About Lee and the Tours
"Love Orchids & Travel!"
My 28 year career was as a designer of resort homes on Hilton Head Island, SC. Yes, similar to an architect. I didn't have much of a green thumb until after I turned 40. I grew exhibition roses but mostly to cut and give to people. In '97 I bought a big white Phal with 10 blooms which lasted more than 2 months! I was 'hooked'. So I bought another and so it went. In 1998 I joined the Deep South Orchid Society and I enjoyed being Vice President especially the coordination of the meeting programs and making the arrangements. I've finished my second year as President. My personal collection 'grew' to over 600 stock plants in a greenhouse and an orchid lab. I was working on fragrance in multi-floral Phals.
I've traveled three times to Ecuador. Mr Ed Boyett of Atlanta is my mentor. Ed began more than 20 years ago organizing orchid travel to Thailand, Japan and much of SE Asia. And later focused closer to home in the Americas. In 2006 I traveled to four destinations: Bangkok, Singapore, Bali and Hong Kong in preparation for leading group tours. In 2007 I attended the International Phalaenopsis Alliance Symposium at the Taiwan's annual show. Since Ed's retirement, I am now organizing some travel to Ecuador. We work together with the Portillo family and Ecuagenra. This is the largest orchid grower in Ecuador, indeed in all of South America. They are big supporters of orchid conservation. With over 4,000 species of orchids they are the most knowledgeable guides in the field. There is nothing like being met at the airport with driver and translator. It's a great, worry-free experience for orchid travelers. Everything is provided; ground transport, hotels, meals. And if you purchase orchids they will pack and ship them directly to your door.
_____________________________________
Ecuador Excursion - a full week in Ecuador! Scheduled upon request. Tuesday departure - Wednesday return.
(We avoid the heavier rains January through April.)
This is a "cushy" exciting tour that does not require strenuous activity or hiking. We will see at least 100 different Orchid species in flower. We will visit 2 National Parks, 3 Regions. The Pacific Coast, Andes and the Amazon basin. The tour is offered for 10 to 15 orchid travelers.
- Day 1 - Transfer from the airport of Guayaquil to Hotel Unipark
- Day 2 - Drive to Gualaceo and visit on the road Orchid sites and
pass the National Park el Cajas. On this road we will see many different Orchids. Welcome dinner at Ecuagenera.
- Day 3 - Drive to Mendez. Today we will see Phragmepedium besseae habitat, Maxillarias, Sobrallias, Elleantus, Epidendrums,
Sigmatostalix and many other.
- Day 4 - Drive from Mendez down to Santiago and back to Mendez. We will see some Lycastes, Lycomormiu, different Sobrallias, Epidendrums, Pleurothallis, Masdevallias.
- Day 5 - Mendez San Juan Bosco. In this area grows Phragmipediums, Pleurothallis, Psygmorchis, Rodriguzias and many Terrestrial Orchids.
- Day 6 - San Juan Bosco to El Pangui. We will visit the Trisitella,
Houlettia, Masdevevallias, Gongoras, Stanhopeas, chondrorhincha,
Stenias habitat.
- Day 7 - El Pangui Chiguinda Gualaceo. Driving from the Amazon base to the Andes we will pass a beautiful forest where we can see
Telipogons, Masdevallias, Phragmipedim, Pontievas, Altestenias,
Oncidiums.
- Day 8 - Visit the Ecuagenera Orchid collection and flight back to Guayaquil at 18:45 to spend the night there at Hotel Unipark
- Day 9 - Transfer to the Airport and Sayonara.
The tour is based on double occupancy. Add $200 for a single room. Price includes ground transportation, guide, hotel, food and flight from Cuenca to Guayaquil with all transfers from the Hotel to Airport. Price does not include airfare from/to the US. The group discount round trip flight on American Airlines from Atlanta to Guayaquil, Ecuador including tax and fees is discounted at a group rate. The tour can originate from any airport. The Ecuador portion of the tour is $1450 and pays for almost everything during your Ecuador Excursion. Price does not include tips and incidental spending money. Orchids will be available for purchase and our host, Ecuagenera, can handle the paperwork and ship the orchids to your door.
Want to join us? Have questions? Send an email to lee@classicorchid.com or call Lee Bredeson at 843-384-0102.
