To celebrate the anniversary of Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday on the 12th February 2009, Wildlife Worldwide offers an action-packed 18-day tailor-made holiday combining the Ecuadorian Amazon jungle and Cotopaxi Volcano, with a 7-night Galápagos Island voyage. Tours depart Heathrow daily.After an initial 2 nights in Quito, a domestic flight takes travellers to the town of Coca where guests transfer to their jungle lodge, situated deep in the Amazon jungle, by motorised canoe and Indian dugout. Here, 3 nights are spent exploring this remarkable region, host to one of the highest densities of plant and mammal species on Earth. 15% of all bird species are represented, including Blue-and-yellow Macaw, Cobalt-winged Parakeet and Harpy Eagle. Over 100 species of mammal are also present including Three-toed Sloth, Black-mantled Tamarin and Jaguar. The Amazon’s rivers, streams and lakes are home to two species of freshwater dolphin, four species of caiman and over 300 species of fish. Head back to Quito for a couple more nights’ exploration in this high altitude capital. The colonial centre is rich with churches, baroque monasteries and museums. Just 75kms outside of the city lies the permanently snow-covered peak of Cotopaxi, the world's highest active volcano (5,897m). Here, guests are accommodated overnight at one of Ecuador’s most stunning haciendas, San Agustin de Callo. At 3,000m, this magnificent hacienda, built on top of a former Inca temple, has superb views of Cotopaxi. The final focus of the holiday is a 7-night Galápagos Island voyage. Experience fascinating wildlife under the guidance of an experienced naturalist leader, whilst sailing around the 13 major islands, six minor islands and 42 islets that make up the Galápagos archipelago. Observe giant Galápagos Tortoise, colourful Land Iguana and large groups of sea faring Marine Iguana. However, it is the bird colonies that are most conspicuous, with Red and Blue-footed Booby, Galápagos Hawk, Flightless Cormorant and Galápagos Penguins, all present. The holiday concludes in Guayaquil where guests have a final 2 nights to explore the area - visit a banana or cocoa plantation or go birdwatching in a mangrove forest before catching the return flight home.
The holiday costs from £3,625 p/p including scheduled flights, transfers, boat, hotel and jungle lodge accommodation, most meals, services of an expert naturalist guide. Galapagos Park fee of US$100 is payable locally.
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