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Ship Name: M/V Santa Cruz -
Expedition ship - 90 passengers
Activities: Birding, Hiking, Snorkelling, Wildlife Viewing, Zodiac Tours
Package - Starts Wednesdays (7 days)
Cruise Only - Starts Fridays (4 days) starts on Day 3 and ends Day
6
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Upper Inside |
Main Standard |
Upper Outside |
Boat Standard |
Boat Single Standard |
Boat Superior |
Boat Junior Suite |
Boat Master Suite |
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2009 Cruise Only |
$1,500 |
$1,580 |
$1,728 |
$1,806 |
$2,604 |
$1,884 |
$1,973 |
$2,272 |
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2009 Package |
$1,950 |
$2,030 |
$2,178 |
$2,256 |
$3,054 |
$2,334 |
$2,423 |
$2,722 |
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Above rates are per
person.
2009 Peak Season: Dec 21-28 and Dec 28 - Jan 4, 2010 (Note:
During these times, passengers must pay a surcharge of $130 per
adult and $100 per child. Child rates are not offered during peak
season.)
Single Supplement: Double Cabin for single use have a surcharge
of 100% of the cost.
Child Rate: Child sharing room with parents, 25% off (under
12 yrs, min age 6 yrs)
2009 Fuel Surcharge: $72 per person, per trip |
 Introduction
The world's most wondrous group of islands
is yours for unhurried exploration. Follow the nature trails, enjoy the
amazing sights, wade and even dive among the animals of land and sea. There
is ample time for walking, swimming, snorkelling, photography, and to observe
the abundant variety of wildlife on each island. You can swim with sea lions,
walk among black marine iguanas and observe the elaborate mating rituals
of the Blue-footed Boobies.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Quito
Arrive 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
Today is at your leisure. A variety of day tours are available for purchase.
Overnight at the Hotel Patio Andaluz, or similar hotel.
Day 3: San Cristobal Island / Embark - Cruise Only
Starts
Arrival by plane to San Cristóbal Island and transfer to the Santa Cruz.
Cabin assignment and lunch. After lunch, introductory welcome talk and boat
drill.
The ship then takes you to Cerro Brujo’s white coralline beach. Here, you
may spot blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, herons, frigate birds, Yellow
Warblers, Galapagos flycatchers, and some shore birds. 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.
Day 4: Española Island / Floreana Island
Enjoy an afternoon outing at Punta Suarez for an exciting walk on lava/boulder
terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses
(April - December), Nazca (masked boobies), and the famous blowhole. There
is also a great hike to see Blue-footed Boobies, swallowtail gulls, and
a rookery of sea lions right at the landing site. ECO Moment, briefing and
dinner.
Disembark at Punta Cormorant on Floreana at an olivine-crystal beach for
an easy walk that includes a brackish water lagoon where bird species like
Greater flamingos, herons, sandpipers, and others may be observed. You may
snorkel from the beach, and for those experienced marine enthusiasts, Devil's
Crown can be an option. Non-snorkellers can enjoy an introduction to the
Marine Reserve on the glass-bottom boat. ECO Moment, briefing and dinner.
Day 5: Fernandina Island / Isabela Island
Explore Fernandina Island in the afternoon. Enjoy a dinghy ride to observe
Galápagos penguins, as well as flightless cormorants and then disembark
for a one-mile walk. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness
and lots of wildlife. Having no introduced mammals, this island has a very
unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas. Snorkelling
at this location depends on local sea conditions, and will be announced
by the Expedition Staff. Farewell briefing and dinner.
Located at the ‘mouth’ of the head of the sea horse, which forms the northern
part of the islands, is Punta Vicente Roca. Here, the remnants of an ancient
volcano form two turquoise coves with a bay well protected from the ocean
swells. The spot is a popular anchorage from which to take panga rides along
the cliff or explore a partially sunken cave at the water’s edge. Keep an
eye out for masked and blue-footed boobies and flightless cormorants.
Day 6: Santa Cruz / Disembark / Baltra / Quito –
Cruise Only Ends
Disembark early for a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here,
learn about the rearing in captivity program for the famous giant tortoises,
the conservation efforts promoted by this institution, and stroll among
the giant prickly-pear cactus forest. After an hour visit, transfer to the
Baltra Island airport for your flight back to the mainland. Today is at
your leisure. Overnight at the Hotel Patio Andaluz, or similar hotel.
Day 7: Quito / Home
This morning, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
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 (2009: $19 per voyage);
2009 fuel surcharge ($72 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), subject to change without notice*; 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; Galapagos Transit Card.
Not Included (Package):
International airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos Islands; gratuities; bar
purchases; gifts and personal items; passport expenses; traveler's insurance;
international airport departure tax, must be paid in cash; wetsuit rental
(2009: $19 per voyage); 2009 fuel surcharge ($72 per person, per trip).
* The Park tax may double in the near future (pending government approval),
thereby resulting in an additional $100 charge per adult and $50 per child
under 12 years for both package and cruise only passengers.
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).
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Tell me more
about a trip to the Galapagos!
|
Galapagos
Cruises
Trips leave year
round |
Santa Cruz
Expedition ship -
families
90 passengers
4/7 days from $1500 |
Santa Cruz
Expedition ship -
families
90 passengers
5/8 days from $2000 |
Explorer II
family vacations, snorkelling,
Natural history "lite"
100 passengers
5/8 days from $1925 |
Cachalote 1
small sailboat, ideal for charter
16 passengers
8/11 days from $2438 |
Sagitta
Classic sailing vessel
16 passengers
8/11 days from $3470 |
Santa Cruz
Expedition ship -
families
90 passengers
8/11 days from $3051 |
Celebrity
Xpeditions
5 star vessel, natural
history "lite"
92 passengers
11 days from $3499 |
Samba
 small motor yacht, snorkelling, diving
options
14 passengers
8/11 days from $2200 |
Eric
small ship vessel, good
guides, diving, kayaking options
20 passengers
8/11
days from $2925 |
Sky Dancer
Dive boat
16 passengers
8/11 days from $3795 |
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Recommended reading |
Galápagos: A Natural History Guide, Michael Jackson.
Galápagos Wildlife: A Visitor’s Guide, David Horwell, Pete
Oxford.
The Beak of the Finch: A story of Evolution in Our Time, Jonathan
Weiner.
Voyage of the Beagle, Charles Darwin.
A Guide to the Birds of the Galápagos Islands, Isabel Castro and
Antonia Phillips |
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