Classic Galapagos - Australian Geographic Escorted Voyage 10 days

Board our vessel, the M.Y. San Jose, and follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin and encounter nature at its finest. The Galapagos Islands are a bird-lover’s paradise and also offer a myriad of underwater life.

For those interested in exploring the Amazon jungle after the escorted voyage the 4-day Amazon Wilderness extension can be added on at the end of the trip.

The Voyage

As we fly from Quito to the Galapagos Islands, located in the equatorial water of the Pacific Ocean, we suddenly find ourselves in a very different world. As we board our vessel, the M.Y. San Jose, and follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin, we start to encounter nature at its finest. Remote Genovesa Island is a bird-lover’s paradise with three species of boobies present, all resplendent and wearing their colourful ‘shoes’. Storm petrels and frigatebirds can also be seen, as well as a myriad of underwater life. Sea lions and iguanas await us at Plaza Sur and Santa Fe, whilst in San Cristobal we meet the grand-daddy of the Galapagos – the giant tortoise. At Floreana, with its unusual Post Office Bay, we view flamingos wading in a lagoon and learn about some of the island’s more bizarre history. A hike on Bartoleme offers panoramic views across some of the other islands, showcasing the dramatic volcanic landscape. This is indeed the Galapagos journey with something for everyone.

About Ian Connellan

This wonderful wildlife voyage will be escorted by Ian Connellan, Australian Geographic magazine editor and Society trustee. Ian has spent 20 years as an adventure and natural history writer, photographer and editor and is currently editor of Australian Geographic (AG) and managing editor of AG Outdoor magazine as well as the AG Education magazines Little Kids and Explorers. He’s also a trustee of the not-for-profit Australian Geographic Society, of which Peregrine is a long-time supporter.

This is Ian’s second stint as an AG staff member; he was also with the organisation from 1993 to 1999, when he worked as managing editor of books. Between his innings at AG Ian was a stay-at-home dad for his twins and a Lonely Planet writer/photographer. He co-authored first editions of three books in LP’s cycling guide series (Britain, Australia and Ireland) and co-authored the 2006 update of Walking in Australia. Ian’s also written and photographed travel stories for a variety of magazines and, occasionally, the newspapers. He remains a Lonely Planet Images photographer although he claims “There aren’t many new photographs of mine in the library – too much time spent in the office!”

Ian started out in publishing as a freelance feature writer and, before joining AG in 1993, was editor of Australian Skiing and managing editor of Australian Snowboarding, which he also had a hand in establishing. In the several years between completing his two university degrees and starting in publishing, Ian travelled and skied. He describes those days as “250 days a year on skis – bliss”. Ian’s impressive experience in the publishing and travel industries have only ignited his passion to explore this great world we live in further. He is based in Sydney, but “only when he can’t find an excuse to be anywhere else”. If you choose to join Ian on this Classic Galapagos Voyage, part of your tour payment will go to the Australian Geographic Society and will directly support the work of Australian scientists, conservationists and adventurers.