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Ship Name: Cachalote 1 -
Sailing vessel - 16 passengers
Activities: Family Vacations, Sailing, Snorkelling, Wildlife
Viewing
Package - Starts Mondays (11 days)
Cruise Only - Starts Wednesdays (8 days) starts on Day 3 and ends
Day 10
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Double Cabin |
| 2007 Low Season
Cruise Only |
$1,979 |
| 2007 High Season
Cruise Only |
$2,199 |
| 2007 Low Season
Package |
$2,304 |
| 2007 High Season
Package |
$2,524 |
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Above rates
are per person, double occupancy.
Low Season Dates: May, Jun, Sep, Oct
High Season Dates: Jan - Apr, Jul, Aug, Nov, Dec
2007 Charter: Low Season: $31,664; High Season: $35,184
(charter rates are cruise only and are not applicable to diving
cruises or special itineraries) |
Introduction
 Your
journey onboard the Sea Cloud in the Galapagos Islands will be no less exciting
than Charles Darwin's expedition hundred of years ago. Much of the same
flora and fauna still thrive on the islands today: the marine and land iguanas,
the giant tortoises and sea lion colonies, the famous Darwin Finch, the
boobies, the flightless cormorant, pink flamingos, the only equatorial penguin,
and magnificent frigate birds, to name but a few.
Itinerary - Tentative,
subject to change
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 / South Plaza Island - Cruise
Only Starts
The US army occupied Baltra Island during World War II and built the first
landing strip for jets, which is presently used for daily flights to and
from the islands. The main plants on this barren island are cacti, Palo
Santo trees, and grasses. South Plaza was formed by uplifted lava and is
covered by Opuntia cacti growing over patches of Sesusvium. Here, land iguanas,
sea lions, Swallow-tailed gulls, red-billed tropic birds, Audubon’s shearwaters
and more can be seen.
Day 4: Santa Cruz Island
The Charles Darwin Research Station and headquarters of the Galapagos National
Park may be visited at Puerto Ayora, the Islands’ most populated human settlement.
The highlands offer the lush humid zone with its vegetation of Miconia bushes,
Scalesia and inactive volcanic cones. Santa Cruz has more endemic plants
than any other island in the Galapagos. You can see the Galapagos tortoises
in their natural habitat here.
Day 5: Espanola Island
Gardner Bay (Off of Espanola Island) is a spectacular beach where you can
swim with sea lions and is a great opportunity for snorkelling off the islets
in the bay. Punta Suarez offers you quite a display of wildlife: marine
iguanas with copper red patches, Swallow-tailed gulls, the endemic long-billed
mocking bird, finches, masked and blue-footed boobies, oystercatchers, sea
lions and lava lizards. This is the only island where the waved albatross
is to be seen during the breeding season, April to December.
Day 6: Floreana Island
At Post Office Bay, one may leave letters like whalers did in the 18th century,
in a wooden barrel mailbox. At Point Cormorant, you visit a flamingo lagoon
where other species of shore birds may also be seen, and you snorkel at
the Devil’s Crown, a submerged volcanic cone.
Day 7: Isabela Island
Punta Moreno (Western Isabela Island) is another sight of interest with
lava fields and pioneer plants. Occasionally, you will find flamingos in
oasis-like green lagoons as well as flightless cormorant and marine iguana.
At Urbina Bay, observe Flightless Cormorants, Brown Pelicans, large marine
iguanas, rays, marine turtles and remains of a coral reef.
Day 8: Fernandina Island / Isabela Island
At Punta Espinoza, flightless cormorants, pelicans, sea lions, Sally-light
foot crabs and an abundance of marine iguanas can be seen along the shores
of one of world’s most active volcanoes. This afternoon, visit Tagus Cove,
a beautiful protected cove sheltered by the shoulders of two volcanic craters,
which has served as an anchorage for centuries. Keep an eye out for flightless
cormorants, hawks, blue-footed boobies, whales, dolphins, and penguins.
Day 9: Santiago Island / Bartolome Island
Nowhere else is the geological history of the archipelago better portrayed
than here. The most impressive volcanic scenery may be viewed from the top
of Bartolome: varied lava formations, volcanic peaks and the moon-like landscape.
The Galapagos penguin can be seen here.
Day 10: Santa Cruz / Baltra Island / Disembark / Quito -
Cruise Only Ends
Today, you visit Turtle Cove on Santa Cruz. Enjoy a Panga ride in the mangrove
lagoon and see stingrays, sharks, the night heron, several species of Darwin’s
finches, and possibly marine turtles. Then, return to Baltra Island for
your flight back to the mainland. This afternoon is at your leisure. Overnight
at the Hotel Patio Andaluz, or similar hotel.
Day 11: 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.
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);
All meals on board; accommodation in double cabins; purified water; on shore
excursions escorted by a well trained English speaking naturalist guide;
use of 2 kayaks.
Not Included (Package):
International airfare; airfare between Quito/Guayaquil and Galapagos; drinks;
personal expenses; gratuities are left to the discretion of the passenger;
traveler’s insurance; Wetsuits: $30 per week per person (for snorkelling
use only); Snorkelling equipment: USD$15 per week per person (must be paid
directly on board and in cash only); international departure airport tax,
to 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!
|
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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