GalápagosIslands - Buffalo Bill Center of the West · natural history of the archipelago. His five-week stay gave the impetus to the famous Theory of Evolution. The Galápagos Islands

GalápagosIslands

Join us in the islands of discovery — Cruise to the Galápagos, where you

are greeted by giant tortoises, sea lions and marine iguanas, and stroll pristine

beaches among blue-footed boobies and Sally Lightfoot Crabs.

2 | Galápagos: Islands of Discovery

Islands of Discovery

Galápagos: Islands of Discovery | 3

PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION PACKET Page 5 IntroductiontotheGalápagos

Page 6-7 MapofEcuador,Galápagos

Page 8-9 GeneralInformation

Page 10-11 WhattoPack

Page 12-13 Weather&Climate

Page 14-15 Geography&Geology

Page 17 BiologicalEvolution

Page 18-21 GalápagosCommonSpecies

Page 22-23 EnvironmentalIssues

Page 24-25 CharlesDarwin

Page 26-27 HumanHistory

Page 28-31 DailyItinerary

Page 32-33 OptionalExtension

Page 34-35 YachtInformation

Environmental Adventure CompanyP.O.Box1562,Livingston,Montana59047www.eactours.com|[email protected]

November 6-17, 2014


The Islands of Discovery...


AtriptotheGalápagosIslandwillbethejourneyofyourlifetime.Located1,000km(600miles)from

theEcuadorianmainland,thearchipelagoconsistsof13majorislands,ofwhich5areinhabited.TheIsland’sinterestingvolcanichistory,aswellasitsrichfloraandfaunahavebeenadmiredandstudiedbynumeroustravelers,scientist,andnature-lovers.ScientiststillfacesamysteryofhowsuchalargediversityofspeciescoulddevelopinaremotelocationliketheGalápagosIslands.

OntheIslands,amultitudeofanimalsarerompingabout:themainreasontouristsandnatureloverspaytheGalápagosIslandsavisit.

InterestedwhofirstsetfootontheIslands?WhetheritwastheIncas,refugees,pirates,orseafarerswhowereseizedwithathirstforadventure?OneofthefirsttovisitwasCharlesDarwin,whowasfascinatedbythenaturalhistoryofthearchipelago.Hisfive-weekstaygavetheimpetustothefamousTheoryofEvolution.TheGalápagosIslandsareblessedwithpleasantweatherallyearround,whichmeansthatthereisno“perfect”timetovisitthesepreciousIslands.Still,youmighttakesomefactorslikeHighSeasonvs.LowSeason,ortheclimateintoaccount.TheGalápagosIslandswon’tleaveyouuntouched.Travelingtotheislandsoffersthejourneyofyourlifetime.You’llaweamidstplayfulseals,elegantalbatrosses,fieryredSallyLight-footCrabs,andsneakyFrigatebirds.

**Please note:The itinerary is always subject to change without previous notice due to operational purposes, sea or weather conditions or politics of the Galápagos National Park Authorities and/or unforseen circumstances.

Sally Light-foot Crab.

Introduction to Galápagos


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GENERAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIRED

TripmembersneedtobeingoodhealthandgoodphysicalconditiontobeabletofullyenjoyanexpeditiontotheGalápagosand/ormainlandEcuador.ExperiencingtheGalápagosIslandswillinvolvefrequenttransfersashoretolandingsites,ortodivesites,aboardsmallboatsknownaspangas,requiringsomephysicaleffortandbalance.Someofthelandingsareonstonejettieswithwet,slipperylavarocks,whileotherstakeplaceonsandybeacheswithsomesurf.Dailynaturehikesmayincludewalkingonirregularandelevatedterrainincludingboulders.Briefingswillbegivenbyyourguideinadvanceofthelandingstobetterhelpyoudeterminelevelsofdifficulty.Havingagoodsenseofbalanceandbeingrelativelysurefootedisarequirementofthistour.TravellingthroughthehighlandsofmainlandEcuadormayinvolveexperiencingaltitudesbetween2,500and3,600meters(8,200and11,800ft)abovesealevel.

BEFORE YOU TRAVEL – DOCUMENTATION

Avalidpassport(PLEASECHECKTHEEXPIRATIONDATE)isrequiredfortraveltomainlandEcuadorandtheGalápagosIslands.Mosttouristsareallowedtostayup90days.PleasecheckwithEnvironmentalAdventureCompanyifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutyourdocumentation.

ARRIVING IN ECUADOR

DuringyourflighttoEcuador,youwillbegivenaT3TouristInformationCardwhichMUSTBECOMPLETEDBEFORELANDINGINQUITO.ThecardalongwithyourpassportwillbepresentedtotheimmigrationofficeruponarrivalatthePassportControlareainQuito.Haveyourflightticketsreadyiftheyaskforthem.IfaskedaboutthepurposeofthetriptellstheofficialsthatyouareonvacationandaregoingtotheGalápagosIslands.AcopyoftheT3formwillbereturnedtoyoualongwithyourpassport.Pleasekeepitinasafeplacesinceyouwillberequiredtoturnitinwhenyouleavethecountry.Youwillthen

proceedtothebaggageclaimareatoclaimyourcheckedluggageandclearcustoms.Yourbagswillusuallybeinspected.Afterleavingcustoms,youwillbemetbyyourhostforanairporttransfertoyourhotel

SAFETY AND SECURITY

ItisrecommendedthatyoumaketwophotocopiesofyourpassportIDpage,airlineticket,tourdocuments,traveler’scheckIDnumbersandairlineitinerary.Leaveoneathomewithfriendsorrelativesandtaketheothercopywithyou,keepingthecopiesseparatefromtheoriginals.WhileyoutravelinEcuadoralwayscarryyourpassportwithyousinceitisalegalrequirementandyoucouldbeaskedforitatanytime.Youmaybeaskedtoleaveyourpassportatthehotelfrontdeskwhencheckingin.Thisisokayandsafe.Yourcopywillsufficefortouringthecity.Youwillalsoneeditwhenchangingmoneyorpayingwithtraveler’schecks.AlwaysbecarefulinmainlandEcuador–keepawatchfuleyeoveryourbelongings,neversetyourcameradownandbewaryofpickpockets.MONEY

ThelocalcurrencyisUSdollars.MasterCardiswidelyacceptedinGalápagosandEcuador,VISAisalsowidelyacceptedinQuito.Pleasenotethatthereisa10%servicechargeonallcreditcardpaymentswithinEcuador.BankhoursinQuitoareMondaytoFriday9:00AM–4:00PM.ThereareseveralmoneyexchangebusinessesinQuitoincludingATMmachineslocatedinmanylocationsaroundthecity.Alwayschecktheamountrequestedandtheamountreceived.Ifthereisaproblem,callthebankassociatedwiththatATMimmediately.InGalápagosthereisonlyonebankandyoucanonlygetcashwithMasterCard.TherearenoofficialmoneyexchangebusinessesintheGalápagos.Theislandsarecashandtraveler’scheckorienteddestinations.Bediscreteanddonotdisplayyourmoney.Carryyourmoney,creditcardsandthelikeinyourfrontpocket,amoneypouchorpackheldclosetoyourbody.

General Information


TELEPHONE SERVICE

ThereisfullphoneandcellularphonecommunicationintheGalápagos.TomakeacallonceyouhavearrivedontheEcuadorianmainland,itisrecommendedtousecallingcards,sincecallsmadefromyourhotelcanbeveryexpensive.CallingcardscanbepurchasedatmostlocationsaroundQuito.InQuitotherearemanyInternetcafeswithcheapemailandnet-phoneservice;andinPuertoAyora,thereareatleast3Internetcafes.Inquirewiththehotelfrontdesk.LANGUAGE

CommunicationonthemainlandisdifficultifyoudonotknowSpanish.InGalápagos,ontheotherhand,itiseasiertocommunicatebecausemanypeoplewholivetherecanspeakEnglish.Learnafew

phrasesandgivethelanguageatry–apersonreallyrespectsonetrying.FOOD/WATER

Pleasebecarefulabouteatinguncookedfood,includingvegetablesandpeeledfruit.Itisbettertodrinkbottledwaterordesalinatedwaterthatweprovideonboardouryachts.Almostalltherestaurantsarecarefulaboutusingcleanorbottledwaterandrecognizinggoodsanitationbutitisbettertoavoidanyhealthproblem.Alltheservicesweofferonboardtheyachtareperfectlyselectandfollowallsanitarydetails.Ourgeneralruleistousebottledwateronly!

ELECTRICITY

110VACand220VAConsomecases.

Blue Footed Boobies.


Choosingwhattobringwithyouonatripisaspersonalaschoosingatravelingcompanion,andbynomeansdowedareproposeacomprehensivepackinglistthatworksforeveryone.Butherearesomeessentialsandsuggestions:

CLOTHES

ForthedaytimeintheGalápagos,youwillmostlikelywanttobeinshortsandaloosecomfortablet-shirtortanktop.Awide-brimmedorlong-billedhatandapairofsunglassesareessentialsforprotectingface,eyes,earsandneckfromthebrightandscorchingequatorialsun.Ourboatsdonothaveanysortofdresscode,andyourdaytimeclotheswillbefine.ConsiderbringingonlyoneortwopairsoflightpantstotheGalápagos.Theywillbetoowarmusually,butyoumightwantthemfortheplaneandperhapsatnighttoenjoytheoceannights.Also,bringalightsweaterorsweatshirtsoyouwon’tmissmagnificentnightlystar-gazing.

YoumustpassthroughQuito,whichisalsoontheEquator,buthighinthemountainsat2850m(9350ft)withacoolclimate.Arrivingattheairportdressedforcool/coldweatheriswise,sopackajacket,preferablyawaterproofonethatcandoubleasaraincoatintheislands.

FOOTWEAR

Withoutadoubt,Teva-stylesandalsarethemostusefulfootwearyoucanbringtotheisland.Theycanbewornduringdryorwetlandingontheislands,protectyourfeetfromthehot,harshvolcaniclandscapeandkeepthemcool.Youmightwanttheprotectionandsupportoftennisshoesorsneakers,butwewouldrecommendthatyoubringyourolderbroken-inpair.Anewpairwillsufferthedamageofsaltwater,volcanicrock,andsand.

SUNSCREEN

YES!Welistsunscreenasitsownsectionbecauseit’ssoimportant.Thesunhitstheequatorhardandcanburnyoubeforeyouknowit.WerecommendSPF45

waterproofsunscreen,andeverywhere-don’tforgetthetopsofyourearsandfeet!Strongsunburncanbeadebilitatingcondition-especiallyforthosewithlighterskin.

FOR THE WATER

Aswimsuitortwoisperfectforthewater-thesunwilldrythemquicklyandtheyaregreatforloungingaroundonthedecks.Ifyouhaveyourownsnorkelingequipmentandyoufeellikebringingitwithyou,dosobyallmeans.Oftenitisbettertohaveyourownequipmentwithwhichyouarecomfortableandcertainofitsfittingthanrentingfromtheboatorashop.However,ifyoudonothaveyourown,ifyourboatdoesnotsupplyit,oryoudon’twanttobringyoursdown,itisquitepossibletorentfromashopinQuito.Forthosethatliketospendhourssnorkelinganddivingdeep,youmightconsideraShortywetsuitforthedeeper18-23degreeCwaters.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Ofcourseyouwillbringyourcamera!TheGalápagosisonelargephotoopportunityafteranother,andyouwillreturnwithmanyphotosthatcanneverberepeated.Forthisreason,wesuggestthatthinkabouthowmanyphotosyouwillwanttotakeandthenbringtwiceasdiskorcardsforyourcamera.Frameswillquicklyfillwithalltherarities,wildlifeandoceanscapesyoucandreamof.Forthosethathaveaquality35mmcamera,bringingawide-angle/macrolensanda70-210mmzoomlensisadvisable.Thezoomlenswillletyouframeanimalsatanyvarietyofdistances,andreducetheamountofcameraequipmentyoulugwithyoutotheislands.Apolarizingfilterhelpstoreducetheglareofthesunlightonthewaterandmakethedolphinsmorevisibleaswellashelpingwithsunsetshots.Andifyoudonothaveanunderwatercamera(asmostofusdon’t),Kodak,Konica,andFujifilmallmakedisposableones-theyworksurprisinglywellandletyoutakephotosofthesealionyoubefriendorthesharksthatmakeyoulooktwice!Bringingvideoequipment,whileaddingmorebulk,weightand

What to pack for the Galápagos


worry,alsomeansthatyoucapturenotonlytheimageofthebluefootedboobies,buttheircourtshipdance.Ifyoubringatripod,makeitalightweightnon-bulkyoneasyou’llhavetohikewithit.

ACCESSORIES

Otheritemsthatyoumightconsiderbringingarebinoculars(8x42arerecommended),andextracamerabatteries.

MEDICATION

FirstAidkitsareprovidedonallboats,butmaynotbecompleteorprovideforthosewithspecialneeds.Alwaystravelwithallprescriptionmedicinesthatyoumayneed.Specialmedicinesyoushouldconsiderbringingalongaremotionsicknessmedication(ifyoursealegsdon’tdevelopquickly),andaloe-veragel(incaseyouforgetouradviceaboutsunscreen),

Quitoisat9,500 feet,(3,000m)andsomepeopleexperiencesymptomsofaltitudesicknesswhichinmostcasescanberemediedbydrinkinglotsofwater,gettinglotsofrest(whichcanbedifficultwhentraveling),takingaspirin,orifyouexperiencesymptomsofmildheadaches,DIAMOX,adrugthatincreasesoxygenprofusionisreadilyavailableinQuitopharmacies.Ifyouexperiencesevereheadachesorrespiratoryproblems,tellthecaptainandconsultadoctorimmediately.

Whateverelseyouwouldconsiderbringingonboardaboattripofequatorialislandsforaweek.Rememberthatyouareonanisolatedboatinisolatedislands600milesfromthenearestcontinent.Soifthereissomethingyoucan’tdowithoutanddon’tknowifyoucanfinditthere,bringit.

Lastly, if you wear glasses, bring an extra pair —just in case!


TIME ZONE

ThetimezonefortheGalápagosIslandsisGMT-6,whichisonehourbehindfromEcuador’smainland,whichisGMT-5.FYI–MontanaisGMT-7.

CLIMATE

TheclimateattheGalápagosIslandsissubtropicalandthewarmElNinoCurrentandthecoldHumboldtCurrentregulateit.

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Theweathertemperaturevariesduringtheyear:• January to May: fromlow80°F(27°C)tolow90°F(32°C)(possiblerain)• June to September:low60°F(15°C)tohigh70°F(21°C)(possiblerain)• October to December:70°F(21°C)to80°(27°C)(dryseason)

June to December -FromJunetoDecemberthesoutherntradewindsbringthecolderHumboldtCurrentnorthtotheGalápagos.Thismeansthatthewateriscooler,andalayerofhighatmospheremistpervadestheislandskies.Ineffect,thehighlandsofthelargerislandsarekeptgreenandlush,whilethesealevelislandsandshorelineshavelittleprecipitation.

Thus,JunetoDecemberisgenerallycalledthe“dryseason“knownforitsblueskiesandmid-dayshowers.Duringthisseasontouristmayobserveabigamountofspeciesaroundtheislandsortheseasuchas:gianttortoises,Humpbackwhales,blue-footedboobies,cormorants,oystercatchers,lavalizards,Galápagoshawks,maskedboobies,swallowtailedgulls,sealions,lavaherons,brownnoddy,penguins,etc.Duetothewatertemperatureitistheperfecttimefordiving.

Average Rainfall and Average Daily Temperature Month by Month

June July August September October November December23mm 14mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 7mm 30 mm(1in) (1in) (0in) (0in) (0in) (0in) (1in) 72°F 75°F 70°F 70°F 71°F| 73°F 74°F23°C 22°C 22°C 21°C 22°C 23°C 23°C

December to May -ThetimeperiodbetweenDecemberandMayisconsideredthe“warmseason.”Duringthiswarmerseason,theGalápagos’climateismoretropicalwithdailyrainandcloudierskies.Also,theoceantemperatureiswarmerforswimmingandsnorkeling.

Duringthisseasontouristmayobserveabigamountofspeciesaroundtheislandsortheseasuchas:marineiguanas,seaturtle,landiguanas,flamingos,white-cheekedpintails,maskedboobies,marineiguanas,albatross,blue-footedboobies,etc.Duetothewaterconditionssnorkelingistherecommendedactivityduringthesemonths.

Galápagos Weather and Climate


Average Rainfall and Average Daily Temperature Month by Month

January February March April May68mm 91 mm 94 mm 72mm 34 mm(3in) (4in) (4in) (3in) (1in)77°F 78°F 83°F 83°F 77°F25°C 26°C 28°C 28°C 25°C

MARINE CURRENTS

TheHumboldtCurrent’sinfluencebringscoldwatersespeciallyduringthemistrainyseason(coolweather)fromJulytoDecember.“ElNiño”currentmaybringwarmwaterstotheGalápagosandwillmakethesurfacewarmerandrainfallincrease(JanuarytoJune).

Thewatertemperaturevariesduringtheyear:•January to June:from70°F(21°C)to80°F(27°C)•July to December:from65°F(18°C)to75°F(23°C)


Geology of the Galápagos Islands

ThegeologicallyrecentvolcaniceruptionsattesttothefactthattheGalápagosIslandsareaplacebornoffire.Inthelast200 years,aremarkable50 pluseruptionshaveoccurred,somethreateningtheuniquefloraandfauna,somecreatingnewland(suchasthenewpahoehoelavaflowonSantiagoIsland)thatwasunseeninDarwin’stime.

PerhapsGalápagos’mostprevalentfeatureisitsharshanddynamicvolcaniclandscape.Initiallyformedbetween3millionand5millionyearsago,theislandsare“young”ingeologictime.NotunlikeHawaii,theislandsarelocatedoveranareaofparticularlyhotmantlethatinessenceburnsthroughearth’scrust,creatingvolcanicactivity.Atthese“hotspots,”volcaniceruptionspileuponformervolcaniceruptionsovermillenniauntilthevolcanicearthispushedtothesurfaceoftheocean--formingislands.

Asthetectonicplatesmove(atarateofabout 5 cmperyear),thevolcanicactivitymoveswiththem,creatingnewerislandstothewestandreducingactivityofolderislandstotheeast.Thisexplainstherelatively“youthful”rocksofthewesternislandsandthegeologicallyolderrocksofmanyeasternislands.Forinstancetheeasterlyislandsareamongotherislandsthatarepartiallyorentirelysunkenagingover5millionyearsold.However,manyofthecentralandeasterlyislands(suchasFernandinaandIsabela)havemorerecentvolcanicactivitydatingbackonly2millionyears.

Generally,theindividualislandsformfromsingleshieldvolcano’seruptionsofbasalticlavaflowsexpandingitsshores.However,thelargestisland,Isabela,ismadeupofsixvolcanoeswhichhaveflowedintoeachother,fillingthePacificgapbetweenthem.

FormedbythiscombinationofdynamicvolcanicactivityandtheeffectsofrainandthecontinualforceofthevastPacificattheircoasts,theislandsattesttotheirorigin.Thequarter-moonshapeofGenovesaandthesunkencoreacrossthebayfromPinnacleRockatBartolometestifytotheseislandsbornoffireandtemperedbysalt-water.Theseforcescreatedthesettingforthetrialsofevolutiontoselecttheuncannyanimalsandflorathatnowinhabitthesedesolateisles.


Geography of the Galápagos Islands

Locatedover1000kmfromtheSouthAmericancontinent,theGalápagosIslands(officiallynamedtheArchipelagoofColon)areadynamicregionconstantlychangingwithvolcaniceruptions,newlavafieldsformingandislandserodingandexpanding.

Some600 milesfromtheEcuadoriancoastline,theGalápagoshavelivedinvirtualisolationformillionsofyears.Intotal,theyconsistof61 islandsandislets,with13mainislands.Seeminglikeshadowsupontheseafromoneanother,the13 mainislandsareBaltra,Espanola,Fernandina,Floreana,Genovesa,Isabela,Marchena,Pinta,Pinzon,SanCristobal,SantaCruz,SantaFe,andSantiago.

Intotallandarea,theislandsare4897sq.miles(7880sq.km)andinthetotalgeographicalareafromDarwinIslandtoSanCristobalandEspanola, 28,000 sq.miles(45,000sq.km)

ThelargestislandisIsabela,at1771sq.miles(4855sq.km),whileitmakesupclosetohalfthelandareaoftheGalápagos,isstilllessthanhalfthesizeoftheislandofHawaii.Itslargestvolcano,VolcanWolfhasmaximumaltitudeof5600ft. (1707m)makingitthehighestpointinthearchipelago.


Male Frigate Bird.


Whetherintheseastaringintothevioletstraightpupilofanoctopus,observingamarineiguanawashedbywavesgnawingatalgae,orfacingaserenewisetortoise-anyvisitortotheGalápagosIslandscannothelpbutponder,“howdidsuchcreaturecomeintoexistence?”Andtheywouldnotbethefirst.

“Considering the small size of these islands, we feel the more astonished at the number of their aboriginal beings and at their confined range... Hence, both in space and time, we seem to be brought somewhere near to that great fact, that mystery of mysteries —the appearance of the new beings on this earth.”

— CharlesDarwin,1845

Insuchaharshandunforgivingenvironment,itisdifficulttobelievethatthefloraandfaunaarrivingbychanceattheseislandshadanyhopetoestablishadynastyofdescendants.Howeverthefactremains,bringingmorewonderduringyoutour,whichlifedoesexistwithsuchdiversityinanenvironmentthatseemstooffersolittle.

Certainly,manyoftheinitialarrivalstotheislandsdidnotcomeatanopportunetime:atatimewithoutamatetogreetthem,withoutaplanttofeedon,withoutabitofsoiltoputdownroots.Often,overthemillionsofyearsthatchancebroughtbirdsinastorm,sealionsandpenguinsincurrents,seedsacrossfromthecontinent,thefirstlifetoremainwouldhavebeen“pioneer”species.Thesespeciesarethosethatcanexistoutofseemlynothing,suchasplantsgrowingoutoflava.Theysurvivetodieandleavetheirorganicmaterialforthenextwaveofimmigrants--feedingthenextflora,thenextvegetariancreature.

Darwin’sobservations,specificallyonwhatarenowcalled“Darwin’sFinches,”regardingtheadaptedspeciesthatexistedontheislandseventuallyprovidedthebasisforhisTheoryofNaturalSelection.Atthetime,itwasadynamicdeparturefromthecommonlyheldbeliefthatspecieswerestatic.Explainedbriefly,theconceptoftheevolutionofspeciesisbasedonanumberofcharacteristicsofsurvivalandreproduction.Inmostpopulations,thenumberofspeciesislargerthantheavailableresourcesandcompetitionisinevitable.Withinthenormalvariationthatoccursinspecies,occasionallyamutationordifferencewilloccurthatwillbesomehowadvantageoustosurvivalorbreeding,andthosewiththepositivechangewillhaveagreaternumberofoffspring.Astheoffspringarelikelytoreceivethesesamegeneticadvantages,theyalsowillbemorelikelytosurviveandpassontheirgenes.Thosebestadaptedtotheirenvironment,bestspecifiedandbestadaptivewillsurvive.

AfteryearsofisolationontheGalápagos,wheresmallpopulationsofaspeciesmusthaveexisted,adaptationswithinthatspecieswouldbemoredrasticastherewasnolargemainstreampopulationtoactasabufferforvariations.

Often,variationsofanancestorareapparent.ThelandiguanasofSantaFe,distinctintheiryellowcolor,liketheircousinsonotherislandshaveadaptedtoeatcactus,spinesandall.Theirsecondcousins,themarineiguanas,perhapsadaptedtoeatfromthesea,avoidingthecompetitiononland.Themostfamousexamplearethe13speciesofDarwin’sfinches,allstemmingfromasingleancestor,andadaptingtosuchvaryingdietsascactus,parasitesandevenblood.TheprocessofadaptationiswelldocumentedinJonathanWeiner’s“TheBeakoftheFinch,”publishedbyVintageBooks.

Biological Evolution of the Galápagos


Galápagos Common Species

GALÁPAGOS SEA LION

TheGalápagosSeaLion(Zalophuswollebaeki)isaspeciesofsealionthatexclusivelybreedsontheGalápagosIslandsand—insmallernumbers–onIsladelaPlata.Beingfairlysocial,andoneofthemostnumerousspeciesintheGalápagosarchipelago,theyareoftenspottedsunbathingonsandyshoresorrockgroupsorglidinggracefullythroughthesurf.Theirloud“bark”,playfulnature,andgracefulagilityinwatermakethemthe“welcomingparty”oftheislands.

MAGNIFICENT FRIGATE BIRD

Namedafterthewarship,Frigate,thesebirdsliveuptotheirnamesake,stealingcatchesawayfromotherbirds.However,aren’tentirelypilferingseabirds;theyoccasionallyusetheirhighlydevelopedaviationskillsandhookedbeakstosnagwhattheycannotsteal.Asinthephoto,theirmostnotablefeatureisthemale’sinflatedredair-sackandheadshakingroutineduringmatingseason.

SALLY LIGHT-FOOT CRAB

Bornmuchdarker(almostblack)incolorastoavoidpredation,SallyLight-footcrabgrowsgainsmorevermillion,asitgrowslarger.Nimble-footedandphotogenic,thesecrabsmakeforexcellentmodels--thoughtheymaybeabitshyforclose-ups,scurryingawaysideways,upslopesandevenupsidedown.Occasionallyyoumayseeacrab“spitting”fromnearitseye.Actually,thestreamofliquidyounoticeistheSallyLight-footcrab’swayofexpellingsaltwaterthatseepsintoitsexoskeleton.


Photos courtesy of Michael Sanders, Environmental Adventure Company

SWALLOW-TAILED GULL

OnanighttimevoyageintheGalápagoswaters,theformofabirdwillfollowtheboatforwhatseemslikemiles.Thesearethenocturnalswallow-tailedgulls,huntingthenightswimmingmarinelifeofthesea.Withtheirredeye-ringandindifferentattitudetowardscamerasandclose-ups,they’reacuteandpatientmodel.Thoughifyougettooclose,theywillletyouknowwiththeirsharpalarmcall

MARINE TURTLE Oftenseenoffthesideofthedeckcopulating,theirtracksarenotedonthebeaches.Amazingly,thefemalesgenerallyreturntothesamebeachwheretheywereborn.Feedingoffofalgaelikethemarineiguana,seaturtlescanholdtheirbreathforhours—allowingforthesnorkelertojointheminthewater.

GALÁPAGOS TORTOISE

TheGalápagosgianttortoise(Geochelonenigra)isthelargestlivingspeciesoftortoise,reachingweightsofover400kilograms(882lb.)andlengthsof1.8meters(6ft.).Itisamongthelongestlivedofallvertebrates.Lifeexpectancyinthewildisover100years,whiletheoldestknownindividualisestimatedtohavereachedatleast 170 yearsold.ThetortoiseisnativetosevenvolcanicislandsoftheGalápagosarchipelago.Asinglememberofthesubspecies(G.n.abingdoni)nicknamedLonesomeGeorge,diedin2012.


Galápagos Common Species

BLUE-FOOTED BOOBIES

PerhapsthemostfamousofGalápagosbirds,blue-footedboobiesareassillyastheylook.NamesaftertheSpanishwordforclown,“bobo,”duetotheirabsolutelackoffearandhumorousappearance,thesebirdsareabundleofhumor.Theirmatingandbroodingisanactinitself.Afterlocatedeachotherviathemale’swhistleandthefemale’shonksacourtshipdanceoractensues.Showingeachotherhowamazinglybluetheirfeetareinalmostoff-balancefashionwhileeventuallymirroringand“sky-pointing”withtheirbeaks.Thenritualisticandsymbolicpresentsofnesttwigsareoffered.Theseareneverused,andthemaleandfemalemaketheirnestontheopengroundwitharingofguanoandtaketurnssittingonthenest.Thefemalecanbedistinguishedbywhatappearstobealargerpupil(inrealityheririshasadarkercolorationaroundtheeye).

MOCKINGBIRDS OF THE GALÁPAGOS

Thesebirdsareaclassicexampleofadaptiveradiation.Unliketheirbetterknowncounterparts,theydonot“mock”thesoundsofotherbirds,andmaketheirmealfromalizards,smallfinches,abandonedboobieeggs,andinsects.Likemanyoftheirfellowinhabitantsoftheislands,theyhavevirtuallynofearofpeopleandmayinfactfollowyououtofcuriosity.


Photos courtesy of Michael Sanders, Environmental Adventure Company

GALÁPAGOS PENGUINS

Thetheorybehindtheexistenceofequatorialpenguinsoriginateswiththeiceage.SupposedlypenguinsarrivedduringthiscolderglobalclimatefromthePatagoniawiththecoldHumboldtcurrent.MakingahomeintheGalápagos,theybecamestrandedastheearthwarmedandlostsomeofthefatoftheirsoutherncousins.AttheGalápagos,thesecreaturesareoftenseemedtobechattingwithoneanotheronarockpeninsulaorinthewater,occasionallyswimminguptosnorkelersoutofcuriosity.Extremelyrareandendangered,thepopulationisreportedlyslowlyexpandingintheGalápagos.

GALÁPAGOS HAWK

Withlessthat150matingpairsinexistence,youaremorelikelytoseeaGalápagosHawkintheairthanperchedcloseby.Andwiththeirkeenvision,whilecirclinginthesky,theyaremorelikelytoseeyouthanviceversa.BeingoneoftheIslandsmostimportantendemicscavengers,theyplayanessentialroleatthe“top”ofthefoodchain.Nestsarebuiltlowintrees,onlavaledges,orevenonthegroundattimes.Usedformanyyearsandnestingperiods,theybecomequitelarge,sometimesevenfourfeetindiameter.Sticksarelinedwithgrass,bark,clumpsofleaves,orotheravailablesoftmaterials.Thematingpairistogetherthemajorityofthetimeattheprimeofegg-layingseason,andusuallystaysclosetothenestingsite.


Environmental Issues of the Galápagos

Ofcourse,adelicateworldthathascreateditselfinsucharemoteandisolatedrealmisadelicatesystem.Humaninterruptionandintroductioneasilydisturbssuchadelicatelaboratory-suchanintricatesystemthattookfrommillionsofyearstoevolvetosurviveinwhatmightseemtheleastlikelyofplaces.Thereareaplethoraofenvironmentalproblemsplaguingtheislands,somestemmingfromthepressuresofworldclimatechangessuchElNiño(ENSO),othersarisingfromcommercialfishing,andoverpopulation,andmanyresultingfromtheintroductionofspeciesbyhumansdatingbacktothe1800’s.AnotherbigproblemtheGalápagosIslandshadtofacewasabigoilspillin2001.

EL NIÑO

TheglobalweatheranomalyhittheGalápagoshard.Whileanentirelynaturaloccurrence,theweatherpatterntookavitalpartoftheecosystemoutofthechain.Manyfishsearchedfordifferentwaterstofeedupon.Thefursealsweremostgreatlyaffectedastheydependonthefishclosertothesurface.ThesurfacewaterswereheatedmoreduringtheattacksofElNiño,andthefursealsbetweenages1-4werevirtuallyallwipedout.ElNiñoalsoaffectedcoastalbirds.Theabsenceoffishinthecoastalwatersmeantthatmanyofthetraditionalnestareasforbirdswereabandoned.

HUMAN IMPACT

WhilethisunforgivinganduncontrollableforceofnaturehashadadestructiveimpactontheGalápagos,manyoftheenvironmentalissuesfacingtheGalápagosoriginatefromapotentiallycontrollablesource--humanbeings.ThepresenceofpeopleintheIslandshastwosources:migrationfromthemainlandandtourism.

• Migration Hopingtofindwork,peoplefrommainlandEcuadorhaveliterallyinvadedtheIslands.TheGalápagospopulationhasincreasedover300%inthepastfew

decades.The 1990censusmarksthepopulationat9,735.Today,morethan20,000peopleliveontheIslands.Thepopulationisdoublingeveryelevenyears,whichmeansthattherewillbe40,000peopleontheGalápagosIslandsby2014.Thisaffectsthearchipelagoinanumberofmeans.Asidefromthepressureputonthenaturalresources,thislargegrowthmeansthatmostofthegarbageisdumpedinanopen-airsiteandburnedwithnosortoftreatmentorseparation.

• TourismFordecades,touristshavemarveledattherichfloraandfaunaoftheGalápagos.Despitethehighprices,thestreamofvisitorshasneverbrokenoff.Inthesixties,therehavebeenabout1,000touristsperyear,whereastherehavebeenapproximately80,000visitorsin2001.Asecondairportwasbuiltandtheconstructionofathirdoneisunderdiscussion.Theparkservicedoesaremarkablejobofregulatingthelicensingofguides,aswellasdesignatinglow-impactlandingsites.TheNationalParkchargesa$100entrancefeeonforeigntourists,yetreceivesonly25%ofthat.Nevertheless,theparkhastodealwiththeconservationproblemsthatmotoryachtsandtheirtrashbringtotheisland.

• Over-fishingRecently,overfishingorillegalfishinghasbecomealargeissue.Whenmigrantsdonotfindworkintourism,theyoftenfindjobsinthefishingindustry.TheseacucumberandsharksoftheGalápagoshavebecomealarmingtargets,bothpopularinAsianmarketsfortheiraphrodisiacormedicinalqualities.Duetothealarmingdecreaseintheearly1990’sanExecutiveDecreeenforcedbytheNationalParkservicebannedallfishingofseacucumbersintheGalápagos.Fishermenwerenotfilledwithenthusiasm.Althoughthebanhasbeenreplacedbyaquota,therehavecontinuouslybeenstrikesonthepartofthefishermen.Onlyrecently,inApril2004,angryfishermenbesiegedtheCharlesDarwinStationanddemandedtherighttousegreaternetsandlongerlines.Theseizureended


withanagreementsignedbetweenCésarNarváez(Ecuador’sMinisteroftheEnvironment),andtheartisanalfishermen.Theconflict,however,isfarfromover.

INTRODUCED SPECIES

Themerehumanpresenceofpeoplealonedoesnotholdsuchaseverethreattothenativespecies.Afterall,itshumansdidnotarrivealone.Sincethetimesofthefirstinhabitants,non-nativespecieshavebeenimportedtotheislands,oftenwithdrasticconsequences.Manyofthespeciesintroducedarenotrareordeadlyinthemselves,butwhenplacedonfragileIslandswherelifetookyearstoadapt,mererats,dogs,cats,andgoatshavedramaticeffects.Feraldogs,mostlikelyimportedtotheislandsasmascotsofearlysettlers,havebeenathreattotortoiseeggs,nativeiguanaspeciesandevenpenguins.FourgoatswereintroducedtotheSantiagoIslandsintheearly1800’s,wentrampantandoneestimatecalculatedthattheirpopulationhadgrowntonearly100,000.Duetotheirconstitutionandabilitytofeedonnearlyanyplant,goatsalonemayberesponsibleforthelocalextinctionofupto4or5speciesofvegetationandcompetewiththeGalápagostortoisefortheirfoodsource.AnewlyintroducedwaspspecieshasbeensitedontheIslands,andmayberesponsibleforadecliningnumberofcaterpillarlarvae,afoodsourceforfinches.TheCharlesDarwinResearchStationconstantlysearchesforsolutionstotheproblemofintroducedspecies.

IS THERE A POSITIVE FUTURE?

WhilethereareagreatnumberofissuesandproblemsfacingthefragileenvironmentoftheGalápagos,therearesuccessstoriesandpotentialsolutionsaswell.Theintroducederadicationprogram,thoughslowgoing,haseliminatedferalgoatsfromseveralsmallislands.DogsarenowabsentfromtheislandofIsabela.Theeffortstoreintroduceandrepopulatespeciessuchaselephantinetortoisehaveincreasedtheirnumbersdramatically.EnvironmentaleducationeffortsontheIslandshelptheirinhabitantsunderstandthelarger

pictureandneedforconservation,andresponsibletourismandenforcedparkguidelineshelppreservetheGalápagosforthefuture.Butthereareseeminglyendlessneedsforthepark’spreservation,andalwayslimitedfunding.OtherthanwhatlittlebudgetitreceivesfromtheRepublicofEcuador,theNationalParkreliesentirelyonfundingfromphilanthropists,fundraisingeffortsoftheCharlesDarwinFoundation,Inc.andotherprivateorganizations.Howyoucanhelp.

WhenyoustopattheCharlesDarwinResearchStationduringyourtour,feelfreetoleaveamuch-appreciateddonation.TheCharlesDarwinFoundation,Inc.isthefundraisingarmoftheResearchStationandwouldmorethangreatlyappreciateyourcontribution.Visittheirwebsiteatwww.Galápagos.organdfindouthowyoucanhelp.

Youoryourorganization,corporationorbusinessesarestronglyencouragedtocontribute(tax-deductible)tothepreservationoftheworldheritagethatistheGalápagosIslands.

PARK RULES

WhenyouvisittheGalápagosNationalPark,sticktothefollowingparkrulestohelppreservetheuniquefloraandfaunaontheIslands.Donotremoveanyplant,animal,orremainsofsuch(includingshells,bones,andpiecesofwood),orothernaturalobjects.

1. Becarefulnottobringanylivematerialorfoodtotheislandsorfromoneislandtoanother.

2. Makesureyoudonottouch,handle,feed,orchasetheanimals.

3. DostaywithinthepermittedareasandonlyvisittheIslandstogetherwithalicensedNationalParkGuide.

4. DonotleaveanygarbageorlitterontheIslands,orthrowanyoffyourboat.

5. Donotdefacetherocks.6. Makesureyoudonotbuysouvenirsorobjectsmade

ofplantsoranimalsfromtheIslands.


Charles Robert Darwin. A copy made by John Collier (1850-1934) in 1883 of his 1881 portrait of Charles Darwin.


Charles Darwin in the Galápagos

Perhapsourfirstassociationwiththeword“Galápagos”isthename“Darwin”–andnotwithoutreason.ThetheoriesoftheGalápagos’mostfamousvisitorhavehighlyinfluencedwesternthoughtinspiredover150yearsofbiologicalresearch.AnditwastheGalápagosIslands,afteravisitofonlyfourislandsinfiveweeks,whichweretohavearesoundingimpactontheformationsofDarwin’sTheoryofNaturalSelection.

Aratherunmotivatedandfailingmedicinescholar,CharlesDarwinwasthesecondchoiceofCaptainRobertFitzroyasatravelcompanionandnaturalistontheHMSBeagle.TheStoryofthisjourneywasdocumentedbyDarwinandcanbereadinhisVoyageoftheBeagle.WhensettingofffromEnglandin1831 forafive-yearvoyage,Darwinhimselfhadlittleambitionsforgroundbreakingscientificresearch.AftercollectingfossilsontheSouthAmericanshores,theBeagle,oneamongmanyshipstodosoatthetime,stoppedattheGalápagosasawaystationtocollecttortoisesformeatfortheircontinuingjourney.

At26 yearsold,DarwinlandedonSanCristobal.DuringhisstayintheGalápagosIslands(Floreana,Isabela,SanCristóbal,andSantiago),thesamecharacteristicstruckDarwinthatstrikesmanyvisitorstodate–thatthecreaturesthatroam,flyandswimaroundtheseislandsoftenweresouniquefromthoseelsewhere.NotonlythatmanyGalápagosspeciesweredistinctfromthoseonthemainland,butthatbetweenislandsmanyspeciesofsimilarfeaturesweresoperfectlyadaptedfortheirenvironment.AmongthosethatstruckDarwinsogreatlywerethefinches,withsuchvaryingdietsascactusandseeds,fruitsandbloodthatarenownamedinhishonor.Darwinwouldlaterbasesomeofhisthoughtfromthesupposingthatthesefincheswerealldescendantsofthesamelineage.

Havingcollectedagreatdealofwildlifeandstacksofnotes,itwouldn’tbeuntil1859 thatDarwinwouldconsolidateallofhisobservationsintohisOriginofSpecies,drasticallyandcontroversiallyalteringwesternthoughtonthenatureofnature.


Human History of the Galápagos

GALÁPAGOS VISITED BY THE INCAS?

WhiletherehasbeensomespeculationthattheIncanculturemadeanearlyvisittotheIslandsinthe1400,manyhistoriansattributethepossiblejourneyoftheIncaTupacYupanquitotheEasterIslands,andlackingdocumentation,thistheoryiswidelydismissed.

TOMAS DE BERLANGA

OfficialDiscovereroftheGalápagos,FrayTomasdeBerlanga,theBishopofPanamadocumentedtheofficiallyfirstvisittotheislandsin1535.DelegatedtoinvestigatetheaccountsofthebarbaricactionsoftheconquistadorsinwhatisnowPeru,hisship,caughtinadeadcalm,driftedwestwardintheoceancurrents.Withwatersourcesdepleted,theBishopandcrewsearchedthenewislandsforfreshwater,almostentirelyinvain.Frustrated,andsuffering,themenresortedtochewingthenativecactusforwater.Disenchanted,theylefttheislands,butnotwithoutsendingwordtoKingCarlosVofSpain,tellingofthestrangeandfoolishlytamewildlifeandthenumerousGalápagos(gianttortoises),andthenamestuck.Theislandsappearedonthemaplateinthe16thcenturyasthe“InsulaedelosGalopegos.”

REFUGEES OF PIZARRO

Alsomotivatedbytheconquistadorsonthecontinent,anothergroupoflostsailorsdubbedtheislandswithanothername.In1546,agroupofinsubordinatesoldiersofPizzaroattemptedwhatmighthavebeenSouthAmerica’sfirstcoupdeta.Vanquishedandexiledfromthecontinent,theupstartshadlittletononauticaltrainingandweretaken,muchlikeotheranimalsthatwerealsotransportedthere,bythecurrentsuntiltheycameinsightoftheGalápagos.Withtheirlimitedmaritimeskills,theruffiansattemptedtoarriveattheislandsbysight.Peeringthroughfogandcarriedbycurrents,theyfeltasthoughtheislandsthemselvesweremovingthattheywereenchantedandnamedthem“LasIslasEncantadas.”

BUCCANEERS AND WHALERS

NotallvisitorstotheGalápagosarrivedbyaccident.Manyusedtheislandsintowaystationandportsofcall.DuringthelonghostilitybetweentheEnglishNavyandtheSpanishArmada,EnglishgaveasortofsupporttothebuccaneerswhosackedLatinAmericanportsandseizedgalleonsbynotpersecutingthem.Thesepiratesusedtheuninhabitedislandsasbaseandrefugeafterraids.Establishingports(suchasBuccaneerCoveatSantiagoIsland),theyfoundtheislandsusefulforgainingoccasionalfreshwaterandstockinguponfreshfood.Upondiscoveringthatthegianttortoisescouldbestackedupsidedownandliveforuptoayearwithoutfood,manypassingshipswentashoretogatherthefearlessanimalsformeatduringvoyages.OneEnglishbuccaneer,WilliamAmbroseCowley,drewupthefirstbasicnavigationalchartsin1684.Likeotherbuccaneers,henamedmanyoftheislandswiththenamesofEnglishroyalty-James,Albemarle,etc.Overtheyears,divershaveoccasionallyfoundevidenceofbuccaneersontheGalápagos,suchaslargejarsfound.Diveandyoumightdiscoveragalleon’spreciouscoffers!

Thebuccaneerswerenottheonlytousetheislandsasbasesforoperations.Inthe1800’s,asSouthAmericabecameincreasinglyindependentofSpanishruleandopentotrading,mercantilevesselssuchaswhalingshipscametotheislands,especiallyFloreana.HuntingthepopulationsofspermwhalesintheSouthAmericanseas,thewhalershadlastingeffectsupontheislandsthatarestillapparenttoday:thereductionofelephanttortoises,thenearextinctionofspermwhalesandtheunofficialBarrelPostOfficeonFloreana.

Atraditioncontinuedbytouriststoday,theofficewasabandonedwinecaskinwhichoutgoingsailorsplacedletters.Sailorsreturningtotheportofthelettersaddresswouldtakeitthereoutofkindness.Whiletheoriginalcaskhasbeendestroyed,theparkservicehasreplaceditandtouriststodaycancontinuethetradition,leavingpostcardsforfriendsandtakingsomebacktosend.


THE FIRST COLONISTS

In1807,Galápagosreceiveditsfirstresident.IrishmanPatrickWatkinsarrivedontheislandofFloreanamaroonedatsea.Fortwoyearshelivedfromgrowingvegetables,sometimestradingthemwithpassingwhalingshipsforrum.Eventuallyhestoleaship’slongboat;takingsomeofthesailorswithhim,howeveronlyhearrivedatGuayaquilonthecontinent.Anotherfamousvisitor,HermanMelvillerecountsthetaleinhisstoriesTheEncantadas.

WithEcuadorianindependence,thefledglingcountryannexedtheislands1832,renamingthemthe“ArchipelagodelEcuador.”Atthattime,theEnglishpiratenameschangedtotraditionalSpanishnamesandpatrioticEcuadoriannames,suchasFloreananamedafterGeneralFlores.

ThefirstgovernoroftheislandswastheentrepreneurialandmisdirectedJoseVillamil.Hisill-fatedprojectsfortheislandsincludeapenalcolonyformutinyingsoldiersandcommoncriminals,cultivationofguanofromboobies,andanattempttoextractcoalfromSanCristobal.Whilealmostallofhisprojectsfailed,theportonIsabelabearshisname.

Onesettlementthatformedinthe1930’sisperhapsalmostasintriguingasthewildlife.AGermandoctorofcurioustastes,FriedrichRitter,practicedwhatwouldtodaybecalledholisticmedicine.RemovingallofhisteethtoavoidanydentalcomplicationsandbringingDoreStrauch,hispatientsufferingfrommultiplesclerosis,Dr.RitterarrivedatFloreanain1929.Theretheysetupagardeningutopiathatwasquitesuccessful.SoontwomoreGermans-HienzandMargaretWittmer-joinedthem,atthelocationifnotinfriendship.Theretheylivedinastandoffishharmony,untilthearrivalof“TheBaroness.”AnAustrianwomangoingbyBaronessEloisavonWagnerBosquet,dressedwithawhip,revolverandblackboots,broughtwithherthreeapparentlove-slaves/servants:twoGermansandanEcuadorian.

Fromthispoint,disputesarosebetweenthemotleysettlers–usuallyblamedontheBaroness,andsoonaseriesofmysteries,tothisdateunsolved,occurred.OnedaytheBaronessandoneofherservantstoldtheWhittersthattheywereboundforSouthEastAsia.Theywereneverheardfromagain.TheotherGermanservantsecuredapassageonaboatheadedforGuayaquil.HewasfoundmummifiedonthebeachofMarchenaIslandwiththebodyoftheship’scaptain.Thesameyear,Dr.Ritter,avegetarian,diedoffoodpoisoningfromspoiledchicken.

WiththeconstructionofthePanamaCanal,thestrategicimportanceoftheGalápagosbecamemoreapparent.AsJapan’sempireadvancedintothePacific,theconcernedU.S.wasallowedtoconstructanairstripandsmallnavalbaseontheislandofBaltra.TheislandwasreturnedtotheEcuadoriangovernmentafterthewarandTAME(TransporteAereoMilitarEcuadoriano)nowmakesuseoftheairstriptobringvisitorsfromthecontinent.

GALÁPAGOS NATIONAL PARK FOUNDED

In1959,preciselyonehundredyearsafterthepublicationofDarwin’sOriginoftheSpecies,Ecuadordeclaredtheislandsitsfirstnationalpark,preservingwhateverlandwasnotalreadysettledforprotection.FiveyearslatertheCharlesDarwinResearchStationwasopenedoutsideofPuertoAyoraonSantaCruz.WorkingwiththeNationalParkOffice,thestationconductsresearchanddeterminescoursesofactiontoprotecttheislands.TheParkofficethenimplementsmanyofthesepolicies,constructingandmarkingtrailsforthevisitorsitesaswellasregulatingboatsandvisitorlimitations.

TOURISM IN THE GALÁPAGOS

TourismintheGalápagoshasgrownconsiderablyinthelastfewdecades.Fromthe4000visitorsin1970,thenumberoftouristshasgrowntoroughly60,000peryear.Ofcourse,asthenumberofvisitorsincreases,theimpacttothepreservationoftheislandsbecomesgreater.


Galápagos Daily Itinerary November 6-17, 2014

DAY 1 – Thursday, November 6:

ARRIVE MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

ArriveatMiamiInternationalAirport(MIA)onyourownandcheckintoMiamiInternationalAirportHotellocatedinTerminalE.Roomswillbereservedandwaitingcheck-inforindividualswithvariousarrivaltimesintoMiami.

Dinner:Onyourown. Overnight: MiamiInternationalAirportHotel–

MIAWebsite: http://www.miahotel.com/

DAY 2 – Friday, November 7:

DEPART MIAMI FOR QUITO!

MeetatTerminalH-JMiamiInternationalAirportforcheck-inandboardthe7-hourflighttoQuito,Ecuador.Meetingtimewillbedeterminedonceflightsareconfirmed.

Example flights TBD: Airlinewillbeselectedaccordingtonumberperclassselected.

•COPAAirlines,Boeing737-800, 168 passengers,16 FirstClass

•LANAirlines,Boeing767-300, 225passengers,20 BusinessPlusClass

•AmericanAirlines,Boeing767-300, 225passengers,20 BusinessPlusClass

WhenyouarriveattheQuitoairport,ourexcellentEnglish-speakingguideswillgreetyou.Theywillassistwithluggageandleadthegroupfortransfertothehotel.

Dinner & overnight: Quito,Ecuador,JWMarriottQuito(B,D)

Website: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-photos/uiodt-jw-marriott-hotel-quito/

DAY 3 – Saturday, November 8:

QUITO & SURROUNDING REGION

Breakfast:Athotel.JoinedbyanexpertEnglish-speakinghistorianvisitthehistoriccenterofQuito,highlightingplacessuchastheBasilicaChurch,IndependenceSquareandthePresidentialPalace.QuitoissurroundedbyvolcanoesandnestledinanAndeanvalleyatanelevationof9400feet(2870m).ThecolonialpartofQuitoiswellpreservedwithitschurchesandmonasterieswhichexemplifythefusionofSpanish,Moorish,Italian,FlemishandindigenousinfluencesmakingitthefirstcitytobedeclaredaWorldHeritageSitebyUNESCO.

Websites:http://wikitravel.org/en/Quitoandhttp://whc.unesco.org/en/list/2

Lunch:Includedatalocaleatery.Later,visitLaMitaddelMundo,CenteroftheEarth,andtheEquatorMuseum.ThisonsitemuseumfeaturesinteractiveexhibitsonhowtheIncasdeterminedthemiddleoftheearth,plusinterestingscienceexperimentssuchasbalancinganeggonanailandtheaffectsoftheCoriolisforceonearth.

Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciudad_Mitad_del_Mundo

Later,enjoyanauthenticEcuadoriandinneratLaRondaRestaurant.

Website: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294308-d1061310-Reviews-Rincon_La_Ronda-Quito_Pichincha_Province.html

Overnight: Quito,Ecuador,JWMarriottQuito(B,L,D)

Cruise Itinerary**Please note: Itineraries are unlikely to change

significantly but are subject to change. Weather, wildlife breeding, instructions from the Galápagos National Park, specific abilities and interests of passengers as well as operational matters may cause your guide or captain to change the time or nature of visits. Your guide will always endeavor to select the best itinerary within these limits.

Website: http://Galápagosconnection.com/index.php/gallery-efl

Wet Landings:Departingyachtintoshallowwater

Dry Landing:Departingyachtontoland


DAY 4 – Sunday, November 9:

DEPART FOR GALÁPAGOS – SAN CRISTOBAL

Breakfast: Athotel.TransfertoQuitoairportandAerogalAirlineforflighttotheGalápagos.

Flight itinerary (subject to change):November 9: Quito/Galápagos(SanCristobal)

–AEROGAL–flight#2K36-Departuretime09:00 Arrivaltime 11:30

November 16:Galápagos(SanCristobal)/Quito–AEROGAL-flight# 2K37-Departuretime12:30 arrivaltime16:55

UponarrivaltoPuertoBaquerizoMoreno(SanCristobal),ourcrewiswaitingattheairporttoescortyoubybustothemaindeckandthenbyzodiactoyouryachtanchoredinthebay.Afterthewelcomebriefingandsafetydrill,adeliciousbuffetlunchisserved.WetravelbybustoCerroTijeretasor“FrigatebirdHill”issituatedjustoutsidetownnearto“LaPredial”afishingcommunitypresentfrom1952 to 1960.ItisoneoftwositeswhereyoucanspotnestingcoloniesofbothspeciesofFriagebirds(GreatandMagnificent).ThetrailleadstoPlayaMannwheretherearevistasofbeautifulscenery.Wereturntotheyachtanddepart3PMtocruisearoundLeonDormidoakaKickerRock,averticaltuffconeformationthatrisesabruptlyalmost500feetoutoftheocean.Onthecliffs,wespotBlue-footedBoobies,NazcaBoobiesandMagnificentFrigatebirds.JoinyourfellowyachtmatesthiseveningforyourislandbriefingfollowedbyourCaptain’swelcomecocktailpartyanddinnerpreparedbyourwell-trainedchefs.

Overnight:M/YEric,FlamingoorLettyTBD(B,L,D)

DAY 5 – Monday, November 10:

CERRO BRUJO – PUNTA PITT

WearrivetoCerroBrujo,abreathtakingwhitecoralbeach,consideredoneofthemostspectacularinGalápagosandperfectforapeacefulwalkwithexpansiveviewsandgoodbirdwatching.WehaveanopportunitytosnorkelorkayakfromthebeachorswimwithsealionsaswellasaZodiacride.Duringlunch,we

cruisetowardthenortheasterntipofSanCristobaltoPuntaPitt,atuffformationthatservesasanestingsiteformanyseabirdsincludingallthreetypesofboobies:Bluefooted,NazcaandRed-footedboobies,bothFrigatespecies,swallow-tailedgulls,Stormpetrelsandacolonyofsealions.PuntaPittisconsideredtobeafirstclasssiteforbirdsandonparwithGenovesa(Tower)Island.Wereturntotheyachtforabriefingfollowedbydinner.

Overnight: M/YEric,FlamingoorLettyTBD(B,L,D)

DAY 6 – Tuesday, November 11:

ESPAÑOLA: PUNTA SUAREZ - GARDNER BAY

WedisembarkatPuntaSuarez,Española(Hood),wherewewitnessthehighestrateofendemicspeciesinGalápagos.Sealionsnoisilygreenusaswelandontheirbeach.CuriousHoodmockingbirdspeckatourshoelaces.FromApriltoDecember,thewavedalbatross,foundonlyonEspañola,performtheirwildmatingritual.Coloniesofblue-footedboobiesengagein“sky-pointing”toshowoffforpotentialmates.Nazcaboobiesbusilycarefortheiryoung.Stunningswallow-tailedgullsaretheonlynocturnalgullsintheworldandfishatnight.Red-billedtropicbirdstakeshelterunderthecliffs.WealsofindDarwin’sFinches,GalápagosDovesandGalápagosHawks.Observeuniquespecieofmarineiguanaidentifiedwithtracesofredandgreencolorings.Colorfulsallylight-footcrabscrawlalongtheshorelineneartothefamous“blowhole”.AfterlunchwehaveawetlandingonGardnerBay,Española(Hood),walkalongseeminglyendlessstretchofthiswhitesandybeachwhereyou’llfindlargecoloniesofsealions.Thereisnotrailtofollowsothisisachancetoexploreortakealongwalk.YoumayfindaGalápagosHawk,Darwin’sFinchesorHoodMockingbird.Swimwithsealionsrightfromthebeach,explorethebayandisletsbykayakorjustrelaxonthebeach.There’sanexcellentsnorkelingsiteoffGardnerIsletwithacolorfuldiversityofsealifenearTortugaRock.ExplorecavesbyZodiaccoveredwithinvertebrates.Wereturntotheyachtforabriefingfollowedbydinner.


DAY 7 – Wednesday, November 12:

FLOREANA: PUNTA CORMORANT – DEVIL’S CROWN - POST OFFICE BAY

StepashoreatPuntaCormorant(Floreana),oneofthefewpopulatedislandsintheGalápagos.Floreanapresentsarichhumanhistorywithmysteryandintrigue.Setfootonagreen-sandbeachalivewiththesoundsofsealions.Followatrailtoabrackishlagoon,homeofthepintailducks,commonstilts,andtheGreaterFlamingos,thepinkestintheworld.WindyourwaypastarichvarietyofplantsincludingMorningGlory,CutLeafDaisies,PaloVerdesandScalesialeadingtoabeachwithpowersoftsand.Seaturtleslaytheireggsinthesanddunesandraysswimintheshallowwater.Afterthewalk,wehaveanopportunitytosnorkelatDevil’sCrownorChampion,ashallowsunkencratercolonizedbyabrilliantarrayofcolorfulfishandcorral.Chosetohaveapicniclunchondeckordineinside.Afterlunch,wevisitPostofficeBay,notthemostscenic,butoneofthemostfamoussitesinGalápagos.Hereiswhereapostbarrelwaserectedandputintouseinthelate18thCenturybyEnglishwhalingvessels.Youareinvitedtoleaveapostcardandtopickupanymailfromyourhomearea.Wereturntotheyachtforabriefingfollowedbydinner.


DAY 8 – Thursday, November 13:

SANTA CRUZ: HIGHLANDS, LOS GEMELOS, DARWIN STATION

WetravelbybustothehighlandsofSantaCruzIsland.ThescenerygraduallychangesaswewindourwaythroughallsevenvegetationzonesfoundinGalápagos.Here,wevisitthetortoisereserveat“LasPrimicias”oneoftheprivatefarmsinthehighlandswhereweencountergianttortoisesintheirnaturalhabitat.Westopat“thetunnels”,thelargestlavatubesfoundinGalápagos.WevisitLosGemelos,Spanishfor“TheTwins”,apairoflargepit

craterswherewefindthebrightredmalevermilionflycatcher.Afterlunch,wevisittheCentrodeCrianzaFaustoLlerena(akatheCharlesDarwinResearchStation).Seeallthreetortoisecoralsandthebreedingcenterwithnewhatchlingsandminiaturetortoisesnotyetreadytoberepatriated.Scientistsfromallovertheglobeworkatthestationandconductbiologicalresearchfromanatomytozoology.WestopatVanStraelenHallwherethereareexhibitsandapresentation.Visitorscanseethetortoiseandlandiguanacorrals.PuertoAyoraisthesocialheartoftheislandswiththelargestpopulationof24,000.Thiseveningyouhavetheoptiontoreturntoyouryachtforabuffetdinnerorremainintownonyourownaccount.Thosewhoreturntotheyachtwillbeprovidedzodiacstoreturntotowntoshopforsouvenirsorstopinataninternetcafé.Zodiacswillbeprovidedforyourreturntoyouryacht.


DAY 9 – Friday, November 14:

SOMBRERO CHINO & BARTOLOME

WedisembarkatBartolome,whereitseemslikewearewalkingonthemoon.ThisyoungIslandisinhospitabletomostplantsandanimals.Afteradrylanding,climb 30minutesupstairsleadingtothesummitofaonceactivevolcano.Alongtheway,wepausetomarvelatlavabombs,spatterconesandcindercones.Fromthetopofthewoodenstairs,wecangazeoutacrosstheislandforapanoramicviewoftheislandand“PinnacleRock”,anerodedtuffcone.CrystalclearwaterisaninvitationtosnorkelfromthebeachwithschoolsoftropicalfishandGalápagosPenguinsortakeaZodiacride.Afterlunch,wevisitLasBachas,(Spanishfor“barges”).ThereisalongstretchofasoftwhitesandbeachandinteriorlagoonswherewefindtheGreaterFlamingo.Thereisalsoawonderfulchancetosnorkelherefromthebeach.LocatedofftheSoutherntipofSantiagoisSombreroChinoakaChineseHatthatowesitsnametoitsshape.Afterawetbeachlandingwithsealioncolonies,thetrailgiveswaytoaprimevallandscape


Galápagos Daily Itinerary November 6-17, 2014

ofvolcanicrubbleincludingcrackedlavaformationsandlavatubes.Wefindmarineiguanasandpairsofoystercatchers.YoucanchoosetosnorkelatasitethatisfrequentedbyGalápagospenguins.Thereisabriefingfollowedbydinnerwhileweanchorinacalmprotectedarea.


DAY 10 – Saturday, November 15:

SOUTH PLAZA & NORTH SEYMOUR

TodaywevisitSouthPlaza,asmallgeologicalupliftwithtallcliffsofferingspectacularviews.Afteradrylanding,thetrailleadsusthroughPricklyPearorOpuntiaandSesuvium.HerewecanfindtheGalápagosLandIguanafeedingonthecactusleaves.Towardtheendofthehill,weencounteracolonyofbachelorsealions.Thedominantbullsareinvariousstagesofrecoveryfrombattleslostoverprimebeachterritory.WealsofindSwallowtailedgulls,ShearwatersandRed-billedtropicbirdsthatbuildtheirnestsalongthecliffs.Afterlunch,wehaveadrylandingatNorthSeymour,asmallgeologicaluplift.WefollowatrailthatleadsustoSwallow-tailedgulls,Blue-footedboobiesandtheendemicLandiguanas.VisitthelargestcolonyofMagnificentFrigatebirdsfoundinGalápagos.Aswestrollalongthebeach,

wefindMarineIguanasandsealionsbodysurfthenorthernswells.WereturntotheyachtfortheCaptain’sFarwellcocktailpartyanddinneraswellasaspecialslideshowpresentationbyyourguides.


DAY 11 – Sunday, November 16:

INTERPRETATION CENTER / DEPART FOR MAINLAND

VisittheInterpretationCenteropenedonSanCristobalIslandin1999.HerewegainamorecompleteunderstandingofthenaturalandhumanhistoryoftheIslands.Afterwards,wespendtimeinportbeforetransferringtotheairportforourflightbacktothemainlandonAerogalAirline.

Website: http://www.aerogal.com.ec/?lang=enArriveinQuitobymid-dayandcheckintoourhotel.

Later,meetforafarewelldinneratTheTheatrumRestaurantoneofQuito’sbestEcuadorianrestaurants.

Website: http://www.theatrum.com.ec/Overnight: Quito,Ecuador,JWMarriott(B,L,D)

DAY 12 – Monday, November 17:

TRANSFER TO AIRPORT AND FLIGHTS HOME (TBD) OR BEGIN A CUSTOMIZED EXTENSION.



Optional Extension*Optional Extension is adjustable and

customizable for independent travelers.

CUSCO – MACHU PICCHU – PERU, 4 Days/3 NightsCUSTOMIZED ADDITIONAL DAYS AVAILABLE – PLEASE INQUIRE.

DAY 1 –TransfertoairportforflighttoLima,Peru.Arrive

Limaandtransfertofirstclasshotel.

DAY 2 – TransfertoairportforflighttoCuscoUponarrival,meetandtransfertoselectedhotel.

AfternoontourofthecityincludingthebestofCusco:theKoricanchaTemple(TempleoftheSun)andtheCathedralwithitsmagnificentchapelsandbaroquealtarsandpaintingsfromtheCusquenianSchool.Thetouralsoincludesthesurroundingruins:thefortressofSacsayhuaman,theIncabathofTambomachay,PucaPucaraandtheamphitheatreofKenko(AllPrivateservices).OvernightinCuscoatafirstclasshotel.

DAY 3 – TransfertoPoroytrainstationforrideacrossthe

AndestoAjuasCalientesatthefootofthemountains.ArriveattheentranceoftheruinsoftheLostCity.

Tourthisincredibleregion.LunchatMachuPicchuSanctuaryLodge.Later,transferbacktothetrainforridetoyourhotel.OvernightinCuscoatafirstclasshotel.

DAY 4 – TransfertoairportforflightbacktoLima.Arrival

andconnectionwithyourowninternationalflight.

NET RATE PER PERSON: (based on double occupancy)1 Traveler-..................................$3,250 perperson2Travelers-................................$1,850 perperson3 Travelers-................................$1,750perperson4-5 Travelers..............................$1,650perperson


Machu Picchu


Yacht Information

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON YOUR YACHT PLEASE VISIT THESE SITES:

http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/expert-review-eric-letty-flamingo-Galápagos-cruise

http://www.cruise-Galápagos.com/EricFlamingoLetty/

http://www.detourdestinations.com/eric-letty-flamingo-i-Galápagos-yachts.html


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GalápagosIslands - Buffalo Bill Center of the West · natural history of the archipelago. His five-week stay gave the impetus to the famous Theory of Evolution. The Galápagos Islands

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