Galapagos Magic - Travel Vision Journeystravelvisionjourneys.com/wp-content/uploads/Galapagos.pdfGALAPAGOS MAGIC 2018 Ability Level: Easy Duration: 12 days 11 nights ... one of the

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GALAPAGOS MAGIC 2018Ability Level: Easy / Duration: 12 days / 11 nights

Galapagos MagicCulture, wildlife and stunning volcanic landscapes of the world’s most enchanting islands Creatures we hope to see: Marine iguanas, Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, flamingos, Galapagos Darwin’s finches (several species), Galapagos penguin, greater flamingo, black-necked stilt, Galapagos giant tortoises (both in captivity and in their natural environment), white-tipped reef shark, black-tipped reef shark, Galapagos reef shark, spotted eagle ray, stingrays, and several species of tropical fish It’s also possible to see several species of whales (humpback, pilot and orca), bottle-nosed dolphins, and giant rays.

ITINERARY OUTLINE Trip Essence / Page 2

Trip Introduction / Page 3

Daily Itinerary / Page 4-8

Photography Guide / Page 9

Arrival & Departure / Page 10

Terms & Conditions / Page 11

TRIP CONTACT Lauren [email protected]



TRIP DETAILS 2018 Trip Date• Jul 30-Aug 10

Ability Level• Easy

Trip Price• $6,700: Beluga portion• $7,600: Beluga portion

with 3-day Hummingbird extension

• Single Supplement: Please call

EQUIPMENTFor Hikes• Robust walking shoes (with

rubber soles)• Outdoor clothing suitable

for both cool mountain and tropical climates

• Lightweight outdoor activity gear

• Rain protection gear• Sun protection and insect

repellent

For Photography• Body SLR or compact digital

camera, iPhone• Wide-angle lens• Laptop (for selecting images)• Tripod

TRIP ESSENCE• Swim with seals, turtles, and exotic fish

• Walk along pristine, white sandy beaches

• Daily sunrises, sunsets and starry nights

• Marvel at fantastic volcanic landscapes

• Experience one of the world’s best conservation success story

• Learn from the island’s experts about Darwin’s laboratory of evolution

• Enjoy the finest professional crew aboard the small luxury boat, the Beluga

• Witness schools of dolphins surround our boat

• Be transfixed, transformed and forever inspired by the friendly creatures that welcome us to this magical place

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• All accommodations

• All meals

• Daily photography instruction and one-one-one coaching with Ossian Lindholm, one of Argentina’s most renowned nature photographers

• Galapagos naturalist guide in the Islands portion

• Educational tours and visits

• Bottled water and snacks

• Tips for carriers and porters

• Transfer by boat from Isabela to Puerto Ayora

• Transfer by boat from Puerto Ayora to San Cristobal

• Airport transfers

• Internal flights (Guayaquil-Galapagos-Guayaquil)

• Internal flights (Baltra-Isabela)



TRIP INTRODUCTIONStraddling the equator some 600 miles west of mainland Ecuador are Las Islas Encantadas, or the Enchanted Islands. Better known as the Galapagos Archipelago, these pristine and exotic islands are a nature lover’s paradise and one of the most unique and coveted photographic destinations in the world. What makes these isles so perfect for photography adventures are their unique wildlife and beautiful tropical scenery. The Galapagos Islands matter because it’s here that you experience Darwin’s discoveries up close and witness the incredible story of natural diversity and how it helped to shake and shape scientific history.

Our nature lovers’ photo tour aboard the luxury 16-passenger boat, the Beluga, is unique from other photo tours that travel on larger vessels. Cruising the islands on the Beluga with Travel Vision, you will enjoy the teachings of a full-time Galapagos naturalist and the one-on-one instruction by world-class nature photographer Ossian Lindholm. With the expert crew of the Beluga, the pioneers of Galapagos small boat travel, you will not only relax as you enjoy their impeccable service, you will also get closer to shore and visit the islands at the most ideal times, all thanks to over 30 years of experience perfecting the island hopping itinerary experience.

This exclusive tour offers you total immersion in this natural world, one that’s truly primeval. Here, lizards, penguins, and blue-footed boobies share the beach with us, unconcerned by our presence. You’ll capture amazing memories as you walk along bright, white sandy beaches framed by crystal-clear aqua waters, or try world-class snorkeling at Kicker Rock.

And because our Galapagos adventure is based on a small boat (rather than in a hotel or large cruise boat), you’ll be able to delve more deeply into all that they have to offer. Our guide will take us in small boats to swim with sea lions, roaming inland verdant hills, or hiking to vantage points overlooking the famous marine iguanas. Our daily rest periods on the boat will allow precious teaching moments and one-on-one reviews with master photographer Ossian Lindholm.

Throughout this very special adventure, your camera becomes the third eye you need to view and capture this rare destination up close. Every step of the way, you’ll receive hands-on instruction and guidance from Ossian, who will ensure you have plenty of opportunities to get the perfect shot of a hummingbird, a blue-footed booby, or a barking seal. You’ll also have plenty of time to review your photos with him and he’ll provide useful feedback on how to edit and make your photographic vision come alive.

From the people to the scenery to the wildlife, you will experience Las Islas Encantadas from the most privileged points of view and return home a better photographer with the most precious photos you have ever taken. We can guarantee that you will be forever transformed and enchanted by these islands. So, get ready to capture paradise on the photographic adventure journey of a lifetime!



DAY 1QUITOAccommodation - San Jose de Puembo• Location: Quito• Duration: 1 night• Website: http://www.

sanjosedepuembo.com/en/home-en/

DAY 2PAPALLACTA PASSAccommodation - Cabañas San Isidro• Location: Cosanga• Duration: 1 night• Website: http://www.

cabanasanisidro.com/

HighlightsUpon your late afternoon or early evening arrival in Quito, we meet you at the airport and assist you with your luggage and transfer you to your first hotel near the airport. Later in the evening, we have an introductory dinner.

HighlightsTime to escape from Quito! Today we’ll want to rise early and get on our way, since we have a variety of habitats that we’ll want to explore. Our drive to Guango Lodge will initially lead us through the drier central valley where we will pass through a mix of agricultural zones and native chaparral forests before rising up steeply to the high and (often) windswept paramo. Among the many bird possibilities, we will be particularly on the lookout for Andean Condor (sometimes hard), Carunculated Caracara, Andean Gull, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Scrub & Blue-and-yellow Tanagers and Southern Yellow-Grosbeak. If there were a day to have your camera ready, this would be it – on clear days the scenery is spectacular, with superb views of the snow-capped Volcán Antisana, and seemingly endless high Andean mountain-scapes harboring a backdrop of textures that make for an unforgettable birding setting.

This area, known as the Papallacta Pass by birders, is rich in paramo birdlife, and with the proper weather, you can expect to see some of the following: Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Tawny Antpitta, Many-striped Canastero, White-chinned Thistletail, Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant, Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, some interesting seedeaters, and even Giant Conebill (with a bit of luck, up in the Polylepis woodlands). The Papallacta Pass is right on the continental divide, and once we finish up with our paramo birding, we’ll work our way down the east-slope – Amazonian drainage now – towards San Isidro Lodge. On the way we’ll pass through some beautiful high-elevation temperate forests where we will have a chance to stop and soak in this birdy zone; some of the possibilities include Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Viridian Metaltail, Red-crested Cotinga, Black-backed Bush-Tanager, just to name a very few. Our box lunch in the field will allow us to remain flexible with respect to how we plan our birding for the day.

Assuming the weather cooperates, we’ll probably want to try a short night walk - right between the cabins and the dining room - in search of the ‘mystery owl.’ This is a gorgeous owl that may one day prove to be a new species to science.



DAY 4HUMMINGBIRDS AT GUANGO LODGEAccommodation - See Day 1

HighlightsThis morning will be devoted to birding the trails and spectacular hummingbird feeders at Guango Lodge. On the grounds here we frequently run into some of the best temperate forest flocks on any of our tours in Ecuador; in a matter of minutes it isn’t uncommon to see Bar-bellied Woodpecker, White-banded Tyrannulet, Blue-backed Conebill, Black-capped and Black-eared Hemispingus, Slaty and Pale-naped Brush-Finch, Gray-hooded Bush-Tanager, several species of mountain-tanager and even Plushcap. We will always have our eye out for other particularly local or aesthetic highlights, and Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan and Mountain Avocetbill are among them. We will enjoy a hot, sit-down lunch, only feet away from the hummingbird feeders!

After lunch at the lodge, we can choose any of the trails that sprawl out from the lodge for a second crack at flocks and other activity. We will plan to do some birding on the drive back to Quito to clean-up some of the missed species we had searched for on the first day. Drop off in hotel near airport.

DAY 3HUMMINGBIRDS AT GUANGO LODGEAccommodation - Guango Lodge• Location: Papallacta• Duration: 1 night• Website: http://www.

guangolodge.com/

HighlightsWe plan to start the morning off with some birding right around the lodge, where we often find it hard to pull ourselves away—the birds just sometimes keep coming. Some of the regulars include Masked Trogon, Andean Motmot, Montane and Olive-backed Woodcreepers, Golden-crowned Flycatcher, Black-billed Peppershrike, Inca Jay and Subtropical Cacique! After about an hour of this, we will want to visit the Antpitta feeders, where you will likely see White-bellied Antpitta only feet away, and maybe even the very rare Peruvian (!). The rest of the morning will be spent birding the ample trail system and/or forested roadside at Cabañas San Isidro. And after lunch we will drive to Guango Lodge.

We should arrive to Guango Lodge in the early afternoon for a first crack at the hummingbird feeders that will be dripping with species such as Tourmaline Sunangel, Sword-billed Hummingbird and White-bellied Woodstar. At dinner we will be officially welcomed by the lit fireplace and have our first taste of Ecuador’s best known hot toddy, a delicious drink - called “Canelazo” - made from water boiled with real cinnamon, fruit juice and a dash of cane alcohol, that is sure to help warm us up.

After a tasty dinner (and assuming the weather holds) we should try night birding to see if we can get an owl or two interested.



DAY 6FLOREANA ISLAND (CHARLES) Accommodation - See Day 5

HighlightsFloreana Island is best known for its colorful history of buccaneers, whalers, convicts, and early colonists.

Punta Cormorant

Punta Cormorant has two contrasting beaches and a large inland lagoon where pink flamingoes can be seen.

Devils Crown

This is a snorkeling site located just off Punta Cormorant. The site is a completely submerged volcano that has eroded to create the appearance of a jagged crown.

Post Office Bay

This is one of the few sites visited for its human history. Visit the wooden mail barrel where letters are dropped off and picked up and remains of the Norwegian fishing village.

DAY 7ISABELA ISLAND (ALBEMARLE)Accommodation - See Day 5

HighlightsIsabela Island is the largest of the Galapagos Islands, formed by five active volcanoes fused together. Wolf Volcano is the highest point in the entire Galapagos at one mile high!

Sierra Negra

Volcan Sierra Negra has a caldera with a diameter of 10km. View recent lava flows, moist highland vegetation, and parasitic cones.

Puerto Villamil

Puerto Villamil is a charming small town on a white sand beach. Highlights include the Tortoise Breeding Station and the flamingo lagoon. Other visits (depending on conditions) are the Tintoreras or Los Humedales.

DAY 5SANTA CRUZ ISLANDAccommodation - The Beluga (boat)• Duration: 7 nights• Website: www.

belugagalapagos.com/

HighlightsWe have an early flight to Baltra Airport on Santa Cruz Island, where our expert Galapagos guide awaits and transports us by dinghy to the Beluga, our home for eight days. We also visit the Charles Darwin Station, which has a giant tortoise and land iguana breeding program and interpretation center.




HighlightsUrbina Bay

Urbina Bay is located at the central-west coast of Isabela Island at the foothills of Alcedo and Darwin volcanoes. Highlights include the colourful land iguanas, Galapagos Giant tortoises and the coral uplifting from 1954.

Tagus Cove

Tagus Cove is a natural harbor where centuries ago whalers and pirates left their ship’s names painted or carved on the rocks. A walk uphill to Darwin’s Crater saltwater lake will provide an excellent view.

DAY 10FERNANDINA ISLAND (NARBOROUGH)Accommodation - See Day 5

HighlightsFernandina Island is the youngest volcanic island and is still active.

Punta Espinoza

Punta Espinoza is a place famous for its large colonies of marine iguanas and as the habitat of unique species like the flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguin, Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, among others.

Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island (Albemarle)

This site is visited by dinghy rides along the cliffs or the partially sunken cave at the water’s edge. Nasca boobies, blue-footed boobies and flightless cormorants inhabit the shoreline.


HighlightsPunta Moreno

Punta Moreno is located in the central southwestern coast of Isabela Island. The site has spectacular views of volcanoes Alcedo, Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul. Some highlights include impressive lava flows, desolate and pristine landscape, varied and unusual arid zone vegetation.

Elizabeth Bay

This spot is only accessible by dinghy. It’s possible to see penguins on the small islets in the bay. The end of the bay is long and narrow surrounded by three species of mangroves. Galapagos Sea Turtles and rays can usually be seen in the water.



DAY 12NORTH SEYMOUR: ADIOS!

HighlightsThis flat piece of land originated after an uplifting event thousands of years ago. The island is home to endemic Palo Santo trees, colonies of blue-footed boobies, swallow tailed gulls, and magnificent frigate birds. The gentle breeze and serenade of birds in the golden morning light is a lovely way to say adios to one of the most magical places in the world. From Baltra, we have a return flight to Quito to make your international connections.

HighlightsSantiago Island is located between Isabela and Santa Cruz Islands. This Island offers a wide variety of seabirds, marine iguanas and fur seals.

Puerto Egas

A walk along the rocky coast line that will you show you a view of some of Galapagos’ best tide pools. Some highlights include: Sugar loaf volcano, fur seals, oyster catchers, marine iguana colony, and old salt mine.

Bartolome Island (Bartholomew)

A hike will take you to the highest point on Bartolome for a spectacular view. Sea lions and penguins can be seen around Pinnacle Rock. There is a sandy beach with great swimming and snorkeling.

DAY 11SANTIAGO ISLAND & BARTOLOME ISLANDAccommodation - See Day 4



MEET YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDES Ossian Lindholm is a renowned nature photographer from Tucuman, Argentina. Trained as an Agronomist, many years ago he turned his deep passion for nature to photography. In his work as a photographer, teacher and documentary filmmaker, he is dedicated to capturing, preserving, conserving, sharing and sustaining the landscape, nature and culture of Argentina in its most pristine state.

Ossian has published five books, 14 calendars and he teaches photography courses throughout the year. Since 1998 he has been leading groups of photographers and naturalists on photographic journeys throughout his native Argentina. For the past four years has been the host of a very popular weekly nature TV documentary called Travesia Fotograficas. In each show He hopes to educate and inspire people to love, protect and keep sacred the places where they live using images, words and music to touch peoples’ emotional core.

Under Hefferon’s leadership, Ciclismo Classico and Travel Vision Journeys has blossomed into one of the top companies in the adventure travel industry, garnering awards from Outside magazine and National Geographic Traveler, and being named one of Boston’s top 100 woman-Led businesses three years running. Hefferon has been profiled by Entrepreneur magazine, and her tours have been featured in an array of media outlets, ranging from USA Today and The Wall Street Journal, to Bicycling, CNN.com and Forbes. As a specialized boutique bicycle tour operator since 1988, her companies provide the most authentic, unique and exciting vacations in the adventure travel industry. Her award-winning educational trips in Europe, South America, New Zealand, Asia and New England are active immersions into local art, language, music, folklore and delicious cuisine.

During his early years he loved reading National Geographic Magazine; it had a profound impact on him. It was his first inspiration and he became continually was drawn by nature photography. He went to college to pursue a career in agricultural engineering and here he began to develop a strong connection with the biological sciences that continues to be a strong influence in all his work. After obtaining his degree he worked for many years as a scientist but in 1998 he decided to dedicate himself to nature photography.

At this time he began working as a photography and nature guide which allowed him to travel around Argentina and connect with other photographers and biologists in the world.

After graduating in anthropology from Cornell University, Lauren Hefferon studied fine arts in Florence and cycled over 35,000 miles throughout Europe. She founded Ciclismo Classico in 1988 and drives all visionary aspects of the company, from itinerary design and tour leader training to marketing and company strategy. Her latest creation, Travel Vision Journeys was born from her love of photography and insatiable curiosity to find the most authentic cultural experiences as well as the most gorgeous views has served her well in designing exclusive learning experiences for the adventurous traveler.

Lauren is considered a pioneer in adventure and educational travel and has been an advisor to the Adventure Travel World Summit, a panelist at the annual National Bike Summit Panel on Tourism, and founded the annual Ciclismo Classico Bike Travel Film Festival.



ARRIVAL & DEPARTUREGETTING TO QUITOFly to Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) in Quito, where we’ll meet you and transfer you to our first hotel near the airport.

DEPARTING FROM QUITOOn our last day together, we’ll be flying from Baltra to Quito (UIO) to make your international connections.

OTHER INFORMATION For Flight Reservations Valerie Wilson TravelCall: 1-855-780-2022 or E-mail: [email protected]

Travel Insurance MH RossCall: 1-800-423-3632http://bit.ly/MHRoss_Insurance

Transportation Rome2riohttp://www.rome2rio.com



INSURANCE, TERMS & CONDITIONSInsuranceCiclismo Classico will not assume responsibility or liability for any loss or damage of personal effects or for any injury or loss during the duration of the tour. Therefore, we highly recommend that you obtain travel insurance. Information on travel insurance will be sent to you via email once trip deposit is received. We recommend MH Ross, but travelers may choose the insurance carrier of their choice. Cancellations and Refunds All requests for refunds must be submitted in writing as soon as possible to Ciclismo Classico. Exceptions to their cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather or personal emergencies. There is no refund for unexpectedly leaving a trip early or arriving late. The purchase of short-term travel insurance policy is strongly recommended. Cancellation fees are determined as follows: Days before departure – Cancellation fee 91+ days - 50% of the deposit* 61-90 days - 30% of the trip price 31-60 days - 60% of the trip price0-30 days - 100% of the trip price

*You may transfer your trip deposit to another departure in the same tour season up to 90 days before your original departure with payment of a $100 per person transfer fee. Prices quoted are subject to adjustment without prior notification. OR your deposit ($600) may be rolled over to the following year as a credit towards the final balance of a tour. At the time of booking, we will ask for another $600 deposit to secure your spot. Alterations to the tour itinerary Sometimes modifications may be made to the itinerary. We will notify you of any changes that may affect your arrival, departure or lodging. Any changes to the program are made in the best interest and safety of the group.

To review our policies, please visit http://www.ciclismoclassico.com/plan-your-trip/policies/

RESERVE YOUR SPACE!To reserve a space, call Ciclismo Classico at 800-866-7314 or Lauren Hefferon at 617-640-4837. You may also mail your deposit and contact information to:

Ciclismo Classicoattn: Rosa 30 Marathon St Arlington, MA 02474 At the time of registration, a deposit of $600 per person is due, payable by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or check, made payable to Ciclismo Classico, along with your full name, mailing address, phone number(s) and email address. We cannot confirm reservations without a deposit. Final payment is due 90 days before departure payable by check, credit card, wire transfer or money order. All travelers must review and sign a terms and conditions statement and a waiver form.

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