Cloud Forest - Andes - Galapagos 2009
November 25th - December 14th 2009
Land Cost £2,865
(plus international flight approx £670 - max. 15 passengers)
A 20-day journey that takes us from the tropical cloud forests literally buzzing with humming birds, to the high Andes of Ecuador and the Hacienda Zuleta one of the few places in the world where you are virtually guaranteed to see wild Andean Condors and 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.
Our own private luxury yacht – Reina Silvia
26 Nov - Set off from the UK to Quito via Amsterdam.
27-30 Nov - Cloud forest - We arrive in the morning of 27th November in Quito. Here we will be met at the airport by our expert local birding guide and will set off 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 30th November 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.
1-3 Dec - We depart from La Carriona after an early breakfast we will head across the Andes north of Quito to visit the hacienda Zuleta. The hacienda dates back to 1690 and is nestled in magnificent Andean scenery and home to a colourful Indian community. It will be our home for the next three days. Zuleta is also one of the few places in the world where you are virtually guaranteed to see wild condors. The place itself is exquisite, with great short hikes and horseback riding included for anyone wishing to explore the high-altitude grasslands and pre-Inca archaeological sites in the hacienda grounds. On the our last day at Zuleta we depart after breakfast to travel further north to visit the famous Indian market of Otavalo, the largest and most colourful Indian market in the Andes. Return to Quito in the afternoon of 3rd December where we will stay at La Carriona.
4 Dec - 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.
5-12 Dec - 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:
M/Y Reina Silvia, has a fantastic reputation for high quality service and is one of the finest vessels of her size in the Galapagos. With a highly trained crew of eight, including a multilingual naturalist guide, Reina Silvia is fully air conditioned, accommodates her guests in eight double cabins, all furnished with oversized upper and lower beds, WC, shower, washbasin and vanity. The yacht has a swimming/diving platform aft and an extended bow pulpit for whale and dolphin watching. A desalination plant provides all the freshwater needed.
We will be visiting the following islands:
South Plaza: A great island with a large population of Land Iguanas (Conolophus subcristatus), the chance to see the Cactus Finch alongside the Small and Medium Ground Finches. Along the cliff we have Red-billed Tropicbirds nesting and a large sea lion colony.
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.
Fernandina: the youngest islands in the archipelago, considered to be one of the hotspots for volcanic activity with impressive scenery and is home to the Flightless Cormorants, Galapagos Penguins, Galapagos Hawks and a large colony of Marine Iguanas.
Isabella: the largest island in the archipelago, comprised of a series of volcanoes. At Tagus Cove where we visit we have a chance to see the endemic flightless cormorant. Here we will hike up into the dry zone above Darwin Lake, where we may see a woodpecker finch – one of the few tool-using birds in the world and great views. We will also take a short dingy ride along the Cliffside where we will look for Galapagos Penguins and other sea birds.
James Island: 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.
Bartolomé: With its distinctive Pinnacle Rock, superb lava flows and parasitic cones this island is the perfect introduction to the Galapagos and one of the most famous views of the archipelagos. Understanding the geology of the islands was crucial to Charles Darwins understanding of the way the wildlife evolved in the archipelago. A great place to snorkel with Galapagos Penguins.
Santa Cruz (Purto Ayora): A chance to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and see Giant Tortoises in the breeding programs at the research station. After this we travel up to the highlands of Santa Cruz which allows us to see the remarkable change from dry coastal areas to lush scenery and our best chance to see Giant Tortoises in the wild in the highlands, along with finches and fly catchers.
Floreana: The best place to see Flamingos and stilts on the Galapagos with great snorkelling and a fascinating human history and the chance to visit one of the sites where Darwin disembarked at Post Office Bay on the island. We will also visit the nearby ‘Devils Crown’ a partly submerged, eroded crater whose abundance of underwater life make it a great place for snorkelling.
Espanola: Home to unique and colourful marine iguanas and large Lava Lizard and its own endemic species of mocking bird. There will also be nesting Blue-footed boobies and Nazca Boobies as well as owls, Lava Herons and many other birds.
12 Dec - Fly from Galapagos to the steamy tropical coastal city of Guayaquil on the Pacific Coast of Ecuador. Farewell meal together at our hotel – The Grand Hotel of Guayaquil.
13 Dec - Transfer to airport for flight back to the UK.
14 Dec - 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 ($110 per person)
- Departure Tax from Ecuador ($41 per person)
- Alcoholic beverages,
- INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS FROM YOUR LOCAL AIRPORT
