THE NATURE CONSERVANCY - MAINLAND
ECUADOR & THE GALAPAGOS ITINERARY:
Saturday, July 12: USA or Canada/Quito, Ecuador
Your Galápagos adventure begins as you board your flight
from the USA to Ecuador's capital city, Quito. On arrival you
are met by an Abercrombie & Kent representative
and transferred to your hotel. Swissotel Quito
Sunday, July 13: Quito, Ecuador
Prior to your city tour of Quito, benefit from an exclusive
visit to the studio and art collection of Mr. Osvaldo Viteri -
one of the most outstanding artists in contemporary Ecuador, who
has taken part in more than 50 solo exhibitions and 120 shared
exhibitions, both within Ecuador and internationally. In
addition, Osvaldo owns one of the largest private collections of
colonial religious art, and during the visit, not only will you
witness these historic works from his collection, but also view
his own working studio.
You continue to the Old Town for lunch at the Theatrum
restaurant, located in the historic Sucre Theatrum. After lunch,
enjoy a tour of Colonial Quito, marvel at the ornate churches
such as the Cathedral, La Compańia de Jesus and San Francisco
and experience the city's rich history and local culture. The
churches - abounding with art treasures, fine woodcarvings and
altars of gold leaf - demonstrate why Ecuador's capital has
earned the designation of a world cultural site. Your welcome
dinner is at a fine local restaurant. Swissotel Quito B, L, D
Monday-Thursday, July 14-17: Quito/Baltra, the Galápagos/
Galápagos Cruise
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and fly to Baltra
in the Galápagos Islands, off Ecuador's coast in the Pacific.
'Beluga,' a 110-foot, fully air-conditioned motor yacht, is
waiting to welcome you aboard for the start of your four-night
cruise. The ship and her superlative crew host a maximum of 16
passengers in eight double staterooms, each with private
bathroom and shower. Wind and weather are always the final
decision-makers for any Galápagos cruise, but landings are
planned for the islands of Santa Cruz, Isabela, Fernandina,
Santiago and Bartolome.
Santa Cruz is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where
researchers are breeding the giant Galápagos tortoise and where
the Conservancy's expert will discuss the efforts of
conservationists throughout the islands to protect endemic
populations while combating invasive species. Take an
opportunity to explore the island and spot these famous
tortoises in the wild. Isabela is home to the small town of
Puerto Villamil, a perfect place for an island ramble. Nearby
saltwater lagoons boast flocks of flamingos and other
shorebirds. Offshore, look for whales, sea turtles and other
spectacular marine life. Fernandina's mangroves host one of the
largest colonies of marine iguana found in the world, in
addition to sea lion and flightless cormorant. Dramatic
volcanoes rise from the center of this tiny island.
Santiago has wonderful tidepools and underwater caverns, favored
by fur seal, sea lion and other marine creatures. The waters off
Bartolome are popular with Galápagos penguin; you have a chance
to go swimming here as well. MY 'Beluga' B, L, D
Friday, July 18: Galápagos Cruise/Baltra, the Galápagos/
Quito
After a final morning of exploration in the Galápagos,
return to the airport at Baltra to board a return flight to
Quito. After you transfer to the hotel, the afternoon is yours
to spend as you please. Swissotel Quito B, L
Saturday, July 19: Quito/Zuleta
After breakfast in the hotel, travel through dramatic
mountain landscapes dotted with tiny villages to the Otavalo
market. Then continue to Zuleta - a historic retreat in the
Andean cloud forest about two-and-ahalf hours northeast of
Quito. This adobe hacienda, built in 1691, is the centerpiece of
a 4,000-acre working farm that was once owned by two Ecuadorian
presidents and now passed down to their descendants.
After lunch at the hacienda, travel to the Condor Bioreserve, a
unique sanctuary for the planet's largest flying bird, spread
across six protected areas in the western Amazon basin. Hacienda
Zuleta B, L, D
Sunday, July 20: Zuleta/Oyacachi/Papallacta
Leave Zuleta this morning, driving past tiny villages and
fields en route to Papallacta, with excellent views of
snow-capped Cayambe Mountain, a glacial peak. Stop midday in
Oyacachi for a picnic lunch beside one of the region's beautiful
mountain lakes. On arrival, check into your hotel in the
Papallacta Thermal Springs area, with time to relax before
dinner tonight. Papallacta Lodge B, L, D
Monday, July 21: Papallacta/Quito
After a leisurely breakfast, relax in the volcanic hot
springs, whose sulfate alkaline waters are reputed to have
medicinal effects. The grounds of your resort are threaded with
nature paths, perfect for a post-dip ramble to see the local
fauna and flora, including the polylepis "paper tree" with its
unusuallytextured bark. Then depart for Quito, arriving in time
to do some last minute shopping before your farewell dinner.
Swissotel Quito B, D
Tuesday, July 22: Quito/USA or Canada
Transfer to the airport to board a homebound flight.
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