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Fundación Scalecia Galapagos
Think Globally, Educate Locally.
The children of the world are the hope for its future. We believe in education as one of the principal tools to ensure sustainability in the long term. The Scalesia Foundation is the only non-governmental institution that is investing 100% of its efforts in EDUCATION on the Islands.
Latin Excursions is an important contributor of Fundación Scalecia please visit our foundation's friends page
Opuntia Galapagos Summer Specials
This summer in the Galapagos, take on a new challenge and get your thrills like nowhere else before.
Opuntia Galapagos, the hotel group responsible for top quality properties such as Casa Opuntia (San Cristobal Island), Angermeyer Waterfront Inn (Santa Cruz Island), and Iguana Crossing (Isabela Island), is offering for a limited time 2 very special excursion opportunities for Summer 2013.
From June 25 to July 1, take advantage of Opuntia’s 7-Day Multiactive Adventure as expert guides take you to experience the Galapagos while kayaking, hiking, biking, snorkeling, and more on these wonderfully unpredictable islands. The program will offer close encounters with famous Galapagos wildlife, as well as see volcanoes and underwater kingdoms few get the chance to. As well, you will be arranged with stays at Opuntia properties depending on the location of the activities.
Opuntia’s 7-Day Multiactive Adventure
Special promotional price is available only for the June 25-July 1 trip. However, Opuntia’s Multiactive Adventures also have 7 day departures for March 15, April 2, May 11, July 16, August 6, September 17, October 15, November 6, and December 3, 2013.
Highlights:
- Sea kayak with sharks, marine iguanas, sea turtles, and sea lions.
- Walk among giant Galapagos tortoises in their natural habitat.
- Snorkel with colorful, multiple species of tropical fish, beautiful rays, and non-aggressive sharks (possibly including the giant hammerheads).
- Hike the rim of the 2nd largest volcano caldera in the world and discover extraordinary lava formations.
- Travel the only exclusive mountain biking route on Isabela Island.
- Relax on sandy beaches with sea lions and marine iguanas!
- Every step, peddle, and paddle of your journey is expertly led by top of the line adventure and nature guides.
- Enjoy the exceptional service, waterfront location, decor, privacy, and world class dining at the finest boutique hotels in the Galapagos.
- Program provides direct benefits to the local communities.
Opuntia’s 5-Day Wildlife Discovery
If your interest is more focused specifically on Galapagos wildlife, then be sure to take advantage of Opuntia’s 5-Day Wildlife Discovery trips. These journeys take you to get up close and personal with your favorite species, allowing for eye-to-eye friendships. As you walk, swim, snorkel, and zoom through the various natural habitats, you will see both land and water animals in what is essentially a fenceless zoo.
The special promotional price applies for all departures that begin on dates April 24, April 28, May 22, June 9, June 19, July 3, July 21, August 4, August 25, August 28, September 1, September 25, October 9, October 23, November 3, November 20, December 8, and December 18, 2013.
Highlights:
Swim with sea turtles, sea lions, penguins, sharks, rays, and countless fish.
- Learn about evolution as you meet finches, mockingbirds, boobies, penguins, endemic plants, giant tortoises, land iguanas, and marine iguanas.
- Hike an endemic forest of scalesia trees, a long-lost relative of daisy flowers.
- Relax on sandy beaches amongst sea lions and marine iguanas.
- Every step of your journey is expertly led by top-rated naturalist guides.
- Enjoy the exceptional service, waterfront location, decor, privacy, and world class dining of the finest boutique hotels in the Galapagos.
- Support local communities through this eco-friendly, sustainable program.
Reach out to one of Latin Excursions’ expert travel consultants today to start planning your thrilling vacation!
Enjoy your Galapagos cruise details on the house!
Metropolitan Touring, the mother brand of some of our top medium and large Galapagos vessels, is celebrating their 60th anniversary throughout the month of March 2013. To commemorate this important milestone with its guests, all wetsuit rentals for snorkeling, soft drink beverages, and Internet use will be included in the price of your cruise aboard La Pinta starting March 2013 and forward!
This means that you will be able to enjoy Galapagos’ marvelous underwater worlds in comfort, relax with unlimited non-alcoholic drinks of your choice during downtime (virgin cocktails not included), and remain connected with family and friends all along the way from the convenience of the 2 computer stations in La Pinta’s library and WiFi available in public social areas. Better yet, you won’t have to spend an extra penny for any of these extra services!
Metropolitan Touring has been handling expert trips in South America since 1953, to destinations such as Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, and Chile. At this time, Galapagos tourism was comprised of just a few settlements almost too much a stretch to be called towns. As such, it wasn’t until interest started to rev up in the islands in the 1960’s that the company began offering trips to some of the first curious visitors.
Today, their modern fleet includes the 40-passenger La Pinta and Isabela II, and the 100-passenger Santa Cruz. On land in the Galapagos, Metropolitan Touring is also the proprietor of the celebrated Finch Bay Eco-Hotel, respected for its extensive environmentally friendly and sustainable practices, not to mention the picturesque beach found at its front doors.
Contact a Latin Excursions travel consultant today to get more information about Metropolitan Touring’s 60 year specials and promotions, including departure deals on board La Pinta, Isabela II, and Santa Cruz throughout the months of March, April, and May 2013.
Professional Photography Lessons on board the Eclipse, May 2013
Take advantage of a Galapagos cruise aboard the M/V Eclipse this May 2013 alongside professional photographer Jonathan R. Green to learn how to take unforgettable photos of landscapes and wildlife.
Whether photography for you is a side hobby, budding interest, or full time or professional interest, the 48-passenger Eclipse yacht’s upcoming Photo Expedition trip May 25 to June 1, 2013 will surely teach you something new. Ocean Adventures and Latin Excursions invite you on board the Eclipse this Spring to join award-winning wildlife photographer Jonathan R. Green as he demonstrates his best tips and tricks for capturing that fast-moving frigate bird or that baby sea lion who just won’t stay still.
The photography workshops will take place on board as well as in the field during your Galapagos cruise on the Eclipse. Learn how to best make use of the natural sunlight, how to time your snapshots, how to frame your images to generate interest, how to best take in the magnitude of the Galapagos’ magnificent landscapes, and much more. Green’s lessons cater to every skill level.
Contact a Latin Excursions travel consultant to book this unique educational journey aboard the M/V Eclipse today, as spaces are running out quickly.
Photography enthusiasts should also look forward to the next Photo Expedition, scheduled for August 17 to 24, 2013.
We can’t wait to see your shots!
Galapagos Photo Post: Cruising the Eastern Islands
Unfortunately, you can’t take your vacation with you, but photographs capturing the moments are a close substitute. On a recent 4 day trip aboard the Ocean Spray 16 passenger catamaran sailing around the eastern Galapagos Islands, I could not believe the unending stream of breathtaking sights that blessed my eyes! Out of the hundreds of images I snapped of the unbelievable wildlife and vast landscapes, here are 6 that best present glimpses of some of the top experiences.
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The rich natural and geographic diversity of the Galapagos is the result of millions of years of volcanic eruptions and formations. Whether it was sunrise, raining, or the middle of the day with beating down sun, the San Cristobal Island’s subtle but expansive views were always sights to behold. |
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Our days were jam packed! When we were not eating or snorkeling or laughing, the crew was getting us ready for hiking! Even at 9 in the morning, the sun was unbearably hot at Punta Pitt; be sure to bring lots of water and sun protection. Getting into the deep of the land makes you realize how strong and powerful Mother Nature really is. |
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We sure walked a long way! After a wet landing on the beach (meaning you step off the dinghy and right into the water in order to disembark), we hiked up to a pass that allowed us this panorama. Wouldn’t you want to just set up a tent and spend the night listening to the lapping Pacific waves and gazing at the stars? |
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Going to the Galapagos is like visiting an open zoo with no fences or cages. Because the animals have lived millions of years without knowing humans, they never developed a fear of them. Sea lions will swim right up to your goggles, and birds won’t budget even if you are just inches from their feet! Too bad we couldn’t bring back this adorable baby sea lion back on board the Ocean Spray with us, but I’m sure he preferred the amazing waters of Cerro Brujo Beach instead. |
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Dinghy rides were some of the most fascinating excursions because the small boats can take you into bays and nooks where the catamaran couldn’t venture. From above the water, it is possible to see giant marine turtles gliding through the water, blue footed boobies waddling around looking for food, sealions yelling at each other, and so much more. |
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Floreana is famous as a popular spot for nesting marine turtles, which we indeed saw at a hidden beach on the other side of the point. This sunset over a lagoon at Cormorant Point on Floreana Island was a most beautiful way to close out our 4 day cruise, which was way too short! |
