Galapagos Cruise- Explorer II

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Quito

Hotel Patio AndaluzHotel Patio Andaluz Arrive 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: Baltra Island / Santa Cruz Island / Embark - Cruise Only Starts

Arrive at the Balta airport this morning. Transfer to your ship for embarkation and settle in to your cabin. This afternoon, visit Cerro Dragon, where two lagoons are home to flamingos, and a path takes you through cacti and palo santo trees, leading to a great view.

Day 4: Bartholomew Island / Santiago Island

Bartholomew is a tiny island providing spectacular views of the Archipelago. This islands is a also a must for the visitor interested in geology. The endemic Galapagos penguin is common in the bay area. Activities here include snorkeling, swimming and relaxing. Santiago Island is currently uninhabited. There are several species of land birds here, including 10 species of the Darwin Finches as well as the Galapagos Hawk. This is the best site in the Archipelago to observe the Galapagos Fur Seal. Snorkeling and swimming available.

Day 5: Fernandina Island / Isabela Island

Fernandina is the westernmost island of the Archipelago. The colossal shield of the still active volcano Fernandina reaches 1,494 m. The island has a nice variety of wildlife, including one of the largest communities of Marine Iguanas, as well as Californian Sea Lions and Galapagos Flightless Cormorants. On Isabela Island, visit Punta Vicente Roca by Zodiac. Reaching a rocky pile of large basalt, you will find colonies of fur seals, sea lions, and marine iguanas basking in the sun. You may also see Galapagos penguins, swallow-tailed gulls, masked boobies, and blue-footed boobies. If you choose to snorkel, keep your eyes peeled for Manta rays, sea turtles, sea lions, stingrays, and perhaps even dolphins and sunfish.

Day 6: North Seymour Island / Santa Cruz Island

At Seymor Norte, an uplifted island, you have a dry landing. You may walk the loop trail and keep an eye out for frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, sea lions, marine iguanas swallow-tailed gulls, snakes, endemic Palo Santo, and the low shrubby-type Opuntia. In the afternoon, board a bus for a 45-minute ride through changing vegetation zones to the Santa Cruz Highlands. Here, about 40 giant tortoises live in the wild. By approaching quietly, you can find and observe a turtle on your own. You also hike to tunnels made by cooling lava.

Day 7: San Cristobal Island / Disembark / Quito - Cruise Only Ends

Hotel Patio AndaluzThis morning, visit Loberia or Isla Lobos or Tijeretas or El Junco, followed by a visit to the Interpretation Center on San Cristobal Island. Inaugurated in 1998, the Center is a state-of-the-art facility that offers complete education on both the islands and its human population. Later, 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 8: Quito / Home

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

Trip Details

Ship	Galapagos Explorer II
Just Released Offer	Members of ExpeditionTrips.com save $400 - $440 per person on select departures.Applicable Dates: 8/28/2008, 9/4/2008Expiration Date: 8/30/2008Per Person Discounted Rates: (Package)Classic Suite: $1,985Premium Suite: $2,150Per Person Regular Rates: (Package)Classic Suite: $2,385Premium Suite: $2,590New Reservations Only. Offers based on availability.
Highlights	Perfect for those who want to travel on a very comfortable ship with a "lighter" natural history program. Families enjoy this ship.
Trip Notes	Holiday Cruises: To confirm a Christmas or New Years cruise, the following amounts must be deposited:- 30% of cruise rate when reserving 240 days prior to departure- 50% of cruise rate when reserving 180 days prior to departure 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; 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; alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; Galapagos Transit Card ($10 per person), paid in cash upon arrival to airport; international airport departure tax, must be paid in cash; government taxes; charges and all items of a personal nature such laundry, consumption from the mini-bar located in suites; gratuities to ship staff is left to the discretion of the passenger; traveler’s insurance; wetsuit shorty ($20 per person / 5 days, advanced reservation required); snorkeling gear ($15 / 5 days); tour guide hearing system (optional, $20 / trip); Wireless Internet card ($15 / 1 hour, $25 / 2 hours); fuel surcharge ($26 per person per night, applies to cruises departing 5/31/2008 through 12/31/2009).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; guide and lecture services; transfers and baggage handling between island airport and ship. Not Included (Package): International airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos; alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; Galapagos Transit Card ($10 per person), paid in cash upon arrival to airport; international airport departure tax, must be paid in cash; government taxes; charges and all items of a personal nature such laundry, consumption from the mini-bar located in suites; gratuities to ship staff is left to the discretion of the passenger; traveler’s insurance; wetsuit shorty ($20 per person / 5 days, advanced reservation required); snorkeling gear ($15 / 5 days); tour guide hearing system (optional, $20 / trip); Wireless Internet card ($15 / 1 hour, $25 / 2 hours); fuel surcharge ($26 per person per night, applies to cruises departing 5/31/2008 through 12/31/2009).If you are booking a cruise only program, we are happy to add hotels, air and land arrangements as required. You will be quoted for services requested.
Departure Notes	Cruise Only - Starts Saturdays (5 days)Package - Starts Thursdays (8 days)Ship in Dry Dock: Sep 9 - Oct 3, 2009
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.

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