Puerto Ayora, home to the Charles Darwin Research Station which is famous for its tortoise breeding programmes and also home to Lonesome George, the last remaining giant tortoise of its kind. We then drive to the highlands of Los Gemelos, two deep craters in the Scalesia forest. It is possible to walk through the giant lava tubes, or visit the tortoise reserve to observe giant Galapagos tortoises in their natural surroundings. Return to Puerto Ayora, where there is further time to explore. ( BLD) DAY 7: SANTIAGO - BARTOLOME- From the black sand beaches of Puerto Egas, we hike inland to the salt crater, watching out for land birds such as finches, doves, and hawks. Continuing down the rugged shoreline, we may also spot marine species such as iguanas basking on the rocks, and sea lions lazing in the tide pools. At the end of the trail are a series of sea caves where fur seals and night herons are found resting on the shady ledges. Just north of this is Buccaneer Cove, a particularly scenic area of steep cliffs and dark beaches. Later we reach Bartolome, a small island with beautiful white sandy beaches, luxuriant green mangroves and a colony of penguins. There is the opportunity to snorkel and swim, or to climb to the summit of the island for breathtaking views of the Galapagos and the famous Pinnacle Rock. ( BLD) DAY 8: GENOVESA ISLAND- Climb to Prince Philip's step, where at the end of the trail we can find thousands of band- rumped storm petrels nesting in crevices at the cliff edge. Genovesa Island is formed from a collapsed volcano, and we visit Darwin Bay, at the foot of the crater walls, where the island attracts large numbers of seabirds that come to nest and breed. A trail leads from the coral beach past tidal lagoons where lava gulls and yellow- crowned night herons can be seen, then along the low shrubs populated by frigates and boobies, and to a cliff edge where seabirds soar. ( BLD) DAY 9: BLACK TURTLE COVE - BALTRA - QUITO- Early in the morning we travel to Caleta Tortuga Negra ( Black Turtle Cove). We enter a sheltered area in our dinghy for some turtle spotting, as from December to March these beautiful animals breed in this area. If we are lucky, we may see white- tipped reef sharks, and eagle or golden rays sliding under the dinghy. We then say good- bye to our guide and crew before transferring to Baltra for our flight back to the mainland. On arrival transfer to the hotel. ( B) DAY 10: QUITO- Tour ends. ( B) Note: This is a standard itinerary and it may change due to local conditions. If our vessel, the Eden is fully booked, we may use another boat of a similar standard. GALAPAGOS 121 SOUTHAMERICA Imaginative Facts Tour code: LTGE • Activities: Wildlife spotting, hiking in the islands, snorkelling • Accommodation: 2 nights tourist class hotels, 7 nights Galapagos cruise boat • Transport: Car, boat • Flights: Included in the tour price Quito to Baltra, Baltra to Quito • Fully Escorted: By local representatives in Quito, services of a local professional guide and boat crew during the cruise • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: See Machu Picchu on our ' Inca Trail Extension' DAY 1: QUITO- Arrive and transfer to the hotel. DAY 2: QUITO - GALAPAGOS ISLANDS-Fly from Quito to the Galapagos Islands and transfer onto our boat, the Eden. The isolation of these islands, and their lack of natural predators, means that you can get closer to animals such as seals, iguanas and giant tortoises than would be possible anywhere else. The birdlife is also wonderfully rich as well as numerous other species. Awe-inspiring scenery encompasses volcanoes and pristine beaches, dramatic lava formations and beautiful bays, and the clear waters of the surrounding ocean offer superb opportunities for snorkelling. Your days will be spent cruising around the islands, exploring different areas and coming into contact with the extraordinary animals that live there. Our first port of call is Las Bachas, a white sandy beach that is a major nesting site for sea turtles. ( BLD) DAY 3: NORTH SEYMOUR - SANTA FE-We walk along the coast of North Seymour and then towards the interior of the island, observing colonies of blue- footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow- tailed gulls, sea lions and marine iguanas. In the afternoon we arrive at Santa Fe and a lovely beach with colourful turquoise water, perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Larger iguanas and many other animals can also be found on the island. ( BLD) DAY 4: ESPAÑOLA ( HOOD)- On arrival at Espanola we visit Punta Suarez, and follow a trail to see boobies and waved albatrosses nesting in their hundreds. We then head to Gardner Bay, which has a brilliant white sandy beach with hundreds of basking sea lions. ( BLD) DAY 5: FLOREANA- After breakfast we disembark at Point Cormorant and take an easy walk to see the flamingos that inhabit a brackish- water lagoon nearby. There is great snorkelling from the beach at the ' Devil's Crown', and those who do not wish to snorkel can enjoy a ride in a glass-bottom boat. In the afternoon we land at the historic Post Office Bay to learn more about the history of the islands, their early inhabitants and the adventures of local pirates and whalers. Later, a dinghy takes us to nearby islets to observe sea lions, rays, sea turtles and possibly even the Galapagos penguin. ( BLD) DAY 6: SANTA CRUZ - PUERTO AYORA-Continue to Santa Cruz, the only inhabited island visited during the cruise and visit Discover the unique array of wildlife in this nature lover's paradise• Enjoy 8- days of cruisingaround these fabulous islands • Spot blue- footed boobies, waved albatrosses and even penguins • View giant tortoise, sea lions, marine iguanas and perhaps sharks • Swim, snorkel and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station • Walk amongst volcanic scenery, lush mangroves and highlands Galapagos Explorer Single Supplement £ 30 ( compulsory) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 21.88 Price includes flights to and from the Galapagos Islands All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1845pp Land Only * traveller Tour duration 10 days Starts SatEnds Mon QuitoQuito 2009 21- Feb- 0902- Mar- 09 28- Mar- 0906- Apr- 09 25- Apr- 0904- May- 09 02- May- 0911- May- 09 30- May- 0908- Jun- 09 20- Jun- 0929- Jun- 09 22- Aug- 0931- Aug- 09 12- Sep- 0921- Sep- 09 28- Nov- 0907- Dec- 09 05- Dec- 0914- Dec- 09 Starts SatEnds Mon QuitoQuito 2010 Dates on request * Price includes tour price of £ 1795and Galapagos entry fee of US$ 100 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

SOUTHAMERICAGALAPAGOS  ECUADOR  PERU 122 " The standard of accommodation, transport, meals, local guides and itinerary were all relevant to the nature of the tour, which allowed you to get into the spirit of the country more. Fantastic!" Tamara Whittaker south america Imaginative Facts Tour code: LAGA • Activities: Wildlife spotting, hiking in the islands, snorkelling, boat ride on Lake Titicaca, Inca Trail hike. Trek grade - Moderate / Strenuous • Accommodation: 9 nights hotels, 7 nights Galapagos cruise, 1 night homestay on Lake Titicaca, 3 nights camping on Inca Trail, 2 nights Amazon lodge • Transport: Public and private bus, plane, train, boat, foot • Flights: Lima to Puerto Maldonado, Puerto Maldonado to Cuzco, Juliaca to Lima. Also now included - Quito to Baltra, Baltra to Guayaquil, Guayaquil to Lima • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader days 10- 21 ( except on the Inca Trail), services of local representatives in Quito and Lima, services of a local professional guide and boat crew during the cruise, services of guides on the Inca Trail and at Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and the Amazon, services of porters on the Inca Trail DAY 1: QUITO DAY 2: QUITO - GALAPAGOS ISLANDS- ( BLD) DAY 3: NORTH SEYMOUR - SANTA FE- ( BLD) DAY 4: ESPAÑOLA ( HOOD)- ( BLD) DAY 5: FLOREANA- ( BLD) DAY 6: SANTA CRUZ - PUERTO AYORA- ( BLD) DAY 7: SANTIAGO - BARTOLOME- ( BLD) DAY 8: GENOVESA ISLAND- ( BLD) DAY 9: BLACK TURTLE COVE – BALTRA - GUAYAQUIL - LIMA- ( B) DAY 10: LIMA - AMAZON- ( BLD) DAY 11: AMAZON- ( BLD) DAY 12: AMAZON - CUZCO- ( B) DAY 13: CUZCO- ( B) DAYS 14- 17: MACHU PICCHU HIKE- ( Day 14 - 16 - BLD, Day 17 - B) DAY 18: CUZCO- ( B) DAY 19: CUZCO - PUNO- ( B) DAY 20: LAKE TITICACA- ( BLD) DAY 21: LAKE TITICACA - PUNO- ( B) DAY 22: PUNO - JULIACA - LIMA- ( B) DAY 23: LIMA- ( B) Note: If there are no permits left for the Inca Trail at the time of booking, we can arrange the alternative Lares Valley trek. Please book early to ensure permit availability. Note: It is possible to spend extra time in Cuzco rather than trekking the Inca Trail. See dossier for more details. Note: This is a standard itinerary and it may change due to local conditions. If our vessel, the Eden is fully booked, we may use another boat of a similar standard. Ecuador Peru - Combine ' Galapagos Explorer' and ' Inca Adventure' • Enjoy 8- days of wildlife cruisingaround the fabulous Galapagos Islands • Swim, snorkel and walk amongst volcanic sceneryand lush mangroves • Explore the old Inca capital of Cuzco and the impressive Sacred Valley • Trek through the Andeson the magnificent Inca Trail to Machu Picchu • Take a cruise on Lake Titicaca and journey into the Amazon rainforest Galapagos & Peru Adventure Single Supplement £ 215 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 23.19 Price includes flights to and from the Galapagos Islands * Includes tour price of £ 3010, local payment of US$ 300, Galapagos entry fee of US$ 100All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 3215pp Land Only * adventurer Tour duration 23 days Starts SatEnds Sun QuitoLima 2009 28- Mar- 0919- Apr- 09 25- Apr- 0917- May- 09 30- May- 0921- Jun- 09 20- Jun- 0912- Jul- 09 22- Aug- 0913- Sep- 09 12- Sep- 0904- Oct- 09 05- Dec- 0927- Dec- 09 Starts SatEnds Sun QuitoLima 2010 Dates on request We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Trek grade - Moderate / Strenuous Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243