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Archive for category Galapagos Islands Tours

LAN to launch fantastic new routes in South America

Apr 29

Posted by greg in Galapagos Islands Tours, South American Tours | No Comments

LAN,  South America’s  best airline recently announced the opening of some fantastic new routes that make travel for the tourist in South America a lot easier..

LAN is again expanding its South American network, with daily flights to the remote and unique Galapagos Islands from September, 2010, and twice-weekly services from Lima, Peru, to the mystical Chilean territory of Easter Island, commencing in November.

From 16 September, LAN Ecuador will fly from the cities of Quito and Guayaquil to Galapagos, a chain of 13 islands located 1000 kilometres west of the South American mainland.

The volcanic islands are rich in history and amazing wildlife, with native animals including the Galapagos Hawk, the Frigate Bird, the Swallow-Tailed Gull and the Galapagos Marine Iguana.

The Galapagos wildlife also played an important part in the theory of evolution espoused by the famous anthropologist Charles Darwin, who arrived on the island of San Christobel in 1845.

Darwin noted physical differences between Galapagos creatures and similar mainland varieties, and concluded that the Galapagos wildlife had physically adapted to the local environment.

LAN Ecuador will operate Airbus A320 aircraft from the mainland to the Galapagos Islands.

Further south and later in the year, LAN Peru will commence twice-weekly flights from Lima to Easter Island, linking two of the most popular destinations in South America, and providing an exciting new itinerary option for tourists.

Easter Island is said to be the world’s most isolated inhabited island. It is estimated by archaeologists to have been discovered by Polynesian explorers in about 400AD, and is best known for its unique “moai” – the giant carved stone statues dotted around the island.

LAN already flies from the Chilean capital Santiago to Easter Island, and the new LAN Peru flights will enable travellers to continue from Easter Island to Peru, or to fly Lima – Easter Island – Santiago.

From Australia and New Zealand, LAN – a member of the global oneworld airline alliance – offers a daily Airbus A340-300 service to Santiago, with onward connections to destinations throughout South America.

Chimu Adventures is Australia’s leading travel company to South America. Check them out at www.chimuadventures.com

- Source:  “E travel blackboard” (edited from the orginal version)

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Galapagos on the Adventurer VI

Jan 12

Posted by greg in Galapagos Islands Tours | No Comments

I recently came back from a trip to the Galapagos Islands on the brand new Adventurer VI catamaran. We spent 5 days sailing the Galapagos Islands on the 16 passenger luxury vessel.

Luxury Galapagos cruise

Luxury Galapagos cruise

A Catamaran is definately the best way to visit the islands, sturdy and stable – movement on the rolling seas is limited and it is perfect for those who suffer from sea sickness. The Adventurer VI has 8 cabins with private balcony, full ensuite rooms and luxury fittings. She is one of the best vessels currently sailing the Islands.

A 5 day trip on the Luxury Galapagos Adventurer starts at around $3500 Australian dollars. Unlike other ships, flights to and from Quito, Ecuador are included in the price. All meals and sightseeing is included in the cost and snorkelling gear as well as wetsuits are provided for all guests.

The Adventurer VI carries a crew of 10 plus a naturalist guide and cruise director. The ship has ample space on its 7 viewing decks for all passengers to view the scenery going past, and is equipped with 2 inflatable zodiac boats for the shore landings. Generally speaking you will go ashore 2 – 3 times a day for the duration of cruise. Landing in the islands is one of the highlights, perfect for getting up close and personal to the legendary Galapagos wildlife.

The Zodiacs are also used for snorkelling, and as our guide Mauricio “El Pinchon” remarked – 50% of Galapagos is under water. Snorkelling with sealions, reef sharks, sea turtles as well as a myriad of different fish is a highlight not to be missed.

All in all the experience on the Adventurer VI is unlike a lot of other cruises in the Galapagos Islands, It provides a sense of comfort at a very reasonable price. Chimu Adventures works with over 20 different vessels in the Islands, and can find a cruise to suit you. Wether you would like an 8 day Galapagos Odyssey, 5 day highlights cruise, a land based hotel stay or specialist diving cruise we have you covered. Budget Galapagos Cruises start from $1300 for a 5 day cruise on a basic ship such as the 14 passenger Golondrina yacht. Call us or email us on info@chimuadventures.com for more details.

Luxury Galapagos Cruise

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A Cruise Around The Galapagos Islands

Oct 11

Posted by dillon in Galapagos Islands Tours | No Comments

A Cruise Around The Galapagos Islands

There is a reason why I heard a few people refer to the Galapagos Islands as the Island of dreams and I had the privilege of discovering this first hand. As you fly above the famous Archipelago you already get the sense that you are in for something very special and unique, and it certainly didn´t disappoint.

Day 1 Puerto Ayora

After our early flight into Galapagos we were greeted by our specialist guide and transferred to the very comfortable yacht, the Galapagos Adventurer III just in time for a delicious lunch on board. Afterwards, it was time to re-visit the main town of the Galapagos Islands – Puerto Ayora to visit the Charles Darwin research centre. Here of course lies George, the famous Galapagos turtle who is over 150 years old. While George himself wasn´t feeling to sociable plenty of other giant turtles were as you are able to get right up and close to these remarkable animals. Afterwards it was back to the boat to enjoy dinner and a cocktail at the bar before setting sail for Floreana.

Day 2 Floreana

After an early morning trip on to Champion Islet to admire many Sea Lions, pink flamingoes and blue footed boobies it was time to get ready for our first snorkel. This is what I had really been looking forward to as I had heard so many great stories about snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands. Some last minute adjustments were made to my snorkel gear and I was off into another world beneath the sea it seemed. Schools of fish every colour you could think of, sea turtles, magnificent coral and even white pointer sharks came to say hello. My initial reaction to swimming with a white pointer shark wasn´t too favorable but the guide ensured us that they were harmless. The real highlight however were the friendly sea lions jumping off the rocks to join us for a quick dip as they will swim right around you.  Surely only in the Galapagos Islands could one see such a rich variety of wildlife in a just a one hour snorkel!

Day 3 Española

Next up was Española Island. The southernmost island in the Galapagos archipelago is home to several wildlife species, including masked and blue-footed boobies. I found the real highlight hear to be the amazing white sand beach with crystal clear water. Although this is common in many tropical places, this beach was covered in friendly sea lions which made it incredibly unique and special. We then had time for one last snorkel in the afternoon with the Sea Lions-something I don´t ever think I could tire of.

Day 4 Black turtle cove/Santa Cruz

Today we made our way back to Santa Cruz and had an early morning departure into black turtle cove. It´s amazing how the landscapes can differ so much in the Galapagos Islands from one Island to another. This place almost had the feeling of the Amazon jungle with it´s mangroves and wildlife. Here is where we saw many sharks and sea turtles swimming right beneath our zodiac. Another highlight was the Galapagos Hawks charging down into the water to catch the small fish right in front of our very eyes! After this it was time to catch our flight back to Quito and reflect on our amazing Galapagos journey.

Overall the Galapagos is THE place for nature and wildlife lovers and will never disappoint. If you are not a wildlife lover then a trip to the Islands will surely turn you into one.

To find out more about our Galapagos cruises click on the link to Chimu Adventures.

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Galapagos

Sep 5

Posted by karel in Galapagos Islands Tours | Comments off

My trip to Galapagos Islands was in November 2007. I didn’t know exactly what to expect at Galapagos. All I knew was that Galapagos Islands are situated right on the equator, officially belong to Ecuador and there are volcanic islands with giant turtles and other wildlife. Read the rest of this entry »