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FROM FORESTS TO FINCHES:
ECUADOR & THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Weekly Departures Year-Round

T R I P  B A C K G R O U N D

Ecuador is a land of unforgettable and beautiful contrasts. Straddling the Equator, the country features tropical Amazon rainforest, majestic snow-covered volcanoes, fertile highland valleys and the fascinating Galapagos Islands. In addition, the cities and Indian villages of Ecuador are among the most colorful in the world. Trip highlights include a visit to Otavalo’s Indian market; an overnight stay at the incomparable La Mirage in Cotacachi; a very picturesque and easy horseback riding or bicycling excursion near Otavalo (elective); a Latin dance lesson; and a seven-night cruise through the Galapagos Islands. Your visit to Otavalo will also afford the opportunity to interact with the local communities in their home, allowing you to witness their daily lifestyles including music, cooking, beliefs and religion.

Located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the remote Galapagos Archipelago offers a unique opportunity to observe and study an incredible variety of wildlife and intriguing flora in one of the Earth’s greatest natural laboratories. In a stark, volcanic landscape, millions of sea birds, land and marine iguanas, fur seals and sea lions, and the endangered Galapagos tortoise make their home, largely unaffected by and unafraid of humans.  The Galapagos Islands are world-famous for their incredibly fearless wildlife and exotic vegetation. Ninety-six percent of the reptiles, 47% of the plants, and 37% of the fish are found nowhere else in the world. Well known for the part they played in helping Darwin to formulate his theory of evolution, the islands still provide unlimited possibilities for exploration and discovery.

Depending on your preferences, you’ll explore the more important islands in a first class or deluxe motor yacht. You'll also get to choose the size of your vessel -- small (16 – 20 passengers), medium (32 – 48 passengers) or large (90 – 100 passengers).  You’ll spend your days hiking (easy), photographing and studying wildlife, snorkeling with sealions and penguins, kayaking or simply relaxing. Our naturalist leaders, who are highly trained at the Darwin Station and certified by the National Park service, will provide nature interpretation during the day and informal lectures in the evening.

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Special Lectures/Cultural excursions: This adventure includes your choice of 1-2 lectures/special cultural excursions. Topics include Ecuadorian Cosmography (with a visit to the Solar Museum); Shamanism and Natural Healing; Ecuadorian Painting (Guayasamin); Archaeology (excellent collection at Museo del Banco Central); Ecuadorian handcrafts (Folklore Olga Fish Studio); Conservation in Ecuador; Flora and Fauna of the Ecuadorian Amazon; Ecuadorian Volcanoes; Observatorio Astronómico, the oldest in South America, houses the unique Merz equatorial telescope. Delivered by a local expert, this lecture or special cultural visit will supplement your more traditional sightseeing. Some lectures/visits may not be available on certain departures.

Fly from the U.S. to Quito, Ecuador. You will be met and privately transferred to your hotel for rest and relation. Brief evening orientation. Hotel Sebastian - 4 stars

Note: Optional upgrade to the deluxe Swissotel is available for a total surcharge of approximately $120 per person for 3 nights.

This morning you'll go on a private tour of Quito, Ecuador’s delightful highland capital. Quito retains the old-world Spanish atmosphere, with golden cathedrals and cobblestone streets. In fact, colonial Quito was the first World Heritage Site to be proclaimed by UNESCO. In the afternoon, you'll enjoy a supplemental lecture or special cultural excursion (topics listed above) before transferring to Cotacachi, situated near Otavalo. You will be staying at La Mirage, truly one of the most enchanting lodge settings in all of South America. La Mirage. (B,L,D)

Morning excursion to Otavalo market, one of the very best in South America. The Otavalenos are famous for their skill as weavers, their shrewd business sense, and their continuing cultural identity, evident in their traditional way of dress. You will marvel at the people, products, and vitality of this market. Colorful stalls display innumerable fascinating items, including rugs, baskets, leather goods, beautiful shawls, embroidery and hand-woven tweed.

Following the market, enjoy an easy, picturesque horseback riding or bicycling excursion near Otavalo. This soft adventure will take you through a lovely village and forest to a site which offers beautiful views of Imbabura volcano and Lake San Pablo. Your visit to Otavalo will also afford the opportunity to interact with the local communities in their home, allowing you to witness their daily lifestyles including music, cooking, beliefs and religion. Your private guide will see what is possible during your visit to the land of the Otavalos, taking into consideration your specific interests.

Return to Quito where you will enjoy a late afternoon Latin American dance lesson, learning the basic steps and rhythms of typical dances (choice of second lecture may be substituted for the dance lesson). Evening free to salsa on your own. Hotel Sebastian (B,L)

Morning flight to the Galapagos. The Galapagos Islands are world-famous for their incredibly fearless wildlife and exotic vegetation. Ninety-six percent of the reptiles, 47% of the plants, and 37% of the fish are found nowhere else in the world. Well known for the part they played in helping Darwin to formulate his theory of evolution, the islands still provide unlimited possibilities for exploration and discovery.

Upon arrival to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, SAN CRISTOBAL Island, you'll be transferred to the yacht. After the welcome briefing and safety drill we'll set sail for Playa Ochoa, where we have a chance to test our snorkeling equipment and at the same time swim with a small colony of sea lions. Behind the beach, there is a tidal lagoon where bird can be spotted including the rare Chatham mockingbird. At sunset, we cruise around Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido), a vertical tuff cone formation that abruptly juts up almost 500 feet out of the ocean. On the cliffs, we find blue-footed boobies, masked boobies and magnificent frigate birds.

Accommodations will be in a standard cabin onboard a first class vessel such as the Eric, Coral, Coral 2, Flamingo, Letty or similar. Deluxe upgrades available (e.g. Eclipse, Parranda, Beluga, Sagita, Legend, Galapagos Explorer II, Isabella 2, Lammer Law or similar). (B,L,D)

We spend the entire day on TOWER (Genovesa), considered to be one of the most spectacular Islands in Galapagos for bird species. This morning, we have a dry landing at Prince Philip’s Steps. Red-footed boobies nest here in Palo Santo trees and Nazca (formerly masked) boobies nest near the trail. In an open lava field, we find storm petrels in large numbers. If you are lucky, we will see the elusive short-eared owl.

After lunch, sea kayaks are available to paddle along the shoreline. Look for the beautiful red-billed tropic bird usually seen in a crevice. A snorkeling opportunity is offered along the inner rim of the volcanic crater. We land on Darwin Bay, a coral sand beach where swallow-tailed and lava gulls gather near the tide pools. Enter a forest of Optuntia cactus and mangroves where colonies of great frigate birds nest. The males inflate their red-throated pouches to attract females as they fly overhead. The trail leads through a rich inter tidal zone where we find a wide diversity of animal life. Swim from the beach with sea lions. (B,L,D)

This morning, we visit Las Bachas, which is the Spanish translation for “barges”. There is a long stretch of a soft white-sand beach and interior lagoons where we find the Greater Flamingo. There is also a wonderful chance to snorkel here from the beach. Remnants of the U.S. presence from World War II – a floating pier - is found here.

This afternoon, we disembark on North Seymour, a small geological uplift. After a dry landing, we follow a trail that leads us to swallow-tailed gulls, blue-footed boobies and the endemic land iguanas. Visit the largest colony of magnificent frigate birds found in Galapagos. As we stroll along the beach, sea lions body surfing the northern swells. (B,L,D)

This morning, we visit Tagus Cove, located on the western Island of ISABELLA. Six volcanoes flowed together and formed the largest Island in Galapagos. On our walk, we discover a salt-water lagoon, a scenic overlook with a spectacular view of the ocean, lava fields and volcanic formations. Graffiti dating back to the 1800's is written on the rocky cliffs. Explore the Cove in pangas or sea kayaks to find Galapagos penguins, boobies, pelicans and other seabirds. After lunch, we cross the Bolivar Canal. Be on the look out for whales and dolphins riding the bow wave.

We disembark at Punta Espinoza, FERNANDINA, the youngest and most pristine Island found in Galapagos. Hundreds of marine iguanas, the largest colony in Galapagos, bask in the sun along the rugged shoreline. Observe sea lion harems with resident bulls carefully guarding their territory. Flightless Cormorants build their nest on the point and Galapagos Hawks fly overhead. Recent lava flows formed by an active volcano stretch their way around the coast. A snorkel here provides opportunities to see many sea turtles. (B,L,D)

This morning, stroll along the shore at Puerto Egas, SANTIAGO (James) looking for octopus, starfish and other sea life caught in the tide pools. At low tide, catch a glimpse of marine iguanas as they feed on exposed green algae. Watch for great blue herons, lava herons, American oystercatchers and yellow-crowned night herons. Our walk ends at the grottos, deep pools of clear water where we encounter fur sea lions once on the verge of extinction. Before returning to the yacht, there is a snorkeling opportunity with loads of tropical fish.

On Bartolome, it seems like we are walking on the moon. This young Island is inhospitable to most plants and animals. After a dry landing, climb 30 minutes up stairs leading to the summit of a once active volcano. Along the way, we pause to marvel at lava bombs, spatter cones and cinder cones. From the top of the wooden stairs, we can gaze out across the island for a panoramic view of the island and "Pinnacle Rock", an eroded tuff cone. Down below, crystal clear water is an invitation to snorkel with schools of tropical fish and Galapagos Penguins. On the other side of the Island, encounter sea turtles and white-tipped sharks. (B,L,D)

Friday is feeding day at the tortoise corals at the Charles Darwin Research Station. We visit all three tortoise corals and the breeding center with new hatchlings and miniature tortoises not yet ready to be repatriated. Scientists from all over the globe work at the station and conduct biological research from anatomy to zoology. We also visit the Van Straelen Hall where there are exhibits and a short video presentation. Visitors can now see the pen of Lonesome George, the last surviving member of the Pinta Island subspecies.

After lunch on board, we travel by bus to the highlands of SANTA CRUZ Island. The scenery gradually changes as we wind our way through all seven vegetation zones found in Galapagos. From June to January, we can find giant tortoises on a private farm in the highlands. We visit Los Gemelos, Spanish for “The Twins”, a pair of large pit craters where we find the bright red male vermilion flycatcher. We stop at "the tunnels", the largest lava tubes found in Galapagos. Stroll through the town of Puerto Ayora (population: 15,000) the largest town in the Galapagos. Buy souvenirs, mail postcards or kick back at an internet cafe in the social heart of the Islands. (B,L,D)

This morning, step onto Gardner Bay, ESPANOLA (HOOD). Walk along seemingly endless stretches of sandy beach where you’ll find large colonies of sea lions. There is no trail to follow so this is a chance to explore and you may find a Galapagos Hawk, Darwin’s Finches or Hood Mockingbird. Swim with sea lions from the beach. There’s an excellent snorkeling site off Gardner Islet with a colorful diversity of sea life near Gardner Islet and Tortuga Rock with caves covered with invertebrates.

This afternoon, we disembark at Punta Suarez, ESPANOLA, where we witness the highest rate of endemic species in Galapagos. Sea lions noisily green us as we land on their beach. Curious Hood mockingbirds peck at our shoelaces. From April to November, the waved albatross, found only on Espanola, perform their wild mating ritual. Colonies of blue-footed boobies engage in “sky-pointing” to show off for potential mates. Nazca (formerly masked) boobies busily care for their young. Stunning swallow-tailed gulls are the only nocturnal gulls in the world. Red-billed tropicbirds take shelter under the cliffs. We also find Darwin’s Finches, Galapagos Doves and Galapagos Hawks. Observe a unique specie of marine iguana identified with traces of red and green colorings. Colorful sally light-foot crabs crawl along the shoreline near to the famous "blow hole". This is the scene most people envision when they decide to visit Galapagos and is a glorious finale to your Galapagos cruise. (B,L,D)

This morning, we drop anchor in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, SAN CRISTOBAL. We visit the Interpretation Center opened in 1999. Here we gain a more complete understanding of the natural and human history of the Islands. Afterwards, we head straight to the airport for our flight back to the mainland. Upon arrival you will be met and privately transferred back to your hotel. Hotel Sebastian (B)

Note: Cruise itinerary may change depending on the particular yacht, flights, weather conditions, conservation emergencies or other factors. The above itinerary is based on the Eric/Flamingo/Letty. Please contact us for information on other itineraries.

Private transfer to the Quito airport for flight back to the USA. (B)

End of Trip

(Code: B-Breakfast; L-Lunch; D-Dinner)

Land Cost Includes:
• Accommodations for 11 nights in deluxe and first class hotels and a first class yacht
• All elective "soft" adventures (horseback riding, bicycling, hiking, snorkeling)
• Private touring with bilingual guides
• Choice of 1-2 supplemental lectures
• 28 meals (see itinerary)
• Private transfers and land transportation