Key Features
• Travel with tour leader Diego Torres on a tour he helped design (Jun & Sep tours only)
• Enjoy the birds & butterflies of the Ecuadorian cloud forest
• Experience the amazing & unique wildlife of Galapagos
Included
8nts hotel, 1nt simple hosteria, 4nts shared cabins on the Monserrat (or similar); 12 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 5 dinners included.
Transport
Coach/Train/Tourist-superior motor yacht/Flights as itinerary.
Group Size
Approx. 12 to 16.
Tour Staff
Diego Torres (Jun & Sep tours only) plus driver(s) on the mainland. Local Naturalist guide and boat crew only on Galapagos. December tour is led by another experienced tour leader.
Exploring the cloud forest
After spending a day discovering colonial Quito, Ecuador's lofty capital, we head down to the cloud forests of the Andean foothills. Here we spend time walking along forest trails spotting beautiful birds and butterflies for which the region is famous.
Equator and Otavalo Market
Heading over the Andes, we cross the Equator line, heading towards Otavalo. After exploring the famous market our next few days are spent travelling along the 'Avenue of the Volcanoes', visiting Andean villages such as Banos and Riobamba, walking in the area of Cotopaxi volcano and riding on the famous 'Devil's Nose Railway'.
Wildlife of the Galapagos
Continuing to the Galapagos, we spend 5 days (4 nights) aboard the M/Y Monserrat travelling in comfort amongst these remarkable isles. The landscape is fascinating; a wild moonscape of sharp black lava splashed with bright green foliage and strange plants providing a haven for many unique birds and beasts, including giant tortoises, flightless cormorants, marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies. It's little wonder that Charles Darwin described the islands as a living laboratory of evolution.
Comment
An excellent trip for wildlife enthusiasts and those who want to get a real taste of local Andean culture. Please note that the itinerary in the Galapagos can be changed at any time by the park authorities.