Cloud Forest - Andes - Galapagos 2010
May 22nd - June 6th 2010
Land Cost £3,210
(plus international flight approx £700 - max. 15 passengers plus tour leader)
A 15-day journey that takes us from Ecuador’s capital nestled high in the Andes,
onto pristine tropical cloud forests literally buzzing with hummingbirds then on to a colourful indigenous market and snow capped volcanoes in Ecuador’s Avenue of Volcanoes before our journey to the Galapagos for an eight day cruise on board our own private yacht visiting some of the most spectacular islands in this remarkable archipelago.
PDF Downloads for this trip:
Detailed Itinerary | Amazon/Rainforest Extension | Hacienda Zuleta Extension
OUTLINE ITENERARY:
22 May Depart UK
23 May Arrive in Quito. City Tour
24 May Quito - Cloud forest
25 May Cloud forest
26 May Cloud forest – Valley of Los Chillos
27 May Avenue of Volcanoes and Saquisili Market
28 - 4 June Galapagos
5 June Return flight to the UK
6 June Arrive in UK
22 May - Depart from the UK from local airport meeting up with the rest of the group for the onward flight at Amsterdam airport (flying KLM).
23 May - Quito - Arrive in Quito early in the morning, in the afternoon a chance to explore the colonial old centre of the city, declared by UNESCO to be a World Heritage site in 1979 due to its beautiful colonial architectures. Our hotel is the Hotel Quito, which has spectacular views over the valley of Cumbaya and an outdoor swimming pool. Welcome dinner in a leading local restaurant with live Andean music.
24 -26 May - Cloudforest - After breakfast we depart for 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 26th 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.
27 May - Avenue of Volcanoes and Indian Market - After breakfast we will drive south of Quito through Ecuador’s legendary Avenue of Volcanoes, a valley punctuated on either side by spectacular snow-capped volcanoes. Here we will visit the Indian market of Saquisili, one of the largest and most colourful in Ecuador selling an array of local fruit and vegetables and other goods bought by the local indigenous community. Lunch in the historic hacienda of La Cienaga. Overnight La Carriona.
28 May - 4 Jun - Galapagos - At 9am the next morning we will take our flight to the Galapagos Islands, arriving to Baltra airport at around noon. From here we will be transferred to our private yacht.
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 snorkeling equipment. Moreover, each of the craft's nine homey cabins is outfitted with a private bathroom with both hot and cold water, a personal safe, and a wardrobe. To ensure your safety, the vessel is also equipped with the most advanced navigational and safety equipment, all of which meets or exceeds international Coast Guard safety regulations.
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.
James: A chance to take a close look at one of the sites visited by Darwin (Bucaneer Cove) the place where he spent the majority of his land visits in the Galapagos. In the afternoon we visit Puerto Egas, the best place for Galapagos Fur Seals, plovers, herons and oyster catchers.
South Plaza: The best island for observing land iguanas along with cactus finches, tropic birds and sea lions.
4 Jun - Quito - Return to Quito in the late afternoon. Afternoon and evening free to relax. Evening meal at the Hotel Quito.
5 Jun - Transfer to airport for flight home
6 Jun - Arrive home
NOTE:
Land cost includes:
- Return domestic flights from Quito to the Galapagos Islands.
- 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 mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos.
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.
