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Ship Name: Celebrity Xpedition -
Expedition Ship - 92 passengers
Activities: Birding, Scuba Diving, Snorkelling, Wildlife Viewing, Zodiac
Tours
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XO |
XD |
XP |
XJ |
XS |
PS |
| 2007 Low Season |
$3,100 |
$3,300 |
$3,500 |
$4,000 |
$4,300 |
$7,300 |
| 2007 High Season |
$4,500 |
$4,700 |
$5,000 |
$5,800 |
$6,000 |
$10,200 |
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Rates are per person, double
occupancy.
The above rates serve as a price range only for 2007. Rates vary
greatly with departure date & depend on availabity. Please contact
us for exact rates.
Diving Supplement: $120 and $140 per person (Must be a certified
and experienced diver; see end of page for details) |
Introduction
 600 miles off the western coast of Ecuador
lies a group of islands so isolated that many of its creatures cannot be
found anywhere else. Welcome to the Galapagos, the inspiration for Charles
Darwin's theory of evolution. Spend your day photographing land iguanas
nibbling prickly pear cacti, or identifying the 13 types of Darwin's finches,
and your night enjoying the ship's signature gourmet dishes. Sail with the
utmost elegance and comfort aboard the Celebrity Xpedition, a premiere expedition
vessel offering top rate customer service and amenities. Each day, you will
have the choice between low, medium and high level of activity tours. Further
details regarding these tour will be provided in your travel documents and
onboard the ship.
Itinerary
Day 1: Quito, Ecuador
Arrive in Quito, Ecuador. A uniformed Celebrity representative with a
sign will be waiting for you with directions for your transfer to the
hotel, the JW Marriott.
Day 2: Quito, Ecuador
This morning, enjoy a full complimentary buffet breakfast at your hotel.
Following, board your private bus for an all day city tour of Quito.
Explore the “old town,” stop at Mirador for a view of the city, visit
the Equator, and do a little shopping, and enjoy lunch in San Antonio.
This evening, return to your hotel for dinner in one of the three hotel
restaurants.
Day 3: Baltra Island / Embark / North Seymour Island
Today, fly from Quito to Baltra to embark the Celebrity Xpedition. In
the afternoon, sail to North Seymour, a flat low-lying island where
blue-footed boobies nest, sea lions play and the largest colony of
frigate birds in the Galapagos congregates. Tonight, attend the
Captain’s Welcome Aboard Cocktail Party.
Day 4: San Cristobal Island / Española Island
Puerto Baquerizo, the principal town on San Cristobal, is the capital of
the province of Galapagos. This afternoon, visit Espanola Island, the
only place where the waved albatross nests. With rocky outcroppings, sea
cliffs and a blowhole that spews water up to 75 feet in the air when the
surf rushes in, Espanola belongs on your “don’t miss” list.
Day 5: Floreana Island
The landing site of Cormorant Point, on the northern part of the island,
is on a green sand beach colored by olivine crystals. A trail will take
you to a lake often inhabited by flamingos and shore birds, and
continues on to an important nesting site for turtles. In the afternoon,
you will visit Baroness Outlook. During the 1930s, Floreana became a
fashionable port of call for luxury yachts, and Baroness von Wagner de
Bosquet was among the European settlers on the island. The drama that
occurred during this notorious period has never been fully explained.
Day 6: Bartolomé Island
This morning, tour Bachas Beach, a beautiful pristine white-sand beach
with clear blue water. This area is a major egg-laying site for Pacific
green turtles, but pelicans and flamingos feel equally at home here,
too. On Bartolome, with its moon-like surface, you will feel like you’re
in another world. Be sure to trek over the island’s lava tubes and tuff
cones, and take in the views from the famed Pinnacle Rock.
Day 7: Isabela Island / Fernandina Island
On the west coast of Isabela, you’ll visit Elizabeth Bay, home to a
colony of Galapagos penguins living on a series of small rocky islets.
The flat lava of Punta Espinosa offers a stark and barren landscape, but
you can observe flightless cormorants, sea lions, marine iguanas.
Day 8: Santiago Island / Rabida Island
Follow Puerto Egas, a coastal trail on Isla Santiago, and your rewards
will be many: fur sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs and grottos made from
black lava. Formed from oxidized lava, Rabiba’s beaches have an
unmistakable red color. Adding to the color of the island is its
collection of sea lions, flamingos and palo santo trees.
Day 9: Santa Cruz Island
Located on Isla Santa Cruz are the headquarters of the Charles Darwin
Research Station. Make time to visit the Rearing Center for giant
tortoises, and learn more about island conservation and ongoing
research.
Day 10: Baltra Island / Disembark / Mainland Ecuador
Disembark in Baltra and board your departure flight for Quito. Arrive in
Quito and transfer to your hotel. At 4PM, join a shopping tour to the
outdoor market. This evening, join the Farewell Dinner at the Historic
Theatre Restaurant at 6:30PM.
Day 11: Ecuador / Home
Early this morning, enjoy a full complimentary buffet breakfast at your
hotel before transferring to the airport for your return flight home.
Notes:
SCUBA DIVING SUPPLEMENT: There are
two dives available while onboard, one at $120 US, and the other at $140
per person. Rate includes the dive and equipment. Offered on Wednesdays.
Divers must have proof of certification, and it is strongly
recommended that they have experience with at least 20 logged dives or
advanced dive certification due to strong currents, cold water,
thermo-clines and large marine life. Please inquire for full details
(minimum 4 divers).
This itinerary is subject to change. ExpeditionTrips.com is not
responsible for itinerary changes.
Included (Package):
Meals during the land portion of the package in Quito, Ecuador;
transfers from the Quito Airport to your hotel and back to the airport;
Two nights in a shared double occupancy room at a hotel in Quito prior
to your flight to Baltra (a continental breakfast each morning is
included); A guided tour of Quito (4 hours); Air transportation (coach
class on either scheduled or charter service) from Quito, Ecuador to
Baltra; Transfers from the airport in Baltra to Celebrity Xpedition;
Voyage aboard Celebrity Xpedition as indicated in the applicable
itinerary; Accommodation in staterooms with air-conditioning, private
bathroom and showers; All meals and complimentary beverages on board the
vessel (including select wines, champagnes, spirits, soft drinks,
regular coffee and tea); Complimentary room service; Most onboard
entertainment, including programs or lectures by onboard naturalists or
experienced expedition staff; Scheduled daily visits to the islands
conducted by multilingual naturalist guides; Gratuities while on board
for the crew and lecturers, as well as gratuities for the naturalist
guides; The Galapagos National Park admission fee (US$100 per person);
Transfers from Celebrity Xpedition to the airport in Baltra; Air
transportation (coach class on either scheduled or charter service) from
Baltra to Quito; Transfers from the Quito Airport to your hotel; One
night at a hotel (a continental breakfast each morning is included);
Transfer from your hotel to the Quito Airport.
Not Included (Package):
Air transportation between home city and Quito; Any food or beverages
obtained off of Celebrity Xpedition (except as noted); Purchases of
souvenirs, gifts and other personal items on board; Personal services
such as spa, laundry, telecommunication charges and hair-styling; Rental
of equipment; Baggage, travel/cancellation and personal insurance;
Optional pre/post packages; Certain premium beverages; government taxes
and fees (US$100 per person); international departure airport tax, to be
paid in cash.
Cruise only option is not available aboard this vessel.
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Tell me more
about a trip to the Galapagos!
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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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