Jenny Wilsher (Naturetrek tour leader) reports on her trip to The Galapagos Islands this summer:
If there was ever a place where one runs out of superlatives, this is it! The uniqueness of the wildlife is one thing but the opportunity to get up close and personal to most of it just takes your breath away and reduces you to speechlessness and awe. From sea lion pups snuffling at your feet, Blue-footed Booby chicks, balls of white fluff, looking up at you from their grubby nests on the ground, the courtship ritual of the Waved Albatross, or a pair of Humpback Whales, Great and Magnificent Frigate Birds in mixed groups puffing up their bright red throat patches, causing the photographers a huge dilemma as to which really was the best grouping, to amazing aerial displays from these sky pirates, the Galapagos Islands did not disappoint. The intriguing diversity and the magic of ‘adaptive radiation’ of many of the islands flora and fauna, kept us attentive and fascinated, in large part due to the knowledge, passion and dedication of our local naturalist, Juan Manuel Salcedo. Juan was a natural teacher, taking every opportunity to share and explain every aspect of the islands, using the sand as his blackboard and bones, shells and live material as natural teaching aids. His specialist subject was not just the wildlife, but the human history, thankfully brief but none the less destructive, and volcanology, a fundamental key to any understanding of the islands. And then there was marvellous boat crew who looked after us so well, and the locals on the mainland who could not do enough to ensure we enjoyed every moment of our trip. For those who opted for the rainforest extension, more superlatives were called for. The lush, exuberance of the forest, its plants, birds, insects and animals, and the impressive (and thankfully calm) Napo River, were an amazing contrast, both to the islands and to the high altitude habitats at Antisana, Otavalo, Pichincha and Yanacocha. A feast of experiences all in one trip!
Lava Heron by John Wilsher
Our unique 2-week exclusive charters around the Galapagos Islands are filling up quickly for 2008. We're fully booked for cruises in January, February, March and August 2008, leaving spaces on our second August cruise departing on 18th August and also on 8th December. 2009 dates are also now uploaded to the tour page.
Book early to avoid disappointment!