked beaks and fleshy crimson red balloon sacs give them a foreboding, otherworldly appearance.
The hiking trail loops us back to the horseshoe-shaped Punta Carola beach. A huge colony of sea lions and marine iguanas are found here.
We pause to take in another gorgeous Galápagos sunset as the equatorial sky fades to black behind the candy red-and-white lighthouse of Punta Carola.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Blue Marlin Hotel Island, San Cristobal
The Paddle
6 nautical miles (3–4 hours)
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Day 5
Highlands of Santa Cruz
Taking Things Slow
We board a motorboat to the “big city” of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. Here, we visit the highlands of Santa Cruz to get up close and personal with the Galápagos giant tortoise.
Wild tortoises can be seen along the roadway too—they sometimes create traffic jams with their slo-mo crossings. Have your camera at the ready to snap a pic of the tortoise crossing caution signs!
At the sanctuary, we have an intimate encounter with the tortoises, especially if they’re having a “spa day.” They can be found submerged in muddy ponds to help combat skin parasites and regulate their body temperature on blistering hot days.
We also explore the incredible volcanic origins of the island on a short walk through a lava tunnel. In recent years the tunnel has been home to a few barn owls who like to purr in the inky darkness for visitors.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Ikala or similar, Santa Cruz Island
Travel
Motorboat (2–3 hours), van shuttle
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Day 6
Tortuga Bay Beach
Lounge Lizards
After breakfast, we have a short ride to Tortuga Bay Beach on Santa Cruz Island. On this shoreline, we are in the company of sunning iguanas and possibly flamingoes. The landscape here is a startling contrast of dunes, cacti, salt bushes, Palo Santo trees, salt flats and tangles of mangroves full of Darwin’s finches.
We have time to take five, swim or wade along Tortuga Bay’s precious stretch of beach. Be on the lookout for reef sharks, skittling Sally Lightfoot crabs, brown pelicans and marine iguanas. From here, it’s a two to three-hour boat ride (depending on conditions) to Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island.
At our 4-star beachside hotel we have an afternoon of pure leisure. The hotel’s location is close to several shops and bars in the small port’s village—provided we can pull ourselves away from the loungers and endless sea views from the hotel’s deck.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
IsaMar Hotel, Isabela Island
Travel
Van shuttle, motorboat (2–3 hours)
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Day 7
Sierra Negra
Lessons in Lava
We drive to the highlands of Isabela and see the shift from prickly pear and endemic candelabra cacti to bright bursts of bromeliads and epiphytes (air plants). A path snakes to the rim of the active Sierra Negra volcano at 4,888 feet (1,490 m). It’s the second largest caldera in the world, spanning approximately 6.5 miles (10 km), and the 2018 eruption left a black duvet of volcanic lava over the area.
On the path to Volcano Chico, we learn about fumaroles (gas and steam vents in the earth’s crust) and odd-looking lava formations like aa (sharp, jagged basaltic lava) and the braid-like pahoehoe lava. The volatile steam and vapor beneath our feet whispers the evolutionary story of one of the world’s most inhospitable environments.
After the Sierra Negra walk, we can explore the area around our hotel and enjoy dinner at a restaurant of our choosing.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Isamar Hotel, Isabela Island
Travel
Van shuttle (1 hour)
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Day 8
Tuneles and Finado
Snorkeling with Reef Sharks
We transfer by boat to Los Tuneles. The unusual and remarkable lava formation consists of underwater arches and caves that were produced by the drastic change in temperature when lava met the ocean water about one million years ago.
We navigate the labyrinth of rocks and tunnels in search of seabirds, eagle rays and whitetip reef sharks. We can take a short walk along the shore to observe boobies resting on the rocks and marvel at the giant opuntia and candelabra cacti. Short boat rides take us to two superb snorkeling spots with crystal clear water.
The shallow inlet of El Finado is surrounded by lava rocks and the knotty root system of red mangroves. We see rays, rainbow wrasse and caves where whitetip reef sharks like to rest.
An al fresco lunch will be served on board before we return to town. The remainder of the day is free!
Included Meals
Breakfast and lunch
Accommodations
Isamar Hotel, Isabela Island
Travel
Motorboat (1 hour, one way)
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Day 9
Isabela’s Tortoises
Paddling with Penguins
Today we paddle around Isabela’s beachfront and bay in search of penguins. This endemic species is a genuine thrill to see in the wild, whether waddling on land or swimming like decorated Olympians beside the boat. At just 12 inches (30 cm), they are fast and accomplished swimmers.
In the afternoon, we visit the dynamic Tortoise Breeding Center. This national park initiative focuses on conservation programs, breeding Isabela’s tortoises and rewilding efforts.
After our enlightening visit, we walk through the marshlands (known as humedales) and along the serene talcum sand beach of Puerto Villamil back to our hotel. Tonight, we swap stories, reflect and share laughs during our farewell dinner with our Wild Women and naturalist guide.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Isamar Hotel
Travel
Ask the penguins! They will determine today’s time in the kayaks.
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Day 10
Farewell
Planes, Trains and Ferries
It will be a full day of travel—boats, ferries, shuttle buses and planes! Be sure to have a second cup of coffee to charge your batteries.
First, we have a two-hour boat ride back to Puerto Ayora to catch a 40-minute shuttle to the Itabaca Canal. From Itabaca, we board a 10-minute public ferry to Baltra Island and then take a shuttle to the airport. We fly back to Quito and transfer to our hotel. Dinner at the hotel is included, and so are the catnaps on the plane!
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
San Jose Puembo Airport Hotel
Travel
Boats, ferries, shuttle buses, planes!
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Day 11
Quito Onwards
Homeward or Jungle Bound
Today, we take a 20-minute shuttle from the hotel to the airport for flights back home. Or, if we are eager to keep our adrenaline levels, bird sightings and panoramas at the MAX level, there’s a four-day Wild Women Amazon Rainforest extension!
Included Meals
Breakfast
Take a Deeper Dive
Want all the details in one handy package? Download the full itinerary here.
What’s Included
- Return domestic flights from Quito (UIO)–San Cristobal (SCY) and Baltra (GPS)–Quito (UIO) ($600 USD value)
- One-night pre-trip hotel stay at Wyndham Quito Airport (considered Day 1 of trip)
- Two nights camping on Manglecito Beach and all gear
- Seven nights’ double occupancy in hotels
- Park permit ($100 USD)
- TCT – Transit Control Card ($20 USD)
- Isabela arrival tax ($12 USD)
- Awesome female guide and sea kayak expert
- Expert Galápagos naturalist guide
- Three days sea kayaking (six nautical miles/day)
- Volcan Sierra Hike
- Entry to Tortoise Breeding Center and Santa Cruz Sanctuary
- Snorkeling excursions and equipment
- Ground transportation (private group transfer by boat between islands)
- Nine breakfasts, eight lunches, eight dinners and snacks
- Optional Upgrade (Amazon Rainforest Extension) includes the following:
- Return airfare from Quito–Coca-Quito
- River transportation to Coca–Napo Wildlife Center
- Entrance to Yasuni National Park and parrot clay licks
- Engaging bilingual community and naturalist guide
- Poncho and rubber boots
- All excursions and activities, as described in program
What’s Excluded
Alcoholic beverages are not included in the meals provided.
Please Note:
All applicable taxes are included in the trip price.
Single room upgrade, subject to availability.
Itineraries may be subject to change without notice due to weather and other environmental conditions. Please review our Booking Terms.
4-Day Amazon Rainforest Extension
Starting at $2,795 USD
Departure Dates:
Feb 27 – Mar 1, 2024 | Mar 16 – 19, 2024 | Apr 23 – 26, 2024 | Aug 27 – 30, 2024 | Oct 22 – 25, 2024 | Dec 3 – 6, 2024
Located in the racing heart of one of the most startling ecosystems on the planet, Ecuador’s Yasuni National Park spans nearly 2.5 million acres of lush Amazonian rainforest. Napo Wildlife Center is the only lodge within the park boundaries, and this vital biosphere reserve is the largest tract of tropical rainforest in Ecuador. It’s also one of the most successful projects of community tourism in Ecuador!
This rare Amazon rainforest experience is an incredible wildlife and bird-centric immersion in one of the most biodiverse places on the planet!
What’s Included
- Flight from Quito (UIO) to Coca (OCC) and return flight from Coca to Quito
- Three nights’ accommodation in shared rooms
- Single room upgrade, subject to availability
Please Note:
All applicable taxes are included in the trip price.
Itinerary
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Day 1
Canoe along the Napo River
The Rainforest’s Rhythm
From Quito, we fly over the eastern Andes to Coca. Here, we take a short transfer in a local chiva (hired bus) or taxi from the airport to Puerto La Misión/Francisco de Orellana. At the port, we will transfer to a covered motorized boat for a two-hour ride along the Napo River.
There will be a boxed lunch en route with bites between birdwatching. Along the way we see herons, kingfishers, toucans and maybe macaws. We will be on the lookout for monkeys overhead too!
After arriving at Napo Wildlife Center entry dock, we disembark for a brief break before easing into a one to two-hour dugout canoe ride under the tree canopies that shade the river. The river narrows and connects to the lake where the remote lodge is located. We arrive late in the afternoon to drink in the view of Añangu lake…and for a welcome drink!
Included Meals
Lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Napo Wildlife Center
Travel
Flight (30 minutes), motorboat (2 hours), dugout canoe (1–2 hours)
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Day 2
Parrot Clay Licks
In the Lick of Time
It will be an early bird morning to reach the famed parrot clay licks located about one hour from the lodge. We arrive just before parrot activity really hits a fever pitch at the clay lick (between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m.) A total of 11 species of parrots, parakeets and macaws can be observed here.
Please note: This visit is totally weather-dependent (the parrots aren’t keen on rain either). Later, we follow the forest trail to visit the Kichwa Community of Añangu to share time with a local family and learn about their daily rhythms.
A 30-minute hike through the tierra firme forest will return us to the creek and a second active parrot clay lick. We have a boxed lunch at the parrot clay lick observatory and will return to the lodge late afternoon.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Napo Wildlife Center
Travel
Canoe (1 hour, one way)
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Day 3
Napo Wildlife Center
Bird’s Eye View
After breakfast, we walk 30 minutes through the dense forest and climb the 118 foot (36 m) canopy tower, a thrilling way to experience life above the forest floor.
As we ascend the 12-floor tower, we pass through different levels of the forest canopy and emerge on top of a huge Ceiba tree. A wooden platform built into the tree offers a genuine bird’s eye view.
The tower allows us to eavesdrop on all the life within. Flocks of brilliant tanagers and blue and yellow macaws zoom past unaware. Spider monkeys search for ripe fruit. Toucans split the silence with their call.
Lunch will be served at the lodge and afterwards, we hike through a primary forest in search of lizards, manakins and the unique and endemic golden mantle tamarin monkey. Later, we can explore the lake and slivers of creeks by dugout canoe in search of giant otters.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Napo Wildlife Center
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Day 4
Napo River Sights
A Giant Otter Serenade
We have an early departure and one last precious canoe excursion as we wind back to the Napo River. The creek may surprise us with giant otters, the extremely shy monk saki monkey or a rare bird sighting.
We arrive at the docking area for a brief break before boarding a motorized canoe for our two-hour super scenic ride back to Coca. Backtracking our steps, we transfer to the airport to check-in for our Coca–Quito flight.
What will top this canopy experience?
Included Meals
Breakfast
Travel
Dugout canoe (1–2 hours), motorized canoe (2 hours), flight to Quito
Extension Details
Know Before You Go
Click HERE for all of the logistical details you’ll need to know prior to departure—including the packing list, arrival and departure details and suggested tipping information.
Trip Details
Know Before You Go
Click HERE for all of the logistical details you’ll need to know prior to departure—including the packing list, arrival and departure details and suggested tipping information.
This trip starts in Quito, Ecuador (UIO) and finishes in Quito, Ecuador (UIO).
How We Support You
Ready for a big adventure? We’re in it together. On this trip, we kayak for hours at a time and hike over uneven terrain. New to paddling? While this trip is beginner friendly and your guides will lead you through a full orientation on the trip, we recommend you take a lesson or two with a local kayak outfitter beforehand. Yes, it can be a challenge, but you’re never alone. Like thousands of women before you, you’ll draw on strength you didn’t know you had and come out feeling like the goddess you are.
Still have questions or concerns? Let’s talk about it.
What the Trip Entails
We would like you to be comfortable with the following:
- Paddling up to 7 nautical miles, up to 4 hours with breaks
- Being in a kayak for extended periods of time
- Entering and exiting motorboats
- Hiking on uneven terrain, up to 3.7 miles (6 km) in 2 hours
- Not comfortable swimming? Please let us know!
- Physical Rating: Moderate (Good level of fitness required. Trips are moderately challenging with an average of 4 to 6 hours of activity each day.)