- Overview
- Itinerary
- The Host
- The Experience
Date: January 7-21, 2023 - SOLD OUT!
Host: Brian Keating, Great Big Nature
Cost: US$15,250 per person
Walk the vibrant streets of historic Quito, where indigenous and European traditions meet in the architecture and pulse of daily life and explore the beautiful Mashpi Biodiversity Reserve, staying in an eco-lodge.
Imagine sailing on a luxury yacht through islands of volcanic rock, with white sand beaches and sapphire blue waters. Picture a place isolated for so long, that the wildlife has evolved without fear of humans. A place akin to a natural history museum but with living, breathing exhibits so close that you do not need a telephoto lens to capture them in their natural habitat. Your days in Galapagos will be filled with activities guided by Brian Keating and local expert naturalists with a passion for the preservation of the unique ecology of this otherworldly archipelago. Snorkel with colourful tropical fish and always keep a watchful eye for sea turtles, penguins, sea lions, dolphins, and whales.
Highlights
- Small group (max 14 guests) and first-class starting with your accommodation to Ecuadorian cuisine to your expert guides.
- Get ready to laugh with the ever-enthusiastic trip host Brian Keating, guiding you through one of his favourite countries.
- Stay in one-of-a-kind accommodations. From an award winning boutique hotel in Quito, Mashpi cloud forest suites to luxury yacht cabins in the Galapagos.
- Bird lovers will be in heaven from the many species to be found in the Jungle, not to mention a snorkelers’ paradise awaits in you in the Pacific Ocean surrounding the Galapagos islands.
Questions? Please contact Julie, our group leader at julie@civilizedadv.com.
Brief Itinerary
- Quito (2 nights)
- Mashpi Biodiversity Reserve (3 nights)
- Otavalo (1 night)
- Quito (1 night)
- Galapagos Islands Cruise (7 nights)
For details on accommodation, daily activities and more see our interactive itinerary here
Not sure that you’ll be ready to leave this incredible area? Contact Julie our group leader to extend to the Amazon, the Andes or Machu Picchu.
Brian Keating has been leading groups on nature-based adventures for over three decades, exploring some of the best wildlife areas on the Planet.
An international speaker, author of five award-winning children’s books, a weekly guest on CBC Radio, and former Adjunct Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Calgary, Brian has also been a regular on the Discovery TV Channel, using his own wilderness adventure and wildlife films. He is also the co-producer of an exciting new series of programs: www.greatBIGnature.com.
Your Accommodations
We have carefully chosen your land accommodation with the importance of keeping this trip intimate & private. Your Quito hotel has only 10 suites and the jungle lodge has 20 rooms. We picked a luxury catamaran that offers a private balcony for each cabin, and more importantly, it is exclusive to our group.
Expert Guides
Brian Keating has travelled extensively throughout this country; he has also developed great relationships with guides over the years. We have handpicked one of those expert guides to be with the group for your 7-night Galapagos experience exploring the rocky islands with iguanas basking in the sun, to daily snorkeling adventures ending the day with fresh and delicious cuisine.
Sights & Sounds
Be immersed in the warm and colourful culture of Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Exquisite architecture, vibrant fabrics, indigenous craftsmen, known as the jumping off point to the Galapagos islands, it is a destination all its own.
Ride a 2km-long aerial tram through the trees, paddle through creeks in search of pumas and kinkajous, climb to the very top of a giant kapok tree or swim in a black-water lake. Thread your way through trees in search of the world’s tiniest monkey… You will find these exclusive experiences, plus many more, at Mashpi Lodge, within the pristine 1,300-acres of untouched wilderness in the Cloud Forest.
The Galapagos Islands wildlife is famous as the inspiration for Charles Darwin's ground-breaking Theory of Natural Selection. You will have opportunities to snorkel, kayak, paddleboard and hike around these unique sea and land creatures.
Getting Around
Private transfer from Quito to the Cloud Forest, fly to Baltra Island, and sail through the Galapagos on your exclusive luxury yacht, enjoying the stability of the twin-hulled catamaran.