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Christmas in the Galapagos
2009 – 8 day cruise
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December 23. QUITO
Arrival to Quito. Reception and transfer to your hotel.
December 24. QUITO – GALAPAGOS ISLANDS – ISLA LOBOS
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to San Cristobal. You will be met at the airport by the ship’s crew for the start of your Galapagos tour. A visit to Isla Lobos, where a large population of sea lions make their home. This island is also a great place for snorkeling opportunities as well as to view blue-footed boobies.
December 25. ESPAÑOLA – GARDNER BAY – PUNTA SUAREZ
On Christmas day, we will visit the isolated Española where there is a high percentage of endemic fauna. Gardner Bay, on the eastern shore has a magnificent beach. The beach is frequented by sea lions, and is a major nesting site for marine turtles. Around the small islets nearby, snorkelers will come across many species of fish, turtles and perhaps even sharks. On a trail leading to the western part of the island, several nesting sites of the waved albatross will be encountered. These huge birds nest here from April to December. Finally at Punta Suarez, along with many nesting seabirds there are mockingbirds, Galapagos doves and Galapagos hawks. Several types of reptile, including the marine iguana and the lava lizard, are also inhabitants of the island. Here you may also see a spectacular blowhole, which shoots spray 30 metres into the air.
December 26. PUNTA CORMORANT – FLOREANA – POST OFFICE BAY
First stop is at Punta Cormorant, a small island with a large inland lagoon, home to many flamingos and other wading birds. The sandy beach cove has numerous turtles, rays and seabirds, whilst off the coast is Devil's Crown, a half submerged volcanic crater, which is a great site for snorkeling as you will see starfish, sea urchins and tropical fish in the shallow center as well as larger fish like sharks and rays outside the rocky area. A trip to Floreana, the sixth largest island, and a main settlement with only a few hundred inhabitants. With one of the most interesting human histories of the islands, it was one of the earliest islands to be inhabited. In 1793, a post office barrel was erected on Floreana to facilitate delivery to the United States and Europe.
December 27. ISABELA ISLAND – TORTOISE CENTRE – SHARK LAGOON
After lunch, a scenic cruise along Bolívar Channel for possible whale and/or dolphin spotting. Swimming and snorkeling depending on local conditions. A visit to the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center ("Centro de Crianza de Tortugas Gigantes"), which is a twenty-minute walk from the town centre on Isabela. The best place to see marine life is at Las Islas de los Tiburones (also known as Las Tintoreras). From the natural dock a trail leads past scuttling marine iguanas up to a lagoon and a narrow channel, where a "viewing gallery" allows you to see the sleek shapes of white-tipped reef sharks cruising back and forth. You can swim and snorkel in the lagoon - though don't swim in the channel itself as it's not big enough for both you and the sharks - or back at the landing site. If you're lucky you may see rays and marine turtles.
December 28. SANTA CRUZ - CHARLES STATION - HIGHLANDS
A visit to the second largest island in the Galapagos, Santa Cruz. With six different zones of vegetation: Coastal, Arid, Transition, Scalesia, Miconia, and Pampa Zones. The Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park offices are also based here. The station is also a tortoise breeding centre, where tortoises of different species are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. The most famous inhabitant is probably Lonesome George, the only survivor of this specific turtle species. The lush green scenery of the Santa Cruz highlands is a welcome contrast to the aridity of the lower islands.
December 29. BARTOLOME ISLAND–NORTH SEYMOUR
Before breakfast, we will disembark at Bartolome Island (dry landing) for a hike to the summit. This is a steep climb aided by a wooden staircase but the view from the top is worth the effort. Return to the boat for breakfast. Panga ride around the colossal Pinnacle Rock, with time to enjoy the beach (wet landing) and perhaps some snorkelling with the Galapagos Penguins.
Afternoon outing to North Seymour (dry landing) for a walk along the coast and the interior of the island observing bird colonies of blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow tailed gulls and also sea lions and marine iguanas.
December 30. PLAZAS SOUTH – SANTA FE
Located in the east of Santa Cruz, the main characteristics of the small island of South Plaza are the Opuntia cacti and the carpets of red sesuvium, a succulent plant that turns green in the rainy season. The cactus is the main food of land iguanas, which are usually, found resting in the cacti's shade. The island contains one of the largest sea lion colonies of the Galapagos, along with swallow-tailed gulls and red-billed tropicbirds. Boobies are also found roosting on the southern cliffs of the island.
Santa Fe has one of the most beautiful coves of all the visitor sites in the archipelago. A turquoise lagoon with two small white sandy beaches are protected by a peninsula where sea lions rest. A trail runs along the side of the coast and then crosses through an Opuntia Forest. These prickly pear cacti are the largest found anywhere in the Galapagos. The Santa Fe species of land iguanas are also larger and of a paler yellow than on the other islands. After the hike you can swim or snorkel in the bay in the company of sea lions.
December 31. SAN CRISTOBAL– INTERPRETATION CENTRE - QUITO
Our last day on the Enchanted Islands where after breakfast we will visit the Interpretation Centre at Puerto Baquerizo, the second largest port of the Galapagos Islands. We will visit the information center which provides visitors with an excellent overview regarding the history and nature of the Galapagos Islands. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the mainland. Arrival in Quito, reception and transfer to your hotel. Dinner and Gala at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel.
January 1. QUITO (Breakfast)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
End of services
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Price per person based on 3*hotel accommodation: $3500 per person, minimum 2 sharing
Price per person based on 4*hotel accommodation: $3600 per person, minimum 2 sharing
Price per person based on 5*hotel accommodation: $3700 per person, minimum 2 sharing
OUR PRICE INCLUDES:
Accommodation at a selection of hotels and aboard the
Estrella del Mar yacht.
Flights: Quito–Galapagos-Quito
All meals on board the yacht except lunch and dinner on the last day.
New Year’s Gala Dinner in Quito.
Level III naturalist guide.
Ground transportation on the islands.
OUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Meals not specified on the itinerary.
Airport taxes.
Personal expenses such as telephone bills, laundry expenses, beverages, etc.
Insurance against theft, loss, illness and/or accident, cancellation and curtailment, etc.
Entrance into the Galapagos National Park. US$100.00 per person payable in cash and an additional US$10.00 per person for the tourist monitoring programme
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Ask for details regarding our land extensions in Ecuador before or after the cruise or our Galapagos land tour option.
For more information on hotels in Ecuador, please see:
our hotels page
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For current availability contact us at info@amazingperu.com and we will send you the relevant trip dossier along with a 90 day fixed quote, terms and conditions.
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