Ecuador, the Andes and the Galapagos
Islands by President Keith Wawman
Sad to say this tour was non-cycling - but I don't
think I could get up to 4,300m now, and anyway would not be allowed to cycle on
the Galapagos Islands - because of the conservation issue. It was a 14 day tour
which involved rising most mornings at 5 o'clock and lots of moving on (except
the first two nights). 1 started the tour in Quito, 2,850m - some 23 miles
south of the equator. The first two nights at the Hilton (way above the standard
set when cycling). Our group of nine spent the day getting acclimatised to the
altitude. We looked round the Old Town of Quito with its cobbled streets and a
visit to the local sites with our tour manager Eduardo, who was to be with us
all the tour. We soon found he was most informative on all the places visited
as well as the wild life, plants and shrubs that we were later to see - making
it most interesting. After looking at the equator museum and stepping both
sides of the line went on to see some private gardens at Pakakuna. Most
interesting as Ecuador has no seasons of the year - resulting in the fruit
trees growing at all the four seasons, as were the plants. Then we visited some
greenhouses to see the very long stemmed roses - exported to all parts of the
globe. Now on the move - wonderful views of the many extinct volcanoes from the
small coach, and able to make lots of stops when we wanted. As Equador is not
yet commercialised we were not subjected to the usual sellers found in package
tours. On several days we saw condors and eagles in flight and always lots of
different wild flowere by the roadside and fields (all named by Eduardo). We
stopped at a small hotel at Papallanca hot springs, overlooked by extinct
volcanoes. After an early morning nature walk in the hills, on marked tracks,
before breakfast, we all had to try out the six thermal spring pools - nice and
warm, followed by a mud bath and massage - wow! felt invigorated after this. We
visited the village of Pintang. Views of snow capped Antisana 5,758m seen from
the private reserve visited, where they have about 450 different types of
birds. We travelled on several unmade roads into the Private Antisana Reserve -
12,000 hectares past the lava flows of the extinct volcano that last erupted in
1801/2, stopped several times for the different birds - Carracaras, Lapwiligs,
Condors, Humming Birds I think there were 23 types seen, identified in
Eduardo's large book on South American birds. Lunch on different days in family-run
old ranches (so much to see, so much to do) - Note: all the meals were good
wherever we stopped - bit too much at times! We visited one large Sunday
market, not for the tourists, selling materials, embroidered blouses, bags and
blankets along with the usual flowers and veg. I did notice on Sundays all the
females wore these nice blouses. Note! on Sunday (only) the centre section of
road was coned off for the use of cyclists in Quito for several miles around.
Back to Quito, up early as usual, then a two hour flight to Galapagos Island of
Baltra. By tender boat to embark on the Mv Galapagos Legend for four nights. We
found lots of references to Darwin on this part of the tour. We visited six of
the islands in total. Landings were wet or dry, got used to thisby
the time we left. We had to be quite agile which I am not now. Walks mostly on
uneven volcanic rock - I was given a walking stick as the least young in the
group The walks were not crowded (20 in a group), strictly controlled and
marshalled by an accompaning naturalist guide and our Eduardo. On the islands,
which were a wonder, I saw Flamingoes, Pintail Ducks, Sea Turtles, Crabs, Giant
tortoises, Marine and Land Iguanas, Red-billed tropical birds, Blue footed and
masked boobes, and the frigate bird - and lots more! Some birds were in the
mating season and were building nests. All very close to the paths, as were the
wild plants. On returning from each island our shoes were hosed down to save
contamination from each island. Each evening before dinner a briefing and slide
show was given on the next day's activities. After dinner we were entertained
byThe seals chasing flying fish. I haven't mentioned the weather in the Andes
it was 75 - 80 but on the islands it was 90 plus at 11 o'clock in the morning
and there was no shade on the islands - nowhere to sit down so had to keep
walking. We flew back to Quito on the last night, then home next day. A
fantastic tour and in good company. I was pleased I had a hat and factor 40!!!
No sunbathing, too hot. I thought at first this tour was expensive with the
single supplement, but I only had to pay £100 more on extras, so on second
thoughts it was good. Th e meals all had lots of choice, but sometimes too big!
