Puerto Villamil and Southern Isabela Island
It was with great pleasure that I joined Lynn Fowler, our Expedition Leader, and a select group of the Islander guests for a hike to the rim of Sierra Negra volcano. Today’s weather was perfect for this outing: a pleasant temperature, some mist (called garua) and clouds, plus sunny skies and even a cool breeze when we reached Volcan Chico. We traversed an incredible and varied topography, beheld breathtaking views from the rim of the volcano down to the sea, and at every moment saw the evidence of the magnificence of the pristine natural world.
Sierra Negra volcano is the southernmost of a chain of five and a half volcanoes that are joined together to form the huge, seahorse-shaped island of Isabela. Cerro Azul to the west, then Sierra Negra, and to the north are Alcedo, Darwin, Wolf and the partially collapsed Volcan Ecuador. Four of the volcanoes named above have erupted with in the last 25 years! The area around Volcan Chico, where we hiked today, was last active in 1979 and still has very little vegetation growing on the barren lava flows.
For the group of our guests who chose to remain at the coast today, there were many options. In the morning we visited the tortoise breeding center at Villamil, where the endangered races of tortoises from Cerro Azul and Sierra Negra are being raised in captivity and then repatriated to the wild. Then there was free time to explore the town, swim and stroll on the long, white sand beach or have a beer in one of several small cafés and bars.
In the afternoon we walked through a rugged field of AA lava to the edge of a water filled crack where several white tipped reef sharks were resting. At least they were resting, until some playful sea lions swam along and scattered them! As a finale to another wonderful day, we gathered in La Choza bar for colas and beers and fresh seafood snacks.
It was with great pleasure that I joined Lynn Fowler, our Expedition Leader, and a select group of the Islander guests for a hike to the rim of Sierra Negra volcano. Today’s weather was perfect for this outing: a pleasant temperature, some mist (called garua) and clouds, plus sunny skies and even a cool breeze when we reached Volcan Chico. We traversed an incredible and varied topography, beheld breathtaking views from the rim of the volcano down to the sea, and at every moment saw the evidence of the magnificence of the pristine natural world.
Sierra Negra volcano is the southernmost of a chain of five and a half volcanoes that are joined together to form the huge, seahorse-shaped island of Isabela. Cerro Azul to the west, then Sierra Negra, and to the north are Alcedo, Darwin, Wolf and the partially collapsed Volcan Ecuador. Four of the volcanoes named above have erupted with in the last 25 years! The area around Volcan Chico, where we hiked today, was last active in 1979 and still has very little vegetation growing on the barren lava flows.
For the group of our guests who chose to remain at the coast today, there were many options. In the morning we visited the tortoise breeding center at Villamil, where the endangered races of tortoises from Cerro Azul and Sierra Negra are being raised in captivity and then repatriated to the wild. Then there was free time to explore the town, swim and stroll on the long, white sand beach or have a beer in one of several small cafés and bars.
In the afternoon we walked through a rugged field of AA lava to the edge of a water filled crack where several white tipped reef sharks were resting. At least they were resting, until some playful sea lions swam along and scattered them! As a finale to another wonderful day, we gathered in La Choza bar for colas and beers and fresh seafood snacks.
