Join Ceiba’s Educational Tours for an exciting learning adventure to some of the world’s most diverse and pristine locations – the Galapagos islands and Amazon rainforest. You will see amazing wildlife and discover how important these ecosystems are for both biodiversity and humanity. Ceiba’s trips are guided by experienced conservation biologists and are tailored to active travelers who want not only to see incredible places, but to be enriched with knowledge about them. Whether you are a birdwatcher, a geology enthusiast, a nature-lover, or just thirsty for adventure, you’ll have the journey of lifetime on Ceiba’s EduTours. These two trips can be booked separately or combined into one amazing adventure. Save $250 when you book the Galapagos and Amazon together!
Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin in the archipelago of evolution
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The Galapagos Islands are a living museum of evolution and a World Heritage site, made famous by the explorations of Charles Darwin! Share the above-ground and underwater wonders of this volcanic archipelago with Ceiba biologists who have traveled and studied in these islands for more than a decade, along with a knowledgeable English-speaking local naturalist guide. Travel from island to island aboard a comfortable 16-passenger live-aboard motor yacht, on which you’ll be assigned a double-occupancy cabin with private bathroom and hot-water shower, and air-conditioning. Besides an in-depth adventure in Galapagos, your tour offers some fun optional side-trips — read on! You may also combine your Galapagos journey with an Adventure to the Amazon.
Your trip begins in the capital city Quito, from where you may opt for a day hike into the lush Andean cloud forest at the El Pahuma Orchid Reserve, led by a local guide. That evening, you’ll have the option to tour Quito’s colonial old town and get to know your fellow travelers over traditional Ecuadorian food. The next morning, we fly to Galapagos and board comfortable motor-yachts for our 8-day natural history cruise. We visit new sites each day for close-up views of the islands’ unique wildlife, including Galapagos tortoises, sea lions, penguins, marine iguanas, penguins, blue-footed boobies, and of course Darwin’s finches! You’ll also have many opportunities to snorkel with the islands’ abundant marine life. Ceiba staff give engaging presentations on topics ranging from the success of giant tortoise reintroduction, to the challenge of invasive species, to the ecology of the island’s sea life. Don’t worry, there’s no homework and no quizzes … and plenty of time for rest and relaxation too!
* Note: The final itinerary is determined by the Galapagos National Park and may vary from the typical itinerary shown above. We cannot guarantee that we will visit any particular island until the cruise begins.
Trip includes: Two nights hotel in Quito, domestic round-trip airfare between Quito and the Galapagos islands, 8-day Galapagos cruise with all food and lodging aboard, required tourist card, and airport transfers. The optional day trip to the El Pahuma cloud forest, tour of Quito old town, and third night in Quito are offered at an additional cost. Please indicate your preferences for these options in your reservation request. A 20% deposit is due upon reservation (see rates below).
Trip does not include: International airfare to Quito, dinner on the first and last night in Quito, alcoholic beverages, personal items, and tips.
The western Amazon basin in Ecuador is the most diverse place on Earth, with hundreds of species of birds and ten species of monkeys
The western Amazon basin in Ecuador is definitively the most biodiverse place on planet Earth. There are more species of birds than in all of North America, a dozen species of primates, and all of the iconic large mammals of the rainforest including tapir, capybara, peccary, puma, and jaguar. This ultimate 6-day educational adventure takes you to an enormous and pristine wilderness at the doorway to the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve. You’ll stay at the world-class Napo Wildlife Center, providing you access to the best rain forest on Earth without sacrificing comfortable accommodations and excellent food. You’ll be housed in comfortable double-occupancy cabins with private bathrooms, tucked into the forest.
Arrival at the Napo Wildlife Center requires a short flight over the Andes from Quito to Coca, followed by a motorized canoe trip down the Napo River and up a smaller tributary to the lodge. You’re rewarded by the sights and sounds of the primeval Amazon forest, largely untouched by humans, that few people ever get to experience. Wake up in the morning to the roar of Red Howler or the duets of Dusky Titi monkeys, and the yelps of toucans and macaws. Local guides, their uncanny ability to find elusive wild animals honed by years in the forest, will lead you quietly through the forest to a diversity of sites available along the extensive trail system surrounding the lodge. A canopy tower provides phenomenal birding, with likely sightings of parrots, toucans, and perhaps even a Harpy Eagle, the world’s most powerful bird of prey. Canoeing through nearby lagoons offers an opportunity to spy Giant River Otters, unique Hoatzin, and perhaps an anaconda or caiman. River trips also may yield sightings of capybara or tapirs enjoying a swim, or glimpses of pink river dolphins. And of course, at all times we’ll have our eyes peeled for the secretive king of the jungle, the mighty jaguar. You’ll end your trip by reversing your tracks back to Quito.
Trip includes: Two nights hotel in near Quito’s airport, domestic travel between Quito and the Amazon, and a 3 night stay at a world-class rainforest lodge with three meals a day and daily guided excursions. An optional tour to Quito’s colonial “old town” is available for traveler’s departing late in the evening on the last day for an additional cost.
Trip does not include: international airfare to Quito, dinner on Day 1 in Quito (due to many flights arriving late in the evening), alcoholic beverages, personal items, and tips. A 20% deposit is due upon reservation (see rates below).
LIMITED TIME OFFER:
Book both the Journey to Galapagos & Adventure to the Amazon and save $250 off the total price!
Tourist Superior $5170/person
Tourist Economy $4150/person
The trip cost is based on double occupancy. This means that you will share a room in the hotel in Quito, and a cabin on the boat with one other person. If you desire your own room, please contact us about the single supplement price. The base rate does not include optional add-ons below.
We offer two price options for the Galapagos trip: Tourist Superior and the more affordable Tourist Economy. The difference in prices refer to the two separate vessels EduTour operates (Frigata and Golondrina). While both vessels are well maintained, comfortable and provide air conditioning, private bathrooms and hot-water-showers, the Tourist Superior rate rooms in Frigata offer slightly larger rooms.
Base rate $2395 / person
The trip cost is based on double occupancy. This means that you will share a room in the hotel in Quito, and a cabin in the Amazon forest lodge with one other person. If you desire your own room, please contact us about the single supplement price.
To request a booking on either or both EduTours, please complete the reservation request form. After you submit the form, we will send you an email confirming that space is available on the tour for your party. After we’ve confirmed that space is available:
You will receive final details (what to bring, where to meet, what to read, and much more) in mid January.
Not sure yet if you want the add-ons? We understand that some add-ons may depend on your specific flight reservations. Select the options you think you’ll want, and you can make changes up until January 15. We’ll adjust the final payment accordingly when we send out your final invoice! 🙂
Life gets complicated sometimes! That’s why we give you until January 15 prior to the trip start date to cancel your reservation with a full refund. If you cancel between January 15 – February 15, your 20% deposit is non-refundable. After February 15 when final payment is due, the trip is non-refundable. Please contact us if you have any questions about the refund policy.
Day 1: Arrival in Quito, Ecuador – transfer to hotel