Day 1:
Arrive / Quito. Pickup at airport. Hotel overnight in Quito.
Day 2:
Travel over the Andes, stop at the Papallacta Geo-thermal pools, and arrive at the Sachawaysa Kichwa community, dinner and evening introductions.
Day 3:
At Sachawaysa….Morning wayusa ceremony, rainforest walk and swim in waterfall, chocolate preparation, light reforestation, and Kichwa dance group.
Day 4:
Visit to the Churu geologic site, hiking into dramatic canyons, lunch and light reforestation. Evening story- telling.
Day 5:
Trip to the Lagunna Azul and Lagunna Yani sites for river swimming, hiking, and Amazon barbeque.
Day 6:
Trip to the Arajuno River Wildlife Rescue Center and Nature Reserve.
Day 7:
Leave Sachawaysa Kichwa community. Overnight in Quito
Day 8:
Early morning departure for the airport. Please keep in mind that once we’re on the islands, you’ll only have brief access to your checked-in luggage before we leave it at our hotel, so be sure to pack whatever you need for the beach in your carry-on. Once we land on Baltra airport, we will visit lava tubes, Chato the tortoise reproduction center and Twin craters.
Day 9:
Boat ride to San Cristobal. Visit Loberia Beach and see sea lion. Orientation.
Day 10:
Today we’ll travel through the highlands to the opposite side of the island, traveling through different ecosystems along the way. We´ll visit Puerto Chino beach, the tortoise reproduction center, El Junco crater lake and volcano, and the historic town of El Progresso. Return to our hotel. Evening discussion of island biogeography and zonation.
Day 11:
Visit to San Cristobal island’s Interpretation Center, followed by a short hike to Tijeretas Cove where we’ll be able to swim and snorkel at our leisure. Here there’s a good chance for seeing sea turtles in addition to other marine fauna. In the afternoon we’ll have an introduction to the research projects being carried out by both Ecuadorean and international students here in the Galapagos.
Day 12:
Boat trips to Cerro Brujo, Puerto Grande, León Dormido and Isla Lobos. These are wonderful sites for snorkeling, swimming and observation of sharks, sea turtles, sea lions, sea birds and more. Afterwards, we’ll review the species that we’ve seen in the ocean and their ecology. Free time for shopping in evening.
Day 13:
Early morning travel to Santa Cruz island. Here we’ll see the Charles Darwin Station, visit lava tubes, and another great beach where there’s a good chance of seeing baby sharks in the shallows. Afterwards, we can talk about the volunteer and research opportunities available in Ecuador through Save The Rainforest.
Day 14:
Early morning travel to airport on Baltra for our return trip to the continent. Farewell dinner in the evening.
Day 15:
Departure for home. Your course leaders will accompany you to the airport and wait for a short time outside of security to handle any possible last-minute needs.
