Unique Journeys
The Best of the Mashpi Rainforest and the Galapagos
From £6,499* per person
Ecuador, without a doubt, is one of the most fascinating countries in the world where centuries long history intertwines with some of the best wildlife viewing you will ever encounter. As part of our unique journeys collection, Travel Matters are delighted to curate this very special trip. Not only do you get to travel on a trip of a life time, you will get to contribute to the preservation of these unique islands. Travel Matters have partnered with the Galapagos Conservation Trust and your participation on this special journey will contribute financially to the work of the trust. Not only that, each traveller who books a journey to the Galapagos with us, will have a tree planted with Trees for Cities. Prices start from £6,499 per person. Please find your 2023 and 2024 itinerary below.
Day 1
Welcome to Quito, Ecuador! At the airport, you will be greeted by a member of our partners who will assist you with your luggage and transfer you to Casa Gangotena Boutique Hotel. During the ride, you will receive a brief introduction of Quito and Ecuador along with valuable information regarding your stay in the country.
Day 2
Quito’s Historic Centre – the largest and best-preserved Colonial Quarter in South America – is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On this day, we will take a stroll through the Independence Plaza, which itself is flanked by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace.
After that, we will visit the La Compañia de Jesus Church and admire its gilded interior before continuing onwards to the San Francisco Church and Convent – one of the largest architectural structures within a historic centre in the Americas. Its impressive façade and atrium lead into its equally impressive Baroque interior.
Afterwards, you’ll head to the Middle of the World and get to place both feet on each side of our planet’s equator!
At the end of the tour, you’ll be taken back to your hotel. Overnight in Quito.
Day 3
Rise and shine for the next part of your adventure! Guests will be picked up and taken to the Mashpi Reserve – a 1,300 hectare (3,200 acre) swath of cloud and rainforest that is located within the Metropolitan District of Quito. Upon arrival, Mashpi’s staff will take your luggage to your room. Shortly after that, you’ll be invited to lunch followed by an introductory briefing regarding the Lodge. After that, it’s time to head out and explore!
Throughout the following days at Mashpi Lodge, you will get to have a guided experience of the natural wonders of the Mashpi Reserve while staying at the spectacular Lodge.
Day 4
The sweet songs of the birds around the Lodge in the early morning will help you start this new day with a smile! On this morning, you’ll have different options for how you wish to begin: you can either start at the crack of dawn for a hike around the surrounding forest with your guide or alternatively, you can choose to have a relaxing morning and sleep-in for a little longer, enjoy breakfast at the restaurant and treat yourself to a relaxing massage at the Samay Wellness Centre. After that, you can head out into the forest with your guide.
Following lunch, you and your guide can choose what to do throughout the remainder of the day.
Day 5
Open your eyes to a brand new day! In the morning, you’ll be invited to head up to the rooftop terrace, from which you’ll get to enjoy early morning snacks, hot beverages and some incredible birdwatching.
Afterwards, you’ll enjoy a full and complete breakfast downstairs, be it the restaurant area or while exploring the forest outside. Throughout the remainder of the day, you’ll keep exploring and unraveling the mysteries of the Mashpi Reserve in the company of your guide.
Day 6
You will take a transfer to Quito’s airport in time to catch your flight to the Galapagos Islands!
*Please note that this is a sample vessel and itinerary.
The Galapagos Islands Itinerary aboard Yacht La Pinta is one of the many options you can choose for your Galapagos adventure. Ask us about the fleet available to us and suggested itineraries.
Baltra Island
This adventure begins with your flight to Baltra Island followed by an immediate transfer to the nearby dock to board Yacht La Pinta. Following an onboard introductory briefing, you’ll partake in an emergency boat drill. Afterwards, you’ll receive your cabin assignment and enjoy lunch.
South Plaza Island
Here, the turquoise waters of the channel contrast brilliantly with the white sand beach and volcanic rocks that make up the shoreline. Along the coastline, you’ll spot sea lion colonies and seabirds frolicking along the cliffs of this small but spectacular island.
Day 7
Santa Fe Island
We take a dinghy from Yacht La Pinta over to this idyllic white-sand beach that’s populated with colonies of sea lions. The brilliantly yellow Santa Fe land iguana, which, in the entire world, is exclusive to just this island, might also be spotted during the walk. Later, you’ll have your choice of swimming or snorkeling along a natural wave barrier.
Cerro Colorado & Tortoise Breeding Centre (San Cristobal Island)
After lunch, we disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Once we arrive at Cerro Colorado, we will visit the breeding centre for the highly-endangered giant tortoises that amble around a fantastic deciduous forest.
Day 8
Punta Pitt
In the morning, the group heads over to the eastern tip of San Cristobal Island. The trail that ascends from the beach provides spectacular views of the shoreline, allowing guests to observe frigatebirds and a colony of bachelor sea lions. After the walk, weather permitting, you will have the chance to swim along the beach and snorkel.
Cerro Brujo
After lunch, we’ll visit Cerro Brujo. This is a great site for walking, with rewarding opportunities to observe seabirds and shorebirds. Galapagos sea lions will also be present!
Day 9
Punta Suarez
The morning outing at Punta Suarez gifts us a spirited trek across lava terrain to visit the unique seabird colonies that populate this area. Waved albatrosses (visible from April until January), and the famous “blowhole” geological formation await! Afterwards, we return to the yacht for lunch.
Gardner Bay
In the afternoon, we disembark at this beautiful, white coral beach for a short walk to observe the sea lions, mockingbirds and finches. Guests can choose to simply enjoy the beach or explore the astonishing sites via snorkeling.
Day 10
Charles Darwin Research Station
In the morning, we disembark in Puerto Ayora and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to check out the breeding program for giant tortoises. Afterwards, a bus takes the group up and over Santa Cruz Island to the opposite coast.
Baltra Island
Once on the other side of Santa Cruz Island, a short ferry ride will takes us across the channel to Baltra Island and then the airport. Your adventure in the Galapagos Islands ends at Baltra Island as you board your flight back to Quito.
Not Included
International flights
Alcoholic beverages
Tips
Personal expenses (late checkout, laundry, gifts, etc)
Meals not described in the program
(*Rates are subject to change)