This adventure travel vacation in Ecuador, South America, combines two contrasting adventures during one spectacular vacation. It’s the BEST of Ecuador, from traveling Ecuador’s mainland and countryside and staying in historic Andean haciendas, to the Galapagos Islands, Charles Darwin’s “Enchanted Isles.”
Our Ecuador adventure begins in the Andean city of Quito, Ecuador’s beautiful capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit Ecuador’s highlands and archeological sites including “Avenue of the Volcanoes,” Cotopaxi National Park, and a shopping trip to the colorful Indian market at Otavalo. Our activities immerse us in the local culture as we hike, picnic, and enjoy the hospitality and charm of two of Ecuador’s most elegant haciendas, known for their excellent cuisine and majestic locations.
Then we fly to the Galapagos Islands for our NEW land-based Galapagos Islands exploration which provides us with an intimate look at what Darwin called “a little world within itself,” a place where an amazing assortment of unique Galapagos animals reign in a peaceable kingdom. The Galapagos Island archipelago is the greatest natural wildlife show on earth, and for our NEW Galapagos Islands land-based exploration with AdventureWomen, we stay in multiple lodges on multiple islands. This allows for more outdoor activities and greater flexibility than a Galapagos Islands cruise, superb sit-down meals on land, and more contact with the local Ecuadorian population, and all with less impact on the protected and unique Galapagos Island ecosystem.
On this Galapagos Islands adventure tour, you also have opportunities to play tag with sea lions and view dazzling tropical fish while snorkeling. Throughout our journey we are accompanied by a knowledgeable Galapagos-trained naturalist, an expert in all the aspects of this amazing corner of the world. Where else in the world can you find Antarctic fur seals living right on the equator and birds that swim but don’t fly? Or sunflowers growing to treetop heights? Imagine the unique species of Galapagos Island animals—iguanas, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises, and Galapagos penguins—many that have never learned to be afraid of humans. The opportunities for excellent Galapagos animal and landscape photography are simply awesome and unlimited