Galapagos : A Living Laboratory of Evolution

A Living Laboratory of Evolution

Take a photographic voyage with PQA and pro nature photographer, Lewis Kemper, to the Galapagos Islands where evolution literally takes place before your eyes! Isolated from the mainland of Ecuador for millions of years, the Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most unusual species and diverse landscapes in the world. You’ll have the chance of a lifetime to capture rare and amazing images of the islands’ varied geology and astounding wildlife including giant tortoises, 5-foot long marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies and the world’s only equatorial penguin!

• Traverse the islands in the Encantada, a charming 70-foot sailing yacht.
• Travel in a small group which allows for great flexibility with minimal disturbance to the wildlife and terrain you will be observing and photographing.
• Shoot and study alongside nature and outdoor pro photographer Lewis Kemper.
• Discover a plethora of rare animal and plant life found exclusively in the Galapagos Islands including the blue-footed booby, 5-foot long marine iguanas and huge waved albatrosses.
• Encounter the friendly and fearless wildlife up close for unique photo ops.
• Learn from experienced nature and history guides on board the Encantada and on the various islands.
• Observe the giant tortoises at the world renowned Charles Darwin Research Station.
• Swim and snorkel with playful penguins, turtles and sea lions.

Itinerary

Dec 6 – ARRIVE QUITO

Overnight in Quito

Dec 7 – GALAPAGOS (D)

An early morning flight from Quito brings you to the Galapagos Archipelago. Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to our yacht – your home for the next seven nights. This afternoon we head to our first island and the beginning of a week filled with mysteries of the natural world.

Dec 8-13 – GALAPAGOS (B, L, D daily)

We will visit and photograph 8 to 10 islands during our unforgettable voyage. Here is the specific island itinerary for your trip

• Dec 8: Rabida – Bartolome
• Dec 9: Genovesa
• Dec 10: South Plaza – Santa Cruz
• Dec 11: Floreana
• Dec 12: Espanola
• Dec 13: San Cristobal – Lobos – Santa Fe

Each day you leave the comfort of our yacht and go ashore in our panga (the local word for dinghies, Zodiacs, etc.) to remote areas of the islands for photography and natural history walks through the Galapagos’s unique ecology. Our crew takes excellent care of you with delicious meals and attends to all your creature comforts on board. On the islands our naturalist guide shows you the diversity of Galapagos life and teaches you about the area’s natural history while Lewis Kemper will help you improve your photography skills. This is everyone’s chance to photograph unusual marine iguanas, snorkel with playful sea lions, and just take in the unique landscape of ancient volcanic turmoil. Except for a few settlements, the entire archipelago a national park and the beaches and meandering footpaths invite relaxation and fanciful dreams.

Dec 14 – GALAPAGOS TO QUITO (B)

This morning we visit one last island and say goodbye to Darwin’s inspiration before transfering to the airport for your late morning/early afternoon flight back to Quito. Overnight in Quito.

Dec 15 – DEPART FOR HOME

Itinerary is subject to change.

Lodging

7 nights on the Encantada based on double occupancy

Single supplement: not available

2 nights in Quito

Sail the Galapagos in the charming red Encantada (the Enchanted). This 70 foot sailing yacht can accommodate up to 12 people in 6 double cabins with upper/lower berths, private bathrooms, central air condition and hot water.

About the Encantada

• LAST DRY DOCK : Guayaquil 2003 (totally refurnished)
• CONSTRUCTION : Naval steel hull
• TRB : 78.01
• LENGTH : 21.44 M
• BREADTH : 5.21 M
• DRAFT : 2.44 M
• CAPACITY : 12 passengers
• CREW : 5 members plus 1 Bilingual guide
• CRUISING SPEED : 7 knots (with motor)
• ENGINES : Main motor GM Detroit 471
• GENERATORS : Generator Onam 12.5 KW, Generator Phasor 16KW
• NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT : 24 miles rada Furuno GPS, Furuno Video, Sonda Furuno Flash Signals, fire extinguishers
• ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT : 2 outboard motors, 2 dingies, for 6 & 10 passengers complete snorkel gear for all passengers

Cost per person

$5199 per person based on Double Occupancy

Single supplement not available

Limited to: 10 participants

Terms and Conditions

Included:

• Quest workshop fee
• 2 nights comfortable hotels, in Quito
• 7 nights double occupancy cabins on board yacht
• All meals while in the Galapagos
• Naturalist guide while on yacht
• All domestic transfers, breakfasts at hotel
• International arrival/departure transfers
• Entrance to Galapagos National Park

Not included:

• International flights
• Afternoon meals while in towns or cities
• Optional excursions
• Optional Insurance with Travel Guard
• Airport taxes ($39: International airport departure tax)
• Snorkeling gear
• Gratuities

Lewis Kemper

Lewis Kemper has been photographing the natural beauty of North America, and it’s park lands for over 27 years specializing in nature and outdoor photography. During his extensive travels, he has been to 47 states from Alaska to Florida. His work has been exhibited and published in magazines, books, and calendars worldwide.

He has been named to Canon USA’s elite group of photographers, The Explorers of Light.

His work has appeared in magazines that include: National Geographic Traveler, View Camera, PC Photo, Camera Arts, Shutterbug, and Outdoor Photographer. Currently Lewis is a contributing editor to Outdoor Photographer and PC Photo magazines.

Quest Leaders Website: www.lewiskemper.com

Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

Straddling the equator, the Ecuadorian coast coexists with arid Andes Mountains, snow-capped volcanoes and tropical Amazon jungle—all in a country the size of the State of Colorado! It shares a long-contested border with Peru to the south and east, and is bounded by Colombia to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the west. This land of mega-biodiversity and the most species-rich nation on earth is divided into four regions: the western coastal lowlands, the central Andean highlands, the eastern jungles of the Amazon basin and the Galapagos Islands located just about 620 miles west of the mainland. The Andean highlands – the country’s backbone – are composed of two volcanic ranges separated by a central valley. The capital city of Quito is nestled in the Northern end of this valley at 2850 meters above sea level and 14 miles south of the equator giving Ecuador its nickname-“The Middle of the Earth.” Inhabited for centuries by Andean Indians, roughly half of Ecuador’s population lives amidst these rugged mountains.

The Galapagos Islands, on the other hand, are nearly uninhabited and as the world’s most species-rich environment, can only be visited with a certified naturalist guide from a Galapagos Boat approved by the national park service. Recently named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this ecological jewel spans over 19,500 square miles of the Pacific Ocean including 13 main islands and 6 smaller ones. Aside from the ultra diverse terrain encompassing desert landscapes, lush highland forests and moonlike volcanic soils, the Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most rare and accessible species on earth including the giant land tortoises, 5 foot long marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies and the world’s only equatorial penguin! Since the animals have evolved without fear of humans and other predators, they can be observed and photographed from extraordinarily close up. At certain locations you can get even closer and swim with playful sea lions and penguins in their natural surroundings!

The Galapagos Islands are also know for Charles Darwin’s research and examination of the beaks of the Galapagos finches which lead to the formulation of his revolutionary theory of evolution in 1835. At the world-famous Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island, you can observe tortoise research and breeding programs of the Galapagos themselves, the huge land tortoises for which the islands were named. Scientists, park rangers and park managers among others, conduct the conservation of the islands from the Darwin Research Station making huge efforts to preserve the Galapagos Islands.

Language

Spanish is the main language throughout Ecuador, although most highland Indians are bilingual, with Quechua being their preferred language, while Spanish is only learned in school. When bargaining in rural markets, a Quechua word or two will not only endear you to the vendors, but usually get you an extra orange or more juice! Several small lowland groups speak their own languages. English is understood in the best hotels and in airline offices and travel agencies, but it’s of little use elsewhere.

Religion

The predominant religion is Roman Catholic, but there is a scattering of other Christian faiths. Indigenous Ecuadorians, however, have blended Catholicism and their traditional beliefs. An example is the near synonymous association of Pacha Mama (Mother Earth) and the Virgin Mary.
Food

Ecuadorian food consists mainly of soup and stews, corn pancakes, rice, eggs and vegetables. Seafood is excellent, even in the highlands. Local specialties include ceviche, seafood prepared in lemon juice; lechón, suckling pig; and cuy, whole roasted guinea pig-however, some delicacies may only be for the most adventurous stomachs!

Gear to Bring

We recommend you bring the following gear with you on our Quests.

Camera Gear

• Digital SLR with back up camera that will fit your lenses
• Battery charger
• A few extra batteries
• Memory cards (bring plenty!!!)
• Sensor cleaning supplies
• Flash with plenty of batteries

Lenses

• 12-24mm (for the 1.5x sensor size cameras) or 17-35mm (for full frame shooters) lens for landscapes and cityscapes; also for environmental portraits
• 28-105mm lens or similar for street shooting and portraits; a nice lens to have shooting busy markets.
• 70-200mm lens for portraits and nearby wildlife; VR or IS lenses are very helpful.
• 70-300mm or 100-400mm lens for more distant wildlife
• 1.4X tele-converter for telephoto lenses
• Polarizing filter(s)v
• Lens hoods for all lenses
• Lint-free cloth to clean lenses and blower ball for dust
• Fish-eye lens (if you have one, very creative lens!)
• Lensbaby if you have one or else you can try ours!

Computer / Digital Acessories

• Laptop with charger and Photoshop CS3 and Lightroom (not mandatory)
• Storage device, such as an EPSON P5000, or portable hard drives like Lacie hard drives
• Card Reader
• All cables for drives, computer, card readers, storage devices, etc.
• Power converters/adapters for all International Quests