Galapagos Islands and Ecuador

The Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are quite unlike anywhere else; a superb wildlife showcase. One can get so close to all the creatures, in their hundreds as opposed to small numbers; see Albatrosses and their mating rituals; the spectacular dance of the Blue Footed Booby with chicks at various stages of the life cycle and impressive Fregate birds with their vibrant, inflated, pouches or sacs beneath their beaks. Nowhere else in the world offers such an unique ecosystem as the Galapagos Islands, where one can see the entire life cycle of birdlife, from eggs, to chicks, to fully grown, and in such close proximity.

There's just so much! Giant tortoises, turtles, Vermillion Oyster Catchers, Pelicans, the Galapagos Hawk, marine and land iguanas and, of course, adorable sea lions and their pups. There is the opportunity of swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving; playing with the sea lions; sailing with the dolphins and, possibly, catching a glimpse of whales, sharks and Sting and Manta-Rays.

We prefer to use the smaller boats which do not swamp the smaller islands with people when they arrive. These tend to feature very expert guides, many with Phd's in their respective fields, and (as one would expect) an excellent naturalist/client ratio. The Galapagos Islands are incredible and we usually tailor trips from 7 - 14 days. An hour's flight away lies the Amazon jungle, where you can visit the Cofan Indians, learning about their culture and medicines, and then there is Otavalo, an area that dates back to the pre-Inca period. Here there are some lovely haciendas with excellent riding, walking and general relaxing. Just outside Quito, the capital of Ecuador, there is a magnificent hacienda set in 20 acres of gardens and grounds where your days can be spent walking, exploring Quito, riding, visiting the local churches and the volcano Cotopaxi.