GALAPAGOS

A must for any interested naturalist and birder in search of a fascinating set of endemics; small group, broad coverage of the islands with plenty of time for the birds, exploring, photography, and snorkeling.

2008
II. July 19-29 with Alvaro Jaramillo
III. August 9-19 with George Armistead

2009
I. June 20-30 with Mitch Lysinger
II. July 18-28 with George Armistead
III. August 8-18 with Alvaro Jaramillo

$4500 and up (including Quito/Baltra/Quito flight; 2008 fee). 11 days
From Quito. Limit: 12 (all tours also accompanied by a Galapagos naturalist-guide)
Good accommodations on board our vessel; easy terrain, cool to warm climate. Our staff travel agents can book your air travel for this tour. Contact us at (800) 728-4953 for more information. Our Galapagos departures may often be combined with either our MONTANE ECUADOR or ECUADOR'S AMAZONIAN RAINFOREST: SACHA LODGE.

See our triplist for 2007 triplist (1st tour) or 2007 triplist (2nd tour) or 2006 triplist (3rd tour).

See a slideshow of photos from this tour.

Blue-footed Boobies
by guide Alvaro Jaramillo

Ever since Darwin, this island archipelago has been a showcase of evolution. Six hundred miles from the Ecuadorian coast, the Galapagos are of marine volcanic origin and have never been connected to a continental land mass. Thus both plants and animals inhabiting the islands are derived from species that, by one means or another, crossed vast stretches of ocean to colonize the newly formed land. As one might expect, the diversity of terrestrial biota is low and ecosystems are relatively simple, but the degree of endemism is high. Most of the flora, the reptiles, and the majority of resident landbirds are found only in the Galapagos, many of them further restricted to one or a few islands. Comparing related forms inhabiting the various islands against a background so rich in scientific history is one of the foremost joys for a naturalist.

Our tour of “Las Islas Encantadas” is designed to make it possible to see all the endemic birds (and, naturally, the fascinating mammals, reptiles, and flora) in the context of a short escape. We’ll visit such important islands as Española (breeding grounds of the Waved Albatross), Isabela, San Cristobal, Santa Cruz (where we’ll visit the highlands, critical destination for seeing Galapagos Rail, Large Tree-Finch, and Galapagos Tortoises in the wild), and several smaller islands, potentially including North Seymour, Santa Fe, and South Plaza.

Based on board our comfortable vessel with excellent food, naturalists, and crew, we’ll travel by night to maximize our enjoyment of these ruggedly beautiful islands. For the same reason, we’ll fly both to and from the Galapagos, focusing all of our time on the islands themselves and their fascinating natural history. Join us for an eleven-day exploration of evolution’s showcase in the intimacy of a small group.

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Contact our office by e-mail in Austin, Texas at fieldguides@fieldguides.com.

1+ 800-728-4953
1+ 512-263-7295
1+ 512-263-0117 (fax)

Field Guides Incorporated, 9433 Bee Cave Road, Building 1, Suite 150, Austin, TX 78733

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