Galapagos & Ecuador
The Enchanted Isles and Rainforests

Thursday 9 - Sunday 19 December 2010 (11 days)
Amazon extension to Friday 24 December 2010 (5 days)

Thursday 27 October - Sunday 6 November 2011 (11 days)
Cloudforest extension to Sunday 13 November 2011 (7 days)

The isles of the Galapagos are surely on every wildlife enthusiast's dream-list of places to visit. Join us for a cruise around these 'enchanted isles' on one of the best of the smaller vessels operating there. And why not combine this with a trip to the fabulous cloud-forests of the Andes, with a dazzling array of birds.



download a report of one of our previous trips to the Galapagos Islands Lying 600 miles away from the continent of South America, the remote isles of the Galapagos have played a central role in the history of man's ideas. Named "The Enchanted Isles" by the first sailors because of the mist that often hid them from sight, they have had a long history as a haven for both explorers and pirates. But it was Charles Darwin's observations of the relationships between the islands' species, inspiring one of the most revolutionary of scientific theories, that ultimately caused the human species to look at itself quite differently.

Today the scientific value of these isles in providing a natural laboratory of ecology and evolution is probably greater than ever. The Galapagos Islands are one of the most remarkable wildlife sites in the world. As well as their twenty-six endemic bird species and amazing seabird colonies, they have many unique creatures, including Giant Tortoises and Marine Iguanas. Formed by volcanic action, never joined to any continent, and still very isolated, these islands display a classic evolutionary history. Colonisation, almost at random, followed by the evolution of the few colonising species into a variety of often strangely adapted forms has produced an incredibly distinct and characteristic assemblage of life forms. The islands today form a fascinating but fragile evolutionary laboratory, and are still the subject of intense biological study. But it is probably the tameness and abundance of the birds and other wildlife that make the Galapagos uniquely attractive to anyone with an interest in the natural world.

Their position in the cold Humboldt current flowing north from the Antarctic, and bringing nutrients to the surface, make the surrounding waters rich in fish and plankton, and account for the huge numbers of seabirds here, including, amazingly on the equator, Galapagos Penguin. The underwater world is no less fascinating, and, although the water can be surprisingly cool, there will be several chances to snorkel over the reefs and submerged volcanoes around the Galapagos shores, looking at the enormous diversity of fish, including huge Manta Rays, sharks (including Scalloped Hammerhead), as well as turtles and some of the other abundant marine life.

To get the best out of our visit, we're opting to cruise around the islands on a small luxury motor-yacht, the Beluga. With just 16 passengers in double cabins, each equipped with private facilities, the yacht is fully air-conditioned (lovely when you come back in for lunch!) and has a nine-man crew. It is a longer boat than most of its class, and there is plenty of deck space for watching seabirds and marine life, also providing superb photographic opportunities. It is also one of the fastest, meaning less time spent travelling between the islands. Smaller yachts have much more flexibility than the larger vessels, and we'll be able to enjoy a really top quality experience during our voyage through the islands. Landings - some wet, some dry - will be made from small open 'pangas' or dinghies.

Our extensions take us to the Amazon (in 2010) and cloud forests and high altitude p‡ramo of the Andes (2011), for a feast of birdwatching, where we search for some fabulous birds including Andean Cock-of-the Rock, Andean Condor, Sword-billed Hummingbird and Torrent Ducks! Please note that we can also quote for tailor-made extensions and itineraries in Ecuador.

Prices:

Main tour £ 3,995

Single supp. (Quito only):
2010: £ 195
2011: £ 205

Single cabin supp.**:
2010: £ 1,345
2011: £ 1,445

Amazon extension
(2010): £ 1,395
Single supp.: £ 340

Cloudforest extension
(2011): £ 1,795
Single supp.: £ 275

Deposit: £ 500 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of economy scheduled return flights London-Quito*, internal flights to Galapagos, airport taxes, National Park entry tax, full board accommodation, road and boat transport as described, incidental tips and the services of the leader and local guides.

The price excludes travel insurance, optional tips to local guides, drivers and boat crew, drinks and other personal expenses.

*For an ex-international flight cost (starting and finishing in Quito), please deduct £ 645 per person from the tour cost.
**It may be possible to offer one or two cabins as singles subject to availability.

Tailor-made extensions
 If any clients would like to extend their stay with a trip to the cloud forests or to other places in Ecuador, we'd be happy to provide a quote.

Tailor-made Galapagos holidays
 We can provide tailor-made Galapagos holidays at almost any time of the year - please contact us to discuss details and prices.

Both trips will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Leaders: John Muddeman and local guides


the Galapagos Islands map

Outline Itinerary
Day 1 We take a scheduled flight from London to Quito, arriving in the evening. Overnight Quito
Days 2-8 We take a morning flight from Quito to the small island of Baltra in the Galapagos, where we board Cachalote, our boat that is to be our home for the next seven days. Seven nights Galapagos cruise
Day 9 We bid our farewells to the Enchanted Isles, and fly back to Quito. There should be time for a short city tour, before our farewell dinner at one of the city's fine Ecuadorian restaurants. Overnight Quito
Day 10 There is a chance to shop for local crafts near the hotel before departure to the airport after lunch. We depart on a scheduled flight returning to London, arriving on Day 11.
Amazon extension (2010) Superb birds and wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest
Days 10-13 We fly across the high eastern Andes, passing Cotopaxi, and descending into the vast green wilderness of Amazonia. From the airstrip at Coca a motorised canoe takes us for a two-hour trip along the Napo River, to Sacha Lodge. Four nights Sacha Lodge
Day 14 We return by canoe to Coca and fly back to Quito. Overnight Quito
Day 15 There is a chance to shop for local crafts near the hotel before departure to the airport after lunch. We depart on a scheduled flight returning to London, arriving on Day 16.
Ecuador Cloudforest extension (2011) Superb birdwatching in the Andean Cloud-forests
Days 10-12 Instead of flying home we drive north and head straight over the crest of the western Andes, stopping for lunch in temperate forest with a wonderful array of hummingbirds and tanagers amongst others. We continue down to the subtropical forest at about 1,200m. We continue to our lodge near Mindo. Three nights Mindo
Day 13 We drive south and then east over the high Andes, with time to look for the impressive Giant Hummingbird, and across the Papallacta pass. We spend one night at Guango, a small lodge with outstanding hummingbird feeders. Overnight Guango Lodge
Days 14-15 After a morning walk in the lodge grounds, we descend the eastern slopes of the Andes to Hacienda San Isidro. Two nights San Isidro Lodge
Day 16 After a final morning's birdwatching at San Isidro, we head back over the Papallacta pass, pausing again if we have time and then into Quito for our final night's stay. Overnight Quito
Day 17 There is a chance to shop for local crafts near the hotel before departure to the airport after lunch. We depart on a scheduled flight returning to London, arriving on Day 18.

Click here for a full, printable itinerary