The Galápagos Islands were born out of the bowels of the earth millions of years ago as intense volcanic activity spewed forth lava and buckled the seabed. The resulting archipelago, some 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, now straddles the equator, scattered far and wide by the slow movement of tectonic plates within the earth’s crust.
This isolation, both from continental South America and each other, has given each island a unique character. As wildlife colonized the islands, it began a process of adaptation to the specific conditions, and Charles Darwin’s observations here during his voyage on the Beagle helped crystallize his epic theory. Today, one can still see virtually all the creatures Darwin did—a mind-boggling array of fascinating, fearless, and endemic birds and other animals.
Visits to the Galápagos are carefully controlled by the Ecuadorian government, and though the restrictions keep prices high, they also ensure that only a very limited number of boats can visit at one time. We’ve chartered a fine boat, the M/Y Integrity, from one of the most experienced companies in the islands, and designed an itinerary with natural history exploration in mind. In addition to seeing nearly all the endemic birds (among which are a couple of gulls, 13 finches, a flycatcher, four mockingbirds, a dove, a penguin, a cormorant, a rail, and a martin), we’ll have ample opportunities to spend time with the storied seabirds, sea lions, and marine iguanas, as well as the many other endemic species worth looking for, including lizards, a few small snakes, a butterfly, a dragonfly, and even a scorpion. We’ll also have almost daily opportunities for snorkeling among the abundant sea life, from schools of colorful fish to sea turtles.
Our charter boat, the M/Y Integrity, is widely acknowledged as one of the most luxurious small boats operating in the Galapagos, and time spent aboard is a delight in itself. This tour is structured so that participants can take just the boat charter or participate in the land-based events following the cruise.
Day 1: The tour begins this evening in Quito.
Day 2: This morning we have an early flight to Baltra, a small island that once hosted a US Air Force base and is now home to the primary airport serving the Galápagos. We’ll begin birding immediately, with Medium and Small Ground-Finches right around the airport. We’ll then hop on a bus that will take us into the highlands of neighboring Santa Cruz Island, one of the largest and most diverse islands. Many of the finches will be possible here, and we’ll include a visit to a private ranch that hosts a wild tortoise population. We’ll also make an earnest search for the shy Galapagos Rail. Before dinner we’ll board our boat for the cruise and begin sailing after dark. Night aboard the M/Y Integrity.
Days 3-8: Each of these days will feature a different island. Typically, we’ll arrive at our island of the day in the early morning, waking up to a new and exciting place. After a complete breakfast on board, we’ll depart in the Zodiacs for a short hike to view the island’s specialties. Depending on the length of our hike, we’ll either return to the boat for lunch and a siesta or spend the rest of the morning snorkeling. In the afternoon we’ll motor to a different part of the same island or to a nearby island for a hike of a different nature and perhaps another opportunity for snorkeling.
Each of the islands has its own highlights. Genovesa is known for its wealth of seabirds. Here both Nazca and Red-footed Boobies nest in abundance and at arm’s length-–the former on the ground and the latter in the mangroves. Great Frigatebirds are everywhere, and we’ll visit a nesting colony of Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrels, where a cloud of hundreds of birds swarms over a lava field. Waiting patiently for just the right moment to snag a meal, Short-eared Owls of the endemic subspecies hop in and out of the cracks that lead to their underground nests. Here we’ll also see Sharp-beaked Ground-Finch and, with luck, Large Cactus-Finch.
Fernandina is located on a major upwelling of a cold equatorial undercurrent. The result is a rich web of marine life that attracts Galapagos Penguins and Flightless Cormorants, two of the most interesting inhabitants of the islands. Snorkeling here is exciting: we’ll have a chance at seeing both these birds underwater, as well as Green Sea Turtles and frolicking sea lions.
Santa Cruz, the second largest of the islands, hosts the largest human settlement, Puerto Ayora. Our stop here features a visit to a Giant Tortoise sanctuary where wild tortoises still roam. We’ll also visit the Darwin Center to see the breeding program for all other races of the tortoise, and we’ll stroll through town, where gift and art shops abound.
Floreana is perhaps most famous for the tradition of the post office barrel, where visitors leave postcards, addressed but without postage, that are then hand-carried to their destination by other visitors who happen to live near the lucky recipient. We’ll take a truck ride into the highlands in search of Medium Tree-Finch, the only single-island endemic among Darwin’s finches, and learn about the people who have settled here. Near Floreana is a tiny islet where the Floreana Mockingbird has found refuge, and a boat ride around this island to spot that species can be followed by some excellent snorkeling. A trail on a different part of the main island takes us past a lagoon where American Flamingos and White-cheeked Pintails live.
Española will also provide a memorable visit, for this is where the colony of Waved Albatrosses is located. Galapagos Hawk, Española Mockingbird, Warbling Finch, and many other creatures are easily seen here as well.
Day 9: This morning we’ll awake in the harbor of Baltra, where we’ll say farewell to our Integrity crew and transfer to the airport for the flight back to Quito. Night in Quito.
Day 10: The tour concludes this morning in Quito.
San Cristóbal Island Extension: San Cristóbal Mockingbird
Day 9: After departing the Integrity, we’ll take a very short flight to the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal Island. Our main target here is the eponymous mockingbird, found only on this island. We’ll also have chances to seek out more views of Darwin’s finches, including Vegetarian, Medium Ground-, and perhaps the scarcer Woodpecker Finch. After lunch we’ll return to Baltra and continue to Santa Cruz Island, where, depending on how much time remains, we’ll bird the interior Scalesia forest, where we might add the endemic form of Vermilion Flycatcher or, if we’re very lucky, Galapagos Martin. Night in Puerto Ayora.
Day 10: We’ll have just a few hours or so on Santa Cruz Island before our transfer to the neighboring island of Baltra and our early afternoon flight to Quito. Night in Quito.
Day 11: The extension concludes this morning in Quito.
Updated: 14 January 2010
Prices
- 2010 Main Tour price about $6,270
- Single Occupancy Supplement $1,240
- With San Cristobal Extension about $7,440
- Single Occupancy Supplement with San Cristobal Extension $1,320
- $500 price reduction for bookings before January 1, 2010
- 2012 price not yet available
Notes
This cruise is limited to 15 participants.
The Integrity features 6 double staterooms (which can be configured with either two twin beds or one king bed), one queen-bedded stateroom, and an owner’s suite. More information and photos of the staterooms are available on line. Single occupancy is limited. The owner’s suite is 350 sq. ft. and features a king-bed and picture windows on both the port and starboard sides. The owner’s suite is available for $7270/person. Cabin selection is on a first-come-first-served basis.
Note that unlike many Galapagos cruises, our price does include flights from Quito, Galapagos National Park fees, and all gratuities.
The deposit for this cruise is $1,000, of which $500 is non-refundable. The balance of the cruise price will be due six months before departure.