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Home > Destinations > South
America > Ecuador > Ecuador Travel Adventure: Sweepstakes to the Andes, Amazon and Galapagos
Ecuador Travel Adventure: Sweepstakes to the Andes, Amazon and Galapagos
Wildland Adventures, in partnership with National Geographic Adventure Magazine and the Ecuador Tourism Board, is offering this Ecuador travel sweepstakes trip through the Andes, Amazon and Galapgos Islands. This Ecuador vacation features a blend of indigenous and Spanish culture in Quito, South America's oldest capitol city, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Ecuador adventure continues in the Amazon jungle for 4 days exploring the rainforest with naturalist guides and local Achuar indians. Voyage for 4 days through the Galapagos Islands--a showcase of evolution--aboard the luxurious, 100-passenger M/V Legend. Following in Darwin's wake on this Galapagos vacation, expert naturalist guides show you the unique behavioral and physical characteristics that plants and animals have developed as they evolve and adapt to each unique island habitat. Nowhere else on Earth can you observe, photograph and commune so closely with exotic and bizarre wildlife as you venture among cinder cones, lava flows, white and black sand beaches, rocky cliffs and shorelines of the archipelago.
DAY 1 : QUITO, ECUADOR
Airport reception and transfer to overnight at the Casa Aliso, a charming boutique hotel in the style and comfort of a small, luxurious home.
DAY 2 : NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER
Transfer to the Quito airport to begin your Ecudaor adventure with a short flight to Coca, an outpost on the Rio Napo in the Ecuador Amazon basin. A 2-hour motorized canoe ride takes you to Napo Wildlife Center's private dock where you have the option of a 2-hour hike through the rainforest to the lodge, or a 1 - 2-hour paddle by canoe through a meandering tributary. Arriving at the lodge, enjoy a welcome beverage and receive an orientation about the activities to come. Overnight Napo Wildlife Center. [BLD] Note: The flight to Coca is included.
DAYS 3-4 : NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER
Your naturalist guide accompanies you on a variety of local Ecuador adventure tours in this remote reserve exploring the rivers, lagoons and forests surrounding the lodge. Napo Wildlife Center occupies an 82-square-mile portion of Yasuni National Park. With 2 nearby parrot licks and a canopy tower, you have myriad opportunities to view some of the 550 species of birds, 11 primate species, and giant river otters. Overnight Napo Wildlife Center. [BLD]
DAY 5 : RETURN TO QUITO
Rise early today to paddle or hike back to the Rio Napo and return to Coca for your flight to Quito. Upon arrival, transfer into Quito for overnight at the Hacienda Rumiloma, a charming, romantic hacienda rustic luxury on the flank of the Volcano Pichincha overlooking the city. [B]
DAY 6 : QUITO
We begin our Ecuador vacation with a half-day city tour of colonial Quito, including the bustling Independence Plaza, the dazzling gold-leafed altars of La Compania Church, and the impressive San Francisco Church. Visit the Mitad del Mundo Equatorial marker and ethnographic village and museum. Afternoon and evening are free to explore this beautifully restored city with its busy pedestrian plazas, shops, coffee bars, pubs, and many excellent restaurants. Overnight Hacienda Rumiloma. [B]
DAY 7 : GALAPAGOS - BALTRA
Transfer to the airport for flight to Baltra in the Galapagos Islands. Passengers are picked up at the airport by our guides and taken to the pier to board the M/V Galapagos Legend. The M/V Legend is a 100-passenger, deluxe, fully air-conditioned cruise ship.
North Seymour/Dry landing. Guests will see swallow-tailed gulls and sea lions. This site is a major nesting colony of blue footed boobies, and has the largest colony of the magnificent frigate bird. Travelers will also see both marine iguanas and land iguanas and will have opportunities for snorkeling. Overnight on board in Superior Cabin. [BLD]
The M/V Galapagos Legend is a 100-passenger, deluxe, fully air-conditioned cruise ship. Includes 3 nights in a Superior Cabin carpeted and air-conditioned, featuring private bathrooms with ample hot and cold water, desks, 2 low beds, a safety deposit box, music, closed-circuit TV, air-conditioning, inter-cabin phones and 110/220 volt outlets. The superior cabins are located on the Sea Deck and on the Earth Deck; they have port holes with an ocean view, and provide easy access to public areas and the restaurant. There are always relaxing pursuits onboard, whether a game of chess, a spa treatment, enjoying the open-air Jacuzzi, reading a book or taking a nap on the extensive exterior decks that include a pool, observatory sun terrace and hammocks. Other facilities include an auditorium for conferences, spacious social areas, a dining room serving excellent cuisine, 24-hour coffee bar, and live music nightly in the piano lounge, cocktail bars and a long distance call facility.
All of the highly-qualified multi-lingual naturalist guides are certified by the Galapagos National Park. On visits to the islands, they will accompany you every step of the way, taking time to explain the highlights as you wander through this new and magical land. Every evening, these same guides will give you a lecture illustrated with multimedia presentation, imparting and sharing with you their knowledge of geology, history, evolution, flora and fauna of the islands. On board nights are magical, full of bright stars and countless constellations.
DAY 8 : SANTA CRUZ (DRAGON HILL OR VENICE)
On Santa Cruz island, after a wet landing, walk to a salt-water pond behind the beach where pink flamingos can occasionally be observed. This trail leads up to Dragon Hill offering a lovely view of the bay. This is a nesting site for reintroducing land iguanas, and there is also a Scalesia tree forest. We take a dinghy to Venice islet and observe the vegetation and marine animals like spotted eagle rays, golden rays, mullets, sharks and sea turtles. Land iguanas are often observed here as well.
Floreana (Cormorant Point)
Wet landing on a green-sand beach. Visitors hike from the black mangrove beds to a large, brackish lake, habitat for one of the largest greater flamingo populations in the Galapagos. The island is best known for its endemic plants like the Galapagos milkwort passion flower and button mangrove. Novice snorkelers explore the underwater world from the main beach, cavorting with the playful sea lions; experienced snorkelers can explore around Devil's Crown. Overnight on board in Superior Cabin. [BLD]
DAY 9 : ESPANOLA (SUREZ POINT)
Learn more about the lava terrain and cross the inactive lava fields. In addition to the sea lion colonies, this is a very important site for bird watching. Many species, such as the hooded mocking bird and red-billed tropic bird can be seen and observed closely. You will also see a large colony of marine iguanas, lava lizards, and Sally Lightfoot crabs. After a short hike, visitors will see colonies of masked and blue-footed boobies. Watch where you step; the nesting grounds sometimes overlap the trail! Visitors will also find Galapagos doves, hawks and swallow-tailed gulls and then reach the worlds largest colony of waved albatross. A major highlight is their mating season from May through December. You'll visit the famous blowhole, where water shoots approximately 23 m (75 ft) into the air.
San Cristobal (Interpretation Center or La Galapaguera)
Dry landing at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Passengers visit San Cristobal breeding center to learn about the National Parks breeding program with the giant tortoises and observe the animals in their natural environment. Overnight on board in Superior Cabin. [BLD]
DAY 10 : SANTA CRUZ (CARRIN POINT) - QUITO
During this visit you can snorkel and see a variety of fish, rays and perhaps the harmless white-tip reef sharks. From Punta Carrion the short navigation is through the beautiful turquoise waters of the Itabaca Channel. Disembark from the M/V Legend and transfer to the airport for your return flight to Quito. Transfer in to overnight at Hotel Le Parc, among the most cool and contemporary chic accommodations in Ecuador.
DAY 11 : QUITO - DEPARTURE
Transfer to the airport for return flight home or extend your trip (additional costs apply) to explore more of Ecuadors natural wonders. [B]
| - Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services - |
Days: 11 | Grade: I-II, Easy hikes, kayaking, snorkeling (click for grades definition) | | | | | 2009 Departure Dates | 2010 Departure Dates | | | Feb 13 - Dec 15, 2009
(Available upon request) | (Available upon request) |
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| | | Included: Services as specified in the itinerary above include accommodations; English-speaking certified naturalist guides; guided tours and excursions; airport-hotel transfers, in-country flights Quito-Galapagos and Quito-Coca round trip, land and sea transportation; meals as specified [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner]; services of in-bound land operator offices for airline reconfirmation; and tour operations and Wildland Adventures travel consultation and pre-departure services. | | | Not Included: ADDITONAL PER PERSON COSTS NOT INCLUDED:
GALAPAGOS NATIONAL PARK FEE $100
GALAPAGOS TRAVELERS TRANSIT CARD $10
FUEL SURCHARGE $90
PAYABLE IN ECUADOR:
ECUADOR DEPARTURE TAX (INTERNATIONAL)*SUBJECT TO CHANGE $41.80
Services unless specified otherwise in the itinerary above such as international air transportation; airport taxes; tips and gratuities; optional or suggested services that are on your own; insurance of any kind; personal expenses; extra beverages and alcoholic drinks; medical costs; and hospitalization and evacuation and any other extra expenses due to unanticipated changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond control. You will need to carry about $300-$500 extra cash (must be in US dollars cash, not travelers checks nor credit cards) to cover the fees, taxes, tips and meals not included in your itinerary. ATM machines are available in Quito. Currency in Ecuador is the US Dollar. Meals, souvenirs and other local and personal expenses not specified in the above itinerary are also not included. | | | Trip Notes: Trip must be used between February 1, 2009 February 1, 2010. Dates subject to availability so book as far in advance as possible for best choices. We reserve the right to change the order of the itinerary. Not available between December 18, 2009 January 3, 2010. Wildland Adventures, Inc. has arranged this sweepstakes trip utilizing the travel services of local in-country ground operators who are independent contractors. These local outfitters, lodges, hotels and other suppliers of your travel services will make every effort to conduct this trip as described in the itinerary. It is however possible that due to transportation schedule changes, weather, delays and unforeseeable acts of God, humans or nature, this itinerary may vary from what is described. Participants must assume all risks whether identified in advance or unforeseen. Extra costs due to unexpected changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control are not included. We highly recommend purchasing travelers insurance for trip delay, trip cancellation, baggage, accident or sickness. Representatives are available for assistance at any time during your trip. If preferred hotels are not available, every attempt will be made to reserve alternative accommodations of similar quality. (If upgrade is necessary, higher rates may apply.) All information and services provided are subject to our Reservation Form Terms and Conditions.
Advance visas are not required for American and Canadian citizens.
For Galapagos travelers, please note that due to weather conditions, vessel operation, and Galapagos Park management, cruise itineraries are subject to change.
We invite you to make an optional $25 per person contribution which we will donate to the Charles Darwin Foundation in your name for conservation of natural resources in Galapagos.
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