| Cost From: | $5375 |
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| Length: | 14 days |
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| Activity: | Small Boat & Yacht Cruising, Snorkeling, Wildlife & Natural History, Walking, Cultural Adventures |
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| Difficulty: |
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Fabulous. In addition to a great captain and wonderful crew, our Trip Leader had a perfect sense of timing, an excellent manner with people, and a love and passion for the Galápagos.C. Zulpo—Point Richmond CA
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If you haven’t done it yet, now’s the time! A climb to the roof of Africa is a “high” in more ways than one, and you’ll celebrate your achievement with a fantastic wildlife safari in Africa’s Eden.
Poised on the equator, Ecuador is richly blessed with natural wonders, from emerald-green highlands topped with snow-capped Andean volcanoes to the epic Galápagos Islands, Darwin’s living laboratory. This active adventure is a delightful combination of these two enchanting realms. In the magical world of the Galápagos, we cruise by small, luxurious yacht, enjoying one of the planet’s exceptional natural history experiences as we hike among colonies of blue-footed boobies and snorkel with sea lions. In the pure mountain air of the highlands, we roam the colorful Otavalo market and enjoy the hospitality of a classic hacienda.
Aboard the Mary Anne
$5975 (14-16 members)
$6375 (6-13 members)
Aboard the Sagitta
$5775 (14-16 members)
$6175 (6-13 members)
Aboard the Beagle
$5375 (11-13 members)
$5775 (6-10 members)
Single supplement (hotel): $415
Single supplement (on boat): $1300-1600 (limited cabins, varies by boat)
Park fee: $100 (children 11 and under: $50)
Galápagos transit fee: $10
Internal airfare (subject to change): $410 (children 11 and under: $210)
Child discount in Galápagos: $500 for children 15 and under (excludes private charters and December departures)
Child discount at hacienda: $200 for children age 12 and under
December surcharge: $300 per person
Cusco & Machu Picchu Extension from: $2150
Napo Wildlife Center Extension from: $795
Sacha Lodge Extension from: $755
Prices are for 2010 dates
Jan 4–17, 2010, Mary Anne
Jan 10–23, Beagle
Jan 25–Feb 7, Sagitta
Feb 1–14, Mary Anne
Feb 22–Mar 7, Mary Anne
Mar 8–21, Mary Anne
Mar 22–Apr 4, Sagitta
Apr 12–25, Mary Anne
Apr 25–May 8, Beagle
May 3 – 16, Mary Anne
Jun 14–27, Sagitta
Jun 28–Jul 11, Mary Anne
Jul 5–18, Mary Anne
Jul 12–25, Mary Anne
Aug 1–14, Beagle
Nov 22–Dec 5, Mary Anne
Dec 20–Jan 2, 2011, Mary Anne
Dec 27–Jan 9, 2011, Sagitta
Reading list, click here.
Meet in Quito, Ecuador’s capital and a World Heritage Site, and explore the colonial Old Town on your own.
Flying to the Galápagos, we board our luxurious yacht and cruise island to island with our expert naturalist guide, enjoying hikes and wonderful snorkeling adventures in the unique ecosystem that inspired the theory of evolution. There’s a world of wonder in Darwin’s bewitching islands—on land as well as in the sea. We sail to North Seymour Island for a hike among prehistoric-looking marine iguanas, Darwin’s “imps of darkness.” On Santa Cruz, we visit the town of Puerto Ayora and the Darwin Research Station, with its museum and tortoise breeding facility, then head up to the lush highlands for a chance to see Galápagos tortoises in the wild. Many Galápagos “residents” are found directly on or next to the trail, allowing for nose-to-nose observation and incredible up-close photography. The sheer abundance and diversity of the wildlife make this a place unlike any other on earth.
At remote Española (Hood), we discover a jewel of an island known for its high number of endemic species. Marine iguanas are inky black on most Galápagos islands, but on Española, they are brightly colored, with a reddish tint. At Punta Suarez, we find spectacular cliffs inhabited by colorful lava lizards, the indigenous Hood mockingbird, and cactus and warbler finches. We enjoy great snorkeling on the northeast coast at Gardner Bay, where sea lions laze on long white beaches. Between April and November, Española is famed for its colonies of nesting waved albatross. These giant birds use the island’s steep cliffs as runways to take off for their oceanic feeding grounds.
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. Red-billed tropicbirds nest in the crater’s rocky crevices, while schools of king angelfish and beautiful marbled rays swim below. 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.
Santiago (James) Island has numerous shorebirds, including lava herons, Galápagos doves, and Galápagos hawks. Our hike up the volcanic cone called Pinnacle Rock on Bartolomé Island offers top-of-the-world views. We explore by panga in Black Turtle Cove, a red mangrove lagoon that is a nursery for many sharks and rays. Fly to Quito on Day 10.
We head out into the green highlands to our charming accommodation, Hacienda Zuleta, which offers a warm welcome and historic ambiance. Here we can explore the ranch, including its own cheese factory, visit a nearby condor rehabilitation project, and go horseback riding (optional). On Day 13, we visit Otavalo, a mountain town that hosts South America’s most famous Indian market. The Otavalo Indians are well known for their woolen weavings and handicrafts and are easily recognized by their traditional dress. After exploring the market, we enjoy lunch at Hacienda Pinsaqui, then return to Quito. Depart Quito on Day 14.
This is the Itinerary-at-a-Glance. For the complete trip description, Download Full Trip Brochure
If you would like to extend your adventure, we offer the following options:
Days 1 to 2 (2 nights),
Day 10 (1 night),
Day 13 (1 night),
Quito, Ecuador
Quito's original luxury hotel has a fabulous location alongside a small park right at the juncture between old and new Quito. While the hotel ...
Click here for full description and more photos
Days 3 to 9 (7 nights), Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
The 216-foot Mary Anne is a stunningly beautiful 3-masted barquentine sailing ship that accommodates 16 passengers in double cabins with private ...
Click here for full description and more photos
Days 3 to 9 (7 nights), Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
The Sagitta is a is a majestic 120-foot sailing yacht that caters to 16 passengers. She has ten air-conditioned cabins with private facilities, a ...
Click here for full description and more photos
Days 3 to 9 (7 nights), Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
The magnificent 105-foot steel hulled schooner Beagle (formerly named the Andando) has a teak deck, a luxurious interior, and six double cabins, ...
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Days 11 to 12 (2 nights), Highlands, Ecuador
There is something quite special about Hacienda Zuleta. Surrounded by more than 2,000 acres of forest and grazing lands, it was built at the end ...
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If you would like to view the accommodations offered with our extensions options:
Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
