The Galapagos Islands
with Colonial Quito and a Touch of the Andes

• Itinerary

From Quito, which has a colonial old town, we fly to the Galapagos, Darwin's enchanted islands. For eight days we wander the Archipelago in our private yacht. Our yacht has eight double berths, allowing a maximum of 15 passengers plus guide. We have a crew of 12, and an Ecuadorean naturalist trained by the Charles Darwin Station, which we'll visit. Groups and boats of this size are ideal for visiting the Islands, enabling us to waste little time getting ashore, and also allowing us to stop at smaller, lesser known sites, often with few or no other boats.

The Galapagos are unique in the tropics for the surprisingly few species they harbor, but the species that are here are unique, large and showy, and very tame. These volcanic islands arose from the seafloor in the last 10 million years; all organisms had to float, fly, or be carried to the islands. Because of the cold Humboldt Current that bathes the islands, the air is dry and desert conditions prevail in the Archipelago most years. There are fifteen larger islands and hundreds of smaller islets; we visit ten larger islands.

Each island has a distinctive collection of organisms, relating to island size, prevailing currents, proximity to other islands, and past lower sea levels. This unique itinerary gives us a chance of seeing all the endemic Galapagos birds, including the 13 "Darwin's Finches" and Waved Albatross at their remarkable colony on outlying Hood Island.

We'll drive to the highlands of three islands, see Giant Tortoises in the wild as well as at the excellent Darwin Station, and boat to far-western Isabella and Fernandina Islands, with their recently active volcanoes, where we'll see the Flightless Cormorant, Galapagos Penguins and Flamingoes. Whales and dolphins are often found in these waters.

For photographers it is paradise; the animals are unafraid of humans and everything from iguanas to boobies and albatrosses allows close approach. We'll snorkel amongst dazzling fishes and be face-to-muzzle with sea lions. See the itinerary for island-by-island details.

Leadership

Mark Smith has led nature tours throughout the world for The Nature Conservancy, Audubon Society, and privately. After his studies at OSU, he worked as a researcher and educator for a variety of organizations, including The Nature Conservancy, the National Science Foundation, Portland Public Schools, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, and the National Marine Fisheries Service. Mark has led over 20 tours to the Galapagos. He has special expertise and interest in vertebrates, including marine fish, insects, botany, ecology and island biogeography, and broad interests in all natural history subjects and cultural anthropology.

Also leading will be a Galapagos naturalist guide, trained by the scientists at the Charles Darwin Station and National Park Service.

Accommodations

Lodgings include a fine hotel in Quito before and after the voyage, and seven nights aboard our private yacht in the Galapagos, where each berth has two beds or a double bed, and attached bathrooms.

Activities and Expectations

In the Galapagos our yacht is optimum size for a serious natural history group, the smaller size allowing us access to all possible sites (large boats are excluded from many) and rapid disembarkation. Most open ocean transit between islands occurs at night. These are tropical waters in a calm season, but some islands are over 100 miles apart and it is sometimes choppy on the open ocean. Walks are always slow and never far, but sometimes over rocky, seldom hilly, terrain. Guides will be available to assist. Waters are near 70° F and a short, thin wetsuit is helpful in enabling us to stay in the water longer while snorkeling or swimming. We will have four or five opportunities to snorkel. Non-swimmers can safely enjoy snorkeling with the aid of life jackets and a guide. Mark is an expert swimmer and lifesaver. Galapagos daytime high temperatures may be in the low 80's, but are often cooler. We typically walk early morning and evening, swim or snorkel late morning and afternoon, and siesta after lunch.

Preparation

By June, 2011, travelers will be sent a package of preparation materials, including articles, bird lists, reading and equipment lists, maps, etc.

Costs and Reservations

A deposit of $500 is required to reserve one of the 15 available spaces.

Pam Davis of Willamette International Travel is the tour air-ticket agent; Mark has worked with Pam for over 15 years. Participants are encouraged to make bookings through Pam, which helps to coordinate our flights and keep leaders informed.

Pam Davis
Willamette International Travel
1314 NW Irving St. #101
Portland, OR 97209-2721
Email: pamd@wittravel.com
Phone: 503-224-0180 or 1-800-821-0401

Please make deposit and final payment payable to Mark Smith Nature Tours and send to:

Mark Smith
PO Box 3831
Portland, OR 97208-3831

Work phone: 503-224-0180 or 1-800-821-0401
Home phone: 360-566-0458
email, in care of: marksmithnaturetours@hotmail.com

Please contact Pam Davis of Willamette International Travel when Mark is out of town.

Cancellations

Cancellations made 90 days prior to departure receive full refund less $50. Cancellations made between 90 and 60 days prior to departure forfeit $500. Cancellations made 60 and fewer days prior to departure forfeit 70% of ground costs. Trip cancellations insurance is available from Willamette International Travel.

GALAPAGOS ITINERARY

This Galapagos itinerary is unusual for its in-depth coverage of the islands. Not only will we see all the usual fancy larger birds and reptiles, but by visiting some of the more obscure locations, including drives into the highlands of two islands, we have a chance of seeing all the birds endemic to the Galapagos.

Day 1	Saturday, January 7	North America to Quito, Ecuador
Flights arrive into Quito from North America in the late evening. After being met at the airport we are taken to our Quito hotel. Quito lies at 9,000 feet and has a population of one million. In a deep valley bounded by the Andes, with an ideal climate and an extensive and well-preserved Spanish colonial old town dating from the 16th century, Quito is a fascinating city and a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site.
Day 2	Sunday, January 8	Quito
A day to explore colonial Quito, or to visit spectacular 11,000 ft Yanacocha Reserve on Pichincha Volcano, less than one hour from Quito. Here we can take beautiful hikes with grand vistas of the volcano. The flowered tropical alpine meadows host many flashy hummingbirds and other species. A half day each of the volcano and city would be possible. This evening at our hotel we meet the other members of our group who have been on the Ecuador mainland pre-trip.
Day 3	Monday, January 9	Quito/Galapagos
In the morning we fly to the Galapagos Island San Cristobal. Here we begin our cruise. After paying the National Park Entrance Fee, a crew member will accompany us to our yacht which anchors at Baquerizo Moreno harbor. We sail to Lobos Island, located beside San Cristobal, to view a nesting location for the blue footed booby and frigatebirds. We'll also enjoy swimming and snorkeling with sea lions in this calm bay.
Day 4	Tuesday, January 10	Espanola Island-Suarez Point-Gardner Bay
Espanola is the southernmost and oldest island of the Galapagos archipelago. Due to its isolation it hosts many endemic species. In the morning we visit Point Suarez, one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago, with a long list of species found along its cliffs and sand or pebble beaches. In addition to five species of nesting seabirds, there are the curious and bold Espanola Mockingbirds, Galapagos Doves and Galapagos Hawks. Several types of reptiles, including marine iguana and an over-sized lava lizard, are unique to this island. When heavy swells are running, Point Suarez is also the site of a spectacular blowhole, with thundering spray shooting 30 yards into the air. The walk on a stony path is about 2 kilometers. Gardner Bay is on the eastern shore with turquoise colored water and a magnificent beach. Around small islets nearby, snorkelers will find many fish and sometimes turtles. The bay is also frequented by a transient colony of sea lions which like to swim with you. Birds like the endemic Mockingbird and different species of Darwin's Finches are omnipresent.
Day 5	Wed., January 11	Floreana Island-Post Office Bay-Point Cormorant
Floreana is the site of a mysterious colonial disappearance prominent in Galapagos lore. In the morning we visit Post Office Bay and the legendary barrel that whalers historically used to post their mail. Nowadays you can leave a letter and hope that it will reach its destination via another tourist. At Cormorant Point we land on a green olivine sand beach. Following a 100-meter long path we reach a lagoon with flamingos, White-cheeked Pintail Ducks and other shorebirds.
Day 6	Thurs., January 12	Isabela Island-Puerto Villamil-Tintoreras
Isabela is the largest island of the archipelago. With a surface of 4588 square kilometers, the island comprises more than half of the land area of the entire Galapagos. After a short boat trip, we reach the small island of "Tintoreras" where we have an easy walk through a bizarre landscape of young lava and hundreds of marine iguanas. White-tipped sharks are often seen resting in the flat water near the shore.
Day 7	Friday, January 13	Santa Cruz Island-Highlands-Charles Darwin Station
Today we anchor at the harbor of Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, the largest town in the Galapagos. The marina is a popular starting point for round-the-world yachtsmen. The island is both the tourist and scientific center of the Galapagos. In the morning we visit the highlands of Santa Cruz. The lush landscape is a welcome contrast to the arid scenery of the smaller, lower islands. We'll cross several different vegetation zones, from the dry lower region full of cactus to the woods of scalesia in the highlands. We should find wild tortoises and woodpecker, warbler, and vegetarian finches. During the afternoon we visit Darwin Station and its tortoise breeding and rearing center fostering tortoises of different subspecies.
Day 8	Sat., January 14	North Seymour Island-Bartolome Island
After a dry landing and a short walk along the coast of North Seymour we visit a large nesting colony of blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigate birds. Land iguanas are usually found. This afternoon on Bartolome we ascend a lookout for a spectacular panorama of Sullivan Bay and the famous needle-shaped rock known as Pinnacle Rock. The beaches at the foot of the rock boast some fine snorkeling spots where we have a good chance of encountering penguins.
Day 9	Sunday, January 15	Genovesa Island-El Barranco-Darwin Bay
On our way to Genovesa, one of the most remote islands far to the north, we cross the equator. Genovesa is also known as "Bird Island" or "Tower Island." A boat ride in a panga along the cliffs of Genovesa Island takes us to Prince Philip's Steps, a carved stone staircase that lead to a plateau. From here we can observe large colonies of Masked Boobies, Great Frigatebirds and Storm Petrels.We may find a dark form of Short-eared Owl. After lunch we land at Darwin Bay for an easy stroll observing thousands of frigates and Red-footed and Masked Boobies. On the beach we can observe the spectacle of the frigates pirating prey from the boobies.
Day 10	Monday, January 16	San Cristobal Island-Interpretation Center-Lobos Island
At the port of Baquerizo Moreno, which is the capital of the province Galapagos, we visit the Interpretive Center. We will also have an optional tour into the highlands. Late morning we fly to mainland Ecuador, thoroughly enchanted.
Day 11	Tuesday, January 17	Quito to USA
Some travelers will likely depart around 7:00 AM for the US, making connections and arriving home this same evening. A variety of extensions on the Ecuadorian mainland are possible.