Ecuador Wildlife Tour

Arrive Quito and check into hotel.

Overnight Comfortable Hotel

This morning we take a spectacular drive, dropping several thousand feet through the native cloud forest of the Western Andean slopes to reach the village of Mindo.  The settlement is surrounded by dairy farms and a unique cloud forest where much of the are has been set aside as a nature reserve.  This area is one of South America's most diverse places for birdlife with over 400 species and some amazing flora and fauna, beautiful waterfalls and pristine forest.  After lunch, in the afternoon we will take a bird watching walk to see ho wmany of the 400 species we can spot!

Overnight Standard Hosteria Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

An early start this morning gives us the best chance of spotting the rare and beautiful birds amongst the trees at a time when they are most active. We then leave Mindo and climb up into the Andes, driving via ‘the Middle of the World’, the point where the Equator cuts through Ecuador. Stopping here we visit the interesting Solar Museum ‘Inti nan’ with fascinating exhibits and explanations of the importance of Ecuador’s geographical location. We continue on to Otavalo, a small market town situated in a fertile valley surrounded by imposing sacred mountains.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we shall visit the colourful craft market of Otovalo where we can wander round the stalls looking at the different textiles many made with local plant dies. This is probably the best place to do some souvenir hunting, perhaps buying a locally made poncho to take home.  After the market we visit the environs around the town of Otovalo and near San Pablo lake we may get an opportunity to visit a bird rescue centre that particularly looks after Condors – the largest bird in the Andes. After lunch we visit the village of Peguche, where its local families are famous for their traditional Andean music, played using several different types of hand pipes. Later in the afternoon we return to Otavalo.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we visit Cuicocha crater lake (3,100m) and walk (1.5 hrs) through the alpine vegetation, surrounding a tranquil turquoise lake. Here we hope to see the ‘King of the Andes’, the wide-winged condor in graceful flight. We continue, via the dramatic Guayllabamba canyon, to Quito where we will enjoy a tour of the city. Ecuador’s mountain capital and the second highest capital in Latin America, Quito is one of South America’s most beautiful cities lying in a narrow valley at the foot of Pichincha volcano and surrounded by snow capped mountains and extinct volcanoes. This fascinating city has a blend of colonial architecture, with imposing churches and busy local markets. We will visit some of the main sites including Plaza de la Independencia, La Compañía church with its gilded altars, walls and ceilings, and San Francisco church, Quito’s largest. We also climb to the top of Cerro Panecillo for fantastic views of the city and the Andes. Later in the afternoon we continue on to our night stop near the settlement of Machachi, where we stay in a atmospheric family-run hosteria.

Overnight Standard Hosteria Included meals: Breakfast

Today we will drive into Cotopaxi National Park where we can see one of the world’s highest active volcanoes – Cotopaxi 5897m. We plan to take a walk around Limpiopungo (1.5 hrs), a glacial lake surrounded by flora and fauna of the páramo (high-altitude Andean grasslands). Then we head to our beautiful accommodation on the outskirts of Patate with fantastic views of the Tungurahua volcano

Overnight Standard Hosteria

Depending on the activity level of the Tungurahua volcano we hope to visit the town of Banos and take a dip in its thermal baths. Leaving Banos we travel via the Avenue of waterfalls where we will visit the Pailon del Diablo waterfall before continuing on to Riobamba where we spend the night.

NB If the volcano is erupting we will take an alternative route avoiding Banos.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Leaving early this morning we take the bus to Alausí and then the train on to Sibambe, inaccessible by road. The train is basically like a bus body mounted on rail wheels – this is currently the only way of travelling on the ‘Devil’s Nose’ route. This famous railway is a triumph of engineering. From Alausí the track drops 800m down a ridge and into the gorge of the Río Chanchán. This almost sheer descent, known as the ‘Devil’s Nose’, was achieved by building a series of switch backs, making it one of the most exciting train rides in the world. The train returns to Alausí where we rejoin our bus. Driving to Guayaquil, we follow the course of the gorge and then the terrain starts to level off into the plain of the fertile Guayas Valley. Here are fields of coffee, mangoes, bananas, cocoa, rice, sugar cane, pineapples and wetlands dotted with stilt houses. Finally we arrive at Guayaquil in the early evening. Should the train not operate, our journey to Guayaquil will be entirely by road.

Overnight Comfortable Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we fly from Guayaquil to Baltra Airport before where we board our vessel. This afternoon (pending no flight delays) we plan to visit Mosquera Islet, situated between North Seymour and Baltra Islands.  The islet consists of a long narrow stretch of white sands, rocks and tide pools and offers excellent first snorkelling opportunities. A stroll down the beach willl also enable those first glimpses of brown pelicans, blue footed boobies and sea lions.  Over the next week our vessel will travel from island to island, accompanied by a National Park guide. We sleep on board and mostly sail between islands at night, thus maximising the time on the islands. We spend a lot of time out in the sun so high factor sunscreen and a sunhat are essential; remember to keep your swimming costume and a towel handy. During the day we can stay out on deck, an ideal place to watch dolphins frolicking. Please note: this itinerary is subject to change depending on Galapagos Park Authorities.

Overnight Standard Cabin Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

During the previous night, the Monserat will sail to Isabela - Galapagos' largest island.  In th emorning we will visit Tintoreras Islet, located just a few minutes from Isabaela's dock.  As you walk the trail you should be able to see sea lions and marine iguanas on land, and also white tip reef shark and rays in the clear waters. After this, time permitting, we take to the highlands of Isabela to see the Sierra Negra Volcano, considered the oldest volcano on the island before returning to the Monserat for lunch.

In the afternoon we visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Centre to learn about the giant tortoise, their development and the Galapagos National Park's effort to increase tortoises population.

Overnight Standard Cabin Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning we will visit "Sombrero Chino" Islet, otherwise known as Chinese Hat.  A small islet located off the southern coast of Santiago island. The Sombrero Chino comprises of a tilted cone and lava flows that run down to the coast.  During this visit we will learn more of the geological features of the volcanic islands.  There will also be th eopportunity for snorkelling this morning to see the coral heads where the lava flows into the sea.

After lunch we visit Rabida Island.  With it's red sand beach and coastal lagoon, we will take a short trail to view the sea birds, pelicans and flamingos as well as a small colony of fur seals.

Overnight Standard Cabin Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning we visit Puerto Egas, a black sandy beach located at the west end of James Bay on Santiago Island. To the southern part of the beach you will find volcanic tuffa deposits, which is where the black sand comes from and the northern side there is a saltwater lagoon, which during the dry season turns into salt flats.

During the afternoon we visit Espumilla beach.  The main attractions here are the Palo Santo Forest, the landscape and the beach which is an important site for nesting turtles.  After this visit we will navigate out to Buccaneer Cove where th epirates used to anchor up in the protected bay to make repairs and stock up on tortoise meat.  Here the steep cliffs where hundreds of sea birds perch are a magnificent site.

Overnight Standard Cabin Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we visit North Seymour Island, taking a circular trail that leads through some of the largest and most active sea bird breeding colonies in the islands.  Frigate birds and blue footed boobies are th emain attractions here.

After lunch on board we take land transportation to visit the highlands of Santa Cruz and to view the Galapgos tortoises in their natural habitat.

Overnight Standard Cabin Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast this morning we visit South Plazas Island.  A dry landing on a small jetty takes you to a trail that runs through a landscape dotted with Opuntia Cactus.  Whilst walkign the trail you will sea multiple land iguana, sea lions and multiple different sea birds including swallow tailed gulls and blue footed boobies.

After lunch back on board the Monserrat we will visit Santa Fe Island home to endemic land iguanas and a sea lion colony that will happily accompany you as you snorkel.

Overnight Standard Cabin Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We visit Punta Pitt on the northeastern part of San Cristobel Island this morning.  Here we will find unique volcanic formations as well as nesting sites for all three species of the Galapagos boobies: Blue footed, Red footed and Nazca.  Punta Pitt is also home to the endemic lava lizard.

After lunch we head down to the western coast of San Cristobal to Isla Lobos (Sea Lion Island).  This island is located in a small channel off San Cristobel coastline and is home to a noisy population of frolicking and barking sea lions - a great place to snorkel with some interesting companions!

Overnight Standard Cabin Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning we visit the INterpretation Centre on San Cristobal where we can learn more about the Galapagos' history, geology, turbulent past and challenging future.  After the visit you will have some free time in the town before heading to San Cristobal airport and flying back to Guayaquil.

Overnight Comfortable Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

The tour ends in Guayaquil this morning after breakfast.

Included meals: Breakfast