SOUTH AMERICAN ADVENTURE: ECUADOR AND PERU
March 4-28, 2008
We'll soon be off on our first visit to S. America. We've had our typhoid shots, got our Diamox prescription for altitude sickness, and will keep close tabs on those passports, wallets and cameras. Most places we're staying have internet on site, so check in periodically to this blog for installments! Hasta la vista, babies!
Tues., Mar 4: YVR-Quito, Ecuador (via SLC & Atlanta), Delta Airlines. Leave 6:00 a.m., arrive Quito 9:45 p.m. Overnight in Quito at a B & B at 2850 metres. Quito is the 2nd highest capital in S. A.
Wed – Sat, 5-8: Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve & Lodge, N/W of Quito, pretty much right on the equator. Birding hikes in the pre-montane cloud forest between 1400 – 2600 m. We join Judy & Mike, who arrive before us. Website: http://www.bellavistacloudforest.com/
Sat., Mar 8: Quito, overnight in Hotel Vieja Cuba, at Diego de Almagro 1212 and La Nina, in New Town.
Sun, Mar 9: Galapagos Islands Hiking Adventure, Southern Explorations: www.southernexplorations.com/galapagos-HikingAdventure.htm
Together with Judy and Mike, we fly to San Cristóbal Island where we spend two days before moving on by boat for two days on Santa Cruz and finally two days on Isabela Island. Hiking during the day and sleeping on land, we avoid spending too much time in cramped quarters on a boat and reduce our chances of getting seasick!
Mar 15-17: Quito, again at Hotel Vieja Cuba, exploring Quito with Judy and Mike. Then we part ways as they head to La Selva Jungle Lodge east of the Andes, while we make our way to Peru.
Mar 17: Quito – Lima – Cusco, Peru: Our overnight flight, LAN Airlines, leaves Quito at 21:00 hrs, arriving Lima 23:15. A 6-hour wait before departing Lima for Cusco at 5:15. So, the challenge will be to get some rest at the airport while keeping at least one eye on our stuff, by turns. Fortunately, we’ll be met upon our arrival in Cusco.
Mar 18, 19 & 26: Cusco, Peru. 3400 m (11,150 ft.), prime altitude for soroche (altitude sickness.) Pensión Alemana B & B, in the San Blas neighbourhood, just a few minutes from the main square, Plaza de Armas. And they have oxygen, if we need it! http://www.pension-alemana-cuzco.com/
Mar 20-26: From Cusco, we’ll explore Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley and perhaps farther afield. Stay tuned!
Mar 27–28: Cusco – Lima – Quito – Atlanta – Vancouver. We leave Cusco at 9:25 a.m. and arrive the next morning in Vancouver at 11:10 a.m.
