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Steam over the Roof of the World
September 14-27, 2008
Optional Galapagos Islands Extension: Sept. 26-Oct.1
Sunday 14th September
Via Paris to Bogotá
We travel on Air France flights from London Heathrow to Bogotá via Paris arriving about 18:00 where we have dinner in a four star hotel. We stay here for three nights. (D)
Monday 15th September
Steam Train to Zipaquira
After breakfast we transfer to Sabana station in Bogotá where we board our special steam charter hauled by a Baldwin 2-8-2 for our journey of over sixty miles return to Zipaquira. On arrival we visit the famous Salt Cathedral, and take lunch in a local restaurant. We return to Bogota by our steam hauled train, calling in at the railway depot and workshops to view their collection of steam locomotives before returning to our hotel. (B L D)
 Tuesday 16th September
Steam Train to Briceno
This railway usually has four operational Baldwins and several of these will be in steam for us so we may take photographs. Today a Baldwin 4-8-0 locomotive hauls us to Briceno and back. We have a barbecue lunch on the return journey to Bogotá where we have a sightseeing tour of this fascinating city. (B L D)
Wednesday 17th September
On to Guayaquil
After breakfast we visit a spectacular narrow gauge railway which climbs through the mountains. On arrival back in Bogotá we transfer to the airport for a flight to Guayaquil, in Ecuador. Dinner and overnight accommodation is in the Grand Hotel, a four star hotel, for two nights. (B L D)
Thursday 18th September
Street Running in Duran
Duran is a short distance by coach and we join our special train to steam through the streets and continue to Yaguachi before returning to Duran. Dinner and overnight accommodation is again in the Grand Hotel. (B L D)
Friday 19th September
Bucay to Huigra
We depart mid-morning through the plains heading towards the high Andes. We stop at Bucay to visit the dilapidated locomotive shed before departing in our diesel railcar to Huigra. Dinner and overnight accommodation is in the Hosteria Eterna Primavera for two nights. This is high in the Andes. (B L D)
 Saturday 20th September
The Famous Devil’s Nose
Our coach takes us to Alausi to ride on our charter train, steam hauled, to the famous Devil’s Nose. To some this is the highlight of the tour.
We ride seven miles and when rounding one of the many sharp curves the Devil’s Nose comes into view. This immense natural obstacle barred the way for the railway but was overcome by building the line up its side with two spectacular zigzags high on a mountainside. After taking water our train climbs the zigzags of the Devils Nose with photographic run pasts, before going to Sibambe where we arrive early evening. From here we return to our hotel. (B L D)
Sunday 21st September
Aluasi to Guamote
From Aluasi to Guamote the landscape becomes more open even though we are high up in the Andes. There are several really spectacular viaducts for our steam train to cross, especially the steel trestle we pass over on leaving the town. At bleak Palmira, over ten thousand feet above sea level, there are spectacular views of the Andes Plateau. We pass the snow capped volcano of Chimborazo, a truly awesome sight. Soon after we enter Guamote, a traditional and very colourful indigenous town where it seems the way of life has not changed for hundreds of years. We transfer by coach to Riobamba, a major town located in the centre of the country with a rich colonial history. Dinner and overnight accommodation is at the Hosteria La Andaluza, Riobamba for three nights. (B L D)
Monday 22nd September
Guamote to Riobamba
We meet our charter train in Guamote to continue our steam journey northwards to Riobamba.
On the way we climb through many landscapes and pass Colta Lagoon. Our train arrives at Riobamba in the late afternoon. (B L D)
 Tuesday 23rd September
The Avenue of Volcanoes and Urbina Summit
Rejoining our steam charter train at Riobamba station we continue our journey northwards through the Avenue of the Volcanoes to Urbina summit, nearly twelve thousand feet above sea level. The town of Urbina lies right at the foot of the twenty thousand feet high Chimborazo, the highest mountain in Ecuador. After a little time to explore, when we shall probably see llamas, our locomotive runs round our train before departure back to Riobamba. (B L D)
Wednesday 24th September
Riobamba to Quito by Railcar
Our chartered diesel railcar takes us for nearly 125 miles to Quito, enjoying panoramic views of dozens of volcanoes. This main section of this railway is closed for regular transit and much of it was disused for several years. Our train stops at towns such as Ambato and Latacunga where the locals appear to greet us. Before we arrive in Quito we pass through the Cotopaxi National Park with its stunning volcano standing at over nineteen thousand feet, the highest active volcano in the world. We stay at the Hotel Almeda Real in Quito. (B L D)
Thursday 25th September
Scenic Tour of Quito
This morning we have a city tour of Quito. Quito has a wonderful spring like climate in a valley flanked by mountains. On a clear day several snow capped volcanoes are visible from the city. Quito was a major Inca city that was destroyed by Atahualpa’s General Rumiñahui, shortly before the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadors. In the afternoon we board our coach to go to Otavalo, a town famous for its friendly people and its market, which pre-dates Inca times. Dinner and overnight accommodation is in the Hosteria Chorlavi, Ibarro. (B L D)
Friday 26th September
Return to the UK via Amsterdam
After breakfast we transfer back to Quito Airport for our flights to London Heathrow via Amsterdam with KLM. (B)
Saturday 27th September
Arrive in the UK
We arrive at Heathrow at around 07:30.
Tour Cost:
£3,275 per person, double occupancy (U.S. $6,714)
£299 single supplement (U.S. $613*)
*Rates provided in U.S. dollars are estimated using a 1£=$2.05
rate. U.S. dollar rate is subject to fluctuate based on the value of the
dollar when final payment is made.
Click here to download our tour booking
form.
Deposit required: £100 per person
Click
here for complete tour terms and conditions.
Price includes:
• Return flights from London to South America (Tour can be priced without air to/from London)
• Flight Bogotá to Guayaquil
• 12 nights hotel accommodation with breakfasts
• 11 lunches (some packed) and 12 dinners
• All train travel, steam charters and transfers mentioned in the itinerary
• The services of a tour manager
Galapagos Islands Extension
September 26-October 1
Friday 26th September
To the Galapagos
We fly from Quito to Baltra airport. Passengers are received at the airport by guides and taken to the pier to join the MV Santa Cruz.
Chinese Hat
After a wet landing at Chinese Hat, we should encounter a small colony of sea lions as well as flamingos during our walk ashore to the other side of the island.
 Saturday 27th September
Dragon Hill and Venice Islet
Early in the morning, after a wet landing, we walk to a salty lagoon behind the beach. A large number of pink flamingos can usually be observed. The trail leads up to Dragon Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay. This area is a nesting site for a large number of land iguanas, thanks to the staff at the Charles Darwin Research Station. There is also a bizarre Scalesia tree forest.
We have the option to take a dinghy ride in Venice Islet and observe the vegetation and marine animals including spotted eagle and golden rays, mullets, sharks and sea turtles which rest in the calm waters of the coves and channels. Land iguanas are often observed from the dinghies.
Floreana and Cormorant Point
In the afternoon we make a wet landing on the greenish coloured sand beach and walk a well-marked trail beginning in the black mangrove beds heading towards the back of the lagoon.
The large, brackish lagoon holds one of the biggest populations of flamingos in the Galapagos. The island is best known for its endemic plant life, such as the Galapagos millwort, passion flower, and unique button mangrove.
Novice snorkellers can practice back on the main beach where the sea lions are playful while experienced snorkellers can roam the waters around Devils Crown. Others may just like to lie in the sun and observe more animals and birds.
Sunday 28th September
Española and Suarez Point
We enjoy a dry landing at Suarez Point where we learn more about the lava terrain while crossing the lava fields. Aside from the sea lion colony this is one of the most important sites for bird watching. As soon as visitors step foot on this island many species can be spotted and observed closely. Among the many species, the hooded mocking bird and red billed tropic bird can be seen. We also see large colonies of marine iguana, lava lizards and colourful Sally Light Foot crabs.
After a short walk we find colonies of masked and blue-footed boobies. The nesting grounds sometimes overlap the trail. We also find Darwin’s doves, hawks and swallow-tailed gulls which are exclusive to these islands. After crossing the nesting grounds we reach the world’s largest colony of waved albatross, some fifteen thousand. We are there at the right time to observe mating rituals as a highlight of the visit. Later we visit the famous blowhole, its water shooting 75 feet into the air.
San Cristóbal
In the afternoon we make a dry landing at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno village. Here visit the breeding center where we learn about, and see, the giant tortoises, the most famous animals on the Galapagos.
 Monday 29th September
North Seymour
After a dry landing, we encounter swallow tailed gulls and sea lions. It is also known for being a major nesting colony of blue footed boobies, and the largest colony of the magnificent frigate bird. We also see both endemic species of iguanas, the marine iguanas and land iguanas.
In the afternoon we transfer to the airport for our return flight to Quito. Overnight is in the Hotel Almanda Real Quito.
Tuesday 30th September
Return to UK
We transfer to Quito Airport for flights back to London via Amsterdam with KLM.
Wednesday 1st October
Arrive UK
Our flights from Amsterdam arrive Heathrow at around 07:30.
Cruise Cost:
£1,295 per person, double occupancy (U.S. $2,655*)
£395 single supplement (U.S. $810*)
*Rates provided in U.S. dollars are estimated using a 1£=$2.05
rate. U.S. dollar rate is subject to fluctuate based on the value of the
dollar when final payment is made.
Price includes:
• Additional 1 night half board in the Quito hotel
• Flights to and from the Galapagos Islands
• All transfers mentioned in the itinerary
• 4 days on the MV Santa Cruz in single or double cabins with full board
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