Our Galapagos itinerary…This is our daily itinerary during our Ecuador pilgrimage. Please see at the end of the itinerary my notes about packing, weather and other suggestions.
(bureaucratic disclosure d'rigere: as we are dealing with living creatures here, those of the human type and those of the non-human species, this itinerary is SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
1. Sunday April 19. Our first day together. Evening airport transfer from Quito Airport to San Jorge Eco-Lodge, overnight lodging San Jorge/Quito.
2. On Monday April 20, we will depart from Quito airport at 7:30 am with the first flight to the Galapagos Islands. We will land at the Baltra airport at 10:30 am Galapagos Pacific time. From Baltra we will take a 2 hours boat ride to our destination in the Island of Isabela. As we sail, we will observe many samples of the rich marine life that exists all around the 13 islands that make up the Galapagos. From the port of arrival in Isabela, we will take a ride to our Camping site, at Campo Duro in the Isla Isabela. After lunch, we will visit a special sector of the Isabela beach called Concha de Perla. At the site we can snorkel and observe several different species of fish. We can also swim with sea lions, iguanas, penguins and sea turtles and just be there at the magnificent beach. In the way back to our camp, we will pass through the flamingos lake. After supper, we can hike around the area and say hello to the giants tortoises in and around our camp. The nights are filled with starts and fireflies and the sounds of the living forest. The tents are over platforms and the bathrooms have all clean facilities, with hot and cold water showers. There are also natural showers under and around trees placed in private and discreet settings.
3. Tuesday April 21, after breakfast we will take a short sailing ride to the resting area of the tintoreras and the white fin sharks. This is also the nesting grounds for the marine iguanas, blue feet birds, penguins and sea lions. The flora around there is very unique. The area is like a lunar landscape made out of volcanic rocks. We can swim and snorkel there with the Galapagos turtles and the other marine animals. For lunch we will go to the fishing village of Puerto Villamil. After lunch we will visit the “Kotel HaGalapagi ☺”, or as the locals call it, the Muro de las Lagrimas, or the wall of tears. This trail will lead us through unique hiking areas surrounded by birds and local animals. We will return to the camp by way of the beach. After a good buffet supper, the town will be open for us for salsa and some of the local brews.
4. Wednesday April 22, we will leave after breakfast in three separate boats to sail towards the area known as the Lava Caves, at the other end of Isabela Island. An incredible biodiversity lives there. We will have lunch on the boats and we sail to different spots on the island. Inside the lava caves we will find rare birds and what locals refer to as a special energy emanating there from its unique nature. For supper we will organize a cookout and a bonfire and we’ll try to bring in some of the local culture of the islands.
5. Thursday April 23, we will leave early by boat to Santa Cruz Island and from there to the Baltra airport. We’ll have breakfast in Puerto Ayora and take our flight back to Quito. At the Quito airport, our friends form San Jorge Eco-Lodge will be waiting to bring us in for the start of the second fascinating leg of our pilgrimage. Night at San Jorge Eco-Lodge
6. Friday, April 24. From San Jorge to the Old Colonial Quito City. In the morning we will explore the Capital of Ecuador, considered part of the Cultural Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO. We will learn about the colonial art in the churches, history, archaeology and folklore in the museums. Our guide will provide complete information concerning the baroque colonial art. We will visit the most important areas: Plaza de la Independencia, Plaza San Francisco, Plaza Santo Domingo, La Merced, La Compania, Penecillo. Lunch at typical restaurant in Quito. Afternoon back to San Jorge to prepare for Shabbat. From 3:30 – 5:00 pm, we can hike at San Jorge Botanical Reserve (with Spanish speaking field guide) to point out suitable locations for our group gatherings at the reserve for the Shabbat and during the week.
7. Saturday April 25. Free Shabbat day at San Jorge. (note: Turkish bath, sauna, tempered water pool will be open and ready for use). Afternoon with a Taita (Shaman) (optional).
8. Sunday April 26 . Morning trip for Otavalo Indian Market (largest outdoors Indian market in Ecuador), (1:50 drive). Free time at market; 1:00 pm Lunch at traditional restaurant in Otavalo; return to San Jorge/Quito. Remainder of afternoon free at San Jorge eco-lodge.
9. Monday April 27. Travel to San Jorge de Tandayapa Hummingbird Reserve (Cloud Forest). Guided hiking nature tour with our bilingual guide. Exotic beautiful birds, panoramic views, hiking, wild surroundings, tropical plants/flowers, and exotic wildlife within the tropical world famous Cloud Forest. Lunch at the site’s bungalow watching the hummingbirds feed at their feeders. After lunch, we will continue on to San Jorge de Milpe Eco-Lodge; remainder of afternoon free; overnight San Jorge/Milpe
10. Tuesday April 28. At San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve (Subtropical Rain Forest) Guided hiking nature tour with our guide and swimming at the waterfalls. We will visit a wild virgin cloud forest around Pichincha Mountain and trek on great jungle trails inside a natural paradise, observing a variety of birds along the way, along with orchid observation, hummingbirds at their feeders, and bird observation on the site’s pre-Inka hillside. This is considered a bird watching paradise, of about 450 species; majestic waterfalls, wild surroundings, tropical plants/flowers/300 varieties of orchids, and exotic birds within our tropical reserve. Afternoon transfer to San Jorge/Quito.
11. Wednesday April 29. Final day together (sniff). AM transfer to Quito Airport for flight to USA.
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Here's some useful information about our stay in Ecuador.
1. The altitude range of "The Magic Birding & Hiking Circuit" (the
sites in Quito we will be hiking through) will vary from 3,000 -
13,200 feet OSL.
2. The flight to Galapagos is about 1:45 hours.
3. In terms of physical exertion: There is no mountain climbing at the
sites, although some of the trails are more strenuous on some days
than others. We should be walking in the range anywhere from 2-6
kilometers. In Galapagos we will swim and snorkel.
4. Suggested clothing and gear are as follows: Bathing suits.
hat, warm jacket, sweater, light rain jacket (for the cloud forest),
good walking shoes, sneakers, water shoes & swimsuit (for Milpe
waterfalls and also for the pool at the lodge and for the
beaches at Galapagos), warm sleep ware, plan to layer throughout the
day and be able to peel your clothing to coordinate with the
temperatures - evenings and mornings are brisk in Quito, warming up
throughout the day. Galapagos is in the Equator and therefore the weather
is tempered and stable. Bring a headlamp or flashlight, sunscreen, bug
repellent, sunglasses. Binoculars if you want to take advantage of the
incredible birding. Bring a back pack for the overnight at the San Jorge
de Tandayapa Eco-Lodge. Jeans are always useful, so are
shorts for the warmer hikes, and water shoes (like crocks).
5. General weather information: It is Ecuador located in the equator,
the middle of the planet, so the weather tends to be on the moderate
side pretty much most of the time.
6. About the water: Tap water should not be used for drinking. Bottled water will be
supplied on the tours and at San Jorge in the rooms.
7. The electrical current is the same as in the US but bring a 2 prong
adapter, as most sockets in Ecuador are 2 prongs.
8. Food: we will enjoy a varied choice of meals. If you need anything
in particular, just let me know in advance.
The key to remember is that during our pilgrimage, we will be in nature and
with animals, (marine animals, birds). Be ready for them
Hope all this helps. Please call me or write me back anytime.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
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