~CulturalAdventures~ Tours for the Young At Heart

Ecuador Adventure: Galapagos & the Andes 2014 Escorted Trip

Click here to download Ecuador Adventure 2014 Itinerary

Cultural Adventures tours offer you the opportunity to learn about two different ecosystems, the Andes and the Galapagos, as part of a small group. You’ll enjoy select experiences away from the usual tourist sights during a visit that combines adventure with comfort. In the Galapagos the tour is land-based, providing a comfortable hotel each evening after a day of exploring the islands, viewing the incredible animals and birds, sailing, snorkeling and swimming. When you take a Cultural Adventures trip you are supporting local people who provide information and services.
- * Designed for travelers who want an active trip combined with an opportunity for independent exploration
  * Combine 8 days on the Galapagos with 5 days in the Andes
  * Travel with an escort who will provide valuable information and travel tips before and during the trip
  * Group size is limited to 12 or less
  
  Highlights:
  
  -Snorkel at Kicker Rock - view hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and red-billed tropicbirds
  -Hike to Sierra Negra volcano on Isle Isabela, the 2nd largest caldera in the world
  -Enjoy hiking & a visit to a hacienda in the Andes
  -Explore Cuenca the city of the artists and a UNESCO Historical site
Included: All hotels, flight from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos, land and sea transportation, tours, bikes, horses, snorkeling and kayaking equipment, airport transfer, escort, guides & 25 meals

International flight to Ecuador and the $100 Galapagos Park fee are not included.

Itinerary:

Sep 10 – Arrive in Guayaquil on your own. You'll be met at the airport and escorted to our hotel. Grand Hotel or equivalent.

Sept 11 - Fly to San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands - Our first activity is a seashore expedition to Loberia Beach to view
the marine iguanas that blend so well with the black, pitted lava coast. You'll also observe many sea birds, such as frigates
and boobies. And you'll have your first opportunity to snorkel with the sea lions! We'll end the day with a lobster seafood
grill welcome dinner as local musicians play for us. Casa Blanca or equivalent(B, L, D)

Sept 12 – San Cristobal - After breakfast, we'll hike up Frigate Hill to enjoy a magnificent harbor view. You can snorkel
before visiting the Interpretation Center to learn about the history, biology, and geology of the islands. After lunch at the
harbor, we'll cruise to Lobos Island and Kicker Rock to enjoy the colonies of sea lions, floating sea turtles and sea birds.
You'll have time to snorkel at Kicker Rock or to relax on the beach before we return to town. Casa Blanca or equivalent (B, L)

Sep 13 – San Cristobal – We'll begin the day with a visit to the Interpretation Center to learn about the history, biology, and geology of the islands. Next we'll walk up Frigate Hill to enjoy a magnificent harbor
view. There will be an opportunity to snorkel before returning to the hotel. This afternoon we'll tour the bay in a glass bottom boat to observe harbor activities, look for sea turtles and watch sea lions climb on to the
fishermen's boats. As local musicians perform, we'll enjoy a Galapagos lobster dinner. (B, D)

Sep 14 – Santa Cruz, Galapagos - This morning we sail to Santa Cruz
Island in order to visit the highlands. We'll walk through lava tunnels and among giant land tortoises. Also on the agenda is a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station where research focuses on how to preserve
the islands. The evening is free for you to explore the town of Puerto
Ayora. Casa de Judy or equivalent (B, L)

Sept 14 – Santa Cruz - Morning walk along a path through a cactus forest brings us to Tortuga Bay so we can enjoy a
beautiful, white sand beach with iguanas, pelicans, and flamingos. Swim, snorkel or just relax on the beach. Lunch on your
own. We'll take an afternoon harbor tour and explore some of the small inlets to observe the birds and animals close up.
Dinner together. Mainao Inn or equivalent (B, D)

Sep 15 – Santa Cruz – A morning walk along a path through a cactus forest brings us to Tortuga Bay so we can enjoy a beautiful, white sand
beach with iguanas, pelicans, and flamingos. Swim, snorkel or just relax
on the beach.

Sep 16 – Isla Isabela, Galapagos – Today we take a ferry to Isla Isabel where we'll hike to the wetlands. You'll have time to explore the
town and enjoy the beautiful sandy beach and swim or snorkel before
we meet for dinner. Hotel Sol or equivalent (B, D)

Sept 17 – Isla Isabela - A hike to Sierra Negra Volcano for a fantastic view of the second largest caldera in the world starts the day. We’ll hike for about 5 miles on a moderate-gradual uphill trail before enjoying lunch at the top. This afternoon we’ll take a dinghy tour to Tintoreras Inlet to see Galapagos penguins, the second smallest in the world, observe white tip sharks, marine iguanas, sea lions and boobies nesting. You’ll have a final chance to snorkel before dinner together at the beach. Hotel Sol or equivalent (B, L, D)

Sep 18 - Isla Isabela - This morning we'll take a dinghy tour to
Tintoreras Inlet to see Galapagos penguins, the second smallest in
the world, observe white tip sharks, marine iguanas, sea lions and
boobies nesting. You'll have a chance to snorkel before returning to the
hotel. After lunch you can visit the Tortoise Rearing Center and then walk
across the boardwalk to the beach passing by flamingos and iguanas feeding. (B, D)

Sept 19 - Cuenca - Today we return to the mainland of Ecuador and then fly to Cuenca, a city in the southern highlands of the Andes. You'll have a chance to unpack and relax before dinner. (B, D) Inca Real or equivalent

Sept 20 – Andes Horseback Riding – This morning you can walk around the farm and surrounding countryside, as well as take a few minutes to become acquainted with your horse for the ride. Once on the
horses, we will ride along countryside trails through indigenous and rivate
farming sites, areas of primary forest, the ancient Inca trail and small hidden villages. The old trails from the colonial era follow the top of the mountain ridge, providing amazing views from the saddle. Horses are professionally trained for any level of experience. Or you can choose to relax at the hacienda and enjoy the beautiful scenery. After enjoying a
wonderful lunch prepared with fresh farm ingredients we'll return to
Cuenca and our hotel. (B, L, D)

Sept 21 –Cuenca City Tour - Today we'll explore the charms of Cuenca
ending the day learning how Panama hats are made. Then you'll have time to enjoy Cuenca on your own. (B, L)

Sept 22 – El Cajas Park - After a thirty minute drive west from Cuenca
we arrive at El Cajas National Park, a paradise for hikers due to its cological conservation and natural beauty. Cajas is massive, covering over
70,000 acres with altitudes ranging from 10,000 to 14,500 feet. We'll begin with a moderate hike of about 2 hours around one of the 235 glacier lakes giving you a chance to admire the astounding diversity
of ecosystems. After a trout lunch at the park you'll hike for about an
hour in the lower cloud forest zone of the park, an area rich in plant life
and abundant in species of birds. (B, L)

Sept 23 – Home – You’ll have time before lunch to do some last minute shopping or to visit a museum. After lunch we’ll fly to Guayaquil where the trip will end. It will also be possible to fly to Quito, instead of Guayaquil, if you wish to visit that city before flying home. Fly home or begin an optional trip to the Amazon. (B)

Participant’s Background Information:

* US citizens do not need a visa to visit Ecuador.

* No immunizations are required for this trip.

* This is an active adventure. Participants must be in good health, mobile and able to participate in 2-5 hours of physical activity daily.

* Basic travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is mandatory – insurance to cover trip cancellation is highly recommended.

* Deposit of $750 will reserve your spot. Payment of the balance is due 60 days from deposit. Refunds, less $75, will be returned upon written request until June 10, 2014. After this date, no refunds of any type will be made.

For more information go to www.culturaladventures.info or contact Connie Champlin at 317-908-1220; cchamp@culturaladventures.info.