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Ecuador Expedition Day 1 - Arrival Quito Upon arrival in Quito you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Rich in history, Quito is the second highest capital city in the world, founded in 1534 by Spanish Conquistador Sebastian de Benacazar. For nearly three centuries, the arts and intellectual societies flourished under Spanish colonial rule until 1809, when Quito established the first self-governing junta in the colonies. Liberator Simon Bolivar led the country as part of the Republic of Greater Colombia until 1830, when the Republic of Ecuador announced its independence with the adoption of the Constitution signed in Riobamba. Due to the city’s preservation of its blended past, UNESCO declared Quito one of the "world's cultural heritage sites" in 1978.
The remainder of your day is free to enjoy Quito at your leisure. Ecuador Expedition Day 2 - Quito This morning's sightseeing demonstrates some of the reasons why Ecuador's capital has earned its honor as a world cultural site. Marvel at the city’s ornate churches, cathedrals and baroque architecture, and experience a long history of local culture in Quito’s “Old Town” and in the San Francisco Church and Monastery. Rich in art treasures, fine woodcarvings and an altar of gold leaf, the church is an historical icon dedicated to Quito’s patron saint. You will be welcomed by spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and the city below before culminating your tour with a visit to the Equatorial monument - an irresistible opportunity to straddle both hemispheres.
During the City Tour of Quito we have organized have a ‘behind the scenes’ visit to the studio and art collection of Mr. Osvaldo Viteri - one of the most outstanding and most well known artists in contemporary Ecuador. During his illustrious career he has taken part in more than 50 solo exhibitions and over 120 shared exhibitions, both within Ecuador and internationally including London, Bonn, Venice, and numerous Latin American cities.In addition, Osvaldo is the owner of one of the largest private collections of colonial religious art. During your visit, you will tour historic works from his collection, and also visit his own working studio. Mrs. Viteri, your hostess, speaks perfect English, and will personally guide you around their home.
Ecuador Expedition - Logistics INCLUSIONS:
EXCLUSIONS:
Kapawi Lodge Please download a fact sheet about Kapawi Lodge 
Ecuador Expedition Day 10 - Quito / Galapagos / San Cristobal / Lobos Island This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Galapagos. Upon arrival in San Cristobal, you will visit the Lobos Island. LOBOS ISLAND Highlights: sea lions, Blue footed Boobies, and Great Frigatebirs.
INTERPRETATION CENTER Ecuador Expedition Day 11- Santa Fe Island / Caleta Tortuga Negra BARRINGTON ISLAND
Ecuador Expedition Day 12- Genovesa Island / Darwin bay / El Barranco TOWER ISLAND
Highlights: Swallow – tailed gulls, galapagos mockingbirds, Red Footed Boobies, sea lions, Lava gulls, frigate birds, Darwin Finches (large ground finch and large EL BARRANCO (Prince Phillip´s Step) The trail passes through of Palo Santo and Muyuyo trees, you also will see many Galapagos storm – petrels nesting in holes and flying all over. Short – eared owls can be seen if you are lucky, they actively hunt during the day for storm petrels and young red footed boobies. Highlights: Great frigatebirds, Red footed Boobies, Swallow tailed Gulls, Nazca Boobies, Galapagos storm – petrels, short – eared owls).
Ecuador Expedition Days 6-8 - Quito / Coca / Kapawi Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Coca (Kapawi). The Kapawi Project began in 1993. The goal was to commence a new trend in eco-tourism, in partnership with the OINAE, by providing a monthly means of economic support and jobs to the Achuar located in Kapawi as well as in other communities. In 15 years, all installations will belong entirely to the Achuar Indians. The lodge accommodates up to 40 visitors and was built in accordance to the Achuar concept of architecture (not a single nail was used!).
Environmentally friendly methods such as solar energy and trash recycling are also being utilized. Achuar is the name of one of the four groups of the linguistic family Jivaro, (Achuar, Shuar, Aguaruna and Huambisa). With a global population of about 80.000 people, the Jivaro group is by far the most important homogeneous culture on the Amazon Basin. Well known in the past for their internal wars, the Achuar live today in peace, mostly in small villages, a way of living suggested by the missionaries, wherein they obtain their products produced in small plots -"chacras"- and from hunting, fishing and gathering in the rain forest.
At the beginning of the 1970's the Achuar were the only Jivaros who had not suffered any loss of culture due to contact with the western world. Kapawi is a place of multiple choices and is characterized by its flexibility. In Kapawi you can do many activities. Most of the itineraries will include visits to the Achuar communities. You can share a day with Achuar families, hike in the rain forest, canoe in rivers and lakes, swim, watch piranias, pinks dolphins, see caimans and other animals of the area, as well as birdwatch 480 species of birds.
End of services at Kapawi Lodge. On arrival at Quito airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Ecuador Expedition Day 13 - Sullivan Bay / Bartolome Island SAN SALVADOR ISLAND Highlights: Pahoehoe lava field, reddish spatter cones hornitos.
BARTHOLOMEW ISLAND
Highlights: Galapagos penguins, sea lions, brown pelicans, sharks, Galapagos lava lizards, sea turtles. Ecuador Expedition Day 14 - Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Station / Baltra / Quito INDEFATIGABLE ISLAND Highlights: Giant tortoises, Lonesome George, Darwin Station exhibits, Opuntia Cactus, souvenirs shopping.
Flight to Baltra. On arrival, assistance at airport for your international departure flight.
Ecuador Expedition Day 3 - Quito / Cochasqui / Cotacachi This morning, drive north from Quito through dramatic mountain landscapes dotted with tiny villages, white churches and blue lakes, to Cochasqui, where the ruins of pre-Inca pyramids remain a testament to the religious ceremonies of Caranqui natives. Enjoy lunch at a charming country inn before continuing on to your resort.
Relax in an old‑fashioned atmosphere of Spanish haciendas, horse‑drawn carts, cobbled streets, and shady parks or enjoy the hotel’s many amenities – it’s an excellent time to choose one of the many optional spa services offered. During a visit to the famous market town of Otavalo, you will have the opportunity to visit Indian homes for a fascinating textile demonstration. Native weaving techniques are centuries old, are traditional to the area, and are known throughout South America for their quality. You will witness the entire process: from cleaning the wool, to spinning it, dying it, and watch how it is woven on the looms. No trip to Otavalo would be complete without the opportunity to go shopping as well, but this special experience offers a look behind the scenes of the textile products found in the marketplace. Ecuador Expedition Day 4 - Cotacachi / Peguche / Cotacachi Today, enjoy the famed local market villages, showcasing their acclaimed handicrafts. Visits include San Antonio de Ibarra, a nearby village famous for its woodcarvings; Ilumán, well known for its traditional felt Indian hats; Peguche, home of the Otavalo Indians and where the carpets and hangings at tomorrow’s market are made; and Cotacachi, renowned for its leather goods.
Your tour to Otavalo can be enhanced by visiting a primary school for children of Indian and Mestizo origin. The school is committed to make education accessible to every child regardless of his/her social, racial or economic background. (Available only Mon-Fri from October to June.) Ecuador Expedition Day 5 - Cotacachi / Cuicocha Lake / Otavalo / Quito Enjoy a short hike among the orchids at Cuicocha’s Crater Lake with beautiful views of volcanic peaks, before continuing on to Otavalo.
With a population of about 18,000, Otavalo is justly renowned for its friendly people and their market, a gathering that has occurred here since pre‑Incan times. Although native Ecuadorians meet in Otavalo to trade for animals, food and other essentials, you may be more interested in the wide selection of crafts on display. Otavaleños are the most prosperous Indian group in the country ‑ surely because their weavings, carpets, bread‑dough sculptures, colorful ponchos, Indian jewelry and needlework are so attractive! Arriving back in Quito later this afternoon, your evening is free to explore at your leisure.
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