These "enchanted isles" made famous by Charles Darwin, and more recently by several evocative TV documentaries, are the number one destination for most wildlife enthusiasts. Our superb tour starts with a full 10 day cruise aboard our exclusive "first class" motor yacht the "San Jose" which was built specifically to cruise the Galapagos Islands. We will visit all the most important islands, giving us the best possible opportunities to look at some of the tamest wildlife imaginable, from the 26 endemic bird species to spectacular seabird colonies, Giant Tortoises, Marine Iguanas, whales and dolphins. This will prove to be an unforgettable experience! If you've ever wanted to visit these magical islands then this tour will live up to all your expectations. To finish off our holiday we will spend the last few days in an exquisite cloud forest lodge in Ecuador, where you have the chance to explore the extensive trails looking for a wealth of tropical bird species, or just relaxing while hummingbirds visit the feeders set out in the lodge's lush grounds. And what better way to finish than by visiting a lek of the truly spectacular Andean Cock-of-the-Rock.

Our Tour Itinerary

Day 1 We take a morning flight from U.K. via Madrid arriving in Quito, Ecuador late evening. Overnight Quito.

Day 2 This morning we take a flight from Quito to the small island of Baltra in the Galapagos Islands, where we board our "first class" motor yacht the "San Jose" our home for the next 10 days. Today a short trip to Bachus on Santa Cruz will give us our first views of Greater Flamingo and Marine Iguanas. We then use the night time to cruise towards Genovesa, truly a birdwatchers paradise!

Day 3 As we wake to the sight of Genovesa, we will be greeted by volcanic sea cliffs and white coral beaches. After setting foot on this pristine land we can walk amidst the incredibly tame Red-footed and Nazca Boobies, and marvel at the Great Frigatebirds with their huge red inflatable throat-pouches, while Red-billed Tropicbirds glide past and vie for photographs. In fact throughout the tour you will be amazed at how easy it is to photograph the wildlife even without a zoom lens, as these unique creatures sit just a few feet away totally unconcerned. Our first full endemic species, the beautiful Swallow-tailed Gull, should be found and Wedge-rumped Storm Petrels are active by day. Here also are a few of Darwin's Finches, birds that helped formulate the theory of evolution.

Red-footed Booby

Days 4 - 10 As we are not in a sailboat we will not be dictated to by the winds and we should therefore be able to follow our planned itinerary. Unfortunately for other visitors this is not always the case. Over the following days we will cruise at night enabling us to make the most of each island during the day. Our circuit now takes us from spectacular Genovesa to Bartolome with its famous pinnacle rock, impressive views and colony of Galapagos Penguins and Fur Seals. We then continue by James Island and spend three days visiting different areas of Isabella. Here amongst even more spectacular scenery we will search for Flightless Cormorant, Lava Gull, Lava Heron, Galapagos Hawk, Short-eared Owl and a selection of finches including Vegetarian, Large and Small Tree-Finch, Woodpecker, Mangrove and Warbler Finches. We will visit the highlands, venture up to Sierra Negro volcano and also search for Giant Tortoises. We will then cruise to Floreana, the only island where Medium Tree-Finch can be found. We should also find Galapagos Flycatcher, Vermillion Flycatcher, Charles Mockingbird, Galapagos Rail, Galapagos Dove and much more. On then to the most southern and remote Espanola Island, or Hood as it is often called. This island is the breeding ground for the endemic Waved Albatross, a magnificent bird which we also have a chance to see anywhere at sea! Other birds here can include any of the four Ground-Finches, Hood Mockingbird, Galapagos Martin, Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies, as well as Red and Green Marine Iguanas, Sea Lions and even the famed Blow Hole! We then head back to Santa Cruz where we visit the Charles Darwin Station and a chance to observe the tortoise research and breeding programme. We take a trip into the highlands and view enormous pit craters, lava tunnels and hopefully some wild Giant Tortoises. As we travel around these islands, watching beautiful sunsets and sunrises, we shall encounter much more than briefly described here. At sea we can watch several species of storm-petrel and shearwaters, while Bottle-nosed and Spinner Dolphins play in front of our boat, and whale species could include Orca, Sperm, Bryde's and Humpback, and there is also a possibility of the huge Whale Shark. Add of this Lava Lizard, Galapagos Snake, Sally Lightfoot Crabs and a whole host of beautifully coloured tropical fish that we have opportunities to swim amongst, and you wouldn't be wrong in saying that this has to to allbe the ultimate in wildlife watching experiences.

Day 11 We visit North Seymour with its countless sea lions, frigatebirds with their huge red inflated throat pouches, boobies with cute little chicks and rare Lava Gulls, before returning to Baltra to catch our plane back to Quito. On arrival we will be met by our coach and drive to a wonderfully secluded lodge, set amidst a picturesque and private forest where numerous hummingbirds visit the bird feeders right outside the front porch.

Magnificent frigatebird

Days 12 - 14 Our lodge, set in the Tandayapa valley, offers a perfect introduction to the birds of Ecuador. This veritable jungle with its profusion of birdlife and extensive trails, offers the chance to see some of the 360 species of birds recorded here. Over 30 species of hummingbird can be seen in our few days here as well as a good selection of 'Choco endemics'. The gardens of our lodge can easily produce 50 species in a morning, and by travelling a little further we can search for specialities such as White-capped Dipper, Lyre-tailed Nightjar, Golden-headed Quetzal, Masked Trogon, Toucan Barbet, Club-winged Manakin, Beautiful Jay, Ocellated Tapaculo, Choco Toucan, Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Green-and-Black Fruiteater, Cinnamon Becard, Andean Solitaire, Slate-throated Whitestart, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Tanager Finch, numerous spectacular tanagers and a multitude of dazzling hummingbirds with names like Gorgeted Sunangel, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Empress Brilliant, Booted Racket-tail and Collared Inca, many of which can be observed easily around the lodge. Nearby we will also visit a lek of the spectacular Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, a magical finale to our tour!

Days 15 - 16 We leave our little bit of paradise early and make our way back to Quito where we catch our flight back to London, Heathrow, via Madrid, arriving early the next day and concluding a spectacular tour!

Leaders: Josele Saiz, Juan Carlos Calvachi, plus local guides.

Single supplement: £480.00 Deposit: £200.00

Maximum group size: 15 Excluding leaders

Internal flights to Galapagos, full board en-suite accommodation on first class motor yacht, en-suite rooms and all meals at lodge, transport throughout the tour, entrance fees and all services of the leaders.

Not included: Insurance, extra drinks, tips and other personal expenses

Galapagos Islands + Ecuador - Sep 28th - Oct 13th 2006 TRIP REPORT

A little about our boat:
The `San Jose' was built specifically to cruise the Galapagos Islands and being a motor vessel will not be subject to wind conditions. Birdseekers have chartered the whole boat so we will not have the problems that some of the larger mixed interest groups encounter. The tour will be run according to our specific requirements. Equipped with a crew of 8 it is able to provide comfortable cruising, fine dining and attentive service, as well as offering a blend of spaciousness, comfort and elegance that will make our journey around these fascinating islands such a memorable one. The boat is 110ft long and cruises at a steady 12 knots. All of the 8 twin cabins are air-conditioned, fully carpeted with locker, toilet, basin and hot water shower. On board there is a bar, dining room, TV, lounge and sundeck as well an as international cook and bilingual naturalist guide. The ample deck space provides us with great opportunities for everyone to watch seabirds and other marine life as well as superb chances for photography. Wet suits and snorkelling equipment are also available on board and we have two zodiacs that can ferry us ashore, whether it is for a wet or a dry landing!

The Boat: THE SAN JOSE MOTOR FIRST CLASS YACHT

Built in 2003, Rebuildt in January 2006, Full Dry Dock. 8 double cabins ( Each has two lower beds and many can slide together to become double or single beds.) Length: 34 meters or 102 ft Top width: 8 meters or 24 ft. Distance between its lower deck and its upper one: 4 meters 12 ft Two engine detroit 12V 71 First power generator: Kohler 65 KVA. Second power generator: Kohler 35 KVA. GPS ( Global Positioning System): Furuno Radar: Furuno Fully air-conditioned. Crew member 9 (including two Naturalist guides + the captain)

MORE ABOUT SAN JOSE:
The San Jose carries 16 passengers in 8 double cabins. Each cabin has two lower beds and many can slide together to become double or single beds. All cabins are air-conditioned. The San Jose offers lots of space and comfort for naturalist and birdwatching cruises. It is perfect for the dedicated birder. There is an ample dining room and both indoor and outdoor reading / lounging areas on board, as well as a fully-equipped bar. The interior of the Yacht, including the lounge areas, dining room, conference room, and all cabins is finely finished . There are three decks including a sundeck; plenty of space to be in the open air. All full canopy offers protection from the sun.