| Ecuador Multi-sport: From the Andes to the Pacific |
| Location: |
Depart Quito Ecuador, return from Guayaquil, Ecuador or Quito |
| Trip Length: |
2-3 weeks of activities, in 3 segments |
| Activities: |
Day hikes, mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, rafting or tubing, swimming, optional horseback riding; optional surfing |
| Dates: |
November-December 2010--First segment: November 22-29th, 2010 Moderately strenuous hiking. Second segment: November 30-Dec 6th, 2010 Moderate-easy surf and yoga, hiking.
Third segment (Galapagos): December 7-15rd, 2010 Moderate-easy kayaking, hiking.
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| Price: |
$TBA USD from Quito, Ecuador |
| Rating: |
Moderate |
Ecuador is a country of astounding geographic variety within a relatively small area. Snow-capped volcanoes, lush valleys, cloud forest, the Amazon, Pacific beaches and the incomparable Galapagos Islands 600 miles from the mainland are all part of this amazing country.
This trip can be divided into three segments, and it is possible to do only two or three parts of the trip. The first segment will be a week of hiking and exploring the mountains and highlands, in particular some of the eco-reserves where we find amazing plant and bird diversity.
We may take a short backpacking trip in the Andes to the headwaters of the Amazon, passing through remote villages, and descending to the cloud forest to spectacular waterfalls. We visit local markets and tour the highlands, with options to mountain bike down one of the volcanoes, or go horseback riding.
The second part of the trip will be a week of swimming, hiking, optional surfing and yoga in a tropical paradise at a unique retreat on the Pacific Ocean (moderate-easy). This is our chance to relax and enjoy white sand beaches, warm water, and delicious tropical fruits! The week's activities are flexible, and allow for the opportunity to mountain bike, hike in the coastal dry forest, go SCUBA diving, sample the local seafood, and visit a nearby national park.
The final segment includes a week of sailing, kayaking, swimming and wildlife viewing in the Galapagos on a small boat (entirely chartered by our group). We sail and motor from island to island, stopping to hike on shore with an English-speaking Galapagos naturalist. We snorkel and swim with sea lions, paddle along mangrove inlets, and hike to see all the wonderful wildlife that is unique in the Galapagos.
Our trip is designed with the adventurous traveler in mind. This is not a pampered, 5-star hotel experience. We stay in small eco-hostels and hotels, and travel on the local buses. Our Galapagos trip is special, in that we travel on the smallest boat in the Galapagos fleet, a sailboat with berths for just 8-12 participants. On our trip you're on a guaranteed off-the-beaten path itinerary, with plenty of physical activity AND relaxation and some of the best quality food in the world!
