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Ship Name: M/V Galapagos Explorer II
- small ship - 100 passengers
Activities: Family Vacations, Snorkelling,
Wildlife Viewing, Zodiac Tours
Package - Starts Thursdays (8 days)
Cruise Only - Starts Saturdays (5 days) starts on Day 3 and ends
Day 7
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Classic Suite |
Premium Suite |
Deluxe Suite |
Renaissance
Suite |
| 2007 Low Season
Cruise Only |
$1,755 |
$1,935 |
$2,125 |
$2,385 |
| 2007 High Season
Cruise Only |
$1,940 |
$2,140 |
$2,350 |
$2,635 |
| 2007 Low Season
Package |
$2,080 |
$2,260 |
$2,450 |
$2,710 |
| 2007 High Season
Package |
$2,265 |
$2,465 |
$2,675 |
$2,960 |
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Above rates are per person, double occupancy.
2007 Low Season Dates: Jan 8-14, May 1-Jun 15, Nov 24-Dec
15
2007 High Season Dates: Jan 15-Apr 30, Jun 16-Nov 23, Dec
16-Jan 7
Single Rate: Available upon request.
Child Rate: 50% of the rate accompanied by an adult (under
12 yrs), except on holiday cruises, children are 75% of the rate.
Children under 7 years are not permitted on board. |
Introduction
 Located in the Pacific Ocean, 600 miles off
the west coast of South America, the Galapagos Islands is a cluster of over
sixty islands and islets. Galapagos has fascinated explorers and scientists
throughout time. Charles Darwin was astonished by the number of unique species
and the differences between plant and animal populations from island to
island. Today, Galapagos is considered as one of the most spectacular and
pristine National Parks in the world. In 1934, the government of Ecuador
set aside most of the islands as a wildlife sanctuary, providing a safe
haven for the animals. One of the most remarkable aspects about Galapagos
is the abundant and surprisingly approachable wildlife. Travellers enjoy
extraordinarily close encounters with sea lions, penguins, tortoises, fur
seals and many kinds of seabirds.
Itinerary
Day
1: Arrive Quito
Hotel Patio Andaluz 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 / Santa Cruz Island / Embark -
Cruise Only Starts
Arrive at the Balta airport this morning. Transfer to your ship for
embarkation and settle in to your cabin. This afternoon, visit Cerro
Dragon, where two lagoons are home to flamingos, and a path takes you
through cacti and palo santo trees, leading to a great view.
Day 4: Bartholomew Island / Santiago Island
Bartholomew is a tiny island providing spectacular views of the
Archipelago. This islands is a also a must for the visitor interested in
geology. The endemic Galapagos penguin is common in the bay area.
Activities here include snorkelling, swimming and relaxing. Santiago
Island is currently uninhabited. There are several species of land birds
here, including 10 species of the Darwin Finches as well as the
Galapagos Hawk. This is the best site in the Archipelago to observe the
Galapagos Fur Seal. Snorkelling and swimming available.
Day 5: Fernandina Island / Isabela Island
Fernandina is the westernmost island of the Archipelago. The colossal
shield of the still active volcano Fernandina reaches 1,494 m. The
island has a nice variety of wildlife, including one of the largest
communities of Marine Iguanas, as well as Californian Sea Lions and
Galapagos Flightless Cormorants.
On Isabela Island, visit Punta Vicente Roca by Zodiac. Reaching a rocky
pile of large basalt, you will find colonies of fur seals, sea lions,
and marine iguanas basking in the sun. You may also see Galapagos
penguins, swallow-tailed gulls, masked boobies, and blue-footed boobies.
If you choose to snorkel, keep your eyes peeled for Manta rays, sea
turtles, sea lions, stingrays, and perhaps even dolphins and sunfish.
Day 6: North Seymour Island / Santa Cruz Island
At Seymor Norte, an uplifted island, you have a dry landing. You may
walk the loop trail and keep an eye out for frigate birds, blue-footed
boobies, sea lions, marine iguanas swallow-tailed gulls, snakes, endemic
Palo Santo, and the low shrubby-type Opuntia. In the afternoon, board a
bus for a 45-minute ride through changing vegetation zones to the Santa
Cruz Highlands. Here, about 40 giant tortoises live in the wild. By
approaching quietly, you can find and observe a turtle on your own. You
also hike to tunnels made by cooling lava.
Day 7: San Cristobal Island / Disembark / Quito -
Cruise Only Ends
This morning, visit Loberia or Isla Lobos or Tijeretas or El Junco,
followed by a visit to the Interpretation Center on San Cristobal
Island. Inaugurated in 1998, the Center is a state-of-the-art facility
that offers complete education on both the islands and its human
population. Later, transfer to the airport for your return flight 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:
Holiday Cruises: To confirm a Christmas or New Years cruise, the
following amounts must be deposited:
- 30% of cruise rate when reserving 240 days prior to departure
- 50% of cruise rate when reserving 180 days prior to departure
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; all meals aboard the vessel; guided visits
to the islands; all shore excursions by Zodiac and trials; lecture
programs by noted naturalists; transfers and baggage handling between
island airports and the ship.
Not Included (Package):
International airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos; alcoholic and non
alcoholic beverages; International airport departure tax, to be paid in
cash; government taxes; charges and all items of a personal nature such
as laundry, consumption from the mini-bar located in suites; gratuities
to ship staff is left to the discretion of the passenger; traveler’s
insurance.
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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your own cruise to the Galapagos |
Galapagos basics
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Galapagos
Cruises
Trips leave year
round |
Santa Cruz
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families
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Santa Cruz
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families
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5/8 days from $1685 |
Explorer II
family vacations, snorkelling,
Natural history "lite"
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5/8 days from $1755 |
Cachalote 1
small sailboat, ideal for charter
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Sagitta
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Santa Cruz
Expedition ship -
families
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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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