Galapagos, Ecuador & Easter Island

Departure: 19 May - 8 June 2012

Small Group (16)

*AUD $ 10,180

includes return airfares Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane

*NZD $12,520

includes return airfares Auckland

*price subject to change due to airfare and exchange rate increases.

On our exclusive Galapagos tour we will take you on a cruise through the Galapagos Islands and see a vast array of wildlife up close and personal. We travel to the Galapagos in May because the Waved Albatross and the Blue Footed Boobies are doing their mating rituals and we believe this is an experience not to be missed. The frigate birds will also be nesting. Of course there is many other creatures waiting to meet with you...Land and Marine iguanas, giant Galapagos turtles, seals, penguins, blue, red and masked boobies, mockingbirds, pelicans, flamingoes and many more...

Our 16/20 berth chartered Mirrabac motor vessel will allow us to cruise to coves and beaches that are inaccessible to larger vessels. It also gives us far greater time ashore and this equates to much more time for observing and photographing the wildlife.

When we are on the Ecuadorian mainland we will stay in four/five star accommodation. At Quito and its surrounds we'll visit the Otavalo Indian market and the colonial quarter as well as an excursion into the Cloud Forest to observe some spectacular colourful avians - an area that has won the highest bird count in 2006, 2007 & 2008 in the Audubon Christmas bird count for the Americas.

This is one great trip and if you wish to extend we have two fantastic options (see the next column). We would love to take you on this adventure. Of course -  there's nothing like being there!

with option #1

The Amazon - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Departure: 19 May - 16 June 2012

*AUD $ 12,595

includes return airfares Sydney - Melbourne - Brisbane

*NZD $15,640

includes return airfares Auckland

*price subject to change due to airfare and exchange rate increases.

with option #2

Rio De Janeiro - Iguacu Falls - Pantanal

Departure: 19 May - 19 June 2012

*AUD $ 14,380

includes return airfares Sydney - Melbourne - Brisbane

*NZD $17,990

includes return airfares Auckland

*price subject to change due to airfare and exchange rate increases.

Are YOU ready for a great adventure this year?

EASTER ISLAND - The Navel of the World

A day and a half of exploration into the mystery of the Moais at Easter Island. See the many ahu's (moai platforms) and visit the quarry where they were created. See petroglyphs and spectacular volcanic craters. Wander through the main town of Hanga Roa and take in a trip to Anakina Beach.

Moai - Easter Island

QUITO - ECUADOR

Excursion to the Otavalo Indian Market, one of South America's best known Indian fairs. There are many stalls selling scarves, ponchos, blankets, wall hangings woven belts, hats, handbags and much more. We take a tour of the city of Quito with its treasures of art and architecture. Take a trip to the the Equatorial Line.

South American Green Tree iguana (juvenile)

GALAPAGOS - DAY 1

Flight to San Cristobal, Galapagos, 965 kilometres off the coast of mainland Ecuador. The Galapagos consist of 19 islands and 42 islets or surfacing rocks. The Galapagos archipelago is entirely volcanic and one of the largest and most active groups of oceanic volcanoes in the world.

On arrival at San Cristobal we will transfer to our luxury launch, our home for the next 8 days. See image opposite >>>

On our first day there is a big chance of seeing marine iguanas, sea lions and several marine bird species.

Blue Footed Boobie, Galapagos

GALAPAGOS - DAY 2

Espanola - Punta Suarez - Gardner Bay. This is one of the most popular islands due to the variety of animals. Punta Suarez on the western tip offers its visitors spectacular 30 metre high cliffs inhabited by numerous birds; masked boobies, blue footed boobies, Galapagos doves, the indigenous Hood mockingbird, the cactus and warbler finches and waved albatross. You will see sea lions and marine iguanas basking in the sun and the largest larva lizard in the Galapagos. Golden Bay offers a fantastic beach for walking amongst sea lions and fabulous snorkeling opportunities.

GALAPAGOS - DAY 3

Floreana Island - Punta Cormorant - Post Office Bay - Floreana, also known as Charles or Santa Maria Island, is the southeastern-most island in the archipelago. It is one of the smaller of the major islands, measuring approximately 12 x 15 kilometres and rising to an elevation of 640 metres. The oldest lavas on Floreana are 1.5 million years old, making it one of the older islands.

Floreana is noted for blue footed and masked boobies, Galapagos penguins, sea lions, flamingoes, sea turtles, Galapagos sharks, hammerhead sharks, sting rays and tree finches.

Angelique Art Gallery, Puerto Ayora, Galapagos

GALAPAGOS - DAY 4  Isabela Island - Puerto Villamil

Isabela Island is by far the biggest island of the Galapagos - bigger than all the other islands combined. It is about 120 kilometres long and 80 Kilometres at its widest.  It is comprised five major volcanoes, of which two are still active. These mountains were probably separate at one time and then fused in to a single mass. The most recent eruption was Cerro Azul in 1999.

Villamil is often considered the most beautiful site in the Galapagos with its long white sand, palm lined beaches. Behind Villamil are several brackish water lagoons where pink flamingoes, common stilts, whimbrels, white-cheeked pintails and gallinules are often seen.

GALAPAGOS - DAY 5

Santa Cruz - Puerto Ayora. This is the central island of the Galapagos and is the largest town in the Galapagos as well as its main port. It hosts numerous hotels, restaurants, shops, a post office, small supermarket and two diving companies. The Charles Darwin Research Station (which we will visit) is also found here.  

A two and a half kilometre walk will bring you to Tortuga Bay, one of the best beaches in the Galapagos. Trips can be made to the Parte Alta, or the high ground behind Puerto Ayora to visit the incredible lava tunnels, the tortoise reserve at Bellavista and the Gemelos, two twin craters. Lava lizards, mockingbirds, and ground finches are the most obvious denizens of this region.

In the afternoon we will visit a reserve - the highlands of Santa Cruz, that are inhabited by giant Galapagos tortoises weighing up to 90 kilograms.

Frigate Bird, Galapagos

GALAPAGOS - DAY 6

North Seymour - Bartholome Island. Located directly to the north of Baltra Island is Seymour, famous for its colony of frigates birds. Also found here are blue footed boobies, land iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, pelicans and red-billed tropic birds.

GALAPAGOS - DAY 7

Plazas - Santa. This is one of the best locations for swimming with sea lions and a possible glimpse of the Galapagos white-tipped shark or a sea turtle. Walk up to a nearby cliff to see the land iguanas within an area of Opuntia Cactus. Other animals present are the Galapagos Hawk, owls, frigates, pelicans, manta-rays and mockingbirds.

Marine iguana Galapagos

GALAPAGOS - SAN CRISTOBAL

San Cristobal is the capital and administrative centre of the Galapagos Islands. On approach to Puerto Baquerizo it is not unusual to see a school of dolphins swimming alongside our vessel.