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	Trip dates: April 21-May 1, 2008 Trip cost: $3995 per person (price subject to change, final price will be published by May 2007) Trip leader: Richard Jepsen
The fame of the Galápagos Islands has reached far and wide, but nothing prepares you for seeing it with your own eyes. Join us for an intimate look at what Charles Darwin called “a little world within itself.” The Galápagos Islands are unlike any other place on the planet…a secret world where an amazing assemblage of wildlife reigns in a peaceable kingdom. In these equatorial islands, an almost primeval world awaits your discovery. The endearing creatures have never learned fear of humans, so you’ll get up-close encounters of the best kind (and awesome photos, too). Our active itinerary takes you right into the heart of this nature paradise. Daily nature walks bring you close to dancing blue-footed boobies and prehistoric-looking iguanas, and you’ll feel a wonderful sense of creation in progress while walking across bizarre lavascapes created just a century ago or hiking across the cinder slopes of an ancient volcano. And you won’t believe the underwater experience! The snorkeling is stunning, with a dazzling array of tropical fish, Galápagos penguins, sea turtles, and sea lions that insist on playing underwater tag. Skimming the surface by an easy-to-paddle “sit-on-top” sea kayak allows you to meander up mangrove inlets, paddle right up to sea lions and sea turtles, and provide hours of entertaining fun. No matter what your age, the Galápagos Islands bring out the kid in everyone. Aboard your chartered yacht, you’ll travel much as Darwin did aboard the original Beagle more than 150 years ago—although in a heck of a lot more style and comfort. Your yacht features cabins with private baths and showers and that are fully air-conditioned. We charter the boats exclusively for our groups and don’t “book into” the yachts as do many other companies. This allows us to keep a keen eye on trip operations and manage an unparalleled top-quality experience. You’ll soak up the sun, spot dolphins riding the “bow” wave, savor delicious fresh cuisine prepared by the chef, and enjoy the companionship of your fellow travelers. Mountain Travel Sobek has had a 37-year love affair with the Galápagos and we’re as passionate about these delightful islands now as when we first started operating small group adventures here in 1970. Over the years we’ve garnered an enviable reputation as the experts, with more experience than any other company specializing in small groups. We’ve also assembled a topnotch team of world-class guides who not only have degrees in the biological sciences, but even more importantly, years of experience guiding in Galápagos. They are certified by the Galápagos National Park Service at Level III, the highest possible. They make the trip fun, are active in conservation in Ecuador, and are just as passionate about the Enchanted Isles as we are. They are experts about all aspects of this unique corner of the world, and help us discover miracles and mysteries that make lifelong naturalists of us all.
Itinerary
This trip begins with a rendezvous at the Quito airport on April 21, 2008. April 21 ~ Arrive in Quito Arrive in Quito. Our representative will meet you outside the customs and immigration area at the airport. He or she will answer questions, brief you on the immediate arrangements, and escort you to your hotel. Swissôtel April 22 ~ Quito The day is free to explore on your own or take a tour into colonial Quito, visit the cloud forest to view dazzling hummingbirds, or tour the famous Otavalo market. We recommend visiting the colonial part of Quito on a city tour only, as the area is crowded and tourists are easy targets for pickpockets. Ecuador is also famous for its handicrafts, and you may wish to spend some time shopping. You’ll receive a packet of information about things to do on your own in the Quito area or tours that can be arranged through our representatives. April 23 ~ To the Galápagos Islands After breakfast at the hotel we have an early transfer to the airport. Fly from Quito to Guayaquil and connect with a flight to the Galápagos Islands (cost of flight not included). Board boat and begin a delightful week of exploration and relaxation. B,L,D…Mary Anne April 24 ~ Española island Española Island (also called Hood) has experienced more species isolation since it is upwind and up current from the rest of the islands, thereby prohibiting island interchanges. Española was also the first island to form and the first to be colonized from the mainland. As exploratory individuals left Española to colonize other islands, the ones left evolved into unique species because of their isolation. For instance, lava lizards and mockingbirds are larger species than elsewhere, and Hood marine iguanas acquire bright red and green splotches during the breeding season. Waved albatross, with a wingspan of over seven feet, circle the cliffs endlessly. We’ll walk among a large rookery of blue-footed and Nazca boobies . B,L,D…Mary Anne April 25 ~ Santa Cruz island At Santa Cruz Island we’ll spend the morning hiking in the highlands, looking for giant tortoises, woodpecker finches, and other specialties of the highlands; in the afternoon we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) in Puerto Ayora. B,L,D…Mary Anne April 26 ~ North Seymour While on North Seymour, we’ll visit a colony of magnificent frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies. There’s also a chance that we might spot a huge land iguana—the largest of this species found in the islands! B,L,D…Mary Anne April 27 ~ Isabela island/ Fernandina island Isabela, the largest island, is made up of a series of volcanoes. At Tagus Cove we’ll have a chance to see the endemic flightless cormorant, only found in the western portion of the archipelago. We’ll also hike up into the dry zone above Darwin Lake, where we may see the woodpecker finch, one of the few tool-using birds in the world. Farther up the trail, there is a great vista, well worth the climb. There’s also time for a short panga ride to look for penguins and noddy terns. On the Mary Anne we sail along the southwestern coast of Isabela to look for whales and visit the mangrove lagoons of Elizabeth Bay and lower slopes of Volcan Alcedo at Urbina Bay, where land iguanas and giant tortoises forage. Punta Espinosa on Fernandina Island is home to flightless cormorants, Galápagos penguins and hawks, and large numbers of marine iguanas. We’ll have a chance to walk on relatively recent lava flows and to snorkel, perhaps with a marine iguana or sea turtle. A population of sperm whales and several species of dolphins inhabit the nutrient-rich waters of the northwest corner of the islands and are sometimes spotted near Fernandina. B,L,D…Mary Anne April 28 ~ Santiago island At Puerto Egas on Santiago Island, we hike over ropy pahoehoe lava and examine its contorted shapes. Here and there tiny bits of vegetation peek through fissures in the rock. At Puerto Egas, intricate arched grottoes and tunnels etched in the lava protect Galápagos fur seals. We’ll walk overland to the Galápagos sea lion rookery and tide pools, where shorebirds and Sally Lightfoot crabs search for food. (Both the Galápagos fur seal and Galápagos sea lion are endemic to the islands.) B,L,D…Mary Anne April 29 ~ Bartolome island Bartolomé Island is perhaps the best island to witness the geological forces at work with its eroded cinder cones, sharp pinnacles of rock, black lava flows, and solidified ash. We can take an easy hike to its 600-foot summit for outstanding views. There’s great snorkeling here, too, and an opportunity to swim with Galápagos penguins. B,L,D…Mary Anne April 30 ~ End cruise and return to Quito Motor back to the port. Transfer to the airport and fly (cost not included) to Quito via Guayaquil, arriving in Quito in the late afternoon. (Lunch is included on the flight.) B,L…Swissôtel May 1 ~ Fly home Transfer to the airport for homeward bound flight. B… The above itinerary may vary because of changes made by the Galapagos National Park or the captain of the yacht because of weather or other conditions.
Stay a Little Longer! If you like to explore on your own, plan to arrive a day or two early, extend your trip after the tour, or add any of these great extensions to make your own dream Galápagos trip! Call us for the details, including prices. Some Galápagos departures also dovetail with our Andean Explorer and Inca Trail & Beyond programs. The Highlands of Ecuador: Otavalo Market. On a custom tour with an expert native guide, visit the Andean villages of the Otavalo Indians, widely esteemed for their weavings and handicrafts, and the world-famous market, where stalls are piled high with colorful ponchos, woolen goods, and Indian jewelry. Scenery along the way includes a landscape of snowcapped volcanoes and serene mountain lakes. You’ll stay at Hacienda Zuleta, an authentic and delightful country inn/working ranch, rated as one of the world’s “Top Ten Finds” by Outside magazine. Here you’ll have options to hike, horseback ride, mountain bike, visit a condor rehabilitation project on Zuleta’s 4,000 acres, and be treated to Zuleta’s hospitality and fresh Ecuadorian cuisine. 2 or 3 days. Sacha Lodge. A visit to the upper Amazon Basin at Sacha Lodge is a perfect complement to your Galápagos adventure. Canoe down jungle rivers and hike forest paths with a naturalist/guide and a native guide, observing the unique flora and fauna of the Amazon rain forest. Our base is a charming and comfortable lodge located on a beautiful jungle lagoon near the Napo River in one of the most ecologically rich areas in the world. New this year is Sacha’s 900-foot-long canopy walkway, with great views of wildlife, the canopy, and the foothills of the Andes. The lodge’s 135-foot birding tower in a huge kapok tree affords great views over the jungle treetops and allows fantastic sightings of canopy activity. Sacha is renowned for its service and great food, and is our favorite jungle lodge in Ecuador! 4 or 5 days. Cuzco & Machu Picchu, Peru. Step into the past and see the sights of Cuzco, Peru, including the nearby Inca ruins of Puka Pukara, Kenko, Tambo Machay, and the famous fortress of Sacsayhuaman, and enjoy an excursion to the World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu by train (an overnight at Machu Picchu is included). This is a fantastic complement to Galápagos with a visit to two World Heritage Sites—Machu Picchu and Galápagos! An additional night in Lima is required for Galápagos trip members at the beginning or end of the trip due to flight schedules between Quito and Lima. 4 or 5 days.
Cost: Mary Anne (16-passenger yachts) $3995 per person (price subject to change, final price will be published by May 2007) All rates quoted are per person, based on sharing double accommodations. Internal Airfare $395 per person age 12 and older (Mountain Travel Sobek will book and issue these tickets for you) $203 per person age 11 and under (clear photocopy of child’s passport must be received by Mountain Travel Sobek at least six weeks before departure in order to qualify) All internal airfare prices are subject to change without notice. Single Supplement On yacht and hotel nights in Quito: 16-passenger yachts (Mary Anne)—$3036 For hotel nights on land—$300 (3 nights at Swissôtel) What’s Included • expert leadership • cruise and hotel accommodations • meals as noted (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) • airport transfers • basic medical and evacuation insurance • Donation of $100 in your name to WildAid foundation in Galapagos What’s Not International airfare; airfare to Galápagos Islands and return (see separate cost above); insurance other than basic medical and evacuation insurance noted above (we strongly recommend you purchase the supplementary trip insurance offered by Mountain Travel Sobek, which includes trip cancellation insurance); optional tips to naturalist, crew, and local staff in Quito; Galápagos National Park fee ($100 per person); meals not noted on itinerary; excess baggage charges; airport departure tax in Quito ($37.93 per person—subject to change); and items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.). Air Travel Airfare is not included in the land cost of our trips. For air reservations, we recommend you contact the airlines directly, either by phone or the Internet. In addition, many travelers elect to use their “frequent flyer” miles when traveling with us. But please check with our staff before purchasing or obtaining your tickets. We need to verify your arrival and departure schedule and ensure we have enough participants to operate the trip. Payment & Cancellation Policy (This differs from regular Mountain Travel Sobek trips.) I. Payment At time of reservation: $400 120 days prior to departure: $1200 90 days prior to departure: balance of Land/Cruise Cost II. Cancellation If written notice of cancellation is received:  Cancellation Fee will be: From time of reservation until 120 or more days prior to departure:   $400 119 - 90 days prior to departure:  25% of Land/Cruise Cost 89 - 60 days prior to departure:   50% of Land/Cruise Cost 59 days or less prior to departure: 100% of Land/Cruise Cost  WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT Your Home Away From Home In our 36 years of exploring in the Galápagos, we’ve found that a small boat gives you a better, more intimate experience with more flexibility and time for shore excursions. Over the years we have developed relationships with yacht owners who offer the best service and amenities. Our deluxe yachts feature cabins with private baths and showers and are fully air-conditioned. They carry a maximum of 12-16 passengers, ensuring an intimate experience, unlike other boats carrying up to 90—or even more—passengers. Each carries a small fleet of sea kayaks to enhance our explorations. Kayaking is optional and does not replace any planned excursions. Meals will be prepared and served by the crew on board. Beverages such as soft drinks and beer are available for purchase on board. The Mary Anne is a deluxe tall motor sailing yacht whose speedy and elegant design continues the legendary Square-rigger Barquentine tradition.  This yacht was launched in 1997 in the Mediterranean. She is 216’ length over all, cruises at a speed of 12 knots, and carries 16 passengers with a crew of at least 8 and your expert naturalist guide.  Accommodations are provided in fourteen, fully air-conditioned cabins.  There are 6 cabins with full lower double and upper single berths and 8 cabins with smaller lower doubles and upper singles. Each cabin has a private bathroom with hot water showers. The facilities on board include a wood-paneled lounge with bar area, sundecks with seats on deck, an outdoor bar area, DVD & CD player, fresh-water maker, 4 kayaks, zodiacs for visits ashore, huge deck space and many common areas.  Your chef will prepare delicious fresh meals, including fresh fish, tropical fruits and a wide variety of vegetables Expert Leadership Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. We’ve assembled a topnotch team of world-class guides who not only have degrees in the biological sciences, but even more importantly, years of experience guiding in Galápagos. They make the trip fun, are active in conservation in Ecuador, and are just as passionate about the Enchanted Isles as we are. Each of them is certified by the Galápagos National Park service as a Naturalist Guide Level III, the highest level of certification. In addition, we seem to have amazing marine experiences that other companies don’t because of the experience of our guides. They know where and how to look for these unusual up-close experiences with pelagic species. We know you will thrive under their leadership! An OCSC escort will accompany the group during the duration of the trip. The following people regularly lead our trips: Luis Die was born in Seville, Spain, and is a graduate of the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid with a degree in environmental biology. He is fluent in Spanish, English, and French and has guided in Galápagos for more than a decade. In addition to being a professional nature photographer, Luis is working on a Master’s Degree in geographical ecology and is active with conservation groups on the mainland. Luis is a born teacher and enthusiastically shares his knowledge of Galápagos with people of all ages. He lives in Quito with his wife and twin sons and is manager of our guides. Carlos King has an abiding interest in biology and the wildlife of Ecuador. He earned a degree in environmental science from Southeast Missouri University and started guiding in Ecuador’s Amazon jungle in 1987. He became a Galápagos Naturalist guide in 1988 and has been guiding on the mainland and in the Enchanted Islands ever since. He lives in Quito, participating in conservation in the islands and on the mainland, and guides trips in Peru, Chile, and Galápagos throughout the year. Desiree Cruz loves Galápagos so much that she lives in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. Born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, she received her B.S. from the University of Guayaquil in biology with a specialty in botany. She has been a naturalist guide in Galápagos since 1987 and has served in several capacities for the Galápagos National Park Service, including Deputy Director. Desiree is fluent in Spanish, English, and German. She has worked with Sea Shepherd in Galápagos, an organization dedicated to protecting the marine reserve from poaching, and is an advocate for conservation in Galápagos. She balances her conservation work with the delight of sharing her love of nature and Galápagos with our trip members. Desiree is a “guide’s guide” and works part-time teaching naturalist guides in Galápagos. With two decades of experience as a naturalist guide in Galápagos, Greg Estes brings an unmatched depth of knowledge to his guiding skills. Born in Hollywood, California, he has a B.S. in biology from the University of London, and specializes in Darwin research, conservation issues, and professional photography. Greg combines research with guiding in a lively and interesting way. He and his wife, Thalia, are currently working on a book about Darwin and Galápagos and are also doing research on a new nesting colony of blue-footed boobies on Genovesa Island. Because he lives in Puerto Ayora with his family, Greg is also able to give an insider’s glimpse as to what is happening in the islands. Klaus Fielsch, born in Quito to a German-Ecuadorian family, is trilingual in English, Spanish, and German. He studied at Montclair State University in New Jersey and New York State University. Pursuing a lifelong interest in nature, Klaus started working as a naturalist guide in Ecuador’s upper Amazon Basin in 1989, was assistant director of a biological research station in Cuyabeno along the Aguarico River in 1991, and has been working full time as a naturalist guide in Galápagos for over a decade. Klaus is also an avid mountaineer, surfer, and diver. He lives in Quito with his wife and young son, Martin. He is passionate about Galapagos and loves to communicate his knowledge with people of all ages. In Quito, you will be met by a local guide who will assist with all airport transfers and any pre-arranged extensions. Your Galápagos trained naturalist will meet the group on arrival in the islands or in Quito and accompany the group throughout the cruise. He or she will take you on excursions to the islands or on swimming/snorkeling/ kayaking outings and will share knowledge of flora and fauna. The yacht captain and his crew will make sure that you are safe, comfortable, and well fed on board. Activity Level Mountain Travel Sobek trips are designed for flexible, energetic people who like to be active and who have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. Life on board a small boat requires physical agility and a flexible and social nature. Anyone who is in good health and leads an active life will enjoy this trip. Daily excursions from the yacht to the islands will be made in Zodiacs or pangas (dinghies). You’ll hike from a landing point to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to study, photograph, and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are “wet,” requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. Crewmembers will be on hand to assist. Although Galápagos is rated in our catalog as level “one” in difficulty, it’s important to have a good sense of balance for walking on lava flows and boulders and for disembarking from a bouncing Zodiac onto a lava landing. Snorkeling There will be many opportunities for snorkeling during all departures. Although the boats provide some snorkeling gear, we recommend you bring your own mask, snorkel, and fins to ensure a good fit and for sanitary reasons. Wetsuits (2-4 mm thickness) are definitely recommended for the cool season (April-October) when water temperatures range from 60-68; some people prefer to wear a “skin” or 1-2 mm wetsuit in the warm season (November-March) when water temperatures range from 68-75, as cool waters flow through the archipelago throughout the year. Seasonal Considerations The Galápagos Islands are a year-round destination. The best time to visit is up to your individual preference. There are two seasons in the Galápagos: the warm season (November-March) and the cool season (April-October). The cooler waters of the Humboldt Current bring rich oceanic upwellings to the Galápagos in April, thereby stimulating the breeding season for sea lions and seabirds. During the cool season, daytime temperatures are generally in the 70s and water temperatures in the 60s (a wetsuit is recommended for snorkeling); this season is the best time of the year for viewing dancing boobies, courting albatrosses, baby sea lions, and whales and dolphins, with comfortable short sleeve weather for hiking. There is usually some fog that drifts in and out (known locally as garua) from July to mid-October and a one- to two-foot chop in the open ocean during this time, but don’t let this deter you! This is our favorite time in the islands—wildlife abounds! In November, the Humboldt Current starts to recede and the warmer Panamic Current ushers in warmer daytime temperatures of 80-90+ and water temperatures in the low to mid-70s. Showers can accompany the warm season, but waters are generally calm and clear and showers are short and welcome. This is a great time to enjoy the warmer waters for snorkeling and to view green sea turtles that come into the islands to breed. All our trips year-round feature hikes in the highlands to look for giant tortoises. No matter when you visit, there’s always a lot to see in the Galápagos.
THE NEXT STEP Ready to go? Signing up is easy! Just call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) and reserve your spot! You can also book a reservation online at our website (www.mtsobek.com). If you prefer to use a travel agent, he or she can book your trip at no extra cost and provide other helpful assistance. Then Leave the Rest to Us Before you go, we provide you with extensive pre-departure information, including clothing recommendations, suggested reading lists, up-to-date health advice prepared by our consulting physician (an expert in wilderness medicine), and other details. Why Mountain Travel Sobek is Your First Choice for Adventure Mountain Travel Sobek is the pioneer in active adventure travel. No other adventure travel company can lay claim to that title. We were the first to take Americans trekking in Nepal, raft the wild rivers of Africa, and open up many previously inaccessible corners of the world to curious travelers. We’ve been operating small group departures in the Galápagos since 1970 and have more experience than any other company specializing in small groups. Back then, our groups were really small and since the boats didn’t go all that fast, we needed almost three weeks to reach all the places we wanted to see! And with more than 45 year-round departures, we can assure a getaway that fits anyone’s busy calendar. Our goal is to maximize your Galápagos experience, as an adventure to these magical isles can be the trip of a lifetime! We specialize in an “active” Galápagos adventure, with plenty of hiking, sea kayaking, swimming, and snorkeling fun. We charter the most comfortable deluxe yachts in the islands (and don’t “book into” the yachts as do many other companies), so we can provide an unparalleled experience: an interesting itinerary that allows you to see the best of the islands; top-notch naturalist guides; delicious, satisfying cuisine; the most comfortable accommodations. A Commitment to Conservation Mountain Travel Sobek is actively committed to preserving the Galápagos, working hand in hand with WildAid and the Galápagos Forever Fund, US$100 for each participant will go towards the WildAid foundation “Galapagos Forever” campaign. The underlying philosophy of WildAid’s ‘Galapagos Forever’ program is to ensure the integrity of the Galapagos ecosystems by  providing direct support to local initiatives that reduce poaching, educate Ecuadorians on environmental management issues and create sustainable economic alternatives compatible with conservation goals.  Since 1998, WildAid has worked in close partnership with the Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS) and the community alike, often fulfilling the roles of both technical advisor and intermediary.  Our aim is to bring about peaceful, sustainable solutions to the islands’ growing problems by working with all sectors. References Don’t take our word for how great our trips are. We’ll be happy to provide you with references of satisfied past travelers. Questions? Feel free to call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) if you still have any questions or concerns. We’re here to help you. You can also check out our website at www.mtsobek.com. Note on Itinerary Although we will do our very best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed, it is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. Please read the Limitations of Liability and Booking Conditions in the four-page Participant Information Form. Note on Services We often use local suppliers who provide services that may include transportation, equipment, logistic support, and other services (hotels, restaurants, etc.). We do not own or operate these independent suppliers. We work with service providers who share our commitment to safety and quality, and work closely with them to develop itineraries unique to Mountain Travel Sobek. Conditions of Participation Your participation on a Mountain Travel Sobek trip is subject to the conditions stated in the four-page Participant Information Form, which includes the Agreement and Release from Liability and the Booking Conditions. We urge you to read this information carefully, and to call us if you have any questions. ©2005, Mountain Travel Sobek
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