FERNANDINA VOLCANO IN THE GALAPAGOS ERUPTS

"The Ecuadorian Geophysics Institute informs that La Cumbre volcano on Fernandina Island in the Galapagos has started a new eruptive process. The island-volcano - 1476 meters high- is not inhabited and located 90 Kms. to the northwest of Puerto Villamil the closest village on Isabela Island, so there is no danger for the human population.

The current eruptive process started during the night of April 10 and was reported by the park wardens and by a tour boat which was in the vicinity. Lava flows have been observed, coming from a lateral fissure located 500 meters below the crater at the southwest side of the island, close to Cape Hammond. This is a radial fissure 200 meters long and 10 meters wide that reaches up to 15 meters high. There is also a large column of smoke.

The volcano of Fernandina Island erupted five years ago, without causing major damage to the flora and fauna of the area.

Tour excursions to Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island have not been suspended; authorities of the Galapagos National Park are closely monitoring the developments to determine that it is safe to continue with them."

- from Metropolitan Touring

Inca Trail Permits Sold Out Through June 2009

Inca Trail Permits are selling quickly again this year (although a little slower than last year), and permits are now sold out through June 2009. There are still permits available for most any date at the end of the year, September to January. Check out permit availability on our Inca Trail Permits page.

July 2009

Date: Permits Remaining

11: 88
12: 24
14: 52
15: 94
16: 69
17: 137
18: 73
19: 29
20: 0
21: 175
22: 23
23: 84
24: 0
25: 161
26: 0
27: 103
28: 233
29: 230
30: 5
31: 40

August 2008

Date: Permits Remaining
1: 402
2: 304
3: 0
4: 267
5: 224
6: 369
7: 296
8: 346
9: 23
10: 35
11: 367
12: 22
13: 398
14: 223
15: 354
16: 113
17: 183
18: 11
19: 152
20: 469
21: 355
22: 402
23: 409
24: 377
25: 433
26: 414
27: 418
28: 369
29: 443
30: 417
31: 404