GLIMPSE OF GALAPAGOS - 7 Days

Itinerary

Your journey begins today when you board your flight to Quito, Ecuador.  Upon arrival in Quito, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. 

Centrally located in the heart of modern Quito, 20 minutes from the colonial city, the Colon has 296 rooms and suites on regular or executive floors—most with excellent city and park views. The hotel is equipped with impressive business and conference facilities, and there is a wide range of restaurants and bars, shops and a casino. A gym, sauna, steam room, and heated outdoor pool (with massage facility) are all open for guests. All rooms at the Colon have central air conditioning with individual control, and come equipped with cable TV, a mini-bar, hairdryer, electronic locks and sound-proof windows. All guests have access to the fitness centre as well as the swimming pool, steam bath, and Jacuzzi. Massages and a beauty parlor are available for an extra charge.

Hilton Colon Quito (no meals)

Ecuador’s capital is situated high in the Andes perched on the green slopes of rugged volcanic peaks reaching close to 20,00 feet. Quito is lively, scenic and cosmopolitan. Its one and a half million inhabitants tend to be helpful and friendly. The colonial section of Quito is a living museum of grand Spanish colonial architecture.  Its mansions; cathedrals; and squares have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. On a walking tour along its cobblestone streets we will have the chance to view buildings from the 16th to the 18th centuries. We’ll also visit Independence Square where the Presidential Palace is located, and marvel at the ornate interior of the Baroque/Moorish Church of San Francisco as well as the golden interior of La Compañia church. The last part of our tour takes us far above the colonial section where the guardian of the city—the winged Virgin of Quito—keeps watch over her city. The view is spectacular, not only of the city far below but also of the skyscraping Andes above and beyond.

About 20 minutes away from the northern part of Quito stands the Middle of the Earth Monument, built to mark the meridian arch of the planet at 0º latitude—better known as the Equator—and to commemorate this surveying feat in the 18th century. It’s also the site of a small colonial town crowded with craft shops and restaurants. This excursion includes a visit to the marvelous Ethnographic Museum, which traces the history and archeology of Ecuador’s native peoples back to the Pleistocene. The tour ends with a panoramic view of the nearby Pululahua volcanic crater.

Hilton Colon Quito (B, L)

This morning you will be transferred to the airport for you schedule flight to San Cristobal via Guayaquil.  Arrival by plane to San Cristobal Island and transfer to the MV SANTA CRUZ, which will be anchored at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the provincial capital of the Galápagos Islands. Cabin assignment and lunch. After lunch, introductory welcome talk and boat drill.

Sail around Kicker Rock; rising 144 meters (almost 500 feet) from the ocean; it is a spectacular rock formation off the northwest coast of San Cristobal.  It is a volcanic tuff cone, of which just a minimum portion is left, as it has been eroded by thousands of years of sea and wind forces.  Waves have carved this volcanic structure we see today, formed by two rocks, side by side, with vertical walls, and a small channel in between. The rock is an important nesting place for Tropic Birds, Blue-footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies and Frigate Birds. Sea lions and fur sea lions may be observed too.  The surrounding waters are clear for underwater viewing of rock walls and marine life.

Afterwards, a dinghy ride along the shores of tuff-stone layers will bring us to Cerro Brujo's white coralline beach.  Wet landing.  The area will show us good views of seabirds like blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, herons, frigate birds, and some shore birds. Also, look for Galapagos sea lions.  The beach is a great open walking area, with rewarding bird watching.   Highlights ashore include the Chatham (San Cristobal) Mockingbird, Chatham Lava Lizard; both species are endemic to this island, and seen nowhere else in Galapagos. We may also spot Yellow Warblers, Galapagos flycatchers and with luck a Vermillion flycatcher (endemic subspecies to San Cristobal).  These are the same shores that Charles Darwin walked upon, back in September 1835, as San Cristobal was the first island where he set foot in the Galapagos.  Back on board for an ECO Moment and briefing on the next day's activities, followed by a cocktail offered by the Captain and dinner.

MV Santa Cruz (B, L, D)

Morning outing at Punta Suarez (dry landing) for an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April - December), Nazca (masked boobies), blue-footed boobies, swallow-tail gulls, and the famous blowhole. Among its landbirds, the Hood island mockingbird, and three species of Darwin’s finches are common highlights.  Also, look for red-green-black marine iguanas, and of course a rookery of sea lions right at the landing site.  For those planning not to walk the entire trail, there will be a dinghy ride arranged along the coastline of Punta Suarez, followed by a very short walk under easy walking conditions. Back on board for lunch.

Disembark at Punta Cormorant (wet landing) at an olivine-crystal beach for an easy walk that includes a brackish water lagoon where bird species like Greater flamingos, pintail ducks, common stilts, herons, sandpipers, and others may be observed.  This outing also includes a white-sand beach where sea turtles come out at night for nesting (from December to May).  Snorkeling can take place from the beach, and for those experienced marine enthusiasts, Devil's Crown can be an option.  Non-snorkelers can enjoy an introduction to the Marine Reserve on the glass-bottom boat.  ECO Moment, briefing and dinner.

MV Santa Cruz (B, L, D)

This morning brings us to the youngest island, Fernandina.  First, a dinghy ride to observe Galápagos penguins, as well as flightless cormorants and then 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 island habitat with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, and hawks. Lava terrain calls for good walking shoes.  Snorkeling at this location depends on local sea conditions, and will be announced by the Expedition Staff.   Back on board for lunch. As we sail along the Bolívar Channel, astonishing views of the Galápagos’ youngest volcanoes can be seen.  The nutrient-rich waters of the west can also bring surprises like encountering sea birds feeding, dolphins, and possibly whales.

Afternoon disembarkation (wet landing) for a walk at Urbina Bay. This area went through a volcanic uplifting event back in 1954 leaving gaunt marine skeletons, which make the walk remarkably interesting, specially for understanding island colonization.  This area is also home to large and very colorful Galápagos land iguanas, and with some luck, we may even find giant tortoises from the wild population of Alcedo Volcano.  A refreshing swim can be accomplished after the walk.  Farewell briefing and dinner.

MV Santa Cruz (B, L, D)

Visiting the famous Charles Darwin Research Station will be certainly a rewarding adventure for this morning's program.  It will just require a different approach, in order to accomplish all our travel plans.  This outing is an optional program and an early one.  We arrive at the Itabaca Channel, between the islands of Baltra and Santa Cruz and disembark at the public dock (dry landing) for a 30-minute bus ride along the highlands in route to Puerto Ayora where changes in vegetation can be witnessed.  Upon arrival, we proceed to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the rearing in captivity program for the famous giant tortoises.  Here we will get to understand the conservation efforts promoted by this institution, and stroll among an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest where endemic land birds can be seen.  After an hour visit, return via the same route to cross the Itabaca Channel by ferry and take the bus to Baltra Island airport in time for the 12h15 flight back to the continent. 

Guests not taking this optional excursion may stay on board for a later wake up call, and a ship circumnavigation around the well-known Daphne Islets (home of the major studies on Darwin's Finches), and then disembark directly at Baltra Island airport.

Afternoon: Return flight to Quito. 

Hilton Colon Quito (B)

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight with great memories of Ecuador.

(B)

NOTES:

The route and program may vary according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety reasons and wildlife encounters. Our crew is trained to deal with all the elements of the nature of this expedition. Safety will be always part of the daily programming of activities. Kindly follow all suggestions. It is compulsory to wear a life vest during all dinghy rides between the ship and the shore. Flexibility is essential in order to cope with nature's outstanding features. Given the islands’ volcanic origin, and the fact that most walking is done over pristine and irregular volcanic terrain, guests must be in suitable physical condition for this kind of outings. The ship also organizes activities like shorter walks, boat rides, glass-bottom boat trips, snorkeling, swimming, lectures, all complementing everyone’s experience.

The Expedition Staff will provide you with snorkeling gear (mask and snorkel, fins, floating vest and net bag). The operation does not carry prescription masks. A shortie wet suit is highly recommended from June to December. Cooperation of guests is a key point when complying with the rules of the National Park. This alone can guarantee a major success in the expedition. 

For island visits, two types of landings are planned:

Dry landing: guests step from the dinghy directly onto rocks or a dock.

Wet landing: as the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into knee-deep water and wade ashore.

ECO MOMENT - This is a Metropolitan Touring initiative.  Every evening, our Expedition Staff will present in laymen terms, subjects related to Geology, Evolution, Oceanography, and many more. The prefix ECO comes from the key words Explore, Conserve, Observe.

Please remember that the exact route and program may vary according to weather and ocean conditions and the wildlife we encounter.

RATES:

$2,196.00 per person double occupancy – Inside Twin Upper Deck Cabins

Personal expenses such as laundry, room service, communication charges and optional activities (which are subject to availability)

We require a deposit of $1,000.00 per person to confirm space.  Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure.  If the reservation is made within 100 days of departure, the entire cost of the trip must be paid at the time of confirmation