Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin
We are delighted to offer English Heritage members and visitors the opportunity to win this once-in-a-lifetime holiday to Ecuador and The Galapagos Islands. The holiday is provided by Bales Worldwide, English Heritage's licensed travel partner whose reputation is built on providing a first class service with real personal touches that make a difference to your holiday.
Welcome to Quito Ecuador, the Middle of the World or as they say in Spanish 'La Mitad del Mundo'.
The holiday begins in Quito where the colonial quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the largest and best preserved of South America. You will visit the Equatorial Monument, 25 kilometres north of Quito, which marks the exact Middle of the World, latitude 0º, where you can stand with a foot on each hemisphere. From your base at the comfortable and elegant hotel Patio Anduluz there will also be the opportunity to explore The Otavalo Indian market in the Valley of Otavalo, in the Province of Imbabura in Northern Ecuador. Otavalo is currently considered to be one of the most important tour destinations in Ecuador due to its ancestral cultural heritage enriched by millinery traditions, myths, legends and customs together with Andean landscapes of outstanding beauty; mountains, lakes, waterfalls and the rivers that, as per the Otavalo Cosmovision, possess life and energy.
A two hour drive Northwest of Quito takes you to the Valley of Mindo within the protected Mindo-Nambillo forest. 48,000 acres the Forest stretches over the slopes of the Pinchincha Volcano and covers diverse ecosystems through subtropical forest to jungle. Continue on to the quaint little village of Mindo at an altitude of 1300 meters, observing the bird life along the way. Mindo has been designated an IBA (Important Bird Area) by Bird Life International, the first such site in South America.
Days 5-8 are spent onboard either La Pinta or MV Santa Cruz cruising The Galapagos Islands, so named after the giant Galapagos tortoises. 600 miles off Ecuador's Pacific Coast, the archipelago's 13 major islands, 6 smaller once and scores of islets are all part of Ecuador's National Park system.
In 1835, the English naturalist Charles Darwin visited the islands and discovered this 'living laboratory' which inspired his writings on the Theory of Evolution. Many of the animals living on the Galapagos Islands have developed into different species from their continental relatives, and because they have never experienced humans as a predator, show no fear.
The Galapagos are truly wondrous islands and a deserving of unhurried exploration. Follow the nature trails, enjoy the amazing sights and walk, wade or even dive among the animals of land and sea such as the giant Galapagos tortoises, land and marine iguanas, flamingos, penguins, blue-footed boobies and the famous Darwin's finches.
The holiday ends with an overnight stay in Guayaquill, Ecuador's largest city with a population of three million. This tropical city is the financial and commercial centre of the county and lies on the banks of the Guayas River. There is plenty to see and do including a visit to Bolivar Park, also known as 'the park of the iguanas', as here they roam undisturbed and perch on treetops, blending perfectly with the green leaves.
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