Darwin's
 Galapagos

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Trip Details

Galapagos Cruise - Santa Cruz - Snorkelling with Sea Lions, Galapagos Penguins, Blue-footed Boobies, Panga Rides, Excellent Birding
4 / 7
Days   |   Departures:
Wednesday / Friday year round    |   From $1500
Perfect for families and couples who want a quality cruise on a larger ship. Expect great guides, a comfortable ship, and a well planned itinerary.

Testimonials
  Ship types

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

  Upper Inside Main Standard Upper Outside Boat Standard Boat Single Standard Boat Superior Boat Junior Suite Boat Master Suite
2009 Cruise Only $1,500 $1,580 $1,728 $1,806 $2,604 $1,884 $1,973 $2,272
2009 Package $1,950 $2,030 $2,178 $2,256 $3,054 $2,334 $2,423 $2,722
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

M/V Santa CruzIntroduction

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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Notes

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
Diving option
small motor yacht, snorkelling, diving options
14 passengers
8/11 days from $2200
Eric
Diving option
small ship vessel, good guides, diving, kayaking options
20 passengers
8/11 days from $2925
Sky Dancer
Diving option
Dive boat
16 passengers
8/11 days from $3795
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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