15-Nights Cruise Galápagos and The Amazon - Tailormade Journeys — CALL

1 Arrive Quito, Ecuador

Cradled high in the Andes beneath the watchful gaze of the Virgin atop El Panecillo, Quito unfolds in a patchwork of baroque spires, timeworn rooftops and vibrant streets where pre-Columbian heritage, colonial grandeur and a living mountain culture pulse through every steep hillside, aromatic market stall and reinvented ancestral dish.

Quito’s historic center — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — offers a compelling look into Ecuador’s colonial past. From panoramic views at El Panecillo and its “Winged Virgin” statue to the ornate San Francisco Church and La Compañía’s golden interior, each stop reveals a layer of history. Independence Plaza anchors the tour, flanked by the Presidential Palace and the Cathedral. Santo Domingo Church then adds a unique twist, with access to hidden chambers and a climb to the top of the domes for rare city views. A final stop immerses you in Ecuador’s rich chocolate heritage, with a tasting that highlights why the country’s cacao is among the world’s finest.

Quito gives way to the magic of the Galápagos, a living museum of evolution where lava-carved islands rise from turquoise seas and wildlife moves with fearless ease through land, air and water. While your precise route may vary depending on when you sail, your voyage may commence in San Cristóbal, where Kicker Rock introduces the archipelago’s surreal beauty. This dramatic tuff formation, split by a narrow channel, towers above waters teeming with life. Sea turtles, rays and the elusive outlines of hammerhead sharks glide below, while frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies soar overhead on ocean breezes.

A morning landing at Prince Philip’s Steps on Genovesa Island, a remote sanctuary accessible only to a few. A steep staircase carved into the cliffs leads to a plateau alive with birdlife — red-footed boobies nesting in palo santo trees, Galápagos doves rustling through the undergrowth and — with luck — a short-eared owl emerging from the shadows. Later, the path through Darwin Bay winds from white coral sands to mangroves, tidal pools and towering cliffs.

Morning reveals one of two of Santa Cruz’s coastal wonders. Bachas Beach — a nesting ground for sea turtles — offers a quiet shoreline backed by flamingo lagoons, red and black mangroves a chorus of finches, gulls and mockingbirds. Alternatively, Black Turtle Cove shelters rays, reef sharks and sea turtles in a serene labyrinth of mangrove-lined inlets, accessible only by panga. In the afternoon, the trail at Cerro Dragón leads past a brackish lagoon alive with birdlife to a cactus-studded ridge, where panoramic views and sightings of golden land iguanas await.

Morning discovery unfolds at Vicente Roca Point, where the sheer cliffs of a submerged volcanic caldera meet turquoise waters teeming with marine life. Snorkelers may find themselves surrounded by sea turtles and vibrant fish, while a panga ride reveals nesting sites of flightless cormorants and Galápagos penguins perched among jagged lava ledges. Later, Urbina Bay offers a rare walk through a landscape reshaped by sudden uplifts — where formerly submerged coral now lies bleached beneath the sun.

A morning arrival at Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island reveals one of the youngest and most untouched landscapes in the archipelago. Black lava stretches beneath your feet as marine iguanas gather in clusters, while Sally Lightfoot crabs flash scarlet against the rocks. Sea lions sprawl lazily beneath the watchful eyes of flightless cormorants and pelicans. In the afternoon, a visit to Tagus Cove introduces the human history of the islands, where 19th-century sailors left graffiti on volcanic cliffs. A hike past the salt-filled Darwin Lake offers sweeping views and the chance to spot finches, hawks and warblers, while a kayak or dinghy glide by penguins reveals dramatic geological formations along the cove’s rugged shoreline.

Rábida Island unveils striking red sands and a landscape shaped by volcanic forces. This geological wonder is home to nesting brown pelicans (from July to September) and an impressive array of Darwin’s finches. A dinghy ride along the cliffs offers close-up views of seabirds in their natural habitat, while snorkeling in the vibrant waters lends insight into an active marine ecosystem. Then, Puerto Egas on Santiago Island invites a step back in time. After a wet landing on a black beach visited by Darwin in 1835, follow a trail that crosses the dry interior, where remains of a salt mine can be seen. Continuing along the coast over volcanic ash and uneven basalt terrain, Santiago’s unique landscape is home to a variety of birds, including the yellow-crowned night heron and marine life such as sea urchins, octopus, lobsters and marine iguanas. Colonies of endemic fur seals swim in cool pools formed by volcanic rocks.

Morning begins with a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and hub of conservation and scientific research nestled amidst towering giant prickly pear cacti. The journey continues into the Highlands, a verdant paradise of rolling hills, volcanic cones and lush greenery where you may spot giant tortoises in the wild as they feed and wallow in cool pools. The Highlands are also home to an array of birdlife, including cattle egrets, Galapagos rails and vermilion flycatchers.

At the Interpretation Center on San Cristobal Island, explore insightful exhibits on the natural and human history of the Galápagos, as well as efforts to protect the islands’ unique ecosystems and promote sustainable tourism. Fly back to the mainland, arriving in Guayaquil. The Malecón 2000 — a bustling waterfront boulevard — is at the city’s heart, with sleek restaurants serving coconut-rich encocado (fish stew) and university students relaxing by the water’s edge.

Fly to Lima, founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro. With 80 miles of coastline, it’s a city where surfboards zip between Miraflores’ mansions and pisco sours flow in Barranco’s peñas. Known as the culinary capital of Latin America, Lima’s dining scene thrives with innovative dishes made from Amazonian river snails and Andean tomatoes. Amidst the urban sprawl, peaceful corners offer refuge, where jasmine-scented air blends the melancholy of cloudy winters with the warmth of breezy summers.

Fly to Iquitos, nestled on the banks of the Amazon River in northwestern Peru. As the gateway to the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, Iquitos offers unrivaled access to the heart of the Amazon’s wildlife, from pink dolphins and monkeys to colorful bird species and elusive manatees. Aboard your luxury river cruiser, embark on a three-night adventure designed for sustainable exploration and cultural immersion through the untouched wilderness of dense jungle, tranquil backwaters and lush islands that are home to sloths, monkeys, caimans, turtles, manatees and an array of stunning bird species.

In this birding paradise, vibrant macaws glide over the river as a dawn excursion with your guide offers views of exotic avian species. The Amazon teems with life, from frogs and bats to iguanas, insects, spider monkeys and sloths high in the canopy. Later, a skiff ride after dark reveals glowing caiman eyes and other nocturnal creatures emerging from the water.

Each day on the river offers new adventures. You might encounter Amazon’s elusive pink dolphins or visit a local village to learn about life deep in the jungle. Afterward, unwind or take a swim before heading out for another river exploration, perhaps fishing for piranha from a skiff. Gather with the guides for stories of the Amazon before dinner on board.

Bid farewell to your crew and disembark in Nauta. In Iquitos, explore a vibrant market stocked with fresh goods from the surrounding forest and visit the Museum of Indigenous Amazonian Cultures.