Barry Griffiths and Geoff Carpentier have just returned from a scouting trip to one of the most exciting natural destinations in the world - Borneo. The newest tour in Quest's extensive worldwide nature tour program.
They report that, during their all too brief trip, they saw (up close and personal) over a dozen species of mammals including Orang Utans, Proboscis Monkeys, Maroon Langurs and Pig-tailed Macaques.
In addition, over 100 avian species appeared in their binoculars including Bornean Bristlehead, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Stork-billed Kingfisher and Spectacled Spiderhunter. Apparently the early mornings and late afternoons produced some of the best birding of their lives.
Now that they have put the final touches to the itinerary, you can be assured that this brand-new Quest trip will be one of the most unique and exciting offerings ever.
You won't want to miss this trip to one of the last remaining reserves of lowland rainforest in Borneo. Join Geoff Carpentier in September 2008, and let him introduce you to some of the finest flora and fauna in the world...
The Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands
Cost: B Cabin US$4595/C$4825
A Cabin US$4795/C$5035
2008 Departure
November 12- 22 ( Limited space available )
David is
an expert naturalist who
has travelled throughout
Europe, North and South
America. He is a keen
nature photographer with
an excellent knowledge
of birds, mammals and
butterflies. David has
led Quest trips to Newfoundland,
Texas, Colorado, England,
Galapagos Islands, Tunisia,
Spain and Canada's
High Arctic and the Antarctic.
Glenn
Barrett - Quest Naturalist
Glenn has
worked for the Canadian
Wildlife Service since
1994. He has also conducted
field studies in Alaska
and also the Galapagos
Islands where he spent
six months. He is a keen
naturalilst, wildlife
photographer and is past
president of the Hamilton
Field Naturalist'
Club.
Tony Beck - Quest Naturalist
Tony is a professional naturalist, wildlife photographer and teacher who has travelled extensively in North and Central America. He is a caring tour leader who shares his contagious enthusiasm and well-honed skills with his tours participants. Tony has lead previous Quest tours to Hawaii, Costa Rica and Eastern and Western Canada.
Audrey has been working for Quest's for five years, and is currently the Sales Team Leader. Her expertise has been developed as a participant in a number of our voyages of discovery. Her clients appreciate her attention to detail and her friendly, professional approach.
When travellers return from visiting the Galapagos Islands, their eyes sparkle with wonder as they tell marvellous tales. You may think their stories are pure fabrication: birds that no longer fly, tortoises weighing up to 300 kilos, penguins from the Antarctic living right on the equator, and Blue-footed Boobies doing sophisticated mating dances. But you would be wrong. The Galapagos Islands are just as amazing as everyone says.there is nothing in the world quite like them!
Day 1 Wednesday
Arrival in Quito, Ecuador Our adventure begins on our arrival in Quito, a dazzling old colonial city nestled in the snow-capped Andes Mountains. After clearing airport Customs, we'll be met and taken to our hotel for a good night's rest before our trip to the Otavalo Market. Those participants that have just completed the Amazon or Machu Picchu extensions will also join us when we arrive.
o/n Grand Hotel Mercure, Quito
Day 2 Thursday Otavalo Mini Country Tour In the morning, we'll visit the Indian market of Otavalo, where some of Ecuador's very best handicrafts, weavings, and jewellery are available for very reasonable prices. Afterwards, we'll continue on to the nearby village of Peguche and a visit to a local weaver's studio. We'll have a delightful lunch at an old restored hacienda, now a refined country inn. Along the way, we'll be traveling through beautiful countryside where the fascinating agricultural mosaic of rural Ecuador predominates.
o/n Grand Hotel Mercure, Quito (B,
L)
Day 3 Friday Flight to Baltra, Galapagos After an early breakfast, we'll transfer from our hotel to the airport for the morning jet flight to the Galapagos Islands. (Please note that we will be returning to this hotel after we finish the cruise, so you will be able to leave any extra winter clothing in the luggage room). The TAME flight will take us to Baltra and, after going through the entry formalities, we'll meet our Ecuadorian naturalist guide. It's then just a short drive to the dock at Baltra where the M/V Beluga is waiting for us, ready to begin the cruise.
o/n M/V Beluga (B, L, D)
Days 4-9 Saturday-Thursday Exploring the Galapagos Islands During our cruise, we'll be stopping at a number of interesting islands in the Galapagos archipelago. The M/V Beluga follows a set itinerary that is approved by the administration of the Galapagos Islands National Park. However, it is possible that, depending on weather conditions and the wildlife of the islands, the actual islands and the order in which they are visited may be modified during the cruise.
The M/V Beluga usually includes the
following islands in its 8 days / 7 nights
itinerary.
North Seymour After leaving the port of Baltra, a short sail will bring us to our first landing. We'll have our first panga ride to the shore of this very small island to visit the largest colony of Magnificent Frigatebirds in the Galapagos archipelago. This will also be our first opportunity to see the beautiful endemic Lava and Swallow-tailed Gulls.
Espanola (Hood) At Gardner Bay, nocturnal Green Turtles bury their eggs in the white sand beach, Hood Mockingbirds peck at your camera bag and the swimming is excellent. We'll also sail to the other side of the island and enjoy the Blue-footed Boobies and Waved Albatross colonies. Nazca Boobies also nest along the cliffs overlooking the well-known blowhole. Due to the rocky terrain on the trails of this island, hiking boots or sturdy walking shoes and perhaps a trekking pole are recommended.
Floreana (Charles) Flamingos feed in the island's large salt-water lagoon and colonies of sea lions line the beach. This is also a good area for snorkelling and enjoying some of the wonderfully diverse and colourful Galapagos fish.
Bartolome This is one of the best-known islands in the archipelago mainly because of its spatter cones and striking Pinnacle Rock, which seem to appear on most postcards from the islands. There is also a tiny colony of Galapagos Penguins residing at the foot of Pinnacle Rock.
Santiago (James) There is an excellent place to land here and a pleasant trail that we follow along the shoreline. There are some fascinating tidal pools and many shorebirds feeding at the water's edge. We also see Fur Seals and the endemic Galapagos Hawk, Dove and Mockingbird on this island.
Isabela (Albemarle) This is the largest island with 5 active volcanoes. We land at Punta Moreno on a beautiful rocky shore and hike across an extensive lava field to some small ponds that are teeming with wildlife. Tagus Cove, our next landing, is famous for its historical graffiti. Sailors' and ships' names from the 1800's are engraved in the rocks. A dry landing and hike takes us to a vantage point that provides great views of both Isabela and Fernandina Islands.
Fernandina (Narborough) Fernandina is just over 100,000 years old and is one of the youngest islands in the Archipelago. It is also the most volcanically active with the last spectacular eruption taking place in 1995. Our landing at Punta Espinosa is at the edge of an expansive lava field with a very interesting trail. The tidal pools and the snorkelling opportunities make this one of the best landings on the Galapagos. The Galapagos Penguins, nesting Marine Iguanas, Flightless Cormorants, dolphins, and perhaps spouting Bryde's Whales, seen from shore, are an added bonus on this landing. The beautiful, but menacing, Volcan la Cumbre oversees the area. There is also a great view of the island of Isabela.
Santa Cruz (Indefatigable) We'll spend a day on this island for Puerto Ayora is the home of the Charles Darwin Research Station, the operations centre for wildlife and conservation programs in the Galapagos. We'll also drive up to the highlands where the varied cloud habitats produce some interesting vegetation and endemic land birds, including Tree, Warbler and Vegetarian Finches. The Tortoise Reserve is in the highlands and is home to many species of the famous giant Galapagos Tortoises.
o/n M/V Beluga (B, L, D)
Day 10 Friday Turtle Cove / Baltra / Return to Quito This is our last day in the Galapagos Islands. We'll spend an hour first thing in the morning, paddling silently through a mangrove lagoon. This lagoon is a nursery area for Hammerhead, Black-tipped and White-tipped Reef Sharks. Golden and Eagle Rays glide slowly by our pangas and Green Sea Turtles are everywhere. This is a magic lagoon and a great experience. Our boat will return to Baltra and the crew will transfer us to the airport for our return flight to Quito. A farewell dinner, at a local Quito restaurant, is planned for the evening.
o/n Grand Hotel Mercure, Quito (B,
L, D)
Day 11 Saturday Departure Day We will be taken to the International airport for our flights home. (B)
Please Note: Depending on your airline
and flight schedules, you may require an optional
day room in Quito.
" We finally got our pictures into albums and are just starting to really appreciate how special the trip was and how good the services, guiding,itineraries and general ambience were. Again many thanks and we look forward to more trips with Quest in the future"
~R.M. Burlington, ON.
click map for larger image
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive and overnight in Quito, Ecuador
Day 2
Otavalo Mini Country Tour and overnight Quito
Day 3
Fly to Baltra, Galapagos. Board the M/V Beluga
Day 4-9
Cruising the Galapagos Islands
Day 10
Return and overnight in Quito
Day 11
Flights to North America
Tour Information
Leader:
Glenn Barrett Dave Milsom
Tony beck
Length:
11 Days
Limit:
15 participants
Departing:
Quito
Cost:
2009 prices TBA
Deposit:
C$500 per person
Note:
Please note:These rates include the return flights from Quito to the Galapagos Islands
2008 Departure
February 13 - 23
November 12- 22
2009 Departures
February 11 - 21
March 25 – April 4
November 11 – 21
NOTE: A fuel surcharge has been applied to this voyage in the amount
of US$192 per person. This amount will be added to your invoice and
is due at time of final payment.
March 25 - April 4
November 11 - 21
Tel.: 416-633-5666 Fax: 416-633-8667 Toll
free in North America: 1-800-387-1483
