Quito and 5 Day Santa Cruz II Cruise – Northern Galapagos Islands
8 Days/7 Nights
From $4,479 per person
(Dbl. Occupancy, Not Incl. Airfare)
Overview
Venture to Quito and the northern Galapagos Islands on this fascinating Ecuador tour. In Quito, you will enjoy a city tour and visit to the Middle of the World complex. Highlights include observing giant tortoises at the Cerro Colorado breeding center on San Cristobal Island and sea lions on Santiago and Rabida Islands, viewing Pinnacle Rock from the summit of Bartolome Island, and red-footed and Nazca boobies on Genovesa Island. Opportunities for snorkeling, sea kayaking, and glass bottom boating are also available.
Lodging and Meals: This tour includes accommodations for 7 nights (3 nights in Quito and 4 nights aboard the Santa Cruz II), and 15 meals (7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners).
Best Time to Go: Year-Round.
Destinations: South America, Ecuador, and Galapagos.
Interests: Adventure, Culture & History, Expedition Cruising, Sea Kayaking, Snorkeling, and Wildlife Viewing.
Places Visited: Quito, the Galapagos Islands, Baltra Island, Bartolomé Island, Genovesa Island, Rábida Island, Santa Cruz Island, and Santiago Island.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
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 (Sat): Quito.
Day 2 (Sun): City Tour of Quito-Equatorial Monument.
Then continue to the Equatorial Monument, 16 miles north of Quito, which marks the exact Middle of the World, latitude 0º, where you can stand with a foot on each hemisphere. Visit the Ethnographic Museum inside the monument, which shows the different Native American groups living in Ecuador. Beside the monument there is a colonial-style town, complete with main square, church, post office, bullring, cafeterias, restaurants and many gift shops with postcards and souvenirs. You will get a certificate for having crossed the Equator. Overnight in Quito. (B)
Day 3 (Mon): Quito-Baltra Airport-Las Bachas (Santa Cruz).
Las Bachas. This beautiful visitor site is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, a glorious white beach with a couple of brackish lagoons only a few steps away from the sea. These lagoons are the feeding grounds of various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos. Welcome cocktail, expedition plan for Tuesday and dinner. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 4 (Tue): Buccaneer Cove-Puerto Egas (Santiago).
Puerto Egas. Once you disembark at the beach, you can enjoy a swim or snorkel amid a rocky shoreline, usually in the company of marine turtles. From here, you head off for a walk, a great opportunity to see land and marine birds amid landscape of tuff-stone layers and lava flows. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds and you can also observe a colony of fur-sea lions. Non-snorkelers can enjoy a longer walk. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 5 (Wed): Rabida-Bartolome.
Bartolome. Today’s activities begin with a wet landing on the golden beach of this famous island, dominated by the imposing Pinnacle Rock. There’s great snorkeling and swimming from the beach plus the chance to ride the glass bottom boat. After returning to the ship, you then split into two groups, the first lands for a hike to the summit of this diminutive island that boasts fantastic views of the archipelago. This is a moderately steep climb aided by a wooden staircase, resting platforms and handrails – the view from the top is worth the effort! The second takes to the pangas to explore the rugged and volcanic shoreline. The groups then swap activities. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 6 (Thu): Prince Philip Steps-Darwin Bay (Genovesa).
Darwin Bay. In the afternoon, you land at this beautiful beach to enjoy some swimming and/or snorkeling. Following the dip, you take an easy stroll to observe hundreds of birds, mainly frigate birds, red footed and Nazca boobies, gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 7 (Fri): Highlands (Santa Cruz)-Baltra Airport-Quito.
After this visit you will be transferred directly to Baltra Airport for your return flight to Quito. Overnight in Quito. (B)
Day 8 (Sat): Quito.
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Itinerary Map
Prices & Dates
Price per Person
| Category | Single | Double | Triple |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon Deck Explorer Cabin | $5,379 | $4,479 | n/a |
| Horizon Deck Explorer Family Cabin | n/a | $6,149 | $4,219 |
| Horizon Deck Voyager Cabin | $5,389 | n/a | n/a |
| Expedition Deck Explorer Cabin | $5,569 | $4,649 | n/a |
| Panorama Deck Explorer Cabin | $5,699 | $4,769 | n/a |
| Panorama Deck Darwin Suite | $6,369 | $5,349 | n/a |
Notes:
- The above prices are valid until December 23, 2020.
- Triple rates are based on one child under 12 sharing a cabin with two adults paying full fare.
- There is a high season (Dec 24, 2020-Jan 04, 2021) surcharge of $203 per adult and $122 per child.
Departure Dates
Every other Saturday departures throughout the year.
What's Included
Price Includes
- South American Vacations’ expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
- Private airport/hotel transfers on the first and last day of the tour, and shared transfers out/in from select hotels in Quito and in/out in the Galapagos islands on the date of the cruise.
- Accommodations on board the M/V Santa Cruz II.
- All meals scheduled on board and others as indicated on the itinerary.
- Daily excursions to the islands conducted by English-speaking naturalist guides.
- Evening briefings and lectures.
- Use of snorkeling equipment.
Price Does Not Include
- International airfare.
- Domestic airfare ($508).
- Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee ($100).
- Transit control card ($20).
- Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
- Gratuities to ship crew and guides.
- Bar, 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.
Additional Details
Group Private: All services included in this tour are operated on a group basis except for the airport transfers in and out of Quito on the first and last day of the tour.
Elevations: Quito is 9,350 feet above sea level.
IGTOA’S Galapagos Traveler Conservation Fund: South American Vacations is an active member of IGTOA (International Galapagos Tour Operators Association). In support of IGTOA’s Galapagos Traveler Conservation Fund, we contribute $20 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 www.darwinfoundation.org. The remainder goes toward IGTOA’s mission of creating a model of responsible and sustainable tourism.
Passport/Visa: U.S., Australian, Canadian, and EU citizens require a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry and return ticket for stays of up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the Ecuadorian embassy in their country before traveling.
Travel Insurance: In order to protect your travel investment from unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. We offer Allianz Global Assistance’s Classic Comprehensive and other plans. The Benefits and Coverage Limits are summarized on our Travel Insurance page. Call your travel counselor if you have any questions or to purchase a plan.
To Book This Trip: Call or email us to confirm the availability of a cabin on this ship for your desired dates of travel. The non-refundable deposits for single, double, and triple passengers are $1,500, $1,300, and $1,200 per person, plus the cost of the airfare (if we arrange it for you).
