Read a sampling of what our
clients said about their trips
Words can not tell you what an absolutely fabulous time all of us had. From the moment we arrived until we left there was not one disappointed face in the crowd. Your people were wonderful and the whole trip a dream come true. Many thanks. Sharon A. McLaughlin
Kingston, Canada
Lodging, Meals, and Airfare: This tour includes accommodations for 7 nights (3 nights in Quito and 4 nights aboard the Galapagos Legend), 15 meals (7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners), and domestic airfare in Ecuador.
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 Five Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the Galapagos Legend
This tour combines colonial Quito with a five 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, LCD TV, and safe. 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. Wet suits ($25) can be rented on board.
Activities: Cultural/historical sightseeing, wildlife viewing, hiking, snorkeling, and kayaking.
Note: The route and program may vary according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety reasons and wildlife encounters.
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/Middle of the World
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.
Following the city tour, you will be driven to the "Middle of the World City" complex, which is located 11 miles north of Quito. Here, you will see the monument of the equatorial line, a 98 foot high stone trapezoidal monument with a brass globe on top. The monument forms the focal point of a park and leisure area with gift shops and restaurants. Overnight in Quito. (B)
Day 3: Quito/Baltra Airport/Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz)
Morning transfer to the airport in Quito for the flight to Galapagos. Passengers are picked up at the airport by our naturalist guides and taken on a ten minute bus drive to the pier to board the M/V Galapagos Legend.
Black Turtle Cove is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, and is accessible only by sea. Four species of mangrove crowd from the shore out into the lagoon and turtles enjoy swimming in the calm waters, raising their heads above the surface while fish, rays and small sharks circle below. White-tipped reef sharks can be seen beneath the boat, and sea birds, including pelicans, herons and egrets, all feed in the cove. The cove has been declared a "Turtle Sanctuary". Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Sullivan Bay (Santiago)/Rabida
Sullivan Bay (wet landing). This visitor site is located at the southeastern portion of Santiago Island, and is of important geologic interest. It features extensive lava flows believed to have been formed during the last quarter of the 19th century.
Rábida. Dark-red sand covers unique beaches with an incredible landscape; Rábida is considered the epicenter of the Galapagos Islands due to the diversity of its volcanic geology. Nesting Brown Pelicans are found from July through September and nine species of the famous Darwin's finches can be seen. You will also take a dinghy ride along cliffs to observe nesting seabirds, and snorkel off the coast, where marine life is particularly active. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Urbina Bay/Tagus Cove (Isabela)
Urbina Bay. Wet landing on a volcanic "black" beach. Depending on the season, you may find giant tortoises, land iguanas and the unusual Flightless Cormorant. After a short walk inland, snorkeling time is allotted, giving you yet another chance to swim with sea turtles, sea lions and countless tropical fish. Urbina Bay features a wide variety of plant life that changes depending on the season. You can observe the beautiful colors of plants that attract different insects, birds and reptiles. You will explore the uplifted coral reef that resulted from 1954 volcanic activity, with a spectacular view of Alcedo volcano.
Tagus Cove. Dry landing on Isabela, the largest island in the Galapagos, where you will learn about the eruption of the five volcanoes that form it. The trail leads to Darwin's salt-water crater lake and excellent views of lava fields and volcanic formations. You will return by the same path for a dinghy ride along a shoreline full of marine wildlife, where you will admire a variety of seabirds, such as Blue-footed Booby, Brown Noddy, terns, Flightless Cormorant, and depending on the season, a large number of Galapagos Penguins, which are only 35 cm. tall; the only penguin species in the world to extend its range into the northern hemisphere along the equator. They are monogamous and lay their eggs in small cracks of lava, on the lower parts of the island near the shoreline not reached by the ocean waves. The population of penguins on the islands is about 2,000 individuals, most of which live on this western portion of Isabela; others are scattered further south on the island. You will have an opportunity to snorkel in deep water. Graffiti believed to have been left by19th-century pirates is a curious reminder of an intriguing past. Overnight aboard the Galapagos Legend. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Punta Espinosa (Fernandina)/Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela)
Punta Espinosa (dry landing). Punta Espinosa is the only spot that you visit on Fernandina, and from it you can see the island of Isabela across the Bolívar Channel, an area that boasts some of the highest diversity of endemic sea fauna in the Galapagos. The largest, most primitive-looking race of marine iguanas are found mingling with sea lions and Sally Lightfoot Crabs; a wonderful opportunity to encounter Flightless Cormorants at their nesting sites, Galapagos Penguins and the "King" of predators on the Islands, the Galapagos Hawk. "Pa-hoe-hoe" and "AA" lava formations cover the majority of the terrain. Vegetation is thus scarce inland, but you encounter Brachycereus cacti and extensive mangrove beds lining the shores.
Punta Vicente Roca. Great deep water snorkeling at one of the richest marine havens on Earth (Bolívar Channel). You take a dinghy ride along the coast to observe a great diversity of sea and coastal birds. The upwelling of coldwater currents in this part of the Galapagos gives rise to an abundance of marine life. Overnight aboard the Galapagos Legend. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Highlands of Santa Cruz/Baltra Airport/Quito
Highlands of Santa Cruz (dry landing). A 45-minute bus ride will take you to the Highlands of Santa Cruz, located to the northwest of Puerto Ayora, where you will find a natural reserve with giant tortoises. These enormous and slow-moving reptiles are responsible for the Island's name and therefore approaching them in their humid and forested abode is always an inspiring adventure. They can weigh between 250 and 300 kg. and can live up to 150-200 years.
After the visit, you will be transferred to Baltra Airport for your return flight to Quito. You will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Quito. (B)
Day 8: Quito
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to your final destination. (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Quito and Five Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the Galapagos Legend
Single
Double
Triple
Standard Plus Cabin
$5,179
$2,889
n/a
Junior Suite
$5,659
$3,379
$3,139
Legend Suite
$6,039
$3,749
$3,509
Balcony Suite
$6,409
$4,129
$3,889
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, 2013.
Single sharing is available in Standard Plus cabins.
Quito and Five 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.
Use of snorkeling equipment.
Evening briefings and lectures.
The Price of This Tour Does Not Include
International airfare.
Ecuadorian departure tax (Quito $40.80).
Fuel surcharge for the ship ($90).
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 Five Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the Galapagos Legend
Quito and Five Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the Galapagos Legend
