Top 10 volcanic sights in Ecuador

February 22, 2011 Helen | Comment (0)

Lonely Planet have put together a great article on the top 10 volcanic experiences in Ecuador. At number 1 they list Quito a city which is ideally situated for exploring the highlights of Ecuador, the city is currently located by an active volcano. Taking the tram up to 4000 meters you can be sure to spot some fascinating views.

Number 2 – Cotopaxi

Located in the Andes, the Cotopaxi volcano rises to a height of 19,347 feet above sea level. The Cotopaxi, which means “neck of the moon”, is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. With the last recorded eruption occurring as far back as 1904 the mountains are now very popular with climbers. Climbing the mountain takes about 6-7 hours and an incredible view can be enjoyed for those who manage to get to the top.

Number 3 – Salvador island’s lava fields

This location takes you to the Galapagos Salvador Island where you can find age-old lava crusted into shallow pools, caves and geological swirls. Stunning creatures like the lightfoot crabs populate the pools adding vibrant colour to the landscape.

Number 4 – Hot springs at Baños

Thermal pools in the jungle, Baños is the perfectly location to visit bathhouses to soothe in the most fresh health giving materials.

Number 5 - Quilotoa crater lake

Explore a bottomless crater as you look down from the watch tower or walk around the crater which is 6 hours walk in total. Canoe’s can be hired to explore the mouth of the volcano.

---

If you would like to read more you can visit the Lonely Planet website for the remaining five volcano highlights in Ecuador. You can also find out more about Ecuador the land of immense contrasts on our Ecuador holiday pages. Read This Post

Peru, Ecuador & Galapagos Islands updates

March 29, 2010 Fiona | Comment (0)

Hola everyone..

Some updates…

* Peru: Good news for Machu Picchu, the train service will start operations again on the 1st April. Hurray!!

 

* Ecuador: We have some excellent Galapagos Island cruise offers for this year, which is saving clients up to £750 per person. We only have certain dates available so it really is first come 1st served.

This year & 2011 are going to be big years for the Galapagos Islands as a huge change is due to be implemented from January 2012. The Galapagos National Park has issued a notice to all Galapagos operators informing that, as of January 1st, 2012 all Galapagos vessels must operate with 15-day/14-night itineraries, which can be cut into two 7-night itineraries or as two 6-day/5 night and one 5-day/4-night itinerary. The purpose of this measure is to re-arrange all itineraries in an orderly way, to control the number of persons visiting a determined visitor site at a given time. So basically a boat will only be able to visit a particular visitor site / island once every 2 weeks rather than every week as they currently do.
I urge anyone that is thinking of visiting the Galapagos Islands to do so sooner rather than later. 2011 rates are going to be higher than 2010, by approx 10% & discounts are not likely.

We also have some wonderful specialist Ecuador & Galapagos itineraries for clients interested in Geology & Photography. Here are the PDF details for each programme. Please do let me know if you would like full details.
Ecuador & Galapagos Geology Tour

Ecuador & Galapagos Photography Tour

Read This Post

Take Your Family on a Galapagos Cruise – Under 18′s Get 50% off with Worldwide Holidays

June 2, 2009 Fiona | Comments (3)

Worldwide Holidays is now taking bookings for special family cruises to the Galapagos departing in July. A 50% discount for children aged 6-18 now makes this adventure holiday of a lifetime more affordable. With the children’s Galapagos discount extended to include older children up to the age of 18, this makes for the perfect trip for families with older children too.

On these special Galapagos family tours, age-appropriate activities are scheduled for both teens and younger children. You will be snorkelling in a real sea aquarium and swim with playful sea lions and giant sea turtles. You will enjoy exciting Galapagos treks with experts while strolling by incredible and unique animals only found in the islands. And what better surroundings to learn about the evolution of the species while participating in the Young Pirates workshops led by specialist naturalist guides?

Read This Post

Cruise Galapagos on La Pinta

March 13, 2009 Fiona | Comment (0)

La Pinta is the newest boat to cruise the Galapagos Islands, with its arrival in March 2008. It is now the top boat sailing the waters, with wonderful guides & excellent accommodation. To celebrate the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin, there are now a number of special offers for a cruise on La Pinta or one of its sister yachts that sail around the Galapagos Islands.

Read This Post

Lonesome George of the Galapagos Islands ends his celibacy!

September 30, 2008 Sam | Comment (0)

Our recent ‘blog’ reported the excellent news about the Galapagos Islands, Lonesome George – a tortoise thought of for decades of being the last member of a virtually extinct species, possibly becoming a father – further news has been released regarding the finding of yet more eggs!

Park Wardens at Galapagos National Park have now found a second patch of eight eggs. These eggs are undergoing their incubation period at the Charles Darwin Research Station where conservationists explained…… “most eggs are incubated at a slightly warmer temperature to produce a higher rate of female off-spring (tortoises lack the gender gene and temperature determines length of incubation, which determines gender). This is critical to ensure a faster recovery of the population, currently with a single member – George. The females that have shared George’s home for many years now, belong to the closest species to the Pinta Tortoise”.

We wait further news from the Galapagos!

Read This Post

World Famous Tortoise-species lives on…..

September 1, 2008 Sam | Comment (0)

Great news from the Galapagos Islands – their oldest living resident, George the Tortoise is about to become a father! We recently received this press release from the Galapagos National Park.

“The world’s most famous tortoise, and the living symbol of the Galapagos National Park, has taken an important step into saving it’s species from imminent extinction.

A last member of its kind, a male tortoise was found alone on his home island Pinta in the early seventies. Soon brought to the safety of the Charles Darwin Research Station, and named Jorge, or George in English, by the park wardens that took care of him. The word soon spread that Lonesome George was a living extinction unless a female was found for him to reproduce.

Scientists have searched the Island Pinta, as well as any zoo or private collection worldwide for a partner for George. Hopes have, over the futile years, focused on the last resource to save his species. George should breed with the most similar tortoise species in Galapagos. For this purpose, George has been sharing his pen with two attractive females from island Isabela’s northernmost volcano Wolf, a race similar to George, both physically and genetically. Strangely, George has shown so far little if any attraction to these females, and hopes to save the species have again dropped systematically.

Until this week: National Park Authorities proudly announced the finding of the first fertile eggs laid in George’s pen. A new hope is standing high to save the rarest tortoise in the world from extinction”.

Watch this space for further news!!

Read This Post

Ecuador re-visited

June 2, 2008 Fiona | Comment (0)

I was all set for my return trip to Ecuador & to have a wonderful cruise in the Galapagos Islands in February. But unfortunately I had some bad news the day after I arrived in Quito I had to fly back to UK.

The exciting news is that in 2 weeks time I am going back to Ecuador & will also have a really special treat as I am having a 8 day / 7 night cruise on the newest boat sailing around the Galapagos Islands – the Yacht la Pinta www.yachtlapinta.com
I cannot wait!!. As it is always a good idea to arrive in Ecuador at least 2 days before the cruise I have time to visit the hot springs @ Papallacta & visit the hotel there. As if my trip was not already perfect I am also having a night @ the Finch Bay Hotel in Galapagos before my cruise starts..

I am flying with American Airlines, so it is a bit of a pain going through Miami but it does give me 2 duty free opportunities in both directions, so every cloud has a silver lining!! Also as I have traveled with American quite frequently I have enough miles to come back Miami to London in Business Class but of course they are not confirming that to me now as I guess they want to try & sell the seats @ the hugely expensive full price first!! Fingers crossed for my upgrade though as that would be an amazing end to what is going to be a wonderful trip.

I will obviously be adding a new blog after this trip, so watch this space!

Read This Post

Launch of ‘La Pinta’ in The Galapagos

May 1, 2008 | Comment (0)

February 2008 – the launch of “La Pinta” the newest yacht in the Galapagos Islands. What an honor to be on the launch of this lovely, luxurious ship as it left Guayaquil. La Pinta started service in the Galapagos in April of this year offering plush, luxury cabins, with all mod cons including ipods – which proved to be the perfect respite after a long day exploring! This yacht operates only on a 7 day cruise but I really would not want to get off any sooner!

After snorkeling with sea lions, sea turtles and penguins we than all returned to the ship to enjoy the last sunset and of course cocktails, when one of the naturalists spotted something in the water and we discovered to our amazement that we were in amongst a pod of 50 sperm whales. What a truly amazing experience, even all the naturalists on board were bowled over by this amazing sight as the pod were feeding and mating, breaching etc.

The Galapagos is one of the most amazing places on earth and has survived virtually untouched since Darwin’s discovery of the islands in 1835.. Our ground agents are in my opinion experts at making your visit the best, never to be forgotten experience.

Read This Post

Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands

October 28, 2006 Fiona | Comment (0)

The Land of Contrasts

My last visit to this remarkable country, Ecuador was in May, I decided to concentrate on exploring more of the mainland and uncovering some of this country’s undiscovered secrets.

The highlight of my visit was undoubtedly the markets, which can only be described as an explosion of colour. I can honestly say Ecuador’s flower markets are home to the most amazing roses I have ever seen.

During my visit I was continually impressed with the standard of accommodation available, ranging from large hotel chains through to the smaller locally owned operations ensuring that every visitor is catered for. My personal favourite was the small but ever so charming Hacienda called San Augustin del Callo, boasting incredible views of Cotopaxi Volcano and consisting of just eight rooms; the attention to detail is outstanding as each room is hand-painted with it’s own unique wall mural.

When visiting Ecuador I highly recommend staying in Cuenca, the cobbled streets and colonial architecture enhance this city’s beauty, as the production centre for Panama hats no visit would be complete without getting your own made as a souvenir to take home! The city of Guayaquil was a revelation, as Ecuador’s largest city my initial impression was that it would be characterless however I couldn’t have been more wrong, a city tour opened my eyes and transformed my opinion.

My trip ended with a visit to the Galapagos Islands which I would highly recommend as there truly is nowhere else on earth that offers such a unique experience and opportunity to view unique flora, fauna and wildlife.

Read This Post