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Quito and Four Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the Galapagos Legend
Day 1
Quito
Day 2
City Tour of Quito
Day 3
Quito/Baltra Airport/North Seymour
Day 4
Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz)/Cormorant Point (Floreana)
Day 5
Suarez Point (Espanola)/La Galapaguera (San Cristobal)
Day 6
Punta Carrion/Baltra Airport
Day 7
Quito
Save $700 per Child (under 12 years old) on the August 16 and 30 Departures and Other Promotional Dates through the Remainder of the Year. Call for Availability.
Note: The route and program may vary according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety reasons and wildlife encounters.
Elevations: Quito is 9,350 feet above sea level.
IGTOA's Traveler Funding Program
South American Vacations is an active member of IGTOA (International Galapagos Tour Operators Association). In support of IGTOA's Traveler Funding Program, we contribute $50 for each passenger that we send to the Galapagos Islands. You'll travel knowing that you support the lasting protection of Galapagos Islands.
Sixty percent of the funding of this program goes directly to the Charles Darwin Foundation for science, conservation, and education. Their work, carried out through the Charles Darwin Research Station and Galapagos National Park, is vital to the preservation of the islands. You can visit their web site to learn more http://www.darwinfoundation.org
. The remainder goes toward IGTOA's mission of creating a model of responsible and sustainable tourism.
Quito and Four Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the Galapagos Legend
This tour combines colonial Quito with a four day Galapagos Islands cruise on the Galapagos Legend, a 100 passenger deluxe expedition ship that offers the comforts and amenities of a larger cruise liner. It is air conditioned throughout, and features 57 cabins with lower beds, private bathroom, safe, and mini bar. The ship's spacious social areas include a pool, Jacuzzi, Fisherman's Bar, observation decks, al fresco dining areas, a spacious passenger lounge, dining room, boutique, library, and conference room. Snorkeling equipment ($20) and wets suits ($25) can be rented on board.
Activities: Sightseeing, wildlife viewing, hiking, snorkeling, and glass bottom boating.
Dry Landing: Guests step from the dinghy directly onto rocks or a dock. Wet Landing: As the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into knee-deep water and wade ashore.
Day 1: Quito
Depart to Quito. After passing through immigration and customs, proceed to the reception area, where our representative will be holding a sign with your name on it. You will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel.
Day 2: City Tour of Quito
In the morning, you will have a city tour of Quito. You will explore the bustling streets and squares of the largest historical centre in the Americas, and visit some of its most important churches such as the majestic La Compania and iconic San Francisco, guardians of a stunning multi-ethnic artistic and cultural heritage. You will drive through the traditional neighborhood of San Juan and finish the morning at the Panecillo hillside, with its breathtaking views of the old and modern parts of the city. (B)
Day 3: Quito/Baltra Airport/North Seymour
Early morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Galapagos. Passengers are picked up at the airport by our guides and taken to the pier to board the M/V Galapagos Legend.
North Seymour (dry landing). Guests will encounter swallow tail gulls and sea lions. This site is a major nesting colony of blue footed boobies, and has the largest colony of the magnificent frigate bird. Travelers will also spot both the marine iguanas and land iguanas and will have snorkeling opportunities. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz)/Cormorant Point (Floreana)
Dragon Hill (wet landing). Passengers walk to a saltwater lagoon behind the beach, where on occasion many pink flamingos can be observed. This trail leads up to Dragon Hill, which offers a lovely view of the bay. This is a nesting site for reintroduced land iguanas, and there is also a Scalesia tree forest. Passengers may opt to take a dinghy to Venice islet and observe the vegetation and marine animals like spotted eagle rays, golden rays, mullets, sharks and sea turtles. Land iguanas have often been observed as well.
Cormorant Point (wet landing). Visitors will hike from the black mangrove beds to a large, brackish lagoon, which holds one of the biggest flamingo populations in the Galapagos. The island is best known for its endemic plants like the Galapagos millwork, passion flower and button mangrove. Novice snorkelers can practice on the main beach with the playful sea lions; experienced snorkelers can roam around Devils Crown. Please keep in mind this is an open-water activity; there is nothing to step on. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Suarez Point (Espanola)/La Galapaguera (San Cristobal)
Suarez Point (dry landing). Visitors will learn more about the lava terrain and cross the inactive lava fields. Besides the sea lion colonies, this is a very important site for bird watching. Many species, such as the hooded mocking bird and red billed tropic bird can be spotted and observed closely. You will also see a large colony of marine iguanas, lava lizards, and sally light foot crabs. After a short trek visitors encounter colonies of masked and blue-footed boobies. The nesting grounds sometimes overlap the trail. Visitors will also find Galapagos doves, hawks and swallow-tailed gulls and then reach the world's largest colony of waved albatross. A major highlight is their mating season, from May through December. You'll visit the famous blowhole, where water shoots into the air about 23 m (75 ft).
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (dry landing). Passengers will visit San Cristobal breeding center and learn about the National Park's breeding program with the giant tortoises. Passengers will observe some animals in their natural environment. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Punta Carrion/Baltra Airport
Punta Carrion. During this visit you can snorkel and see a variety of fish, rays and perhaps the harmless white tip reef sharks. From Punta Carrion the short navigation is through the beautiful Itabaca Channel with its turquoise waters.
Return to the Galapagos Legend, check out, and transfer to Baltra Airport for your return flight to Quito. (B)
Day 7: Quito
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to your final destination. (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Quito and Four Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the Galapagos Legend
Save $700 per Child (under 12 years old) on the August 16 and 30 Departures and Other Promotional Dates through the Remainder of the Year. Call for Availability.
Single
Double
Triple
Superior Exterior
$2,989
$1,859
n/a
Junior Suite
$3,489
$2,149
$2,059
Legend Suite
$3,929
$2,409
$2,319
Galapagos Balcony
$4,399
$2,679
$2,589
All prices are in U.S. Dollars. Click here to see our prices in your currency.
NOTES:
The above prices are valid until December 10, 2010.
Singles willing to share a cabin during the cruise can pay the double price plus a single supplement of $450 for the land portion in Quito (subject to availability).
Quito and Four Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the Galapagos Legend
The Price of This Tour Includes
South American Vacations' expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
Round-trip airfare from Quito to Galapagos in economy class.
Airport/hotel transfers including baggage handling.
Three nights accommodations at the Hotel Quito (or similar) including service fees and taxes.
City tour of Quito.
Accommodations on board the M/V Galapagos Legend.
All meals scheduled on board and others as indicated on the itinerary.
Two daily excursions to the islands conducted by bi-lingual naturalist guides.
Evening briefings and lectures.
The Price of This Tour Does Not Include
International airfare.
Ecuadorian departure tax (Quito $44.30).
Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($100).
Transit control card ($10).
Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
Gratuities to ship crew and guides.
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Gifts and personal items.
Travel insurance.
We will be happy to quote the cost of international airfare and travel insurance and to make these arrangements for you.
Quito and Four Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the Galapagos Legend
Quito and Four Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the Galapagos Legend
