The Darwin & Orellana Discovery Tour
Enjoy a seamless journey to combine two of Ecuador’s most iconic and wildlife-rich regions. And over 11 days, you will explore Ecuador’s incredible Galapagos Islands and Amazon Rainforest.
Your tour includes:
- Isabela Island – Galapagos
- Santa Cruz Island – Galapagos
- Yacht day trip to another Galapagos island
- Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest
Explore Isabela and Santa Cruz, as well as a yacht trip to another nearby island, from two fantastic Galapagos lodges. These provide a comfortable base for your guided Galapagos Islands tour. You will then enjoy Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest to combine these fantastic destinations.
Starting in the highlands of Isabela, you will explore some of the island’s most fascinating areas from the Scalesia Lodge.
Visit Santa Cruz for the giant tortoise reserve to observe these iconic animals and take a trip to the Charles Darwin Research Station. From the comfortable Finch Bay Hotel, you will enjoy a day of yacht exploration to another nearby island (either Bartolome, Santa Fe, South Plazas or North Seymour depending on day).
You will then visit Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest. And from the comfortable Sacha Lodge, you will head into the jungle on expertly guided tours to find colorful birds, fascinating reptiles and many different monkeys.
Your tour includes:
- 3-nights at Scalesia Lodge – Isabela Island
- 3-nights at Finch Bay Hotel – Santa Cruz Island
- 1-night at Quito Airport Hotel – Quito
- 3-nights at Sacha Lodge – Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest
The Darwin & Orellana Discovery Accommodation
Over 11 days, you will be accommodated in the following properties:
The Scalesia Lodge
The Scalesia Lodge offers a comfortable experience of the Galapagos. Located in the highlands of Isabela, the lodge is styled as a modern and luxurious safari-style tented resort. And surrounding the lodge is a 16 hectare (40 acre) forest offering spectacular views of the Galapagos and Pacific Ocean.
The Finch Bay Hotel
The Finch Bay Hotel is one of the premium expedition hotels of Santa Cruz Island. Providing a comfortable base for exploration, the hotel is in prime location in Puerto Ayora. Enjoy visiting the nearby Charles Darwin Research Station and exploring a nearby island on the hotel’s comfortable yacht.
The Quito Airport Hotel
The Quito Airport Hotel provides a relaxing night on your journey between the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest.
The Sacha Lodge
Nestled on the beautiful Pilchicocha Lake in the middle of a 5,000 acre private rainforest reserve, you will find the Sacha Lodge. Enjoy a comfortable lodge to explore Amazonia. The lodge also offers an incredible canopy walkway stretching 940-foot (275-meters) through the rainforest. The Sacha Lodge is one of the few premium lodges for enjoying Ecuador’s rainforest.
The Darwin & Orellana Discovery Tour Summary
After your transfers from Quito to Scalesia Lodge on Isabela Island, you can enjoy many different Galapagos activities.
The Scalesia Lodge - Galapagos Islands
Your activities depend on which days of the week you are visiting. And the weekly activity schedules are summarized below. You will spend 2 nights at the Scalesia Lodge.
| Morning | Afternoon | |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Tintoreras walk & snorkel tour | Wetlands & Tortoise Breeding Station visit |
| Tuesday | Túneles snorkel tour | Wall of tears trekking or bike tour |
| Wednesday | Chico & Sierra Negra Volcanoes trekking tour | Sucre’s Cave, El Mango viewpoint & free time at the beach |
| Thursday | Tintoreras walk & snorkel tour | Wetlands & Tortoise Breeding Station visit |
| Friday | Túneles snorkel tour | Free time at the beach & activities. (biking, surfing* or kayaking*) *extra cost |
| Saturday | Wall of tears trekking or bike tour | Concha de Perla – snorkel tour & free time at the beach |
| Sunday | Chico & Sierra Negra Volcanoes trekking tour | Sucre’s Cave, El Mango viewpoint & free time at the beach |
The Finch Bay Hotel - Galapagos Islands
After your transfers to Finch Bay Hotel on day 4, enjoy a visit to Los Gemelos (natural volcanic formation) followed by a visit to the tortoise reserve.
The following day, head out aboard the Finch Bay yacht to explore one of the nearby islands. Which island you visit depends on the day of the week.
- Bartolome Island (on Saturday or Sunday)
- Santa Fe Island (on Wednesday)
- South Plazas Island (Tuesday or Friday)
- North Seymour Island (on Monday or Thursday)
The Sacha Lodge - Amazon Rainforest
At the Sacha Lodge, you will explore Ecuador's Amazon Rainforest with your skilled naturalist guide. Enjoy finding many different animals and plants on forest walks and canoe tours. You will also experience the incredible canopy walkway and see parrots at the Yasuni clay lick.
Tour Info
- Country: Ecuador
- Focus Area: Yasuni Biosphere Reserve, Galapagos National Park
- Duration: 11 days
- Start Point: Quito International Airport (UIO)
- End Point: Quito International Airport (UIO)
The Darwin & Orellana Discovery Itinerary
Other itinerary lengths may be available — send a request to check options and pricing.
Day 1
Day 1: Quito to Baltra
• Air transfer from Quito to Baltra.
• Water & ground transfer from Baltra to Scalesia Lodge.
• Lunch & dinner at Scalesia Lodge
Day 2
Day 2: Scalesia Lodge
• All meals at Scalesia Lodge.
• Activities are subject to change according to the day by day Scalesia Lodge itinerary- see the previous tab for activities.
Day 3
Day 3: Scalesia Lodge
• All meals at Scalesia Lodge.
• Activities are subject to change according to the day by day Scalesia Lodge itinerary- see the previous tab for activities.
Day 4
Day 4: Finch Bay Hotel
• Breakfast at Scalesia Lodge
• Air transfer from Scalesia Lodge to Baltra continuing to Finch Bay Hotel.
• Los Gemelos (natural volcanic formation) visit.
• Tortoise reserve visit.
• Lunch at Tortoise reserve.
• Transfer to Finch Bay Hotel.
• Free time for dinner (several restaurant options in Santa Cruz as well as at Finch Bay Hotel).
Day 5
Day 5: Finch Bay Yacht
• Breakfast at Finch Bay Hotel
• Full-day yacht navigation to one of these islands: Bartolome Island (on Saturday or Sunday), Santa Fe Island (on Wednesday), South Plazas Island (Tuesday or Friday) or North Seymour Island (on Monday or Thursday)
• Lunch at yacht
Day 6
Day 6: Finch Bay Hotel
• Free time for dinner (several restaurant options in Santa Cruz as well as at Finch Bay Hotel).
• Breakfast at Finch Bay Hotel
• Santa Cruz tour land Bahía Divine
• Lunch at Finch Bay Hotel
• Charles Darwin Research Station and Tortoise Breeding Facilities visit
• Free time for dinner (several restaurant options in Santa Cruz as well as at Finch Bay Hotel)
Day 7
Day 7: Quito
• Breakfast at Finch Bay Hotel
• Transfer from Finch Bay Hotel to Baltra’s airport.
• Air transfer from Baltra to Quito.
• Transfer from Quito’s Airport to Airport Hotel
• Free afternoon and evening
Day 8
Day 8: Sacha Lodge
• Breakfast at Airport Hotel
• Transfer to Quito’s Airport
• Air transfer from Quito to Sacha Lodge
• Lunch at Sacha Lodge
• Afternoon activity in Sacha Lodge
• Dinner at Sacha Lodge
Day 9
Day 9: Sacha Lodge
• Activities in Sacha Lodge in the morning, afternoon and evening.
• All meals at Sacha Lodge.
Day 10
Day 10: Sacha Lodge
• Activities in Sacha Lodge in the morning, afternoon and evening.
• All meals at Sacha Lodge.
Day 11
Day 11: End of service
• Breakfast at Sacha Lodge.
• Transfer from Sacha Lodge to Coca.
• Water transport from Sacha Lodge to Coca.
• Air transfer from Coca to Quito.
• End of our services.
Rates & Inclusions
11 days / 10 nights
Per Person : $9,642
Notes
- Minimum of 2 guests to operate
- Programs per person based on double & single occupancy
- Children rates apply for children under 12 years old for every 2 adults in double accommodations
Included
- All accommodations
- All meals in Scalesia Lodge & Sacha Lodge
- Half-board at Finch Bay Hotel (breakfast and lunch)
- Breakfast at Quito Airport hotel
- All ground, water transportation and transfers
- Air ticket Quito - Baltra - Quito
- Air ticket Baltra - Pto. Villamil - Baltra
- Air ticket Quito – Coca - Quito +Guided excursions with a bilingual guide (English, German or French)
- Snorkeling gear
- Wi-Fi in hotels’ common areas
- Local taxes
Not Included
- Drinks
- Gratuities
- Galápagos National Park entrance fee ($100 per person)
- Galápagos Transit Card ($20 per person)
- Puerto Villamil entrance fee ($10 per person)
- Meals not described in this program
- Native Community Interpretation Center contribution (USD 10 – paid locally – subject to change)
Behind the Scenes
About the Official Operator of the Darwin & Orellana Discovery
Founded in the 1970s by Swiss adventurer Benny, the story began with a first lodge on the Upper Napo River. This was until encroaching civilization and residential development made a wilder setting necessary. In search of true remoteness, the team ventured deeper into Ecuador's Amazon to establish something far beyond the reach of modern intrusion.
In 1992, a new lodge was completed on the banks of Pilchicocha Lake, surrounded by extraordinary wildlife and pristine rainforest. In the years that followed, a 5,000-acre private reserve was established around the property, protecting this remarkable corner of the Amazon for generations to come.
Today the lodge stands among the leading rainforest experiences in Ecuador, consistently earning high praise from guests and drawing the attention of international publications including Forbes, Condé Nast Traveler, Lonely Planet, Vogue, the New York Times, the Boston Globe, and Luxury Travel Magazine.
Operator Details
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