Ecuador: Quito, Cotopaxi and Galapagos Island Hopping 2017 1
Itinerary Day 1: Quito On arrival in Quito we will be met for a group transfer to our accommodation. On a clear day we should be greeted by the impressive sight of snowcapped Andean peaks in the distance. We stay at the heart of the colonial centre, the perfect location for exploring. Accommodation: Hotel Patio Andaluz (1 night) (Meals included: lunch and Day 2: Quito - Cotopaxi National Park Ecuador has history, fascinating indigenous cultures, lush tropical forests, spectacular snow-capped volcanoes and some of the most exciting wildlife on earth. You ll discover the World Heritage Site of Quito, the largest nature reserve of Cotopaxi National Park, and the volcanic island archipelago of the Galapagos. Located 600 miles west of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands were created five million years ago by undersea volcanic eruptions. Their most celebrated visitor was Charles Darwin, who arrived aboard the HMS Beagle in 1835. The rare lifeforms he encountered helped him formulate his theory of evolution. The fame of this theory highlighted internationally the need to preserve this area, now a national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a unique and unforgettable experience to stay on these islands, giving you the opportunity to experience the culture, as well as the wildlife, long after the day visitors have left. Morning visit to colonial Quito, a city of narrow cobbled streets lined with whitewashed walls and, rising above, the steeples and cupolas of the city s many spectacularly decorated historic churches. The city has one of the best preserved colonial centres in all South America and its integrity was assured in 1978 when the United Nations declared Quito a World Cultural Heritage Site. We ll walk through the Main Plaza, where you ll see the Government Palace, the Cathedral, and some of the most important churches built during the 16th and 17th centuries, including the monastery of San Francisco which was started 5 days after the founding of the city in 1534. 2
Then we will visit La Ronda Street, where we will learn about the traditional jobs in colonial Quito. At the end of the city tour we will visit the Panecillo hill, where we will be able to admire the famous Panecillo s virgin and spectacular views of Quito. After a delicious lunch in the old town, we will depart to Cotopaxi National Park. We ll break the journey with a walk along the Pita river canyon; the Pita river s source is the glacial meltwater of the giant of the park, the Cotopaxi. The walk will take about 1.5 hours and will explore waterfalls, look out for local birds, learn about plants and the incredible rock formation of this canyon. Continue the drive to Chilcabamba Lodge. Maximum Altitude: 3,470m. Walking time: 1.5 hours. Difficulty: Easy Accommodation at Chilcabamba Lodge (2 nights) Day 3: Cotopaxi National Park We will enter the northern getaway to Cotopaxi National Park (only 6kms from our lodge). Our first stop is Limpiopungo lagoon, located at 3,800m above sea level. It has many reeds in which you ll find nesting ducks, as well as Andean gulls and other birds that fly around the lagoon. A short easy walk around the lake will warm us up for a longer hike towards Rumiñahui Mount, named after a famous Inca general and known as the park s entry. This will take us right into the heart of the grasslands, passing small waterfalls before arriving at the stone plains. This walk highlights the grandeur of the Andes, offering you views over the eastern side of Sincholagua as well as Cotopaxi, the lord of the brilliant grassy foothills that never ceases to entrance hikers. Maximum altitude: 4,600m. Walking time: 4 hours. Difficulty Type of terrain: Grassland/ sand hills - Rocky / Moderate. Day 4: To Santa Cruz We take a morning flight to Baltra Island and transfer to Santa Cruz, to begin our exploration of the Galapagos Islands. Our first short walk is to the lava tunnels of Los Gemelos, a giant pair of volcanic craters. Afterwards we head to the highlands for a walk at El Chato Reserve. The walk will take approx 3.5 hours, and we should be able to spot some of the following: giant tortoises, short-eared owls, Darwin s finches, yellow warblers, Galápagos rails and paintbilled crakes. After lunch we ll travel to Puerto Ayora and check into our accommodation. Accommodation: Villa Laguna (1 night) 3
Day 5: To Floreana Early morning we take a stroll (1.5 miles/2.5km) to the spectacular white sand beach at Tortuga Bay where we can swim, snorkel, or walk on the beach amongst marine iguanas, and sea turtles. We visit the Charles Darwin Research Centre, where we learn about Darwin s theory of evolution. After an early lunch we drive to Puerto Ayora where our private speedboat waits to take us on a two hour journey to Floreana, also known as Santa Maria island. We check in at our lodge overlooking the Galapagos most beautiful and secluded bay. From here we take a short walk to La Loberia, a sea lion breeding ground, where we can snorkel or swim with sea turtles, sea lions, spectacular rays and lots of shimmering fishes. Accommodation: Floreana Lava Lodge (2 nights) Day 6: Exploring Floreana Today we explore Floreana s highlands in our characterful open-air bus. We learn about the island s wildlife and the colourful history of some of Floreana s first inhabitants. Upon reaching Asilo de la Paz (Peace Haven), we enjoy a walk which visits this historic site, pirate caves, and the freshwater spring that provides water for the entire island. Watch out for giant tortoises lumbering around in the vegetation or even on the trail. Leaving Asilo de Paz, we walk down through the fields to see how the locals cultivate their crops. Back at the coast we take time to watch the frigate birds who dance as they wash their salty wings in the fresh water. With a little bit of luck, we may be able to see the males puffing up the red pouches on their chests in an attempt to attract females. We continue by Chiva down towards Las Palmas. On the way we will have spectacular views of the shoreline, and we ll enjoy lunch. This afternoon we return to the lodge where there s free time to do a little more exploring, to snorkel or swim in the bay, or just relax in this stunning setting. (Meals included: breakfast, lunch, Day 7: To Isabela After an early start we enjoy our final exploration of Floreana. Our short journey to Cerro Allieri affords us far- 4
reaching views of the island, before we begin our walk exploring the area. The walk is approx 2 hours and introduces us to some of the endemic vegetation of the island. It s also a good place to spot Darwin finches, and among them, the medium tree finch, a critically endangered species. truly awesome sight. Our walk then takes us up to the crater of Sierra Negra, the second largest in the world, and then on to Volcán Chico (little volcano) at the eastern rim of the crater. We journey by boat to our next island, Isabela, where we ll have lunch. The journey will take approx 2 hours. Isabela is the largest, and arguably the most interesting of the islands in the Galapagos. Here you ll be able to get a close look at the very source of the spectacular history of the Galapagos visiting Sierra Negra, and its myriad of wildlife. After settling into our accommodation, we take a short walk (0.75 mile/1.2km) to the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre, passing three lagoons along the way where we re likely to see flamingos. Accommodation: Isamar Hotel (3 nights) Day 8: Sierra Negra Volcano Today it s time to stretch our legs. We visit Sierra Negra, the largest crater of all the Galapagos volcanoes, and a At Volcán Chico you can see in miniature the process that formed the Galapagos. Two recent eruptions have laid bare the geology of the islands: massive lava flows; small cones and miniature tunnels can all be easily viewed and explored. We picnic on the top of the volcano and enjoy truly spectacular views over the central and northern parts of Isabela, as well as Fernandina, Pinzón and Santa Cruz Islands before returning to our hotel. Day 9: Isabela - Shark Canal and Wall of Tears This morning we will head to the Tintoreras islands, a Galapagos in miniature. Here we ll see white tipped reef sharks, sea lions, turtles, rays and penguins. There s also the chance to snorkel in the clear, turquoise waters of the bay. 5
Extension Andes Lodge to Lodge trek Day 10: To Otavalo Upon reaching Quito you will be transferred to our accommodation in the Andes (approx 2 hrs drive) (1 night). If we ve time this afternoon, we ll take a guided walk to the Taxospamba waterfall After lunch we ll walk the Wetlands Trail on Isabela, through the mangroves and marine iguana colonies, to the Wall of Tears, built in the late 1940 s by WWII prisoners housed at the island s US base. These are the most extensive wetlands in the archipelago and have been recognized as a globally important site. Accommodation: Casa Mojanda, Otavalo (1 night) Casa Mojanda is an ecolodge which provides a fitting finale to your holiday and the staff here provide the perfect introduction to the warm and welcoming Andean culture. The accommodation looks out over snowcapped volcanoes and the Casa s lovingly kept gardens. It is at an altitude of 2943m above sea level. Day 10: To Quito Today we say goodbye to the Galapagos as we return by speedboat to Santa Cruz and a short journey across the Itabaca Channel returns us to Baltra for our flight back to Quito. This afternoon we have time to explore the city a little further, and to stock up on souvenirs before our final evening in Ecuador. Accommodation: Hotel Patio Andaluz (1 night) Day 11: Departure day Return flight back to the UK.. Day 11 Walks in the local area We walk down to Otavalo town to visit its food market. We will explore the market and learn about the different crops which are produced in the surrounding farmlands which we will be exploring today and tomorrow. We'll then visit the famous craft markets before our guide takes us on a fascinating tour of the nearby villages, introducing us to the local artisans and their methods of making the colourful textiles and crafts that you see displayed in the town. 6
This afternoon we'll explore a more rural area as we hike above these communities learning about smallscale agriculture, an important part of life in the valley. Meet people that continue to farm their land and learn about the products you saw earlier in the market, especially grain crops, like quinoa. The scenery is gorgeous and from this vantage point in the foothills of Imbabura, you can see all the places we hiked through in the morning. If it's a clear day you can even see Cotacachi Volcano. At the end of the trail, our supporting vehicle will be waiting for us for a quick transfer to the lodge, Sacha Ji. Accommodation: My Sacha Ji (1 night) Sacha Ji is a wellness and spa retreat built in a 100% sustainable fashion and offering the upmost in comfort. Sacha Ji s unique combination of scenic magnificence, personalized service, beautiful accommodations, delicious, fresh and healthy Ecuadorian gastronomy, along with an array of wellness, natural and cultural activities and experiences allow for much more than your usual tour or even special vacation. We highly recommend the Jacuzzi that overlooks the valley! Sacha Ji is at an altitude of 3938m above sea level. For November tours we will be staying at the Hacienda Cusin a restored, 17th Century colonial-style house with beamed ceilings and Andeanthemed décor. Day 12: Time with the Zuletenos An optional Yoga session (payable locally) an early breakfast and the morning is spent trekking through the communities of Zuleta. This agricultural area is famed for its traditional embroidery, dairy products, alpaca farming and highland crops such as wheat, maize, potatoes, lentils and quinoa. Zuletenos and Zuletenas are known to keep their culture and traditions - keep an eye out for the way the locals dress here and how different it is from the traditional Otavalo clothing. Lunch will be prepared in a local s home with a cooking lesson before we make our way back to Quito and our return flight home. (Breakfast and lunch included). Day 13 Arrive UK 7
Accommodation We stay in comfortable hotels of mainly 3-star standard, all with en-suite facilities and fantastic locations. All of the hotels have swimming pools. On the first and last night of the holiday, we stay in the colonial centre of Quito. Our accommodation is in the converted historic hacienda, Patio Andaluz, only two blocks away from the main plaza. Rooms are all en-suite and tastefully decorated in keeping with the building's colonial style. www.hotelpatioandaluz.com We spend 2 nights in the Chilcabamba eco-lodge, close to the Cotopaxi National Park. This hotel does not have a swimming pool but it does offer rustic charm and a cosy welcome. The lodge is situated at 11,400ft surrounded by higher volcanoes. http://chilcabamba. destinationecuador.com/ Our next island's accommodation is the Red Mangrove Lava Lodge (2 nights) on the island of Floreana. The accommodation is individual airconditioned cabins with en-suite bathrooms and their own private porches. http://floreanalavalodge. destinationecuador.com/index.html On Isabella, the final island of our holiday, we stay at the welcoming Isamar hotel (3 nights). This hotel is located on the beachfront in the sleepy fishing village of Puerto Villamil. Its location gives guests sweeping views of sandy beaches, swaying palm trees and boats bobbing on the water. Bedrooms are comfortable with mediterranean style decor, and are fully equipped with wifi, safety deposit box, air conditioning. Restaurant, bar are located right next to the hotel. Villa Laguna Hotel on the island of Santa Cruz (1 night) is our first hotel on the Galapagos Islands. This is a small hotel with comfortable modern rooms, offering us 3-star facilities, and an excellent introduction to the islands. www.villalaguna.com.ec 8
The chance to stay on the islands and experience island life is one of the many highlights of this holiday. Once the crowds of the cruise boats leave, we have the islands to ourselves. Almost all hotels have hairdryers. 9
Before your holiday Suggested Kit List Please try to keep luggage to a minimum as you will need to carry it yourself at airports and between your transport and your hotel. We hope you find this information comprehensive if not please visit our website for more details or contact us. All details correct at time of writing (Feb 2017). Passport and visa requirements are subject to change; please check with your consulate before you travel. We would advise that you check your government s travel advisory before travelling. For UK travellers, please check www.fco.gov.uk In all instances during your holiday, your first point of contact should be your HF Holidays leader or local leader. If for any reason this is not possible, HF Holidays emergency contact details are as follows: Mon - Fri 9am - 7pm Tel +44 (0)345 470 7558 or +44(0)20 8732 1250 ( from overseas) Fri - Mon 7pm - 9am Tel +44 (0)7918 737777 Airport parking and accommodation If you require airport parking or accommodation before your flight, we recommend our partner Holiday Extras. Call 0871 360 2750 and quote HX031 or book online at www.holidayextras.co.uk/hfholidays Walking boots (worn in) with good ankle support and spare bootlaces Walking socks Walking sandals Lightweight fleece Lightweight waterproof trousers and jacket Shorts Long trousers and long-sleeved light coloured shirts with collars to protect from the sun your clothing should ideally be pretreated with insect repellent and in-built sun protection (available from specialist clothing stores such as Rohan, Cotswold Outdoor) Warm fleece, hat and gloves Towel Head torch Sun hat Scarf/buff Comfortable clothes and shoes for evenings and sightseeing Sun protection sunglasses, high factor sunscreen and lip protection Water bottle at least 2 litre capacity Lightweight survival bag Small/medium rucksack (30 litre) a bin liner will keep contents dry if it rains Soap and hand sanitizer gel Insect repellent Universal adaptor plug Universal sink plug Personal first aid kit including: personal medication, tissues, 10
plasters, blister kit, painkillers, antiseptic wipes, Imodium, rehydration sachets Passport (and copies); booking confirmation; insurance cover note; HF Holidays registration form Optional: trekking poles, camera, umbrella, binoculars, swimming costume, snorkelling gear (also available locally) Please ensure you have access to emergency funds should you need them; carrying a credit card is probably the most convenient method. Please note that your HF Holidays leader reserves the right to refuse to take any guest on a walk should they consider that a lack of suitable clothing/footwear may affect safety. Baggage allowance 1 piece checked-in luggage (max 23kg) for your international flight. Domestic flights in Ecuador have a limit of 20kg total (checked baggage and hand luggage). Extra luggage can be left in Quito. Please check details of your airline s baggage allowance, as shown on your e-ticket. Remember to also check any connecting flights you may have booked. Passports & visas Passports must be valid for at least six months. Visas are not required for UK, Australian, Canadian, US passport holders. Other countries should consult the embassy for advice. Travel insurance If arranging your own travel insurance, please ensure it is adequate for your specific itinerary. This should cover walking at altitudes over 2,000m. Highest point on this tour is 4600m (Cotapaxi region) Health advice This is subject to change and we would highly recommend that you consult your doctor before travelling. For further information on country specific advice, visit www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.traveldoctor.co.uk Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Diphtheria vaccinations are recommended. Malaria, Rabies. If arriving into Ecuador from a country with endemic yellow fever you will be asked for a yellow fever certificate. Please consult your GP for up to date details. If you have recently travelled in Brazil, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, you must be vaccinated at least 10 days prior to entering Ecuador, and you must carry an International Yellow Fever Vaccination card at all times. The Ecuadorean Ministry of Tourism requires all travellers to the Galapagos to provide the following mandatory information before travelling to the islands: Blood type (if you don t already know your blood group you may have to pay for this information) Pre-existing medical conditions and/or allergies Emergency contact information 11
Medical/Holiday insurance information Advance Passenger Information Please note: the use or possession of some common prescription or overthe-counter medicines is banned in some countries. If you will be carrying medication, please check with the country s embassy/ consulate prior to travel. As an extra precaution: Keep your medication in its original packet Take a copy of your prescription too If possible, ask your chemist to write the name of your medication in the language of the country that you re visiting Dietary requirements Please contact us as far in advance as possible if you have any specific dietary requirements. We will do our best to accommodate you. If you require a specific meal on the flight, please let us know as soon as possible, and no later than 96 hours before travel. Travel tips for a comfortable flight We ve put together a few simple tips to help make your flight as comfortable as possible, ensuring you begin your holiday in tip-top shape. Move about. Change position and avoid crossing your legs. Immobility poses the greatest risk in the development of clotting disorders. Get out of your seat and walk around as regularly as possible to improve circulation No pills. Unless advised by your doctor, do not take sleeping tablets on the flight; this will reduce your mobility and make you feel sluggish Protect your ears. If you experience discomfort due to the cabin pressure changes, suck a sweet, chew, or hold your nostrils and gently blow through your nose; this should equalise the pressure. If you still experience problems, speak to a member of the cabin crew Drink plenty. Ask a member of the cabin crew if you are thirsty. Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee or carbonated drinks as these will dehydrate you. Instead, try to drink plenty of fruit juices or water Eat light. Avoid heavy meals and foods air expands at altitude and heavy meals will result in that bloated feeling Moisturise. Your skin, especially your lips and nostrils, may feel dry so moisturising creams may help. If you wear contact lenses, always carry your glasses with you, as your eyes may feel dryer than usual Stay loose. Wear loose fitting, comfortable shoes and clothes Flight socks are recommended to help prevent DVT on longhaul flights Lost/damaged luggage If your bag or its contents are damaged or lost while in the airline s care, this should be reported to the baggage service agents at the airport. They will assess the damage and in some cases the airline may decide to settle your claim immediately. You will be given a reference to quote to your insurance company if settlement cannot be reached. In many cases baggage 12
claims can only be accepted in writing. A baggage claim form must be obtained from the airport. HF Holidays with-flight guests For those travelling on our HF Holidays group flight, please proceed to the arrivals hall once you have passed through passport control, customs and baggage reclaim, when you arrive at your destination. Your local leader will assemble the group in the arrivals hall. Look out for the HF Holidays sign. Independent travellers If you are arriving ahead of the group, and are meeting them at the first hotel, please leave a message at the hotel reception for the HF Holidays leader or local leader, detailing your room number, and a mobile telephone number if possible. The leader will contact you once the group arrives. If you are arriving after the group, a message will be left for you at the hotel reception, welcoming you and giving details of the time and place to meet the group. If your flight arrives before the group flight and you would like to join the transfer to the first hotel, please contact our Abroad Administration team on (0)20 8732 1271. They will have a list of the relevant transfer costs. Safety on your holiday Once you have made your booking, you will receive a pre-holiday questionnaire where we ask for details of next of kin, and insurance details. We need to have this from you at least 4 weeks before travel. Please also inform us of any medical situation which may affect your enjoyment of the holiday Please listen to any safety instructions from the leader Keep group members in view, especially if weather or visibility is poor If you become separated from the group, please stay where you are, the leader will retrace their steps to find you Each leader carries a first aid kit but is not allowed to supply any medication including aspirin, paracetamol, antihistamines, and antiseptic cream. You may wish to bring these items with you In the unlikely event that your leader is incapacitated, please use any emergency kit in their rucksack and call emergency services on 911. Please then call our emergency number (see page 10) and let us know there is a problem. General health and safety: The sun is very strong in Ecuador, you are on the equator, please wear sun hats and strong factor suncream. If you plan to snorkel, wear a t-shirt for extra protection, and remember to use suncream on any exposed skin. Tipping Tips have been included in your holiday price for key services such as local guides/ driver/restaurants. Any additional tips are at your own discretion. Tips have not been included for the extension tour. Climate Ecuador s varied topography results in a variety of climate zones that are encountered on this holiday. Around Quito and the surrounding Andean peaks and valleys temperatures are 13
pleasant and spring-like year round, with temperatures dropping in the mountains at night. The Galapagos Islands experience hot days and nights, due to the proximity of the Equator, although showers and cloudy periods can sometimes occur. Local currency & money matters US Dollars (US$). Please take some cash in smaller notes (<U$20). Major credit/debit cards are accepted in most businesses. ATMs are available at most banks in urban areas. On the Galápagos Islands, currently only Mastercard is accepted. Cash withdrawals from ATMs should be done in Quito (Visa is most widely accepted). Traveller s cheques are not advised. Suggested reading and maps Lonely Planet Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands 2015 Julian & Daniel Fitter Wildlife of the Galapagos 2016 Maps can be obtained in advance from The Mapshop www.themapshop.co.uk Electricity 110V, North American 3 pin plugs (2 flat & 1 round pin) Group size Group size will be maximum 17 guests plus local guide/s Time difference Ecuador mainland GMT/UTC -5 hours, Galapagos GMT/UTC 6 hours HF Holidays Ltd, Catalyst House, Centennial Court, Elstree, Borehamwood, WD6 3SY, UK 14