7 night cruise
with 3 nights quito
From $ per person, double occupancy for 2006
SATURday: Quito arrival
Airport reception and transfer to
your hotel. Overnight accommodations at the Patio Andaluz
or JW Marriott, breakfast included.
SUNday: Quito
Today set off with your private guide
for a drive around one of the most charming cities in
Latin America. Enjoy the colonial center of Quito, and
the stone carved facade of Ecuador’s House of Congress
depicting scenes from Ecuadorian history; you’ll
also visit the Independence Square, the Presidential Palace
and the Cathedral.
The tour ends with a trip to the Panecillo
Hill, which commands a striking view of Quito, the surrounding
valley and the snow-capped mountains
beyond. (B)
Monday: QUITO
– BALTRA – SOMBRERO CHINO (Chinese Hat)
Note there is a one-hour time difference between the mainland
and the islands.
Upon arrival, transfer short distance to
the pier and board your ship, the M/V Galapagos Legend.
Shortly afterward, set sail. As you cruise through the
waters of the Galapagos, look from the deck for dolphins,
whales and perhaps a hammerhead shark. The boat is also
likely to be accompanied by tiny Audubon's shearwaters
and playful sea lions.
In the afternoon you’ll visit this
tiny volcanic island located to the south of Santiago
Island. Attractions here include lava tubes and a coralline
beach, where sea lions and marine iguanas can also be
observed. The island is also home to penguins. (B, L,
D)
Tuesday: SANTA
CRUZ – FLOREANA
This morning, you will visit Dragon Hill, a bay located
at the northwest of Santa Cruz Island. You can see flamingos
in marshland lakes and some migratory birds. You will
also have the opportunity of seeing Darwin Finches, hood
mockingbirds, and lava lizards. This area has arid vegetation
where you can find some oppuntia cactus, palo santo (bursera)
and some other endemic plants. This place has a wonderful
landscape and you can see Rabida Island to the west. In
the beach zone you can see some endemic coast plants and
also some marine iguanas, sea lions, American oystercatchers,
pelicans and a small blue-footed Boobies colony. This
visit involves a wet landing and a one-mile flat trail
(2 hours hiking)
Afternoon wet landing on Cormorant Point,
a greenish colored sand beach on the island of Floreana.
Passengers will hike a well marked trail beginning in
the Black Mangrove beds heading towards the back of the
lagoon. The large, brackish lagoon holds one of the biggest
populations of flamingos in the Galapagos. This island
is best known for its endemic plant life, such as the
Galapagos millwork, Passion flower, and unique button
mangrove. Novice snorkelers can practice back on the main
beach where the sea lions are playful, while experienced
snorkelers can roam the waters around Devils Crown. (B,
L, D)
Wednesday: ESPANOLA
(HOOD) – SAN CRISTOBAL (CHATHAM)
Disembark at Punta Suarez (dry landing) and walk on lava
terrain. Aside from the sea lion colonies, this is one
of the most important sites for bird watching. Many species
can be spotted up close as soon as you disembark here,
including the hood mocking bird and red-billed tropicbirds.
You will also spot large marine iguanas along with lava
lizards and colorful sally light foot crabs. After a short
trek, you will run into colonies of masked and blue-footed
boobies and their nesting grounds sometimes overlapped
over the trail. You will also find Galapagos doves, hawks
and swallow-tailed gulls. After crossing these nesting
grounds, you will reach the world colony of waved albatross
(around 15,000); they all come to the Galapagos for their
mating rituals. End your visit at the blowhole, where
water shoots into the air at almost 75 feet high. (B,
L, D)
In the afternoon, dry land at Puerto Baquerizo
Moreno to visit the Interpretation Center, where you will
learn about the natural and human history of the islands
through display presentations. There is some time to shop
in town for souvenirs or mail postcards. (B, L, D)
Thursday: NORTH
SEYMOUR – BARTOLOME
After a dry landing in North Seymour, you will encounter
Swallow Tailed Gulls and Sea Lions. This site is also
known for being a major nesting colony for Blue Footed
Boobies, and the largest colony of the Magnificent Frigate
Bird. You will also spot both endemic species of iguanas,
marine and land, and enjoy a relaxed hike around the nesting
sites.
This afternoon, arriving at Bartolome Island
seems as if you were walking on the moon. The volcanic
formations on this island include lava bombs, spatter
cones, and cinder cones. There is a steep hike to the
summit aided by wooden steps, from where you will have
an impressive view of the Islands including Pinnacle rock
an eroded tuff cone. On your way to the top you have the
possibility of admiring a large colony of marine iguanas
and lava lizards. Among the flora you may find Red mangroves,
tiquilla, and cacti.
Later on enjoy the pleasure of snorkeling.
Here you can spot Galapagos penguins, marine tortoises
(January through March), and white-tipped sharks. (B,
L, D)
Friday: ISABELA
AND FERNANDINA ISLANDS
This morning visit Urbina Bay on Isabela Island, which
is the largest island in the Galapagos. It was created
by the eruption of five volcanoes that flowed together.
Graffiti dating back to 1800's is written on the rocky
cliff, believed to be done by pirates and buccaneers.
The trail leads to Darwin's salt-water lagoon and an excellent
view of the lava fields, volcanic formations and the ocean.
A Dinghy ride will allow you to see marine life and Galapagos
Penguins and flightless cormorants. Visit large populations
of giant tortoises, Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks
and frigate birds.
This afternoon, catch sight of the largest
colony of Marine iguanas sharing space with sally-lightfoot
crabs in Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island. Also to be
found are Flightless Cormorants nesting points, Galapagos
Penguins, Galapagos Hawks and Sea lions. Among the Flora
are Brachycereus cactus and mangroves extending into the
sea. Recent lava flows formed by an active volcano are
also evident. (B, L, D)
Saturday: SANTIAGO
Morning visit to Espumilla beach, located at the north
end of Puerto Egas (James Bay). A wet landing on a large
coffee-colored sand beach is just north of a fresh water
supply that once attracted pirates and whalers.
A short walk inland takes visitors through
a mangrove forest normally inhabited by the Common Stilt.
Sea turtles also visit these mangroves to nest. Beyond
the mangroves is a brackish lagoon where flocks of Pink
Flamingos and White Cheeked Pintails can be seen.
The trail makes a loop heading over a knob
into a sparely forested area then back to the beach. Along
the way those with a watchful eye may spot a variety of
Galapagos Finches or a Vermilion Fly Catcher. Once back
at the beach you may have the chance to swim or snorkel
time permitting.
Sea turtles often lay their eggs in Playa
Espumilla, so be careful where you step.
This afternoon visit the dark sand beach
at Egas Port during a wet landing. Most of the landscape
is tuff-stone layers and lava flows, the surrounding area
is prime for spotting and observing Hunting Herons, Great
Blue Herons, Lava Herons, Oyster Catchers, and the Yellow
Crowned Night Heron. Passengers enjoy the sight of Marine
Iguanas grazing upon algae beds at low tide sharing space
with Red Sally Light-Foot Crabs. There is a colony of
Fur-Seal swimming in deep pools of cool water called "grottos".
This is an excellent spot for swimming and snorkeling
in search of Octopuses, Sea Horses, Star Fish and other
sea life caught in the small tidal pools. From a safe
distance travelers can admire Moray Eels, Hammerhead Sharks,
White Tip and Galapagos Sharks, Golden and White Spotted
Eagle Rays, Jacks, Wahoo, Tuna, Groupers, Red-Tailed and
Dog Snappers, Sea Lions, and Sea Turtles. All located
in the back drop of cold water and warm water corals,
fans, and sponge.(B, L, D)
Sunday: SANTA
CRUZ ISLAND
Morning walk to the Charles Darwin Research Station. The
station contains a National Park Information Center, a
baby tortoise house where you can see hatchlings and young
tortoises, and a walk-in tortoise enclosure where you
can meet these Galapagos giants face to face. The Galapagos
owe their name to the Spanish word for the giant tortoise
that lives here. Pirates and whalers, who captured them
for food, devastated these magnificent animals. Now their
numbers are recovering, thanks in large part to a breeding
program established at the Darwin Station. Eleven different
races are being separately bred here for eventual reintroduction
to the wild.
After lunch, visit the Santa Cruz Highlands,
the foothills of extinct volcanoes. The trails here offer
excellent birding, including the vermilion flycatcher
and elusive Galapagos rail and paint-billed crake. Observe
the twin pit volcanic craters, Los Gemelos and later visit
Cerro Chato.
In addition, there are paths through arid
zone vegetation such as prickly pear and other cacti,
saltbush and mangroves. A variety of land birds, including
Darwin's finches can also be seen.(B, L, D)
Monday: SANTA
CRUZ – BALTRA – QUITO
Disembark at Bachas Beach (wet landing) on the north of
the island. Here you will be met by bodysurfing sea lions,
marine iguanas, and sea turtles. You will have the opportunity
of swimming in the white sand beach.
Back in Baltra, you will check out and
depart to the airport. (B)
Please note: Galapagos Itineraries
are subject to change without prior notice, at the discretion
of the Galapagos Park authorities.
In the late morning you'll bid farewell
to the islands, and transfer to the airport for your return
flight to Quito. Galapagos - Quito flight times to be
advised
Airport reception and transfer to your
Quito hotel. Overnight at the Hotel Patio Andaluz or JW
Marriott, breakfast included. (B)
TUESDAY: Int’l departure
Hotel pickup and transfer to the international
airport. (B)
| Cabin Type |
High Season |
Low Season |
| Superior/Interior |
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| Superior |
|
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| Moon Suite |
|
|
| Junior Suite |
|
|
| Legend Suite |
|
|
| 2006 High season departures |
2006 Low season departures |
| |
|
Please note: Galapagos itinerary is subject
to change due to Galapagos National Park restrictions.
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Please let us know your specific request.
For a customized itinerary please call 1.800.999.0558.
Contact us for a customized
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