Felicia’s Trip of a Lifetime – Exploring Ecuador & the Galápagos Islands

Visit the Galapagos Islands – the best time is now!

The Galapagos Islands have firmly become every wildlife lover’s most desired destination. Various BBC documentaries and National Geographic interest brings out the inner David Attenborough in all of us and the opportunity to see all these friendly, non-threatened, unique animals in such a strangely remote habitat is the holiday of dreams.

                         

I put it off for a while as I was reluctant to embark on what I thought might be an unbeatable adventure. What if everywhere else after fails to impress? Thoughts that I’m too young to start my bucket list were eventually hampered by others reminding me of the cliches that ‘life’s too short’, ‘the best time is now’, and the macabre ‘you might be dead by the time you get round to it’, coupled with the extraordinary privilege that owning a travel company allows me – I decided this would be the year.  And if this a trip I only do once, I wanted to make sure I did it in the best way possible.

There’s no denying that a trip to South America and one of the most coveted wildlife spots on earth is expensive. It’s far away for Europeans, expensive to book, and quite complicated to wade through all the options. But that’s my job. I already knew the most respected suppliers, most impressive accommodations and who I wanted to guide me through the journey. I stopped worrying what the ‘best things to see’ were and the ‘most interesting islands’ – as I learned that every experience is unique and every encounter memorable.

             

We returned from our 2 week trip to Ecuador at the end of November, and my fears were realised. Reinforced by my travel partner, I’m not sure I can plan another holiday that will beat it. Everything about this trip was truly amazing. There’s not enough hyperbole to describe the wonders that exist in Ecuador. I can only advise, if you can make it happen, just do it, and do it as well as you can – you will not regret it. Odyssey World, however, can make the journey easier for you – imparting our advice and experience, finding ways to make your budget stretch, or choosing the most impressive and comfortable elements that will deliver a trip of a lifetime.

The itinerary I built for myself and would highly recommend is here. This is the best of the best and I’m not sure how it could be improved. However, this might not be for everyone, so if I can help your dreams come true and get you to the Galapagos, call me with your requirements – I love a challenge!

Ecuador ‘s Charming Capital – Quito

                              

Prior to your arrival in Ecuador, you’ll have no doubt heard stories of civil unrest, street danger and narco-crime. Sadly, the country continues to navigate through difficult times, and while considered generally safe to visit by most governments, it doesn’t hurt to give yourself a little extra comfort when you stay in Quito.

Casa Gangotena is a Relais & Châteaux-branded boutique hotel on the corner of the main square, Plaza Grande. A beautifully restored former mansion, it has the most coveted prime location where you can stroll safely outside, capturing the charm of this pleasant city. Standard rooms are small but elegant and grand, and the hotel still retains a sense of the private home it once was. Breakfast is delightful, and if you don’t wish to venture out to the local restaurants, you will be in for a real treat sampling the chef’s Cocina Mestiza – modern culinary creations with traditional Ecuadorian flavours. One charming offering from this hotel was the city map provided on arrival, highlighting local artists and artisan businesses, so you can explore the neighbourhood on your own, comfortable that you’re supporting quality, positive and responsible establishments of the community.

Ecuador’s Exotic Cloud Forest

                           

Adored by some of the best travel journalists and wildlife enthusiasts in the world, a journey to Mashpi Lodge is nothing but adventure and delight from start to finish.

As you leave the bustling city of Quito and start to make your way down to Mashpi Lodge, you’ll marvel at the modern engineering and smooth sweeping road carving down into the forested valley and back up the other side. Passing the local village with a school, bodega and few restaurants (where many of the staff who work at Mashpi are located), you will eventually turn off onto a gravel track, which is where the adventure really starts. 8 strangers on my shuttle bump along the road in almost silence, gazing at the huge monstera leaves waving you in and oversized jungle plants framing the road. A huge grin was spread across my face as my mind silently repeated….

Where the hell are we?

What are we doing here?

Aren’t I so lucky?

You’ll feel you’ve been climbing but the net downhill between Quito and Mashpi is around 6000 feet, so no altitude effects and a markedly more humid, warm environment.

Arrival at Mashpi Lodge is as you’d expect – friendly, comforting, casual, as the adorable staff whisk you off to enjoy lunch while they arrange everything else. With staff that live on property and work 2 weeks on/1 week off, you’ll get to become very familiar with your waiter, the front desk team and of course, the highly skilled and educated local biologists who will escort you through your excursion programme and jungle tours.

The rooms are quite stripped back – no TV (yay!), quite basic furniture and bathroom but most of the space taken up by a huge bed and vast space by the floor to ceiling window with sweeping forest views for you to gaze at when you wake.

The programme is explained and designed for you to enjoy the forest as you wish. I would advise doing a little research before you arrive so you can ask and choose an activity level most suited to you. Due to the steep topography of the forest, most of the hikes involve some significant climbing, but they will advise based on your preference.

Meals are all included and offered as a mix and match choice of fine dining options and more simple sandwiches, and the ‘have anything you’d like’ attitude is portrayed perfectly by the restaurant staff.

Mashpi Lodge is consistently featured in many ‘best hotels in the world’ lists and for good reason. It’s more important than posh surroundings and high end bath cosmetics.  It’s a feeling of privilege of being somewhere unique – somewhere that makes a true difference to local community and the wider natural ecosystem, a resort who’s private owners have consistently exceeded government efforts to conserve and improve the local surroundings and economy, and continue to contribute to critical biological discoveries and diversity protection. The price tag for a two night stay is chunky, but once you’ve committed, you’ll want for nothing and the feeling you take away with you will last forever.

Cruise the Galapagos

                              

Most people expect to embark on a cruise when they visit the Galapagos, and to take in as much variety as possible, it really is the best way to do it, if budget allows. Ships are strictly regulated, controlled and monitored throughout the Galapagos Island to combat overcrowding and illegal activity and ensure the best balance between tourism and conservation. There are generally three kinds of vessel to choose from – the smaller private charters carrying 16-20 passengers, mid-size yachts with up to 50 passengers, and the larger cruise ships operated by Silversea and Celebrity with max 100 passengers. There are pros and cons of all and a wide range of price point, but you’ll probably find this the most expensive element of your trip – for good reason. We have helped many clients find the right ship for them and their budget and can advise how to build this crucial element into your itinerary.

Island stay

                           

Contrary to popular belief, there is a resident population of Galapagenos, with plenty of hotels, restaurants, facilities and day tours to visit the wilder archipelago. The two main towns are on the islands of Santa Cruz and San Cristobal and from these two points, you can travel around the island by road, or get to the more remote neighbouring islands on boat trips. There is a fixed schedule of tours, and it can get quite complicated if you have a fixed agenda.  Hotels vary to suit a wide range of budgets and absorbing ‘island life’ is a whole different feel and very worthwhile. Each town has its own animal residents, including Giant Tortoises, Blue footed boobies and sea lions who roam freely, and it’s great fun to see how they interact, quite comfortably, with their human neighbours.

If you’re interested in an excursion to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, visit our destination page to peruse our itineraries or contact us directly to weave your own curated adventure – enquiries@odyssey-world.co.uk / +44 117 313 7070!