Ecuador & Galapagos Photographic Adventure

Upon your arrival at the airport in Quito, our personnel will welcome you and help you with your luggage to our private transport for a 30-minute drive to Hotel Sheraton Quito, located in the commercial heart of the city. Once in the hotel, we will rest after the long flight.

On day 2 we will have breakfast at the hotel and then do a photography workshop in the hotel facilities, before our first visit of the tour. After this, we will depart to the Middle of the World Citadel and Monument. A 30-meter-high monument is located at latitude 0º 0´0” and gives you the unusual opportunity of standing in both the north and south hemispheres at the same time while straddling the Equator. A replica Spanish Colonial village offers a leisure area, gift shops, and restaurants to one side of the monument. This site was highly significant for the ancient Andean people whose “cosmovision” worshipped the unity of cosmos, nature, and family many thousands of years ago. We will also visit the Intiñan Museum, dedicated to promoting and studying the nations that inhabited the Equator in the area. The museum also has several attractions, such as a totem forest, sundials, an example of a Shuar home, and many more.

3 nights’ accommodation at the Hotel Sheraton, Quito, with breakfasts included.

Today we will have a very early to get unique photo opportunities. We will depart from our hotel at 4:00 am to travel approximately 90 minutes to reach one of the summits of the Pichincha Volcano. Its eruptions have scared the city on more than one occasion, expelling gases and volcanic ash in each of its 12 documented eruptions, the first in 1555 and the last in 1999. Our transport will leave us at a small hut, from where a short walk of 5 to 10 minutes takes us to a magnificent natural viewpoint, the fourth summit of this Volcano, and from where we can observe this spectacular site and the landscape that surrounds it.

There is an altar for the Virgin of the Volcano on the summit, also known as the Virgin of La Merced, fervently adored by the populations closest to the Volcano. They assure that this effigy protects the city from new eruptions. From here, with a cup of hot coffee, we will observe how the sun rises little by little and illuminates all the peaks of the majestic Avenue of the Volcanoes. On clear days you can see the snowy peaks of the colossi of these mountain ranges: Cotopaxi, Cayambe, Chimborazo, or Illinizas, to name a few.

After this, we will return to the hotel for breakfast and have the rest of the day free to explore the city on our own.

After breakfast on day 4, we will make our way out of Quito, where the true length of the city reveals itself as it stretches down the valley below Pichincha volcano. Clouds fill the valleys like steaming cauldrons, and the Avenue of Volcanoes opens the way towards our next visit. Once in the Cotopaxi province, we will visit the town of Pujilí and its colorful market, which takes place every Wednesday. Pujilí means "The Toys Inn” and is one of the oldest populations of the province.

Most of the inhabitants of Pujilí are indigenous people that have lived here for many generations, so the local market still maintains a high degree of authenticity. The attendees start early in the morning to set the stands while using the time to gossip and socialize. During the fair, the most sold items are traditional agricultural products: potatoes, onions, mellocos (Ullucus tuberosus, an Andean tubercle), barley, beans, maize, and a variety of vegetables. All the stands are operated by the farmers themselves, who like to haggle for deals and guarantee the freshness of their products. On this market is also possible to find pottery and other clay handicrafts from the nearby town of La Victoria, our next stop.

In la Victoria, we will visit a pottery workshop, where one of the local artisans will show us his workshop and the process of working the clay. After this visit, we will continue to Hacienda El Porvenir for a spectacular sunset with the Cotopaxi and Rumiñahui volcanos as the backdrop.

1 night’s accommodation at Hacienda El Porvenir on a full-board basis.

We will enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hacienda and then head to our visit of the day: Cotopaxi National Park. Cotopaxi, the neck of the moon (in an ancient indigenous language, has an altitude of 5,898 meters above sea level and an almost perfect comic shape. It is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world and easily the most visited summit in Ecuador due to its easy access for amateur climbers and experts alike. Our drive through this National Park brings us out onto the plains of Laguna de Limpiopungo, a lake fed by water from the Rumiñahui volcano, which towers over it. It is thought that the Incan Rumiñahui hid his gold on the mountain, and many search parties have set out to find it, some never to be seen again. The park’s wildlife gathers at the water’s edge, where you can easily see ducks, swallows, frogs, and toads, and you may spot an eagle or maybe a great Andean Condor. If the sky is clear, we can catch beautiful views of Cotopaxi and the surrounding volcanoes: Rumiñahui, Sincholagua, Pasachoa, and - with luck - the elusive Antisana.

After this visit, we will continue our adventure, with a complete change of scenery and ecosystem, as we leave the altitude of the Andes and descend to the cloud forests. We will pass by the small towns of San Antonio de Pichincha and Calacalí. The road winds down some 1000m into the cloud forest of the western flanks of Pichincha. As we drive down, you can see how the vegetation becomes denser and the leaves of the plants and trees larger.

Once we arrive at the town of Mindo, we will check-in at Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge and rest for the evening.

One night’s accommodation at Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge on a full-board basis.

After breakfast at the Lodge, we will head to the town of Mindo for a walk in the cloud forest, which has more than 400 species of birds and the second-highest number of endemic species of butterfly in the country. We will take a hike in the cloud forest to reach a beautiful waterfall, keeping an eye out for exotic birds and mammals amongst the lush vegetation, and listen to the gentle background hum of life in this mega-diverse place. After this, we will visit the butterfly farm in the town, where it is possible to see many species and all the different phases of a butterfly’s life cycle.

We will then continue to the Pahuma reserve, located on the northwestern slopes of Pichincha Volcano. On the Reserve, we will have a little walk to appreciate the many epiphyte plants, like moss and bromeliads, and the over 270 species of orchids that grow in this forest.

We will then continue to Eurobulding hotel, near Quito’s airport, for a well-earned rest ahead of our early start the next day for the flight to the Galapagos Islands. Breakfast the following morning is included.

Your included early morning flight will take you from Quito the beautiful Galapagos Islands where you will arrive in Baltra. After arriving at Baltra airport, you will be greeted by a representative and then board a bus that will take us to the Highlands of Santa Cruz Island for our first visit in the Galapagos. The Highlands are lush and green in contrast to the arid coastal vegetation. The highland forests are dominated by the endemic Scalesia tree and are home to many bird species, including the short-ear owl. Here, we will have lunch at a local ranch while looking for the famous giant tortoises, which are in constant migration from the highlands to the coast. After lunch, we will head to Puerto Ayora for our second visit, the Fausto Llerena Tortoise Breeding Center.

In the breeding center, we will see tortoises from different islands. The animals are found in large seminatural pens for their protection, but also to ensure an easy view for the tourists. The pens are divided according to four different stages: eggs, neonates, juveniles (held here until they are mature enough to be "repatriated"), and adults.

In the late afternoon you will board the beautiful Mary Anne and settle into your home for the next 7 nights.

On the morning of day 8 we spend the day on Floreana, legendary homestead of infamous Baroness Eloise Von Wagner de Bousquet. Wet landing on to the olivine beaches of Punta Cormorant, where we will be seeking Greater Flamingos on the brackish lagoon on our way to another special beach with the finest sand you’ll set foot on, a sea turtle nesting ground where sharks and rays also visit regularly. We end the outing with a short panga ride to snorkel in the Devil’s Crown, an old volcanic crater and a key snorkeling site.

After lunch ,we will visit Post Office Bay (wet landing), where you can drop your postcards in the barrel as the whalers did centuries ago and select cards to hand deliver when you return home.

On the morning of day 9 we will visit Floreana Island´s Black Beach to learn about the intriguing human history of the island and its first inhabitants. We will visit this fresh water source known as Asilo de La Paz , as well as the caves that served as hideouts for pirates and where the first Galapegueño was born, according to the stories of Floreana, which involve the infamous Baroness Eloise Wagner von Bousquet and her lovers who mysteriously began to disappear after settling on the island.

After our visit, we will have the best opportunity for a not‐so‐common yet well-beloved activity in the archipelago, a full afternoon navigation to look for whales and dolphins. This afternoon is completed by the impressive landscapes of Isabela and the Cerro Azul volcano.

We arrive at Isabela, the largest island in the Galapagos. After breakfast, we step ashore at Punta Moreno (dry landing) on to a superb pahoehoe lava flow surrounded by giant shield volcanoes, some of which are still active! From here we will do a short hike to a lagoon where flamingos are usually present.

In the afternoon we disembark at Urbina Bay (wet landing) on to a black sand beach, a nesting site for green sea turtles. We take a brief hike inland in search of land iguanas and giant tortoises (seasonal) that migrate to and from the highlands. At the beach, we will admire the remains of a geological uplift exposing coral heads and marine fossils, and if the sea conditions and time are on our side, we will also snorkel in these waters.

In the AM we will have a dry landing near Tagus Cove, a historical pirate hideaway where names of countless ships are recorded for posterity on the cliff face. Hike through beautiful Galapagos landscapes to Darwin Lake, a salt‐water crater lagoon surrounded by tuff stone.

In the afternoon we cross Bolivar Channel to Fernandina Island, one of the world’s most pristine sites, and disembark (dry landing) at Punta Espinosa. Strolling along the shoreline, we will be on the lookout for flightless cormorants, Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos penguins and hawks, sooty‐colored marine iguanas and bright red‐orange Sally Lightfoot crabs.

In the morning at Puerto Egas (wet landing) we disembark on a dark sand volcanic beach with an interesting history of human settlement. Sleepy Galapagos fur seals lounge under arches of lava carved by the ocean and occasionally dip into the crystalline pools, also known as “grottos.” Walk along the shore and observe the abundant marine life.

The afternoon brings us to Buccaneer Cove where we will take a panga ride around the beautiful coastline. This place got its name because it used to be a refuge for British Buccaneers, which anchored here to collect supplies and clean their ships among other activities. The cove is very scenic with views of the cliffs and a dark beach. Do not forget to look for two unusual rock formations known as ‘the monk’ and ‘elephant rock.’ We head to central Santiago to disembark at Espumilla (wet landing), onto a golden‐colored sand beach, used by green sea turtles as a nesting site.

A forest trail will take us through some of the largest specimens of Palo Santo on the islands to observe yellow warblers, the amazing Galapagos flycatcher, and Darwin finches.

We head across to Sullivan Bay (dry landing) in Santiago to walk over a recent lava flow, including very fresh pahoehoe lava formations, lava bubbles containing crystallized minerals and pioneer plants. Along the shoreline, we may find Galapagos penguins and herons going after small fish.

In the afternoon we disembark on North Seymour(dry landing), a small uplifted island, where we will walk right up to bird nesting colonies of the two species of frigate birds, blue‐footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls, and experience, depending on the season, spectacular mating ritual displays.

Our last visit in the Galapagos will bring us to the small islet of Mosquera located between Baltra and North Seymour Islands and measuring about 160 meters across and 600 meters long. It is home to one of the largest sea lion colonies and is also a haven for shorebirds. Orcas occasionally come to the islet to feed on the sea lions.

After this visit, the ship will sail to Baltra where you will disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil back on the mainland.

Upon arrival in Guayaquil you will transfer to your included hotel to enjoy a farewell dinner with your tripmates.

1 night’s accommodation at Hotel Oro Verde Guayaquil with farewell dinner and breakfast included.

As your Ecuador and Galapagos tour comes to an end, a transfer will be provided today back to the airport.