Ecuadorian Cloud Forests and Galápagos by Land and Sea

Upon arrival in Quito, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

This morning, depart for the forest reserves northwest of Quito. The drive takes you through Yanacocha and the Quinde Eco-route, one of the most important natural routes in the area. Arrive at Yanacocha, a moss-clad temperate forest and Polylepis woodland on the side of Volcán Pichincha, at an altitude of approximately 9,850 feet. Yanacocha is the last refuge of the emblematic bird of Quito, the critically endangered Black-breasted Puffleg. Andean flora, such as Bomarea, Centropogon, Fuchsia, Macleania, and Palicourea, is easily seen along the trails. Have lunch at the reserve before continuing through the eco-route. Visit Alambi Cloud Forest Reserve for hummingbird observation. The reserve sits over two major valleys and covers a large range of altitudes (4,750 to 7,210 feet) with several different flora and fauna habitats. Continue to your lodge for check-in, dinner, and overnight. Guided night hikes are available for those who are interested.

Continue exploring the beauty of the Ecuadorian cloud forest, considered one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. The region's pristine forests are noted for flora like orchids, tree ferns, bromeliads, mosses, and lichens, as well as a great diversity of butterflies, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and more than 450 bird species. Visit a private orchid garden, home to approximately 200 species of native orchids in an area of 2,300 square feet. Learn from the owners and family about their work and life in the cloud forests of Ecuador.

Today visit El Pahuma Orchid Reserve, a private, 1,600-acre reserve home to a multitude of epiphytes (air plants), including bromeliads, orchids, mosses, and ferns. El Pahuma is also a BirdLife International Important Bird Area (IBA), as the reserve's lush montane forests are home to many rare and endemic avian species. After lunch, return to Puembo, arriving in the late afternoon with time to relax this evening before your flight tomorrow to the Galápagos Islands.

This morning, head to the Quito International Airport for your flight to Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos. Upon arrival, you will be escorted to the VIP lounge to collect documents and luggage receipts as well as to assist with paperwork. Afterwards your bilingual naturalist guide will meet you and assist the group as you make your way across the Itabaca channel through to the lush highlands of Santa Cruz. Your first stop is at Los Gemelos ("The Twins"), two lava tunnels that formed massive sinkholes when they collapsed. The larger of the two is 2,300 feet deep and almost 1,300 feet wide. On a short hike around the rim, your guide will point out the birds of the endemic Scalesia forest, such as Galápagos Doves and up to eight species of Darwin's finches. Next, visit a Galápagos giant tortoise reserve. On the many trails of the highlands, including those around your accommodations, it's possible to see wild tortoises resting in ponds and slowly traversing the land. Also watch for the endemic subspecies of the Short-eared Owl; with luck, they can be spotted in the trees dotting the landscape. Elsewhere in the highlands are elaborate, underground lava tubes, created centuries ago by the Santa Cruz volcano. The tubes formed when the lava at the surface cooled, insulating the molten lava underneath. As the lava flowed, it left these tubes in its wake. Some of the tunnels on Santa Cruz go for miles and have chambers up to 60 feet high. Local folklore says that they were used by pirates as hideouts and to store supplies. Descend into the caves for a look into the island's formation, and follow a lit path with your guide through cavernous tunnels dating back at least 1 million years. The experience can be daunting in spots where the tubes get narrow, but it's a worthwhile trek into the geological past of the island. After stopping for lunch midway during the adventure, make your way to the camp. Enjoy a sunset cocktail on the deck and a four-course, tapas-inspired meal in the main lodge before retiring for the evening.

After breakfast, head to Puerto Ayora and board a boat to Santa Fe Island which is one of the oldest uninhabited islands in the archipelago. Disembark at Barrington Bay, walking past harems of sea lions to the trailhead which will take you through the endemic Opuntia cacti. This species of prickly pear cactus is not found anywhere else in the archipelago and can be identified by its much larger, broader trunk. There are only three species of land iguanas in the Galapagos and one of them can only be found in Santa Fe. The Conolophus pallidus (note the reference to its pale, creamy-yellow skin) is often spotted from the trails and can be seen all year round. Other species to look out for include the Santa Fe rice rat (also endemic to the island) and, if you’re lucky, the archipelago’s top avian predator, the Galapagos hawk. After exploring the island’s trails, the rest of the morning is reserved for snorkelling or relaxing on the boat. Friendly sea lions line the shores, often slipping into the waters to join snorkelers. Marine iguanas are also frequently seen basking on rocks or
darting past snorkelers under the water. After drying off and taking a final walk around the beach and nearby lagoons, board the boat and set sail back to camp, where sunset refreshments and a gourmet dinner await.

Located in the eastern highlands of Santa Cruz, Cerro Mesa is a private reserve rich in endemic flora and bird life, with mockingbirds, Short-eared Owls, and six subspecies of finches. The area is also home to a species of Galápagos tortoise that's endemic to this island. The trip is a short drive from the camp. In the morning, you can explore the various trails at the reserve. End the circuit at a viewpoint where you can look out over the lush landscape of Santa Cruz and the nearby islands on a clear day. After lunch, make your way to Garrapatero Beach, choosing to travel either by vehicle or a gentle, eight-mile bike ride. The striking contrasts of the black lava, white sand, and turquoise water of Garrapatero Beach catch many by surprise. Nearby, dense mangroves play host to all of the Galápagos ground finches, including the Common Cactus-Finch, which feeds off the Opuntia cacti that dot the trail on the 15-minute hike to the area. As the beach comes into sight, watch out for the Manzanillo trees along the path. The small apples on their branches are inviting but poisonous, and even the sap touching your skin can cause burns and rashes. Other creatures above and below the waterline include marine iguanas, sea lions, Blue-footed Boobies, rays, and sea turtles. Through the mangroves skirting the sand is a freshwater lagoon where you can often spot flamingos, White-cheeked Pintails, and Black-necked Stilts in the morning or late afternoon. Just past the tide pools on the beach, clear waters offer a secluded spot for swimming. Kayaking off the beach's shores in search of sea turtles can be arranged; this is a great way to actively explore the bay. On your way back to the camp, visit El Trapiche Ecológico, a working farm in the highlands that produces coffee and sugar cane liqueur. Learn about the different methods used to refine sugar cane, including the use of a mule-driven press. There is also a demonstration showing how artisan coffee is produced, from picking the berries to roasting the beans. As the day winds down, head back to the camp for a relaxing drink or dip in the pool before an inviting dinner and some independent stargazing if the night is clear.

After breakfast, head to the dock at Itabaca Channel and board a boat for a full-day excursion. Named after Sir Bartholomew James Sulivan, a naval officer on the HMS Beagle and a friend of Charles Darwin, Bartolome is a small island positioned just off the eastern coast of Santiago Island and takes just over two hours to reach by boat. After disembarking at a small dock, your guide will lead you up the unshaded wooden stairway that runs through ancient lava fields to the highest point on the island, stopping at observation points along the way. The spectacular view from the top is the most photographed in the islands and overlooks Pinnacle Rock, Sullivan Bay and the islands, Daphne Major and Minor towards the horizon. Pinnacle Rock is the eroded remains of a tuff cone, formed by phreatomagmatic eruptions (the interaction between rising magma and water). Its shape is also partly due to the US using it as a target practice during WWII. Upon returning to your boat, your Safari will continue to a snorkelling site where you will discover the colourful underwater world surrounding Bartolome. This is often a great spot to snorkel with Galapagos penguins, sea lions and rays. Please note that the exact location of the snorkelling tour varies depending on the day of the week, as per National Park regulations. Return to the boat for lunch before the leisurely cruise back to Itabaca Channel.

This morning is at leisure to relax, take a walk, or enjoy the sunrise from the camp's observatory before you depart to the airport for your flight back to Quito. Upon arrival, after collecting your luggage, you will be met and transferred to Rincón de Puembo for an early farewell dinner. For those departing this evening, you will be taken to the Quito International Airport for your flight(s) home.

This morning you will be transferred to the Quito International Airport for your flight(s) home.