Ecuador highlands tour & Galapagos cruise
This trip is run by a company which specialises in only Central and South America holidays. Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip and how many others are booked on it) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone, with your partner or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places, whilst being led by a knowledgeable and enthusiastic leader.
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
It is feared that tourism in the Galápagos Islands is putting the wildlife in danger. Park authorities have introduced strict measures limiting the number of visitors and ships and it is important to work with responsible companies who adhere to such measures, and go even further to ensure operations do not endanger this unique environment where species are unafraid of man. Our Galapagos operator has taken various measures to ensure the impact of visitors to the islands is kept to an absolute minimum – this includes using bio-degradable cleaning products, having a sewage plant on board the larger boats, water processing plants on board, strict briefings to guests about how to behave on the islands etc. Group sizes are kept small for excursions and the guides are well qualified naturalists, whose primary concern is for the sustainability of the islands.
Our yacht in the Galápagos is the Coral, a boat that has a history of strictly upholding the Galapagos Park rules which are designed to protect the natural resources and animals within the park. These include the prohibition of taking any flora from the islands, touching the animals and staying within carefully planned viewing areas and designated pathways. Before you set off on the cruise, the specialist guides will cover these aspects in detail and throughout the trip the passengers are sensitively reminded of these. The team on board also provides and recycles plastic bottles so that nothing need be disposed or left on the islands.
The Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) carries out scientific research and complementary actions with collaboration from local, national and international partners to conserve the Galápagos. Their focal point is the Charles Darwin Research Centre (CDRC) at Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. We will visit this centre as part of the tour and learn from the carefully laid out resources. It is possible to view and support the conservation and breeding of the unique species of Galápagos Tortoise, as well as learning in depth about Foundation’s work in conserving the island’s fragile natural resources.
Community
We believe it is important to include the Ecuadorian mainland on this itinerary. Too often visitors to the Galápagos bypass this beautiful country, thereby not bringing benefits of tourism to the mainland. By visiting small towns and markets such as Otavalo, Riobamba and Cuenca, our clients can directly buy handicrafts from the producers and money spent filters down through the local economy through our choice of hotels and local restaurants our tour leaders chose to take clients to.
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