BIRDING SPECIAL
Cloud Forest - Andes - Galapagos 2010
May 2nd - May 16th 2010
Land Cost £3,360
(excluding international flights - designes assuming flights with KLM)
A 15-day journey that takes us from tropical cloud forests literally buzzing with humming birds, to the high Andes of Ecuador and onto Galapagos for an eight day cruise on a beautiful motor yacht visiting some of the most spectacular islands in this remarkable archipelago. The trip has been designed to coincide with the arrival and mating of all the main seabirds in Galapagos including the waved Albatross, Great Frigatebird, Nazca Boobies and Blue-footed Boobies.
The trip also coincides with the end of the nesting period for the Galapagos land birds such as Finches, Doves and Galapagos Mocking Birds which means they will be seen in larger numbers than at other times of the year. The trip will be fully escorted from the UK by Santiago Bejarano, one of the leading naturalists in the Galapagos.
PDF Downloads for this trip: Detailed Itinerary
2 May - Set off from the UK to Quito via Amsterdam.
3 -5 May - Cloudforest - we will be met off the plane by our expert local birding guide and naturalist and will set off straight towards the cloud forest. Located on the slopes of the Andes as they run down towards Ecuador’s coastal planes, large areas of the Ecuadorean cloud forest remain untouched by man and have one of the highest diversity of epiphytes (plants that grow on top of other plants) anywhere in the world, 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 place is quite simply spectacular. 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 and Rio Silanche Sanctuaries.
On the morning of the 5th May we will drive back towards Quito stopping at the Equator monument and on to Quito for a city tour in the afternoon of the old colonial sector declared by UNESCO to be a World Heritage Site. Overnight we will stay in a beautiful colonial hacienda in the valley of Los Chillos called La Carriona.
6 May - Antisana - Today after an early breakfast we set of to the beautiful high Paramo of the Antisana Volcano – a large glacier covered stratovolcano located to the south east of Quito. As well as stunning high Andean scenery we have the chance to see high paramo birds such as the Black Faced Ibis and Andean Condors, Andean Lapwings and the Andean Gull. We have lunch at the Hacienda and return to La Carrion late in the afternoon.
7 May - 14 May - The Galapagos Islands - Flight to Galapagos Islands in the morning. Arrive in the islands around noon. The next eight glorious days will be spent cruising between the islands of the Galapagos Archipelago:
The yacht we will use is a spacious and comfortable motor yacht called Tip Top III which has great service and a very friendly crew. It accommodates 16 passengers in 10 double cabins each with private shower and toilet. There is a bar, dining room, library, sundeck and diving platform. All cabins and public areas are fully carpeted and air conditioned.
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 will be visiting the following islands:
Baltra and Bachas Beach : On our first day we fly out from Guayaquil, arriving to Baltra Island. From here we will be transferred to our private yacht, Tip Top III. In the afternoon we will visit the beautiful beach of Bachas on the northern coast of Santa Cruz, giving us the opportunity to see our first Greater Flamingos, Black-necked Stilts and Pin-tail Ducks. It also gives us the chance to practice snorkeling from the beach.
Espanola: Santiago’s and many other visitors favourite island with wonderful seascapes and the chance to see the beautiful Waved Albatross along with Blue Footed Boobies, Galapagos Hawk, Masked Boobies, Swallow-tailed Gulls, Lava Lizards, Marine Iguanas and sea lions . Gardener Bay on the island is one of the most beautiful beaches in the archipelago, with sea lions and its own Espanola Mockingbird. This island becomes more active as the afternoon goes on so we extend our stay here as long as possible.
Genovesa: A beautiful island, with the spectacular Darwin Bay, a huge flooded volcanic caldera, hope to Galapagos Fur Seas and tropicbirds. One of the best opportunities to see Red-footed and Masked Booby colonies and a large storm-petrel breeding colony. Here also the resplendent frigate birds nest here with more intensity than any other site we will visit.
Bartolomé: The home of a class Galapagos view of pinnacle rock and a population of Galapagos Penguins, which we get the chance to see above the water, and below for those who enjoy snorkelling.
Floreana: A stunning volcanic landscape, with lagoons that are home to flamingos, waders and a host of shore birds. Also home to the famous ‘post office bay’.
North Seymour Island: Here we will visit a large Magnificent Frigate bird colony and the Blue-footed Booby colony, alongside California Sea Lions, Marine Iguanas, Lava Herons, Lava Gulls, Brown Noddies and Swallow-tailed Gulls.
Santa Fe: The swimming and snorkelling around this island is wonderful, with sea lions, rays and a host of colourful fish. The island is also home to its own unique species of Land Iguanas (Conolophus pallidus).
Santa Cruz: One of the biggest Islands, here we will visit the Charles Darwin research station, and also the high lands were we will have a chance to see some wild giant Tortoises.
South Plaza: The best island for observing land iguanas along with cactus finches, tropic birds and sea lions.
14 May Fly from the Galapagos to the steaming tropical city of Guayaquil arriving in the afternoon were we will be met at the airport and taken to the Grand Hotel of Guayaquil. The rest of the afternoon at leisure before our farewell meal together at a leading local restaurant.
15 May - Transfer to airport for flight home
16 May - Arrive home
NOTE:
Land cost includes:
- Domestic flight from Quito to the Galapagos Islands.
- All accommodation in mainland Ecuador and aboard the yacht in the Galapagos. The price is based on 2 people sharing a double room. If you prefer your own room, there is a Single Supplement Cost of £160 per person for the land portion. All boat cabins must be shared, except by special arrangement.
- All meals and non-alcoholic beverages in Galapagos and mainland Ecuador.
- All transport in mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos.
- The services of a University-level Naturalist Guide conducting the land tours.
Land Cost Does Not Include:
- International airfare, National Park Entrance Fee ($100 per person) .
- Departure Tax from Ecuador ($40.80 per person) .
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Gratuities.
