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Ship Name: S/S Sagitta -
Sailing Vessel - 16 passengers
Activities: Ecotourism, 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 |
| 2009
Cruise Only |
$3,470 |
| 2009
Package |
$3,820 |
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Above rates are
per person, double occupancy.
Galapagos National Park tax is not included in the package rate
and must be paid upon arrival to the Galapagos (adult: USD$100,
children under 12 yrs: USD$50).
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.
Low Season Dates: May 01 – Jun 15, Sep 01 – Oct 31
High Season Dates: Jan 01 – Apr 30, Jun 16 – Aug 31, Nov
01 – Dec 31
2009 Charter: $55,520 (16 passengers, cruise only)
2009 Holiday Surcharge: Christmas and New Years departures
will have a 10% surcharge |
Introduction
 Your
journey onboard the Sagitta 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 the magnificent frigate bird, to name but a few.
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 / North Seymour Island -
Cruise Only Starts
Depart Quito this morning for your flight to Baltra. Upon arrival, you
are transferred to the Sagitta. Your first outing is at North Seymour Island
where you observe sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and magnificent frigate
birds.
Day 4: Santa Cruz Island
The Highlands on Santa Cruz Island, which are lush and green, are markedly
different from the arid lower islands. You may be able to observe giant
tortoises in their natural habitat at the Tortoise Reserve or walk through
immense lava tubes. Later today, you stop in Puerto Ayora to visit the Charles
Darwin Research Center.
Day 5: Espanola Island
This morning, explore Gardner Bay on Espanola Island where you snorkel
and take a panga ride. This afternoon, visit Punta Suarez look for large
colonies of blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, marine iguanas, albatrosses,
and swallow-tailed gulls.
Day 6: Floreana Island
This morning at Punta Cormorant on Floreana, you visit a lagoon home
to pink flamingos. Later, relax on a beautiful white-sand beach where sea
turtles nest. You then snorkel at Devil's Crown. Later, you visit the famous
historic post office. Depart for Isabela Island looking for whales and dolphins
on the way.
Day 7: Isabela Island
This morning at Punta Moreno on Isabela, take a hike through lava fields.
See cormorants and penguins along the way. This afternoon, explore Bahia
Elizabeth in the panga.
Day 8: Isabela Island / Fernandina Island
Take a long walk along Urvina Bay and see land iguanas and marine iguanas,
native and endemic plants and the remains of raised seabed exposing corral
heads and other marine fossils. This afternoon, visit Punta Espinoza on
Fernandina Island. Expect to see large colonies of marine iguanas, flightless
cormorants nesting, penguins, and baby sea lions.
Day 9: Santiago Island / Bartolome Island
Visit Puerto Egas on Santiago Island and take a coastal walk exploring the
variety of marine tidal life. Later, swim and snorkel. This afternoon explore
Bartholomew, best known for its dramatic geological formations.
Day 10: Santa Cruz / Baltra Island / Disembark / Quito -
Cruise Only Ends
This morning, you make a final stop at Black Turtle Cove. Here, you
may see marine turtles, manta eels, a large variety of heron, and typical
coastal vegetation. Next, you motor to Baltra, arriving in time to catch
your 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.
Included (Cruise Only):
Cabin accommodations aboard ship; all meals aboard ship; all shore activities
and excursions; guide and lecture services; transfers and baggage handling
between island airport and ship; snorkeling gear (fins, mask, snorkel).
Not Included (Cruise Only):
Hotel nights before/after cruise; transfers in Quito or Guayaquil; international
airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos; Galapagos Transit Card ($10 per person),
paid in cash upon arrival to airport; international airport departure tax,
must be paid in cash; meals and drinks in Quito; beverages on board; gratuities
to ship crew and naturalists are left to the discretion of the passenger;
travel insurance; passport expenses; wetsuit rental, $25 per person / week;
Galapagos National Park tax (adult: USD$100, children under 12 yrs: $50),
must be paid upon arrival to the Galapagos.*
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; cabin accommodations aboard ship; all meals aboard ship;
all shore activities and excursions; guide and lecture services; transfers
and baggage handling between island airport and ship; snorkeling gear (fins,
mask, snorkel); Galapagos Transit Card.
Not Included (Package):
International airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos; international airport
departure tax, paid in cash; meals and drinks in Quito; beverages on board;
gratuities to ship crew and naturalists are left to the discretion of the
passenger; travel insurance; passport expenses; wetsuit rental, $25 per
person / trip; Galapagos National Park tax (adult: USD$100, children under
12 yrs: $50), must be paid upon arrival to the Galapagos.*
* 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.
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).
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Tell me more
about a trip to the Galapagos!
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Galapagos
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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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