DOCSLIB.ORG

Kinkaid School Quito & Galapagos Islands January 7

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Kinkaid School Quito & Galapagos Islands January 7 KINKAID SCHOOL QUITO & GALAPAGOS ISLANDS JANUARY 7 – 15, 2016 Day 1 ~ Thursday, January 7, 2016 Houston/Quito Depart Houston flying to Quito, Ecuador. Upon arrival, meet, assist and transfer to the hotel. Colon Hilton Quito Day 2 ~ Friday, January 8, 2016 Quito Spend the morning in Quito’s Colonial Quarter, which is a UNESCO World Hertiage Site. Begin in Independence Plaza, flanked by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace. Visit the temple of La Compania de Jesus with its gilded interior. Continue on to the Monastery of San Francisco, one of the great religious buildings of the New World; its impressive façade and atrium that led to its Baroque interior influence. After a lunch at a restaurant in Quito or the equator area, continue through the bustling city and small villages to the Intiñan Solar Museum. This eccentric and interactive museum has demonstrations of various equator and solar-related phenomena, such as the Coriolis Effect and strength tests. Learn about the effects of the magnetic line 00°00’00”. The museum also houses a collection of totem poles, respresentative artwork of America and other continents whose territories are intersected by the equator, a coral of Andean camelids and models of traditional houses. This evening, enjoy a typical Ecuadorian dinner at La Choza, accompanied by a traditional folklore show of music and dancing by the Jacchigua Folklore Ballet Group. Colon Hilton Quito (B, L, D) Day 3 ~ Saturday, January 9, 2016 Quito Morning transfer to Quito airport for flight to the Galapagos Islands. Arrive Baltra Island Airport, for a bus transfer to Santa Cruz Island via the Itabaca Channel. After lunch, embark on a complete tour of the area, exploring various vegetation zones and microclimates. Walk around pit craters, through lava tunnels and get acquainted with endemic Scalesia and Guayabillo forests. Observe the emblematic giant tortoises in their natural habitat and the abundant bird life of the highlands at the Tortoise Reserve. The tour will end at the Galapagos Safari Camp, to enjoy the sunset followed by dinner. Galapagos Safari Camp (B, L, D) Day 4 ~ Sunday, January 10, 2016 Galapagos The boat will depart from Puerto Ayora for Santa Fe Island this morning. Here is where blue- footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and many other species of birds that nest in the cliffs can be seen. Afterwards, snorkel with sea lions, surgeonfish, damsels, parrotfish, stingrays and white tip reef sharks! Following a picnic lunch, head to Playa Escondida, which is a beautiful beach with crystalline waters, ideal for snorkelling and swimming. Galapagos Safari Camp (B, L, D) Day 5 ~ Monday, January 11, 2016 Galapagos Begin the day with a drive to the Itabaca Channel, for a boat trip to North Seymour. Created by seismic uplift, rather than being of volcanic origin, North Seymour is a low island consisting of submarine lava. The dry landing is rich in wildlife: sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, lava gulls, tropicbirds, brown noddy terns and pelicans. Head along the shore, crossing a wide expanse of sand, which is a nesting area for marine iguanas. Just off the trail, frigate-birds guard their nests in the saltbush clumps and another trail leads to a flat area that is a nesting site for blue-footed boobies. Next, pass through the Palo Santo Forest, where plants such as the Opuntia cactus, Croton, Castela and Sesuvium can be seen. Then, visit Las Bachas Beach, with its white sand, making it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind the beach there is a small brackish lagoon where flamingos and other coastal birds can be seen. This beach is also ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Galapagos Safari Camp (B, L, D) Day 6 ~ Tuesday, January 12, 2016 Galapagos Start the day with a drive to the eastern part of the island to Cerro Mesa, which is 490mts above sea level. It offers dramatic views and has the largest crater on Santa Cruz and numerous endemic plants as well as up to 7 subspecies of finches and the Vermillion Flycatcher. After lunch, visit Garrapatero, a pristine beach which has mangroves, black lava, white sand, turquoise waters and a small pink flamingo lagoon. Next, visit the Charles Darwin Research Center, with most impressive attraction being the tortoise breeding center. The center houses tortoises of all shapes and sizes, including the famous Lonesome George, at 90+ years old, and the last remaining member of the Pinta Island subspecies. Galapagos Safari Camp (B, L, D) Day 7 ~ Wednesday, January 13, 2016 Galapagos This morning, embark on a 2 hour boat trip from Puerto Ayora to Santa Fe Island. Anchor at a beautiful sheltered bay, where snorkeling with sea lions, surgeonfish, damsels, parrotfish, stingrays and white tip reef sharks is available. This rugged island is composed of uplifted basaltic lava, and much of it is a faulted plateau covered with Opuntia cacti. The trail, where Santa Fe land iguanas and Galapagos hawks can be spotted, leads to a beach that is inhabited by sea lions and blue-footed boobies. Galapagos Safari Camp (B, L, D) Day 8 ~ Thursday, January 14, 2016 Galapagos/Quito/Enroute Following breakfast, transfer to the airport with assistance in departure to Quito. Upon arrival, transfer to the Hosteria Rincon de Puembo, for a special farewell dinner. Return to the airport for an after midnight flight to Houston. (B, D) Day 9 ~ Friday, January 15, 2016 Enroute/Houston Arrive Houston early this morning. FROSCH TRAVEL TOUR PRICE: $7,495.00 All prices quoted are per person, based on a specific number of participants traveling together in the group, and on air and land rates in effect at the time of printing and are subject to change. DEPOSITS & PAYMENTS DEPOSIT $500.00 per person to reserve space at time of reservation. $200 per person of which is non-refundable; additional cancellation fees will apply, see details under “cancellation penalties”. FINAL PAYMENT due on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2015 PASSPORTS A passport is required and must be valid for at least 6 months beyond travel dates. WHAT IS INCLUDED 7 nights accommodation at hotel listed and private safari camp, private facilities Meals as outlined on itinerary All transfers and Quito sightseeing by private motorcoach with driver and English speaking guides All sightseeing program while in the Galapagos as outlined on the itinerary with local Naturalists Entrance fees to all sightseeing venues Roundtrip economy class airfare from Houston to Quito via United Airlines Airport departure taxes in all fly in/out cities Intra Ecuador economy class roundtrip airfare from Quito to Galapagos Gratuities to drivers and local guides AIR TRANSPORTATION from Houston, Texas, via United Airlines. The airfare included in the tour price is based upon the Super Advanced Purchase Excursion fare in effect at the time of the printing, and is subject to change. The tariff governing this airfare contains conditions and restrictions on its use. These will be provided upon request. Intra Ecuador air transportation included from Quito-Galapagos-Quito. Airport tax in Ecuador is included. MEALS included are 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 7 dinners, as per itinerary. PERSONAL TIPS to your guide, driver, and tour manager. TRANSFERS AND TOURING IN QUITO AND THE GALAPAGOS is provided by modern heated motorcoaches, and includes the full sightseeing program outlined in the itinerary. All entrance fees to the places listed in the itinerary are included. TOUR-ESCORT is provided in Quito by a local English-speaking guide and in the Galapagos by local English-speaking “naturalists”. BAGGAGE will be carried free of charge by the airlines for one piece provided that the total combined dimensions (length plus width plus height) does not exceed 106 inches. The one piece of baggage per person may not exceed 50 lbs or 23 kg. Carry- on baggage must not exceed 39 inches and must conform to the underseat shape of 9 by 14 by 22 inches. WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED PERSONAL ITEMS such as laundry and telephone calls. PASSPORTS must be carried by each tour member and must be valid 6 months beyond tour date. Prices and Arrangements: Quoted tour prices include planning, handling and operational charges, are based on current rates of exchange, tariffs and taxes as of this printing. Frosch Travel reserves the right and if warranted, will increase tour prices to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange markets, or increases in government airline taxes and/or fuel charges should they come into effect at any time prior to departure. CANCELLATION PENALITIES CANCELLATION OF AIR TICKETS & LAND ARRANGEMENTS Cancellations and refunds are governed by the tariff applying to the Super Apex airfare and/or other tariffs of the airlines concerned. This airfare is non-refundable once ticketed. Land arrangements are non-refundable upon Final Payment Friday, October 1, 2015. TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE IS RECOMMENDED AND IS AVAILABLE THROUGH FROSCH TRAVEL, INC. RESPONSIBILITY This tour is arranged by Frosch Travel, Inc., One Greenway Plaza, Suite 800, Houston, Texas 77046 and The Kinkaid School. All tickets and coupons governing transportation and other services and facilities furnished are issued by Frosch Travel, Inc. only as agents for such other companies furnishing such services and facilities, and neither they nor their sub-agents shall be held liable for loss or damage to property or injury to person caused by reason of any defect by any transportation company, agent, or any such party providing such services. Frosch Travel, Inc., Kinkaid School and its sub-agents reserve the right to withdraw services and make changes and alterations in the itinerary as may be necessary in their judgment for the proper handling of the tour. The airlines concerned are not to be held liable for any act, omission, or event during the time the passengers are not on board their planes or conveyances.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Giant Tortoises Under Threat by EM
    Giant Tortoises Under Threat by E. M. Fay Tortoises are among the longest-living animals on earth. Land-dwelling turtles of the family Testudinidae, they are vegetarian reptiles. Although they are found on 6 of the seven continents and on some islands, most of the approx. 40 living species are in Africa, especially in Madagascar. Giant tortoises are believed to have developed at least as early as the Cretaceous Period, over 100 million years ago. Slow-moving under their high, domed shells, giant tortoises have sturdy legs. In certain folklore, they represent determination, deliberateness, long life, and wisdom. When countries and cultures were relatively separate from one another, traditional cultural beliefs afforded a certain amount of protection to this ancient race. As Mr. Herilala Randriamahazo, an official of Madagascar’s Turtle Survival Alliance says, “People respected tortoises. They did not even touch them.” As man travelled more extensively around the world, however, and those humans from countries unfamiliar with giant tortoises “discovered” them, they tended to think of these majestic beings as just another resource to be exploited. Tortoises are now extinct on most of their former island homes because they were slaughtered for their meat and their shells. Their habitats were destroyed both by man himself, and by the introduction http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13799205 (by humans) to their islands of goats, pigs, rats, and other animals who ate their eggs and their young, and competed with them for food. Giant tortoises once native to some 30 islands in the Indian Ocean now have only one representative group living, those from South Aldabra Island.
    [Show full text]
  • Giant Tortoises with Pinta Island Ancestry Identified In
    Biological Conservation 157 (2013) 225–228 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Biological Conservation journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/biocon Short communication The genetic legacy of Lonesome George survives: Giant tortoises with Pinta Island ancestry identified in Galápagos a, a a,b c d Danielle L. Edwards ⇑, Edgar Benavides , Ryan C. Garrick , James P. Gibbs , Michael A. Russello , Kirstin B. Dion a, Chaz Hyseni a, Joseph P. Flanagan e, Washington Tapia f, Adalgisa Caccone a a Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA b Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, MS 38677, USA c College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA d Department of Biology, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC, Canada V1V 1V7 e Houston Zoo, Houston, TX 77030, USA f Galápagos National Park Service, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador article info abstract Article history: The death of Lonesome George, the last known purebred individual of Chelonoidis abingdoni native to Received 22 August 2012 Pinta Island, marked the extinction of one of 10 surviving giant tortoise species from the Galápagos Archi- Received in revised form 9 October 2012 pelago. Using a DNA reference dataset including historical C. abingdoni and >1600 living Volcano Wolf Accepted 14 October 2012 tortoise samples, a site on Isabela Island known to harbor hybrid tortoises, we discovered 17 individuals with ancestry in C. abingdoni. These animals belong to various hybrid categories, including possible first generation hybrids, and represent multiple, unrelated individuals. Their ages and relative abundance sug- Keywords: gest that additional hybrids and conceivably purebred C.
    [Show full text]
  • The Galapagos
    The Galapagos Islands of Fire The Galapagos Islands teem with wildlife, above and below the water. Even the rocks are alive and constantly threatening to erupt as volcanoes vent their fury in this spectacular and historic place. By Tony Karacsonyi nother feature of these isles is their emphatic Born of fi re as the tips of submarine ‘uninhabitableness’. It is deemed fi t for… the volcanoes, the Galapagos Islands is a place where “A evolution can be observed ‘in-situ’. Hundreds jackel itself; …but the encantadas refuse to harbour of kilometres from mainland Ecuador, animals even the outcasts of the beasts. Man and wolf alike and plants set adrift have somehow found and colonised these desert islands. Floating rafts of disown them. Little but reptile life is here found; vegetation, wind, air currents and oceanic drift tortoises, lizards… and that strangest anomaly of have all helped this colonisation, otherwise know as “sweepstakes dispersal”. outlandish nature, the iguano. No voice, no lo, no Birds displaced from migratory routes howl is heard; the chief sound of life here is a hiss” landed here, and sea birds carried seeds and invertebrates. Animals set adrift in the ocean – Herman Melville, from las Encantadas, 1841. currents came from North, Central and South 4 6 7 America and the Caribbean. Californian sea lions Wilson, took us near shore and armed with mask and land birds came from North America, while and snorkel, we slipped into the green waters. pink fl amingos and Darwin fi nches came from the Marine iguanas scampered on shore and within Caribbean.
    [Show full text]
  • Puerto Ayora, June 25, 2012 Lonesome George, the Last Pinta Giant Tortoise Has Died
    WWF Galapagos Tel + 593 (5) 2526 053Ext 117 WWF Programa Regional Amazonas Norte &Chocó Darién [email protected] www.wwf.org.co Oficina Principal Calle 18 de febrero s/n y Piqueros Puerto Ayora – Galápagos Ecuador Press Release Immediate Release Puerto Ayora, June 25, 2012 Lonesome George, the last Pinta giant tortoise has died Lonesome George, the last individual of the giant tortoises from Pinta Island in his pen. Photo: David Jimenez‐Henao Lonesome George, the last individual of the Pinta giant tortoises (Geochelone abingdoni) died in his pen at the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island on Sunday June 24th. George was found in 1972 by a group of eager Galapagos National Park (GNP) wardens who were searching earnestly to ascertain whether the whole Pinta species population was extinct. Lonesome George was living in a special pen in the “Fausto Llerena Captive Breeding Center” in the GNP headquarters in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island. At the breeding center, GNP, with support from the Charles Darwin Foundation and other national and international scientific institutions were researching for ways to help perpetuate George’s lineage. Unfortunately, to date these efforts had been unsuccessful. George died in the company of two Española females, the genetically most closely‐ related species to the Pinta tortoises. George’s body is being kept under controlled conditions until a necropsy can be performed to identify the cause of his death. George is thought to have been more than 100 years old. The Galapagos Islands, a province of the Republic of Ecuador, is considered Earth´s natural laboratory of biological sciences.
    [Show full text]
  • Genovesa Submarine Ridge: a Manifestation of Plume-Ridge Interaction in the Northern Gala´Pagos Islands
    Article Geochemistry 3 Volume 4, Number 9 Geophysics 27 September 2003 8511, doi:10.1029/2003GC000531 GeosystemsG G ISSN: 1525-2027 AN ELECTRONIC JOURNAL OF THE EARTH SCIENCES Published by AGU and the Geochemical Society Genovesa Submarine Ridge: A manifestation of plume-ridge interaction in the northern Gala´pagos Islands Karen S. Harpp Department of Geology, Colgate University, Hamilton, New York 13346, USA ([email protected]) Daniel J. Fornari Geology and Geophysics Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, USA Dennis J. Geist Department of Geological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844, USA Mark D. Kurz Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, USA [1] Despite its circular coastline and calderas, Genovesa Island, located between the central Galapagos Platform and the Galapagos Spreading Center, is crosscut by both eruptive and noneruptive fissures trending NE-SW. The 075° bearing of the fissures parallels that of Genovesa Ridge, a 55 km long volcanic rift zone that is the most prominent submarine rift in the Galapagos and constitutes the majority of the volume of the Genovesa magmatic complex. Genovesa Ridge was the focus of detailed multibeam and side-scan sonar surveys during the Revelle/Drift04 cruise in 2001. The ridge consists of three left stepping en echelon segments; the abundances of lava flows, volcanic terraces, and eruptive cones are all consistent with constructive volcanic processes. The nonlinear arrangement of eruptive vents and the ridge’s en echelon structure indicate that it did not form over a single dike. Major and trace element compositions of Genovesa Ridge glasses are modeled by fractional crystallization along the same liquid line of descent as the island lavas, but some of the glasses exhibit higher Mg # than material sampled from the island.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecuador and Galapagos Islands Expedition
    Ecuador and Galapagos Islands Expedition February 11 – 25, 2021 Dear Travelers, Of all the programs I have designed this year, the Ecuador Galapagos Islands Expedition is the best, especially if we take into account the diversity offered by the second smallest country in South America: Ecuador. Ecuador is one of the few countries which formed the Gran Colombia, as envisioned by Liberator Simon Bolivar. As I host this unique tour, I will share with you the history of Ecuador and the vision of Simon Bolivar and the theory of evolution as described by Charles Darwin. -Carlos Fida Tour Host: Carlos Fida Carlos is a native of Argentina, where he taught at the Military Academy and the University of Patagonia. He is an expert in Latin American history. He has lectured to special interest groups while traveling and showing the wonders of South America to thousands of travelers. He is one of the foremost specialists in travel to Latin America. He was the recipient of several awards by Travel and Leisure Magazine and the South American Travel Association. TOUR DESCRIPTION DAY BY DAY Feb. 11th Transfer in Quito – Hotel Patio Andaluz Feb. 12th Colonial city tour in Quito & Middle of the World Monument visit – Hacienda Pinsaqui Feb. 13th Otavalo Indian Market & Cotacachi village visit– Hotel Patio Andaluz Feb. 14th Mindo Cloud Forest tour – Septimo Paraiso Lodge Feb. 15th Cloud Forest tour – Return to Quito – Hotel Mercure Feb.16th Cotopaxi National Park visit – Hacienda Abraspungo Feb. 17th Andean Train ride & Ingapirca Inca Ruins visit – Hotel Santa Lucia Feb. 18th Colonial city tour in Cuenca – Hotel Santa Lucia Feb.
    [Show full text]
  • Galapagos Cruise Itinerary
    CONTENTS WELCOME 5 CRUISE ITINERARY 6 8 day cruise 7 San Cristóbal Island 8 Española Island 9 Floreana Island 10 Santa Cruz Island 11 South Plaza Island 12 North Seymour Island 13 Bartholomew Island 14 Isabela Island 15 Fernandina Island 16 Santiago Island 17 Rábida Island 18 ISLAND VISITS 19 Visitor sites 19 Briefings 19 What to take on island excursions 19 Galapagos National Park rules 20 Wetsuit / snorkeling equipment 20 HEALTH & SAFETY 21 Safety 21 Snorkeling & swimming 21 Night time assistance 21 Landings 22 Keys 22 Crew areas 22 Smoking 22 DINING & REFRESHMENTS 23 Meals 23 Bar 23 Ice 23 Water 23 CABINS 24 Air-conditioning 24 Electrical current 24 Housekeeping 24 Beach Towels 24 Shower 24 Caring for the environment 24 Wake-up calls 24 FACILITIES & SERVICES ON BOARD 25 Lounge 25 Bulletin board 25 Telephone 25 Guest Book 25 Shop 25 Payments on board 25 Taxes & service charge 25 Cruise survey 26 Tipping / gratuities 26 Check out & airport transfer 26 ABOUT NINA 27 Deck plans 27 Catamaran specifications 28 Your crew 29 3 Motor Catamaran Nina “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” "I have called this principle, by which each slight variation, if useful, is preserved, by the term Natural Selection." “Man tends to increase at a greater rate than his means of subsistence.” “We must, however, acknowledge as it seems to me, that a man with all his noble qualities...still bears in his bodily frame the indelible stamp of his lowly origin.” Charles Darwin Naturalist (1809 - 1882) Motor Catamaran Nina WELCOME ABOARD Dear Guest, Welcome to Galapagos and welcome aboard the Motor Catamaran Nina.
    [Show full text]
  • Save Pdf (0.25
    Oryx Vol 41 No 3 July 2007 Human-caused and natural mortality of giant tortoises in the Galapagos Islands during 1995-2004 Cruz Ma´rquez, David A. Wiedenfeld, Sandra Landa´zuri and Juan Cha´vez Abstract Although the killing of giant tortoises in the from natural causes was 131. Many of these deaths can be Galapagos Islands has been prohibited since 1933, poach- attributed to events associated with the 1997–1998 El Nin˜o ing of tortoises still occurs. Personnel of the Galapagos or with outbreaks of disease on Santa Cruz Island in 1996 National Park Service and the Charles Darwin Research and 1999. The results indicate that poaching exceeds Station regularly survey populations of tortoises through- natural mortality, and is a significant factor affecting these out the archipelago and report all dead tortoises found. long-lived and slow-reproducing animals. Environmental For the 10-year period 1995–2004 the field personnel education efforts in the human population of southern reported evidence of 190 giant tortoises killed, primarily Isabela appear to have had little effect. Because tortoise on the southern portion of Isabela Island. For the first poaching takes place at a small number of sites, effective 6 years the number of tortoises found killed was ,15 per enforcement at those sites could reduce killing of tortoises. year, but since 2001 the number killed has increased dramatically, with 49 tortoises poached in 2004. During Keywords Galapagos Islands, Galapagos tortoise, the same 10 years the number of tortoises found dead Geochelone, mortality, poaching. Introduction Of the original 13 species of giant land tortoises on the Galapagos Islands (Ernst & Barbour, 1989) one, Giant land tortoises, although at one time abundant on the Floreana Island species Geochelone elephantophus all continents except Antarctica, now reside only on was extinguished by human pressure in the 1800s Aldabra atoll in the Seychelles Islands of the Indian (MacFarland et al., 1974).
    [Show full text]
  • Project Portfolio
    Project Portfolio 2014 Featured Projects: Ecosystem Restoration 1. Restoring Giant Tortoise Populations 2. Protecting Threatened Land Birds of Galapagos 3. Increasing the Galapagos Penguin Population through the Use of Artificial Nests 4. Citizens as Scientists: The Power of Observation in Natural Resource Management 5. Digital Eye on Galapagos: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Monitoring and Management 6. Fighting Invasive Parasites to Save Galapagos’ Most Endangered Birds 7. Research and Management of Invasive Insects Sustainable Society 1. Strengthening the Tomás de Berlanga School as a Model of Environment-focused Education and Teacher Training 2. Expanding Best Educational Practices Throughout Galapagos 3. Youth Leadership Development in San Cristóbal 4. Harmonious Living with Nature: Island-appropriate Buildings and Infrastructure 5. Monitoring Invasive Species in Cargo Ships and the Agricultural Zone to Improve Quarantine and Control Efforts 6. Integrated Watershed Study on San Cristóbal Island 7. Strengthening Local Non-profits: Capacity Building at FUNDAR- Galapagos 8. Improving the Visitor Experience at the Galapagos National Park 9. Bringing Galapagos to You: Tortoise Webcams to Engage and Inform Emerging Issues 1. Population Monitoring of Blue-footed Boobies in Galapagos: Evaluation of Indications of Population Decline 2. Biennial Symposium on Emerging Issues 3. Climate Change and Its Potential Impacts in Galapagos Knowledge Management 1. Knowledge Management for Galapagos 2. Data Collection and Library Support at the Charles Darwin Foundation Photos above by Galapagos Conservancy members, from top to bottom: Kris Lo Presto, Michelle Turner, 3. The Galapagos Report Michael Weinman, Bob Bowker GALAPAGOS CONSERVANCY 11150 Fairfax Blvd. Suite 408 w Fairfax, VA 22030 w USA w www.galapagos.org Ecosystem Restoration mammals, the expanded use of genetic research, and our resulting damage to ProJECT 4: understanding of how tortoises use the landscape have created native landscapes.
    [Show full text]
  • The Lonesome George Story Where Do We Go from Here?
    The Lonesome George Story Where Do We Go From Here? By Linda J. Cayot DOES GALAPAGOS INSPIRE YOU? This book was created and financed by Galapagos Conservancy to honor Lonesome George and to remind and inspire the people who read it to take The Lonesome George Story action to preserve, protect and restore our planet. Where Do We Go From Here? By Linda J. Cayot Galapagos Conservancy focuses exclusively on the preservation of the Galapagos Archipelago, working to protect these special islands, their timeless landscapes, and the rare and wonderful animals that inhabit them. To learn more or to HELP US PROTECT ITS FUTURE. support our efforts, please visit us online at: Published in 2014 by www.galapagos.org Saving one of the world’s great treasures o en español www.galapagos.org espanol.galapagos.org Designed by Lori A. Ulrich hen Lonesome George died on June 24, 2012, Wthe world lost the last of a species. Many who knew George well lost a friend. While species often disappear without a whisper, gone before anyone knows extinction is imminent, the plight of Lonesome George and the inevitable extinction of the Pinta Island tortoise was discussed, debated, and lamented around the world for 40 years before his death. I first met Lonesome George in March 1981, when I arrived in Galapagos to study the ecology of giant tortoises for my PhD. Seven years later, I returned to work for the Charles Darwin Research Station as Head of the Herpetology Department and supervised both the giant tortoise and land iguana breeding and rearing centers for the next nine years.
    [Show full text]
  • GALÁPAGOS Endemics Cruise
    GALÁPAGOS Endemics Cruise “The natural history of these islands is eminently curious, and well deserves our attention.” (Charles Darwin 1845) Swallow-tailed Gulls mating on “Bird Island”, a.k.a. Genovesa November 18 – 27, 2011 On board the Reina Silvia Tour Leader: Sam Woods with the help of Galápagos National Park guide Edison Franklin Ramirez Uribe Thanks to tour participant Chris Sloan for allowing us to use his photos for this report ALL photos were taken on this tour Galapagos Endemics Cruise November 2011 INTRODUCTION The Galápagos Islands lie in the Pacific Ocean, 600 miles (965km) off the coast of Ecuador, but are a world away from anywhere. This trip holds wide appeal: for the avid world lister it is a must for the thirty or so endemic bird species that can only be found there, for wildlife photographers and nature lovers it offers some unrivaled close-ups with birds, mammals, and reptiles like almost nowhere else, and for biologists and those interested in natural history, the link back to Darwin’s landmark expedition there is inescapable and absorbing. And that is just above the water. Below water a myriad of tropical marine life awaits too. We experienced all of this, time and again, on our eight day cruise of the islands. We managed to “clean up” on all of the possible endemic birds due to a specially-arranged itinerary that allowed us to visit all of the six islands that need to be visited in order to see them all. We landed on nine different islands in total during the cruise, arriving first at the airport on Baltra, before moving to North Seymour Island, just to the north of there.
    [Show full text]
  • A Legendary Journey Awaits 2019/20 All-Inclusive Galapagos Vacations for Modern Explorers
    2016 20162016 201620162016 201620162016 201620162016 201620152016 201520162016 202016152015 201520152016 201520152015 2015 2015 2015 “GOLD “GOLD“GOLD “GOLD“GOLD“GOLD “GOLD“GOLD“GOLD “GOLD“SILVER“GOLD “SILVER“GOLD“GOLD “GOLD“GOLD“SILVER “GOLD“GOLD“GOLD “GOLD“GOLD“GOLD “GOLD “GOLD “GOLD AWARD FOR AWAAWARD FORDR FOR AWAAWARD FORDAWAR FORDR FOR AWAAWARD FORDAWAR FORDR FOR AWAAWRDARD FOAWAR FORDR FOR AWAWAARD FORDAWAR FORDR FOR AWAAWARD FORDAWR FOARDR FOR AWAAWARD RDFOAWA RFORDR FOR AWAAWARD FORDAWAR FORDR FOR AWA“ARDW ARDAWAFOR OFRD FOR “AWARDAWA OF RD FOR “AWARD OF ENTERTAINMENT” ENTERENTERTAINMENT”TAINMENT” ENTERENTETAINMENT”RTENTERAINMENT”TAINMENT” ENTEENTERRTAINMENT”ENTERTAINMENT”TAINMENT” ENTERSUITETAINMENT”ENTE DESIGN”RTAINMENT” SUITESUITE DESIGN”ENTER DESIGN”TAINMENT” SUITERE DESIGN”STASUITEURANT DESIGN” RESTREASTURANTSUITEAURANT DESIGN” RESTREAURANTSTAREURANTSTAURANT RESTEXAURANTCELLENCERESTAURANT” EXCELLENCEREST”AURANT EXCELLENCE” CELEBRITY2016. CRUISES’ 17 2016.17 2016.17 PREMIUM SHIP CATEGORY PREMIU PREMIUM SHIPM CA SHIPTEGO CARYTEGORY PREMIU PREMIUM SHIPM PREMIU CA SHIPTE GOCAMRYTE SHIPGO CARYTEGORY PREMIU PREMIUM SHIPM PREMIU CA SHIPTEGO CAMRYTE SHIPGO CARYTEGORY PREMIU PREMIUMM SHIP PREMIU CA SHIPTEGO CAMRY TEGOSHIP CARYTEGORY PREMIUM PREMIU SHIPM PREMIU CA SHIPTEGO CAMTERY SHIPGO RYCATEGORY PREMIUM SHIP PREMIUMCATEGORY SHIP CATEGORY DESIGN” PREMIUM SHIP CATEGORY CELEBRITY CRUISES’ CELEBRITY CRUISES’ DESIGN” DESIGN” DESIGN”DESIGN”DESIGN” DESIGN”ALL 10 MAIN RESDESIGN”TAURANTS ALL 10 MAIN RESTAURANTDESIGN”S ALL 10 MAIN RESTAURANTS
    [Show full text]