GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Wildlife Adventure

We will travel by night, as we sleep, to make optimum use of our wildlife viewing time. Our course will take us to the islands that offer the endemic species we seek, as well as prime whale viewing locations. Our days will include excursions to islands with either wet or dry landings. (Wet landings offer no dock or jetty to disembark from our landing craft, and therefore we must wade to shore in shallow water). Any travel during daylight will include pelagic birding and whale watching. There will also be ample time for snorkeling and relaxation on and around some of the islands or on the boat.

The islands we plan to visit: Bartolomé, Fernandina, Isabela, Floreana, Espanola, San Cristobal and Santa Cruz. The final itinerary may change due to National Park requirements, weather or other issues.
The exact islands we visit, and when we visit them, will depend in part upon the government visitation status and the current weather conditions.

One-day Hummingbird Photography Extension available at end of tour
A great way to finish your adventure, this one-day extension takes us high into the mountains east of Quito to enjoy a diversity of hummingbirds while sipping hot chocolate by the fireplace. Whether photographing or just enjoying the “buzz” this mini-adventure is well worth the time! Collared Inca, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Mountain Avocet-bill, Tourmaline Sunangel, Tyrian Metaltail, Mountain Velvetbreast and Long-tailed Sylph are just some of the fifteen plus species we could see. We will also look for White-capped Dipper and Torrent Ducks along the river's edge.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Ecuador
Flights from USA throughout the day. Transfers to hotel.

Day 2 Quito
Today will be spent exploring Quito. We will start at the Mitad del Mundo -- the Middle of the World. The monument, Mitad del Mundo, marks the Equator. This official site also has many small shops to explore. The trees around the monument are full of birds like: Black-tailed Trainbearer, Southern Yellow Grosbeak, Eared Dove and Rufous-collared Sparrow. After visiting the official site we will move next door the the Inta Nan Solar Museum for some fun, interactive exploration of the equatorial urban legends. We will also learn about the people that inhabit Ecuador.

Lunch will be at a wonderful restaurant that overlook a dead volcano crater. After lunch we will head back into town to explore some of the Old City and Artisan's shops. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 3 Flight to San Cristobal to board our boat
Rise early and begin our travel to the Galapagos. We will fly the 600 miles out to the island of Baltra. From the airport we will be shuttled to our waiting boat.

Day 4 Española
This island is the only nesting area of the endemic Waved Albatross and we will enjoy their courtship dance! Many Blue-footed and Masked Boobies nest along the trails. Warbler finches and Large Cactus Finches are other target birds here. Sea lions and Marine Iguanas lounge on the beach. Española’s rocky scenery will invite many photographic opportunities!

After lunch we will enjoy the wonderful, sea lion-filled beach of Gardner Bay. Here we will enjoy swimming, snorkeling, beach combing and birding--so many options!

Day 5 Floreana
On Floreana we will find several more of Darwin’s finches, Flamingos and White-cheeked Pintail Ducks patrol the shallow pools. We will also explore the shores of Champion, a small island off of Floreana, in search of the endemic Charles Mockingbird before we snorkel around and through the beautifully rugged Devil's Crown.

After lunch visit Post Office Bay where you can leave postcards in an old barrel used by sailors of years past. If you find a postcard for someone who lives near you, take it and deliver it when you return home!

Day 6 Santa Cruz / Pto. Ayora
Here we will visit the largest group of wild Giant Tortoises in the Galapagos atop the tallest peaks of Santa Cruz. In this lush, green area we will also find Galapagos Flycatchers, Large Tree Finch, Vegetarian Finch and many Ground Finches.

After lunch we will visit the famed Darwin Station where captive breeding projects are under way for the tortoises and other endangered wildlife. Puerto Ayora is also the souvenir capital of the islands.

Day 7 North Seymore
Known for its nesting colonies of Great and Magnificent Frigatebirds as well as Blue-footed Boobies, North Seymore is also home to the very rare Land Iguana endemic to the Galapagos and rarely seen Galapagos Racer. The endemic Galapagos Fur Seal hides among the rocky cliffs as Swallow-tailed and Lava Gulls soar above.

Day 8 Bartolomé
Bartolomé Island's Pinnacle Rock is an icon of the Galapagos landscape. Seen in the movie Master and Commander, this island looks more like a landscape from Mars... for which it was used in the movie Total Recall! A hike to the top of all 355 steps will offer a grand view of Pinnacle Rock and the other eerie features of this wondrous island.

After lunch we will enjoy some of the best snorkeling in the islands as we explore Pinnacle Rock from below the water's surface. Many species of colorful fish, sea stars corals and anemones will be seen and enjoyed.

Day 9 Santa Fé
This island offers some of the best views of Land Iguanas as they roam through the Giant Opuntia Cactus forest. We will also enjoy more snorkeling and may even have the opportunity to swim with the playful sea lions here.

Day 10 San Cristobal
Good birding opportunities and the endemic Chatham Mockingbird bring us back to San Cristobal. We will go the new visitor's center to learn a little more about the people who live here and their history before departing for the airport for our flight back to Quito.

Day 11 Departure for USA
Departures to USA.

Boat Information
Category: Tourist superior class motor yacht.

Length: 75 ft.

Beam: 20 ft.

Capacity: 16 passengers

Construction: Steel hull, wood interior and trim.

Accommodations: Double cabins , private bath, hot showers and air conditioning. A rear sun deck and large bow area offer great pelagic viewing. A comfortable bar and lounge areas with TV and DVD rounds out our boat.

Crew: Captain, 5 sailors, chef and mechanic plus a National Park naturalist/guide.

Electricity: Two 110/220v generators, standard two-prong receptacles