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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
 |
Upper Inside |
Main Standard |
Upper Outside |
Boat Standard |
Boat Single
Standard |
Boat Superior |
Boat Junior
Suite |
Boat Master
Suite |
| 2007 Cruise Only |
$2,949 |
$3,116 |
$3,282 |
$3,589 |
$5,409 |
$3,912 |
$4,096 |
$4,718 |
| 2007 Package |
$3,274 |
$3,441 |
$3,607 |
$3,914 |
$5,734 |
$4,237 |
$4,421 |
$5,043 |
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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. 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:
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 / Santa Cruz
Day 9: Santa Cruz / North Seymour Island
Day 10: San Cristobal Island / Disembark / Quito
Day 11: Quito / Home
* 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.
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 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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Galapagos
Cruises
Trips leave year
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Santa Cruz
Expedition ship -
families
90 passengers
4/7 days from $1264 |
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families
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families
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history "lite"
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11 days from $3100 |
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 small motor yacht, snorkelling, diving
options
14 passengers
8/11 days from $1754 |
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small ship vessel, good
guides, diving, kayaking options
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days from $2450 |
Sky Dancer
Dive boat
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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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