|
WildWings, 577 Fishponds Road, Fishponds, Bristol. BS16 3AF.UK
|
|
Client Quote: “ The holiday was a lifetime experience for us” Mr & Mrs L. 2007
The Galapagos Islands are one of the most incredible places on earth. Starkly beautiful they lie on the Equator some 600 miles west of Ecuador. Of marine volcanic origin, they have only recently risen from the ocean floor with evidence of their volcanic origin everywhere. The landscape is dominated by large volcanoes, recently collapsed caldera, extensive lava flows, lava tunnels, cinder cones and spatter cones.
It is also the meeting point of ocean currents, so amidst this dramatic landscape there is a vast wealth of wildlife, much of it unique and incredibly tame. Indeed the fearlessness of the birds and mammals is one of the most enduring memories of a visit, unchanged since Charles Darwin’s time many years ago, and so superbly illustrated in the recent BBC TV Natural History series.
The Galapagos has one of the highest rate of endemism of any island group anywhere, with 26 species of endemic birds including the endangered Waved Albatross, Galapagos Penguin and the handsome pair of gulls, including the exquisite Swallow-tailed Gull, plus of course the famous Darwin’s Galapagos Finches. Our 2000 trip saw 24 of them and heard the 25th. Our 2001, 2005, 2006 and 2007 trips saw ALL the 26 endemic species, 2002, 2003 and 2004 recorded 25. We often see a surprise or two, in 2007 the first records of Parkinson’s Black Petrel for over 100 years for example. We did not operate the trip in 2008 because of changes in the rules by the National Park authorities but have now again worked out an itinerary using the new regulations, by which all the bird endemics are possible once more.
In addition to the birds there are unique mammals, reptiles and amphibians: Giant Tortoises, Marine Iguanas, Land Iguanas, Pacific Green Turtles, Lava Lizards, Galapagos Sea Lions and Galapagos Fur Seals. Join us on this ultimate trip and observe them at arms length and photograph them with unbelievable ease. You will also have the opportunity to swim or snorkel with tropical fish, the penguins, turtles, Flightless Cormorants and rays too! Cetaceans to be watched for include Common, Bottlenose and Striped Dolphins and several species of whales including Cuvier’s Beaked, Orca, Sperm, Bryde’s, Shortfin Pilot, and Humpback Whales. On two occasions we have had probable Blue Whales too.
The weather is ideal, it’s warm without being too hot, and shorts and t-shirts are the usual clothing. Our ship is extremely comfortable with modern interiors and cabins, plenty of outside space and excellent food. Our itinerary is exceptional in offering a full seven night voyage plus carefully planned island-hopping, ensuring that you should get to see all the bird endemics plus the best of the island’s other wildlife including a special trip to see Giant Tortoises in the wild. Do join us for this tour, one of the very best offered to the Galapagos - it offers a truly memorable experience.
The islands are quite varied in nature. On some, volcanic peaks tower over 5,000 feet, with lush vegetation on the upper slopes, whilst other lower, flatter areas are still lacking soil on the lava flows which are extensive and beautiful in their starkness. On a typical day we will rise around dawn and have an early morning landing with our guide, preceded (or occasionally followed) by breakfast. On shore we will find ourselves walking through great colonies of seabirds, oblivious to our presence; taking care not to trip over Blue-footed Boobies in the path, avoiding the great fluffy chicks of Waved Albatrosses whilst the adults keep a watchful eye; pausing by bushes where Red-footed Boobies nest at arm’s length, or marvelling at the spectacle of the only day flying colony of storm-petrels in the world. At times we will have to side step groups of placid Marine Iguanas that gather even in the middle of the path. Each individual can be three foot long or more. Late morning there will often be an opportunity for a short swim or snorkel before we set sail for a new landing in the afternoon. After lunch on board we will typically spend most of the afternoon ashore at a different landing site, before returning to the ship by 6pm in time for a shower and to watch sunset from the deck or the bar, before dinner at 7pm. Afterwards there is a briefing concerning the following days activities, and the bar remains open for those who haven’t retired to their beds. We will move between the islands mostly at night.
In addition to the more dramatic birds and mammals the Darwin Finches are an intriguing group that have evolved on the islands, each developing a characteristic beak structure suited to a different, specialised feeding strategy. Indeed two species, Woodpecker Finch and Mangrove Finch, have actually developed tool-using skills by utilising twigs and cactus spines to poke for grubs through dead and decayed wood. Darwin’s attention was first drawn to evolutionary developments however by the mockingbirds, that have evolved into four different species. We expect to find all the four species of mockingbird and all the species of Darwin’s Finch, although Mangrove Finch sadly seems to be on the verge of extinction. Turning to the flora; of the 600 or so species of plants found on the islands, a full one third have evolved into endemics, and we will see many of them, some in flower. Even more noteworthy is that over 80% of the land-based animals including reptiles, mammals and land birds are endemic to the Galapagos. Our visit to the Galapagos is truly unique and exciting.
We will explore the Galapagos on land and by using the M/Y Reina Silvia, 90’ long, and one of the more elegant vessels in the region and she offers relaxed comfort aboard. Exceptionally well suited for island cruising she has open deck viewing areas and is equipped with Zodiacs for landing and wildlife viewing in the remotest of areas. She is an upgrade from our previous vessels and is certainly not the ‘camping afloat’ offered by many operators! She has a crew of seven, an expert Galapagos National Park Guide and your WildWings leader, Dick Filby, who has been guiding this unique tour since 2000. The vessel has space for up to 15 passengers, berthed in eight cabins. Inside, the ship is smart and comfortable and is fully air conditioned throughout. There is a spacious dining room which combined with the forward saloon also acts as the briefing/ daily bird log area. The chef serves three excellent meals a day from a varied international menu. Drinks are served from the bar or out on the large sundeck (under awning). The vessel has a swimming and/or diving platform at the stern and boasts an extended bow pulpit for whale and dolphin watching too. The cabins are for twin occupancy (oversized upper and lower berths) and have private shower, washbasin and toilet. The owner’s cabin is also available, located on the upper deck, with large windows and a double bed, see below for supplement. This is a trip where you will be mostly out on deck all day, sea watching and sun bathing, a very pleasant way to pass the time. We believe we have found the ideal ship for the Galapagos, and have created the ultimate itinerary again.
This fantastic tour also includes an optional birding excursion to the amazing Jungle Lodge at Tandayapa – over 20 species of hummingbird can be seen at the feeders alone! The three night stay will include forest walks with top local bird guides, Dick Filby and transport throughout.
Photography
Whilst the trip is not designed for the professional photographer, the photo opportunities are often incredible and irresistible. You will use much more memory cards/film than you thought possible. Even compact cameras will be capable of taking many great close-up wildlife shots. Video opportunities are great too. Pack half as many clothes as you are tempted to, but pack twice as many memory cards/film as you think you may need! Note that Galapagos National Park rules forbid the use of flash photography of wildlife, and whilst in the Park (that’s almost all landings) we must stay in close proximity to our guide.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Quito. Transfer to hotel for overnight stay. Welcome dinner.
Day 2: Fly from Quito to San Cristobal, afternoon birding then charter flight to Baltra. Overnight Santa Cruz.
Day 3: Birding Santa Cruz. Overnight.
Day 4: More birding in the morning. Board vessel and sail at lunchtime. Afternoon South Plaza Island.
Day 5: Tower Island, morning and afternoon landings.
Day 6: Morning either Playa Tortuga Negra or Tagus Cove (Isabela), afternoon Fernandina.
Day 7: Morning Santiago Island, afternoon Bartholome Island.
Day 8: Morning North Seymour, afternoon Santa Cruz and visit to the Highlands and Darwin Research Centre.
Day 9: Floreana Island
Day 10: Hood Island.
Day 11: Disembark vessel at Baltra, fly back to Quito, farewell dinner and overnight.
Day 12: Transfer to airport.
NB The exact order of the vessel’s visit to the various islands will be determined according to local conditions at the time, in order to maximise wildlife viewing opportunities and subject to permission from the Galapagos National Park authorities.
Holiday Information
Dates: 1st – 12th July 2009
Leaders: Dick Filby and local guides.
Cost : Sharing a twin cabin £3689
Deposit: 10%
Group size: Maximum number of participants will be 15 plus leaders.
2010 Dates: TBA July Advance register for £50 per person.
Price includes: Return economy class flights Quito to Galapagos including pre-paid taxes, charter flight within the Galapagos, all transfers in Quito and the Galapagos, ground transport in the Galapagos, hotel accommodation on Santa Cruz (full board), accommodation in Quito with bed, breakfast and dinner in twin bedded rooms, accommodation on vessel as booked, all cabins with private facilities, full board whilst aboard vessel including soft drinks, tea and coffee; all excursions in the Galapagos; Galapagos National Park entrance fee and transit fee; services of WildWings leader, local guides and ship’s crew, pre-tour information pack and bird check list.
Price excludes: Air travel to Quito (flights available from the UK from £899 return including pre-paid taxes and fuel surcharges), travel insurance, lunches in Quito if applicable, local airport tax in Quito ($41), alcoholic drinks, souvenirs, gratuities (suggest US$15 per day on ship), laundry charges and other items of a personal nature. Owner’s cabin supplement, £300 per person based on double occupancy. Single cabin, one only, supplement £799 which includes the hotels.
NB Prices based on known actual costs for 2009, including expected fuel surcharge for Galapagos vessels. If this surcharge is not applied, a reduction in price will apply.
Birds - number of species expected (Galapagos) 55
Optional Pre-Tour Extension to Tandayapa 28th June – 1st July 2009
Join Dick and a top local birding guide for this 3 nights / 4 days birding extravaganza based at the famous Tandayapa Lodge, built and run by birders for birders on the western side of the Andes in prime tropical rainforest habitat. This mini-trip includes return road transport from Quito and throughout, accommodation in rooms with private facilities including all meals, entrance fees to both Refugio Paz and Milpe reserves and the services of two birding guides. £580 per person sharing a twin room, single supplement £40. The price excludes drinks and items of a personal nature. Departure from Quito will be early afternoon and return to Quito will be late afternoon.
