Travelmood - Family Adventures

Andes & Galapagos

15 Days Andes & Galapagos
Ancient traditions and amazing wildlife
Ecuador - Galapagos Islands

Introduction
This trip combines the distinctive highland culture of the Valley of the Volcanoes where we explore the area around the dramatic peaks of Cotopaxi and Chimborozo. We also include a short rainforest experience in south eastern Ecuador - but the highlight must be to see the amazing endemic wildlife of the Galapagos, staying in a hotel and making forays out to the surrounding islands.

Markets & Music
Quito, a 2800m-high mountain eyrie, is ringed by snow-capped Andean peaks which tower a further 1800m above it. After time in this colonial capital, we'll travel to the bustling market at Otavalo, famous for its artisan markets. There's a gentle walk around Cuicocha lake and we visit the family of a local musician in Peguche where you can try your hand at playing the panpipe!

Valley of the Volcanoes and Rainforest
Next we drive up the flanks of Cotopaxi for a gentle walk beneath the world's highest active volcano (5897m). Here you can hire bikes and cycle down to a nearby hacienda. Heading across the Andes, we descend to the subtropical region around Banos and Puyo. We visit an ecological park and experience rainforest on the very edge of Amazonia. After time relaxing in this idyllic spot we return down the Valley of the Volcanoes, stopping off to visit a local school.

Wildlife of the Galapagos
Continuing to the Galapagos, we spend 6 days in these 'enchanted' islands. We base ourselves in a good hotel in Puerto Ayora, taking day trips out to nearby islands.The landscape is fascinating; a wild moonscape of sharp black lava splashed with bright green foliage and strange plants provides a haven for many unique birds and beasts, including giant tortoises, flightless cormorants, marine iguanas and blue footed boobies. It's little wonder that Charles Darwin described the islands as a living laboratory of evolution.

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