Share |







FOR MORE INFORMATION WRITE TO US:
ricardo@galapagosurf.net and if in Ecuador call right away to
5934830654 or better cell phone #59397835794

Birdwatching & Options

There are other options to just charter a boat or tour the islands, that are expensive for some groups or individuals, and that is, to just head for S. Cristobal Island and stay there in town and surf close by spots that are great!. Or surfari, birdwatch or do other adventure activities on the Ecuadorian Coast with us. Arrangements with other operators for all this we can do for you at no increased prices since we dont ask for big comissions like other agencies.

We can also handle your Birdwatching activities and contacts around the country.

With day tours to see wildlife, kayaking, sport fishing world record areas, snorkel, scuba, trekking, biking, plane model flying, etc. Or just plain island, beach or coast exploring. We can show you all the Guayaquil Gulf estuary in just few hours if you care to take a flight from Shangri-La´s small plane airport.

Staying in Towns (Pt. Baquerizo, San Cristobal Is., best waves close by), Pto Ayora (Sta. Cruz Is. no real good waves close but can get to good spots in a hour dinghy ride), Pto. Villamil (Isabela Is. Same as Pto. Ayora, close to biggest surf) at Galapagos is very positive for Locals.

Galapagos & Mainland Ecuador Towns Locals have been excluded from Ecotourism beneficial effects caused by the traditional way of handling Tourism->get on the plane, get on the boat, get on the fancy hotel, get on the plane again and leave, may be buy a couple of T-shirts and that's it< type of Tourism.

We can handle Plane Tickets, Hotel, & vehicle reservations from Quito, Guayaquil and Galapagos.

We can get you in contact with Travel Agencies for excursions to the Beautiful and huge Andes. Without increasing regular prices.

We can handle your surf tour at mainland Ecuador.


This traditional way have restrict the amount of jobs to the Locals, of opportunities, activities, etc., they need not to get into informal or illegal activities that harm the environment.

Surfing in particular and all watersports can help switch to activities that can be handled from Towns as well as chartering boats. Using different zones of the islands like the Marine Area and not just the same Land areas of the Park used by traditional ways thus, decreasing congestion, therefore decreasing impact on the ecology of the islands.

We encourage you to spend some time, as long as possible, in any Town. You can get to good surf from there and have a good time and relate to the people, crafts, and ecuadorians are known for their good vibes to tourists, you can let go here and surf, birdwatch, hike, climb, fish, ride a river, mountain bike through incredible places and sights, skate, watch people, watch precipices (no too close, Ok?!) etc. Just really have good natural fun.

Ecuador is one the countries in the world with the highest levels of Biodiversity, Climate diversity and Etno-diversity and you can get throughout Ecuador in few hours drive or mileage. Guayaquil is only 6 hours or so, from the Amazon Basin!. "Birdwatching in Ecuador" is for sure one splendid experience and as now our country is probably the best place on earth to birdwatch. Our species density is hardly beat. And species are still being discover as is "plantwatching" Ecuador.

Very few countries have this diversity so close. And also, we can say proudly that is hard that you could find a most friendly and peaceful people all over. Best sites I have found so far with a very good drescription of our country are:

Mindo Birdwatching House
Lonely Planet

Roads are even better than Costa Rica or similar. Driving though is risky. Ecuadorians are careless drivers, couple with the fact that there are few signs on roads, be very careful & just drive slowly especially at nights, in fact, try avoiding long night drives.

You can also send me e-mails in Spanish.


 

Hacienda "La Mestiza"

Hacienda "La Mestiza" is a 300 hectares farm land owned by the Bjarner-Vedova family.
This hacienda and its surrounding areas have the most varied birds I have ever seen.
A recomended especial place to visit and close by, in just an hour+ drive through espectacular farm and natural forest lands, you will
get to the Andes cloud forest a superb place for birdwatching, mountain biking, hiking or just plain driving on 4x4. Best time to come to these areas are the months of May-October. Being the best May-July period. "La Mestiza" is only 2 hours from Guayaquil. More pictures will come soon on mountain biking (I just bought a bike just to see the cloud forest next May-July season). The Hacienda is now open for 2-4 people at $20/night per person-breakfast included.


Old style dinning room

Ample cool rooms

Hacienda`s beatiful relaxed porch

The hacienda house was built right on a ancient indian village where archeological pieces can be found

Tambo`s river close by. A great place for inner tube riding in safe clean and cool waters.

Great mountain biking with lots of sightseeing throughout

Hacienda House view of Andes

Cloudforest at 2000 meters.

Clean river waters right by house

House Front garden and river side

The view from 2000 meters aproximate

"El Puntudo" is a magnificent area about 2 hours from Hacienda in the Cloud forest

Green honeycreeper


Black-cheeked woodpecker


Fasciate antshrike

Blue headed Momot, feeds right on Hacienda land close by house

Ecuadorian Trogon can be seen easily
around Hacienda`s house

Juvenile great Black hawk