Cloud Forest & Galapagos

Arrive Quito

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Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and taken to the lovely La Jimenita country house hotel, which is just 15 minute drive from the airport in Quito. A lovely peaceful place, with great access to the airport. Overnight.

Cloud Forest

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Where rainforests meet mountains, a type of ecosystem known as ‘cloud forests’ prevail. Swathed in cool mists that form as humid air rises from the lowlands and chills, the trees are shorter than in a rainforest but are smothered in greater numbers of epiphytes – plants that grow on plants. So rich is the profusion of plant life that cloud forest can seem lusher than rainforest. In under two hours drive from Quito the cloud forests of western slopes of the Ecuadorean Andes provide an excellent taste of pristine tropical forests with some of the best and easiest bird watching in the world (with beautiful tropical birds that thrill both the novice and experienced bird watches alike). You will be picked up from your hotel and driven down to Mindo and El Monte by one of our team of bilingual naturalist guides, who will truly help bring alive this amazing region you will be visiting. Your first stop will be at Alambi, a private reserve next to the river, chance for a hot drink and your first chance to see some of the beautiful birds from this area. From here you head onto Sachatamia lodge for lunch, this will give you an unrivalled opportunity to see some of the spectacular hummingbirds found in the region which gather at the feeders around the lodge. In the area around the lodge some 20 different species of hummingbird can be spotted on a single day. You then continue down towards Mindo, for those who would like to, you can also make a stop at the ‘Orchid Garden’ in the village which gives you a chance to see some of the beautiful orchids found in the cloud forest area. From here together with your guide you will then head down to Mindo your home for the night.

Cloud Forest

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You will have a full day and a half to explore the forest and the area, there is a lovely walk to a waterfall, a bioresearch station, nearby butterfly farm and along the river to name but a few. There is also the chance to organise in advance a visit to a Cock of the Rock lek for those who are interested. We will include a local English speaking guide to help ensure you get the very most out of your experience today. (B,L,D)

Cloud forest – Quito (La Jimenita)

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The morning to continue exploring, then after lunch you will be picked up by our driver and driven back to Quito. Overnight La Jimenita (B,L)

Galapagos Cruise

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On the morning of day 5 you will be picked up from the hotel by our guide and taken to Quito airport where you will take your flight out to Galapagos, where you will be met by your local guide and taken to board your yacht. Over the next 6 days you will cruise these remarkable islands on board one of our handpicked yachts.

Galapagos – Quito

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After your last morning visit in Galapagos, today you will take your flight back to mainland Ecuador, where you can either take your connecting flight back home or extend your journey further….