Victor Emanuel Nature Tours

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS CRUISE—JULY 2013
Aboard the Isabela II (only 1 cabin still available!)

Blue-footed Booby — Photo: Greg Lasley

This summer VENT will again operate a birding and natural history cruise to the Galapagos Islands, July 18-30, 2013. Featuring a comprehensive itinerary, we’ll see the majority of the endemic birds and other charismatic wildlife of this famous destination. Our trip includes visits to all the major islands, and 10 nights aboard one of the finest ships that cruise these waters, the 40-passenger Isabela II. The fee for this cruise is $7,695 per person in double occupancy. Only 1 cabin is still available! 

Summer is one of the best times to visit the Galapagos, when the birds are nesting and the weather is good. A sample of the many wildlife spectacles you will experience includes a wonderful variety of seabirds such as Waved Albatross; Galapagos Petrel; Blue-footed, Red-footed, and Nazca boobies; the strange Flightless Cormorant; Galapagos Penguin; Lava and Swallow-tailed gulls; and some marvelous landbirds, headlined by Galapagos Dove, Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos Martin, several species of mockingbirds, and an assortment of Darwin’s finches.

As wonderful as the birding is, a trip to the Galapagos is also a general natural history trip. Daily shore excursions will put us in the company of basking marine iguanas, fleet lava lizards, Sally Lightfoot crabs, and sea lion pups frolicking at our feet. Guided interpretive walks will allow us to experience the remarkable botany of the islands and witness fabulous geologic features.

Isabela II — Photo: Ramiro Salazar

The Isabela II is the perfect size vessel. Spacious outside cabins feature private bathrooms and air-conditioning; three decks offer plenty of public space including a bar, library, lounge, dining room, and sun deck. This departure will be led by Michael O’Brien and Louise Zemaitis, who will be joined by an excellent staff of onboard leaders and naturalists.

Galapagos Islands Cruise, July 18-30, 2013 with Michael O’Brien and Louise Zemaitis; $7,695 per person in double occupancy from Quito. Only 1 cabin is still available!