Kapawi EcoLodge and M/V Galapagos Explorer Escapade

Our Gold Traveler December Showcase Itinerary offers either a 4 or 5 Day Cruise onboard the M/V Galapagos Explorer and a 4 or 5 Day stay at Kapawi Lodge. Quito accommodates our guests at the JW Marriott Hotel, Quito’s newest luxury hotel

Tour Description
Let’s look at the options;
• You’re a seasoned Ecotraveler that enjoys creature comforts
• You want a superior ship for travel and sightseeing
• You want to stay in a rainforest lodge that offers amenities in the outdoors


This itinerary allows you to enjoy both the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon Rainforest on several different levels: from underwater experiences, bird-watching activities and guided walks, to wildlife observation and full sunbathing on multi-colored beaches.
The friendliest and most down-to-earth staff will show you the Galapagos Islands and introduce you to the Amazon Rainforest you have—up until now--only dreamed about.

Kapawi EcoLodge and M/V Galapagos Explorer Escapade

We know our guests. You’ve searched around the world for a real-world Rainforest
experience. Kapawi Ecolodge offers you this very special rainforest retreat. Better still; the proximity to Quito is superb. Tie this with an adventure aboard the M/V Galapagos Explorer, and one has a true escapade for all time. Surrounded by a primordial rainforest occupied by Ecuador’s Indian Tribe, the Achuars, Kapawi Ecolodge serves a dual purpose; it both brings civilization to a tribe emerging in the 21st Century in a positive way, and it generates revenue needed for ecological balance within a protected environment. With oversight from The Pachamama Alliance, a nonprofit U.S. based organization, the Achuar Nation protects what they have and then, reinvest the profits. Organizations as noted as A&E Network have identified Kapawi Lodge as one of “The World’s Top Ten Exotic Destinations.” 20 guest cabanas are exclusively wood, assembled with wooden dowels and roofed with palm leaves. These cabanas are screened and completely modern—insect nets included, but generally, not needed.

The Galapagos Explorer
This 277-foot ship, built in 1990, accommodates 100 passengers. 100 is the largest number of passengers on one ship allowed in the Galapagos Islands by the United Nations Charter controlling both the number of passengers allowed and the actions of visitors arriving by ship.

Perhaps in the past you’ve traveled on LCLS (less than Cruise Line Size) ships and have been disappointed. This is a ship you can be comfortable with. Lose the feeling of cramped quarters. The bathrooms are big enough for two, and the showers are almost twice the normal size. The Galapagos Explorer is fast; she’ll reach the chain's outer islands overnight, while you sleep.

The ship features a 100-seat dining room serving fresh foods to gourmet standards, a bar and an adjacent library. The ship also offers guests an outdoor swimming pool and hot tub.

Hotel Marriott
This is the newest—and many say, the best--of Quito's luxury hotels. Guests used to Marriott hospitality know that the JW brand means the absolute best accommodations available. The JW Marriott Quito is a stunningly modern pyramid, located at the northern end of La Mariscal. The Marriott offers an indoor tropical pool, multiple restaurants, and each of the 250+ rooms has in-room safes, full cable TV, internet access data ports, and mini bars. Even ensuite hot tubs are available.


What to see in Galapagos in December
For nature lovers these cruises will be fantastic! Natural processes beginning in the Galapagos in December include:

- The hatching of giant tortoise eggs begins-- and lasts-- until April.
- Green sea turtles can be observed mating.
- The rainy season begins, and all of the plants within the dry zone produce leaves. The Galapagos Islands become “green.”
- The first young waved albatrosses hatch and begin to appear.
- It’s a time of simply stunning weather conditions.

The Flower Tour

Peter, let me just tell you what an excellent “adventure” your “Flower Tour” was for me.

You know I’m a florist, and have been for years.

I thought I knew a lot about flowers and growing them, but I learned so much from the tour of the farms outside Quito. I’m amazed that some of them are locked behind gates, but I guess that trade secrets are important in every business.

I can’t get over it, though. The flowers were just so beautiful, and to know that they are being sent all over the world to florists was so special to me.

It is going to be different now when I open those big white boxes that say “Flowers from Ecuador” because now, I’ve seen where they grow, and have talked—well, not exactly, since I don’t know very much Spanish—but enjoyed the time I spent with the farmers, growing the flowers.

Thank you so much for putting this together. It is a special memory.

Jena Ratliff,
Great Neck, NY