GALAPAGOS! The Enchanted Isles
January 13 – 19, 2013
With optional add-ons to the
Andean Highlands and Amazon Basin Rainforest
Superb Tours for Gay & Lesbian Travelers since 1998
575 Pierce Street, Suite 604 • San Francisco, CA 94117 • (888) 431-6789 • (415) 626-5678 [email protected] • www.venture-out.com
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS • Fantastic land and sea adventures by
day — The delightful comfort and amenities of a deluxe “safari”-style camp at night
• Two days of excursions by privately chartered boat to neighboring islands
• A day and a half exploring the sights of Santa Cruz Island, our home base
• Observe a wealth of land and marine wildlife through wonderful nature hikes and snorkeling adventures with a superb naturalist guide accompanying us
• A visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station • Welcome cocktail reception at our lodge in the Galapagos as well as a guest
speaker one evening • A full day in lovely Quito, the Andean capital of Ecuador at 9,300 feet, with its
World Heritage colonial-period architecture • Pre- and Post-tour extensions in mainland Ecuador to the Andean highlands
and/or the Amazon Basin rainforest available on request ITINERARY-in-BRIEF Day 1: January 13, 2013 Arrive in Quito and transfer to our hotel. Most flights from the U.S. arrive in the evening. No dinner is included this day. Overnight in Quito. We can arrange extra nights in Quito if you’d like to arrive early. Day 2: Half-day privately guided sightseeing in Quito. Quito was the first city in the world to be declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You will see why as we explore its beautiful colonial-period architecture: 17th-century facades, magnificent churches that blend Spanish, Moorish and indigenous elements, picturesque plazas, and cobblestone streets. Lunch is included today, and the afternoon is free to explore the city further on your own according to your interests. Overnight in Quito. Breakfast, Lunch Day 3: We set out early this morning to catch our flight from Quito to the Galapagos, which takes about 3½ hours including a stop in Guayaquil. We will be met by our local guide at the airport on Baltra Island and transferred the short distance across Itabaca Channel to Santa Cruz Island and then proceed up into the highlands where a tasty lunch awaits us. The remainder of the day is spent taking in some of the intriguing sights of the highlands (see “Our Program”) prior to arriving at our lovely “safari”-style camp where a welcome cocktail awaits us. We’ll then settle in to our very comfortable tents, and this evening we’ll have our first delicious dinner in camp. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 4-6: Please refer to “Our Program” below for information regarding these days. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner each day Day 7: January 19, 2013 This morning after breakfast we’ll head to the airport for our return flight to Quito on the mainland, arriving in the afternoon. You may then wish to join our optional extension to the Andean highlands at this point for 3 days / 2 nights (or longer if you wish), staying in a beautiful historic hacienda. Another optional extension is to the Amazon Basin rainforest, which can be done after the Andes extension or in place of it or even prior to the Galapagos. You can find the details of the Andes extension further on. For the Amazon rainforest please contact us. If you wish to forgo the extensions and fly back to the U.S. this day you will need an evening flight out of Quito. Please check with us before booking your flights to make sure the timing coordinates with our program. Depending on your selected airline’s schedule you may need an extra night in Quito before flying out the next morning. INTRODUCTION The place is like a new creation; the birds and beasts do not get out of our way; the pelicans and sea-lions look in our faces as if we had no right to intrude on their solitude; the small birds are so tame that they hop upon our feet. — Captain Lord George Anson Byron, 1825 Snorkel with playful sea lions and equatorial penguins; hike past dancing blue-footed boobies and “prehistoric” iguanas; marvel at giant tortoises in the wild in the verdant highlands on Santa Cruz Island… Savor one of our planet’s quintessential natural history experiences in this living museum and showcase of evolution.
Six hundred miles off the coast of western South America, hugging the Equator, lie the Galapagos Islands. It was here, after studying the native wildlife, that British scientist Charles Darwin formulated his theory of evolution. Its geography is surreal and its unique wildlife is utterly unafraid of humans. We have created a program
that brings you an active (yet comfortable), insightful experience of this
fascinating “world unto itself”, as Darwin called it. Sometimes referred to as the Islas Encantadas, or Enchanted Islands, the Galapagos Islands are one of the world’s most incredible natural history destinations, an archipelago of extraordinary islands, each with its own unique flora and fauna—many of which are found nowhere else on earth. We’ll have expert naturalist guides with us who will share the stories and meaning of Darwin’s epic voyage and its impact on our world. Delightful traveling companions, they love sharing their vast knowledge of the islands. Their passion for the Galapagos and dedication to preserving this fragile ecosystem are truly inspiring. Snorkeling is wonderful here, too – and the equipment is included so you don’t have to bring your own. Informative hikes, fascinating wildlife, delicious meals, great views, very comfortable land accommodations . . . Join us for the trip of a lifetime! OUR PROGRAM Venture Out’s Galapagos trip will take in three different islands. One will be Santa Cruz (where our home base is located), also known as Indefatigable. We cannot specify the other two islands because the Galapagos National Park Service authorities can alter tour companies’ programs at any time should they deem it necessary. However, the two islands will be among the four listed below. Perhaps the most famous wildlife inhabitants of Santa Cruz Island are the giant tortoises. There’s also a large variety of birdlife, and it’s the only island that has six different vegetation zones. We’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, the center of great research and protection efforts taking place in the Galapagos National Park. In the highlands (the zone where our camp is located), where the vegetation is lush and overgrown with mosses and lichens, we’ll have the opportunity to track and observe giant tortoises. It’s quite a treat to spend time with these friendly and ancient creatures. Also in the highlands of Santa Cruz we’ll see the lava tubes, which we can hike inside of to see their fantastic rock formations. We’ll also go to Garrapatero, a pristine beach where the contrast of mangroves, black lava, white sand and
turquoise water, in addition to the buzzing coastal bird life and the small pink flamingo lagoon, is sensational. As mentioned above we will visit two of the following four islands:
Seymour Norte is teeming with life. Indeed, you might have to give way to a passing sea lion or marine iguana. We have a good chance of encountering the iconic blue-footed boobies, land iguanas, and swallowtail gulls. The island is also home to the largest nesting site in the Galapagos of the magnificent
frigatebird. These huge, dark acrobats have a 5-foot wingspan, and males exhibit the inflated scarlet gular pouches. A tiny forest of silver-grey Palo Santo trees stand just above the landing at North Seymour Island, usually without leaves, waiting for the rain to bring them into bloom. South Plaza is one of the smallest yet richest islands in the archipelago. The approach makes for a lavishly colorful sight. The turquoise waters of the channel contrast brilliantly with the black lava of the shoreline. The rocks are speckled with bright orange Sally light foot crabs, and seagoing marine iguanas – the so-called prehistoric imps of darkness — roam the shores. A carpet of scarlet ice plant serves as groundcover for a grove of luminescent green prickly-pear cacti. Yellow-gray land iguanas sit beneath, waiting patiently for pears to drop. Red-billed tropicbirds, Nazca, and blue-footed boobies ride the windy currents. Swallow-tailed gulls, and magnificent frigatebirds are also often found here. The overlook is a great place for spotting large marine life, including manta rays. Bartolome is famous for its dramatic vistas and barren volcanic landscape. From the anchorage known as Pinnacle Rock, one can climb 372 steps along a wooden walkway to reach the top of an extinct volcano. The climb gets the heart pumping, but it’s technically easy. The ascent is a lesson in volcano geography with cooled-off lava flows visible along the route to the main cone. On the way up, one can see lava cacti and lava lizards. The view from the lookout at the top over some of the
Galapagos archipelago is wonderful, with Pinnacle Rock and turquoise waters below. Bartolome has one of the larger colonies of Galapagos penguins. Also commonly seen here are Galapagos hawks and white-tipped reef sharks. Sea lions snooze on rocky platforms or play with passing snorkelers. A perfect crescent sandy beach is where sea turtles are often found; they use the beach as a nesting site. Santa Fe offers one of the more beautiful and sheltered coves in the islands. Its turquoise lagoon is protected by a peninsula of tiny islets forming an ideal anchorage. From here a sandy white beach brings visitors into contact with one of many sea lion colonies. Bulls contend for the right of being master of the beach, while smaller males mask as females (!) to make stealthy mating moves. Galapagos hawks are often easily approached, perched atop salt bushes, and an ascending trail leads toward the cliffs from where an expansive view of the ocean opens up. The giant prickly pear cacti found here live up to their name, with tree-sized trunks. Regularly seen on Santa Fe are marine iguanas, land iguanas, great frigate birds, and sea lions. WEATHER In January the warm Panama Current brings daytime temperatures in the high 70s to low 80s, and water temperatures in the mid-70s. Seabird nests are busy with activity, sea lion pups frolic in the water, green sea turtles begin mating rituals, and land iguanas lay their eggs. Afternoon rain showers are common at this time of year, but they’re generally brief. Ironically, January also falls within the sunniest period of the year. The seas are typically calm, warm, and clear at this time. At 9,300 feet in elevation, Quito and the Andean highlands extension enjoy a “perpetual spring” climate: warm days, chilly nights and rain about half of the time. The daytime high temperature should be in the high 60s F and the overnight low in the high 40s F. The average rainfall in January is about 4 inches. The rains usually come in the afternoon. ACCOMMODATIONS Galapagos — 4 nights Our deluxe “safari”-style tented camp — pioneering for Latin America — follows the African safari tradition in which guests enjoy good comfort under canvas while experiencing nature in its purest form. From this base on Santa Cruz Island, we make day trips to nearby islands, wildlife colonies, and snorkeling sites, as well as explore Santa Cruz itself.
The 135-acre property is in a transition zone between cultivated land and national park land. A stylish central lodge and comfortable safari tents are situated on a ridge at 1,575 feet, an elevation that affords an inspiring panorama of the northern and western Galapagos Islands. The wall of the main lodge that faces the sea is entirely glass, and it has a spacious veranda. Inside is an open-plan split-level space with a cozy
fireplace, lounge, bar, and a 15-foot solid teak dining table from Bali. The front door to this eclectic little world was salvaged from an Indian temple. We’ll savor local and international dishes created by the innovative chef with home-grown produce.
Guest tents are located a few minutes’ walk down the side of a hill and are set up off the ground on wooden platforms. They’re sheltered by three protective layers: one specifically for the sun, another one for the rain, and an inner sealed canvass shell forms the bedrooms. Their interiors are comfortable and spacious (about 300 square feet). The custom-made furniture was designed with comfort, practicality, and
elegance in mind. There are comfortable beds, cedar floors, electric lighting, cupboards, a writing desk, and a fan/heater for temperature control. The en-suite bathrooms are tastefully designed with lava stone sinks, hot power showers, and flush toilets. All tents have a balcony with a hammock and chairs from which to take in the delightful view. The small pool is an ideal spot for a cooling dip.
The property hosts an abundance of birdlife with finches, warblers, mockingbirds, Galapagos doves, egrets and owls. Tortoises also frequently putter between the tents. As a result of the owners’ restoration and conservation work, many local species of trees, such as scalesia, guayabillo, and palo santo, are rapidly regaining a foothold after years of cattle farming.
Our camp hosted Britain’s Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles for a cocktail reception with authorities of the national park during their South America trip in 2009.
Quito — 2 nights Our selected hotel in Quito is a chic, all-suite, upscale boutique affair. It’s close to restaurants, shops, and La Carolina Park. Eighteenth-century chandeliers shine throughout the hotel, meshing old with new. Crimson, earthy tones and black accents contrast with the white walls of the hotel, creating a cool, contemporary style. The main bar links the hotel’s dramatic lobby to the on-site restaurant. An elevator, playing Laurel and Hardy movies, lifts you up to a great roof terrace and bar. A panoramic view of Quito can be accompanied by your drink of choice (the house specialty is an apple martini). The 30 suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows affording super views of Quito. Goose down duvets and feather pillows cover the comfortable beds; abstract paintings decorate the walls. High-end toiletries, slippers, and bathrobes add to the pampering. Wifi, a spa, and a gym are among the hotel’s facilities. TOUR COST and IMPORTANT TRIP DETAILS $3795 (with 14-15 participants) $3895 (with 12-13 participants) $4095 (with 8-11 participants) $300 single supplement (available for Quito hotel only; see below) A note about tier pricing: There are certain fixed costs involved with operating a trip of this nature regardless of the number of participants who have signed up. As you can imagine, with a smaller number of group members the fixed costs per person are higher. In order to cover those fixed costs for a smaller-sized group, we prefer to charge a bit extra in order to ensure that the trip can run rather than cancel a trip due to a low number of sign-ups. Costs are based on double occupancy of a room. Please note that because of its very small size single supplements are not permitted at the camp in the Galapagos. Tents must be shared. At the hotel in Quito single supplements are available. Tour Cost Includes: • Accommodations for 6 nights at the properties described above • All meals while in the Galapagos (except lunch on the departing day) • Coffee, tea, filtered water at the Galapagos camp • Cocktail reception at our camp in the Galapagos • Two days of sightseeing by privately chartered boat from Santa Cruz to
neighboring islands (1) • Snorkeling activities and equipment
• A day and half of private sightseeing on Santa Cruz Island • Naturalist guides with us in the Galapagos • Guest speaker one evening • Breakfasts at the hotel in Quito • One lunch in Quito • A half day of guided private sightseeing in Quito • Transfer in from Quito airport to hotel (2) • Venture Out escort (with a minimum of 8 participants) Tour Cost Does Not Include: • International airfare • Regional airfare between Quito and the Galapagos Islands (3) • Galapagos National Park fee — $100 per person (subject to change) • A ‘transit fee’ of $10 when flying from Quito to the Galapagos • Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages at the Galapagos camp • Dinners in Quito • Gratuities • Travel insurance, passport, laundry, phone calls, and other personal expenses (1) In order to have a privately chartered boat for two days of excursions to neighboring islands we have assumed a minimum of ten participants. Below ten participants we will have shared boat excursions. (2) The current Quito airport is very close to the city, and the hotel includes the transfer in for its guests. A new airport, 15 miles from the city, is being built, and it is unclear when it will be opened. Should the new airport be in operation at the time of our trip, the transfer into Quito is not included in the tour price, but we would be glad to set one up for you. (3) Venture Out will arrange the round-trip flights between Quito and the Galapagos and will add this to your trip invoice. The estimated cost is $450-$500 per person and is subject to change. TRIP LOGISTICS / THINGS TO KNOW Our deluxe safari camp is located at 1,500 feet elevation, affording wonderful views from the highlands. The drive between here and the boat dock when we do our day cruises is about 40 minutes each way. As mentioned previously we cannot guarantee the specific islands we’ll visit because of the National Park’s authority to alter operators’ programs. The boat trips to the islands that are possible to visit from Santa Cruz will take between 1½ and 2½ hours each way so you should consider these cruises as part of the overall Galapagos experience just as with the traditional type of Galapagos cruise vacations. At this time of year the waters are relatively calm. Snorkeling equipment is included with our activities. If, however, you prefer to have your own mask/snorkel, then please bring one with you. Most people are able to snorkel at this time of year without a wet suit. However, wet suits are available and included should you wish to use one. Most likely a “shorty” suit would suffice.
Please note that although the Galapagos Islands are in the Pacific and along the equator, they are not “Pacific Paradises” along the lines of places like Tahiti, Fiji, or Hawaii. Parts of these volcanic islands are devoid of much vegetation and look more like the moon than Hawaii. Much of Santa Cruz Island, however, is verdant, especially in the highlands. CAVEAT While as accurate as possible at the time of printing, this itinerary should be considered a close indication of the schedule and scope of activities, trip routing, and meals, rather than an inflexible schedule of events. It is subject to change. We also reserve the right to maintain flexibility in order to take advantage of unforeseen opportunities. This trip is subject to the Limitation of Liability and all the Terms and Conditions as detailed in the Trip Enrollment Form. To realize the maximum enjoyment from your Venture Out trip, we encourage participants to have flexibility, a sense of humor, curiosity and enthusiasm about new people and places, and an openness to the unexpected. With a spirit of adventure and positive attitude, we’re sure you will have a very special travel experience. If you are uncertain about the level of comfort, difficulty, or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please email us or call Venture Out at 1-888-431-6789 to discuss your concerns. California Seller of Travel #2036134-4
Trip Extension to the Andean Highlands & Otavalo Market
January 19 – 21, 2013
Don’t want the adventure to end just yet? With this optional add-on you’ll see some of the Andes as well as a world-famous indigenous market. Stay in a beautiful and historic hacienda with meals and many activities included. In Ecuador’s green mountain highlands, you’ll witness a vibrant culture at the famous Otavalo Market and enjoy walks (or more vigorous hikes) and cultural encounters at our very lovely hacienda, a stunning hotel in an exquisite setting at 9,300 feet in the Ecuadorian Andes. Not just a historic property and a beautiful hotel but also quite an extensive working farm, the hacienda is owned by the Galo Plaza-Lasso family, from whom two of Ecuador’s past presidents have come. Each of the guest rooms comes with hand-embroidered linens and beautiful garden views. The property has a wonderfully remote ambience and famous hospitality, and its bucolic rural surroundings are a delight. It offers an authentic experience of the Ecuadorian highlands. Today the working farm produces a wide range of products including milk, cheese, quinoa, potatoes, and organic vegetables. Of special interest to many guests are the hand-embroidery workshop, the condor rehabilitation project, trout farm, and cheese factory. Virtually everything gracing the table at the hacienda comes fresh from the property’s rich earth and is carefully prepared by hand. Outside magazine named this place one of the world’s “Top Ten Finds,” and it was designated as one of Ecuador’s best hotels by National Geographic Traveler.
Day 1 — January 19, 2013 After flying into Quito in the afternoon from the Galapagos we’ll be greeted and transferred north along the Pan-American Highway into the green and beautiful Ecuadorian Andes highlands, crossing the Equator along the way. A warm welcome awaits us at the hacienda, and after settling in we’ll enjoy a deliciously prepared dinner. Day 2 The property has several wonderful, well-marked trails for hiking or for more leisurely walking. The choice is yours, depending on what you’re in the mood for, and the staff will explain all the options available and what you’ll see. The hacienda is also known for their excellent equestrian opportunities as they have an extensive collection of beautiful horses and one of the most exclusive stables in Ecuador. Their breed is a unique mixture of Andalusian, English and Quarter horses. The outcome of this crossbreeding is a robust, noble and smooth Andean horse with a perfect disposition for trail riding. The Andean Condor is endangered, and many guests here enjoy the trip to the hacienda’s own condor protection and rehabilitation project. Bird watching tours are also offered by foot, horseback, truck, or bike. Mountain bikes are also available. Another option is exploring the hacienda by horse-drawn carriage. Activities included in the Venture Out program are: a horseback riding excursion (approximately 2 hours) to visit the hacienda’s condor rehabilitation project as well as a complete tour of the hacienda which includes a guided walk through the extensive grounds and visits to the local community, the cheese factory, and the kitchen garden. If you’re feeling more low-key you can have a wander around the main building; learn more about the hacienda’s history; see the former president’s private library and the chapel; do some bird watching; and/or visit the women’s embroidery cooperative. Feeling more active? There are several well-marked hiking trails taking you up to 11,000 feet. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Today we’ll leave the hacienda and head for the nearby world-renowned Otavalo market and its sensory assault of color, aromas, and sound. The local inhabitants here have been famous for their masterful craftsmanship for centuries. They still wear distinctive traditional clothing and cling to their heritage. Even if you’re not much of shopper you’ll probably still enjoy Otavalo for its lovely setting nestled between two volcanoes and for the people-watching. Handicrafts are of excellent quality and include alpaca clothing, wool fedoras, colorful straw bags, hand-embroidered blouses, ceramics, tapestries, wood carvings, watercolor paintings, and more. We have a nice lunch included as well. Afterwards we’ll continue on our way back to Quito, arriving late in the afternoon. It will be possible to catch evening flights (but check with us first regarding specific timing before booking your flights). Otherwise, an additional night in Quito will be necessary with a morning departure the next day. Breakfast, Lunch EXTENSION COST $ 945 (with 7-15 participants) $1025 (with 4-6 participants) No single supplement Cost includes: • 2 nights’ accommodation at the hacienda in their deluxe category room • All meals at the hacienda, including soft drinks, juices, tea, coffee, mineral water • A two-hour horseback riding excursion to the condor rehabilitation project • Guided tour of the hacienda, including visits to the local community, the cheese
factory, and the kitchen garden • Lunch in Otavalo on last day • Ground transportation from/to Quito (about 2 hours each way) • English-speaking guide • Venture Out escort (minimum of 6 participants) Cost does not include: • Alcoholic beverages • Optional gratuities to hacienda staff and guides More photos from the hacienda below.
Trip Extension to the Amazon Basin Rainforest
Open Dates
This optional extension takes you to the upper headwaters of the Amazon, along the Rio Napo in particular, where a small, beautiful and contemporary lodge awaits you with a variety of activities to choose from in the area during your stay. You can be as active or as sedentary as you like. The sample pricing below is for packages that include activities, but the lodge is also available on a “dinner, bed, and breakfast” basis. At 1500 feet in elevation the climate here in the “High Amazon” is appreciably more pleasant than in the deep Amazonian lowland jungle farther downriver. January is typically one of the drier times of the year. This is still the rainforest, however, so heat and rain are not uncommon. The topography in this part of the Amazon is hilly; there’s an absence of swamps, making access to primary rainforest easier; and there’s no malaria issue. Because of the higher elevation here, nights can feel close to chilly (but not quite) compared to the deep jungle.
This extension can be done after the extension to the Andes Highlands, or in place of it, or even before the Galapagos. The number of nights and the activities chosen are customizable.
Tours to the indigenous Wuaorani and Kichwa communities are options available here along with hiking in the rainforest, world-class whitewater rafting, and other activities.
The lovely lodge enjoys a beautiful view over the rainforest and the Rio Napo, and there are only five tastefully appointed bungalows, so the feeling is intimate and quiet, and the service is personalized. A small ozone-treated pool and their own butterfly garden are nice touches. SAMPLE PRICING 3 days / 2 nights Double Occupancy: $485 per person Single Occupancy: $815 per person 4 days / 3 nights Double Occupancy: $780 per person Single Occupancy: $1345 per person Pricing includes accommodation in a beautiful bungalow and all meals plus your selected activities for each full day that you are at the lodge. Each day’s activities can consist of two half-day excursions or one full-day excursion (see below). Pricing does not include beverages, round-trip ground transfers from/to Quito, or massage. Ground transfer from/to Quito (3½ hours each way): 1 or 2 persons $150 per transfer, each way 3 or 4 persons $170 per transfer, each way 5 or 6 persons $190 per transfer, each way PLEASE NOTE: If your intent is to see as much jungle wildlife as possible then this location is not the best choice. You would be better to go to the Amazon lowlands in this case, where it is hotter and wetter but where the wildlife is more intense. This involves a flight from Quito and more effort to reach your remote jungle lodge. We would be glad to discuss this option, which is much more “adventure travel” in nature.
ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE Jatun Sacha Reserve (full day): Take a short ride with your experienced native guide to the entrance of the Jatun Sacha Chichicorumi reserve, one of Ecuador’s leading tropical field stations, protecting over 6,000 acres in its own private reserve. It’s a luxuriant oasis, and most of its land is primary forest boasting an astounding degree of biodiversity. Crammed into its confines are 525 species of bird (such as toucans, tucanillos, parrots) and 823 species of butterfly, alongside hundreds of different tree species. Occupying a transitional zone between the Andes and the lowlands proper, the terrain is hilly with creeks and streams. The guide will take you on a six-‐hour walk through the secondary and primary rainforest and unravel all of its mysteries: medicinal plants, birds, wild animals, fascinating insects, colorful frogs, and reptiles. Walk through Santa Barbara, an indigenous community set back deep in the jungle. The trek includes a lunch sent with your guide and a canoe trip back to civilization. This hike can be made easier by selecting a different part of the reserve, also through secondary and primary rainforest. Lunch in this case would be in the village of Misahualli. Rafting Trip (full day): You may choose between class IV, III or II rafting on the Rio Napo or one of the other rivers that nourish the area – all tributaries of the Amazon. This full day of adventure through beautiful canyons includes lunch on a river beach. This area has become Ecuador’s prime river rafting and kayaking center and draws many visitors now from around the globe, particularly during the Northern Hemisphere’s winter. Trips range from gentle scenic floats to exhilarating rapids in gorgeous landscapes. Amazoonico Animal Center (full day or half day): Take a canoe trip on the Rio Napo and Rio Arajuno to the animal refuge and rehabilitation center known as “Amazoonico.” The center takes in animals that have been displaced due to development in the rainforest or that were illegally captured, sold, and then somehow made their way to this rehab center. A great variety of wildlife such as the famous tigrillo (“tiger cat”), different types of monkeys (capuchin, squirrel,
spider, wooly), coatis, kinkajous, caiman, turtles, jaguarundi, tapirs, boas, peccaries, ocelots, and other wildlife are all cared for. Some of the animals are eventually released back into the wild; others are recovered enough to roam freely around the zoo. But there are also cages here: the sad reality is that some of the animals arrive here not in any condition to ever be returned to the wild. At this time of year there’s a good chance of seeing newborn coatis and monkeys. Then visit the traditional Kichwa Museum that presents many artifacts and explanations about the Kichwa people’s way of life in the rainforest. Lunch is in the village of Misahualli. From the village walk to the six hundred-‐year-‐old tree called “Papa Pununo” or come back to the lodge to relax in the ozone-‐treated rainwater swimming pool. This excursion can be shortened to a half-‐day by visiting the animal center only. Las Latas Falls (half day): A guided hike up the mountain to see one of the nicest natural wonders of the region. Bring a swim suit to enjoy the bathing pools under the waterfalls. Chiripuno Community (half day or full day): Spend a full or half day with these proud Kichwas from the indigenous community of Chiripuno who will show you traditional dances, how they live in the jungle, offer to have you participate in shamanistic rituals, and taste local beverages. Wuaorani Community (full day): Privileged access to this mysterious ethnic group hidden deep in the rainforest. This full-‐day visit includes a lunch on the riverside with your guide.
