May 1-12, 2013
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May 1-12, 2013 GALAPAGOS ISLANDS ORIGIN of SPECIES CRUISE with Dr. LINDA CAYOT 12 days/11 nights (8 days/7 nights aboard the luxurious MV Integrity) GALAPAGOS CONSERVANCY, in collaboration with INCA (inca1.com), has arranged our 5th annual cruise around the Galapagos Islands in the company of two experts — Galapagos guide extraordinaire, Richard Polatty, and GC’s own Science Advisor and Galapagos wildlife and reptile expert, Dr. Linda Cayot. This 12-day adventure, unlike any other Galapagos cruise available, has been designed by some of the most knowledgeable experts on Galapagos. With naturalist Richard Polatty, who has more than 25 years as a guide in Galapagos, and tour leader Linda Cayot, who lived and worked at the Charles Darwin Research Station in Galapagos for more than a decade, as well as visits from special guests from the Charles Darwin Research Station and other institutions, you will learn about the biological, evolutionary, and geological history of this extraordinary ecosystem and the efforts to conserve it for future generations. Picture yourself in Charles Darwin’s shoes, as he voyaged to Galapagos more than 150 years ago. Be amazed by the mind-boggling array of fascinating creatures, from the fearless birdlife to the slow and steady giant tortoises and sea-faring marine iguanas. You’ll also enjoy the exclusive opportunity to go behind the scenes at the Charles Darwin Research Station and dine in the company of a few of Galapagos’ most ardent scientists and conservationists, while gaining insight into the efforts being made to keep the Galapagos Islands as pristine as they were when first discovered in 1535. West Route (2014, 2016) East Route (2013, 2015) Route prior to 2011 Galapagos Conservancy hosts one cruise each year, and will alternate between the West and East Routes. Daily itineraries may change without notice. 2013’s cruise follows the East Route. Day 1: Hotel Colon in Quito, Ecuador Day 2: Fly to Baltra in Galapagos Galapagos Safari Camp, Santa Cruz Day 3: Charles Darwin Research Station Galapagos Safari Camp, Santa Cruz Day 4: Santa Cruz Exploration Board the MV Integrity for dinner Set sail! Days 5-11: Island hopping (See routes at left.) Day 11: Disembark yacht, return to Hotel Colon in Quito Day 12: Head home or to next adventure! TOUR LEADER NATURALIST Dr. Linda Cayot has Richard Polatty is INCA’s Chief worked for Galapagos Naturalist and Galapagos Guide conservation for more than Coordinator; he manages the 30 years. She first came guiding schedule and ensures to Galapagos in 1981 to the guides maintain their study giant tortoises for commitment to excellence. her PhD from Syracuse University. She has stayed involved in the Islands ever since. He began guiding in Galapagos in 1985 and has received only rave reviews since then. He has Linda served as herpetologist of the Charles Darwin Research been guiding exclusively for INCA’s Galapagos Island trips Station (CDRS) from 1988 to 1998, during which time she since 1990. Other impressive accomplishments of his include: supervised both the giant tortoise and land iguana breeding • principal author of the “CD-ROM encyclopedia of and rearing programs, worked extensively with the recently Galapagos” deceased Lonesome George, the last member of the tortoise • spokesperson for Pentax binoculars and featured in full subspecies Chelonoidis abingdoni from Pinta Island, and page ads in many international magazines (such as supervised Ecuadorian students studying the endemic reptiles Audubon and Smithsonian) of Galapagos, among many other endeavors. • active pilot with land and seaplane ratings • avid astronomer, having taught astronomy classes for the In her final year with the CDRS, Linda coordinated the start Galapagos National Park Naturalists Course of the successful Project Isabela, aimed at ridding Isabela • research associate for the Oceanites Foundation and and other islands of feral goats. She is currently the Science researcher for the Antarctic Site Inventory funded by the Advisor to Galapagos Conservancy, a nonprofit organization US National Science Foundation 1992 to present dedicated to the long-term protection of the Galapagos Islands. Linda participated in returning tortoises to Pinta Island Richard Polatty is originally from Atlanta, GA but has lived in in 2010, and more recently, she played a leading role in the Ecuador for 27 years. He earned his bachelors degree from Galapagos Tortoise Workshop of July 2012, making plans for Vanderbilt University and a masters from Emory University in the next 10 years of tortoise conservation in Galapagos. the United States. He is reforesting his ranch in the Galapagos highlands with native plants to help conserve endemic birds. EXCEPTIONAL is the only term that comes to mind for both. Richard has indeed encyclopedic knowledge about the Galapagos and other subjects. Linda is a world renowned expert in her field. We were very fortunate to make our first visit to the Galapagos under the guidance of such gifted people. — Claude and Fabrizia Ostfeld, guests from GC’s 2010 cruise, on the quality of Richard and Linda’s trip knowledge and leadership Eastern Route: A Summary The eastern half of the Galapagos Islands contains some of the oldest islands and the most abundant populations of seabirds. Española to the south and Genovesa to the north provide some of the best opportunities in the archipelago to see Nazca, Blue- footed, and Red-footed Boobies, as well as Lava Gulls, Swallow- tailed Gulls, Frigatebirds, Yellow-crowned Night Herons, and many others; and, in the case of Waved Albatrosses on Española, the only opportunity in the world. El Junco, one of a few freshwater lakes in the archipelago, sits in the highlands of Travellers from past GC cruises explore the islands. (Zorica Kovacevic) San Cristóbal, the oldest of the islands. Many satellite islands off the coasts of Española, San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, and Santiago offer incredible opportunities for snorkeling and showcase beautiful landscapes teeming with Galapagos wildlife. Other highlights of this tour include a visit to the giant cactus groves on Santa Fe with the possibility of seeing the Santa Fe land iguana and a trek across an amazing lava field on the southern coast of Santiago, providing a glimpse at the origin of the islands. Our days on Santa Cruz will include giant tortoises and visits to other natural areas, as well as a look into the important role that humans play in protecting these extraordinary islands. The 2013 Day-by-Day Origin of Species Itinerary* Day 1: May 1, 2013 PM Cerro Brujo & Kicker Rock — A short panga ride along Arrive in Quito, Ecuador and stay at the Hotel Hilton Colon. the cliffs of Cerro Brujo will be followed by a visit to the lovely coral sand beach, frequented by waders and migrant birds. Days 2-4: Baltra Airport and Santa Cruz Island Snorkelers will see an amazing array of sea life at Kicker In the morning, we’ll fly to Baltra Island in Galapagos! We’ll Rock, often including manta rays, sea turtles, and sharks. spend two full days exploring the varied ecology of Santa Non-snorkelers will enjoy a close cruise around dramatic Cruz Island, while staying at the Galapagos Safari Camp Non-snorkelers will enjoy a cruise around the base of in the lush highlands. During the course of our stay, we will dramatic Kicker Rock (top left photo), a 500 m vertical tuff hike in the moist highlands, visit giant tortoises in their natural cone. The orange glow on the rock at sunset is one of the habitat, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, stroll more dramatic sights in all of Galapagos. through the bustling town of Puerto Ayora, and explore lava tubes. We’ll visit a few Galapagos Conservancy project sites Day 7: Santa Fé and South Plaza Islands to see conservation efforts in action and learn more about AM Santa Fé — After landing on a white beach usually how humans interact with the environment. We’ll have time to covered with sea lions, we’ll walk into a giant Opuntia cactus shop, dine well, and relax. The days will also include special grove where we’ll have the opportunity to see the endemic visits and meals with Station scientists and others involved in land iguanas. The land visit will be followed by snorkeling Galapagos conservation. and/or kayaking in the turquoise waters of the bay, full of sea lions, rays, urchins, eels, and fish of all colors. In the afternoon of Day 4, we will board our yacht, Integrity, PM South Plaza — We will see another species of Galapagos for dinner and set sail on our Island cruise. We will live land iguana as well as cactus finches. Both North and South aboard the yacht and spend as much time exploring the Plazas were formed by geological uplift and tilt to the north, islands as park rules permit. Every day will have some with cliffs on their southern coasts. On small islands like this, snorkeling and/or kayaking opportunities – not all of which terrestrial and marine species interact more than on the larger are mentioned in the following itinerary. Each night, we’ll islands, and the occasional hybrid iguana (land and marine) travel on to the next destination. with its “zebra-like” stripes can often be observed. The south- Day 5: Española Island facing cliffs swarm with a myriad of bird species. Bachelor sea AM Gardner Bay — We’ll stroll along a magnificent white lions climb steep cliffs in the late afternoon to spend nights sand beach where sea lions lounge, marine turtles nest, and away from the larger dominant bulls. the curious Española mockingbirds follow our every footstep. Day 8: Genovesa Island We can take a brief swim on the beach or wait for an amazing AM Darwin Beach — At the north side of Darwin Bay, snorkel in the company of schools of colorful fish, turtles, sea this beach was formed by the rim of a sunken crater.