Ecuadorian Amazon and Highlands

September 24 to October 3, 2011

Preliminary Itinerary (subject to amendment)

Day 1 – Saturday, September 24, 2011 • Your journey begins as you board your American Airlines flight from home via Miami. • Upon arrival in the evening, you will be escorted to your elegant hotel which is located in the heart of historic “ Antigo” and surrounded by churches, museums and national monuments. • An official National Treasure, Patio Andaluz holds centuries of history within its walls and is a marvelous building of Colonial origin, which offers every visitor an experience not unlike turning back in time. It was part of the original Solaris (original building sites) that constituted the City of San Francisco of Quito at the time it was founded. • Enjoy the enchantment and comfort that this elegant boutique hotel offers, with large arches, balconies, and towering attics that gives the feeling of being in the republican era. The inviting guestrooms have hard wood floors, vaulted ceilings, original works of art and fresh picked flowers and feature colonial style headboards, armoires, Latin work desks with antique lamps, color televisions and large windows. Hotel amenities include a coffee shop, full gourmet restaurant, a Tapas wine bar, spa, gym and solarium. Hotel Patio Andaluz

Day 2 – Sunday, September 25, 2011 • This morning embark on a tour of Quito’s colonial quarter, the largest and best preserved of South America. • With over 400 years of history and a strong Spanish heritage, you will see sublime colonial flavor in the architectural masterpieces such as private buildings and mansions, the cloisters and churches, museums and public buildings. • The stroll starts at the Independence Plaza, flanked by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Palace and the Archbishop’s Palace. • Visit the temple of La Compaňia de Jesús and its awesome gilded interior. • Continue on to the Monastery of San Francisco, one of the great religious buildings of the New World, with its impressive façade and atrium that lead to its Baroque interior influenced by Moorish style, with the winged Virgin of Quito at its main altar. • Return to your hotel where the rest of the day and evening are at leisure. • This evening you will be treated to a lovely welcome dinner at the hotel. (B, D) Hotel Patio Andaluz

Day 3 – Monday, September 26, 2011 • Your journey to the Amazon basin begins with a 45 minute flight over the Andes Mountains from Quito, ’s capital, to Coca. • Here, a shaded motorized canoe awaits for a 50-mile, 2½ hour trip down the Napo River, a tributary of the Amazon itself. • Upon arrival at Sacha Lodge, the 5000-acre private reserve, take your first walk along a raised boardwalk through dense flooded palm forest where several species of monkeys are often sighted. • The path leads to Pilchicocha Lake, where dugout canoes await to cross you over to the Lodge. • After a welcome orientation briefing, you will be shown to your comfortable rooms, which provide 24-hour electricity, private bathrooms with hot water showers, ceiling fans and porches with hammocks overlooking the jungle. • Later, there is usually time to take a walk, swim, bird watch or visit a small lookout with a scenic view of the lake and cabins before sunset. (B, L, D) Sacha Lodge

Day 4 – Tuesday, September 27, 2011 • Guests at the lodge will be divided into small groups for activities, which will be led by both a native guide with expert knowledge of the rainforest’s medicinal and other useful plants, and a bilingual naturalist guide educated in the biology and ecology of the area. • Each group may decide on its own wake-up and breakfast time, as well as the difficulty and duration of their morning outings. • During the first morning you will follow trails through pristine terra firme forest, where 150-foot kapok trees tower above and roots form huge buttresses to give them support. • For the adventurous, it is also possible to follow a path along fallen tree trunks and a steel cable zip-line through rich swampland! • After lunch you may visit the lodge’s butterfly farm to see how these beautiful insects are bred and raised, and later be free to wander through “the flying room”, where hundreds of colorful butterflies including spectacular blue morphs flutter from flower to flower. • Later, paddle along an ancient oxbow lake hidden at the end of one of the forest trails, where luxuriant lianas, bromeliads and palm trees thrive. • After dark, you may search for caiman on the lake, or take a walk to experience the rainforest and its creatures after dark. (B, L, D) Sacha Lodge

Day 5 – Wednesday, September 28, 2011 • A must visit is made this morning to a 135-foot observation tower. Situated on a hill and constructed around a giant kapok tree for stability, this tower allows guests to climb into and above the rainforest canopy for a magnificent view of the surrounding area. This tower has been a faithful delight for birdwatchers, where specialist bird guides have on many occasions reported seeing over 80 species in a single morning. • Of the incredible 1,600 bird species registered in Ecuador, 587 (37%) have been seen at Sacha Lodge. That’s almost 7% of the species found in the entire world! Be it shortly after sunrise or before sunset, from the tower’s ample platform it is possible to observe toucans, parrots, and dozens of other colorful bird species in the treetops.

2 • Sacha’s bird list (including the south bank of the Napo) exceeds 500 species and boasts such specialties as Dugand’s Antwren, White-eared and Purplish Jacamars, White- chested Puffbird, Crested Eagle, Buckley’s Forest-Falcon, and Amazonian Umbrellabird. • Additional lures are Black-banded Crake, Scarlet-shouldered Parrotlet, Crested and several other owls, Scarlet-crowned Barbet, Orange-fronted Plushcrown, Parker’s Spinetail, Banded and White-plumed antbirds, Black-spotted Bare-eye, Striated Antthrush, Rusty-belted Tapaculo, Purple-throated, Plum-throated, and Spangled Cotingas, and Wire-tailed Manakin, all of which you can encountered during the tour. • The tower may be reached on foot via a half-hour walk through terra firme forest, which is an easy way to get there at or before sunrise. • You may also like a canoe trip to Pilchicocha Lake’s natural black water runoff to the Napo River. • In the afternoon make take some time to fish for the infamous razor-toothed piranha, and later follow strategically raised boardwalks through seasonally flooded forest where walking on the ground would be nearly impossible during most of the year. (B, L, D) Sacha Lodge

Days 6, 7, & 8 – Thursday, Friday, & Saturday, September 29 to October 1, 2011 • Return to Coca and depart on your flight to Quito. • Continue to South America’s most famous Indian fair, the Market, centered around 'Poncho Plaza'. • Over the next three days you will enjoy a relaxed experience at Imbabura, the Province of the Lakes, and its many attractions: natural areas, landscapes, artisans, handicrafts, Indian culture, Haciendas and great gastronomy. • As you drive north of Quito, you will s top in Calderón, a small town where dolls and handicrafts are made out of bread dough. • Continue along the valleys of Guayllabamba and Cayambe, with their dairy farms and rose plantations. • Arrive at Cusin, where you will spend the next three nights.

A memorable experience will be a visit to South America’s most famous Indian fair, the Otavalo Market, centered around 'Poncho Plaza'. The best day of the week to hit this famous and friendly corner of the Andes is Saturday – the biggest market day for visitors and locals alike, but a mini market is offered daily. All day long, the sounds of Andean pipe music, and Quechua, the native tongue derived from the Incan language, drift across the square. As you stroll the streets you'll find everything from sweaters to armadillo shell guitars, wall hangings to ceramic fried eggs, fresh produce to intricate jewelry. "Market Day" has been an essential part of the Ecuadorian life for centuries. The Indian's economic life relies very heavily on this tradition, and this is where they can exchange gossip and learn of important events.

Hacienda Cusin, a restored 17th century Andean estate at 8,500 feet is 90 minutes north of Quito and 20 minutes south from Otavalo. The Equatorial line and snow-capped Cayambe Mountain are 30 minutes away. Founded in 1602, Nicholas Millhouse, its owner in 1992, converted it into a pleasant country inn, with a wonderful garden and grounds. Many rooms are furnished with antiques. The surrounding mountains offer great horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and bird watching. Within a few miles from Hacienda Cusin there is a condor preserve, 1,200-year- old pyramids, artisan villages and historic, rooftop railroad ride into the Chota desert. The

3 leather-craft village of and wood-carving village of San Antonio de Ibarra are close by. In the surrounding areas it is possible to visit many types of craftsmen, from weavers to wood-carvers. Everything is well organized and there is a program of walks and rides that should keep you occupied for several days.

There are 25 cozy rooms, suites and cottages, all with fabulous garden and snow-capped mountain views. The individually styled rooms have log-burning fireplaces, high-beamed ceilings and fine Andean Craft furnishings. There is also a bar, dining room and two acres of beautiful gardens. (B, L, D daily) Hacienda Cusin

Day 9 – Sunday, October 2, 2011 • On your way back to Quito, you will visit Cuicocha Lake and the town of Cotacachi the center of Ecuador’s leather industry and the best place to purchase inexpensive leather goods. • Cuicocha Crater Lake lies at the foot of the extinct volcano Cotacachi (4,968) in the western cordillera in the province of Imbabura, north of Quito. This Crater Lake (very similar to Crater Lake in Oregon) boasts of islands in the middle, which are the remnants of lava domes from its days of volcanic activities. • The remainder of the day and evening is at your leisure in Quito. • Since this is a city that is best discovered on foot, you may want to amble around the streets built on a series of hills. You will pass a plethora of interesting sites including a crowded market sector with vendors all yelling for attention, various museums, parks, plazas as well as some glorious churches, cathedrals, historical buildings of architectural delight intermingled with narrow one way cobbled streets that are always congested with sights and sounds. (B) Hotel Patio Andaluz

Day 10 – Monday, October 3, 2011 • Return to Quito airport this morning for your flight back to the USA, bringing with you the memories of all the wonderful sights of Ecuador (B)

Trip Details • Duration: 10 days • Activity level: Moderately active • Cost: $3,795 per person, based on double occupancy • Single supplement: $995 per person • Deposit: $750 per person, payable to Classic Escapes

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The Galapagos Islands Optional Post-Tour Extension

October 3 to 8, 2011

Preliminary Itinerary (subject to amendment)

Day 10 – Monday, October 3, 2011 • In the morning you will be escorted to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands, where you will meet up with your cruise.

On land and in the sea, the Galapagos Islands give the impression of a diabolic Garden of Eden. The islands' tumultuous volcanic history of scorched earth and fiery flows are evident the moment you arrive. Inhospitable. Uninhabitable. Tortured. These are the adjectives inspired by the lava-seascape. But look closer... this seemingly Spartan landscape is in fact teeming with life – the first of the Galapagos' many contradictions. Suddenly you realize that what you thought was a rock is in fact a sun-seeking iguana! And to add to your surprise, it doesn't seem the least bit perturbed by your intrusive gaze... another Galapagos contradiction. Due to their long history of isolation from humans, both land and sea animals remain virtually fearless and unaffected by visitors. This is the land that Charles Darwin visited as a naturalist on board the HMS Beagle, which was bound on a long scientific survey expedition to South America and the South Seas (1831-36). His zoological and geological discoveries on the voyage resulted in numerous important publications, and formed the basis of his theories on evolution.

For the next five days, you will bear witness to our planet's most captivating wildlife; for example, their namesake, the 600-pound tortoises, which in the Spanish language, are called Galapagos. You'll be mesmerized by the awe-inspiring landscapes and misty volcanic peaks. The underwater world is equally enchanting. Upon arrival, your crew is waiting to escort you to your anchored home for the next four nights, the M/V Santa Cruz. This 47-cabin ship has the distinction of being the only ship built exclusively for cruising the Galapagos Islands. Each cabin has private facilities. The entire ship is air-conditioned. The friendly staff will be waiting to accommodate you in every way possible and the excellent naturalist-guides will keep you happily occupied. In addition, the exceptional food and well-stocked bar will be most pleasing. Small boats known as "pangas" locally, will ferry you to and from the shores. Both on board and on shore, uplifting escapades await. After the expert naturalists share their knowledge of the area, you will no longer be able to view your trip as a mere visit, but as a cherished experience.

• After the welcome briefing, lunch and safety drill, set sail for Santa Cruz Island whose north shore hosts Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill). 5 • A dinghy ride among mangrove-lined islets allows the observation of the dramatic landscape and coastline, an area of amazing past volcanic activity. While exploring the nearby waters, various types of birds can be seen, such as boobies, frigates and pelicans. Quite commonly, the black lava will reveal the presence of marine iguanas. The navigation in shallow turquoise-colored water gives the chance to see marine turtles, rays and sharks. • After a dry landing begin your walk that includes a brackish water lagoon frequented by Greater Flamingos, Common Stilts, Pintail Ducks and a variety of shore and lagoon birds. Further along the trail, head to Dragon Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western area of the archipelago. This area is a natural nesting site of a fairly large number of land iguanas, which is constantly monitored and assisted by the Charles Darwin Research Station. The arid-zone vegetation can be a rewarding location for bird watching, where Darwin's Finches, Galápagos Mockingbirds, the endemic Galápagos Flycatcher, and Yellow Warblers are regular sightings. • Return to the ship where you will have a briefing on the next day's activities followed by a welcome cocktail and dinner with the Captain. (B, L, D) M/V Santa Cruz

Day 11 – Tuesday, October 4, 2011 • Disembark at Bartolome, a small rugged island off the eastern shore of Santiago, opposite Sulivan Bay. The area of Sulivan Bay, a cascade of lava punctuated at water's edge with fine white sand, was formed by the flow from a nearby shield volcano that erupted at the turn of this century. (The present Sulivan Bay was not in existence when James Sulivan, from whom the bay takes its name, visited the Galapagos as second lieutenant aboard the HMS Beagle with Charles Darwin.) Together, Bartolome and Sulivan Bay evoke a lunar landscape of cones and craters in varying shades of deep chocolate and light brown, black, and gray. • Once you land on the island, you will have a 30-minute climb to a summit of a once active volcano for a panoramic view which includes the guardian point of Pinnacle Rock, the worn away remnant of a cone composed of spewed ashy particles. Down below, the water is crystal clear, and you can swim and snorkel with schools of fish. Penguins can also be seen in this area. On the other side, you will find sea turtles and white-tipped sharks close to the shore. • After lunch, explore along the shore at Puerto Egas, Santiago (James) looking for octopus, starfish and other sea life caught in the small pools as the tide goes out. You may also see the Great Blue Heron, Lava Heron, Oystercatchers and a Yellow-crowned Night Heron. If the tide is low, you'll see marine iguanas grazing on the exposed green algae. • Your walk comes to an end when you arrive at the fur seal grottos; these are the deep pools of clear water where you can swim with the shy fur seals that hide in cool caves. This will be your best opportunity to see the fur seal, once thought to be on the verge of extinction. (B, L, D) M/V Santa Cruz

Day 12 – Wednesday, October 5, 2011 • Today you will venture out to one of the most amazing and complete bird islands in the Galapagos, Tower, also known as Genovesa, where you will spend an entire day.

6 • Upon arrival at Darwin Bay, the trail goes past tide pools where Swallow-tailed and Lava Gulls are seen. • You then enter a forest of salt bush where colonies of Great Frigatebirds are nesting. To attract a mate, males flap their wings and inflate a red-balloon-like sack in their throats. • Return for lunch on board. During navigation, spend some time on deck looking for dolphins or possibly whales. • This afternoon, disembark on North Seymour Island, also a small geological uplift. • After a dry landing, you will follow a trail that leads to sea lions, Swallow-tailed Gulls and Blue-footed Boobies. Visit the largest colony of Magnificent Frigatebirds found in Galapagos. • As you stroll along the beach, watch for sea lions body surfing the northern swells. • After swimming and snorkeling, you take a panga ride to view more wildlife near Prince Phillip’s Steps. Here you can view a secondary colony of Red-footed Boobies roosting in mangrove trees. • At the end of the trail, you are on the side of the cliff with a majestic view of the bay as well as the sea birds flying back and forth in front of you. Here, you'll see Red-billed Tropicbirds, Frigatebirds, Masked Boobies, Storm Petrels, Short-eared Owls and fur seals. (B, L, D) M/V Santa Cruz

Day 13 – Thursday, October 6, 2011 • Early morning (pre-breakfast) visit to Santa Fé (Barrington) Island. This island, according to the latest geological studies, shows the islands’ oldest rocks. The small bay on Santa Fe's northern coast provides one of the most picturesque harbors within the archipelago. A large sea lion colony inhabits most of the surrounding landing site. Follow the trail among a very tall forest of opuntia cacti, where large and somewhat pale land iguanas, that are island endemics, can be seen. A variety of finches and the Galápagos Mockingbird abound. • Back to the ship for breakfast, as you sail to Santa Cruz Island. • Mid-morning disembarkation (dry landing) to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the rearing in captivity program for the giant tortoises. Impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds can be also seen. • Then, a stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora will allow you to see how Galapagueños live in this magical paradise. • In the afternoon, after lunch, drive up to the lush highlands, including the Scalesia (an endemic giant daisy tree) forest and the twin pit craters Los Gemelos. • The trip to the highlands includes the islands’ most-famous reptile: the giant tortoises in their wild habitat. What a privilege to see an endangered species roving in this lush environment. The Vermilion Flycatcher is a delight to see with its scarlet feathers against an emerald green forest. Look for the Darwin’s Finches of the highlands (most of them from the tree-finch group), particularly the famous Woodpecker Finch. (B, L, D)

Day 14 – Friday, October 7, 2011 • Disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. This small attractive port is the provincial capital of the Galápagos Islands (population 4,000), along a crescent-shaped bay. It was this very same island that Charles Darwin first visited, back in September 1835. 7 • Visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center, located in a natural setting, where it allows visitors to obtain information that will help them understand more the natural history of the Galápagos, with a great emphasis on human history and conservation. • Afterwards, you can stroll through Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, where souvenir shops and Internet cafés welcome world travelers who are willing to catch up with the world, and share the many wonders witnessed, before heading back to the mainland. • Transfer to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil, Ecuador's port city. • Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel, located near the commercial and financial center of the city. All the comfortable rooms at the Hilton Colon Guayaquil have air-conditioning, mini-bar, television, telephone, hair dryer and in-room safe. The hotel has a casino, gymnasium, spa, sauna, outdoor heated pool and an exclusive shopping arcade. There are several restaurants and bars for your dining pleasure. (B) Hilton Colon Guayaquil

Day 15 – Saturday, October 8, 2011 • This morning your journey will come to a close as you transfer to the airport for your return flight home. Whenever you look back on this experience just know that you’re in good company – the Galapagos Islands have touched the hearts and imaginations of Lord Byron, Charles Darwin and countless others like yourself. (B)

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