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Booking Deadline - 11 December, 2008 |
2 Spaces Available |
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$5490 70% Easy; 20% Moderate 10% Strenuous TOUR INCLUDES: - 7 Nights onboard the Isabel II, an expedition yacht with modern, first-class, amenities. Cabin Category B. - Services of Cruise Director and Galapagos Island Naturalists while on board the cruise - 3 meals daily on board the yacht; 2 breakfasts and 1 farewell dinner in Guayaquil. - Airfare from Guayaquil to Galapagos roundtrip - Activities as noted on the itinerary - Transportation as noted on the itinerary - ALL airport transfers - ALL Tipping and Gratuities - Lodging: 2 Nights Guayaquil Hilton; 1 before and 1 after the cruise. __________________
Air Information
Airport:
To avoid
jet lag and possible flight delays, consider arriving a day early. The room
cost will be:
Special Notes Regarding this Trip: - A valid passport is required for this trip. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the last date of travel. - This is an active journey that includes a fair amount of walking, often on uneven terrain; zodiac-style rafts are used for shore excursions.
Not Included in the Price of this Tour: - Air to and from your home to Guayaquil - Departure tax from Guayaquil of $27.15 in US dollars (cash only and amount subject to change). - Meals and activities not specified in the itinerary - Any personal expenses - Transfers are not provided for early arrival or late departure. |
Notes:
Monday, 13 July: Greetings in Guayaquil
Our trip begins at the Hilton Colon Guayaquil. A
transfer from Guayaquil International Airport is included to Hilton
Colón Guayaquil. Most flights arrive late in the day.
Tuesday, 14 July: Galápagos Islands cruise, expedition-style Fly to Baltra Island (included) in the Galápagos archipelago, 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador. Board Isabela II, an expeditionary-style yacht ideal for a Galápagos Islands cruise that takes you on island exploration with local naturalists and wildlife experts. You'll board Isabela II via a panga, which is a Zodiac-style raft – be prepared to wade in shallow water if necessary! Set sail for North Seymour Island; this island features one of the largest and most active seabird breeding colonies, including blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigate birds. In the evening, your Galápagos Islands cruise gets off to an appropriate start with the Captain’s welcome reception and dinner, as well as a briefing by an on-board naturalist. (B,L,D) Lodging for the next 7 nights: Aboard Isabela II
Wednesday, 15 July: Española (Hood) Island Visit Española (Hood) Island, home to the only Waved Albatross colony in the Galápagos. At Gardner Bay, following a wet landing by panga, you can walk on the white coral beach, go snorkeling, or ride a glass-bottom boat around offshore islets. Later, a dry landing lets you walk on the lava terrain of Punta Suarez to see the famed avian sights, as well as marine iguanas and the island’s famous blowhole. Naturalists accompany you on all excursions ashore. (B,L,D)
Thursday, 16 July: World's most unusual post office, Floreana Bay Cruise to Floreana Island where you make a wet landing at Port Cormorant; discover a green beach created by olivine crystals, and see the pink flamingos – they're pink due to the shrimp they eat! Explore some of the fascinating history of the island including Post Office Bay, where a do-it-yourself postal service set up by 18th-century whalers. During your Galápagos Islands cruise, make sure you take the opportunity to gaze at the incredible night skies filled with brilliant stars and constellations from the observation deck. (B,L,D)
Friday, 17 July: Santa Cruz Island A dry landing on Santa Cruz Island takes you first on a journey inland to visit the highlands. Amazing sights include the daisy trees of the Scalesia forest and the volcanic twin-pit craters of Los Gemelos; they share the landscape with myriad birds, wild tortoises and the prickly pear cactus. Following lunch in town, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about conservation projects in the Galápagos and see some of the islands’ famous giant tortoises, members of the successful tortoise breeding program. Residents include Lonesome George, the sole survivor of the Pinta Island turtle subspecies. Take some time to stroll along the streets of Puerto Ayora, the largest town you'll visit during this Galápagos Islands cruise. Return to the ship for the evening; meals aboard Isabela II feature Continental and / or Ecuadorian cuisine. (B,L,D)
Saturday, 18 July: Birds – more birds – and then some unusual birds Today we begin at Genovesa (Tower) Island, nicknamed Bird Island as it is home to literally thousands of birds. You may see red-footed and Nazca (masked) boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, storm petrels, short-eared owls, magnificent frigate birds, and perhaps a few of Darwin’s finches that inspired the theory of evolution. The coral beach on Genovesa Island is the place to go for a swim, or you might want to visit a collapsed volcanic caldera that attracts sea lions, fur seals and snorkelers! (B,L,D)
Sunday, 19 July: A Darwinian day of wild tortoises, iguanas, & snorkeling Isabela II crosses the Equator today en route to Isabela Island, which is the largest island in the archipelago – it is shaped like a sea horse. The island is home to marine and land iguanas, tortoises, flightless cormorants, herons and a very active volcano! You'll have a chance to do some deep-water snorkeling and kayaking today. Explore the black lava landscape of Fernandina Island, boasting more marine iguanas than any other island; sightings might also include Sally Lightfoot crabs, flightless cormorants and sea lions. (B,L,D)
Monday, 20 July: Technicolor vs. black-and-white Look for marine iguanas, red-and-blue Sally Lightfoot crabs, and Galápagos fur seals on the black lava flows of Santiago (James) Island after you cast anchor. Or look up for a chance to spot Galápagos hawks and doves in the skies. Bartolomé Island is right offshore from Santiago; you may have an opportunity to see the only penguin found in the tropics, the Galápagos penguin, swimming in the waters. Hike up to the island’s summit for dramatic views of surrounding seascapes, the most frequently photographed vista in the islands. (B,L,D)
Tuesday, 21 July: Farewell to Galápagos Islands
cruise
Wednesday, 22 July: Return Home A transfer is included from Hilton Colón Guayaquil to Guayaquil International Airport; you should allow 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in. There is a cash only $27.15 USD departure tax (not included and subject to change) collected at the time of departure. (B)
NOTES:
About our Yacht: An expeditionary-style yacht, the sleek Isabela II carries just 40 guests. This recently renovated, fully air-conditioned vessel offers many of the amenities of a larger vessel, including a library, lounge, and comfortable dining room in which a combination of Continental and Ecuadorian cuisine is served. All staterooms feature private bathrooms with showers, individual air conditioning, desk, two bedside tables, a music system and ample storage space; electrical current is 110 volts. Her well-trained 27-member team consists of Ecuadorian officers, naturalists, crew and an on-board physician. Shore excursions are via Zodiac-style boats and are available to everyone; Isabela II carries her own glass-bottom boat aboard for observing the undersea world.
We may not visit each of the islands in the order listed, but typically visit two different sites per day. Cruise itineraries are approved by the Galápagos National Park Service 30 to 60 days before departure and are subject to change. The yacht is not exclusive to Women Traveling Together and there will be other passengers. This trip will be locally hosted by a Tauck Tours representative and will not include a WTT staff member as the group leader.
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All previous information has been superseded.
