Ecuador 2011

For more information - see the photos and blog of the research trip.

There is a detailed itinerary and brochure now available.

The Galapagos Islands are the best known feature of Ecuador, but the country has much more to offer: The Andes are the backbone of the country and the volcanoes provide a great backdrop for cycle and walking trips. Further inland the mountains give way to the Amazon Basin with its jungles and rivers.
Ecuador is also a great introduction to Latin American culture. A relatively easy and very friendly country to travel in, it is hugely diverse and small enough to get around quickly.

This 23 day trip will include the following:

Galapagos Islands

Fly to the Galapagos and spend several days exploring by boat.  Expect to see iguanas, turtles, seals, blue footed boobies and lots lots more wildlife.

Amazon Jungle

Explore by dugout canoe.  Toucans, manatees, freshwater dolphins, turtles, tarantulas, macaws, cayman (crocs), monkeys, giant butterflies, piranha and much more. 

Chimborazo Mountain Biking

High altitude rides.  Begin at 5,000m and ride to the banana belt.

Culture and Crafts

Otavalo Markets, Quito and Mitad del Mundo (the equator), Cuenca heritage sites and Panama hat making are a few of the cultural and craft experiences of the region that we will sample.

 

Departure dates

Departs October 29th from Auckland, returning there on Monday 21 November (at 4:40am for anyone brave enough to work that day).

Challenge Level

This is a reasonably soft adventure (by Outdoor standards it's maybe 2 chillies out of 5) in terms of physical exertion.  Participants should be comfortable walking for several hours a day and will participate more fully in the trip more if they can cycle and snorkel.

Accommodation will be reasonably basic - two stars South American style.  So expect twin rooms, clean sheets, mosquito nets where required and the odd surprise.  Remember that Adventure can be described as "Outcome uncertain".

Culturally it's different enough to be really interesting - without being frighteningly challenging.

Tour Leaders

Frances and Hazel Bidmead will be leading the trip. 

Frances is a fit 54 and you are unlikely to notice her artificial hip.  While she has sailed to Antarctica and explored many parts of South America, she is the more responsible part of the Ross and Frances team. Besides being a capable tramper, she is an enthusiastic painter, enjoys craft markets and generally loves wildlife.

Hazel is 27 and has been closely involved with South America since she spent her 7th form there on an AFS exchange.  She lived and worked in an orphanage in Ecuador for 4 months before undertaking a reconnaissance of this trip with Frances.  Hazel is a very fit tramper and orienteer and capable circus trapeze performer. 

Ross is available to join a side trip if there are a group that want a bit more challenge.  He has madcap plans for balsa log rafting white water in the Amazon, crazy 4,000m descents on bikes (and ascents for the even crazier) and some good solid Andes snow tramps.

Tour Cost

The trip, including airfares from Auckland, all accommodation, most meals and activities and the Galapagos cruise is $8,000.  We are flying with Lan Chile (better than Aerolineas) and internal travel will be by private mini-bus and plane.  Excluded are the usual beverage and snacks and the US$100 Galapagos NP entrance fees, but in keeping with our tradition we have included all the costs we can rather than leave you constantly shelling out for extras.  So while the trip is a bit more expensive than we had hoped, it’s still remarkably competitive with the discounters, while still offering escorts (Frances and Hazel) from New Zealand.

Trip Get Together

The trip get together confirmed enthusiasm for the trip as planned.  The Galapagos were seen as a very important part with a strong desire to stay in better than broom cupboards.   We hope to confirm costs in November when flights can be booked and we will be recovered from Nepal. 

More Information

Email ross@outdoor.co.nz

Or see the photos and blog of the research trip.

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