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This morning we'll fly to Baltra, a small island that once hosted a US Air Force base and is now home to the primary airport serving the Galápagos.
We'll begin birding immediately, with Medium and Small Ground-Finches right around the airport. We'll then hop on a bus that will take us into the highlands of neighboring Santa Cruz Island, one of the largest and most diverse islands. Many of the finches will be possible here, and we'll include a visit to a private ranch that hosts a wild tortoise population. Night on Santa Cruz.
Hotel in Puerto Ayora, BLD
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This morning we'll continue our birding in the highlands of Santa Cruz. One of our targets is the tiny Galapagos Rail, a species whose highland habitat is readily accessible only here. We'll likely need more time to look for less common finches such as the Vegetarian Finch as well as the declining endemic subspecies of Vermilion Flycatcher.
Later we'll descend to the town of Puerto Ayora for a visit to the Darwin Research Center.
Before dinner we'll board our boat, the luxurious 141 foot yacht Integrity mid- to late afternoon in Academy Bay.
Integrity, BLD |
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Each of these days will feature a different island. Typically, we'll arrive at our island of the day in the early morning, waking up to a new and exciting place. After a complete breakfast on board, we'll depart in the Zodiacs for a short hike to view the island's specialties. Depending on the length of our hike, we'll either return to the boat for lunch and a siesta or spend the rest of the morning snorkeling. In the afternoon we'll motor to a different part of the same island or to a nearby island for a hike of a different nature and perhaps another opportunity for snorkeling.
Each of the islands has its own highlights. Genovesa is known for its wealth of seabirds. Here both Nazca and Red-footed Boobies nest in abundance and at arm's length--the former on the ground and the latter in the mangroves. Great Frigatebirds are everywhere, and we'll visit a nesting colony of Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrels, where a cloud of hundreds of birds swarms over a lava field. Waiting patiently for just the right moment to snag a meal, Short-eared Owls of the endemic subspecies hop in and out of the cracks that lead to their underground nests. Here we'll also see Sharp-beaked Ground-Finch and, with luck, Large Cactus-Finch.
Fernandina is located on a major upwelling of a cold equatorial undercurrent. The result is a rich web of marine life that attracts Galápagos Penguins and Flightless Cormorants, two of the most interesting inhabitants of the islands. Snorkeling here is exciting: we'll have a chance at seeing both these birds underwater, as well as Green Sea Turtles and frolicking sea lions.
Santa Cruz, the second largest of the islands, hosts the largest human settlement, Puerto Ayora. Our stop here features a visit to a Giant Tortoise sanctuary where wild tortoises still roam. We'll also visit the Darwin Center to see the breeding program for all other races of the tortoise, and we'll stroll through town, where gift and art shops abound.
Floreana is perhaps most famous for the tradition of the post office barrel, where visitors leave postcards, addressed but without postage, that are then hand-carried to their destination by other visitors who happen to live near the lucky recipient. We'll take a truck ride into the highlands in search of Medium Tree-Finch, the only single-island endemic among Darwin's finches, and learn about the people who have settled here. Near Floreana is a tiny islet where the Floreana Mockingbird has found refuge, and a boat ride around this island to spot that species can be followed by some excellent snorkeling. A trail on a different part of the main island takes us past a lagoon where American Flamingos and White-cheeked Pintails live.
Española will also provide a memorable visit, for this is where the colony of Waved Albatrosses is located. Galápagos Hawk, Española Mockingbird, Warbling Finch, and many other creatures are easily seen here as well.
Integrity, BLD |
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From our anchorage in the Baltra harbor, we say "adios" to the Integrity and its dedicated crew, and adjourn to the Baltra airport to await our mid-morning flight to the Ecuador mainland and Quito. On arrival, we transfer to the Hilton Colón Quito hotel for an overnight.
Hilton Colón Quito, BD |
