Galapagos Islands Photo Tour - November 28th to December 8th, 2020
Please note as of Oct 21, 2020 our Galapagos Islands Photo Tour has been deferred to 2021 due to travel restrictions related to Covid-19. We will be updating shortly, thank you for our patience.
Galapagos Islands ... "A wonder of the natural world" The Galapagos Islands are situated in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 1000 km from the continent of South America. Seismic and volcanic activity reflect the process that has formed the islands.Photographers are invited to join us on our photo adventure to these intriguing Islands, we will be visiting the north most island of Genovesa, home of the Red Footed Booby and south most islands home of the wide winged albatos during our tour. We will photograph and explore the many coves, lagoons, landscapes, birds and animals that make this region one of the most unique places in the world.
As a private photo group this is a great opportunity to capture these remote islands, unique inhabitants, and one of the few places left on the planet where the footprint of the human presence is kept to a minimum. We work with our guides to get on the islands early each morning. Our group will be sailing and onboard our own private yatch. Please note we are pleased to offer three days in Quito during our tour two pre Galapagos and one post.
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Day One: Saturday November 28th, 2020 10:30 Morning coach departure offered from London to Toronto. Toronto and area guests will meet at Pearson International. We are flying from Terminal 1 via Avianca Airlines to Quito International Airport. Our flight departs at 3:25 p.m. After clearing customs and immigration in Quito, we will be met by our local tour representative who will assist with luggage and transfer to our hotel for check-in. Two nights in Quito, Swiss Hotel (B)
Day Two: Sunday November 29th, 2020 After breakfast at our hotel we will visit the Markets, touring some of the old world streets, and the Spanish Quarter. We have an optional cable car adventure today. This is an opportunity for a high vantage view of Quito and the surrounding mountains. Those who do not wish to do the cable car will visit the central quarter of Quito. Overnight Swiss Hotel. (B) (D)
Day Three: Monday November 30th, 2020 After breakfast at our hotel we will check-out and take our shuttle transfer to Quito airport to board the flight departing from Quito to Baltra, Galapagos Islands, which is approximately a two and a half hour flight. We will meet our guide at the airport and board our shuttle bus to our ship the Archipell 1. We will have time to settle into our cabins, have lunch and then in the afternoon we will visit the island of North Seymour Island. (B) (L) (D)
Day Four: Tuesday December 1st, 2020 Our Galapagos continues with our visit to Genovesa Island, an imploded volcano. Its distinct horse-shoe shape was formed from the eruption of a shield volcano. A volcano with broad gentle slops built up over time by repeated lava flows. We will visit Darwin Bay. Genovesa has developed the reputation as being know as bird island because of the numerous and varied bird species that nest here. You will have opportunity to photograph an abundance of Frigate birds, Nazca and Red-footed Boobies, Swallow-tailed Gulls, Storm Petrels, Red-billed Tropic birds, Finches and Mocking birds. Genovesa is one of two places in the Galapagos Islands where Red-footed Boobies are found in large populations. This evening we sail for Baratolme Island. (B) (L) (D)
Day Five: Wednesday December 2nd, 2020 This morning we will have a dry landing on Bartolomé. We will see volcanic formations such as lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. We will follow the board walk and stairs as we hike to the summit. From here great panoramic photographs as you enjoy a great view of the surrounding islands, including Pinnacle Rock’s eroded tuff cone. Later in the morning we will also photograph the Galapagos penguins, sea turtles, and white tipped sharks. Later we will visit Sulivan Bay on Santiago another dry landing. Most of the landscape is comprised of layers of rocks and lava flows. Here we will photograph the interesting striations and patterns in this 100 year old lava flow. We will also photograph Marine Iguanas and red sally light-footed crabs. Also a colony of Fur-Seals swimming in pools of cool water along the shoreline. (B) (L) (D)
Day Six: Thursday December 3rd, 2020 Today we will visit the Darwin Research Station on the Island of Santa Cruz to see the giant Galapagos tortoises. The research station is 10 minutes from the centre of town and conducts research and provides technical assistance to other researchers and governmental agencies, including the Galapagos National Park. After lunch we travel to the Santa Cruz highlands to see the giant tortoises that inhibit the region. Beginning at the coast and traveling north along the road to Baltra, the road climbs through the agricultural zone and into the mist covered forests of the highlands. Late in the afternoon we will return to Puerto Ayora village and transfer back to our ship. (B) (L) (D)
Day Seven: Friday December 4th, 2020 This morning we will visit Commorant Point on Floreana Island. The island offers two contrasting beaches; the first is a green sand beach, made green by the presence of olivine crystals, and the second Flour Beach, made of fine, pulverized coral. The main highlight is the flamingo lagoon. Later in the afternoon we sail to Post Office Bay, this is the old meeting point of 18th century ships. A group of whalers placed a wooden barrel in 1793 and called it post office. Traveling seamen would leaved addressed letters in the barrel and hope that the next seaman to come along might be headed in the direction of their letters destinations. Today you can leave your own postcard and sift through the current pile of cards - if you find one, you can hand deliver or mail it when you get home. (B) (L) (D)
Day Eight: Saturday December 5th, 2020 This morning a visit to the island of Espanola best known for being the sole breeding ground for the entire population of the world’s Waved Albatrosses. We will hike the trail past rugged shore lines. The beach of Gardner Bay offers one of the best beach experiences in the Galapagos. Three species of Darwin’s finches and Espanola Mockingbirds may be seen at this site. This afternoon we will visit Suarez Point to experience the sea lions and the brightly coloured red and green marine iguanas. These are the only marine iguanas that remain coloured throughout the year. (B) (L) (D)
Day Nine: Sunday December 6th, 2020 This morning we will visit San Cristobal Island and travel to Punta Pitt Islet where we drop anchor and experience spectacular landscapes and if lucky all three species of boobies. This afternoon visit Cerro Brujo which is located on the north side of San Cristobal Island. Cerro Brujo offers an excellent landscape, from where you can see the Leon Dormido (Sleeping Lion) rock formation. We will have opportunities to photograph lake and coastal birds. Another day of beauty in the Galapagos. Tonight will be our farewell dinner and toast to our ships crew. (B) (L) (D)
Day Ten: Monday December 7th, 2020 This morning we will visit Isla Lobos home of two different species of sea lions and a small population of blue footed boobies and common frigate birds. Then return to San Cristobal where we and disembark, saying goodbye to the crew and our ship. We will then transfer to the airport for our flight back to the mainland and on to Quito. On arrival in Quito we will transfer to our hotel for check in and over night Wyndham Hotel located 5 minutes from Quito International Airport. (B)
Day Eleven: Tuesday December 8th, 2020 Travel Day, we will transfer to the Quito airport for our flight home, via Avianca Airlines arriving into Toronto Pearson International Airport at 1:45 p.m. After clearing customs we will say good bye to our Toronto guests and those from London and region will meet our motor coach arriving in London at approximately 5:30 p.m. in the afternoon. (B)
The Archipell I offers space and comfort; the stability and speed make this catamaran a perfect partner for the adventure of discovering the Galapagos Islands. The catamaran has 6 twin cabins and 2 cabins with matrimonial beds all on the main deck. All of the cabins have private bathrooms and air-conditioning. The Archipell I also has a comfortable dining room, TV, DVD, stereo, library, an indoor bar, a bar on the upper deck and a spacious tanning deck with reclining chairs. In addition, all cabins are located on the main deck with an outside view. The boat also has a complete crew of 9 including a naturalist guide level III, who has been trained and licensed by the Galapagos National Park at the Charles Darwin Research Station.
** Please note, this ship will be a private charter for our Photo Group.
Ships Capacity: 16 PAX plus Crew: 9 and 1 Naturalist Guide
Facilities on Board: All the social areas are fully air conditioned, comfortable lounge, deck bar, dining room, library, observation deck.
Cabin Facilities: 8 exterior cabins. All cabins have ocean views and air conditioning.
December Temperatures:
The Galapagos Islands are Max 27 C (81F) Min 19.5 C (67F) Sea Temperature 21C (70F), and minimal rainfall the highest average of clears skies in the year.
The Galapagos is a place that can be visited at any time of the year, from June to December the southern trade winds bring the colder Humboldt Current north to the Galapagos. This means that the water is cooler, and a layer of high atmosphere mist pervades the island skies. In effect, the highlands of the larger islands are kept green and lush while the sea level islands and shorelines have little precipitation. Thus, June to December is generally called the "dry season" which is known for its blue skies and mid-day showers. Temperatures range from 24C to 26C daytime and 16C to 20C overnight.
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The cost of Galapagos Island Tour is $7379.00 per person CAD based on double occupancy including air departing from Toronto, plus air taxes of $263.89 CAD plus HST $12.09. Single supplement is available only for Swiss Hotel and Wyndham Hotel 3 nights for an additional $410.00 CAD.
Booking space for this tour may be done online by clicking on the link above:
A non refundable deposit of $850.00 CAD is required at time of booking, a second deposit of $850.00 March 18th, 2020 with the balance of $5954.98 due September 18th, 2020.
Or you may select deposit plus 6 payments of $1134.17 - Apr 18th, May 18th, Jun 18th, Jul 18th, Aug 18th, Sep 18th, 2020.
Tourcan Vacations and Photo Tour Trekkers recommends the purchase of travel and health insurance as our tour takes us out of country. Proof of Out of country medical insurance is required to enter Ecuador.
Your Tour Includes:
- Round trip coach for those joining us from London region to Pearson Airport, Toronto
- Departures from London, Woodstock, and Toronto other points may be requested
- Round Trip Toronto to Quito Airfare via Avianca Airlines
- Round Trip Airfare Quito to San Cristobal Airport, Galapagos Islands
- Two nights accommodations Swiss Hotel in Quito with breakfast pre Galapagos
- One night accommodation Airport Wyndham Hotel with breakfast post Galapagos
- All airport and hotel transfers
- Seven nights onboard the Archipell I
- Three Meals per day while onboard the ship
- Daily visits to the islands as per itinerary with naturalist guide,
- Snorkelling, all transfers to / from the Islands to the ship, snorkelling equipment included
- Fuel Surcharge
- Photo Workshops and briefings about the Islands
- Welcome Dinner Achiote in Quito
- Tour hosted and escorted by photographer James Cowie
Excludes:
- Ingala Tourist control card $20 US
- Galapagos National Park entrance fee $100 US
- Wet suits available for rental onboard
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks onboard the ship, laundry and crew tips
** Cruise Schedule may vary according to Galapagos National Park Rules
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