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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 and Wednesdays
(11 days)
Cruise Only - Starts Mondays and Fridays (8 days) starts on Day 3
and ends Day 10
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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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2009 Cruise Only |
$3,051 |
$3,688 |
$4,032 |
$4,214 |
$6,078 |
$4,396 |
$4,603 |
$5,299 |
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2009 Package |
$3,950 |
$4,140 |
$4,480 |
$4,665 |
$6,780 |
$4,845 |
$5,055 |
$5,750 |
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Above rates are
per person.
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 Peak Season: Apr 6-13, 2009 and Dec 21 - Jan 4, 2010
(During these times, passengers must pay a surcharge of $130 per
adult and $100 per child. Child rates are not offered during peak
season.)
Single Supplement: Double cabins may be used for single use
at 2 times the regular rate.
Child Rate: 25% off for children under 12 years sharing cabin
with parents (applies only to one child per adult paying full fare;
minimum child age: 6 yrs)
2009 Fuel Surcharge: $168 per person, per trip |
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. The black lava will reveal the presence of marine iguanas, and
you may find sea turtles, rays and sharks in the shallow turquoise waters.
Next, 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: Bartolome 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 (Zodiac) 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 Cristóbal Island Island
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
emphasises human history and conservation. Afterwards, stroll through Puerto
Baquerizo Moreno before heading back to the ship.
The ship then takes you to Cerro Brujo’s white coralline beach. Here, you
may spot blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, herons, frigate birds, Yellow
Warblers, Galapagos flycatchers, and some shore birds. Back on board for
an ECO Moment and briefing on the next day's activities, followed by a cocktail
offered by the Captain and dinner.
Day 8: Española Island / Floreana Island
Enjoy an afternoon outing at Punta Suarez for an exciting walk on lava/boulder
terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses
(April - December), Nazca (masked boobies), and the famous blowhole. There
is also a great hike to see Blue-footed Boobies, swallowtail gulls, and
a rookery of sea lions right at the landing site. ECO Moment, briefing and
dinner.
Disembark at Punta Cormorant on Floreana at an olivine-crystal beach for
an easy walk that includes a brackish water lagoon where bird species like
Greater flamingos, herons, sandpipers, and others may be observed. You may
snorkel from the beach, and for those experienced marine enthusiasts, Devil's
Crown can be an option. Non-snorkellers can enjoy an introduction to the
Marine Reserve on the glass-bottom boat. ECO Moment, briefing and dinner.
Day 9: Fernandina Island / Isabela Island
Explore Fernandina Island in the afternoon. Enjoy a dinghy ride to observe
Galápagos penguins, as well as flightless cormorants and then disembark
for a one-mile walk. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness
and lots of wildlife. Having no introduced mammals, this island has a very
unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas. Snorkelling
at this location depends on local sea conditions, and will be announced
by the Expedition Staff. Farewell briefing and dinner.
Located at the ‘mouth’ of the head of the sea horse, which forms the northern
part of the islands, is Punta Vicente Roca. Here, the remnants of an ancient
volcano form two turquoise coves with a bay well protected from the ocean
swells. The spot is a popular anchorage from which to take panga rides along
the cliff or explore a partially sunken cave at the water’s edge. Keep an
eye out for masked and blue-footed boobies and flightless cormorants.
Day 10: Baltra Island / Disembark / Quito - Cruise
Only Ends
Hotel Patio Andaluz
Morning ship circumnavigation around the well known Daphne Islets (home
of the major studies on Darwin's Finches), and then disembark directly at
Baltra Island and transfer by bus to the airport for your flight back to
the mainland. Today 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: Itineraries is subject to change. ExpeditionTrips.com is not responsible
for itinerary changes.
Itinerary for Wednesday Schedule:
Day 1: Arrive Quito
Day 2: Quito
Day 3: San Cristobal Island / Embark
Day 4: Espanola Island / Floreana Island
Day 5: Fernandina Island / Isabela Island
Day 6: Baltra Island / Santa Cruz Island
Day 7: Bartolomé Island / Santiago Island
Day 8: Rabida Island / North Seymour Island
Day 9: Santa Cruz Island
Day 10: San Cristobal Island / Disembark / Quito
Day 11: Quito / Home
Languages: In addition to English, French, German, and Italian are
available on request and with a minimum of 10 guests.
Included (Cruise Only):
Cabin accommodations aboard ship; all meals aboard ship; all shore activities
and excursions; guide and lecture services; use of glass-bottom boat and
snorkelling gear; transfers and baggage handling between island airport
and ship.
Not Included (Cruise Only):
Hotel nights before/after cruise; transfers in Quito or Guayaquil; international
airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos Islands; Galapagos National Park entrance
fee, USD$100 (children under 12 subtract $50), subject to change without
notice*; Galapagos Transit Card ($10 per person), paid in cash upon arrival
to airport; bar purchases; gifts and personal items; passport expenses;
traveler's insurance; international airport departure tax, must be paid
in cash; laundry service; gratuities to ship staff and crew are left to
the discretion of the passenger; wetsuit rental (2009: $38 per voyage);
2009 fuel surcharge ($168 per person, per trip).
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 entrance fee, USD$100
(Children under 12 subtract $50), subject to change without notice*; Cabin
accommodations aboard ship; all meals aboard ship; all shore activities
and excursions; guide and lecture services; use of glass-bottom boat and
snorkeling gear; transfers and baggage handling between island airport and
ship; Galapagos Transit Card.
Not Included (Package):
International airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos Islands; gratuities; bar
purchases; gifts and personal items; passport expenses; traveler's insurance;
international airport departure tax, must be paid in cash; wetsuit rental
(2009 $38 per voyage); 2009 fuel surcharge ($168 per person, per trip).
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
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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 $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 |
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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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