Galapagos Cruise - Diamante

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Quito

Boutique HotelArrive in Quito, Ecuador and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Quito at a boutique hotel.

Day 2: Quito

Boutique HotelToday is at your leisure. A variety of day tours are available for purchase. Overnight in Quito at a boutique hotel.

Day 3: Baltra Island / Embark / North Seymour Island - Cruise Only Starts

Depart Quito or Guayaquil this morning for your flight to Baltra. Upon arrival, you are transferred to the Diamante to begin your Galapagos cruise. Your first outing is at North Seymour Island where you observe sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and magnificent frigate birds.

Day 4: Santa Cruz Island

This morning, stop in Puerto Ayora to visit the Charles Darwin Research Center where scientists, park rangers and park managers work to preserve and protect the Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Station is also home to a tortoise breeding and rearing center. You may also take some time to walk through town for some souvenir shopping.This afternoon, venture to the El Chato area in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. Here you may observe giant tortoises or find short-eared owls, Galapagos rails, yellow warblers, white-cheeked pintails, and the bright red male vermilion flycatcher

Day 5: Espanola Island

This morning, explore Gardner Bay where you may snorkel and take a panga ride. In the afternoon, visit Punta Suarez to look for large colonies of blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, marine iguanas, albatrosses, and swallow-tailed gulls.

Day 6: Floreana Island

This morning at Punta Cormorant on Floreana, you visit a lagoon home to pink flamingos followed by a visit to a beautiful white-sand beach where sea turtles nest. Later in the morning, snorkel at Devil's Crown.This afternoon, visit the famous historic post office in Post Office Bay. In 1793 British whalers set up the Post Office barrel to send letters to and from England, and today, visitors can post their cards to anywhere in the world.

Day 7: Isabela Island

This morning at Punta Moreno on Isabela, take a hike through lava fields. See cormorants and penguins along the way. This afternoon, explore Bahia Elizabeth in the panga.

Day 8: Isabela Island / Fernandina Island

Take a long walk along Urbina Bay and see land iguanas and marine iguanas, native and endemic plants and the remains of raised seabed exposing corral heads and other marine fossils. This afternoon, visit Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island. Expect to see large colonies of marine iguanas, flightless cormorants nesting, penguins, and baby sea lions.

Day 9: Santiago Island / Bartolome Island

Visit Puerto Egas on Santiago Island and take a coastal walk exploring the variety of marine tidal life. Later, swim and snorkel. This afternoon explore Bartholome, best known for its dramatic geological formations. Hike to the top for a panoramic view of Pinnacle Rock; later, you may swim and snorkel along its shores.

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

Boutique HotelThis morning, you make a final stop at Black Turtle Cove. Here, you may see marine turtles, manta eels, a large variety of heron, and typical coastal vegetation. Next, you motor to Baltra, arriving in time to catch your flight to Quito. This afternoon is at your leisure. Overnight in Quito at a boutique hotel.

Day 11: Quito / Home

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

Trip Details

Ship	Diamante
Just Released Offer	Members of ExpeditionTrips.com save $200 - $300 on regular rates. Offer based on availability.Applicable Dates: 7/7/2008, 7/28/2008, 9/1/2008, 9/8/2008, 9/22/2008, 10/6/2008, 11/24/2008, 12/8/2008Per Person Discounted Rates: (Package)7/7/2008, 7/28/2008 - $2,5859/1/2008, 9/8/2008, 9/22/2008, 10/6/2008 - $2,48511/24/2008, 12/8/2008 - $2,685New reservations only.
Highlights	A wonderful classic sailing ship with lots of teak & mahogony; great for charters, good guides, and a very experienced operation.
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; transfers and baggage handling between island airport and ship; snorkeling gear (fins, mask, snorkel).Not Included (Cruise Only):Hotel nights before/after cruise; transfers in Quito or Guayaquil; international airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos; Galapagos Transit Card ($10 per person), paid in cash upon arrival to airport; international airport departure tax, must be paid in cash; meals and drinks in Quito; beverages on board; gratuities to ship crew and naturalists are left to the discretion of the passenger; travel insurance; passport expenses; wetsuit rental, $25 per person / trip; Galapagos National Park tax (adult: USD$100, children under 12 yrs: $50), must be paid upon arrival to the Galapagos.Included (Package): Three hotel nights in Quito at a boutique hotel (hotel based on availability; hotel upgrades available at additional cost); four transfers in Quito; 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; snorkeling gear (fins, mask, snorkel).Not Included (Package):International airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos; Galapagos Transit Card ($10 per person), paid in cash upon arrival to airport; international airport departure tax, must be paid in cash; meals and drinks in Quito; beverages on board; gratuities to ship crew and naturalists are left to the discretion of the passenger; travel insurance; passport expenses; wetsuit rental, $25 per person / trip; Galapagos National Park tax (adult: USD$100, children under 12 yrs: $50), must be paid upon arrival to the Galapagos.If you are booking a Galapagos 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 Wednesdays (8 days)Package - Starts Mondays (11 days)Ship in Dry Dock: Mar 5-26; Octd 15-22; Nov 5-19, 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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