Cloud Forest, Andes and Galapagos

Summary of Trip

• Specially chartered private yacht in the Galapagos
• Experience some of best and easiest birding in the world
• Led by top guides in Galapagos and Ecuador
• Small group of up to 15 guests

A 14-day journey that takes you from the tropical cloud forests literally buzzing with humming birds, to Ecuador’s Avenue of Volcanoes with its dramatic scenery and colorful markets, then onto Galapagos for an eight day cruise on a luxury motor yacht visiting some of the most spectacular islands in this remarkable archipelago. The trip will be fully escorted by Santiago Bejarano, one of the leading naturalists in the Galapagos.

Details

• Trip begins in Quito and ends in Guayaquil
• 8 days/7 nights on board the yacht, 4 nights at Sani Lodge, 3 hotel nights in Quito, 1 hotel night in Guayaquil
• All meals included.
• Tour Cost £3290 per person, excluding international flights Includes all accommodation, guide services, meals, transport, internal flights Quito-Coca-Quito and Quito-Galapagos-Guayaquil, non-bottled soft drinks.
• Flights from the UK to Quito and Guayaquil start at around £750. We can help guests co-ordinate their international flights which are available from local UK airports.

Outline Itinerary
6th November – Arrive in Quito
7th November - 9th November – Cloud Forest
10 November – Avenue of Volcanoes
11th November -18th November – Galapagos
19th November – Quito – Flight Home

NOTE:

Land cost includes:

• Domestic flight Quito-Galapagos-Guayaquil.
• All accommodation meals and soft drinks in mainland Ecuador and aboard the yacht in the Galapagos.
• The price is based on 2 people sharing a double room.
• $10 Galapagos Migration Card.
• The services of expert local naturalists and all transport in the Galapagos.

Land Cost Does Not Include:

• International airfare
• Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee ($100 per person)
• Departure Tax from Ecuador ($43 per person)
• Alcoholic beverages. Gratuities

Single Supplement:

If you prefer your own room, there is a single supplement cost of £240 per person for the time in mainland Ecuador. All boat cabins must be shared, except by special arrangement.

If you would like any more information or to chat over the details of the trip we would be delighted to help. Telephone 01482 872 716 for more information or email us today.

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Itinerary

5th November Depart UK – we recommend KLM as can fly from local airport.

6th November – Quito Arrive early in the morning (assuming KLM) You will be met at the airport by Santiago and taken to our hotel, Hotel Quito, which has beautiful views across the city of Quito and the Valley of Tumbaco. After we have checked in, some time to relax before we start our city tour of Quito late morning. Quito was declared by UNESCO to be a World Heritage Site and has not only beautiful scenery but a fascinating cultural heritage. In the evening a welcome meal together at a leading local restaurant.

7th November - 9th November – Cloud Forest After breakfast we set off across the Andes to the West of Quito and the area of Mindo. The cloud forest here has some of the best and easiest birding and the highest diversity of epiphytes (plants that grow on top of other plants) of anywhere in the world, along with an array of orchids and other stunning tropical flora. The forest, which is less than two hours from Quito, boasts some 9,000 species of plant with over 320 bird species recorded in the valley near to our lodge, Sachatamia.

The area around the lodge has lots of easy trails and is literally buzzing with hummingbirds with over 20 different species spotted in a single day. The location of our lodge also allows us to visit some of the best reserves in the area like Mindo, Los Bancos and the Milpe Sanctuaries.

After breakfast on 9th November we set off to the Equator Monument where we will have lunch. From here we drive on to a beautiful 200 year old colonial hacienda in the valley of Los Chillos called La Carriona where we spend the night.

10th November– Avenue of Volcanoes After breakfast you drive south through Ecuador’s Avenue of Volcanoes, with spectacular scenery punctuated by snow capped peaks and onto the Saquisili market, to see their main market day. This market, which is where the Indian communities from the region trade their produce, will provide you with a colourful and fascinating glimpse of Andean culture as they trade everything from llamas and sheep, to pots and pans.

You will have lunch in the historic hacienda of La Cienega at the foot of the Cotopaxi Volcano before heading back to Quito arriving back mid-afternoon. The afternoon and evening free to relax and prepare for Galapagos (evening meal not included) Overnight Hotel Quito

Download large jpg version of this map: Detailed Itinerary

11th November - 18th November – Galapagos This morning we will take our flight to the Galapagos where we will be met by the crew of our private yacht the TIP TOP III.

The yacht has great service and a very friendly crew, accommodating 16 passengers in 10 double cabins each with private shower and toilet. There is a bar, dining room, library, sundeck and diving platform. Just some of the luxuries you'll enjoy on the yacht's three decks are wall-to-wall carpeting, air conditioning, a TV, a VCR, a full sound system, an inviting dining room, a fully equipped bar, a library filled with a variety of reading materials, a spacious sundeck, and snorkelling equipment. Moreover, each of the craft's homey cabins is outfitted with a private bathroom with both hot and cold water, a personal safe, and a wardrobe. We spend the next glorious eight days visiting the following islands:

Santa Cruz – we spend our first day here with lunch in the highlands surrounded by Giant Tortoises on their seasonal migration. We also visit the Charles Darwin Research Station which provides a perfect introduction to our Galapagos visit.

12th November – Santa Fe The island is home to its own unique species of Land Iguanas (Conolophus pallidus). Amazing landscape dominated by very tall and wide perkily pear cactus The swimming and snorkelling around this island is also wonderful, with sea lions, rays and a host of colourful fish.

Plaza The best place in Galapagos to see Marine Iguanas, the world’s only sea going lizard. It is also a great place to see land iguanas, sometimes side-by-side with their sea-going relatives. Here we will take a walk along some uplifted lava flows.

13th November – Sombrero Chino Our first chance to swim with sea lions and if we are lucky, Galapagos penguins in the crystal clear waters around this huge cinder cone which is shaped like a Chinese hat (hence its name!). It is also a fantastic location for sea lions and an incredible volcanic landscape with the brightly coloured sally lightfoot crabs in stark contrast against the black rock.

Rabida A red sandy beach with sea lions and nesting Brown Pelicans and an opportunity to snorkel with sea lions and eagle rays which are common in the waters around the island.

14th November – Black Turtle Cove Sea turtle paradise! By November, sea turtles start to gather here, preparing for their annual nesting season. This morning we take a dingy ride through beautiful and peaceful mangrove forests were we turn our motor off and paddle slowly in search of sea turtles and other wildlife in the mangroves.

Cerro Dragon We visit an area in the western-side of Santa Cruz Island which has seen a remarkable recovery of its land iguana population in recent years thanks to the work of the Galapagos National Park and Charles Darwin Research Station.

15th November – Floreana In the morning we travel up to the highlands of Floreana to see more Giant Tortoises. The island hosts a healthy Giant Tortoise population and is part of the ongoing project to repopulate the island with tortoises by the Galapagos National Park. After lunch we go to the north-west of the island to Punta Cormorant, the best place to see Flamingos and stilts in the Galapagos. We will stay on the island until late afternoon as there is a chance we may see sea turtles coming up onto the beach.

16th November – Espanola Santiago’s favourite islands and one of the highlights of any visit to the Galapagos thanks to the islands colony of Waved Albatross who at the time of your visit will still have their chicks with them.

Here we will also see the islands unique and colourful marine iguanas and large Lava Lizard and its own endemic species of mocking bird. There will also be Blue-footed Boobies, and Nazca boobies along the path as we walk through the island. The island is also home to a spectacular white sandy beach which is a favourite with sea lions which we will also visit.

17th November – San Cristobal Today we make an early morning visit to the Galapagos Interpretation Centre and breeding centre for tortoises in San Cristobal. We will be able to walk through a large pen which houses tortoises that are endemic to this island. In the afternoon we will visit Cerro Brujo, and take a boat trip around an iconic landmark of Galapagos, Kicker Rock and enjoy the sunset!

18th November – Baltra We return to the islet of Baltra today for our flight back to Ecuador. We return to Guayaquil in the afternoon, a steamy tropical town on Ecuador’s Pacific Coast where we will be met and take to our hotel the Grand Hotel. Here you have a few hours to relax or visit the park near to the hotel, before our farewell meal together at a leading local restaurant. Overnight Grand Hotel Guayaquil.

19th November Transfer to the airport for international flight home (all international flights in Ecuador stop in Quito and Guayaquil)

Please note: Itineraries are unlikely to change significantly but are subject to change. Weather, wildlife breeding, instructions from the Galapagos National Park, specific abilities and interests of passengers as well as operational matters may cause your guide or captain to change the times or nature of your visits. Your guide will always endeavour to have the best itinerary for you within these constraints.

If you would like any more information or to chat over the details of the trip we would be delighted to help. Telephone 01482 872 716 for more information or email us today.

Accommodation

If you would like any more information or to chat over the details of the trip we would be delighted to help. Telephone 01482 872 716 for more information or email us today.