|
Ecuador and Galapagos Sabbatical Description | Itinerary | Photo Gallery | Register Itinerary On this journey we will be working with the book A New Earth, Awakening to Your Life's Purpose and Destiny by Eckert Tolle. This conversation will be incorporated into our workshops and meditations. And also Perfect for the Galapagos the other book we will read is the Galapagos, The Islands That Changed the World by Paul D. Stewart.
Saturday, June 14 Arrive in Quito, Ecuador with the plan to arrive at your hotel sometime early or mid-day. Rest from your journey explore around the hotel area. Sunday, June 15 (B) Join the Quito Center of the World tour. The colonial legacy here is so well preserved that Quito has been designated a World Heritage Cultural site. The Architectural wonder of old churches, monasteries, and convents in the ornate colonial baroque will be highlighted on your morning city tour. You will also stop at the Equatorial Monument, a 90-ft stone block crowned with a metal globe. In the afternoon we will meditate in a local garden park and spend time with our travel journals writing out our deepest intentions. Monday, June 16 (B) After breakfast in we will travel to the colorful town of Otavalo, home to a tribe of indigenous crafts people, merchants, world travelers and accomplished musicians. The center of this thriving handicraft industry is surrounded by volcanoes and volcanic lakes. Otavalo is rich in cultural and natural wonders. After visiting San Antonio De Lbarra, known for its woodwork, we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch in a nearby historic colonial hacienda. In the afternoon, we’ll visit llumin, and indigenous community dedicated to felt hat production and famous for its traditional healers and shamans. Then we head to Ibarra, the nice capital of Imbabura province, with accommodation in a quaint Hosteria or Hacienda. Tuesday, June 17 (B) This three day trip to the Otavalo are allows time for guests to leisurely enjoy the many aspects of the excursion: its natural beauty, its ancestral culture and traditions, visit the craft centers for weavings, wood carving, leather goods, the fantastic crater-lake Cuicocha and an integration with the communities and the Otavalo people. This trip is designed for an in-depth and more relaxed experience of Imbabura, the Province of the Lakes and its many attractions: natural areas, landscapes, artisans, handicrafts, Indian culture in general, Haciendas and great gastronomy. In the afternoon, visit Cotacachi, dedicated to leather manufacture, where you will find an amazing quality at surprising prices. We then head up to Cuicocha, a beautiful lagoon located in a crater, with two small central islands in the middle, a spectacular setting. Here we can walk a while observing the particular species of orchids and varied flora that grow up to 3,220 meters above sea level. Then we head north to the Chota Valley, with its unique subtropical climate in the middle of the Andes, peopled by the descendants of African slaves known for keeping their culture handicrafts such as clay masks and for the cultivation of sugar cane. We will have accommodations in another quaint hosteria or hacienda.
Wednesday, June 18 (B) On our third day we visit Peguche, a small town famous for its wonderful textiles, where we visit with weavers at their looms and admire the local handicrafts; markets piled high with ponchos, woolen goods, tapestries, the original "Panama" hat, sweaters, Indian jewelry and many handicrafts. Lunch will be at another one of the beautiful haciendas or hosterías’ of the area. We will be enjoying the evening back in Quito where we will rest up for our flight to the Galapagos Islands. Thursday, June 19 (B, L, D) The next day we fly to Guayaquil to board the 100 passenger M/V Legend cruise ship. The Galapagos Legend is an expedition ship that blends in the fascinating landscapes of the Galapagos Islands with the ambience of comfort and safety of a cruise liner. The Galapagos Legend has spacious social areas that invite guests to relax and enjoy the magical realm created by nature, enriched by the sun and soothed by the sea breeze. The Galapagos Legend is a luxury class ship that is for those in search of making their precious leisure time unforgettable. The Galapagos Legend's five star rating and superbly trained crew is more than enough to make your trip to the Galapagos a journey that will remain with you for the rest of your life. Sunbathe on the sky deck by the pool or enjoy an exotic cocktail from the Fisherman's Bar. Broad observation decks will allow you to spot dolphin and whales as we smoothly navigate the rich Galapagos waters. Enjoy the freshly prepared international and Ecuadorian creations of the chef while dining al fresco under the sun or the moon and stars. In the evening the stage is set for our Neptune party to celebrate the crossing of the equator or take those tropical dance lessons you always wanted to learn. The Legend with top naturalist guides are from the Galapagos Islands and speak Spanish, English, French, Italian and German. Born and raised in this paradise, they know the habitat here like no other. The M/V Legend meets all international safety requirements required by Galapagos National Park and Ecuador’s Marine Authorities including conservation, navigation, equipment, security and technology. The process of evolution, the climate, the marine currents and the relative lack of predatory enemies made this archipelago one of the rarest and valuable places on the earth. In fact, the organisms that survived evolved and became the unique species that are found only in this place. Fearless blue-footed boobies share their territory with sea-lions, dolphins and penguins, while cactus spread from lunar-like surfaces among rare plants, some of them food for the world-famous Galapagos turtles who move among Palo Santo trees ant the pace of evolution. PM - Bartolome Island the mating and nesting site for Green Sea Turtles. You can also expect to find a breeding colony of Galapagos penguins. This is an ideal location for exploring the beach and the rich marine life by snorkeling or via a ride in a glass-bottom boat. This island is famous for its Pinnacle Rock, where sea lions and penguins can be seen. While on the southern side, there are nesting sea turtles (in season) some of which are wandering in the shallow waters near the shore line or resting on the sand. This beach is great for swimming, snorkeling; and close to the shore white-tipped reef sharks.
AM - Visit to Urbina Bay on Isabela Island The bay is a popular anchorage for boats, from which visitors may transfer to dinghies and ride around the surrounding cliffs-actually the interior walls of a fallen volcano and perhaps into the partly flooded cave. The area is also a rewarding scuba-diving site, its abundant ocean life the product of cool, nutrient-rich waters up welling off the volcano's steep submarine slopes. On the other side of the point is a secluded cove, accessible from the sea only through water-filled subterranean passages. Sea lions travel through these passageways and gather on the protected beaches of the hidden waters. Large numbers of blue-footed and masked boobies inhabit the point and the sheer cliffs, and flightless cormorants can be seen along the shoreline. PM – Visit to Espinosa point on Santiago Island (James Island) SATURDAY, June 21 (B, L, D) AM – Visit to Egas Port on Santiago Island one of the best sites is Puerto Egas, south of James Bay and the west side of Santiago. There is a long, lava shoreline where eroded rock formations, house an excellent variety of wildlife. Marine iguanas bask in the sun while land iguanas scatter around feeding on exposed algae. The tide pools contain many Sally Lightfoot crabs, which attract other types of hunters. Following the trail Fur seal lions are found. Puerto Egas is not only a good spot for taking pictures but also perfect for snorkeling and seeing many species of tropical fish. PM – Visit to Rabida Island with its red sandy beaches and a saltwater lagoon, the island is home to flamingos and sea lions, white-cheeked pintails, boobies and five species of finch. This is one of the best places to see pelicans nesting while sea lions haul out. Near the beach, there is a salt-water lagoon where flamingos and white-cheecked pintail ducks can be seen, although during the 1900's the flamingos have not been seen lately. There is a trail that will take you up to a volcanic peek covered with palo santo trees, from where the red color of the beach and volcanic formations can be appreciated. At the end of this trail there is an excellent snorkeling spot. SUNDAY, June 22 (B, L, D) Santa Cruz Island - Home to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park Service, here you can find a tortoise breeding center, flamingo, land iguanas, interesting vegetation and geography. AM - Visiting the famous Charles Darwin Research Station will be certainly a rewarding adventure for this morning's program Upon arrival, we proceed to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the rearing in captivity program for the famous giant tortoises. Here we will get to understand the conservation efforts promoted by this institution, and stroll among an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest where endemic land birds can be seen.
PM – Visit to the Highlands on Santa Cruz Island where we will take you into the higher elevations of Santa Cruz. Along the way you will experience all seven different vegetation zones. A visit to the tortoise reserve offers the opportunity to see tortoises in the wild. The Reserve is made up of tortoises that weigh 200 pounds and are as wild as they can get, so we will be careful. Because the reserve is not inside a regulated section of the park, you can go there without a guide. Hiking from Puerto Ayora to the Reserve takes about two hours through dense and low growing vegetation. To return you can rent a horse. Depending on the time you visit the highlands, you can watch red, orange and yellow little birds playing with the blooming flora, and harvest and eat tropical fruits. The highlands are located in the northern part of the island and can reach elevations up to 1500 meters. The vegetation here is abundant, lush and the weather moist. Monday, June 23, (B, L) AM - Visit to Bachas beach on Santa Cruz Island. The sand at Las Bachas is made of decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft, and a favorite site for nesting sea turtles. The Sally Lightfoot crabs are abundant on the lava rocks along the water's edge. These crabs will eat anything they can get their claws on. PM - Air transfer back to mainland This itinerary is subject to change. Details are being finalized and will be shared in detail before you deposit is completed. Sunday- June 24 (B) Return back to states leaving from Guayaquil Included in Services:
Not Included: Roundtrip airfare to and from Quito, Ecuador Meals and extra expenses mentioned in the program Gratuities to guides and crew members, gifts, personal expenses and travel insurance, etc.
Cost and deposits: $3195.00 - Save $200 if registration and deposit before January 31st $2995.00 Single Supplement $1295 Deposit: $600 plus travel insurance (if applicable) We will take Master Card, Visa and American Express so you can earn points. We will set up recurring payments each month on the charge card till paid in full. Final cost subject to slight changes due to any increases.
This itinerary is subject to change. Details are being finalized and will be shared in detail before your deposit is completed. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
