Eco-Zone Explorers

UNIQUE ADVENTURES IN A UNIQUE WORLD

Contributed By Jascivan Caravalho

The Galapagos Islands, a world heritage site and one of the most famous places on the planet, is a must visit for every adventurous traveler. The story of this exceptional archipelago is intertwined with the history of the human race itself. It’s a tale of violent eruptions and the formation of the volcanic islands that played a major role in Charles Darwin’s ground breaking theory of evolution, one of the most important moments in the human journey.

From barren volcanic outcrops these islands slowly developed into the home of a stunning variety of unique wildlife, and thanks to careful control, that wildlife is still here for you to see today.  The islands retain their original untamed nature, offering discriminating travelers the chance to enjoy an exciting and challenging voyage of discovery.

With our Galapagos Ecological Adventures program you can design and follow your own path into this fascinating environment. It’s a unique experience that’s not only more dynamic and adventurous – with spectacular hikes, kayaking, snorkeling and biking – it’s the way to spend quality time with the family, actively exploring the islands on a path less traveled. With this special program you’ll have more time to explore your extraordinary surroundings, and more time to enjoy the enchanted atmosphere.

But Galapagos is more than spectacular wildlife and scenery. It offers you that little bit extra. The human touch. Here you’ll be accompanied by local guides who are knowledgeable about, and devoted to their island home. And they’re passionate about preserving it. They’ll show you life here on the islands as they know it. As no one else can. And with us you’ll have more time to get to know some of the friendly people who will make this a really personal experience. This is a truly special way to experience the enchanted isles, the way to get the most out of your stay.

Your exploration can be as adventure filled as you want. As part of our flexible program you’ll be able to kayak, snorkel and bicycle on the islands, avoiding the throng of visitors and the crowded trails. Here you’ll get a closer, more active view of the place that fascinated Charles Darwin and has played an unequaled role in human history.

Galapagos Ecological Adventures offers experiences that go beyond the limits of the traditional one week boat tour with its problems of being confined amongst strangers, the risk of sea sickness and the rush hour traffic of the tour boats. This is a more independent program, with a wide range of accommodation that will suite everyone’s taste -  families, couples or groups of friends – and the flexibility to operate any day of the week, and if you choose, to adapt to extensions to your cruise.

GETTING UP CLOSE TO THE ISLANDS’ UNIQUE WILDLIFE

As part of this program you’ll visit three islands and get a chance to spend time with the unique wildlife that inhabits the islands: the sea lions, the giant tortoises, the marine iguanas and much, much, more.

First stop is the impressive Island of San Cristobal. This is the place to see sea lions. There are thousands on the Island, in colonies and small groups, and you’ll have a chance to see them close up as we walk and bike alongside. The animals are surprisingly tame and will let you approach with no problem. The colonies of Frigate birds that inhabit the island and have occupied a small bay are also something to see, and you’ll have a chance to get up close to these spectacular birds with their red chests, as we kayak and snorkel in the nearby waters. Also on the menu is the impressive Leon Dormido,  a rock formation that is a great place to snorkel amongst dolphins and sharks, and to be dazzled by a myriad of brightly colored fishes.

Next is Isabela island, not only the largest, most volcanically active and most interesting of the chain, but also the least visited and the most relaxed. It’s four times the size of the next largest island, yet has only 20% of the Galapagos population. Here you’ll be able to get a close look at the very source of the Galapagos spectacular history; you’ll see five active volcanoes and hike into the second largest volcanic crater in the world, Sierra Negra. It’s an awe inspiring site.

On Isabela you’ll get close up to the archipelago’s famous wildlife. It’s all here: giant tortoises, sharks, marine iguanas, sea lions, manta rays, boobies, penguins and flamingoes (this is the only place in the world you can see both at the same time).  And for good measure the island also boasts the most extensive wetlands in the archipelago – recognized as a globally important site -  where you can visit the ‘Poza del Diablo’ with its brilliantly colored flamingoes.

And as a fitting end to a memorable trip you’ll visit the island of Santa Cruz. Here you can relax and soak up the atmosphere in the charming port of Puerto Ayora, the major link between the islands and the mainland. You’ll swim in Tortuga Bay, one of the largest fine sand beaches of the entire chain, where you’ll also be able to kayak in the turquoise waters. There are lava tunnels and rock fissures to explore, where you can snorkel amongst the fishes in the crystal clear water.

The highlands also have a lot to offer.  You’ll find huge tunnels and strange sunken areas formed by subterranean activity and volcanic activity the islands are famous for.  On the surface are the farms where you can see Giant tortoises in their natural habitat. And speaking of Tortoises, a trip to Santa Cruz would not be complete without a visit to the home of ‘Lonesome George’, the most famous tortoise in the world.

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

The Spanish bishop Tomás de Berlanga, who discovered the islands in 1535 when his ship was blown off course, was the first to call these the enchanted isles. This is an exceptional place, and one that must be preserved for all humanity.

Here conservation is not a luxury, it is essential, and that’s why this ecological adventure is designed to generate minimum environmental impact. It’s a program planned for those who care about limiting environmental and social impacts on these unique islands, and support the conservation of this fragile world heritage site.

This is the pleasant, unhurried, and responsible way to visit the Galapagos. And what’s more, the friendly islanders will help you enjoy it even more.

The Galapagos Islands, to many people’s surprise, are inhabited by more than just the plants and animals. It makes logical sense in some ways, how else would all those boats get fuel and food?

The biggest and most diverse island is Isabela and in upcoming posts, I will tell you all about our fantastic trip there. But let me say, if you love laid back, natural places, with no biting flies and incredible scenery (world’s second largest volcanic crater) you will fall in love with Isabela.

When you visit Ecuador, you will most likely want to go to the Otavalo market. Otavalo is an indigenous and mestizo town about 2 to3 hours drive from Quito. It is doable on a day trip from Quito but, you miss the chance to explore the area at all. I suggest 1 night if you are pressed for time and 2 or 3 if you have some leisure.

The market is open everyday, year round, but on Saturday there are more vendors as the local people bring in goods for sale. As markets go, it is impressive for first time visitors to such events, but for seasoned travellers, it is a little bit predictable. There is a huge selection, so variety is good of you are shopping for things to take home. Make sure you bargain heavily. The vendors are savvy.

One thing I really did like at the Otavalo market was the interesting food and plant products for sale.

Selling grains and beans in Otavalo

There were grains, fruits, dried beans and selections of herbs.

Guagua de Pan for Dia del Muerte in Otavalo, Ecuador (Nov 2)

There were also many other vendors selling prepared foods like cooked fish, breads and biscochos (tasty, buttery biscuits, like cookies, but not sweetened). We were visiting over the holiday weekend of “dia del muerte” so there were many different foods available. The Guagua de pan is the traditional treat for the season.

If  you can stay over for a few days it is well worth asking your guide to take you to some of the smaller villages around Otavalo as there are wonderful small textile shops and even musical instrument makers.

Of course the big ticket items are the pure alpaca sweaters, jackets and hats. You have to be careful to get real alpaca because there are many wool imitations. Like everything else the more you pay, the higher the quality. Real alpaca yarn is made from the sheared coats of  the Vicugna pacos, a small a llama like animal. It is distinctive for being very warm, since the animals are native to the high Andean mountains, and very soft. (read more about alpaca on Wikipedia   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpaca ) .

Andean Woman Showing Alpaca Dye and Carding in Peguche

These traditional skills live on in this area, and others, and while the rest of the planet moves ever more rapidly to a digital reality, I can’t help but think that one day we’ll need this knowledge for our survival.

Beside the markets, the Otavalo highlands also has a birds of prey conservation center that features daily flight demonstrations with merlins, hawks and eagles. The site is near Otavalo and well worth the admission. Weekends are busy and many people come to see the raptors.  The birds are all rescued, not captured. There is a magnificent enclosure with the andean condor, about as close as you can ever expect to get.

Raptors are trained to provide entertainment while handlers deliver a a conservation message

Other than this, you can drive to the Mojanda lakes about 30 minutes away and see some of  the amazing páramo ecosystem, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramo)  tufted grasslands on the slopes and valleys. You can also see the ancient, but still used, Inca trails along the mountainsides and imagine yourself in a time long before cars and computers.

There are several other things in the area, best left to a separate post.

Have a look at a suggested tour itinerary in the Ecuador/ Ecotour Services category above.  If you are interested in visiting this area, please contact us here.

Visitors are welcomed into the village with unique face paint design.

We have recently just come back from an extraordinary tour to the Amazon region of Ecuador. We were the guests of the Huaorani people and stayed at a new ecolodge they own and operate. There is really too much to absorb to write a complete description the of this experience at this moment but this was one of the best travel experiences that we have ever encountered. It was adventurous, but we felt safe. We were greeted by the Huaorani warmly, and it was a genuine welcome, not a “professional” welcome, the guides were very enlightening and we intereacted closley with them over the 5 days. I will defintiely be writing more, and uploading more photos, but for now I just wanted to get some content published to whet your appetites.

The Huaorani are a well documented people who have had a major struggle trying to keep their lands, their language and their people alive in the face of a world hungry for the oil that happens to be in their traditional territory.

One of the ideas they had was to embrace ecotourism in order to bring in sorely needed cash but also to have outside people gain an understanding of their situation. In a very short while they have managed to create a high quality, authentic ecotourism experience that is quite different from the normal type of  ecolodge. While most ecolodges are usually centered on natural history, Huaorani Ecolodoge is about the Huaorani, who are completely integrated in nature. So you could say its about natural history that includes the human element.

By all reports I am getting the unrest yesterday (Sept 30, 2011) in Ecuador has settled down. It appears that for the moment the police have returned to work and the country is now operating as normal. The airports are open and flights are landing and taking off. Roads are open.

These types of protests and demonstrations are quite common in Ecuador and other South American countries they often less serious than they sound in the news.

Once when travelling in Mexico we experienced a big demonstration in La Paz, Baja California Sur. At the time we spoke no Spanish so we scampered back to our hotel to wait it out. Well, it was a big demonstration with bull horns and people parading with signs. Much to my chagrin I found out the next day it was a big rally to elect the new Miss La Paz beauty queen.

Similarly once in Arequipa,  Peru I was watching BBC world news and they reported a big farmer’s demonstration, right there in Arequipa. We were only a few blocks away and had no idea.

These events can be alarming when you read about them, and they can get ugly, but for the majority of the time as a visitor, you won’t often even be aware that anything happened until its over.