Dolphin Charters

Ecuador is an extraordinarily rich country that includes not only the Galapagos, but also some of the richest Amazon rainforest, complex Andean bioregions, and a highly varied coast and coastal plain area. The coastal area itself stretches from an intense rainforest of over 600 inches of rain per year in the North, to a desert in the south.

Ecuador is only about the size of the state of Colorado, making visiting its very diverse regions not only possible, but also efficient. Truly amazing is the biological richness of this small country. Setting on the equator, it has the potential of an equatorial summer year round. Yet its higher peaks are covered in snow and ice. Quito experiences eternal spring, and the lowlands can be very warm.

This varied terrain makes for a birding paradise, with many unique species. For example, there are over 130 kinds of hummingbirds alone, and the 1600 bird species are one of the biological wonders of the world. Nowhere else is such a diversity of birds found in such a small country! Birds are numerous and can be everywhere, including downtown city parks. If anything, the plant diversity is even more amazing.

The Amazon Region has the greatest flowering of life on earth, not only birds, but plants and fish. As many as 200 species of trees have been found per hectare and more fish species than occur in the Atlantic Ocean. The western Amazon, near the eastern slope of the Andes has the highest diversity of anywhere in South America.

Unequivocally the Galapagos is the most exciting wildlife preserve in the world due to the universal tameness of the animals. It is a virtual Garden of Eden and it is a living laboratory of evolution. It is the mecca for lovers of nature, but even with a casual interest you will be drawn into the naturalist world and thrill at the fascination of the unique flora and fauna. A few of the outstanding animals you will be watching include marine and land iguanas, giant land tortoises left from the age of reptiles, sea lions and fur seals, flightless cormorants, penguins on the equator, flamingos, tropic birds, two species of frigate birds, three species of boobies and a confusing array of Darwin's finches. The underwater life is also a highlight of the trip.

The Cloud Forest on the western slope of the Andes is another highly diverse endemic center of richness. It is possible to see, for example 30 species of hummingbirds in a day - all within a few miles of each other. Its botanical life is even more abundant with plants growing on plants in great profusion and this area is a favorite of Ronn’s.

For this year, we have made it possible for you to visit three distinct and colorful areas of Ecuador in one trip: The Amazon, the Galapagos Islands and the Cloud Forest. As great and outstanding as are the Galapagos Islands, our goal is to help you explore more of one of Earth's jewels - the little country of Ecuador.

Ronn Patterson has led many trips throughout Ecuador, and is particularly familiar with the areas you’ll be visiting. The Ecuadorian guides that accompany all the trips are very knowledgeable and informed about the diversity that Ecuador has to offer. The lodges for the Amazon and Cloud Forest and the motor vessel Samba for the Galapagos are quite comfortable and the food is wonderful!

One of the richest and most interesting biological region of this already rich country is the unique cloud forest on the mid level, western slopes of the Andes, only a few hours drive from Quito.

Here, the moist clouds off the Pacific back up, producing a predictably lush temperate rainforest in the already rich tropics. The result is super abundance. Plants literally run out of room; everything seems to grow on everything else, producing a riot of epiphytes - bromeliads, orchids, lichens, mosses, and more. The variety is further increased by the topography, some slopes being dryer or wetter than others. The forests are composed of abundant ground cover and cathedral like trees dressed in epiphytes.

It is the home of one of the largest endemic bird species complexes in Ecuador and is world famous as the Tandayapa birding region. It is relatively easy to see 30 species of hummingbirds in a single day; twenty species will be near your cabin door. The region recently won the Audubon bird count for the highest number of birds seen in a single day anywhere in the world - 340 species! And even if you are not a birder, I can guarantee you will fall in love with your hummingbird neighbors - winged jewels, I call them. The forest itself is a riot of color, with flowering plants throughout the year.

The comfortable Bella Vista Lodge sits on the top of a ridge in the heart of this abundance. A maze of trails in every direction provide easy guided nature walks three times a day, plus night adventures for the "night watch" of forest activity and sounds.

The lodge provides comfortable lodging plus adequate rain gear and boots. There is a serious library of helpful books, but most important is the staff of well-qualified and helpful naturalists, room service, and extraordinary food. This combination of wildlife, gorgeous terrain, and wonderful guides can't be beat!

Included: Airport pickup for those arriving as a group, lodging with breakfast in Quito. Transportation by van to Bella Vista Lodge, breakfast, lunch and dinner while at Bella Vista, double accommodations throughout. Guided walks before and after breakfast, in the afternoon, and some at night while at the lodge.

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The Amazon, measuring 6.5 million square kilometers (approximately 2.5 million square miles) is the largest tropical ecosystem in South America and contains a huge network of rivers and lakes making up 20% of the earth's freshwater.

The highest levels of bio-diversity in the whole of the Amazon Basin (and the world itself) have been recorded in the Ecuadorian jungle. About one third of the 1800 species of birds that exist in the tropical rainforest can be found here. It is an avian paradise.

Lush green rainforest exists in this area of pristine beauty. It is a heaven to be explored with its impressive vegetation and humid, earthy odor. It's songs of hidden frogs, darting birds, howler monkeys and buzzing insects provides background to the visual experience. More than 250 mammal species inhabit the rainforest, and two species of freshwater dolphins call its abundant rivers and lakes home. Also present in the watery realm are four species of piranhas and the gigantic paiche (Arapaima) measuring up to 3 meters in length.

Included: Airport pickup for group arrival, lodging in double accommodations with breakfast in Quito (snack only on morning of departure from hotel for those going onto the Galapagos), city tour of Quito, transfers to airport, flight to and from Lago Agrio, transport to Tapir Lodge from Lago Agrio, lodging and all meals at Tapir Lodge, daily guided excursions while in the Amazon.

Not Included: National Park fees, gratuities, meals other than breakfast while in Quito, or things of a personal nature.

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Unequivocally, the most exciting wildlife preserve in the world. The Galapagos is a virtual Garden of Eden and is a living laboratory of evolution.Much of the same fauna and flora still thrive on the islands today: the marine and land iguanas, the giant tortoises and sea lion colonies, the famous Darwin finch, the flightless cormorant, the only equatorial penguin and the magnificent frigate bird, to name just a few. The underwater life is another highlight of the trip.

We will be cruising in a comfortable motor yacht, intimately exploring numerous shore areas, hiking, walking, tide pooling, snorkeling, botanizing, bird watching, swimming and whale watching. Many of you will be photographing and the trip and itinerary is especially suited for the photographer. The photographic opportunities are outstanding.

The yacht, Samba, will anchor at each island destination, and pangas (small boats) will ferry you to the landing. Naturalist guides will accompany us on marked paths, skirting the bird nesting areas. The terrain is often rough, so you should be in good physical condition. Some islands have excellent swimming beaches and snorkeling areas. You'll want to bring your own mask, snorkel, and flippers.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served aboard. Menus are continental cuisine. At sunset, enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres and your favorite drink which you may purchase from a well stocked bar. The onboard naturalist will give a daily briefing covering the day's shore visit and a preview of the following day's landing.

Included: Airport pick up for group arrival in Quito, lodging with breakfast in Quito, city tour, airport transfer to Quito Airport, domestic flight to Baltra, all meals and lodging while cruising on the Samba, and full time guide service while in the Galapagos.

Not Included: Taxes, government fees, National Park fees, gratuities, alcoholic drinks, optional rental of snorkeling gear, and things of a personal nature.

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