ELKHORN SLOUGH FOUNDATION. announces A GALAPAGOS ISLANDS EXPEDITION July 14-24, For members and supporters of Elkhorn Slough

Transcription

1 ELKHORN SLOUGH FOUNDATION announces A GALAPAGOS ISLANDS EXPEDITION July 14-24, 2009 For members and supporters of Elkhorn Slough The Elkhorn Slough Foundation invites you to join our Expedition to the Galapagos Islands in the summer of 2009! Please join your friends and colleagues from Elkhorn Slough on this once-in-a-lifetime trip to Galapagos! We will travel on board the 100-passenger M/V Galapagos Legend, with comfortable accommodations and excellent meals. The itinerary will take you throughout the islands, with excellent Galapagos naturalist guides. In 2009 is the 200th Anniversary of Darwin s birth, the 150th anniversity of the publication of his book "The Origin of Species," as well as the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Charles Darwin Research Station in Galapagos. It is truly a year of celebration in Galapagos and a great year to go! Here is a copy of our Itinerary. Please let Mark Silberstein or Steve Webster know what questions you have, or contact Bob Nansen at Betchart Expeditions. Space is limited, so please let us know right away if you can join us! GALAPAGOS ITINERARY Day 1 - USA to Quito, Ecuador Depart San Francisco to Miami on American Airlines (or fly Continental Airlines to Houston), with direct connecting flights to Quito, Ecuador. Meet your guide and transfer to the Hilton Colon Hotel (2 nights) in the center of the city. Day 2 - Quito Begin today with a morning city tour of the capital of Ecuador. Visit the old section of Quito that is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, then the Panecillo for a commanding view of the city. Quito has a spectacular setting located in a high Andean valley surrounded by volcanos. Afternoon to continue your exploration of Quito. Welcome social. (B,D) Day 3 - Santa Cruz Transfer to the Quito airport and fly from Quito to Baltra. Meet your naturalist guides at the airport and cross the Itabaca Canal to the Island of Santa Cruz. In the afternoon, head into the highlands of Santa Cruz to look for the famous giant tortoises. Also see the twin pit craters and visit Cerro Chato. Welcome on board your ship, M/V Galapagos Legend, and evening briefing. Day 4 - Espanola Island This morning we will walk to the nesting grounds of the largest colony of Galapagos waved albatross. See the nuptial displays -- a highlight of the visit. Later visit the blowhole where water shoots about 75 ft up. Look for Darwin s finches, the Hood Island mockingbird and red-billed tropicbirds.

2 In the afternoon, land on a white coral beach amidst a large colony of sea lions. It s an open area where you can spot Galapagos hawks, American oyster catchers, Galapagos doves, and Hood mockingbirds, three species of Darwin finches, lava lizards, and marine iguanas. By snorkeling you can see many Galapagos marine species like King angelfish, Creole fish, damsel fish, parrot fish, colorful invertebrates, and maybe a white tipped reef shark. Day 5 - Floreana Island After a wet landing on a greenish colored beach, walk through black mangroves to a lagoon. This large, brackish lagoon holds one of the largest flamingo populations in the Galapagos. This island is best known for its endemic plants like the Galapagos millwork, passion flower, and button mangrove. Snorkelers can swim with playful sea lions. Next take a ride along the coast to observe blue-footed bobbies, sea lions, marine iguanas, and swallow-tailed gulls. Enjoy an hour of deep water snorkeling -- an unforgettable activity -- in a natural aquarium with colorful fishes, tame sharks, and rays. In the early afternoon visit Post Office Bay. Named in 1793, Captain James Colnett installed an empty barrel which served as an informal post box for sailors who passed through the Galapagos. A short walk from the famous barrel you ll come to a tunnel formed by lava flows. Down a path you can observe mockingbirds, Darwin s finches, yellow warblers, and lava lizards. You can also take a short trip in the dinghy to Lookout Point where you can enjoy a view of marine birds roosting. Day 6 - North Seymour & Dragon Hill This site is a major nesting colony of Swallow-tailed gulls, and blue-footed boobies and has the largest colony of magnificent frigatebirds in the archipelago. Sea lions can sometimes be seen surfing in the breakers. Afternoon to visit Dragon Hill and walk to a saltwater lagoon which is occasionally visited by pink flamingos. Then hike up to Dragon Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay. This area is a nesting site for numerous reintroduced land iguanas. There is also a Scalesia tree forest. Take a dinghy ride around Venice Island where the land iguanas are protected from the wild dogs that live on Santa Cruz. Day 7- Rábida and Santiago Islands This lava formed beach is dark red and frequented by sea lions. It is the geographic center of Galapagos and has the most diverse volcanic rocks in the Islands. You will walk to a salt water lagoon, where flamingos can sometimes be found and brown pelicans nest in the bushes along the shore. Nine species of Darwin s finches are found on Rabida and we will see some of them. Enjoy late morning snorkeling and afternoon landing on a dark sand beach of Puerto Egas. Most of the landscape is make of tuff-stone lava flows. You can observe hunting great blue herons, lava herons, and yellow crowned night herons. Look for marine iguanas grazing on algae beds alongside red Sally lightfoot crabs. There is a colony of fur-seals swimming in deep cool-water pools. Swim and snorkel from this sandy beach or along the rocky shoreline. Day 8 - Fernandina and Isabela Islands (Espinosa Point) Morning to see the largest marine iguanas mingling with Sally light foot crabs, as well as flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks, and playful sea lions. Late morning walk over volcanic formations little affected by erosion. Afternoon landing on Isabela, the largest island in Galapagos. On clear days you can see the five volcanic cones that form this island. The trail leads to Darwin s salt water lagoon and an excellent view of the lava fields and volcanic formations. You ll take a dinghy to observe marine life and enjoy some more snorkeling. Frequently, Galapagos penguins can be seen here. Graffiti believed to have been made by 19th century pirates helps passengers better appreciate the relationship between the islands and tourism today.

3 Day 9 - Bartolomé Some of the most amazing volcanic formations will be seen, such as lava bombs, lava tubes, spatter cones, and cinder cones. After hiking to the summit you can enjoy a great view of the surrounding islands, including Pinnacle Rock s eroded tuff cone. On the way to the summit, you ll often see colonies of marine iguanas, lava lizards, Tiquilla and various species of cacti. You ll be able to snorkel and see the Galapagos penguin, sea turtles, and maybe white tipped sharks from a safe distance. Black Turtle Cove is located on the north side of Santa Cruz Island. Take a dinghy through the nearly hidden red mangrove lagoon. The motor is turned off to allow close observation of marine turtles, white tipped reef sharks, spotted eagle rays, and mustard or yellow rays. Day 10 - Santa Cruz Island and the Charles Darwin Research Station Today we will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, staffed with international scientists conducting biological research and conservation projects. Here you ll be able to see different species of giant tortoises involved in the breeding program. Visitors can also admire the prickly pear cactus forest and many land birds. Later on, you can walk around the small town and shop for souvenirs. Passengers will take a bus to the airport for the flight back to the mainland via Guayaquil to Quito. Overnight at the Hilton Colon Hotel. Enjoy a farewell dinner in celebration of your journey! Day 11 - Quito to San Francisco Early morning flight to Miami and connecting flight to San Francisco. (meals aloft) Reservations, Deposits & Payments: A deposit of $1000 per person will reserve your space on this program. Please specify preferred cabin category. Please mail your deposit to: Bob Nansen or Marisa Eide, Betchart Expeditions Inc., Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA Phone (800) or (408) Fax (408) All potential passengers please make your reservation and deposit by April 1, Cancellation & Refund Policies: The final payment is due 90 days before departure. There is a $300 per person cancellation penalty for cancellations until 90 days before departure; after than time, the payment is nonrefundable. Trip cancellation insurance will be offered which will cover pre-existing medical conditions if purchased within 15 days of the date on your confirmation letter.

4 Questions? OR At Elkhorn Slough, please contact: Mark Silberstein or Steve Webster Phone (831) Fax (831) Contact Betchart Expeditions Inc. Bob Nansen or Marisa Eide Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA Phone (800) or (408) Fax (408) RESERVATIONS #1091 YES! I/We want to join the Elkhorn Slough Galapagos Islands Expedition, July 14-24, Please reserve space(s). As a deposit, I/we have enclosed a check for $ ($1000 per person), payable to Betchart Expeditions Inc. Trust Account. Name(s) Age Sex Age Sex Address City State ZIP Phone: Home ( ) Work ( ) #1: #2: Membership Elkhorn Slough Foundation: Yes No (I will contact Elkhorn Slough and become a member.) Accommodations Preference: Junior (6 cabins) Moon (3) Standard (1) Twin Twin share (with a friend) or assign a roommate Single (very limited single accommodations are available Nonsmoker Smoker Signature: Date: Signature: Date: Please Mail to: Marisa Eide Betchart Expeditions Inc Montebello Road Cupertino, CA

5 The per person cost includes: - 4 group transfers airport/hotel or vice versa in Quito. - Hotel Hilton Colon 3 nights twin share in Deluxe rooms (with breakfast buffet). - A half day city tour and welcome social. - Round trip tickets from Quito to Galapagos ($380 pp). - Galapagos National Park tax ($100 pp) and a new $10 Ecuadorian tax. - Leadership by Galapagos naturalist/guides. - Program administration. - Farewell dinner. The cost does not include: - Passengers air fare from USA to Quito, RT. - Single supplement at Hilton Colon Hotel in Quito (if required) 3 nights = $225 total. - Tips on board the ship (suggest approx. $100-$150 per person). - One lunch in Quito. - Independent transfers. Responsibility: Responsibility: Betchart Expeditions Inc. and the Elkhorn Slough Foundation act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transportation and hotels, and exercise every care possible. Operation of the yacht is solely the responsibility of Kleintours, an Ecuadorian company. We can assume no liability for injury, damage, delay, loss, accident or irregularity in connection with the services of any airplane, ship, motorcoach, or other conveyance used in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. We cannot accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, weather, sickness, strike, war, quarantine, terrorism, acts of God, or other causes beyond our control. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger as tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the right to substitute another leader of similar expertise or to reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure, in which case the entire payment will be refunded with no further obligation on our part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour. No refund will be made for the unused portion of any tour unless arrangements are made in sufficient time to avoid penalties. The price of the program is based on current tariffs and rates, and is subject to change. Any tariff, exchange rate, or fuel increases will be passed on to participants. Baggage is carried at the owner s risk entirely. It is understood that the air ticket when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and the airline concerned. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time passengers are not on board their plane or conveyance.