[NoHo Arts District, CA] – In this month’s Active World Journeys travel blog, JJack Witt shares his Best of Ecuador and Galapagos Adventure, a 12-day ecotourism experience through one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. This journey highlights small-group travel, sustainable practices, and unforgettable wildlife encounters across mainland Ecuador and the legendary Galapagos Islands.
Why Ecuador and the Galapagos Are a Top Ecotourism Destination
The Galapagos Islands of Ecuador, with their unique biodiversity, are crucial for understanding evolution and preserving the global ecological balance. I recently had an opportunity to be part of a 12-day “Best of Ecuador and Galapagos” program for travel industry professionals. The trip was specifically designed to emphasize ecotourism and small group travel as keys for minimizing environmental impact whilst maximizing cultural exchange and authentic learning experiences.
Starting the Journey in Quito
Our tour started off in Ecuador’s capital city of Quito, perched sky-high up in the Andes Mountains at 9,300 ft. and surrounded by 17 volcanoes. Vistas on a clear day are absolutely breathtaking. Quito holds the distinction for being the largest, best-preserved colonial city in the Americas and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We visited the Virgin Mary statue high above the city (apparently bigger than Christ the Redeemer in Rio), toured some amazing churches with 24 Carat Gold Leaf interiors, and went to the Equator where you weigh two pounds less due to the shape of the earth there and gravitational forces! (Easy weight loss program that involves no exercise or eating healthy.) When you’re at the Equator, there’s conflicting gravitational pull, so it’s very difficult to do the “tight rope” walk.
@jackewitt Total fail! When you're at the Equator, there's conflicting gravitational pull, so it's very difficult to do the "tight rope" walk 😆
♬ original sound – jackwitt
Hiking Cotacachi Cayapas National Park
The next day we went to Cotacachi Cayapas National Park and hiked around a beautiful crater lake and afterwards stopped for a tasting of a type of Tequila Ecuadorians have had since the ancient times called “Miske.” It’s made from raw agave sap, is clear and smells and tastes like a rounder, softer version of tequila. We finished our day at a local music workshop where we heard demonstrations of various Andean instruments.
Flying to the Galapagos Islands
Six hundred miles off the coast of Ecuador, The Galapagos Islands were calling us. We took a flight the next day (about 3 hours) from Quito to St. Cristobal, the eastern most and second most populous of the islands. Here we did an overview at the interpretation center and a short hike to some lookout viewpoints and a swim, staying overnight in one of the charming hotels.
Exploring the Galapagos by Catamaran Yacht
Then, in order to travel deeper into the Galapagos, we’d spend four nights on a catamaran yacht called The Treasure.
The crew on board The Treasure were professional, fun, and engaging. The tour guide who would go out with us each day on our excursions was very knowledgeable and very passionate. And the food on board the yacht was exceptional, I don’t think I’ve ever eaten such delightful meals over the course of four days in my life as I did on The Treasure.
Wildlife Encounters Across the Islands
During our journey we sailed to the islands of Española, Floreana, Santa Fe, and Santa Cruz, the most populous of the islands. (There are about 13 – 18 major islands that make up the Galapagos.) Our daily activities typically included snorkeling, kayaking, and hiking. We’d marvel at blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, albatrosses, flamingos, Iguanas, tortoises (some over 100 years old!), colorful fish, sharks, whales, and the unofficial stars of the islands – the Sea Lions. Swimming with the Sea Lions is joyous and wondrous…. until you see their mouth up close!
Visiting a Traditional Sugar Cane and Coffee Farm
After we disembarked on Santa Cruz Island, we visited Adriano Cabrera, age 86, who runs a sugar cane/cacao/coffee farm. He is considered a local treasure. Adriano provided us with an immersive experience showcasing the traditional processes he uses in creating his products. The bag he sells that his coffee comes in has a drawing of him on it, and it’s made of the sugar cane plant.
Final Reflections on the Trip
After an overnight at a hotel on Santa Cruz Island, it was an easy flight from there back to Quito in the mainland where we said our goodbyes. Group travel is all about the people, and I was so fortunate to have such a fun bunch of travel industry professionals from around the globe to explore with. I know we all share the same passion to help people with amazing adventures and experiences.
I want to thank the team at Andean Travel Company for providing me a terrific first-timer’s travel experience in Ecuador. I was thoroughly impressed with the history, culture, food, wildlife, and natural wonders that Ecuador and The Galapagos have to offer as a top travel destination. Special thanks also to The Adventure Connection in helping to facilitate this amazing trip.
If you’d like to organize a trip like this for your friends or family let me know. If you can wait, I most likely will be hosting an Ecuador and Galapagos Adventure Tour sometime in 2027 / 2028 timeframe, and you’re invited!
Cheers,
Jack Witt, MS, CPT
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