Ecuador. Galapagos Islands.
April 15 - April 21, 2012
7 days / 6 nights
registration deadline February 15, 2012
The Galapagos Islands are as unique as they are dramatic, a world of volcanic landscapes and docile animals: giant tortoises, fur seals, sea lions, marine iguanas, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies to name just a few.
Located in the Pacific Ocean, this archipelago is roughly 604 miles / 972 km off the coast of Ecuador, straddling the equator. It encompasses over 50 islands of volcanic origin which spread over an area of about 1737 sq.miles / 4500 sq.km
The Galapagos gained fame with the publication of Darwin’s “Voyage of the Beagle” and “On the Origin of Species”. In 1959 the Galapagos National Park was established to protect its unique flora and fauna and later was declared by UNESCO as both a Natural Heritage for Humanity and a World Heritage Site.
Embark upon a spacious and comfortable 110 ft / 33.5 m “Superior First Class” motor yacht. We chose this yacht out of many for its superior accommodations and services. With only 16 passengers on board it is a perfect way to cruise the Galapagos in comfort and style, away from the crowd.
MORE ABOUT THE YACHT ...
Please note that timing or sequence of island visits may be altered depending on arrival of flights, weather conditions, and changes by the Galapagos National Park administration or other unexpected circumstances.
| GROUP SIZE | PRICE/PERSON IN DBL |
|---|---|
| 2 - 10 | USD $ 3,375 |
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT USD $ 1,150 |
|
The price includes round-trip airfare Quito - Galapagos - Quito and park fees/entrance.
Can be purchased as a separate tour or as an extension to WEST ECUADOR - CLOUD FOREST BIODIVERSITY TOUR, April 7 - April 15, 2012
Itinerary
Day 1 - Hotel Quito (arriving participants transferred from Mariscal Sucre International Airport)
As a separate tour: depending on your arrival time you have an option of joining the scheduled activities for the day (see bellow).
As an extension: After breakfast we visit the historic part of the city of Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage site - with many churches and historic buildings, and visit El Panecillo. After, we drive to La Mitad del Mundo for lunch and tour its monument and museum, which commemorates the first French Geodesic Mission to measure the Earth’s circumference at the equator. We return to the Hotel Quito in the evening.
Hotel Quito breakfast, lunch, dinner (B,L,D), swimming pool, sauna, free Internet access
Day 2 - Hotel Quito
After breakfast we drive to Antisana National Park for incredible landscapes and to observe many species of birds. At 13,123 ft / 4000 m we will have a great chance to see the magnificent Andean Condor. We come back to Hotel Quito in the late afternoon. Evening is free.
Hotel Quito (B,D), box lunch, swimming pool, sauna, free Internet access
Day 3
AM: Arrival to Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island - Charles Darwin Research Station
PM: Santa Cruz Island - Highlands
After breakfast we depart to the airport for your flight to Galapagos. Upon arrival at Baltra airport travelers pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands. Guides will meet you and collect your luggage to transport it to your yacht. You will be taken on a 5-minute ferryboat ride to Santa Cruz Island across the Itabaca Canal, and then a bus ride to the highlands. We will walk through the giant lava tubes; visit the Tortoise Reserve in search of giant tortoises in their natural habitat. After, we head down to the town of Puerto Ayora for a visit of the Charles Darwin Scientific Research Station with free time to stroll through the town’s shops. In the late afternoon, you will board the Beluga yacht with time to unpack before dinner.
Note: For the tour of Santa Cruz Island you will not have your luggage with you. It will be transported to your yacht directly from the airport. We recommend wearing comfortable cloth, shoes, windbreaker and have a small backpack with insect repellant, sun block, camera, binoculars or other small personal belongings.
Hotel Quito (B), Puerto Ayora (L), on-board "Beluga" yacht (D)
Day 4
AM: Santiago Island - Espumilla Beach
PM: Santiago Island - Sullivan Bay, Chinese Hat Island
Espumilla Beach, with its coffee-colored sand, is just north of the fresh water supply that once attracted pirates and whalers. A short walk inland will take you through a mangrove forest inhabited by the Black-winged Stilt. Sea turtles also come here to nest. Beyond the mangroves is a brackish lagoon where flocks of the Pink Flamingos and White-cheeked Pintails can be seen. On the eastern coast of Santiago Island is Sullivan Bay. There you can view a large area of pahoehoe (ropey) lava flows dating from an eruption in 1897. A walk over this glazed black rock gives the impression of the still-molten lava, as every ripple, swirl, and bubble in its surface has been preserved. Tiny fragile Mollugi plants can be spotted growing out of fissures as they colonize the arid terrain. To the right of the southeastern tip of Santiago Island is Chinese Hat Island, a cone-shaped volcano. There is quite a large Sea Lion community to observe and if you are lucky, a few Galapagos penguins.
on-board "Beluga" yacht (B, L, D)
Day 5
AM: Genovesa Island - Darwin Bay
PM: Genovesa Island - El Barranco
We walk the half-mile trail (800 m) of white, sandy coral beachheads and mangroves filled with sea birds: Nazca Boobies, Red-footed Boobies, and Swallow-tailed Gulls. Further down the path are tidal pools, where Sea Lions swim. The trail ends with a spectacular lookout. You may choose an optional snorkeling session to observe Rays, colorful reef fish and Hammerhead sharks. In the afternoon, El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip's Steps, we climb a steep, rocky path that leads up to a high cliff with a majestic view. This site is also home to Palo Santo vegetation as well as the Red-footed Boobies, Short-eared Lava Owls, Galapagos Swallows, and Galapagos Doves.
on-board "Beluga" yacht (B, L, D)
Day 6 - Santa Cruz Island - Black Turtle Cove, Departure from Baltra Island
In the morning we visit Black Turtle Cove, situated in the northern part of Santa Cruz Island. This inlet is surrounded by mangroves and is only accessible by dinghy. The shallow cove is a safe haven for young marine life. Blacktip and Whitetip Reef Sharks, Sea Turtles, and a variety of Sting Rays are often spotted here. After this excursion, we board a bus to the Baltra airport for your flight to Quito and then transfer to your hotel.
on-board "Beluga" yacht (B), Hotel Quito (L, D) swimming pool, sauna, free Internet access
Day 7 - Hotel Quito, departure home
Private transfer to Mariscal Sucre International Airport for your departure home.
Hotel Quito, swimming pool, sauna, free Internet access, no meals included
End of Services
- Round-trip airfare Galapagos / Quito
- Lodging and accommodations as specified
- Meals as specified
- Entrances and fees for all described activities
- Private transfers from and to the airports in Quito and Galapagos
- Professional bilingual nature guide
- Assistance with caption and identification for your images
- Taxes on all services listed above
- International airfare
- International Airport departure tax (US $43)
- Traveler’s insurance
- Alcoholic Drinks
- Gratuities and tips
- Souvenirs
- Thermal swimming suit and snorkeling equipment