I would like to thank you and S.A.Vacations for the excellent arrangements you made for my recent trip to Galapagos, Machu Pichu and Amazonas. The accommodatio ... more Al Redmond
Lodging and Meals: This tour includes accommodations for 11 nights (4 nights in Quito, 3 nights at Sacha Lodge, and 4 nights aboard the Galapagos Explorer II), and 25 meals (11 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 7 dinners).
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, Sacha Lodge, and Five Day Galapagos Explorer II Cruise
Ecuador's Amazon Basin and the Galapagos Islands offer incredible wildlife viewing opportunities. This tour includes the colonial city of Quito, with its spectacular views of the Andes and nearby volcanoes, Sacha Lodge, which features a canopy walkway, numerous hiking trails, a canopy tower, and a butterfly house, and a five day Galapagos Islands cruise aboard the Galapagos Explorer II, where you will observe plant and animal species that are found nowhere else on Earth.
The Galapagos Explorer II is a 289 ft. expedition ship designed to provide comfort and scientific information to 100 passengers. It is air conditioned throughout, and each of its 50 ocean view suites has lower beds, vanity dressers, large closets, a seating area with sofa bed, flat-panel TV, mini-bar, and private bathroom. Its social areas include a restaurant, conference room, Jacuzzi, and wildlife observation deck. Snorkeling equipment ($15) and shorty wetsuits ($20, advanced registration required) can be rented on board.
Activities: Cultural/historical sightseeing, wildlife viewing, hiking, snorkeling, glass bottom boating, and diving (which can be purchased separately).
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. Overnight in Quito.
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 ft 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/Coca/Sacha Lodge
Depart Quito´s airport at 11:00 am (subject to change). A 30 minute flight over the Andes Mountains leads you to a bustling oil town called Coca located in the Amazon Basin. A quick lunch in Sacha´s private house and then it's off to the town docks where you will board Sacha´s private canoes for the two hour journey down river to Sacha Lodge's property. A 30 minute hike through the rainforest leads you to lake Pilchicocha. Here, you are met by native workers to paddle you across the lake to your final destination.
Arrive at Sacha Lodge around 3:30 or 4:00 pm (subject to change). Swim in Lake Pilchicocha, which is a black water lake home to many species of fish and animals. A refreshing swim after arriving may be just what you need after being in the equatorial heat all day. Bird observing from the mini tower offers guests an excellent opportunity to view several species of birds common around the lodge. Also a great place to watch the sun set. Visit the butterfly house with your naturalist guide to view the beautiful colors of many different species of butterflies. After dinner, accompany your naturalist guide on a night walk through the rainforest to view the hundreds of different species of animals that can only be found at night. Or maybe a canoe ride on the lake to view the spectacled and black caimans with their glowing orange eyes as you silently paddle across the lake to get a closer view. Overnight at Sasha Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Sacha Lodge/Canopy Walk
Begin morning activity between 6:00 and 7:00 am. Begin walking on trail Liana Chica and arrive at the canopy walk, for spectacular views of the rainforest canopy and the many different species of vibrantly colored birds. Designed to be a self-standing rigid suspension canopy walk, it is one of only a few in the world! Located within Sacha´s private reserve, two miles from the shores of the Rio Napo and one mile from the lodge, the bird walk gives guests the opportunity to get an up close and personal view of the rainforest canopy. Two of the three towers have observation decks every 12 meters making towers accessible for everyone. The canopy walkway is at 36 meters high and 275 meters long, giving guests a "birds eye view" of all the wonders and beauty the tropical rainforest has to offer. The canopy walk is designed as a sturdy walkway enabling guests to casually move along while enjoying the spectacular views. After the canopy walk, Liana Grande through terra firma and igapo forest habitats where native guides will explain many different species of medicinal plants that have been being used in their culture for hundreds of years. Liana Grande will turn into the trail Higueron, which will take you through pristine primary forest with huge Kapok and Fig trees towering hundreds of feet above your head.
After lunch, you may choose to take a leisurely hike along the Rio Napo, or choose a little more challenging hike on the trail Leoncillo to try and spot the elusive dusky titi monkey. Either way the trails will lead you back to the main boardwalk for your final hike and canoe ride back to the lodge. Overnight at Sacha Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Sacha Lodge/Lake Lagartococha/Canopy Tower
Leaving the lodge after breakfast, you begin your hike on Lagartococha trail. This trail offers you the chance to learn more about the native people and their relationship with the forest. Learn about the trees where native people believe the spirits of their ancestors live, and the mysterious "dwende" or devil-man of the forest. After arriving at lake Lagartococha, take a tranquil canoe ride through a natural swamp, which is the home of anacondas, caimans, and capybaras. After the canoe ride, a walk on the other side of Largatococha may give you the opportunity to spot capuchin or squirrel monkeys playfully jumping through the trees. Return from the walk or canoe ride and head back to the lodge for a refreshing dip in the lake, or a nice relaxing nap in your personal hammock on your private balcony.
After lunch, your native guide will teach you how to fish for the infamous razor-toothed piranha. Keep in mind that piranhas will never attack a person and swimming at the same time is perfectly safe and fun! Around 15:30 you will begin what many think is the best trail at Sacha, a silent canoe ride through the flooded Amazonian forest, where you have a good chance of being surrounded by troops of squirrel, capuchin, and howler monkeys. Keep your eyes peeled for the shy and elusive river otter as well as the incredibly well camouflaged three-toed sloth! After your eye-popping ride through the flooded forest, you will arrive at Sacha´s135-foot wooden tower built around an ancient Kapok tree. Get close up views of vibrantly colored birds through Sacha´s powerful scopes, and watch the sun set with an amazing view of Mount Sumaco, a volcano, and possibly a view of the snow-covered caps of the Andes! Leaving the tower just before or after sunset will give you an experience not soon forgotten. A canoe ride back through the flooded forest at night will be an awe-inspiring experience. Listen to the symphony of frogs and insects as you navigate through the narrow flooded forest trail, keeping your eyes open for caimans. Watch the several species of bats flying over your heads and listen to the many species of nocturnal birds making their eerie nighttime calls. Finally, after your mesmerizing canoe trip through the Amazon, you will arrive back at lake Pilchicocha and the welcoming lights of Sacha lodge. Overnight at Sacha Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Sacha Lodge/Coca/Quito
Breakfast and a departure from the lodge at 7:30 am. One last walk on the boardwalk to the river, and from there a two hour canoe ride back to Coca for your 35 minute flight back to Quito. Arrive in Quito at 12:30 pm (subject to change). Upon arrival in Quito, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Quito. (B)
Day 7: Quito/Baltra/Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz)
Morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Galapagos. Passengers arrive in Baltra and are transferred to the Galapagos Explorer II. Check-in and suite assignment, followed by lunch.
Dragon Hill is located in the northwest of the island of Santa Cruz and is constituted by a path along three different environments in just 1,600 m long. It gets its name because in 1975, was one of the only places on Santa Cruz where were land iguanas (Conolophus subcristatus) in healthy state. That same year, the Galapagos National Park and Charles Darwin Foundation initiated a program of land iguanas conservation. Iguanas of North Seymour (Baltra originally), iguanas Cartago Bay (Isabela Island) and iguanas of Santa Cruz Island were studied and then transported to pens specially designed for these animals to reproduce in captivity. For 1979 the first iguanas were born.
In the lagoons in this site, there is shrimp (Artemia salina), which is food for the flamingos, at certain times of year is more abundant and therefore the population of these birds is bigger. In the rainy season, the water of the lagoons becomes very sweet and therefore the shellfish populations decrease, so shorebirds also scarce. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 8: El Barranco/Darwin Bay (Genovesa)
Known as the bird Island, Genovesa is a small island, just 14 square kilometers located northeast of the Galapagos Archipelago. It has a single volcano that emerged only 76 m above the sea surface. The crater located in the center of the island contains a lagoon. Some of the birds to see are: frigates, masked boobies, gulls, hawks, red-footed boobies and the exceptional herons and gulls of the lava. The visit to El Barranco includes a walk along a beautiful white coral beach and a mangrove forest; a nesting site for red-footed boobies and frigates.
In the afternoon we will take a bay trip in a panga and go up the stairs of Prince Philip, named in honor of Prince Philip who visited Genovesa Island during the 1960's. Frigate birds are abundant. It is the best place to watch swallows, finches, red-footed and masked boobies, tropical birds and Galapagos gulls; the only nocturnal gulls in the world indeed. Marine fauna around this island include sea lions and the smallest marine iguanas in the Galapagos Islands. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 9: North Seymour/El Chato Tortoise Reserve/Lava Tunnels (Santa Cruz)
North Seymour Island is a spectacular place to hike, swim, enjoy snorkeling and diving. There is a circular path or trail that crosses the interior of the island and takes you to explore the rocky coast. This trail takes you through some of the largest colonies of seabirds. It was formed by the removal of underwater volcanic lavas. In 1932 and 1933, about 72 land iguanas from Baltra to North Seymour were brought by Captain Alan Hancock and his crew, with the intention that these animals could survive in better condition than in Baltra, where goats were introduced. The vegetation is shrub and hosts the largest nesting colony of the true Galapagos frigate. One of the best experiences is to look at frigate birds with their huge red gular sac hanging from their necks. They inflate their red gular sac when trying to attract or draw the attention of a female couple. These birds are also known to steal food from the blue-footed boobies.
At the top of this island, giant tortoises can be seen roaming freely around the El Chato lagoon. They share the habitat with ducks and gallinules and sometimes with frigates bathing in the lagoon. Tortoises use to immerse themselves in water and mud. There are some theories about it: is believed to be for thermoregulation (for heating or cooling depending on conditions) or a mechanism to kill ticks and protect themselves against mosquitoes. Tortoises also walk through some farms in the area. Our tour includes a visit to the Lava Tunnels that were the product of a lava flow when the lava cooled outside while the inside was still flowing. They are really impressive in size and length, and give the feeling of being inside a volcano. You can hike and visit the farm to see the lava tunnels and submerged craters. The main part of the tunnel is lit. The largest tunnel is 420m (1380 feet) in length and the smallest is 50m (165 feet). The road to the reserve is one of the best places to watch land birds. Tree and ground finches, vermilion flycatchers, cattle egrets and herons inhabit the area; and occasionally Pachay (Galapagos rail) has been seen. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 10: Punta Pitt/El Junco Lagoon (San Cristobal)
Punta Pitt is located at the east end of San Cristóbal Island. The trail includes an olivine beach approximately 90 meters and a trail that ascends to the top of a volcanic tuff hill passing through several natural viewpoints. Punta Pitt is composed of volcanic tuff substrate. High winds present there have led to natural erosion. The blue footed boobies nest in the interior (rare in the cliffs), red-footed boobies nest on bushes, and masked boobies nest in the cliffs. Another added attraction is the presence of sea lions.
El Junco Lagoon has an area of 60,000 m2 and its volume is 360,000 m3, equivalent to 9 million gallons of water. Its diameter is 270 m. and its maximum depth is 6 m. The lagoon is located 19 kilometers from Port inside a small crater, which in turn lies within the caldera of a large volcano, now extinct. The name of the lake comes from a type of plant that is common in the surrounding area, known as "junco". January to April, there are often heavy rains. During the rainy season there may be fog. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 11: Interpretation Center/Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristobal)/Quito
The Interpretation Center of San Cristobal is one of the components of the project "Interpretation and Education Plan for the Galapagos Islands Environment", financed by the government of Spain through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECI), in coordination with the Galapagos National Park and the support of the Charles Darwin Foundation. It was opened by the Prince of Asturias, Felipe de Borbón, in August 1998 who enjoyed a cruise aboard the M/V Galapagos Explorer II. The tour offered by the facility takes us through the history of the islands, in their natural, human and conservation contexts. The Hall of Natural History explains a series of natural circumstances such as the origin of these volcanic islands, their remoteness from the continent, its currents, its special climate, the arrival of different species and their establishment, among others. The Hall of Human History tells in chronological order the most significant events related to the discovery and colonization of the Galapagos. In the second stage presents the reality of today's Galapagos: the problem and the struggle of several institutions and individuals to conserve Galapagos. The environmental education office of PNG is located on this site. Then have free time to stroll along the seaside in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, shopping in small stores, enjoy the local cuisine or simply relax and enjoy the surroundings.
After the visit, you will go straight to the airport in Baltra for the return flight to Quito. You will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Quito. (B)
Day 12: Quito
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to your final destination. (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Quito, Sacha Lodge, and Five Day Galapagos Explorer II Cruise
Single
Double
Triple
Classic Suite
$7,589
$4,379
$4,099
Renaissance Panoramic Suite
$8,549
$4,919
$4,589
Deluxe Balcony Suite
$8,939
$5,139
$4,799
Majestic Balcony Suite
$9,879
$5,649
$5,279
Renaissance Balcony Suite
$10,179
$5,819
$5,439
All prices are in U.S. Dollars. Click here to see our prices in your currency.
NOTES:
Low Season prices are shown above. High Season prices are shown in the Detailed Itinerary.
The above prices are valid until December 31, 2013.
High Season: Jan 1-7, Jan 15-Apr 30, Jun 16-Nov 23, Dec 16-31. Low Season: Jan 8-14, May 1-Jun 15, Nov 24-Dec 15.
Quito, Sacha Lodge, and Five Day Galapagos Explorer II Cruise
The Price of This Tour Includes
South American Vacations' expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
Round-trip airfare from Quito to Coca.
Private airport/hotel transfers including baggage handling.
Four night accommodations at the Swissotel (or similar) including service fees and taxes.
City tour of Quito/Middle of the World excursion.
Accommodations on board the M/V Galapagos Explorer II.
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.
Round-trip airfare from Quito to Galapagos.
Ecuadorian departure tax (Quito $40.80).
Cruise Add-on ($432), which includes fuel surcharge, Galapagos National Park entrance fee, transit control card, gratuities to ship crew and guides, and (select) alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
Gratuities to tour guides, drivers, and hotel staff (Mainland Ecuador).
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (Sacha Lodge).
Gifts and personal items.
Travel insurance.
We will be happy to quote the cost of airfare and travel insurance, and to make these arrangements for you.
Quito, Sacha Lodge, and Five Day Galapagos Explorer II Cruise
Quito, Sacha Lodge, and Five Day Galapagos Explorer II Cruise
