Galapagos Cruise Ecuador 9 Days Tour by Travel International Group

galapagosislands_018p (122 x 122) Galapagos Cruise Ecuador 9 Days

Itinerary:

DAY 1, Saturday - Depart for Ecuador

Arrive in Guayaquil, Ecuador's sprawling and vivacious port city; transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city's many museums, botanical gardens or stroll along the lively riverfront promenade

Overnight: Guayaquil

DAY 2, Sunday - Guayaquil City Tour

Your discovery of Guayaquil begins at the main square, with its stirring memorial to the Heroes of the Independence, symbolizing the triumph of the Republic against the Spanish. Continue to Seminario Park (Parque de las Iguanas), a favorite place of bird watchers and home to arboreal Iguanas. Next, experience the many ethnological influences present in Ecuadorian culture by viewing the contrasting architecture of a Neo Gothic Cathedral, a Moorish clock tower and the La Rotonda Monument. Continue to the lovely riverside Garden of Malecon and Santa Ana Hill where the city was founded in the 16th century. Evening at leisure to savor your first taste of delicious Ecuadorian food

Overnight: Guayaquil

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 3, Monday - Baltra, Las Bachas - Santa Cruz Island

Embark this morning on a journey to the "beginning of time" as you transfer to the airport for the 600-mile flight to the astonishing Galapagos Archipelago of volcanic islands, five million years in the making. Arrive at Baltra Airport and proceed to the pier for embarkation on the M/V Santa Cruz. After warm greetings and lunch on board, time to settle in before the afternoon excursion to Las Bachas on Santa Cruz Island's north shore. Here, enjoy the delightful white sand beach with briny lagoons just a few steps from the sea, a feeding ground for various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos. Tonight, a welcome cocktail on board with a briefing by a Naturalist Guide on tomorrow's exciting activities followed by dinner

Overnight: Galapagos Cruise

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4, Tuesday - Buccaneer Cove, Puerto Egas (James Bay) - Santiago Island

Awake early and get ready for the thrilling explorations that lie ahead on Santiago Island. Discover the extraordinary cliffs of Buccaneer Cove, once an important site for 17th and 18th century sailors, now home to large numbers of marine birds, sea lions and adorable Galapagos fur seals. View the amazing natural formations including Elephant Rock, the Bishop, and a remarkable natural cave. Swim along the rocky shoreline or snorkel in the company of friendly marine turtles. Later, on the trails at Puerto Egas, you view land and marine birds in this landscape of tuff-stone layers with Sally lightfoot crabs roaming the lava rocks. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds next to colonies of fur sea lions. Enjoy dinner and evening at leisure

Overnight: Galapagos Cruise

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5,Wednesday - Rábida and Bartolomé Island

A morning panga ride takes you along the jagged shores to Rábida Island with its volcanic rocks surrounding a striking red sand beach. Your walk brings you close to a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas and several species of Darwin's famous finches. Very close to the beach, a salt pond seasonally hosts migrating flamingos. Try snorkeling at this beach, a perfect place to learn! Experienced snorkelers will appreciate the exceptional combination of underwater marine life and submarine landscapes. After lunch, travel to the golden beaches of Bartolome Island, dominated by the iconic Pinnacle Rock, a towering obelisk that rises from the ocean's edge. Keep your cameras ready as the famous pink Galapagos dolphins are often spotted here! After snorkeling and swimming, a chance to ride on a glass bottom boat with incredible views of the underwater life. Later, option to hike to a steep hike to the summit of this diminutive island with fantastic panoramic views of the archipelago. In the evening, dinner and briefing by a Naturalist Guide

Overnight: Galapagos Cruise

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6, Thursday - Prince Philip's Steps, Darwin Bay - Genovesa Island

Start the day with a steep hike (90 feet) up Prince Philip's Steps, named in recognition of Prince Philip's visit to the Galapagos in 1964. Atop the flat rocky plateau, observe large colonies of Nazca boobies, blue footed boobies, frigate birds and storm petrels. Alternatively, panga rides are available along the cliffs (conditions permitting). After relaxing on board, afternoon visit to Darwin Bay, a coral beach that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls can be spotted along with tidal pools where sea lions swim. An easy stroll takes you to an observation area to view hundreds of birds, including gulls, herons, finches, and mockingbirds. Tonight, a fond farewell to your newfound friends on this last night on board your Galapagos Cruise

Overnight: Galapagos Cruise

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7, Friday - San Cristóbal Island, Depart for Quito

Before departing the Galapagos Archipelago, you can choose to linger on board or join the not to be missed recommended tour to the Cerro Colorado ("red hill") Giant Tortoise breeding center. Here you learn more about the National Park's conservation programs to save the world-famous Galapagos giant tortoises. View the giant tortoises living in a semi-natural habitat, and learn about their origin, evolution, and threatened extinction by other animals. Perhaps, you'll even see several fully grown tortoises eating, napping and wallowing in the mud. Later, on to the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, capital of the Galapagos province. Then, proceed to the airport for the flight to Quito. Arrive in this historic city in the high Andes at the base of the Pichincha Volcano. Leisure time to discover this charming city independently

Overnight: Quito

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8, Saturday - Quito's Treasures of Art and Architecture

Discover Quito today with its treasures of art and architecture. Quito's Colonial Quarter, the largest and best preserved in Latin America, is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your tour begins at Independence Plaza flanked by the Metropolitan Cathedral, Presidential Palace and the Archbishop's Palace. Continue to the Metropolitan Cultural Center with its exhibits highlighting Ecuadorian culture and rich history. Visit the Campania of Jesus Church with its beautiful gilded interior or the Monastery of San Francisco, one of the great religious buildings of the New World with its impressive façade and atrium.** The rest of the day is yours to enjoy Quito on your own, with its lovely markets, shops, cafes and delectable local food

**Please note that the itinerary may vary slightly based on local conditions and holidays, therefore La Compañia Church may be replaced with a visit to the Church of San Francisco

Overnight: Quito

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9, Sunday - Depart Ecuador

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight

*Please note: Some flights depart shortly after midnight in the very early morning of Day 9 and will require a transfer on Day 8. Transfers depart the hotel approximately 4 hours prior to flight time

***End of Tour***

Hotels/Plans Available for Departure Dates

Horizon Deck Explorer		(included)
Hotel Oro Verde		Guayaquil
MV Santa Cruz II
Mercure Hotel Alameda		Quito

Expedition Deck Explorer		Upgrade from +$550

LAND PACKAGE RATE: from USD 3999 per person based on twin sharing

Cruise Package Includes:

All intra-flights: Guayaquil-Baltra & San Cristobal-Quito
8 nights accommodations
2 nights Guayaquil
4 nights M/V Santa Cruz II
2 nights Quito
Cruise porterage
All transfers
16 Meals: 8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
Services of English-speaking local guides
Services of English-speaking naturalist guides in the Galapagos
Galapagos National Park Fee of $100
Galapagos Transit Control Card fee of $20

Special Features:

Discover Guayaquil, a sprawling and vivacious city with striking architecture
Journey to the "beginning of time" as you travel to the astonishing Galapagos Archipelago
Snorkel/Swim on magnificent white sand beaches with astounding marine life
Observe areas with blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, Galapagos penguins and sea lions
Visit Buccaneer Cove, once an important site for 17th and 18th century sailors
Explore Quito with its treasures of art and architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Note: Above rates are subject to change unless booked and finalized.

tour code: tig-g1

***Pictures courtesy of South America & Central America Toursim Board***