GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Wildlife Adventure/Photo Safari

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 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 (Subject to variation due to government permits)

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.Transfer early to the airport for our flight to the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival in San Cristóbal, meet our naturalist guide, who will assist with the transfer to the g4. In the afternoon visit Isla Lobos to see the sea lions and walk on the beach.

The National Park charges a visitor fee of $100 USD, payable on arrival, which funds Park maintenance and supervision in the Galapagos, as well as ecological study, conservation and infrastructure development in Ecuador's other National Parks. Entry fees and the funds they generate for the National Park System are among measures taken by the Ecuadorian government to protect its natural heritage.

Day 4 North Seymour / Mosquera
Set sail for North Seymour, just north of Baltra, home to sea lions, marine iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, magnificent frigate birds and blue-footed boobies. Seymour Island is probably the most exciting island photographically. Bird life abounds, and close to the trail you will find many nesting pairs and young chicks. Seymour is also home to the Galapagos’s largest colony of Magnificent Frigate Birds. Their mating ritual is an ostentatious display: males expand the red sack at the base of their throat and perch atop a bush with wings fully extended, flapping furiously. Interested females circle overhead, and if so inclined, may join the male on terra firma. Further along the trail we can observe a colony of sea lions.

Afternoon excursion to Mosquera Island to stroll on the beach and see the vast sea lion colonies.

Day 5 Isla Santiago / Bartolomé
Visit Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island in the morning to witness the striking and fascinating giant lava formations. Very few plans have managed to survive on this island due to the harsh environment and relatively new lava floe. Enjoy a walk along the lava formations before coming to a white coral sand beach, where plentiful sally lightfoot crabs and sea lions can be seen.

Bartolomé Island (also called Bartholomew) has 2 main areas of interest. A hike to the summit of the island provides a clearer perspective of the islands' not-too-distant volcanic origins, and the panoramic view is one of the best among the islands. From here are visible the double-sided beach of Bartolomé directly below, the volcanic tower rising out of the water next to it, and Santiago in the distance. After the summit hike, stop at the beach to relax in semi-tropical tranquility. There is great snorkelling among the submerged volcanic rock and around the base of the tower. A short hike to the beach on the opposite side is worth the minimal effort. It is not unusual to see sharks in these shallow waters, and marine turtles nest here from January through March.

Day 6 Santa Cruz
In the morning we arrive in Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz Island. Santa Cruz is the second largest in the island group, and has the largest population, with Puerto Ayora as its main town. It also boasts the most varied of the islands’ vegetation zones: coastal, transition, scalesia, miconia and pampa. The Charles Darwin Research Station is a 10 minute walk from the centre of the town. Here, an exhibition centre displays photos of recent volcanic eruptions, charts outlining geological formations and drawings of the evolutionary development of endemic species. A corral houses adult Galapagos Tortoises, and a nursery cares for young tortoises until they are about three years old, when their shells have hardened enough to resist attack from feral dogs. In the afternoon we may have the opportunity to visit the highlands and see giant land tortoises in the wild.

Day 7 Rábida / Bachas Beach
In the morning we will take an excursion to Rabida Island, where we will land on a red sand beach. From here a short trail leads to a salt water lagoon, often home to wading flamingos. Another trail goes past the lagoon to the interior, where the revered palo santo trees grow. When burned, the branches of this tree give off a pleasing aroma and ward off mosquitoes. Back on the beach among low-lying bushes nest the prehistoric-looking pelicans. This is the best area for close viewing of these nesting birds, and it's a rare treat to watch parent pelicans return with gullets full of fish for the squawking youngsters.

Afternoon excursion to Bachas Beach to see the sea lions and plentiful bird life.

Day 8 Floreana
Make our way to Punta Cormorant on the northern part of Floreana. The landing is on a beach of green sand, coloured by olivine crystals, volcanic-derived silicates of magnesium and iron. The trail leads to a lake normally inhabited by flamingos and other shore birds and continues to a beach of fine white sand particles known as “Flour Beach”, an important nesting site for turtles. Around the point, Devil's Crown derives its name from the broken remains of a partially submerged volcanic cone. This is a perfect spot to go snorkelling from the boat, as the waters are home to a multitude of colourful fish and sea lions. Please make sure you are a comfortable swimmer, however, as despite the protection from the open sea provided by the "crown," the water here can be rough and the currents strong.

Later in the afternoon we stop at Post Office Bay has an older history. A barrel was placed here in the late 18th century by English whaling vessels to be used as a post office. Passing ships would stop to leave mail for loved ones, collecting at the same time any mail destined for ports on their itineraries. Today the box is used mainly by tourists, who may drop off and pick up unstamped letters to be carried to far destinations. The remains of a Norwegian canning factory are the only evidence of the Island’s history prior to its designation as a protected area. A short hike up past the post barrel takes you to an interesting lava cave. With the aid of a flashlight, you can descend about 80 m (262 ft) to the point where the sea enters the cave.

The history of Floreana Island (also called Charles) has gradually evolved to reach near mythic proportions. The story begins when a baroness and her two lovers, a German doctor and his mistress, and a German couple and their young son all came to settle on this land. Their dalliances and disasters, shrouded in mystery, were chronicled in John Treherne’s book The Galapagos Affair. Descendants of the German family, the Wittmers, still live on the island in the small community of Puerto Velasco Ibarra. Mrs. Margaret Wittmer has also written a booked entitled "Floreana" and this can be purchased at the airport in Baltra or at a local bookstore.

Day 9 Española
Head to Punta Suarez on Española Island. The southernmost island in the Galapagos archipelago is home to several wildlife species, including masked and blue-footed boobies. A hike to the top of the cliff makes for spectacular photo opportunities.

Punta Suarez on the western side of Española Island (also called Hood) is spectacular: gargantuan waves break on jagged cliffs and large bird colonies thickly populate the interior of the island; there is a distinct feel of desolate wilderness here. The Waved Albatross is seen here from April to December during its mating/nesting season. This bird leaves land between January and March each year to make its annual odyssey far out to sea. Amazingly, Española is the nesting site to virtually the entire world population of this species, with more than 12000 pairs residing here. Large numbers of Masked and Blue-footed Boobies are also found here, Red-billed Tropic Birds dash madly through the air, and both Marine Iguanas and sea lions are common. A huge blowhole, where the surf is forced through a natural rock formation spouting seawater 15 to 20 m (49 – 66 ft) into the air, adds to the island’s impression of untamed beauty.

Follow the trail through a rookery and learn the geological history of the island from our naturalist, including its dramatic volcanic features, climate, flora and fauna. Sail in the afternoon to Garner Bay, an excellent swimming and snorkeling site.

Day 10 San Cristóbal
Reach San Cristóbal in the morning. San Cristóbal is the easternmost island of Galapagos and one of the oldest. Its principal town is Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos. Disembark after breakfast, visit the interpretation center and transfer to the airport for our flight to Quito. Transfer to our group hotel upon arrival, and enjoy one last night on the town.

Day 11 Departure for USA
Departures to USA.

Boat Information
Category: Tourist superior class motor yacht.

Length: 84 ft.

Beam: 24 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