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 naturalist 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 many Darwin finches, flamingos, flycatchers, Galapagos hawks, lava gulls, hummingbirds, sandpipers and prickly pear trees in these unique and isolated islands.

There will be opportunities to snorkel and observe marine life in the glass bottom boat among the Galapagos Islands.

We spend 4 days/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. We spend 2 nights at the Finch Bay Hotel near the water where we will have our Farewell Dinner.  This is located close to Pto. Ayora.  Then after 6 days in the islands we have one more night in Quito.

Photo by David Taylor