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Galapagos Cruise - Isabela II - 11 Days
Ship: Isabela II
Days: 11
Passengers: 40
Dates: Cruise Only - 8/24/2010, 10/26/2010, 11/16/2010, 12/7/2010, 12/10/2010, 12/14/2010 Just-Released Offer Departures:  12/7/2010, 12/10/2010, 12/14/2010
Highlights:
Most comfortable expedition ship in the Galapagos; perfect number of passengers, good for couples; great guides, food and itinerary.
Summary: 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. Above departure dates are cruise only.
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Itinerary - In Brief
Itinerary - Detailed
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 / North Seymour Island - Cruise Only Starts
In the morning, arrive on Baltra Island by TAME flight and transfer to the dock to board the Isabela II. There will be an introductory briefing and lunch onboard. Disembark on North Seymour Island in the afternoon (dry landing) for a walk along the coast and the interior of the island, observing bird colonies of blue footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow tailed gulls and also sea lions and marine iguanas. A shorter walk is also available. In the evening, enjoy welcome cocktails offered by the Captain, the Naturalist's briefing on the next day's activities, and dinner.
Day 4:
Espanola Island
After breakfast, disembark (wet landing) at a white coral beach on Gardner Bay where you can take a short walk and watch the sea lions, mockingbirds, finches or enjoy the beach. There is great snorkeling in this area (snorkeling equipment is available for guests at no extra cost), or ride the glass-bottom boat.
Afternoon dry landing at Punta Suárez for an exciting walk on lava terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the Waved Albatrosses (May - December) and the famous blowhole. A shorter walk is also available. Naturalist's briefing and dinner.
Day 5:
Floreana Island
After breakfast, disembark at Point Cormorant for an easy walk to see the flamingos that inhabit a brackish-water lagoon, and other birds such as ducks, stilts, sandpipers, etc. There is great snorkeling from the beach, or near by at the Devil's Crown. Those who do not snorkel can enjoy a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Lunch on board.
In the afternoon, land at the historical Post Office Bay to learn about the human side of the islands. Then, a panga ride will take you to nearby islets to observe sea lions, rays and sea turtles, boobies and possibly Galapagos penguins. Naturalist's briefing and dinner in the evening.
Day 6:
Santa Cruz Island
After breakfast, disembark (dry landing) to visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, an Scalesia forest and the twin pit craters geology formation, Los Gemelos. From December to mid-April a visit to see the giant tortoises in the wild may be included, if weather conditions are good. Lunch at the Finch Bay Eco Hotel.
Afternoon visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens, an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. Then a stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora before embarking the ship. Naturalist's briefing and dinner.
Day 7:
Genovesa Island
Morning wet landing in Darwin Bay for an easy stroll observing thousands of bird life, mainly frigate birds, red footed and masked boobies, gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds. If you wish you can continue walking over sharp lava and uneven terrain, or just go back to the beach to enjoy swimming and snorkeling at this beautiful natural harbor. Those most adventurous can snorkel along the cliffs or ride sea kayaks. Lunch on board.
The afternoon starts with a very interesting panga ride along the cliffs and then disembark (dry landing) Prince Philip's Steps for a steep climb (90 feet) and then a leveled walk for about a mile to the other side of this small island observing large colonies of masked boobies, frigate birds and storm petrels. Naturalist's briefing and dinner. Those not wishing to disembark can enjoy a longer panga ride along the cliffs (depending on the weather conditions). Conference of the Naturalist Guide before dinner.
Day 8:
Isabela Island / Fernandina Island
Early risers will enjoy cruising right in front of famous Ecuador Volcano, which rises off the water line with one of its halves completely collapsed, and now resting underwater, while crossing the Equator line.
On the northwest of Isabela, secluded Tagus Cove was in past centuries a favorite anchor for pirates and whalers. Old graffiti is still found on its walls. The vegetation in the area includes the fragrant Palo Santo trees. An uphill hike takes guests to the back of Darwin Crater, filled with salt water. The view at the end of the trail is worth the climb. Darwin is one of Isabela’s six volcanoes, a remarkable contrast to the lower islands to the east of the archipelago. Possibility to swim, snorkel or kayak. There are no beaches in the area, so activities are done from the pangas. Lunch on board.
The afternoon brings you to the youngest island, Fernandina. Disembark (dry landing) for a one-mile walk. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness with lots of wildlife. Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing their space with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, hawks, penguins and the flightless cormorant. Naturalist’s briefing and dinner.
Day 9:
Santiago Island / Bartolome Island
Wet landing for a mid-length walk. Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows. This is a great opportunity to see land and marine birds. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds and there is a colony of fur-sea lions. Opportunity for snorkeling and swimming from the beach after the walk, or a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Lunch on board.
Disembark at Bartolome Island (dry landing) for a hike to the summit. This is a steep climb aided by a wooden staircase; the view from the top is worth the effort. There will be time for a panga ride around Pinnacle Rock to observe penguins before or after the walk. Farewell cocktail and departure briefing.
Day 10:
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.
Notes:
This itinerary is subject to change. ExpeditionTrips.com is not responsible for itinerary changes.
Included (Cruise Only):
Cabin accommodations aboard ship; meals aboard ship; all shore activities and excursions; guide and lecture services; glass-bottom boat outings; use of snorkeling gear, kayaks, and glass-bottom boat; 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; shortie wetsuit rental (2010: $38, per wetsuit); 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; 2010 fuel surcharge ($203 per person, per trip; subject to change); Internet ($25/day).
Included (Package):
Three hotel nights in Quito in either a Deluxe Hotel or Premium Upgrade hotel [2010 Premium Upgrade hotel for an additional $125 per person/double room; or 2010 Premium Upgrade hotel for an additional $200 per person/single (hotel based on availability)]; four transfers in Quito; Galapagos National Park entrance fee, USD$100 (children under 12 subtract $50), subject to change without notice; cabin accommodations aboard ship; meals aboard ship; all shore activities and excursions; guide and lecture services; glass-bottom boat outings; use of snorkeling gear, and kayaks; transfers and baggage handling between island airport and ship; Galapagos Transit Card.
Not Included (Package):
International airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos Islands; shortie wetsuit rental (2010: $38, per wetsuit); bar purchases; gifts and personal items; bar purchases; 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; 2010 fuel surcharge ($203 per person, per trip); Internet ($25/day).
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): $420-$460 per adult; $250-$275 per child under 12 (copy of passport required).
Just Released Offer Details: Members of ExpeditionTrips.com save 20% per person on select 2010 cruise-only departures. Not combinable with any other offer.
Applicable Dates: 12/7/2010, 12/10/2010, 12/14/2010
Per Person Discounted Rates:
Classic (Twin): $3,198
Standard: $3,000
Classic (Double): $3,198
Master Suite: $3,358
Per Person Regular Rates:
Classic (Twin): $3,998
Standard: $3,750
Classic (Double): $3,998
Master Suite: $4,198
New Reservations Only
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