Galapagos
November 7-16, 2008

Overview
Features
Itinerary
Extension

Overview (Return to top)

The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the rarest, interesting, and exciting wildlife anywhere.  The animals, who have little fear of humans, allow you to get extremely close, making for fabulous photographs and a remarkable vacation for our group.  You'll find yourself just inches away from giant tortoises and the courtship rituals of comical blue-footed boobies, and you'll gain an appreciation for how remarkable life on Earth can be.  The islands' varied terrain adds to the beauty of this place, from desert landscapes and volcanic soils to lush highland forests and pristine beaches. 

Priced from $4,198 plus air
International Expeditions

For reservations or additional information, contact:
Jan Breitman [jbreitman@alumni.iastate.edu]
Iowa State University Alumni Association
Fisher-Nickell Hall
Ames, Iowa 50011-1370

Phone: (515) 294-6526 direct or (877) ISU-ALUM toll-free
Fax: (515) 294-9402

Features (Return to top)

• Because of the Galapagos Islands' isolation in the Pacific Ocean, there is a wealth of animal and plant life found only here.
• The animals have evolved without fear of humans and other predators, and you can watch them from extraordinarily close up.  It's exciting to stand next to boobies doing a courtship display, and to swim with sea lions and penguins.
• The Galapagos have an otherworldly beauty - from the desert landscapes at sea level to tall volcanoes and lush highland forests.
• The islands are a living laboratory of evolution.  Charles Darwin visited in 1835, and his examination of the beaks of the Galapagos finches was instrumental in his formulating the theory of evolution. 
• You visit the world-renowned Charles Darwin Research Station and encounter giant Galapagos tortoises, endemic to the islands. 
• You have ample opportunity to swim and snorkel with sea lions, beautiful fish and perhaps even penguins.

Itinerary (Return to top)

Day 1  
U.S. - Guayaquil
We fly to Guayaquil, Ecuador.  On arrival, our representatives meet us and take us to the Hilton Colon. (Meals aloft)

Day 2
Guayaquil - San Cristob¢l - Cerro Brujo
After breakfast at our hotel, we fly to San Crist¢bal Island, where we board the Evolution.  This afternoon we sail out to Kicker Rock, which rises 500 feet straight up, and has a shape of a sleeping lion.  We continue to the powder-white sands of Cerro Brujo for swimming and snorkeling.  We'll likely see blue-footed boobies, yellow warblers and finches. [B, L, D]

Day 3
Espanola (Hood) Island: Punta Suarez and Gardner Bay
In the morning we visit Punta Suarez.  We'll see Galapagos doves, Galapagos hawks and the red-colored race of marine iguana.  We walk to Espa¤ola's famous blowhole, where incoming waves spout 90 feet into the air.  In the afternoon we visit Gardner Bay, where we can swim and snorkel among sea lions. [B, L, D]

Day 4
Santa Cruz Island
We begin at the Charles Darwin Research Station, where we learn about the vital work being done to study and preserve Galapagos wildlife.  Then we drive to the forested highlands.  WE look for giant tortoises in the wild, and walk through the forest surrounding a pair of pit craters.  January through May we will visit the highlands first, before continuing to the Charles Darwin Research Station. [B, L, D]

Day 5
Santiago (James) Island - Bartolom‚ Island
A walk on Santiago is an excellent opportunity to spot land birds such as finches, doves and hawks.  On the shoreline we are apt to see iguanas basking on the rocks and sea lions lazing in the tide pools.  In the afternoon we visit Bartolom‚ Island.  From atop Bartolom‚'s volcanic cone there is a splendid panorama of lava flows, beaches, sea, neighboring islands and the jagged Pinnacle Rock.  We will also have an opportunity to swim and snorkel.  [B, L, D]

Day 6
Genovesa (Tower) Island - Darwin Bay
Genovesa Island contains one of the largest and most diverse bird populations in the Galapagos.  We climb Prince Philip's Steps to an area with colonies of Nazca boobies and great frigatebirds.  There are also red-footed boobies and good chances of seeing short-eared owls, which feed on the petrels that fly about.  In the afternoon we visit Darwin Bay, home to the swallow-tailed gull and the rare lava gull.  [B, L, D]

Day 7
Fernandina Island - Punta Espinosa - Isabela Island - Tagus Cove
The morning finds us at Fernandina, the youngest and most volcanically active island in the Galapagos.  We land at Punta Espinosa, where flightless cormorants build their nests on the beach and marine iguanas dot the sand.  In the afternoon, we sail round to Isabella Island and explore Tagus Cove.  On our panga ride we look for penguins, flightless cormorants, pelicans and iguanas.  We then walk uphill to the rim of the crater of Darwin Volcano and look down into the Darwin Lake.  [B, L, D]

Day 8
North Seymour Island - Black Turtle Cove
In the morning we visit North Seymour Island, where there are nesting sites for magnificent frigatebirds.  We'll look for land iguanas and for blue-footed boobies.  Caleta Tortuga Negra ("Black Turtle Cove") is a beautiful and peaceful area of mangroves, where on our panga ride we'll turn off the motors and drift silently through the cove, looking for rays and sharks.  [B, L, D]

Day 9
San Crist¢bal - Guayaquil
This morning we're back at San Cristobal, where we visit the Interpretation Center before we fly to Guayaquil.  We enjoy a farewell dinner at our hotel. [B, L aloft, D]

Day 10
Guayaquil - U.S.
We fly to the U.S., and connect with flights home.  [B, L aloft]

Extension (Return to top)

Optional Extensions at Otavalo Market or Machu Picchu:

Extend the Extraordinary: Otavalo Market (3-day extension)
As a complement to the Galapagos Voyage, Ecuador's mainland provides a great contrast of environments - ice-capped volcanoes, Andean sierras and the vivid Otavalo Market, which dates back to pre-Inca times. 

Extend the Extraordinary: Machu Picchu (6-day extension)
Experience two of Peru's most incredible regions on our 6-day extension - the Sacred Valley of the Inca and the "Lost City" of Machu Picchu.  A visit to this 15th-century Inca site is bound to be a highlight of your travels.  And in Cusco we explore impressive ruins, stroll cobblestone streets and shop in colorful markets.