Galapagos Expedition: Darwin s Playground, Central and North

Transcription

1 Galapagos Expedition: Darwin s Playground, Central and North When exploring the Galapagos Islands, there is never a dull moment. From the time you board our small expedition ship Evolution, you ll recognize this as the adventure of a lifetime. Stroll among prickly-pear cactus and look for yellow land iguanas on one of the smallest islands of the archipelago. Take a Zodiac cruise, or frolic in waters teeming with marine life. Genovesa Island, often called Bird Island, is home to one of the largest and most diverse bird populations in the Galapagos - bird species here include red-footed boobies, short-eared owls and the rare lava gull. A true highlight is your opportunity to swim, kayak or snorkel in the water-filled calderas of extinct volcanoes! Wrap it up with a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you can learn about conservation efforts on the islands, and see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. EXPEDITION IN BRIEF: Snorkel with sea lions, marine iguanas and sea turtles, walk among giant Galapagos tortoises, and see one of the largest bird populations on Genovesa Island Explore volcanic islands, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and Zodiac cruise through the Black Turtle Cove mangroves Enjoy this journey on its own, or as part of an epic South American Equator to Pole adventure combined with an Antarctic Explorer expedition DID YOU KNOW? During his five weeks at the Islands, Darwin went ashore to collect plants, rocks, insects and birds, and observed unusual life forms and their adaptations to the harsh environment. He noted it was possible to distinguish which island a tortoise came from by the shape of its shell. His most well-known research is of the numerous species of finches which inspired his ground breaking theory The Origin of Species, published in GALAPAGOS EXPEDITION: DARWIN S PLAYGROUND, CENTRAL AND NORTH EXPEDITION DOSSIER 1

2 Included Activities While in the Galapagos you will find that you are constantly active, doing nature hikes, snorkeling, swimming and sea kayaking all in an effort to get up close to the islands amazing animals. The Galapagos National Park has structured activities in the Galapagos around interaction with wildlife and the habitat. That is really what the Galapagos is all about. We make our trips more active by planning landings in places that offer better hikes like at Tagus Cove or to the top of Bartolomé Island. We also offer itineraries that take in the more remote sites and outer islands, rather than staying solely in the more traveled inner islands (not all yachts are equipped to travel to the outer islands). We maximize our opportunities to snorkel and kayak on each trip. KAYAKING Sea kayaking is offered on all of our departures and you require no previous experience to enjoy this activity. Our sea kayaks are the ideal means by which to get some good exercise and explore the cliffs and shores of the various visitor sites around the archipelago. A typical cruise week offers great opportunities to go kayaking around secluded coves, shores, mangrove estuaries and beautiful beaches. Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, sea lions and many other animals can be seen up close on a kayak and even as they swim! SNORKELING Snorkeling is a favorite activity in the Galapagos Islands and requires no previous experience to be enjoyed immensely. You will be offered the opportunity to go snorkeling almost every day at various snorkeling sites around the archipelago. You will have the chance to snorkel with playful sea lions, marine iguanas, green sea turtles and many other wonderful creatures. For non-divers, this is an incredible way to get a glimpse of the marine. GALAPAGOS EXPEDITION: DARWIN S PLAYGROUND, CENTRAL AND NORTH EXPEDITION DOSSIER 2

3 Itinerary Fly Cruise Start End PINTA MARCHENA Galapagos Islands GENOVESA Darwin Bay Beach Prince Phillip s Steps ISABELA EQUATOR SANTIAGO FERNANDINA James Bay Egas Port TORTUGA RÁBIDA Chinese Hat Islet PINZÓN SANTA CRUZ LOS HERMANOS BALTRA Black Turtle Cove North Seymour Island Highlands Carrion Point Charles Darwin Research Station SOUTH PLAZAS SANTA FE to Mainland Ecuador SAN CRISTÓBAL Kicker Rock PTO. BAQUERIZO MORENA Post Office Bay Cormorant Point from Mainland Ecuador DAY 1 Arrive Guayaquil, Ecuador Pacific Ocean FLOREANA ESPAÑOLA Actual itinerary may vary based on weather conditions. Fly independently to Guayaquil, Ecuador, and transfer to the preexpedition hotel. DAY 3 South Plaza Island DAY 4 Sombrero Chino Island / Santiago Island: Puerto Egas DAY 2 Embarkation Day, Playa Ochoa and Kicker Rock Fly to the islands, landing on San Cristobal, and board the Evolution. Stroll along the beach at Playa Ochoa, where a nearby tidal lagoon plays host to flamingos, finches and Chatham mockingbirds. At sunset, we cruise around Kicker Rock. At only 426 feet (130 m) wide, South Plaza is one of the smallest islands in the archipelago. Look for yellow land iguanas on a walk to a grove of pricklypear cactus. Non-hikers can enjoy a Zodiac cruise, watching for swallowtailed gulls, red-billed tropicbirds and blue-footed boobies. Since there is no true trail on Mosquera Islands, you are able to stroll at your leisure. The tiny uplifted island of Sombrero Chino or Chinese Hat features a primeval landscape of volcanic rubble and lava tubes. The land is made of a few adjacent craters and old, fragile pahoehoe lava flows. Vegetation is just starting to take hold, including colorful carpetweed plants. Enjoy a Zodiac cruise and swim before lunch. This afternoon, search the tide pools EXTEND YOUR STAY Contact our Polar Travel Advisers via , live chat or phone ( ) for seamless, worry-free booking of all trip extensions. GALAPAGOS EXPEDITION: DARWIN S PLAYGROUND, CENTRAL AND NORTH EXPEDITION DOSSIER 3

4 of Puerto Egas for sea life. During low tide, we may see marine iguanas feeding on algae. Our naturalists will point out the birdlife, including great blue herons, lava herons, oystercatchers and yellowcrowned night herons. DAY 5 Genovesa Island Genovesa is often referred to as Bird Island for the vast numbers of pelagic seabirds that come here to nest. And while Genovesa harbors one of the Galapagos largest and most diverse bird populations, there are no land reptiles with the exception of some very small marine iguanas. This is due to the direction of the ocean currents, which couldn t carry the terrestrial animals here. Climb Prince Philip s Steps to an area with colonies of red-footed boobies. Watch for short-eared owls which feed on the petrels that fly about. Explore Darwin Bay, home to the rare lava gull. While anchored at Genovesa, enjoy an opportunity to swim, kayak and snorkel in the calm caldera of this partially eroded volcano. DAY 6 North Seymour Island / Santa Fe Island North Seymour is the nesting site for a large population of magnificent frigate birds and the only place where we can always find males showing their red pouches to attract females. Plus, we are sure to see blue-footed boobies perform their comical courtship dance in the open areas. Hike to a scenic lagoon, where we may observe Galapagos hawks, mockingbirds and a variety of Darwin s finches. You may kayak and snorkel from the beach. DAY 7 Floreana Island Hike to Post Office Bay, once used by navigators to send mail with homebound messengers. Swim and kayak in the bay before a walk along the olivine beaches of Punta Cormorant. After hiking to a flamingo lagoon, spot fish and sea turtles during a relaxing stroll along the beach. Enjoy superb snorkeling at Devil s Crown, where sea water has filled the sunken cone of an extinct volcano. DAY 8 Santa Cruz Island Begin at the Charles Darwin Research Station, learning about work being done to preserve Galapagos wildlife. Head into the forested highlands, with ample opportunity to see giant tortoises in their verdant habitat. Walk through the forest surrounding a pair of pit craters, an excellent place to spot vermillion flycatchers. Time permitting, walk underground to explore a lava tube. DAY 9 Depart Galapagos for Mainland Ecuador Enjoy a Zodiac cruise through Black Turtle Cove, drifting silently through this area of mangroves. Fly to Guayaquil, with time to relax at the post-expedition hotel. DAY 10 Depart Guayaquil Board independent flights home. All itineraries are subject to approval by the Galapagos National Park and may vary according to changes in park regulations. IMPORTANT REMINDER Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy and excitement of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed. A measure of flexibility is something all of us must bring to a polar expedition. Last revised: March 18, 2016 EXTEND YOUR STAY Contact our Polar Travel Advisers via , live chat or phone ( ) for seamless, worry-free booking of all trip extensions. GALAPAGOS EXPEDITION: DARWIN S PLAYGROUND, CENTRAL AND NORTH EXPEDITION DOSSIER 4

5 Inclusions THIS EXPEDITION INCLUDES Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping All breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks on board Complimentary soft drinks and juice on board All shore landings per the daily program Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and special guests as scheduled Photographic journal documenting the expedition Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock Hair dryer in every cabin All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program All luggage handling aboard ship Emergency evacuation insurance to a maximum benefit of US$100,000 per person Arrival and departure transfers in Guayaquil One night pre- and post-expedition hotel accommodation in Guayaquil, with breakfast Transfers to and from domestic flight to Galapagos THIS EXPEDITION EXCLUDES Mandatory domestic flights and park fees* International airfare Passport and applicable visa expenses Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above Meals ashore unless otherwise specified Baggage, cancellation, interruption, and medical travel insurance Excess baggage charges Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges unless specified Phone and internet charges Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew Additional overnight accommodation *MANDATORY FLIGHT AND PARK FEES INCLUDE: Roundtrip domestic airfare from mainland Ecuador to Galapagos Islands $575 (2016) $600 (2017) National Park entrance fee $100 Galapagos National Park $20 INGALA transit card Total Package Cost: $695 USD (2016) $720 USD (2017) Note: Baggage allowance on charter flight is 44 lbs (20 kg) checked and 22 lbs (10 kg) carry-on. EXTEND YOUR STAY Contact our Polar Travel Advisers via , live chat or phone ( ) for seamless, worry-free booking of all trip extensions. GALAPAGOS EXPEDITION: DARWIN S PLAYGROUND, CENTRAL AND NORTH EXPEDITION DOSSIER 5

6 Dates & Rates GALAPAGOS EXPEDITION Darwin s Playground, Central and North Expedition Aboard the Adventure Ship EVOLUTION Dates Days Start/End Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4 Category 5 Nov 4 Nov 13, 2016 Jan 27 Feb 5, Guayaquil $7,498 $7,048 $6,548 $6,198 $5, Guayaquil $7,698 $7,248 $6,748 $6,398 $6,198 Mandatory flight and park fees additional at $695 (2016) and $720 (2017) All rates per person in USD. HOW TO BOOK YOUR EXPEDITION & ADVENTURE OPTIONS To book your cabin or inquire about the availability of Adventure Options, contact a Polar Travel Adviser ( ) GALAPAGOS EXPEDITION: DARWIN S PLAYGROUND, CENTRAL AND NORTH EXPEDITION DOSSIER 6