TRIPS

Galápagos Islands

$ 2,895.00

9 Days • Quito • Baltra Island • Santa Cruz Island • South Plazas • Isabela Island • Las Tintoreras • Baltra Island • Guayaquil

Description

The history of Galápagos is central to our understanding of earthly life and a visit to the enchanted islands is a shining moment in any traveller’s life.


Galápagos Islands hold a central position in modern history as the birthplace of the theory of evolution.

Take your kids to join us for a wondrous educational journey to one of the most biologically unique places on earth in the Spring Break.

Appreciate the diversity of life first-hand while observing the flightless cormorant, the Galapagos penguin, bluefooted boobies, giant tortoises, marine and land iguanas, and the famous “Darwin’s finches”.

Swim with sea lions, and snorkel among colourful tropical fish and sea turtles.


Each island in this volcanic archipelago has species that are exquisitely adapted to the available food sources and surrounding environment. We will explore Isabela Island, the largest Island of the Galápagos archipelago and the lush, historic highlands of Santa Cruz Island, one of the first sites visited by Darwin. Take an excursion to visit remote coralline beaches and secluded inlets, such as South Plaza and Las Tintoreras.


ITINERARY

Mar 10, 2018 Arrive Quito (D)
Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in the city and check in for overnight.

The colonial center – declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978 – is one of the largest and best preserved in Latin America. It is home to excellent museums, churches and art galleries.

Superior Class Hotel or similar

March 11, 2018 Quito Six Senses Tour (B/L/D)

Six Senses Tour Quito is a unique and innovative program made up by psycho-sensory experiences in which every perceptive human sense is involved. After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel. Today, explore the vibrant city of Quito on a private city tour – this special experience gives you the chance to experience Quito’s unique tastes, sights and sounds in which psychology and sensitive methods are combined; giving to you a complete life experience on ancient places and typical meals in the marvelous City of Quito. Enjoy a city tour of Quito that offers more than just postcard pictures in your mind.  Finish your tour at the hotel, or your guide will suggest a place to stop for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

Overnight in Quito

March 12, 2018 Quito – San Cristobal and Junco Lake (B/L/D)

Today the adventure begins!

Transfer to the airport for your flight to San Cristobal Island. As soon as we arrive in San Cristobal airport, and we passed the National Park checking point, we will be warmly received by our naturalist guide. Later on, we board our transport that is going to take us to the San Cristobal Highland area.

The Junco Lake or el Junco, as it is called by locals, is an inactive volcano that has a fresh water lake where frigate birds and Bahamas ducks rinse their wings from the salt. This will be our first approach to the amazing view of Galapagos and its wildlife. Here, we will have our first delicious lunch at the archipelago.

Moving on in our daily journey, after an approximate hike of 1 hour, we will have the opportunity to watch the famous Galapagos Giant Tortoises in their natural habitat. Where? At the Galapaguera Breeding Center. This center, run by the Galapagos National Park Authority, allows us not only to watch these magnificent tortoises but also touch and see some of their eggs. This visit is ideal for understanding the behavior of this massive animal that may weigh up to 200kg (440 pounds) and live up to 150 years.

After this amazing contact with the wildlife of Galapagos, we will move on to Puerto Chino. This is a breathtaking beach where we can lay down or having a sunbath.

Once we were astonished by the Galapagos first overview and the impressive animals, we are going to reach our hotel, where we will rest after a long but rewarding day as well as having a delicious meal.

IMPORTANT NOTE: We strongly recommend to take the first flights to Galapagos because we will be able to land before midday and do all the program for this day.

Overnight: San Cristobal Island

March 13, 2018 Española Island (B/L)
Visit the only permanent freshwater Lake in the Galapagos – Lake El Junco where we can normally see White-cheeked pintails, common gallinules and frigate birds gathering around the lagoon, surrounded by Miconia bushes and endemic tree ferns.

In the highlands of San Cristobal, we will visit the “Galapaguera semi-natural”, where giant tortoises are brought to from their natural habitats in order to breed and raise their young in a more controlled environment. Along the trails around the Galapaguera, you will see typical vegetation and of course, giant tortoises found near the water holes and feeding stations.

Spend the rest of the day on the Beach Puerto Chino, enjoy swim, snorkel or just relax and observe at the same time pelicans and other birds.

March 14, 2018 San Cristobal Island – Santa Cruz Island (B/D)
This morning, travel by a speed boat to Santa Cruz Island and on arrival, a stop at the Twin Craters for you to see a lava tunnel and a short walk to observe the famous giant tortoise.

This afternoon, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and learn how the conservation of the islands is conducted, the huge efforts that scientists, park rangers and park managers among others have to make to preserve this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Above all, the reduction of brought in animals is very important for the natural balance of the archipelago

Torre Isla Sol by Solymar or similar

March 15, 2018         Santa Cruz Island (B/L)
Full day excursion by boat to visit South Plazas Island, where a large colony of sea lions lounges daily in the equatorial sun. This island also boasts excellent examples of typical Galapaganean fl ora such as the towering cacti “trees” that form the principal diet for both the land iguanas and the cactus fi nch. Other birds that may fl utter by include lava gulls, yellow warblers and red-billed tropic birds with their elaborate tails.

March 16, 2018         Santa Cruz Island (B)
After breakfast you will have the rest of the day free for you to walk around or just try to relax and use the hotel facilities.

You may take a 45min-walk out of town to Tortuga Bay, one of the long white sandy beaches where with as little luck, marine iguanas and sea turtles could be seen and bird watchers will enjoy the migratory birds walking on the shore. A western rocky edge divides the beach, resulting in a calm small cove and beach surrounded by mangroves.

Las Grietas (“Cracks”) is a rocky bay surrounded by high cliffs which offers an amazing spot to snorkel with colorful fish as the water is crystal clear and shines in all shades of blue. It can be reached by a short water taxi ride and a 15-minute walk from the pier of Puerto Ayora. On the way you pass the “Playa de los Alemanes” (“Beach of the Germans”), where you can make a break in order to enjoy the sun and swim in the refreshing ocean

March 17, 2018       Baltra Island – Guayaquil (B)
In the morning, transfer to Baltra airport and flight to Guayaquil where you will be transferred from the airport to the hotel

Hotel Unipark  or similar

March 18, 2018 Guayaquil – Home (B)
Fly home from Guayaquil.


Based on 10 or more Guest
$2895
Land only per person based on sharing

  • Double Occupancy USD $2895 | CAD $ 3695
  • Child (Under 12) USD $2150 | CAD $ 2750
  • Intertour Airfare USD $530 (ADT) | USD $380 (CHD)
  • Quito – San Cristobal // GPS Baltra Island – Guayaqui


Based on 6-9 Guest
$3195
Land only per person based on sharing

  • Double Occupancy USD $3195 | CAD $ 4095
  • Child (Under 12) USD $2295 | CAD $ 2900
  • Intertour Airfare USD $530 (ADT) | USD $380 (CHD)
  • Quito – San Cristobal // GPS Baltra Island – Guayaqui

Call 1-888-887-1688 or email info@tripconnoisseurs.com
to arrange the international flights for this journey from your home city.


Additional information

OVERVIEW

The history of Galápagos is central to our understanding of earthly life and a visit to the enchanted islands is a shining moment in any traveller’s life.

DEPARTURE

Mar 10, 2018; Guaranteed with minimum 6 guests.

HOTELS

Quito: Wyndham Quito Airport hotel or similar
Santa Cruz Island: Hotel Sol y Mar 4 or similar
Isabella Island: Hotel Iguana Crossing or similar
Guayaquil: Hotel Unipark or similar

INCLUSIONS

Transfer and tours on private basis (except indicated)
English speaking local guides
Entrance fees to sites
Mentioned meals
Tips for luggage porters at airports and hotels

EXCLUSIONS

International & Domestic Airfare, Call 1-888-887-1688 to get a quote from your home city
Travel insurance. visa fees, gratuities, drinks, personal spending and optional activities.
Tips for guides & bus drivers
Expenses of personal nature

QUESTIONS

Should you have any further questions, please call 1888-887-1688 for assistance.

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