Exploring the Wonders of the Galápagos

Enchanted Isles

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"Truly the trip of a lifetime! So many amazing experiences. We heard tortoises breathing! The Galápagos are timeless, pristine, utterly thrilling wonders of the natural world." Linda Winston, New York NY

Snorkel with playful sea lions and equatorial penguins, paddle sea kayaks amid green sea turtles and manta rays, and hike past dancing blue-footed boobies on this world-class natural history experience. Predators have never existed on the Galápagos Islands, so the wildlife shows no fear around humans—you can walk right among nesting seabirds and basking iguanas for incredible opportunities to observe and photograph. Many species that developed here exist nowhere else on the planet, and each island is a new world with its own unique species and habitats. A pilgrimage to the Galápagos Islands is the dream of every nature lover, and our extended island itinerary by luxurious 12- to 16-passenger yachts is the ultimate way to go.

Below is an Itinerary-in-Brief. To view a complete Detailed Itinerary, Download Full Itinerary or Email our Area Specialist

Itinerary-in-Brief

*Please note that this itinerary is for the 2008 season on the Sagitta & Diamante only. Please call for details on the Mary Anne and the 2009 season.

Days 1-2
Quito, Ecuador

Meet in Quito and explore on your own in the colonial center, with its grand plaza, mansions, and baroque churches.

Days 3-4
Galápagos Cruise / Santa Cruz / Darwin Station

There’s a world of wonder in Darwin’s bewitching islands—on land as well as in the sea. We fly out to the islands, board our yacht, and sail to North Seymour Island for a hike among prehistoric-looking marine iguanas. At Santa Cruz, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and hike in the Santa Cruz highlands, a completely unexpected environment of verdant forests.

Day 5
Española

At Española (Hood), we hike among nesting blue-footed boobies and lava lizards. With its long white beaches where sea lions laze, this island has a high degree of species differentiation due to its remoteness. Punta Suarez has spectacular cliffs inhabited by Nazca and blue-footed boobies, the indigenous Hood mockingbird, cactus and warbler finches. We enjoy great snorkeling on the northeast coast at Gardner Bay. Between April and November, Española is famed for its nesting waved albatross.

Days 6-8
Floreana / Isabela / Fernandina

Rich flora abounds on Floreana, and the snorkeling is out of this world at Devil’s Crown, the remnant of a volcanic crater whose pinnacles rise up from the sandy bottom. On Punta Cormorant, we watch elegant pink flamingos wade in the shallows, and on Isabela Island, we snorkel among tiny Galápagos penguins who seem to fly through the water. We look for flightless cormorants at Punta Espinosa and marine turtles at Urbina Bay. On pristine Fernandina, we hike Punta Espinosa to see the biggest colony of marine iguanas in the islands. We can often see them diving in the intertidal areas.

Days 9-11
Santiago / Bartolomé / Quito

On our hikes in lava grottoes—basaltic marine caves with open roofs—we look for fur seals and colorful intertidal life like Sally Lightfoot crabs in enchanting natural pools. Santiago (James) Island has numerous shorebirds, including lava herons, Galápagos doves, and Galápagos hawks. On our hike up the volcanic cone called Pinnacle Rock on Bartolomé Island, we are rewarded with top-of-the-world views across the islands. We explore by panga in Black Turtle Cove, a red mangrove lagoon that is a nursery for many sharks and rays. Fly to Quito and depart on Day 11, or join our Machu Picchu Extension.

Cusco / Machu Picchu Extension Days 11-17

Explore Cusco and the Inca fortresses of the Sacred Valley, then spend the night near the ruins of legendary Machu Picchu, the breathtaking mountain sanctuary of the Incas.

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Tour Costs Prices are for 2008 dates only Aboard the Diamante $3795 (11-12 members) $4095 (4-10 members) $200 December surcharge Aboard the Sagitta $4195 (14-16 members) $4495 (6-13 members) $300 December surcharge Aboard the Mary Anne $4295 (14-16 members) $4595 (6-13 members) $300 December surcharge Aboard the Athala* $4995 (14-16 members) $5395 (12-13 members) $5695 (10-11 members) Fuel surcharge: $275 *This yacht, which we use at Christmas and for private charters, has a slightly different island itinerary. Please call us for the detailed itinerary. Holiday surcharge: $200-$300 Single supplement (hotel): $275 Single supplement (boat) from: $1300 Park fee: $100 Transit card: $10 Internal airfare: $410 (subject to change) Child discount: $500 Machu Picchu extension from: $2095 Prices for 2009 to be Announced **Airfare is not included in Tour Cost unless indicated

Trip Rating Rating Explanation

Departures & Leaders

2008 DEPARTURES

2009 DEPARTURES

*Call for yacht pricing

Route Map

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