Galapagos: The Land of Darwin
Aboard the MV Floreana

Celebrate Darwin’s bicentenary by walking in his footsteps on a trip to the Galapagos Islands! These islands are home to some of the most interesting and accessible wildlife anywhere. Swim and snorkel with the sea lions, come within mere inches of the blue-footed booby and a marine iguana, allow a Hood mockingbird to alight on your head. Your trip will include a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, world famous for its research and tortoise breeding programs, where we learn about the vital work being done to study and preserve Galapagos wildlife. Visit nests of the magnificent frigatebirds, search for giant tortoises in the wild, experience the diversity of the legendary finches. You will gain an appreciation for how remarkable life on Earth can be!

2009 Departure Dates:
April 22 to May 1 - with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History - escorted by Dr. Andy Jones, Curator of Ornithology.

Cost is $5,999 per person
(including round-trip International Airfare from select US cities)

Detailed Itinerary

This is an Ecotour that will make a difference to you, and to the areas we visit.
We will make a contribution to the Darwin Reserach Institute.
We will employ local people.
We will use locally owned and operated lodges and outfitters.
We will use local goods and services.

Day 1: Home to Quito, Ecuador
Depart this morning for the flight to Quito Ecuador, where you will be met and transferred to the charming boutique hotel, the Hotel Patio Andaluz, in the colonial city of Quito, located in the highlands of the Ecuadorian Andes. Tonight get to know your fellow explorers as we enjoy our Welcome Dinner.
Overnight in Hotel Patio Andaluz, Quito (D)

Day 2: Quito to Isla Santa Cruz - The Twin Craters, Galapagos
This morning we drive the short distance back to the International Airport for our flight to Baltra in the Galapagos Islands. We should arrive before lunch and immediately transfer to our home for the next week, the comfortable 16 passenger MV Floreana. Once aboard we will get underway, our first destination is Isla Santa Cruz. This is the second largest island in the Galapagos, and has the most developed vegetation zoning found in the archipelago. On the short journey to the highlands you will drive through coastal, arid, transition, and Scalesia life-zones. During this visit you have the opportunity to see the famous giant tortoises in their natural environment; you will visit the twin craters, formed when large caverns left empty by flowing lava collapsed. You will also walk through the rarest of Galapagos ecosystems, the endemic Scalesia cloud forest, where you shall search for certain species of Darwin's finches found only here (including tree finches, the vegetarian finch, and the woodpecker finch - one of the very few tool-using birds in the World) as well as the vermilion flycatcher.
Overnight on board MV Floreana (B,L,D)

Day 3: Isla Genovesa - Darwin Bay / El Barranco
The northeastern most island in the Galapagos Archipelago, as well as one of the most beautiful, this small island is one of the best islands to go bird watching with literally thousands and thousands of storm petrels, short-eared owls, boobies, frigatebirds and more nesting here. We will anchor the boat in Darwin Bay - the caldera of a collapsed volcano, and then land on a small coral beach, where we take an unforgettable walk that will allow for stunning views from the cliffs and allow ample time and opportunity to photograph the amazing bird life such as swallow-tailed gulls, red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, large ground finches, large cactus finches, sharp-billed ground finch (a.k.a., vampire finches), the smallest of the marine iguanas, and breeding colonies of the great frigatebird. Later you can choose to go to El Barranco, a spectacular walk that climbs up the rim of the caldera, where tropicbirds, red-footed boobies and other nesting seabirds can be found. We follow the trail through a palo santo forest to a storm petrel colony passing boobies and great frigatebirds along the way, as we keep our eyes open for a hunting owl!.
Overnight on board MV Floreana (B,L,D)

Day 4: Isla Santiago - Sullivan Bay and Bartholomew Island
This morning we visit Sullivan Bay on Isla Santiago’s eastern coast, a barren landscape of spectacular lava fields left from a 100 year old volcanic eruption. The main attraction of this bay is the broad, pahoehoe or rope lava flow. It is one of the most incredible places to observe the lava flows and their characteristics. Bartholomew Island, often called a “textbook of geology” is a small island that has beautiful white sand beaches and luxuriant green mangroves. Here, penguins may join us at the swimming beach, and a hike to the summit of a once-active volcano rewards us with beautiful panoramic views of the often-photographed Pinnacle Rock recently seen in the Hollywood movie Master & Commander.
Overnight on board MV Floreana (B,L,D)

Day 5: Sunday 26th April 2009. Chinese Hat / Isla Santa Cruz - Dragon Hill
Sombrero Chino gets its name from its appearance, which is that of a Chinese hat. Sitting just off the south-eastern coast of Isla Santiago this fairly recently formed island makes for a pleasant visit as the island itself is quite beautiful and is definitely worth a trip. To truly appreciate the shape of this island, we it the northern end of Sombrero Chino. Here there is a tiny sea lion colony on the north shore cove, where we can anchor our boat and land. Galapagos penguins can also be found swimming here sometimes. Follow the trail around the cove and you will catch a glimpse of American oystercatchers in action, along with marine iguanas, lava lizards and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Starting from a crescent-shaped white sandy beach, this 400 meter long trail provides some wonderful landscapes to view. There are also some good swimming and snorkelling opportunities in the cove area amidst white-tipped reef sharks and tropical fish. Later we visit Dragon Hill, which got its name because of its healthy population of land iguana. Dragon Hill offers a beautiful view of the landscapes from the top of the hill. Two small salt water lagoons are located behind the beach, where it is sometimes possible to see flamingos and other wading birds that give a colorful touch to the scene.
Overnight on board MV Floreana (B,L,D)

Day 6: Isla Isabela / Humedales / Tintoreras
Isla Isabela, the largest island in the archipelago, occupying over fifty-eight percent of entire landmass of the Galapagos. It is one of the youngest islands and consists of a chain of five fairly young and intermittently active volcanoes. We will visit the giant tortoise rearing center of Isabela is located 1.5 kilometers from Pto. Villamil, an important center has a captive breeding program for the endangered tortoises from the populations of southern Isabela. In total there are 330 tortoises between juveniles and adults. Then we set off to explore another rare yet important Galapagos ecosystem; the wetlands or Humedales where we shall explore the flora and look out for the important shorebirds and wading birds often seen here such as black-necked stilts, greater flamingoes, plovers, turnstones and more. Later we can take our panga to visit an area called Las Tintoreras (translating as white-tipped reef sharks) located approximately 10 minutes from Puerto Villamil. The islet of the Tintoreras is situated to the south of Puerto Villamil and has a small bay of completely tranquil turquoise water, where it is possible to appreciate sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, rays, etc. This bay is connected to a shallow crevice of crystalline waters whose entrance closes when the tide is low. In this crevice, it is possible to see how sharks swim with other small fish and sea lions. However it is not advisable to swim in these beaches because of the presence of the colonies of sea lions which may be disturbed.
Overnight on board MV Floreana (B,L,D)

Day 7: Fernandina Island - Espinosa Point / Isabela Island - Tagus Cove
Fernandina Island is the youngest and most active volcano in the Galapagos, with eruptions taking place every few years. It is also by far the strangest and most wonderful of the islands, and will give you a true sense of what the Galapagos are all about! The flat lava of Punta Espinosa offers a stark and barren landscape, but here flightless cormorants build their nests on the point, sea lions sprawl on the beach or play in the tide pools and large numbers of marine iguanas dot the sand. We also will have the opportunity to compare the aa and pahoehoe lava types here. Tagus Cove is situated directly east of Fernandina Island on the west coast of Isabela Island. It is a beautiful, well-protected cove sheltered by the shoulders of two volcanic craters and has been used as an anchorage for over 300 years. A nature trail here ascends through the typical dry vegetation zone and offers spectacular views of Darwin Lake, a saltwater crater lake and the long narrow inlet that appears to connect with it. At the top of the trail it is possible to observe the different vegetation zones, catch a glimpse of Darwin and Wolf volcanoes, and observe Galapagos penguins, Flightless cormorants and pelicans.
Overnight on board MV Floreana (B,L,D)

Day 8: Santiago Island: Egas Port / Rabida Island
Puerto Egas, with its black sand beaches, was the site of a small salt mining industry in the 1960?s and a hike inland to the salt crater is an excellent opportunity to sight land birds such as finches, doves and hawks. We may see sea lions basking on the rocks beneath a natural rock bridge, diving blue-footed boobies, sally lightfoot crabs and colorful lava lizards scurrying at our feet. A highlight here is the chance to see Galapagos fur seals, once almost hunted to extinction, they have made a great comeback. The landing beach here is made of black, volcanic sand, and is a great beach for snorkeling from as we sometimes see small sharks, sealions and even sea turtles n these waters! One of the special features of Rabida Island is its remarkable red color, which is a result of the high percentage of oxidized iron in the composition of lava. During our walks here we shall look for more varieties of finches as well as the large-billed flycatchers and brown pelicans. We shall also explore a small salt-water lagoon where greater flamingos can be seen and the red beach is home to a beautiful colony of sea lions. This si considered one of the better places to snorkel with sealions and see many other species of colorful tropical fish.
Overnight on board MV Floreana (B,L,D)

Day 9: Black Turtle Cove, Galapagos and Baltra Airport to Quito, Ecuador
Black Turtle Cove is on the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island and is one of the most beautiful marine sites; a small lagoon lined with dense red mangroves. It is a nursery grounds for many marine species such as sharks, spotted eagle rays and sting rays and it is a favored grazing area for the green sea turtle. It is also a wonderful site for watching, herons, finches and blue-footed boobies feeding. This site does not involve a land visit; it is all seen from the small pangas. Later we return to Baltra Island and finally your flight back to Quito.
Farewell Dinner and overnight in Hotel Patio Andaluz in Quito (B,L,D)

Day 10: Quito, Ecuador to home
After breakfast we transfer to the International Airport and our flights home

Cost Includes:

• Round-trip International Airfare from select U.S. cities.
• Yacht accommodations in double cabins with private bathroom.
• All meals as listed (3 daily meals and 2 snacks)
• Guide services (Spanish / English)
• Transfers in the islands
• Basic snorkeling gear
• Domestic Air Ticket (Quito - Baltra - Quito)
• Galapagos entrance fee
• Donation per person to the Darwin Research Institute.

Not included:

• Vaccinations and/or medications.
• Alcoholic drinks.
• Visas and/or departure taxes.
• Phone calls.
• Laundry or other items of a personal nature.
• Tips, gratuities or personal expenses.

Travel Information

Thanks for choosing the Galapagos Islands with Terra Incognita Ecotours, Inc. It is our pleasure to help you plan for your upcoming ecotour. To ensure that your travel arrangements are made to your satisfaction, please take a few minutes to read through this information.

What you need to have with you on your trip:

Passport: If you are a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you will need a passport, valid for six months from the date of completion of your trip.

It is always a good idea to make a photocopy of your airline tickets and of the pages of your passport that have the number, your photograph and other pertinent information. Keep the copies separate from the originals.

Visas: If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, please consult the Ecuador consulate or embassy nearest you for visa requirements to enter Ecuador. If a visa is required, you are responsible for obtaining it.

Documents for children under the age of 18, not traveling with both parents: The U.S. government is increasingly requiring that minors under 18 years of age traveling alone, with grandparents, or with one parent/legal guardian only, carry a notarized document signed by both parents or by the parent/legal guardian not traveling with the child. We suggest you obtain such a document (noting the age of the child, relationship to traveling adult(s), dates of travel, and destination) to avoid potential problems. For example, in the case of divorce, the parent with legal custody must sign the permit, and the accompanying adult must carry proof of this fact. In addition, if the child's surname differs from that of either parent, you may want to carry the child's birth certificate.

Emergency Contact number while on your ecotour:
Call COLLECT (813) 289-1049

Practical Information

Currency: The currency of Ecuador is the U.S. dollar. Major credit cards are generally accepted at hotels, restaurants and larger stores. U.S. dollars are therefore accepted in Galapagos Islands, so we suggest you carry U.S. currency in small denominations for smaller purchases such as taxis, refreshments or other miscellaneous expenses.

Health: All information we obtain regarding health precautions is received from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta at 404.332.4559 or www.cdc.gov.

Please note that Terra Incognita Ecotours, Inc., as a travel company, is in no way authorized to prescribe any inoculations or medications. We recommend that you consult your personal physician for medical advice, showing him or her the brochure that indicates the places you will be visiting. Your physician is most familiar with your personal medical history and is best qualified to determine your particular needs. It is always advisable to have physical and dental check-ups before you leave.

At the present time, no immunizations are required for this ecotour, although the CDC recommends that the normal "childhood" vaccines should be up to date: Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR Vaccine), Diphtheria, Tetanus, Perturssia (DTP Vaccine) and Polio vaccine.

Swimming & Snorkeling: There are several opportunities to swim and snorkel in the Pacific Ocean during this ecotour. You should bring a couple of swimsuits, and we advise you to bring your own snorkeling gear (mask especially) to ensure a comfortable fit, especially if you require prescription eyewear as prescription lenses will not be available locally.

We advocate the buddy system for everyone, at all times, and children less than 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult while snorkeling.

Since you will have ample time to swim, for added protection from the sun you may wish to wear a T-shirt while swimming.

Time Difference: Galapagos Islands is one hour behind Eastern Standard Time. During U.S. Daylight Savings Time (March through October), Galapagos Islands is two hours behind Eastern Time.

Weather: The Galapagos climate is heavily effected by cold water currents. Generally speaking, the days are warm and the nights are cool. Humidity is low. The climate is very similar to that of California. There are two primary seasons during the year. Each offers a good time for visiting the islands, but the character of each season is somewhat different. December through June is the warmer time of year, with highs in the 80s. Although the islands receive relatively more rainfall during this time, most of the lower elevations of the islands are quite arid and there is plenty of sunshine and blue skies. The sea is at its warmest, and is usually calmer at this time of year. The drier garua season lasts from June or July through November. The garua is a mist that forms in the highlands of the islands. Ironically, the garua season provides more moisture at the upper levels of the islands than the so-called wet season. There is plenty of sunshine during the day, but it is less intense, with cloudier skies. Air temperature is lower, with highs in the upper 70s. The climate at this time is affected by a strong Antarctic current, the Humboldt Current, coming from the south. The water temperature, therefore, is at its coolest during this time, about 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

What to pack for your ecotour

Your travel wardrobe should be informal, comfortable and carefree. Clothing which can be layered is the most suitable, for example, a T-shirt, sweater or sweatshirt, and windbreaker or jacket. The emphasis is on casual attire.

Recommended items:

• Hiking boots as they provide good traction for walks on sometimes-slippery terrain.
• "Teva" or similar sandals. These are lightweight, rubber sandals with adjustable ankle straps, available at sporting goods stores.
• Comfortable "closed" walking shoes with rubber soles and good support. Tennis shoes would be a good choice.
• T-shirts, polo shirts, and/or other comfortable short-sleeved shirts.
• Shorts.
• 1 or 2 bathing suits.
• Long-sleeved shirts for protection from the sun and insects.
• Cotton or other lightweight long pants.
• Windbreaker or light sweater.
• Sunhat.
• Sunglasses.
• Waterproof sunblock (30 SPF minimum).
• Waterproof insect repellent.
• A small backpack or rucksack.
• Waterproof bags to protect your camera and binoculars.
• Binoculars.
• Camera, lenses and plenty of film.
• Extra camera batteries.
• Prescription medicines. If certain medicines are part of your daily health regimen and are vital to your health, make sure you bring an adequate supply for the duration of your ecotour.
• Travel Alarm Clock.

Binocular guidelines

Good binoculars and their proper use can add immeasurably to enjoying wildlife. Each traveler with Terra Incognita Ecotours should decide well before a trip begins whether the binoculars you own are adequate and, if not, what kind of binoculars should be acquired.

Recommendation
Binoculars are rated with two numbers, e.g. 7 x 35. The first number is the magnification and the second is the diameter of the objective (the larger ones) lenses in millimeters. The first tells how much an object is enlarged and the second number is a measure of how much light-gathering power a lens has. As the second number increases so usually does the weight of a pair of binoculars. If one divides the first number into the second, the closer the result is to 5 the better the balance between weight, magnification and resolution.

Binoculars that are rated at 7x35, 8x40 or 10x40, are among the best for wildlife viewing. Binoculars with a center focus are much preferable over ones in which you have to focus each eyepiece separately. For some, image stabilized binoculars are an asset. Now it is a matter to decide on price and style.

The following is a checklist of things to do to make sure that you have the best binoculars and know how to use them.

Binocular cups
Binoculars usually are constructed so that you can raise and lower the cups that surround the eyepieces. If you are going to wear eyeglasses when using binoculars, roll or push the cups down. This will bring the lenses of the eyepiece the proper distance from your eye. If you do not use glasses then leave the cups unrolled or the eyepiece frames elevated.

Distance between eyepieces
All binoculars can be adjusted so that the distance between the eyepieces varies. You should move the eyepieces apart as far as they go, look through the eyepieces and gradually move the eyepieces together until you see a single image.

Adjusting each lens to your eyes
Binoculars usually have two focus adjustments, one that is a center focus that moves both lenses at the same time and one, called the diopter, that adjusts only one lens, usually the right one. To adjust the lenses to your eyes look through the binoculars with your right eye closed. With the center focus wheel, focus on an object 20-40 feet away. Then, with the left eye closed, focus the eyepiece on the right eye while looking at the same object. Now using the center focus make sure you see a sharp image. Most diopters have a numerical scale so that after you have made the adjustment it can be easily reset if it is accidentally altered.

Practice
When viewing wildlife it is helpful if when you raise your binoculars that they are pointed at what you are looking at with your naked eyes. If you cannot do that consistently a little practice would be helpful. Try looking at a flying bird, without taking your eyes off it, raise your binoculars and look through them. If you see the bird immediately, good, if not, bring your binoculars down and put them back up again after re-spotting the bird. Do this enough so that you can immediately see in your binoculars what you were seeing without them.

Wearing binoculars
If the weight of binoculars around your neck is bothersome, there are two things you might consider. One is to buy a neck strap, made of a spongy material at least an inch or more wide. The second is to buy a harness that fits over the shoulders and distributes the weight more evenly.

Photography Notes

For many of us, photography is a natural and fun part of travel. No matter what your level of interest, or what kind of equipment you use, the following may help you prepare.

Equipment: Regardless of what camera you use - film or digital - be sure to check that it is working properly before you leave home. If you purchase a new camera, or have an old one that has not been used for a long time, try shooting some pictures and examine the results. Also, be sure read your camera manual and bring it with you to help address any unexpected problems you might encounter.

Batteries: Modern cameras will not operate without a functioning battery. For this reason, please bring extra camera batteries with you, even if the one in your camera is new. For digital cameras, and many film cameras as well, rechargeable batteries are a great option. Digital cameras can use up batteries fairly quickly, depending on the camera make and model and how often you review images in-camera. Bring at least one extra rechargeable battery - or battery set. Look for chargers with a fast recharge time.

Film: How much film should you bring? Consider bringing at least twice as much film as you expect to need, as stores are few and far between. And be forewarned - enthusiastic photographers sometimes shoot up to 5 rolls per day! Film speed (ASA or ISO) is also an important consideration - the higher the ISO the faster the film, meaning the more sensitive it is to light. For most situations, 200 ISO film is a good all-around choice. You may also want to bring along a supply of 400 ISO for overcast days and low-light situations. Professional photographers generally use 100 ISO because of its fine grain (good for making big enlargements and publishing), but the slow speed requires extra care and use of a tripod.

Digital Memory Cards: Memory cards are the digital equivalent of film and, like film, they come in different types (e.g., compact flash, smart media, memory stick) and sizes (e.g., 128MB, 256MB, 512MB). Be sure you know what kind of memory card your camera requires and bring as many memory cards as needed to hold all your images from your expedition. If you are new to digital, consult your camera manual to learn the different image resolution and JPEG compression settings on your camera. This will determine how many photos will fit on your memory cards and what quality of image is required for your end use (e.g., the higher the resolution the larger the print you can make). You might consider bringing a digital storage device for downloading images from your memory cards (see below).

Digital Storage Devices: Many digital photographers travel with a laptop computer or a specific type of portable digital storage device designed for downloading images from digital cameras. A laptop has the advantage of letting you view, edit, store, and share your images while you travel and many even have a built-in CD burner for backing up your image files. Options for smaller devices that do not require a laptop include portable digital storage hard drives, some available with viewing screens, and portable CD burners that work directly from the memory card. Whatever hardware you choose be sure to learn the workflow for downloading and storing your images before leaving home.

Digital Camera Cables: One of the greatest advantages of shooting digital is the ability to review and share your daily images with others. It is important to remember to bring along the cables that will allow your camera to connect with a computer (USB), or storage device.

Tripods: Many photographers use a tripod because they help keep the camera steady in low-light situations and when using long telephoto lenses.

Destination links
Galapagos :: Amazon River Cruise :: China Ecotour :: Costa Rica Ecotour :: Nicaragua Adventure :: Rwanda Gorilla Trek :: Belize Ecotour :: Madagascar Photo Expedition :: Borneo Ecotour

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