Travel Wheelchair Accessible Amazon

Adventure, Culture, Heritage, Nature and Accessibility. Find it all on this tour of the Ecuadorian Amazon and the unique national park, the Galapagos islands, both being UNESCO world heritage sites.

his exciting tour takes in not just one but two UNESCO world heritage sites. Enjoy the hospitality of the native Amazonians in Ecuador and discover their culture before heading off into an accessible journey to the wilds of the Pacific Ocean and watch in awe at the unique flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands.

Enjoy the colonial Quito on your wheelchair, one of the first cities to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, discovered in 1534 by San Francis on the ruins of an old ancient Inca city. The church, Conjunto Monumental San Francisco is dedicated to San Francis.

Discover the rain forest towns of Cotunda and Banos famed for their wonderful waterfalls. The Galapagos Islands are both a National park, biological marine reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for their unique landscapes and wildlife. Charles Darwin famously studied these islands which contributed to his theory of evolution by natural selection.

• Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• Discover stunning landscapes in the Amazon
• Encounters with wildlife in the Galapagos
• Accessible cable car rides to see waterfalls

Day 1: Quito (Arrival)

You will be greeted at the Quito airport by a representative and transferred to your pre-booked accessible hotel by an adapted vehicle. You are free to relax and unwind after the flight.

Meals included : Dinner.

Day 2: Quito – Cotundo (Distance: 170 kms, Approx. time: 4 hrs)

After the morning breakfast, we head south towards the Amazon basin. Sit back and enjoy the picturesque landscape as we drive. After lunch, the afternoon includes a visit to the indigenous communities where you will spend time with the natives. Enjoy their hospitality while experiencing, typical local food, dance, costume and culture. Dinner will be served at the hotel.

Meals included : Breakfast and Dinner

Day 3: Cotundo (Sightseeing)

Enjoy a day on the river. A 45 minute drive away brings you to Anzu river. Enjoy a 4 hour accessible boat ride down the Anzu and Napo rivers to Puerto Misahualli. There is also an option to exit the ride half way through. Lunch will be served at the end of the journey with a bit of time to explore the little port town.

Meals included : Breakfast and Dinner.

Day 4: Cotundo (Sightseeing)

This morning we take a visit to a local cacao bean plant and learn about the social and financial impact the trade has on the locals. After lunch a visit to Napo province capital city, Tena City and little town of Archidona. Enjoy time experiencing the sights and sounds of the rain forest towns and spend time with the locals.

Dinner is served back at the hotel. Meals included : Breakfast and Dinner

Tena City is approximately 20 Km from the the hotel and a 15 minute drive.

Day 5: Cotundo – Banos de Agua Santa (Distance: 160 kms, Approx. time: 3 hrs)

Before heading south we have tour of the rainforest for a quick informative lesson on the medicinal plants of the Amazon and their holistic properties.

After lunch we board the adapted vehicle to travel to Andean city Banos de Agua Santa, nestled at the bottom of Tungurahua volcano and home to thermal baths and waterfalls. We arrive in time for a look around this city before dinner.

Meals included Breakfast.

Day 6: Banos de Agua Santa – Quito (Distance: 180 kms, Approx. time: 4 hrs)

Today we explore the waterfalls of Cascada de La Virgen, located in the city centre close to the Neo Gothic church of the Virgin of the Holy Water. We will take the wheelchair accessible cable car across the ravine to the Manto de la novia and see the impressive Pailon de diablo.

In the afternoon we return to Quito to relax and prepare for the Galapagos islands.

Meals included : Breakfast.

Day 7: Quito – Isabela Island (Via Plane and Boat)

We depart from our hotel in Quito and head for the airport to take the short flight to Santa Cruz in the Galapagos. From here there is a 2 hour accessible boat ride to Isabela island where we will arrive in time for dinner. Time to enjoy the peacefulness and relax before a full day of activity tomorrow.

Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 8: Isabella Island (Sightseeing)

Today keep an eye out for flamingos as we cross the lagoon towards the Giant Galapagos Breeding Center where we can admire and learn about the famous giant tortoises of the Galapagos. The afternoon we will enjoy a kayaking ride to view the equally famous Galapagos penguins.

Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 9: Isabela Island – Santa Cruz – San Cristobal

An early start this morning to travel back to Santa Cruz island and to Charles Darwin Research Station on the adapted vehicle. Here discover the secrets that helped contribute to Darwin’s theories of evolution by natural selection. Then its time to get back on the wheelchair accessible boat to make our way to San Cristobal for overnight stay. The rest of the afternoon is yours to relax or admire the sea lions on the boardwalk.

Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10: San Cristobal (Sightseeing)

Today is about finding and admiring the unique wildlife found exclusively in this part of the world. We board the wheelchair accessible boat and head for Kicker Rock, where Frigate bird, Blue Footed Boobies and Nazca Boobies cling to the ledges and shelves of the rock that soars 143 meters from the ocean. Look a bit closer and see crabs, barnacles and sponges at the base of the rock every time the waves recede. Below the surface of the water look out for sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, chocolate chip starfish and the Galapagos sharks.
The Puerto Grande beach is only accessible by boat. Here you have the option to relax and enjoy the beach or board the boat to take advantage of the wetsuits, fins, masks and snorkels on board and go for a swim and get up close and personal with the marine life.

Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 11: San Cristobal (Sightseeing)

Enjoy your last full day in this exquisite part of the world. We include a visit to the La Lobera beach, home to the famous sea lions with time for snorkeling. This afternoon is a visit to the Interpretation Center and learn about the islands and the conservation that is happening within the islands.

Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 12: San Cristobal – Quito

This morning enjoy the last few hours on the beach before returning to Quito. On arrival at late afternoon, check in to the hotel and spend the last night in the city.

Day 13: Quito (Departure)

This morning enjoy the last leisure moments at the beach before returning to Quito. Check in to the hotel on your arrival and spend the last night in the city.

We hope that you enjoyed your stay in Ecuador and the Galapagos and we look forward to welcoming you on another Able Journeys holiday.