Galapagos Cruise - Santa Cruz

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 / Santa Cruz Island - Cruise Only Starts

Arrive to Baltra Island and transfer by bus to the dock to board the Santa Cruz. Cabin assignment and introductory welcome talk. Later, lunch, and ship’s boat drill. On Santa Cruz, enjoy a Zodiac ride among mangrove-lined islets allows the observation of the bird life and dramatic landscape and coastline. Quite commonly, the black lava will reveal the presence of marine iguanas and you may find sea turtles, rays and sharks in the shallow turquoise waters. Following the Zodiac ride, enjoy a walk to a brackish water lagoon frequented by greater flamingos, common stilts, pintail ducks and a variety of shore and lagoon birds. Further along the trail, head to Dragon Hill, offering beautiful views and a fairly large number of land iguanas and bird watching.

Day 4: Bartolomé Island / Santiago Island

On Bartolome Island, hike to the summit. This is a steep climb aided by a wooden staircase, but the view from the top is worth the effort. There will be time for a panga ride around Pinnacle Rock to observe penguins, snorkeling and swimming from the beach, or a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Lunch on board. In the afternoon, visit Puerto Egas, Santiago Island. This is a great location to see shore birds and sea birds. The trail brings you to a colony of the endemic Galápagos fur-sea lions. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon emerald green algae beds. Enjoy outstanding snorkeling and swimming from the beach before the walk. Weather permitting, stargazing on deck in the evening.

Day 5: Rabida Island / North Seymour Island

Disembark at Rabida Island (wet landing) on a red-colored beach, due to the unusually high content of iron in the volcanic material. A gratifying stroll along the beach of this small island allows the observation of a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin’s Finches. Very close to the beach, hidden behind a strip of green saltbush, is a salt pond where at times Greater Flamingos migrate to. This is a great place to snorkel from the beach, both for beginners as well as for experienced snorkelers, due to the unique combination of underwater species and submarine landscapes. During navigation to the next island, keep your eyes open for dolphins. Today's afternoon starts with a dry landing for a view of the coast and the interior of North Seymour Island, one of the few uplifted islands in Galápagos Archipelago. The trail leads guests to explore colonies of blue footed boobies, magnificent frigate birds, and swallow-tail gulls. The sandy shore teems with Galápagos sea lions and marine iguanas. Vegetation is made up of cacti, Palo Santo trees and Salt Bushes. Expedition briefing for tomorrow’s outings.

Day 6: Santa Cruz Island

A morning bus ride will take guests to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island for a special opportunity to view the islands’ most famous reptile: the giant tortoises in their wild habitat. What a privilege to see an endangered species roving in this lush environment! The vegetation of the area includes the Scalesia Forest, an endemic giant daisy tree. Look for Darwin’s finches, particularly the famous Woodpecker Finch. Lunch in a charming restaurant in the highlands. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the rearing in captivity program for the giant tortoises. Here, you witness the efforts and results of all the field work done in the name of science. Impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds can be also seen. Then, a stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora will allow you to see how Galapagueños live in this magical paradise. Browse in the many handcraft shops. Return to your ship for your evening briefing on the next day’s adventures.

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

Deluxe Hotel or Premium Upgrade Hotel Disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. This small attractive port is the provincial capital of the Galápagos Islands (population 4,000), along a crescent-shaped bay. Visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center, which emphasizes human history and conservation. Afterwards, stroll through Puerto Baquerizo Moreno before heading back to the mainland. Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland. This afternoon is at your leisure. Overnight in Quito.

Day 8: Quito / Home

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

Trip Details

Ship	Santa Cruz
Just Released Offer	Members of ExpeditionTrips.com save 20% per person on select Galapagos package departures. Applicable Dates: 8/30/2008, 9/13/2008, 9/20/2008, 9/27/2008 Per Person Discounted Rates: (Package) Main Deck Twin Standard: $1,818; Upper Deck Twin Standard: $1,898; Boat Deck Twin Standard: $2,047; Boat Deck Standard Plus Twin: $2,126; Boat Deck Single Standard: $3,089; Boat Deck Superior Twin/Double: $2,203; Boat Deck Junior Suite Twin: $2,293; Boat Deck Master Suite Double: $2,594 Per Person Regular Rates: (Package) Main Deck Twin Standard: $2,272; Upper Deck Twin Standard: $2,373; Boat Deck Twin Standard: $2,559; Boat Deck Standard Plus Twin: $2,657; Boat Deck Single Standard: $3,861; Boat Deck Superior Twin/Double: $2,754; Boat Deck Junior Suite Twin: $2,866; Boat Deck Master Suite Double: $3,243 New Reservations Only
Highlights	Perfect for families & couples who want a quality cruise on a larger ship; great guides, comfortable ship, and well planned itinerary.
Trip Notes	This itinerary is subject to change. ExpeditionTrips.com is not responsible for itinerary changes. Languages: In addition to English, French, German, and Italian are available on request and with a minimum of 10 guests. Included (Cruise Only): Cabin accommodations aboard ship; all meals aboard ship; all shore activities and excursions; guide and lecture services; use of glass-bottom boat and snorkeling gear; 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; Galapagos Transit Card ($10 per person), paid in cash upon arrival to airport; bar purchases; gifts and personal items; passport expenses; traveler's insurance; international airport departure tax, must be paid in cash; laundry service; gratuities to ship staff and crew are left to the discretion of the passenger; wetsuit rental (2008: $15 per voyage; 2009: $19 per voyage); 2008/2009 fuel surcharge ($96 per person, per trip). 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; guide and lecture services; use of glass-bottom boat and snorkeling gear; transfers and baggage handling between island airport and ship. Not Included (Package): International airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos Islands; Galapagos Transit Card ($10 per person), paid in cash upon arrival to airport; gratuities; bar purchases; gifts and personal items; passport expenses; traveler's insurance; international airport departure tax, must be paid in cash; wetsuit rental (2008: $15 per voyage; 2009: $19 per voyage); 2008/2009 fuel surcharge ($96 per person, per trip). 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 Mondays (5 days) Package - Starts Saturdays (8 days) Ship in Dry Dock: Sep 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 MethodsDeposit: 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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