Culture Nature Relax (Galapagos, Cuenca, Ingapirca, Chordeleg, Vilacabamba) 16 days   Itinerary Descriptions:

Cuenca - city tour
	Strolling along the narrow cobblestone streets of this charming colonial town you will enjoy seeing locals in their traditional dress, colourful markets as well as fine churches and museums, notably the anthropological exhibition of the Banco Central museum.

Chordeleg handicrafts
	Since pre-Hispanic times Chordeleg has been home to gifted craftspeople who continue their traditions today. Visits to the workshops reveal particularly delicately worked filigree jewellery and other local crafts such as ceramics and the famous Panama hat.

Cañar - Ingapirca Inca ruins

Ingapirca (3,200m) is the largest and most important archaeological site in Ecuador used for worship and astrology. The structure has outstanding Inca stonework. Its doorways and niches are designed in a trapezoidal shape that is unmistakable Inca style. Although a ceremonial site, it is also strategically positioned and resembles a fortress. It was occupied by the Canaris before the Incans took control in the 1470s.

Vilcabamba (Valle Sagrado)
	A most pleasant climate, healthy diet, pure air and pristine water are the reason many inhabitants of this beautiful village live more than a hundred years. It is said that no-one has ever died of heart problems. Relax, enjoy, and forget time in the Sacred Valley of Vilcabamba.

Mandango peak
	For hundreds of years the giant Mandango peak has been a sacred site. The ancient Quichua people called it a sleeping king. Trek up and feel on top of the world. Stunning views of the lush valley of Vilcabamba and surrounding crumpled peaks.

Madre Tierra spa
	Offering treatments from reflexology to mud baths, this is an absolutely wonderful way to relax and rejuvenate. The Spa is a beautiful place surrounded by plants, flowers and trees, where birds sing from morning till night. Absolute bliss.

Quito – colonial city tour
	Quito’s magnificent historic sector has some of the continent’s best preserved colonial Spanish architecture. This fascinating tour takes in the most important plazas, churches and museums including the Basilica del Voto Nacional and its spectacular city views. All of these are easily explored on foot.

Charles Darwin research station and giant tortoise breeding centre
	Lots of fascinating information about the islands and their wildlife and the most successful breeding and repopulation project of native species managed by the Galápagos National Park and the Charles Darwin research station.

Finca el Trapiche
	El trapiche means distillery or mill and you will have the opportunity to sample the homemade sugar cane liquor if you are brave enough! The family have other delicious organic products such as sugar cane juice, coffee and cheese.

Lava Tubes
	Enter and explore the lava tubes which are geological formations left behind by lava flows around two million years ago.

FUNDAR Conservation Project

FUNDAR Galapagos is a non profit, non government organization which carries out education projects aimed at changing public behaviour and promoting sustainable development. You will spend one day learning and working in their sustainable farm in the highland in Santa Cruz, among native and endemic species of flora and fauna including the giant tortoise, you will enjoy a fun day helping to eradicate introduced species and reforest endemic and native plants.

Santa Cruz Island - Tortuga Bay
	Walk through an extraordinary cactus forest to reach a breathtaking expanse of white powdery sand reaching out to a glistening azure sea, completely unspoilt and protected by the Galapagos National Park. It is home to a unique variety of birds, marine iguanas, turtles and white tip sharks. Tranquil yet invigorating.

Isabela Island - Volcán (volcano) Chico

Take a horseback ride to the Sierra Negra volcano, which last erupted in 2005 filling the massive caldera measuring 11km by 6 km. On the northern edge of the caldera is Volcán Chico with active fumaroles and flows of petrified lava of diverse textures and colours. On a clear day, you will see other volcanoes in the north of the Isabela and nearby islands. Spectacular scenery and bird watching for short eared owls, finches, flycatchers and Galápagos hawks.

Isabela - Los Túneles snorkelling trip
	Los Túneles is perhaps the most spectacular snorkelling site, not for its crystal clear and calm water but for the number and variety of marine turtles. It is an area of extraordinary volcanic formations of arches and tunnels inside and out of the water

Isabela - Tintoreras
	Harmless white-tip sharks like to bask in the shallow waters of the Puerto Villamil bay. A walk over lava seeing blue-footed boobies, penguins and marine iguanas on the way, takes you to a brilliant view point where you can see from up close the sharks resting in the tranquil water.

Isabela - Concha y Perla snorkelling and swimming
	A perfect spot for swimming and snorkelling or even just sitting. A mysterious walk through huge mangrove roots leads you to a bay of calm and shallow water where you might have the chance to swim with sea lions, penguins, turtles as well as colourful fish, coral and starfish.

Isabela – The Wall of Tears and lagoons bike tour

Between 1946 and 1959 a penal colony existed on Isabela and convicts were obliged to construct a wall of very sharp lava rock 8 metres high and 100 metres long. This is at the end of a coastal path which we cycle along, stopping at several brackish lagoons that are home to flamingos, whimbrels, white-cheeked pintails and gallinules. You may be lucky enough to spot a tortoise ambling along the path too.