Mark Bridgen, Horticulture Section professor and director of the Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center, will lead an eco tour and natural history workshop to the Galapagos Islands June 1 – 12, 2017.
Participants will spend a full 11 days/10 nights aboard the Tip Top IV yacht visiting all of the significant outer islands, allowing for maximum wildlife observations. Each day the yacht travels to a different island during the night while people are sleeping. Then, early in the morning, the small group will go ashore to observe and photograph the unique wildlife — the same types of plants and animals that led Darwin to his Theory of Evolution when he visited in 1835.
Every day is different as the group voyages around the archipelago, and every excursion offers new opportunities to experience the natural wonders of the Galápagos. The days are filled with early-morning and late-afternoon outings to catch the peak animal activity, including land iguanas, sea lions, giant tortoises, and countless types of unique birds. There are also one or two snorkeling sessions during the days to observe the coral reefs, sea lions, Galápagos penguins, marine iguanas, sea turtles, hundreds of fish, and much more. There will be the opportunity to kayak several of the days and the evenings are devoted to natural history lectures and stargazing.