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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 |
|
2007 Cruise Only |
$1,264 |
$1,335 |
$1,407 |
$1,538 |
$2,318 |
$1,676 |
$1,756 |
$2,022 |
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2007 Package |
$1,589 |
$1,660 |
$1,732 |
$1,863 |
$2,643 |
$2,001 |
$2,081 |
$2,347 |
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Above rates are per
person.
2007 Peak Season: Apr 2-8, Dec 24-31 (Note: During these
times, passengers must pay a surcharge of $100 per adult and $75
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)
Minimum child passenger age: 6 years |
 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.
Notes:
* ECO MOMENT - Every evening, your Expedition Staff will present subjects
related to Geology, Evolution, Oceanography, among others. The prefix ECO
comes from the key words Explore, Conserve, Observe.
This itinerary is subject to change. ExpeditionTrips.com is not responsible
for itinerary changes.
Included (Package):
3 hotel nights in Quito at the Patio Andaluz, or similar (hotel based on
availability; hotel upgrades available at additional cost); 4 transfers;
adult Galapagos National Park tax, USD$100 (Children under 12 subtract $50);
Cabin accommodations aboard ship; all meals aboard ship; sightseeing; guide
and lecture services.
Not Included (Package):
International airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos Islands; gratuities; bar
purchases; gifts; personal items; passport expenses; traveler's insurance;
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:
Approximate cost: $300-$450 per adult; $200-$275 per child under 12 (copy
of passport required). Prices vary based on shipping company and departure
dates. Please note, ExpeditionTrips.com charges a $25 per person service
charge to issue these air tickets.
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Tell me more
about a trip to the Galapagos!
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Galapagos
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 small motor yacht, snorkelling, diving
options
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small ship vessel, good
guides, diving, kayaking options
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Sky Dancer
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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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