Galapagos Cruise - Alta

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: 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, you are transferred to the dock where motorized rafts called ‘Pangas’ transport you to your ship for embarkation. After a briefing and a light lunch you will visit your first site, Playa Ochoa, a great beach with a colony of sea lions.

Day 4: Genovesa Island

Genovesa is one of the most fantastic islands because of its animals, its landscape, its remoteness and its unspoiled nature. At Prince Philip’s 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 5: Isabela Island / Fernandina Island

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. These are very productive waters and whales and dolphins are often seen here. 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. 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.

Day 6: Isabela Island

Urbina Bay is very interesting in that it is a perfect example of the geological activity of the islands. In 1954 over 3 miles of the marine reef at the edge of the shore were uplifted by 13 feet. Located at the ‘mouth’ of the head of the sea horse, which forms the northern part of the islands, is Punta Vicente Roca. Here, the remnants of an ancient volcano form two turquoise coves with a bay well protected from the ocean swells. The spot is a popular anchorage from which to take panga rides along the cliff or explore a partially sunken cave at the water’s edge. Keep an eye out for Masked and Blue-footed Boobies and flightless cormorants.

Day 7: Bartolome Island / Santiago Island

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. 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.

Day 8: 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 9: Espanola Island

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.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.

Day 10: Baltra Island / Disembark / Quito - Cruise Only Ends

Deluxe Hotel or Premium Upgrade HotelDisembark at Baltra Island and transfer by bus to the airport for your 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	Alta
Just Released Offer	Members of ExpeditionTrips.com save 50% per person on the Naturalist cruise-only program in cabins 1-6 or 8. Offer based on availability, as space is very limited.Applicable Date: 2/28/2008 Per Person Discounted Cruise Rate: $1,975 Per Person Regular Cruise Rate: $3,950 Per Person Discounted Package Rate: $2,360 Per Person Regular Package Rate: $4,335 New reservations only.
Highlights	One of the nicer sailing vessels in the Galapagos. Very well run program with good guides and food. Very comfortable for a sailing vessel.
Trip Notes	This itinerary is subject to change. ExpeditionTrips is not responsible for itinerary changes.Active Departures: These programs offer diving, a minimum of 3 dives total. (contact ExpeditionTrips for dates) Naturalist Departures: Diving is not offered on these programs, and daily excursions are less active than other departures. (contact ExpeditionTrips for dates) 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; snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel, fins); starting in 2009, use of wetsuits.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 (in 2008 only, $30 per person / week); travel insurance; passport expenses; fuel surcharge ($306 per person; $4,284 per charter).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; service of naturalist guides; transfers and baggage handling between island airport and ship; snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel, fins); starting in 2009, use of wetsuits.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 (in 2008 only, $30 per person / week); fuel surcharge ($306 per person; $4,284 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: Sep 13-20 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.

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