Ecuador Group Adventure Trips and Tours
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Galapagos Cruise - Beluga
The Galapagos Islands are considered one of the most spectacular and pristine National Parks in the world. Visitors delight in the abundant, unusual, and surprisingly approachable wildlife--from Galapagos giant tortoises to playful sea lions to the fascinating Blue-footed Boobies.This trip may be booked as a package, as seen below, or cruise only starting on Day 3 and ending on Day 10.
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Quito
Hotel Patio AndaluzArrive 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 / Embark / North Seymour Island - Cruise Only Starts
The US army occupied Baltra Island island during World War II and built the first landing strip for jets, which is presently used for daily flights to and from the islands. The main plants on this barren island are cacti, Palo Santo trees, and grasses. The largest colony of magnificent frigate birds is found on North Seymour Island, as well as nesting blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. Land iguanas and sea lions can also be seen here.Day 4: Espanola Island
Gardner Bay (Off of Espanola Island) is a spectacular beach where you can swim with sea lions and is a great opportunity for snorkeling off the islets in the bay. Punta Suarez offers you quite a display of wildlife: marine iguanas with copper red patches, Swallow-tailed gulls, the endemic long-billed mocking bird, finches, masked and blue-footed boobies, oystercatchers, sea lions and lava lizards. This is the only island where the waved albatross is to be seen during the breeding season, April to December.Day 5: Floreana Island
At Point Cormorant, you visit a flamingo lagoon where other species of shore birds may also be seen. You snorkel at the DevilÂs Crown, a submerged volcanic cone, and at Post Office Bay, one may leave letters like whalers did in the 18th century, in a wooden barrel mailbox.Day 6: Santa Cruz Island
The Charles Darwin Research Station and headquarters of the Galapagos National Park may be visited at Puerto Ayora, the Islands most populated human settlement. The highlands offer the lush humid zone with its vegetation of Miconia bushes, Scalesia and inactive volcanic cones. Santa Cruz has more endemic plants than any other island in the Galapagos. You can see the Galapagos tortoises in their natural habitat here.Day 7: Isabela Island
Punta Moreno (Western Isabela Island) is another site of interest with lava fields and pioneer plants. Occasionally, you will find flamingos in oasis-like green lagoons as well as flightless cormorant and marine iguana. At Urbina Bay, observe Flightless Cormorants, Brown Pelicans, large marine iguanas, rays, marine turtles and remains of a coral reef.Day 8: Fernandina Island
At Punta Espinosa, flightless cormorants, pelicans, sea lions, Sally-light foot crabs and an abundance of marine iguanas can be seen along the shores of one of worldÂs most active volcanoes. This evening, enjoy some time whale-watching near Fernandina.Day 9: San Salvador Island / Bartolome Island
Nowhere else is the geological history of the archipelago better portrayed than here. The most impressive volcanic scenery may be viewed from the top of Bartolome: varied lava formations, volcanic peaks and the moon-like landscape. The Galapagos penguin can be seen here.Day 10: Santa Cruz / Baltra Island / Disembark / Quito - Cruise Only Ends
Hotel Patio Andaluz Today, you visit Turtle Cove on Santa Cruz. Enjoy a Panga ride in the mangrove lagoon and see stingrays, sharks, the night heron, several species of DarwinÂs finches, and possibly marine turtles. Then, return to Baltra Island for your flight back to the mainland. This afternoon is at your leisure. Overnight at the Hotel Patio Andaluz, or similar hotel.Day 11: Quito / Home
This morning, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.Trip Details
| Ship | Beluga |
| Just Released Offer | Members of ExpeditionTrips.com save $536 - $635 per person on regular rates.Applicable Date: 7/16/2008 (Package)Per Person Discounted Rate:Cabins 6 & 7: $2,928Cabins 1-5 & 8: $2,928Per Person Regular Rate:Cabins 6 & 7: $3,464Cabins 1-5 & 8: $3,564New Reservations Only. Offer based on availability. Call ExpeditionTrips for further details. |
| Highlights | This motor yacht offers good value for quality. She is a simple ship, and offers a quality program for a fair price. |
| 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; use of sea kayaks. 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; international airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos Islands; Galapagos Transit Card ($10 per person), paid in cash upon arrival to airport; drinks aboard ship; gratuities are left to the discretion of the passenger; travelerÂs insurance; wetsuits ($30 per person / week (for snorkeling use only); snorkeling gear ($15 per person / week (must be paid directly on board and in cash only); international departure airport tax, must be paid in cash; 2008/2009 fuel surcharge ($200 per person).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 on board; all shore activities and excursions; guide and lecture services; transfers and baggage handling between island airport and ship; use of sea kayaks.Not Included (Package): International airfare; airfare between Quito/Guayaquil and Galapagos; Galapagos Transit Card ($10 per person), paid in cash upon arrival to airport; drinks aboard ship; gratuities are left to the discretion of the passenger; travelerÂs insurance; wetsuits ($30 per person / week (for snorkeling use only); snorkeling gear ($15 per person / week (must be paid directly on board and in cash only); international departure airport tax, must be paid in cash; 2008/2009 fuel surcharge ($200 per person).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 Fridays (8 days)Package - Starts Wednesdays (11 days)Ship in Dry Dock: Jan 25 - Feb 08, Aug 29 - Sep 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 MethodsDeposit: credit cards are accepted (VISA, MC, AmEx, Discover); Final payment: check or wire. WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS FOR FINAL PAYMENT. |
Trip Price |
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| USD | 2760.00 |
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