Sharon Sparlin: ECUADOR AND THE GALAPAGOS

Last month found me on a 2-week adventure to Ecuador that included the Galapagos Islands, an archipelago of volcanic islands and part of the Republic of Ecuador.

As most of you know, I prefer making all my own travel arrangements but for this adventure I turned to Exoticca.

My decision to use a tour operator was mainly price and entry requirements, but also this was a very last minute decision, booking just 3 weeks prior to departure.

The Exoticca package included international flights from Los Angeles to Quito and Guayaquil back to Los Angeles with JetBlue Airlines. Also included were my flights from Quito to San Cristobal Island and from San Cristobal Island to Guayaquil.

This review will focus on the Suchipakari Amazon Eco-Lodge and Spa, the Galapagos Islands and Guayaquil.

QUITO, ECUADOR

The assigned flight from Los Angeles to Quito was JetBlue and was scheduled for a morning departure at 7:30am. Because of the early morning departure I flew to Los Angeles the day prior, spending the night at Sonesta at LAX airport on Century Blvd, formerly the old Crowne Plaza. They provide complimentary airport shuttle service 24/7 and circles the airport every 20 minutes.

The following morning I arrived at the JetBlue ticket counter at approximately 5:30am. Check in was quick and efficient. I had no luggage to check as I traveled only with a backpack and a small roller bag. I also had TSA Pre-check so proceeded through TSA in just minutes, arriving at my assigned gate about 90 minutes prior to flight time.

JetBlue Counter Los Angeles

The flight to Quito was routed through Fort Lauderdale with an arrival in Quito at 10:37pm. An Exoticca representative was waiting in Quito and drove me to the Mercure Alameda taking about 40 minutes. Hotel check in was super quick, staff was very friendly and I was settled into my room before midnight.

Restaurant entrance

Lobby fountain

Lobby Registration Desk

In room desk/chairs

Double room

The following day Diego, the Exoticca tour guide, met his group in the hotel lobby and prepared us for what lie ahead. Namely, a 6 hour drive to Suchipaki Amazon Eco-Lodge and Spa located in Tena. Our group size was eleven.

Our transportation to Suchipakari Lodge

L-R: Diego our tour guide, Ernesto our driver

Stop at the top of the mountain

On the drive to Suchipakari

Lunch stop to eat grubs

We arrived at the lodge parking lot to discover that we still had a good walk ahead of us to reach the lodge.

Walk to the lodge

Walk to the loge

Walk to the lodge

Then it would be up several steep steps for the check-in desk and a welcome drink. The lodge staff transported the group luggage from the parking lot to the bottom of the hill via wheelbarrow. Then it was strictly man power to get the luggage up the hill and subsequently to the assigned rooms.

Lodge check-in area and bar

Final steps to get to the check-in area

This lodge is an all-inclusive, providing breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Alcoholic beverages are not included but I found the prices to be quite reasonable. An invoice for 4 beers and 4 wines was $48.

Lodge pool

Entrance to dining room

Dining room

Unfortunately our room was even further up the hill so more steps were required.

Location of my room - lower floor on the right

A complimentary nightime, along with a daytime jungle walk was included, complete with a cool set of black or yellow rubber boots.

Our toucan friend

jungle walk

Jungle walk

jungle walk

Jungle walk

Our fashionable jungle boots

jungle walk

Another complimentary option was tubing the river. I did not do this activity but comments from other participants confirmed the water level was low and getting in and out of the river required negotiating slippery rocks, making me super glad I opted to pass on this activity.

Group leaving for tubing adventure

My favorite activity was chocolate making.

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Located in the Pacific Ocean about 600 miles west of continental Ecuador, the islands comprise a group of 18 main islands, 3 smaller islands and 107 rocks and islets.

The islands straddle the equator with 3 smaller islands, plus the tip of Isla Isabela, sitting North of the Equator and the remainder of the islands all South of the Equator.

My visit was to Isla San Cristobal. Exoticca secured Latam Arilines flights from Quito to Aeropuerto de San Cristobal. Flying time was 3.5 hours.

Upon arrival, I once again was greeted by the Exoticca representative and transferred to the Casa Opuntia Hotel.

Casa Optunia Hotel

The hotel is located just 5 minutes from the airport, in the heart of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

View from my balcony

Breakfast setting

Hotel room in Galapagos

The official language is Spanish but English is widely spoken. Since March, 2000 the currency has been the U.S. Dollar.

The islands are known for their large number of endemic species that were studied by Charles Darwin during the second voyage of the HMS Beagle. His observations and collections contributed to the inception of Darwin’s theory of evolution by means of natural selection.

It is hard to put into words an experience on the Galapagos Islands. It wasn’t nearly as remote as I had envisioned. The population of San Cristobal is about 6,000. I averaged 2-3 miles a day during my stay but there are numerous taxis available if needed.

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is the capital of Galapagos Province, Ecuador and is on the southwest coast of Isla San Cristobal, the easternmost island in the archipelago. Fishing is the main activity but tourism is on the increase. The town has a cathedral, a post office, police station, a hospital, and a branch of the Universidad San Francisco de Quito. It also houses the Centro de Interpretacion of the Galapagos National Park, which was established in 1988.

Highlights of my stay in San Cristobal included a 90 minute water taxi ride around the bay, walking among the numerous animals, spotting the rare blue-footed booby, a hike toward Darwin’s Bay and a visit to Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado, the giant tortoise rehabilitation center.

Standing: Marci Inman/Kneeling: Sharon Sparlin

Trail toward Darwin Bay

Rare blue-footed boobie

Local mercado

Street vendor

Local restaurant

Water taxi driver David

The Pirate Boat - our water taxi

Note: The islands function almost entirely on a CASH basis so plan accordingly.

You will be required to pay a visa fee of $20 and a National Park fee of $100 in cash.

Exoticca arranged for a 2pm flight from San Cristobal island to Guayaquil. On arrival in Guayaquil an Exoticca representative was waiting and arranged for taxi transportation to the Unipark Hotel.

This was a beautiful hotel and in a great location. Accommodation include an extensive complimentary breakfast.

The hotel is located on Calle 5 SE, directly across the street from Parque Seminario (Park of Iguanas), ½ block from Catheral Catolica Metropolitana and a short 3 block walk to the Guyas River and the Malecon Simon Bolivar boardwalk.