Explore the Galapagos Islands (6 days)
Escorted by Janice Bock

The wildlife and flora are what make these 13 exotic islands so unique. While on our expedition vessel, the M/V Santa Cruz, our highly trained Galapagos Islands tour guides will show us much diversity. Repeatedly we off-load from our zodiacs on either dry or wet landings.

We can expect to see marine iguanas, yes, the only member of the lizard family that gets its food from the sea! Sea lions are plentiful, as are land iguanas.

We are scheduled to visit several of these volcanic islands with diverse and arid landscapes and the lush vegetation of the central highlands for free-range tortoises.

We will see solidified lava environments and even a few Galapagos penguins as well as the unbothered frigate birds and blue-footed boobies, always at close range. On our visit to the Darwin Research Station we learn of scientists' conservation and repatriation efforts of tortoises and iguanas since the 1960's.

We should have the opportunity of seeing flamingos, flycatchers, albatross, Galapagos hawks, lava gulls, hummingbirds, sandpipers and prickly pear trees in these unique and isolated islands.

We spend 3 nights on the specialized cruise vessel (85 passengers) with optional daily illustrated lectures and the resources of the vessel—human, video and print. We will be well served. Then we spend 2 nights at the comfortable Finch Bay Lodge in the central island with our own pool and small beach—all meals are included. Altogether we are in the islands for 6 days flying in to Baltra. This exposure is a wonderful followup for our mainland Ecuador daytrips.

Photo by David Taylor