Experience in Ecuador - 1998 Schedule
Each link leads to a page with a description and photographs of that location.

June 9
Arrival at Quito

June 10
Welcome at USFQ
Jacchihua Ballet with anthropologist Mónica Vásconez

June 11
Introduction to Andean Ecology by Hugo Valdebenito
Introduction to Ecuadorian Anthropology and History by Mónica Vásconez
Departure to Sierra with Hugo Valdebenito and Mónica Vásconez
Cochasquí - pyramids, site of worship for the gods of ancient Ecuadorian cultures
Hike to waterfall, then overnight in Peguche, near Otavalo

June 12
Indian Market in Otavalo (woven wool handicrafts)
Lunch in Cotacachi (leather handicrafts)
Cotacachi/Cayapas Ecological Reserve

• Observation of highland vegetation at a crater lake
• Discussion of the Ecuadorian system of protected areas

Return to Quito

June 13
Antisana Ecological Reserve

• Observation of high-altitude paramo vegetation and wildlife
• Optional hike up a paramo summit

Return to Quito

June 14

Free day in Quito

• Shopping at Indian Market in a city park and along Amazonas Ave
• Review session at Hotel Sebastián

June 15
Departure to Guayaquil with Gunther Reck
Cerro Blanco private reserve - dry coastal forest habitat
Puerto Hondo - river mangrove community
Effects of El Niño along coast
Observation of floating islands of vegetation on the Guayas River
Dinner: Argentinean barbecue at Parrilladas del Nato

June 16
Departure to the Galápagos Islands with Gunther Reck
Arrival at Baltra Island - ferry trip to Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Island - bus trip to Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Station

• Observation of plant zonation with increasing altitude and moisture
• Gemelos - fallen lava dome formations
• Lava tunnels

Introduction to the Charles Darwin Station

June 17
Bird watching with David Day (naturalist/photographer)
Charles Darwin Station - tour of tortoise and land iguana rearing facilities
Lectures by Darwin Station staff:

• Tourism/Conservation/Management
• Environmental Education Programs
• National Park Service
• Marine Biology Program

Work on projects/papers in Darwin Station library

June 18
Hike to Tortuga Bay

• Tortuga beach - white sand, heavy surf
• Lagoon and mangroves

Meet cruise boat MV Sullivan at Baltra ferry dock, meet our guide Peter
Cruise to Bartolomé Island

• Hike up Bartolomé cinder cone
• Snorkeling off Pinnacle Rock

June 19
Santiago Island
* Assignment of Galápagos project topics, start collecting data

• Buccaneer Cove - slow cruise by cove
• Puerto Egas
  • Hike through arid lowlands
  • Hike along rocky intertidal area

Cruise to Rábida Island

• Hiking on red sand beach and past a lagoon w/ flamingos
• Snorkeling

Quiz 1

June 20
Floreana Island

• Observation of highland vegetation (ride up mountain in truck)
• Post Office Cove
• Snorkeling at Devil's Crown
• Hike at Punta Cormorant
  • Landing on 'green' sand beach
  • Hike past lagoon to Playa Blanca
  • Observation of intertidal life along beach

June 21
Española Island

• Hike on Punta Suárez
• Snorkeling around Tortuga Island
• White sand beach at Gardener Bay

June 22
North Seymour Island

• Frigate birds nesting/mating

Flight to Guayquil, then to Quito

June 23
'The Trip' to Tiputini Biodiversity Station (USFQ)

• Flight to Coca in Oriente
• Boat trip down Napo River (Río Napo)
• Bus trip across oil exploration site
• Boat trip down Tiputini River (Río Tiputini) to the Tiputini Biodiversity Station

Lecture on tropical rain forest ecology by David Romo

June 24
Jungle hike
Boat-float down Río Tiputini

June 25
Bird watching from the tower
Jungle hike in rain forest deluge
Evening talk on medicinal plants by Humberto, a local Huaorani tribesman

June 26
Project work and presentations (Galapagos and Tiputini project presentations)
Talk by Humberto on the tribal way of life in the jungle
Nigh-time river float and jungle hike

June 27
Departure from Tiputini Biodiversity Station
Return to Quito

June 28
Free day in Quito

June 29
Quito city tour - cathedrals and churches of Old Town Quito
Middle of the World Monument (on the Equator) - Mitad del Mundo

June 30
Wrap-up discussion/students comments at USFQ
Quiz 2
Work on research paper topics in USFQ library

July 1
Cloud forest - outer face of Andes mountains

• Hike along ancient volcanic crater at edge of cloud forest
• Hike into cloud forest, observe flora and waterfalls
• Lunch at riverside restaurant, short hike to rive-side site
• Visit to aviary overlooking the interandean valley in which Quito lies

July 2
Departure for US.