Galapagos Cruise - La Pinta

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Quito

Deluxe Hotel or Premium Upgrade HotelArrive in Quito, Ecuador and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Quito.

Day 2: Quito

Deluxe Hotel or Premium Upgrade HotelToday is at your leisure. A variety of day tours are available for purchase. Overnight in Quito.

Day 3: Baltra Island / Embark - Cruise Only Starts

Arrive to Baltra Island and transfer by bus to the dock to board the Santa Cruz. Cabin assignment and introductory welcome talk. Later, lunch, and ship’s boat drill.This afternoon, you may visit Santa Cruz and enjoy a Zodiac ride among mangrove-lined islets allows the observation of the bird life and dramatic landscape and coastline. Quite commonly, the black lava will reveal the presence of marine iguanas and you may find sea turtles, rays and sharks in the shallow turquoise waters. Following the Zodiac ride, enjoy a walk to a brackish water lagoon frequented by greater flamingos, common stilts, pintail ducks and a variety of shore and lagoon birds. Further along the trail, head to Dragon Hill, offering beautiful views and a fairly large number of land iguanas and bird watching.

Day 4: Bartolome Island / Fernandina Island

On Bartolome Island, hike to the summit. This is a steep climb aided by a wooden staircase, but the view from the top is worth the effort. There will be time for a panga ride (dinghy) around Pinnacle Rock to observe penguins, snorkeling and swimming from the beach, or a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Lunch on board.Fernandina is one of the youngest island volcanoes of our planet. Pitch dark and black lava flows dominate the land here. The refreshing green of mangroves provides shelter for sea lions and other species. This island is home to the only cormorant that gave up flying: the Galápagos Flightless Cormorant. If black rocks seem to quietly move, it is most likely that you are watching the largest clusters of marine iguanas of the archipelago. Watch them graze on the emerald-green algae.

Day 5: Isabela Island

Far out to the west, this island is the result of volcanic fusion; six volcanoes have joined forces to create an island shaped like a sea horse. Here, land iguanas roam the land next to bulldozer-like giant tortoises. An uplifted piece of land reveals a not-so-distant volcanic past. Look for gaunt marine skeletons as evidence that this once was ocean and now is land. The plankton-rich waters attract encounters with goliaths of the ocean: whales.

Day 6: Florena Island

Disembark at Punta Cormorant at an olivine-crystal beach for an easy walk that includes a brackish water lagoon where bird species like Greater flamingos, pintail ducks, common stilts, herons, sandpipers, and others may be observed. This outing also includes a white-sand beach where sea turtles come out at night for nesting (from December to May). Snorkeling can take place from the beach, and for those experienced marine enthusiasts, Devil's Crown can be an option. Non-snorkelers can enjoy an introduction to the Marine Reserve on the glass-bottom boat.

Day 7: Santa Cruise Island

A morning bus ride takes you to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island for a special breakfast at a selected property. Then, view the islands’ most famous reptile: the Giant Tortoises in their natural habitat. The vegetation, including the Scalesia Forest, and birds such as the vermilion flycatcher, will delight you. Look for Darwin’s finches (most of them from the tree-finch group), particularly the famous Woodpecker Finch.

Day 8: James Island / Rabida Island

This was Charles Darwin’s favorite island. He was touched by the many different types of habitats seen here. By now, it is easy to understand why Galápagos was a true wake-up call for him. The eroded shores of this island include black beaches made out of volcanic ash. This location holds one of the strangest marine mammals in the tropics: fur sea lions. What is a furry animal doing in the tropics? Galápagos hawks patiently look for lizards, just as herons patiently look for fish. If you have an eye for migrant birds, get ready for a fair good number of new records. Red is not a common color in Galápagos. A male frigatebird carries a red pouch, just like an oystercatcher holds a red beak. In higher elevations a male vermillion flycatcher will stand out from plants, just like red hot lava gently flows on black slopes. This island shows the uncommon: red terrain against a blue ocean. It is an artist’s dream come true. Pelicans nest here, and their neighbours are sea lions that peacefully rest on red sand. Another plunge and more marine creatures will surprise you.

Day 9: North Seymour Island / Sombrero Chino

Here, it seems like a volcano just collapsed and sank. In fact, the opposite happened; a volcano rose from the depths of the ocean and formed an island. Brown and white rocks hold large amounts of life, but it is here where sounds will impress you the most. Sea birds are always on the lookout for mates or food. Watch a male frigatebird and its red-scarlet pouch attract a mate, or watch a couple of blue-footed boobies parade. Look carefully near the shores, as sally-lightfoot crabs add orange to this ever-dark stones. If the ocean shows a swell, sea lions will surf it well. This is where humans don’t touch nature, but where nature touches humans.Perhaps, this is one of the most remarkable examples of volcanic activity. This volcanic cone is surrounded by aquamarine colours mixed with basaltic blacks. This small islet is a satellite of neighbouring James Island. Its secluded white beaches host sea lions, marine iguanas, and great marine diversity. Rays, fishes, penguins, and more, are common underwater highlights at this picturesque location.

Day 10: San Cristobal Island / Disembark / Quito - Cruise Only Ends

Deluxe Hotel or Premium Upgrade HotelDisembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. This small attractive port is the provincial capital of the Galápagos Islands (population 4,000), along a crescent-shaped bay. Visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center, which emphasizes human history and conservation. Afterwards, stroll through Puerto Baquerizo Moreno before heading back to the mainland. Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland. This afternoon is at your leisure. Overnight in Quito.

Day 11: Quito / Home

This morning, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

Trip Details

Ship	La Pinta
Just Released Offer	Members of ExpeditionTrips.com book an 8-day Galapagos cruise in an Upper Deck Twin or Upper Deck Triple cabin and receive complimentary pre/post-cruise land arrangements in Quito from ExpeditionTrips.Applicable Dates (11 Days total): 7/2/2008, 7/16/2008, 8/20/2008- Two pre-cruise nights at a boutique hotel in Quito- One post-cruise night at a boutique hotel in Quito- Four airport/hotel transfers in QuitoNot Included: Airfare; gratuities; Galapagos National Park tax; travel insurance. Offer subject to availability and applicable only to the following departures.
Highlights	Stylish and very comfortable ship with the perfect number of passengers, excellent guides, kayaks, glass-bottom boat and Jacuzzi.
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; guide and lecture services; use of glass-bottom boat, snorkeling gear and wetsuits; transfers and baggage handling between island airport and ship.Not Included (Cruise Only): Hotel nights before/after cruise; transfers in Quito or Guayaquil; international airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos Islands; Galapagos National Park entrance fee, USD$100 (children under 12 subtract $50), subject to change without notice; Galapagos Transit Card ($10 per person), paid in cash upon arrival to airport; bar purchases; gifts and personal items; passport expenses; traveler's insurance; international airport departure tax, must be paid in cash; laundry service; gratuities to ship staff and crew are left to the discretion of the passenger; fuel surcharge ($203 per person, per trip).Included (Package): Three hotel nights in Quito in either a Deluxe Hotel, or Premium Upgrade hotel for an additional $150 per person (hotel based on availability); four transfers in Quito; adult Galapagos National Park entrance fee, USD$100 (Children under 12 subtract $50); Cabin accommodations aboard ship; all meals aboard ship; all shore activities and excursions; guide and lecture services; use of glass-bottom boat, snorkeling gear and wetsuits; transfers and baggage handling between island airport and ship.Not Included (Package): International airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos Islands; Galapagos Transit Card ($10 per person), paid in cash upon arrival to airport; gratuities; bar purchases; gifts and personal items; passport expenses; traveler's insurance; international airport departure tax, must be paid in cash; fuel surcharge ($203 per person, per trip).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 FridaysPackage - Starts Wednesdays
Payment Policy	A deposit of $500 per person is required to confirm your reservation. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Payment MethodsDeposit: credit cards are accepted (VISA, MC, AmEx, Discover); Final payment: check or wire.WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS FOR FINAL PAYMENT.

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