Galapagos Islands Cruises and Ecuador
Tailor-Made
South America Travel Centre is a sister company to Antarctica Travel Centre. For over 30 years South America Travel Centre has been tailoring bespoke itineraries for our Australian clients – including to the Galapagos Island and Ecuador. To assist in finding a Galapagos Cruise ship and itinerary that suit your needs we have now created a dedicated Galapagos Cruise Travel Centre site.
Combining an Antarctica voyage with the trip to the Galapagos Islands creates one of the best, and most diverse, holidays imaginable.
Ecuador probably has the greatest natural and cultural diversity of any South America country. Virgin rainforest reserves, stunning (and still active) volcanoes, riotously colourful Indian markets and a wonderfully preserved Spanish-colonial capital. It is also the gateway to the incredible Galapagos Islands.
A trip to the Galapagos is so many things rolled into one – a cruise, a relaxing holiday and, foremost, a wildlife extravaganza. It truly is the experience of a lifetime, not only for birdwatchers or wildlife obsessives but for every traveller who has any interest in seeing the incredibly diverse and often unique species of birds, reptiles and mammals. The isolation of the islands and the minimal contact with humans has made the wildlife almost totally unafraid and allows visitors to see them at closer quarters. For more information on Galapagos Islands voyages please visit www.galapagoscruisetravelcentre.com.au
HIGHLIGHTS
Galapagos Islands Cruise
The Galapagos Islands are a wildlife paradise. Many species have no fear of humans as a result it is usually possible to get close to them and to take amazing photographs (please always follow the parks guidelines as well as the instructions of your National Park guide). Quite recently the guides have come up with the ‘Galapagos Big 15’ – they are; 1. blue-footed booby, 2. red-footed booby, 3. Nazca booby, 4. flightless cormorant, 5. America flamingo, 6 & 7. Great & Magnificent frigate birds, 8. Galapagos Hawk, 9. land iguana, 10. marine iguana, 11. Santa Fe Iguana, 12. Galapagos penguin, 13. Galapagos sea lion, 14. Galapagos fur seal and last but not least the 15. Galapagos Giant tortoise. Then there are 13 species of Darwin’s finches and other birds species, too numerous to list here.
Most voyages over 5 nights in duration will see most of the above species. The more difficult (site dependent) species are; waved albatross, flightless cormorant, Santa Fe Iguana and Galapagos penguin. Please tell us if you have specific interests as we can ensure the selected voyage visits appropriate sites.
Ecuadorian Rainforest
Ecuador’s Amazon has the highest biodiversity of any part of the Amazon. Just as in Peru there are a number of fabulous eco-lodges; La Selva, Sacha and Napo Wildlife Centre are amongst the best. With Napo likely offering the best wildlife viewing opportunities. A wonderful alternative to a lodge stay is a voyage on-board the MV Anakonda; a luxury river cruise boat.
Cloud Forest – Ecuador
Ecuador’s Cloud Forest Reserves are within easy reach of Ecuador’s capital, Quito (which is also were most of the flight to the Galapagos Island depart from). Cloud forests are more about wonderful flora, in particular orchids, that love the damp atmosphere and spectacular birdlife, than monkeys and other larger animals more often found in the lower-lying rainforest areas.
Hummingbirds are prolific, as are many other species of birds including one of South America’s most colourful birds the cock-of-the-rock. There are a range of lodges, some quite simple, others offering luxury, like the exquisite Mashpi Lodge (a little over three hours drive from the capital, Quito).
Colonial Ecuador – Hacienda & Otavalo Market
Within 2 hours drive of Ecuador’s capital Quito there are several beautiful Hacienda’s; some are still working farms as well as having opened their doors for guests to stay. Hacienda Zuleta is one of our favourites, with a very good stable, a very interesting history and some magnificent walks in the grounds. A short distance from Zuleta is the small town of Otavalo where you can discover the various handicrafts unique to many of the small towns and villages spread across Andean foothills. The ‘Awakening Valley’ is home to the Otavalo Indians (Otavaleños) and you may spend the day at the famous Otavalo market, discovering wonderful textiles, native paintings, ceramics, leather goods, jewellery and tapestries.
A SELECTION OF PROPERTIES
Mashpi Cloud Forest Lodge
Mashpi Lodge is unique. It offers all travellers a window into a Cloud Forest Reserve whilst staying in a small boutique lodge with extremely comfortable rooms and gourmet cuisine. Activities offered, escorted by expert guides (often local guides trained by the lodge), include hikes along well made trails, sky-bike (where you pedal yourself through the canopy), a gondola (small cable car) with 9 towers, a butterfly house, a hummingbird experience and an observation tower.
Hacienda Zuleta
First Class
A colonial working farm of some 2,000 hectares, it dates from the late 16th century and for the past 100 years has belonged to the family of Mr. Galo Plaza Lasso, a former President of Ecuador.
You will be welcomed into the hacienda as a guest of the family and the charming rooms, each with its own fireplace and decorated with antiques and authentic family pictures, add to the feeling of being in a private home.
Aqua Mare
Luxury
As the first true superyacht in the Galapagos Islands, the 50m Aqua Mare takes an iconic once-in-a-lifetime adventure to the next level.
With her expansive size and world-class pedigree, she boasts 30 percent more indoor volume than most yachts her size, making her the perfect respite after active days exploring the remote wildlife and dynamic nature of the Archipelago. Exclusivity is combined with the most personalized service enabled by two naturalist guides for 16 guests, on top of the islands’ most exclusive one-to-one crew to guest ratio.
For more information on the ships and travel options we offer, call 1300 784 794 or email contact@antarcticatravelcentre.com.au