Ecuador Group Adventure Trips and Tours
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Galapagos Cruise - Evolution
The Galapagos Islands are considered one of the most spectacular and pristine National Parks in the world. Visitors delight in the abundant, unusual, and surprisingly approachable wildlife--from Galapagos giant tortoises to playful sea lions to the fascinating Blue-footed Boobies.This trip may be booked as a package, as seen below, or cruise only starting on Day 3 and ending on Day 10.
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Quito
Hotel Patio AndaluzArrive in Quito, Ecuador and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Quito at the Hotel Patio Andaluz, or similar hotel.Day 2: Quito
Hotel Patio AndaluzToday is at your leisure. A variety of day tours are available for purchase. Overnight at the Hotel Patio Andaluz, or similar hotel.Day 3: San Cristobal Island / Embark - Cruise Only Starts
Upon to San Cristobal airport, your guides meet and escort you to the Galapagos National Park Visitor Center. Opened to the Public in 1998, the Galapagos National Park Visitor Center presents a complete and documented history of the Galapagos, its ecosystems, flora and fauna. Following the Visitor Center, visit Cerro Brujo, a beautiful white, powder-sand beach where you can swim and snorkel.Day 4: Espanola Island
Punta Suarez is one of the most popular and attractive visits of the Galapagos. The quantity and variety of wildlife at this site is remarkable. Encounter young sea lions, iguanas, and further inland, Masked and Blue-foot Boobies. The trail continues toward the cliffs and the blowhole, a fissure in the lava where water spurts high in the air like a geyser.Espanola Island is the southernmost island of the archipelago and, due to its isolation, has a high proportion of endemic fauna. Gardner Bay offers some beach time with the extroverted mockingbirds.Day 5: Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the Galapagos, and the small town of Puerto Ayora is the economic center of the archipelago. Six different zones of vegetation can be seen here. The Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park offices are based on the island. Scientists, park rangers and park managers make huge efforts to preserve and protect the Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Station is also a tortoise breeding and rearing center, where tortoises of different subspecies are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. The lush greenery of the Santa Cruz Highlands is a definite contrast with the arid scenery of the smaller, lower islands. A point of interest is the famed lava tunnels, followed by a visit to the Twin Craters.Day 6: Santiago Island / Bartolome Island
On the northwestern side of Santiago Island is South James Bay (Puerto Egas). The trail crosses the dry interior, where the remains of a salt-mining enterprise can still be seen and then continues along the coast. Inter-tidal pools are home to a variety of invertebrate organisms.Bartolome is famous for its Pinnacle Rock, which is the most representative landmark of the Galapagos. Galapagos penguins are usually found at the base of the rock. It is possible to climb to the highest point of Bartolome. Resembling the moon, the site is like a museum of volcanology, an eruption site left untouched after the explosion.Day 7: Genovesa Island
Genovesa is one of the most fantastic islands because of its animals, its landscape, its remoteness and its unspoiled nature. At Prince PhilipÂs Steps, climb to a plateau that is part of the stretch of land that surrounds Darwin Bay on its eastern side. Here, observe Masked boobies, Red-Footed boobies, and thousands of storm petrels. Snorkeling can be done at the beach or alongside the cliffs. Darwin Bay Beach is filled with frigate birds and their bustling activity. Along the trail are pairs of Swallow-tailed Gulls, the only nocturnal gulls in the world and Red-footed Boobies, with their contrasting red feet and blue bills.Day 8: Fernandina Island / Isabela Island
Fernandina is the youngest and westernmost island in the Galapagos. Punta Espinosa is a narrow stretch of land where some of the most unique Galapagos species can be seen. Here, you will likely see penguins, Sally Lightfoot crabs, herons, sandpipers, and very large groups of Marine iguanas. This is one of the few places where you can watch iguanas feed underwater. Isabela, the largest island in the archipelago, is composed of six shield volcanoes that have merged into a single land mass. On the way to Tagus Cove, the boat will sail through Bolivar Channel. At Tagus Cove, the nature trail offers spectacular views of Darwin Lake, and at the highest point, it is possible to observe the different vegetation zones, Darwin and Wolf Volcanoes, and Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants and pelicans.Day 9: North Seymour Island / Santa Cruz Island
North Seymour is an uplifted island, so is generally flat and strewn with boulders. There are good nesting sites here for a large population of magnificent frigate birds. Observe Blue-footed Boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. Despite the tremendous surf that can pound the outer shore, sea lions haul out onto the beach and can be found together with marine iguanas. At Black Turtle Cove, the panga will take you into a tidal lagoon to see three kinds of mangrove plants, red, white and black. White-tipped sharks, spotted rays, mustard rays and Pacific marine turtles frequent the waters here.Day 10: San Cristobal Island / Disembark / Quito - Cruise Only Ends
Hotel Patio AndaluzKicker Rock is a magnificent rock in the middle of the sea. Rising 500 feet strait from the ocean, this giant uplifted rock has the shape of a sleeping lion. Return to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal and transfer to the airport for your return flight to the mainland. This afternoon is at your leisure. Overnight at the Hotel Patio Andaluz, or similar hotel.Day 11: Quito / Home
This morning, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.Trip Details
| Ship | Evolution |
| Just Released Offer | Members of ExpeditionTrips.com save 25% per person on select departures. Save up to $1,212 per person! Offer applies to new bookings only. Cruise Style: NaturalistApplicable Dates: 4/10/2008Per Person Discounted Package Rates:Double Cabins D1-D4: $3,273Double Cabins C1-C9: $3,498Double Cabins A2-A3: $3,798Double Cabin A1: $4,023Per Person Regular Package Rates:Double Cabins D1-D4: $4,235Double Cabins C1-C9: $4,535Double Cabins A2-A3: $4,935Double Cabin A1: $5,235Note: Offer applies to cruise only rate (not package rate) and to new reservations only. |
| Highlights | Spacious vessel holding the perfect number of guests; she has the feel of the 1920s; good guides, a quality itinerary and lots of space. |
| Trip Notes | This itinerary is subject to change. ExpeditionTrips.com is not responsible for itinerary changes.Included (Cruise Only): Cabin accommodations aboard ship; all meals aboard ship; all shore activities and excursions; service of naturalist guides; transfers and baggage handling between island airport and ship.Not Included (Cruise Only):Hotel nights before/after cruise; transfers in Quito or Guayaquil; Galapagos National Park entrance fee, USD$100 (children under 12 subtract $50), subject to change without notice; Galapagos Transit Card ($10 per person, prepay); international airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos Islands; international airport departure tax, must be paid in cash; use of wetsuits ($30 per person / week); travel insurance; passport expenses; fuel surcharge, effective June 1, 2008 ($220 per person or $5,280 per charter).Included (Package):Three hotel nights in Quito at the Patio Andaluz, or similar (hotel based on availability; hotel upgrades available at additional cost); four transfers in Quito; adult Galapagos National Park tax, USD$100 (Children under 12 subtract $50); cabin accommodations aboard ship; all meals aboard ship; all shore activities and excursions; service of naturalist guides; transfers and baggage handling between island airport and ship.Not Included (Package):International airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos; Galapagos Transit Card ($10 per person, prepay); alcoholic beverages; gratuities to ship crew and naturalists are left to the discretion of the passenger; travel insurance; passport expenses; international airport departure tax, must be paid in cash; use of wetsuits ($30 per person / week); fuel surcharge, effective June 1, 2008 ($220 per person or $5,280 per charter).If you are booking a cruise only program, we are happy to add hotels, air and land arrangements as requested, and you will be quoted for services.Airfare between Quito/Guayaquil and the Galapagos Islands:Approximate cost: $375-$450 per adult; $225-$275 per child under 12 (copy of passport required). Prices vary based on shipping company and departure dates. Please note, ExpeditionTrips.com charges a $25 per person service charge to issue these air tickets. |
| Departure Notes | Cruise Only - Starts Saturdays (8 Days)Package - Starts Thursdays (11 days)Ship in Dry Dock: Aug 30 - Oct 11, 2008 |
| Payment Policy | A deposit of $500 per person is required to confirm your reservation. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Payment Methods Deposit: credit cards are accepted (VISA, MC, AmEx, Discover); Final payment: check or wire. WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS FOR FINAL PAYMENT. |
Trip Price |
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| USD | 3850.00 |
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