ECUADOR & GALAPAGOS
Straddling the Equator, the small country of Ecuador is the perfect place to discover the very essence of South America. With the beautiful colonial towns, Inca ruins and bustling Indian markets on the Andean Highlands, the amazing biodiversity of the Amazon basin and the unique wildlife of the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador is the ideal choice for the first time visitor and the South American 'aficionado' alike.
Quito
An important city in pre-Colombian times, Quito was the Northern capital of the Inca Empire. The colonial city was founded by Sebastian de Benalcázar in 1534 and the Spanish left a rich legacy of colonial churches and palatial buildings. Today Quito is a World Heritage Site that, against a stunning backdrop of towering snow-capped mountains, welcomes the world as Ecuador's getaway to the Andes, the Amazon and last but not least, the Galápagos Islands.
Indian Markets and Colonial Towns
The Andean Highlands of Ecuador are a region of outstanding natural beauty where fertile valleys nestle amongst mountain ranges that include two of the continuent's highest volcanoes, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. The region is home to Ecuador's famous Indian markets, such as Otavalo, a colourful bustle of commerce where visitors can witness and important aspect of local life and have the chance to purchase the country's renowned handicrafts. In the Southern highlands, the charming colonial town of Cuenca beckons with its cobblestoned streets, red tile roof and wrought iron balconies while nearby the Inca ruins at Ingapirca lie in witness to the region's important role in the Inca empire.
Amazonia
The biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest, the largest in the world, makes a trip to the jungle an unforgettable experience and Ecuador's Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve protects 603,000 hectares of forest, home to countless species of plants and animals. Visitors can explore the region's numerous ecosystems from the comfort of a number of rustic jungle lodges or by trekking through the jungle.
The Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands straddle the Equator 970 kms West of the Ecuadorean mainland. The archipelago of 18 islands and over 40 islets of volcanic origin was discovered in the 16th Century and is famous for the presence of unique species of wildlife that have evolved in isolation. It is this unique speciation that so fascinated Charles Darwin when he visited the islands on the Beagle in 1835 and which contributed substantially to the development of his theory of evolution. The animals of the islands; such as the famous Galapagos Tortoises, Marine Iguanas and Darwin’s Finches, have little fear of man and thus offer unrivalled opportunities for wildlife observation. The islands are reached by flights from the mainland and are best visited on cruise vessels that sail from Puerto Ayora.
Baltra (South
Seymour)
Located near Santa Cruz Island, Baltra is home to the airport to
which daily flights from the mainland arrive.
Bartolomé
(Bartholomew)
A small island
with a beautiful white sand beach where one can enjoy
snorkelling. From the island’s summit there are impressive
views of the volcanic formations that give it a moon-like
landscape.
Daphne
A large tuft
somewhat eroded by the action of the sea around its base and
lightly vegetated by sparse ground cover and some shrubs. Within
its two small craters can be seen thousands of blue footed
boobies (depending on season) making the island very attractive
for photographers. Nesting masked boobies on the craters' rims
and tropical birds which wheel overhead complete an almost
surreal setting.
Española (Hood)
In the rocky
point of Punta Suarez, the visitor will find the most impressive
and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galapagos. Other
principal attractions include the waved albatross (April to
December), blue-footed and masked boobies, marine iguanas and
mockingbirds as well as the famous 'Soplador' a blowhole where
water spouts 50-75 feet into the air.
Fernandina
(Narborough)
This island of
volcanic landscapes is renowned for its large colonies of marine
iguanas. The only visiting place, Punta Espinosa, is home to sea
lions, cormorants, pelicans and penguins.
Floreana (Santa
Maria - Charles)
The main
places of interest on this island are Punta Cormorant where one
of the Galapagos' best flamingo lagoons is found as well as the
Devil's Crown, ideal for snorkelling and admiring the coral and
marine life.
Genovesa (Tower)
Located at the
inner part of Darwin Bay, this island offers a variety of natural
attractions: blue and red-footed boobies, frigates, gulls,
tropical birds and sea lions.
Isabela (Albermarle)
The largest
island of the Galapagos with volcanic elevations such as the
Alcedo, Darwin, Wolf and Cerro Azul. Here you will find penguins,
pelicans, cormorants, boobies and flamingoes.
Plaza Sur (South
Plaza)
This narrow
islet has a very rich ecosystem inhabited by sea lions, land
iguanas, tropical birds, pelicans and sea swallows. The protected
rocky seashore is the prime habitat for a large colony of sea
lions.
Rabida (Jervis)
Covered by a
fascinating red sand beach, this island has a lagoon settled by
flamingoes, sea lions, pelicans, boobies and several species of
seabirds.
San Cristobal
(Chatham)
Home to the
Islands’ administrative capital as well as the El Jungo
Lagoon, at an altitude of 700 metres, one of the few permanent
bodies of fresh water in the Archipelago. The lake and
surroundings comprise a beautiful landscape typical of the humid
zone of the island.
Santa Cruz
(Indefatigable)
Home to the
Charles Darwin Research Station where visitors can observe the
giant tortoises for which the Galapagos are famous and learn
about the protection and conservation of the Islands. Other
attractions on the island are the Tunnels of Bellavista, Playa
Tortuga Bay and the Twin Craters as well as the port town of
Puerto Ayora with its shops and restaurants.
Santa Fe
(Barrington)
The main
attractions here are the extensive giant Opuntia cacti and Palo
Santo free forests. Among other natural beauties are the land
iguanas, sea turtles and sea lions.
Santiago (James)
The cliffs and
pinnacles which are home to hundreds of marine birds give this
island an extraordinarily beautiful landscape. Used by pirates
during the 17th and 18th centuries, the island is interesting for
watching sea iguanas, fur seals and sea lions.
Seymour
(North Seymour)
Here the
visitor will find blue-footed booby colonies when nesting
conditions are right and the largest colony of frigate birds in
the Galápagos.
Bespoke
Ecuador
Cruise
ships/Motor Yachts and Sailing boats Description and Programmes
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