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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 / Santa Cruz Island - Cruise Only Starts
Arrive in Baltra, your first stop in the Galapagos Islands. Transfer to the ship and continue on to Santa Cruz. The second largest island in the Galapagos, Santa Cruz offers the Charles Darwin Research Station, the lush greenery of the Santa Cruz Highlands, the famed lava tunnels and the Twin Craters.
Day 4:
Santiago Island / Bartolome Island
On the northwestern side of Santiago Island is South James Bay (Puerto Egas). The landing is on a black beach with eroded rock formations in the background. Intertidal pools are home to a variety of invertebrate organisms. A trail leads to the Fur Seal Grottos, one of the only places in the islands where Fur Seals can be seen.
Bartolomé is famous for its Pinnacle Rock, which is the most representative landmark of the Galapagos. Precariously walking on the rocks at the base of the Pinnacle Rock are Galapagos Penguins, the smallest species of penguin and the only one found north of the Equator. Across the isthmus of the island, there are nesting sea turtles on the beach while white-tipped Reef Sharks patrol close to shore. At the other landing, it is possible to climb to the highest point of the island. The site is like a museum of vulcanology, an eruption site left untouched after the explosion.
Day 5:
Santa Cruz Island / Rábida Island
This morning, visit Cerro Dragon along the northwest coast of Santa Cruz. The two lagoons here are great places to watch flamingos and land iguanas as well as check out the Opuntia cacti and Palo Santo trees.
In the afternoon, visit Rábida, located south of Santiago. Rábida is one of the most volcanically varied islands in the Galapagos archipelago, and is known for its red sand beaches and lovely saltwater lagoon where white-tailed pintail ducks and flamingos congregate. The beaches are often occupied by sea lions and pelicans. There is a great snorkeling spot for a huge variety of colorful tropical fish.
Day 6:
Isabela Island
Today explore Isabela, the largest island in the Archipelago which is comprised of six shield volcanoes that have merged into a single land mass. Elizabeth Bay is an interesting place for observing marine life, especially Galapagos penguins. A penguin colony inhabits the islet at the entrance to the Bay. In the sheltered waters, you may also find marine turtles, rays, and sea lions. At Punta Moreno, explore the lava fields and lava lagoons, which are magnets for wildlife. Here, you will likely come across marine iguanas, lava lizards, sea lions, and a wide variety of birds, including Blue-footed Boobies, flamingos, and Darwin’s finches.
Day 7:
Fernandina Island / Isabela Island
Explore Fernandina in the morning, the youngest and westernmost of the islands and a host to some wonderful snorkeling opportunities. The island also boasts a large concentration of Marine Iguanas and is one of the few places in the world where you have the chance to watch them feed underwater while snorkeling.
On Isabela Island, the trails follow an ascent that goes through the typical dry vegetation zone and offers spectacular views of Darwin Lake, a saltwater crater lake. At the top of the trail, it is possible to observe the different vegetation zones, as well as catch a glimpse of Darwin and Wolf Volcanoes. Galapagos Penguins, Flightless Cormorants, pelicans and some marine invertebrates may be seen while on a panga ride inside the cove.
Day 8:
Santa Cruz Island
The small town of Puerto Ayora is the economic center of the archipelago. Stroll along the streets to see how Galapagueños live in this magical paradise. You may also visit the Charles Darwin Research Station where conservation is conducted by scientists, park rangers and park managers, among others, who make huge efforts to preserve this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Station is also a tortoise breeding and rearing center, where tortoises of different subspecies are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats.
The lush greenery of the Santa Cruz Highlands is a welcome contrast with the arid scenery of the smaller, lower islands. A point of interest is the famed lava tunnels—a fun and geologically informative visit. The trip to the highlands ends with a visit to the Twin Craters.
Day 9:
Española Island
Gardner Bay offers a great opportunity to enjoy some beach time and excellent snorkeling, especially at Tortuga Island, just off shore. The white beach is said to be the longest in the islands. Here, you find sea lions and possibly sea turtles and the three Darwin finch species.
Punta Suárez is one of the most popular and attractive visits of the Galapagos. The quantity and variety of wildlife at this site is remarkable. Here, you encounter sea lions and a variety of iguanas basking in the sun. Further inland, Masked and Blue-foot Boobies nest almost right on the trail, and finches may be found in the bushes. The trail continues toward the cliffs and the blowhole, a fissure in the lava where water spurts high in the air like a geyser.
Day 10:
Santa Cruz / Baltra Island / Disembark / Quito - Cruise Only Ends
Deluxe Hotel or Premium Upgrade Hotel
Return to Santa Cruz today, the only island where six different zones of vegetation can be seen, to visit Black Turtle Cove. Continuing on, you return once again to Baltra. Here, you'll have a chance to say your farewells and disembark the ship. Transfer by bus to the airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador. 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 is not responsible for itinerary changes.
Family Departures:
On family departures children are accepted from the age of 5 years. On non-family departures children are accepted from the age of 10 years.
Departures: 12/4/2010, 12/11/2010, 12/18/2010, 12/25/2010
Photo Expedition: 11/20/2010
Award-winning guest photographer, Jonathan R. Green, will enhance your voyage by offering fun and practical workshops geared to any level of photographer. Learn essential tips for nature photography, such as use of equipment, angles and composition, exposure and lighting, focus techniques, and much more. Also, because you will be in the world’s second largest marine reserve, Jonathan will have a special workshop on underwater point-and-shoot photography, and for this you will be given a 27-shot underwater disposable camera, compliments of the Eclipse. The uniqueness of the destination, combined with the expertise and openness of the guest photographer, will truly give you a photo expedition experience like no other in the world.
Included (Cruise Only):
Cabin accommodations aboard ship; meals aboard ship; all shore activities and excursions; all soft drinks and juices on board; complimentary one-time fully stocked mini-bar in Deluxe Cabins; naturalist guide service; onboard star gazing with a naturalist guide; use of snorkeling gear and wetsuits; VIP lounge on outbound flight from Galapagos; onboard complimentary refillable sports water bottle (purified water stations are available throughout vessel); complimentary use of robes in all cabins; transfers and baggage handling between island airport and ship; fuel surcharge.
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); alcoholic beverages onboard; gratuities to ship crew and naturalists are left to the discretion of the passenger; travel insurance; passport expenses; international airport departure tax, must be paid in cash.
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; all soft drinks and juices on board; complimentary one-time fully stocked mini-bar in Deluxe Cabins; naturalist guide service; onboard star gazing with a naturalist guide; use of snorkeling gear and wetsuits; VIP lounge on outbound flight from Galapagos; onboard complimentary refillable sports water bottle (purified water stations are available throughout vessel); complimentary use of robes in all cabins; transfers and baggage handling between island airport and ship; Galapagos Transit Card; fuel surcharge.
Not Included (Package):
International airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos; alcoholic beverages onboard; gratuities to ship crew and naturalists are left to the discretion of the passenger; travel insurance; passport expenses; international airport departure tax, must be paid in cash.
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).
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Galapagos Cruise - Eclipse
