www.ecuadors.org

[Eisig]

Thinking of planning a first trip to Eucador in November. Lots I want to see, but we'll probably only have about 8 days.

Questions: Is November too chilly to fully enjoy the Galapagos, or is it still worth doing? Would it be crazy to spend a week in Ecuador and NOT do the Galapagos? And is it possible to enjoy the Galapagos and a little bit of the rest of the country's highlights in only 8 days?

Thanks for any advice!

[Izett]

I was at the Galapagos in November and the temperature at the Galapagos was great.
When we got off the plane at Baltra Island( The only Island the plane flies to ) ,it was 86F and it was like stepping into an oven.

You will start seeing birds right away.
Those birds in the open air airport are Darwin Finches.

When you walk outside , you up in the air..those black birds are Frigate birds.

There is a 10 minute bus ride from the airport to a ferry to take you across the water(10 minute ferry ride) to the Island of Santa Cruz .

As you are on the ferry,look up in the sky again, those birds diving down like speers are the Blue Footed Boobies , now look on the shoreline from the ferry..again those are Blue Footed Boobies.. amazing.


It is from Santa Cruz that your yacht departs for the Islands of the Galapagos.

The end of November is bird hatching time , so you will be there when all these birds hatch, like the Blue and Red Footed boobies , among others.

But first you will visit the Charles Darwin Research Centre.

I would do the 4-5 day trip to the Galapagos, because this is a very unique place and a trip of a lifetime.

I would then have the City tour of Quito and see "Old Quito"

A side trip from Quito would be the Otavalo market ( which is not that far away..or better still if you are there on a Thursday then go to the Market at Saquisili, which is better than the Otavalo market and much more to see.

Also you might as well go to Mita Del Mundo...this is the Equator place and is like a small little shopping and tourist complex.

At the Equator line...you of course will do the usual tourist thing !!!

You place one foot on either side of the line and you are in both hemispheres at the same time...cool, now get someone to take a picture of you.!

Let me tell you that in Quito it is chilly at night ..so bring a sweater and/or a jacket.

I have a friend from the USA who now lives in Quito and has a Tour Company in Quito... I can give you his name and e-mail address if you want.

He organized everything for me
and my trip to both Quito and the Galapagos was a pure delight.