Ecuador: Galapagos Islands

• Easy tropical sea kayaking, easy day hikes, snorkeling
• 3 nights hotels, 7 nights aboard catamaran 

It’s no wonder Herman Melville called the Galapagos “Las Encantadas,” “The Enchanted Isles.” This far-flung archipelago, the ancient tops of submerged volcanoes that straddle the Equator 600 miles off the coast of South America, is unique on earth. Here, giant tortoises roam misty island meadows while sea lions loll nonchalantly on pristine beaches, oblivious to human presence. Iguanas bask by hundreds on the sun-baked lava, blue-footed boobies nest in the rocks, and graceful sea turtles, rays and penguins swim with snorkelers in the aquamarine waters of the Pacific.

There’s simply no more wondrous way to experience this primeval paradise than from the seat of a kayak, in the intimate company of a small group of like-minded adventurers. When you come to Galapagos with Explorers’ Corner, you leave the big tour boats behind. We meet marine life up close and personal as we meander along serrated shorelines and paddle into secret coves. Our sleek sailing catamaran, the S/V Nemo II, is our base for our week in the islands, whisking us between anchorages and providing comfortable accommodations when we’re not kayaking or snorkeling or hiking ashore. The Nemo II carries just 12 guests in six teak-outfitted cabins, with spacious lounge areas inside and out. The boat’s hospitable staff is there to meet our every need, including three meals a day plus snacks to energize us for our daily round of active pursuits.

Paddling in these remarkable islands is a privilege few visitors get to enjoy. We have one of the only kayaking permits in the Galapagos, and we have been leading paddling trips here for more than a decade! Our outstanding naturalist guides have the inside track on the rare and remote places that guests aboard larger ships never see. Every trip is led by a certified Galapagos National Park guide, resident experts on the islands’ natural and cultural history. Our guides are also trained sea kayaking leaders who instruct us in safely and adeptly maneuvering our craft.

Imagine gliding through the turquoise sea, pulling your paddle from the water and listening to it drip from the blade, when suddenly a Pacific green sea turtle rises for air inches off your bow. You watch, transfixed, as it descends again, flapping gently toward a school of tropical fish clearly discernible in the clear ocean depths. Or picture yourself walking ashore in a tropical wilderness surrounded by hundreds, even thousands, of birds, from squawking lava gulls and storm petrels to dainty Darwin’s finches and soaring Galapagos hawks. On the stark black lava, orange Sally lightfoot crabs skitter past lazy marine iguanas while over in a crescent of sand, a mother sea lion nurses her baby. At every turn, we feel like we are encountering the world at the dawn of time, when life was new and nature unsullied.

Each day we will explore a different island, either on foot or along the shoreline by kayak, or sometimes both. At night, the Nemo II sails for the next day’s destination, delivering us to a new Galapagos habitat to explore. The islands are surprisingly diverse, with new discoveries at each location we visit. In addition to paddling and hiking we’ll have plenty of opportunities to swim – often with sea lions! – snorkel and beachcomb.
 

Anyone who’s been to the Galapagos knows the sense of wonder that awaits visitors to these intriguing islands. Few places on earth offer an immersion in nature as rewarding as the Galapagos. Come explore this wild corner of the planet and you, too, will soon understand why Darwin was so riveted with their unique creatures, and why Melville found these isles so magical.

2011 Dates
Jan 14-24
Jan 28 - Feb 7
Feb 25 - Mar 7
Mar 11-21*
Mar 25 - Apr 4
Apr 8 - 18
Apr 22 - May 2
May 6 - 16
May 20 -30
Jun 3-13
Jul 1 - 11
Jul 15 - 25
Aug 26 - Sep 5
Dec 16-26

Trip Difficulty: This kayaking trip is rated novice to beginner.

*special photo workshop - please contact our office for details