|
|
|
|
|
| Tours by Region |
|
|
|
|
| About Wildside |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Trip Reports |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COPYRIGHT:
All content on this Wildside Nature Tours, Inc. website, including photographs, text, and illustrations, is the property Wildside Nature Tours, Inc. No portion of the material on this Web site (including text, photographs, and artwork) may be copied, reproduced, or reused without the express written permission of Wildside Nature Tours, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
Galapagos Islands
Family EduVenture
|
This tour has been designed for all levels and ages of nature enthusiasts. We will we seek out many the endemic species (those found no where else on Earth) of birds and other animals of the Galapagos. Some of the bird species are: “Darwin’s” finches, Galapagos Penguin, Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos Dove, Swallow-tailed Gull and Waved Albatross (doing the wonderful courtship dance!).
We will also enjoy the other well known fauna of these magnificent islands: sea lions, marine and land iguanas, lava lizards, marine turtles, giant tortoises, dolphins and whales.
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: Bartolome, 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.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Ecuador
Flights from USA throughout the day. Transfers to hotel.
Day 2 Quito
Full day in and around Quito —birding, hiking and photography mixed with cultural interaction at the Artisans Square in the middle of the city. Return to hotel. (This full day in Quito will allow for the possibility of delayed flights and luggage arrivals.)
Day 3 Flight to Baltra 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 Fernandina & Isabela
Pta. Espanosa and
Pta. Tortuga Negro
On the north and west sides of these two islands we should encounter many species of whales and dolphins! Fernandina is the best place to see the endemic Flightless Cormorant and Isabela the rare Mangrove Finch along with many other species found only in these islands.
Day 5 Isabela
Pto. Villamil
A morning horseback ride to the top of Sierra Negra, the second largest volcanic caldera in the world (10 Km across) will give us the opportunity to look for the very rare Galapagos Martin. Woodpecker Finches and the Large Tree Finch along with the friendly Galapagos Flycatcher may also be seen.
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. 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 Floreana
On Floreana we will find several more of Darwin’s finches, including the rare Medium Tree Finch, found only on this island. 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.
We will also 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 8 Espanola
The nesting grounds of the endemic Waved Albatross and many Blue-footed and Masked Boobies, Espanola’s rocky scenery will invite many photographic opportunities!
Day 9 San Cristobal
Good birding opportunities and the endemic Chatham Mockingbird bring us to San Cristobal. We will also have snorkeling and diving opportunities here.
Day 10 North Seymore/Baltra
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. Sea Lions patrol the rocky shoreline as we say farewell the these magnificent islands. We will then return to Baltra for our flight back to the mainland.
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: Wood hull, wood interior and trim.
Accommodations: Double cabins , private bath, hot showers and air conditioning. A rear sundeck and large bow area offer great pelagic viewing. A comfortable bar and lounge areas with TV and VHS 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
|
|
|
Trip Leaders:
Kevin Loughlin
Jane Kirkland |
2008
June 28 - July 8
2009
July 18 - 28
2008 Cost
$3995 from Quito, Ecuador
Price per person, double occcupancy
(Family of four or more receives a 5% discount)
Limit 14 participants. Warm temps, easy walks on some uneven, rocky terrain and easy snorkeling.
|
Register Now
$500 Deposit per person required |
Full payment required 180 days prior to departure date.
Price based on double occupancy. If a single room is preferred (hotel portion only), a single supplement fee of $300 will be assessed.
|
|
