2010 Itinerary
 Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Depart RDU 1:15 pm, arrive Quito 10 pm. Upon arrival in Quito, meet Monica Navarrete from Heifer International and Miguel Castanel, our guide and translator. Proceed to Hostal Los Alpes. Each evening we’ll meet for nightly reports, to preview the next day, answer questions and provide suggestions on what to wear and bring.
Overnight in Hostal Los Alpes in Quito.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Altitude adaptation day. Meet with staff at the offices of Heifer Ecuador for a welcome and orientation. Assemble the teaching boxes created by last year’s teachers for use in our June 29 workshop at the school in Santa Elena province. Travel to Otavalo, visit Parque Condor in Pucará de Curiloma, altitude 9,350 ft. We will see rehabilitated raptors. Dinner and overnight in Otavalo. Nightly Reports-Groups share daily meteorological and cultural observations. We begin the nightly ritual of composing a daily journal entry to post on the Museum’s Web site for our groups following along at home.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Travel to the ‘county’ of Cotacachi. Hike up to the Paramo to visit the Morochos community’s Alpacas Project. Lunch in Morochos with leaders of UNORCAC (Unión de Organizaciones Campesinas de Cotacachi= Union of Farmer Organizations). Travel to Mindo, overnight at the Bellavista Cloud Forest Hotel. Nightly Meeting & Reports.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Breakfast activities with hummingbirds — Ecuador has more species than any country in the world! Birding Excursion in the Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve. Free afternoon! Meet in small groups for workshop planning. Nightly Meeting & Reports. Pootoo & Moth Observations. Overnight at the Bellavista Cloud Forest Hotel.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Morning Hike in the Cloud Forest. Biodiversity in situ! Leave for Quito in the afternoon. Overnight at Hostal Los Alpes. Nightly Meeting & Reports. Pack to fly.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Early morning flight from Quito to Guayaquil. Travel to Santa Elena province to visit ATAM’s (Association of Farm Workers of Manglar Alto) small farms project. Lunch in the community. Nightly Meeting & Reports. Last preparations for tomorrow’s workshop. Overnight in Ayangue.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Travel to Sitio Nuevo community for workshop with teachers and students at the Eloy Alfaro School. The surrounding environment is dry tropical forest. Visit with community, use the teaching boxes first with the teachers then the students. Travel to Puerto Lopez. Overnight at Hosteria Mandala, located on the edge of Machalilla National Park. This park encompasses dry tropical forest, coastal marine habitats, and humid fog forests on its highest mountains. Nightly Meeting & Reports.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Leave early from Puerto Lopez for a boat ride to La Isla de la Plata. Marine mammal observations — will we see Humpback Whales? Coastal bird hike starring Blue Footed Boobies. Back to the mainland. Closing Meeting. Reflection on the experience. Overnight at the Hosteria Mandala. Pack to fly\1
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Reflection Session and brief swim time at Los Frailes Beach. Travel from Puerto Lopez to Guayaquil on the Sun Road. Lunch in Salango at El Delfin Majico. Brief stop at Propueblo, a fair-trade artisan co-op. Dinner in Guayaquil airport. Depart for USA at 11:10 pm
Friday, July 2, 2010
Arrive RDU 10:10 am. Home sweet home!
Maps of Ecuador |
