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Ship Name: M/Y Eric or identical sister
ships, Flamingo and Letty - Small Ship
- 20 passengers
Activities: Kayaking, Scuba Diving, Snorkelling, Wildlife Viewing
Package - Starts Fridays (11 days)
Cruise Only - Starts Sundays (8 days) starts on Day 3 and ends Day
10
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Iguana Deck |
Booby Deck |
Dolphin Deck |
| 2009
Cruise Only |
$2,925 |
$3,225 |
$3,575 |
| 2009
Package |
$3,375 |
$3,705 |
$4,025 |
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Above rates are
per person, double occupancy.
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.
2009 Fuel Surcharge: $125 per person; $2,500 per charter
2009 Single Rates: Cruise Only: $4,495; Package: $5,195
2009 Triple Rate: Cruise Only: $2,855
2009 Charter Rates: High Season: $62,000; Low Season: $59,000;
Holiday Weeks: $65,000 (20 passengers, cruise only)
Note: Please contact us for charter season dates.
Family Departures: 2/13/2009, 3/13/2009, 3/20/2009, 3/27/2009,
6/12/2009, 6/19/2009, 6/26/2009, 7/3/2009, 7/10/2009, 7/17/2009,
7/24/2009, 7/31/2009, 8/7/2009, 8/14/2009, 8/21/2009, 11/20/2009
Scuba Diving Options: $155 per person (Friday afternoon);
$175 per person (Thursday afternoon); $195 per person (Friday morning
& afternoon). Contact your Program Manager for details. Departures:
1/16/2009, 4/17/2009, 5/8/2009 (subject to change) |
Introduction
 A
visit to the Galapagos lslands is an amazing natural history experience
and an adventure of a lifetime. You will delight in the opportunity to be
nose-to-nose with nature, from prehistoric reptiles to silly seabirds; endemic
plants and cactus trees to red and green sand beaches; volcanic lava formations
and craters to clear skies full of stars.
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
Arrive at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island, where your crew
meets you at the airport and escorts you to your anchored yacht. This afternoon,
visit Playa Ochoa, where you enjoy a subtle introduction to the Galapagos
with a beautiful, white, powder-sand beach. As the sun sets, you cruise
around Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido), a vertical tuff cone formation that abruptly
juts up almost 500 feet out of the ocean. Watch sea lions, blue-footed boobies,
masked boobies and magnificent frigate birds on the cliffs.
Day 4: Genovesa Island
You spend the entire day on Genovesa Island, one of the most spectacular
Islands in Galapagos. After a wet landing on Darwin Bay’s coral beach, wind
your way past tide pools where swallow-tailed and lava gulls gather. Enter
a forest of mangroves where colonies of great frigate birds nest. The males
inflate their red-throated pouches to attract females that fly overhead.
After swimming or sea kayaking, take a panga ride along the jagged shoreline.
See the beautiful red-billed tropic bird. At Prince Philip’s Steps, find
storm petrels and the elusive short-eared owl, and watch the famous red-footed
boobies nesting in Palo Santo trees.
Day 5: Santa Cruz Isalnd / North Seymour Island
This morning, explore Bachas Beach, a white sand beach where sea turtles
often lay their eggs. The sheltered cove is a perfect spot for snorkelling
and swimming, and flamingos and marine iguanas are typically found on the
shores.
This afternoon, you disembark on North Seymour, also a small geological
uplift. After a dry landing, you follow a trail that leads us to sea lions,
swallow-tailed gulls and blue-footed boobies. Visit the largest colony of
magnificent frigatebirds found in Galapagos. As you stroll along the beach,
watch for sea lions body surfing the northern swells.
Day 6: Isabela Island / Fernandina Island
This morning, you visit Tagus Cove, Isabela. Six volcanoes flowed together
and formed Isabela, the largest Island in Galapagos. On a nature walk, discover
a salt-water lagoon, a scenic overlook, and a spectacular view of lava fields,
volcanic formations and the ocean. Note graffiti dating back to the 1800's
is written on the rocky cliffs. Explore Tagus Cove in pangas or sea kayaks
and find Galapagos penguins and other seabirds.
After lunch, disembark at Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island, the youngest
and most pristine island found in Galapagos. Hundreds of marine iguanas,
the largest colony in Galapagos, bask in the sun along the shoreline. Observe
sea lion harems with resident bulls carefully guarding their territory,
as well as Flightless Cormorants and Galapagos Hawks.
Day 7: Santiago Island / Bartolome Island
This morning, stroll along the shore at Puerto Egas looking for octopus,
starfish and other sea life caught in the tide pools. Catch a glimpse of
marine iguanas as they feed on exposed green algae. Watch for great blue
herons, lava herons, oystercatchers and yellow-crowned night herons. Your
walk ends at the grottos, deep pools of clear water where you encounter
fur sea lions once on the verge of extinction.
On Bartolome, which seems like the moon, is inhospitable to most plants
and animals. After a dry landing, climb 30 minutes up a steep slope to the
summit of a once active volcano. Pause along the way to marvel at lava bombs,
spatter cones and cinder cones. From the top, gaze out across a panoramic
view which includes the famous "Pinnacle Rock," an eroded tuff cone.
Day 8: Santa Cruz Island
This morning, you visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Scientists
from all over the globe work at the station and conduct biological research
from anatomy to zoology. Observe year-old tortoises and learn about the
captive-breeding program. Next, stroll through the town of Puerto Ayora
(population: 10,000) -– the largest town in the Galapagos.
After lunch on board, aboard a bus and take an excursion to the highlands.
Watch the scenery change as you wind your way through all seven vegetation
zones found in Galapagos. From June to January you can find giant tortoises
on a private farm in the highlands. The rest of the year, travellers visit
Los Gemelos “The Twins”, a pair of large pit craters where you find the
bright red male vermilion flycatcher. Afterwards, you head to "the tunnels,"
the largest lava tubes found in Galapagos.
Day 9: Espanola Island
This morning, step onto Gardner Bay. Walk along seemingly endless stretches
of sandy beach where you’ll find colonies of sea lions. Swim and snorkel
with the sea lions and enjoy the colorful diversity of sea life near Gardner
Islet.
This afternoon, disembark at Punta Suarez to witness the highest rate of
“endemicism” in the Galapagos. Sea lions noisily greet you as you land on
their beach. From April to November waved albatross perform their wild mating
rituals only on Espanola. You will also likely find colonies of Blue-footed
Boobies, Swallow-tailed Gulls and Red-billed Tropicbirds. Observe a unique
species of marine iguana identified with traces of red and green colorings.
Colorful Sally Light-foot crabs crawl along the shoreline near the famous
"blow hole."
Day 10: San Cristobal / Disembark / Quito - Cruise
Only Ends
If time permits, you visit the Interpretation Center which opened in
1999. Here, you gain a more complete understanding of the natural and human
history of the Islands. After your visit, transfer to the airport for your
return flight to Quito. 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.
Women Only Departure: 5/22/2009 (Package), 5/24/2009 (Package)
Scuba Diving Options: 1/16/2009, 4/17/2009, 5/8/2009 (subject to change)
Passengers who are certified, experienced divers can choose to purchase
dives on Thursday and Friday during the cruise. Experience levels include
Beginner, Intermediate, and Intermediate to Advanced (minimum of three divers
on Thursday and two divers on Fridays; maximum of eight divers on both days).
Please inquire for full details.
Included: Divemaster, filled tanks, weight belt and weights, BCD,
regulator, wetsuit, boots, fins and hood, and snacks, water and sodas following
dives.
Note: Galapagos is not suitable for infrequent divers due to strong currents,
sea swells, surges, cool waters, upwellings, poor visibility (at times),
and large animals including the harmless Galapagos shark. All divers must
be open-water certified and should be experienced with adequate skills,
have excellent buoyancy control, and be totally self-sufficient to handle
all gear. All dives are dependent upon weather conditions and the skill
level of all the divers.
2009 Family Departures: 2/13/2009, 3/13/2009, 3/20/2009, 3/27/2009,
6/12/2009, 6/19/2009, 6/26/2009, 7/3/2009, 7/10/2009, 7/17/2009, 7/24/2009,
7/31/2009, 8/7/2009, 8/14/2009, 8/21/2009, 11/20/2009 (subject to change)
These departures are offered throughout the year (generally over US school
breaks) for families with children ages seven and up, these departures feature
age-appropriate activities depending on the ages and number of children
or teenagers on board: visit the bridge and learn about astronomy; navigational
charts and tie nautical knots with the Captain; movies and popcorn night;
games with prizes; costume party; board games/books/DVDs. Also, snorkeling
equipment, life vests and wet suits are available onboard in child sizes
and kid-friendly meals are served.
Child Discounts:
Children 11 years and under at time of sailing: 25% off, plus 50% off the
airfare and park tax with photocopy of child's passport showing date of
birth.
Children ages 12-14 years: 15% off
Only one child discount per every full fare paying adult. Discounts applied
to Iguana Deck cabins unless not otherwise available. No child discounts
are permitted on holiday departures over the Christmas, New Year and Easter
holidays.
Age Restrictions: Children under 7 years of age are not accepted
unless the parents or legal guardians sign a hold harmless release. Children
age 11 and younger are only permitted on a designated family departure.
Contact ExpeditionTrips for more details.
Included (Cruise Only):
Cabin accommodations aboard ship; all meals aboard ship; all non-alcoholic
beverages; all shore activities and excursions; guide and lecture services;
transfers and baggage handling between island airport and ship; use of snorkeling
gear, wet suits (but no guarantee there will be one available in your size
unless you reserve) and kayaks, first come first serve basis (one double,
one single); beach towels.
Not Included (Cruise Only):
Hotel nights before/after cruise; transfers in Quito or Guayaquil; Galapagos
National Park entrance fee, USD$100 (children under 12 subtract $50), subject
to change without notice*; international airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos
Islands; Galapagos Transit Card ($10 per person), paid in cash upon arrival
to airport; international airport departure tax, must be paid in cash; gratuities
are left to the discretion of the passenger; traveler’s insurance; wetsuit
reservation ($25 per person / 8 days); fuel surcharge ($125 per person;
$2,500 per charter).
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 tax, USD$100 (Children
under 12 subtract $50), subject to change without notice*; cabin accommodations
aboard ship; all meals aboard ship; all non-alcoholic beverages; all shore
activities and excursions; guide and lecture services; transfers and baggage
handling between island airport and ship; use of snorkeling gear, wet suits
(but no guarantee there will be one available in your size unless you reserve)
and kayaks, first come first serve basis (one double, one single); beach
towels; Galapagos Transit Card.
Not Included (Package):
International airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos Islands; international
airport departure tax, must be paid in cash; gratuities are left to the
discretion of the passenger; traveler’s insurance; wetsuit reservation ($25
per person / 8 days); fuel surcharge ($125 per person; $2,500 per charter.)
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).
Request details
for your own cruise to the Galapagos
| Galapagos basics
|
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 $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
 small motor yacht, snorkelling, diving
options
14 passengers
8/11 days from $2200 |
Eric
small ship vessel, good
guides, diving, kayaking options
20 passengers
8/11
days from $2925 |
Sky Dancer
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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