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Ship Name: M/V Santa Cruz -
Expedition ship - 90 passengers
Activities: Birding, Hiking, Snorkelling, Wildlife Viewing, Zodiac
Tours
Package - Starts Saturdays (8 days)
Cruise Only - Starts Mondays (5 days) starts on Day 3 and ends Day
7
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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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2007 Cruise Only |
$1,685 |
$1,780 |
$1,875 |
$2,051 |
$3,091 |
$2,235 |
$2,341 |
$2,696 |
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2007 Package |
$2,010 |
$2,105 |
$2,200 |
$2,376 |
$3,416 |
$2,560 |
$2,666 |
$3,021 |
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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 age: 6 yrs |
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: Baltra Island / Embark / Santa Cruz Island -
Cruise Only Starts
Arrive to Baltra Island and transfer by bus to the dock to board the
Santa Cruz. Cabin assignment and introductory welcome talk. Later,
lunch, and ship’s boat drill. On Santa Cruz, enjoy a Zodiac ride among
mangrove-lined islets allows the observation of the bird life and
dramatic landscape and coastline. Quite commonly, the black lava will
reveal the presence of marine iguanas and you may find sea turtles, rays
and sharks in the shallow turquoise waters. Following the Zodiac ride,
enjoy a walk to a brackish water lagoon frequented by greater flamingos,
common stilts, pintail ducks and a variety of shore and lagoon birds.
Further along the trail, head to Dragon Hill, offering beautiful views
and a fairly large number of land iguanas and bird watching.
Day 4: Bartolomé Island / Santiago Island
On Bartolome Island, hike to the summit. This is a steep climb aided by
a wooden staircase, but the view from the top is worth the effort. There
will be time for a panga ride around Pinnacle Rock to observe penguins,
snorkelling and swimming from the beach, or a ride on the glass-bottom
boat. Lunch on board.
In the afternoon, visit Puerto Egas, Santiago Island. This is a great
location to see shore birds and sea birds. The trail brings you to a
colony of the endemic Galápagos fur-sea lions. At low tide, marine
iguanas graze upon emerald green algae beds. Enjoy outstanding
snorkelling and swimming from the beach before the walk. Weather
permitting, stargazing on deck in the evening.
Day 5: Rabida Island / Santa Cruz Island
Disembark at Rabida Island on a red-colored beach. Stroll along the
beach and observe a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, and
several species of Darwin’s Finches. Very close to the beach is a salt
pond where Greater Flamingos can be seen. From June to November, a large
colony of pelicans nests nearby. This is a great place to snorkel from
the beach due to the unique combination of underwater species and
submarine landscapes.
This afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the
rearing in captivity program for the giant tortoises. Witness the
efforts and results of all the field work done in the name of science.
Impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds can be
also seen. Then, stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora to see how
Galapagueños live in this magical paradise.
Day 6: Santa Cruz Island / North Seymour Island
A morning bus ride takes you to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island for a
special breakfast at a selected property. Then, view the islands’ most
famous reptile: the Giant Tortoises in their natural habitat. The
vegetation, including the Scalesia Forest, and birds such as the
vermilion flycatcher, will delight you. Look for Darwin’s finches (most
of them from the tree-finch group), particularly the famous Woodpecker
Finch.
Today's afternoon starts with a dry landing for a view of the coast and
the interior of North Seymour Island, one of the few uplifted islands in
the Galápagos. The trail leads you to explore colonies of blue footed
boobies, Magnificent frigate birds, and swallow-tail gulls. The sandy
shore teems with sea lions and marine iguanas.
Day 7: San Cristobal Island / Disembark / Quito -
Cruise Only Ends
Disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. This small attractive port is
the provincial capital of the Galápagos Islands (population 4,000),
along a crescent-shaped bay. Visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation
Center, which emphasizes human history and conservation. Afterwards,
stroll through Puerto Baquerizo Moreno before heading back to the
mainland. Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the
mainland. This afternoon is at your leisure. Overnight at the Hotel
Patio Andaluz, or similar hotel.
Day 8: Quito / Home
This morning, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
Notes:
This itinerary is subject to change. ExpeditionTrips.com is not
responsible for itinerary changes.
* 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.
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
Cruises
Trips leave year
round |
Santa Cruz
Expedition ship -
families
90 passengers
4/7 days from $1264 |
Santa Cruz
Expedition ship -
families
90 passengers
5/8 days from $1685 |
Explorer II
family vacations, snorkelling,
Natural history "lite"
100 passengers
5/8 days from $1755 |
Cachalote 1
small sailboat, ideal for charter
16 passengers
8/11 days from $1979 |
Sagitta
Classic sailing vessel
16 passengers
8/11 days from $2592 |
Santa Cruz
Expedition ship -
families
90 passengers
8/11 days from $2949 |
Celebrity
Xpeditions
5 star vessel, natural
history "lite"
92 passengers
11 days from $3100 |
Samba
 small motor yacht, snorkelling, diving
options
14 passengers
8/11 days from $1754 |
Eric
small ship vessel, good
guides, diving, kayaking options
20 passengers
8/11
days from $2450 |
Sky Dancer
Dive boat
16 passengers
8/11 days from $3195 |
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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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