Galapagos Cruise - Mary Anne

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Quito

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

Day 3: Baltra Island / Embark / South Plaza Island - Cruise Only Starts

Depart Quito or Guayaquil this morning for your flight to Baltra. Upon arrival, you are transferred to the Mary Anne. Then travel to South Plaza Island, one of the smallest islands in the Galapagos. Famous for its extraordinary flora, explore the island's wildlife among the Opuntia cacti and vegetation that changes color according to the season of the year. Colonies of sea lions reign here, along with the yellow land iguana and a multitude of tropic birds.

Day 4: Española Island

This morning, explore Gardner Bay on Española Island where you snorkel and take a panga ride. This afternoon, visit Punta Suárez and look for large colonies of blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, albatrosses, and swallow-tailed gulls.

Day 5: Santa Cruz Island

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. In the afternoon, 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.

Day 6: North Seymour Island / Sombrero Chino Island

Visit North Seymour Island where you observe sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and magnificent frigate birds. Later, visit the volcano island of Sombrero Chino, whose name (Chinese Hat) reflects its shape. This small island has little vegetation, but is instead covered in lava rock and tubes and is home to marine iguanas, lava lizards, and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Lucky visitors will be able to see Galapagos penguins!

Day 7: Isabela Island

Punta Tortuga Negra, on the west coast of Isabela Island at the base of Volcan Darwin, is a black sand beach surrounded by mangroves. Here you may spot mangrove finches found only on Isabela and Fernandina Islands. Later this morning, snorkel at Tagus Cove, once a favorite anchorage for whalers and pirates. Here you have a chance to see Galapagos penguins. This afternoon, travel Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island. Expect to see large colonies of marine iguanas, flightless cormorants nesting, penguins, and baby sea lions.

Day 8: Santiago Island / Rabida Island

Visit Puerto Egas on Santiago Island and take a coastal walk exploring the variety of marine tidal life or swim and snorkel. Later, disembark at Rabida Island, a small island with a great variety of rock and lava types. Hidden behind a strip of green saltbush, close to the beach, is a salt pond where Greater Flamingos can be seen. From June to November, a large colony of pelicans nests nearby. This is a great place to snorkel from the beach due to the unique combination of underwater species and submarine landscapes.

Day 9: Santiago Island / Bartolome Island

This morning explore Sullivan Bay on the east coast of Santiago. Last erupting only 100 years ago, the Sullivan Bay lava field is an array of different patterns and textures. The Hawaiians call this type of lava pahoehoe, or ropy lava because of its resemblance to rope. This afternoon, visit Bartholome and hike to get a panoramic viewpoint of Pinnacle Rock. Later, you may swim and snorkel along its shores.

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

Deluxe Hotel or Premium Upgrade Hotel Disembark 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	Mary Anne
Just Released Offer	Members of ExpeditionTrips.com save $200 - $400 per person on regular rates. Offer based on availability. Applicable Dates: 10/20/2008, 11/24/2008, 12/8/2008 Per Person Discounted Rates: (Package) 10/20/2008 - $2,985 11/24/2008 - $3,385 12/8/2008 - $3,185 New Reservations Only.
Highlights	Genuine windjammer sailing experience aboard elegant yet informal square-rigger. Great option for sailors!
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; fuel surcharge ($200 per person per trip, effective 6/1/2008); 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 in either a Deluxe Hotel, or Premium Upgrade hotel for an additional $150 per person (hotel based on availability); 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; fuel surcharge ($200 per person per trip, effective 6/1/2008); 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 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: The flights between mainland Ecuador (Quito or Guayaquil) and the Galapagos Islands are an additional cost. For your cruise security, ExpeditionTrips must reserve these flights for you at the time of cruise booking. Approximate cost (including service fee): $400 – $450 per adult; $225-$275 per child under 12 (copy of passport required).
Departure Notes	Cruise Only - Starts Wednesdays (8 days) Package - Starts Mondays (11 days) Ship in Dry Dock: Feb 6-13; Apr 30 - May 21; Sep 24 - Oct 29, 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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