The GalápaGos. Two weeks, because one week is not enough

Transcription

1 The GalápaGos Two weeks, because one week is not enough Ecuador s remote, desolate and uninhabited Wolf and Darwin Islands attract pods of migratory whale sharks and huge schooling scalloped hammerheads.

2 Darwin and wolf islands one hundred miles north of the Equator, Ecuador's remote, desolate and uninhabited Wolf and Darwin Islands attract pods of migratory whale sharks and huge schooling scalloped hammerheads. Each dive is an adrenaline rush filled with photo opportunities. August to october is prime time for our fourteen diving days of fun-filled action. When our lens aren't focusing on schools of hammerheads and whale sharks, we'll dive with aerobatic giant mantas, curious Galápagos, silky and black tip sharks, bottlenose dolphins, and schools of yellow fin tuna chasing mackerel bait balls. During our motor to and from the outlying islands of Wolf and Darwin, we'll explore Charles Darwin's islands featuring unique endemic species: marine iguanas, magnificent frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, red sally lightfoot crabs, Galápagos sea lions and penguins, perhaps even the endangered giant tortoise. unlike other expeditions, we have secured special permission to explore the Galápagos for an extended week or a total of 14 days. This will allow us to enjoy the thrill of remote Wolf and Darwin for a longer time frame as well as explore the Archipelago s islands so we can capture unique photo opportunities provided by the endemic species of Galápagos. Darwin and Wolf Islands uninhabited Darwin Island, recognizable by its iconic natural rock arch, is one of the smallest islands (one-quarter mile or a single kilometer) in the Galápagos Archipelago. offering no dry landing sites, Darwin s attractions are found below the surface of the pacific ocean, one that is teeming with marine life. Wolf Island, approximately 25 miles (40 km) from Darwin, has seamounts located between the two islands. Without land access to either island, the only visitors are scuba divers. Enjoying this ocean wonderland by ourselves is a real possibility. Darwin and Wolf, the most remote volcanic islands in the archipelago are one hundred miles northwest of our departure point on Isabela Island. Considered to be almost two million years old, they are the remains of a massive, mostly subsurface extinct volcano, one that towers 300 feet (1000 m) above the sea floor. The 36,000 square mile archipelago consists of sixteen islands each formed by a single large shield volcano. Isabela, the largest covering 1,700 square miles, was formed by a total of six sub-surface volcanoes. Galápagos Archipelago is considered one of the world s most active oceanic volcano areas. our liveaboard The one hundred foot Galápagos sky liveaboard will be our home for 14 days. Its luxurious en-suite with private head a shower, all cabins are fully air-conditioned. The vessel offer four master cabins on the upper level and four Deluxe cabins in the vessel lower level. There is a salon fully equipped with audio/video equipment, and a dining room hosting a well-stocked bar. professionally trained crew will look after every need of our group of sixteen. The dive deck includes spacious room for our gear with easy access to the ocean.

3 charles Darwin s indigenous species This is a brief description of some of the species we will observe on island explorations during our voyage to and from Darwin and Wolf Islands. Each are indigenous, some even endemic to only one island, while others have migrated between Archipelago land masses. marine iguana Found only in the Galápagos Islands, unique to this modern lizard is its ability to swim and feed in the ocean. Considered a marine reptile, the iguana can dive more than thirty feet (9 m). usually observed on rocky shorelines where it warms its body temperature from the cold water, the marine iguana has migrated to other islands. magnificent frigate bird most striking about this large seabird is its red gullet, which the male inflates to attract a female. It has brownish-black feathers with long narrow wings and a deeply forked tail. The female, slightly larger than the male, has a white breast and belly. like sea gulls, these birds feed on fish taken in flight. They are also kleptoparasites, meaning that they steal food from other birds by harassing them until they regurgitate their meal. Blue-footed booby This marine bird is easily recognizable by their distinctive bright blue feet, a sexually adapted trait. During an elaborate mating ritual, males lift their feet up and down as they strut among the slightly larger females. red sally lightfoot crab living along rocky shores, the red rock crab feeds primarily on algae, plant matter, and occasionally carrion. Quick moving and agile, they are not considered edible. on rare occasions, it has been observed in a cleaning symbiotic relationship eating ticks found on marine iguanas. Galápagos sea lion This species breeds in the Galápagos Islands. They are most frequently seen sun-bathing on sandy shores or among rock outcroppings. When they are not gliding gracefully through the surf, they can be fairly social with a loud bark and playful nature. Giant tortoise The largest living species of tortoise is native to seven of the Galápagos Islands. living to more than one hundred years, they are the longest living of vertebrates. Almost extinct, subspecies are now being cultivated. sleeping up to sixteen hours a day, they have an extremely slow metabolism. Galápagos penguin The only wild penguin living north of the equator, its survival is a result of the cold water of the humboldt Current and upwellings of the Cromwell Current. It has a black head with a white border running from the eye, around their ears and chin before merging on their throat.

4 The Galápagos, Ecuador July 30-August 16, 2016 Amos NAChoum Expedition leader Amos has over 30 years experience as an adventurer and guide. he has 28 years experience diving at Galapagos. Amos is also a very accomplished professional photographer who was the BBC wildlife photographer of the year in 2007 and Throughout your trip Amos will be available to provide you with expert coaching while interacting with the animals, and advice on how to best photograph them and their environment. Amos uses his leadership and photography skills to artfully capture the lives of ocean Giants whose existence is under threat, but whose hope of survival is linked to us communicating the truth. BigAnimals Expeditions are designed to add value to your life experience, to generate attention for endangered species, to aid in their preservation and to provoke public awareness and opinion. Enhance your photographic skills with Amos. The Experience is priceless! BigAnimals unique services raising the bar of services in every adventure we operate around the world is our policy. We lead by example with an immaculate safety record. Each wildlife expedition is carefully scouted before offered to the public and we schedule departures only during peak animal presence and behavior displays, led by Amos Nachoum and his 35 years of diving and photographing ocean Giants. our Galapagos Expeditions are strictly limited to only 16 privileged guests. This is with consideration of the animals welfare and behavior, your safety and provides you with room to move freely, ample space in which to photograph and film, with personalized attention and advice. GAlápAGos ExpErIENCE: 28 years WhErE: Galápagos, Ecuador DATEs: July 30-August 16, 2016 DurATIoN: 17 days max No. of GuEsTs: 16 AvAIlABIlITy: 10 spaces available pricing: master Cabin $15,900 Deluxe Cabin $15,400, based on double occupancy registration: Deposit of $5,000 vessel: 100 Galapagos sky ACTIvITIEs: Diving TEmpErATurE: Water F, land F TrIp price INCluDEs: 14 days on board the Galapagos sky 14 days of diving up to four dives per day Air Cylinders and weights Nitrox on board for certified divers National park, Tourist and Chamber fees All meals and soft drinks on board 16 guests Amos expedition leader TrIp price ExCluDEs: International and domestic flights hotel reservation in Guayaquil (one night on arrival & one night before departure) Airport transfers rental of dive gear personal charges such as laundry, meals a shore, bar, and telecommunication charges Gratuities

5 GalápaGos Trip itinerary > July 30-auGusT 16, 2016 Day 1 Arrive in Guayaquil and stay overnight in hotel. Day 2 Fly out to st. Cristobal and board Galapagos sky. First checkout dive. Day 3 Am: Cape marshall / Ciudad de las mantas pm: roca redonda Day 4 Day 5 Am / pm: Darwin Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Am / pm: Darwin Day 9 Am / pm: Darwin Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Am / pm: punta vicente roca Day 13 Am / pm: punta vicente roca Day 14 Am / pm: Cape Douglas Day 15 Am / pm: Cape Douglas Day 16 Am: st. Cristobal and departure back to Guayaquil Day 17 Depart Ecuador *This sample Itinerary is subject to change without prior notice Trip details, e.g., dates, prices, vessel, accommodations, are subject to change without prior notice unless deposit is received and application is approved. payment policy AND DEposIT: When we receive your deposit, we will send you a comprehensive and detailed Trip preparation Bulletin about the experience and the destination. All trip costs are subject to change without prior notice until your reservation is confirmed. A deposit of 33% of the total trip price is required to secure space on the trip. Full payment is due no later than 90 days before departure. We reserve the right to sell any space that is not paid in full by 60 days before departure. CANCEllATIoN policy must be made in writing. more than 90 days before trip: Deposit will be refunded in full. 90 days or less before trip: Deposit will be refunded if space is sold, less unrecoverable costs of sales, and administration costs. No refund is made for unused part of the itinerary. Cost of services not included in the expedition price, flight time and schedule, weather, water temperature, and animal behavior are all subject to change

6 personal INformATIoN ApplicAtion Form Expedition Galapagos Expeditions Dates: July 30-August 16, 2016 first Name last Name Date of Birth Gender: female male Address City state Zip Work phone home phone Citizen of passport # place Issued & Date Trip price master $15,900/Deluxe $15,400 cabins, per person based on double occuppancy. Deposit of 1/3 is required to secure space= $5,000 Non-refundable. final payment due 90 days before departure. $ please make your check payment to BigAnimals Expeditions, 189 Evans Ave #A, pacific Grove, CA overseas payment can be done via bank wire, instructions will be sent to you upon receipt of this application. promotional code Travel insurance: yes No provider policy # Travel insurance is prerequisite and mandatory on BigAnimals adventures. We need to have your policy number.. Do you carry diving insurance? yes No provider policy # Diving Experience/years in Diving Where & When last 3 Dive Experiences? how do you rate your Diving skills? Beginner Inter Advanced Expert how do you rate your photography and/or Video skills? No interest Beginner Inter Advanced Expert