Galápagos islands and South America - (New pics added 26/08/16)

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Galápagos islands and South America - (New pics added 26/08/16)

Post by DexterPunk »

Well... this will be the last one for quite a while. :) In the next couple of days i'll be booking for a trip to the Galapagos islands for Feb 2013. It's a long way away, but I need time to save for the trip (as well as new lens) and to accumulate the holidays again. At the moment I'm going to aim for 6 weeks, the Galapagos leg of the trip is 18 days. And we plan on spending the rest of the time around south america, but not sure where yet. Peru looks pretty awesome, so that is probably going to be on the cards. We also need to be thoughtful of places that could be a bit dangerous. Large cameras are not exactly inconspicuous. Kelly keeps pushing for 8 weeks, but I'm not sure i'd have a job to come back to if I buggered off for that long :D

Anywho, here is an overview of the Galapagos trip.
Spend a full 15-days/14-nights aboard the yacht in the Galápagos Islands, allowing you to visit all the significant outer islands, and allowing for a maximum of wildlife observations. Each day we typically go ashore twice, observing and photographing the unique wildlife - the plants and animals that led Darwin to his theory of evolution when he visited the Galapagos in 1835. Our days are full, with early-morning and late-afternoon excursions to catch the peak animal activity as well as best lighting for photography. There are also 1 or 2 snorkeling sessions most days. The evenings are devoted to natural history lectures conducted by the Tour Leader. Star viewing is also incredible as there is no outside light interference as you search the night sky for the Southern Cross and other constellations not visible from the northern hemisphere. I don't think you'll find a Galapagos tour where you will learn more or get more photo opportunities!

LEADERSHIP:
In addition to the legally-required Naturalist Guide, we provide a Tour Leader/ Biologist who gives evening lectures on natural history (on a variety of Galápagos-specific topics, possibly ranging from Island Formation to Volcanoes, Seabirds to Reptiles to Cetaceans, Darwin to the History of the early settlers). The Guide's role is to escort people on shore, to provide wildlife interpretation, and to make sure the rules of the National Park are enforced. Having a Tour Leader adds a serious educational orientation to the trip. We hand pick all Naturalist Guides and Tour Leaders for our expeditions from a pool of the best in the field.

INCLUDED:
• All accommodations, including 3 nights in a First Class hotel in Quito Ecuador and 14 nights aboard the yacht in the Galápagos.
• All meals and non-alcoholic beverages aboard the yacht and most meals in Quito.
• All Airport transfers in Quito and the Galápagos.
• The services of an expert-level Tour Leader accompanying the tour, and a University-level Naturalist Guide conducting the Galápagos land tours.
• Use of basic snorkeling equipment aboard the yacht (mask, snorkel & fins)
• Governmental fuel tax of $460 per person (subject to change*)
• Extensive pre-departure materials, including a copy of our guidebook, A Traveler’s Guide to the Galápagos Islands.

more details at the site.

http://www.wildearth-travel.com/trip/18 ... xperience/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Last edited by DexterPunk on Fri Aug 26, 2016 10:18 pm, edited 5 times in total.
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Re: Galápagos islands and South America

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I hate you.

We were going to go to Peru or Costa Rica last year but couldn't get it sorted for various reasons. I also looked into going to the Galapagos islands!
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Re: Galápagos islands and South America

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Haha.. well won't be for quite a while yet. I reckon you need to take the plunge and just book it. If it's booked you have to go. Is there any info you have found on Peru etc that you could pass on?
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Re: Galápagos islands and South America

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I'd love to do this, and to visit Antartica. Lucky fella!
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Re: Galápagos islands and South America

Post by Vilante »

I must visit South America. Looks amazing Dex, I don't have any info but would be interested in your findings as you plan.
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Re: Galápagos islands and South America

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South America is an interesting place. I liked it a lot. You are, however, a lucky bastard. I have bookmarked the site. One day, perhaps, I will get to visit Antarctica.
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Galápagos islands and South America

Post by DexterPunk »

Where did you go in south America nige?


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Re: Galápagos islands and South America

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lived there for a few years when I was a kid.
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Galápagos islands and South America

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Where abouts? Was kinda hoping for some info or opinions on places to see and visit. And any other advice.


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Re: Galápagos islands and South America

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DexterPunk wrote:Haha.. well won't be for quite a while yet. I reckon you need to take the plunge and just book it. If it's booked you have to go. Is there any info you have found on Peru etc that you could pass on?
I probably can't offer anything you won't know already and it was six months ago so I've forgotten most of what I was told :melt:

The trickiest part of Peru to organise was getting from place to place as the main spots to visit are really far apart. One of our main problems was that we would have had to go in the wet season and (iirc) even the trains can't reach certain places at times, and the roads get washed out so buses are useless too. I think driving yourself anywhere in South America is a death-defying experience too, but would certainly be an adventure :D

A bloke I used to work with who has done loads of travelling said Costa Rica was one of the best places he'd ever been. The wildlife is like nowere else on earth and you can get from tropical rainforests to beautiful beaches in one short holiday.
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Galápagos islands and South America

Post by DexterPunk »

Sounds awesome! I'll keep that in mind. Cheers. I actually think we may end up there in the wet season. Maybe have to move some things around. Need to chat to travel agent and ask some questions.


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Re: Galápagos islands and South America

Post by Shaun »

Sounds like an awesome holiday. I'm off to North America at the end of March until the end of April. Can't wait first time over seas. Should be awesome :D
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Re: Galápagos islands and South America

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Is there something going on in Oz at the moment? Loads of you seem to be shipping out (albeit briefly)! :D

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Galápagos islands and South America

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Dollar is actually weaker now than it has been for ages.

Shaun you will love it. Where abouts you going?


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Re: Galápagos islands and South America

Post by Shaun »

We are going to Miami, Orlando and New York. While we are in New York doing a tour to Niagra Falls. And on the way in to Miami we have a 15 hour stop over in LA so hopefully have a quick look around Hollywood just to say we have type deal. Should be good :D
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Galápagos islands and South America

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Id love to tour round north America in an RV. :)


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Re: Galápagos islands and South America

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Dollar is at or near an all time high against the Euro.

Go to Spain, Greece or Italy and wave money at the locals as sport. :)
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Re: Galápagos islands and South America

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Nigel wrote:lived there for a few years when I was a kid.
That must have been interesting Nige. Whereabouts and when? Old enough to remember much?
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Re: Galápagos islands and South America

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Bumping this. Just clocked off at work for my holidays. I'm free for about 7 weeks. I'm not sure I've posted where else I'm going.... Only the Galápagos part. But after that I'm off to Peru, and have a guide just for me and Kelly (so we don't hold up a group taking photos) for Machu Picchu. Then were off to the Peruvian Amazon where we have some pretty basic accommodation (no power) and naturalists and biologists show us around the rain forest, and down the river to see the various wild life. That part of the trip is around 5-6 days iirc.
After that it's north to Belize, a country south of Mexico next to the Caribbean Sea, where we have 8 days of kayaking through the various rivers in the area and get to explore Mayan ruins that are a bit more off the beaten track than most tourists see. We will then be kayaking around the various islands, coral reefs, and cays. We are basically camping this part of the holiday in tents. Should be interesting. :D

All up, it's around 6 weeks. I actually haven't read our own itinerary in great detail. I kind of like to get some surprises along the way. I fly out Tuesday morning at 6:45am. I'll have to be up at around 2:30am.


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Re: Galápagos islands and South America

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So you gonna bone her?
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Re: Galápagos islands and South America

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Seen the latest Attenborough Galapagos docos Dex?
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Re: Galápagos islands and South America

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Actually I haven't. I really should do that this weekend.

Hz, I have been for years.


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Re: Galápagos islands and South America

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DexterPunk wrote:Actually I haven't. I really should do that this weekend.

Hz, I have been for years.


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yeah but, in a kayak?
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Re: Galápagos islands and South America

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Point taken. Challenge accepted.


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Re: Galápagos islands and South America

Post by durbster »

Sounds uncomfortable.

That sounds like a hell of a trip Dex, looking forward to hearing about it. Are you going to be able to blog it or update us while you're away do you reckon?
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