Peru tours

Ecuador tours

Chile tours

Brazil tours

Bolivia tours

Argentina tours

Guyana tours

Surinam tours

Venezuela tours

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

December 18. QUITO
Arrival to Quito. Reception and transfer to your hotel.

December 19. QUITO – GALAPAGOS ISLANDS – NORTH SEYMOUR
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Baltra. You will be met at the airport by the Beluga’s crew for the start of your Galapagos tour. A visit to North Seymour 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 20. ESPAÑOLA – GARDNER BAY – PUNTA SUAREZ
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 21. 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 22. 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 23. 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 24. ISABELA ISLAND – FERNANDINA ISLAND – PUNTA ESPINOZA
The forces of the Galapagos volcanoes can be easily witnessed here with an afternoon outing (dry landing) for a medium length walk at Punta Moreno (west of Isabela Island) to observe unique lava flows and small lagoons with bird life. Those who do not wish to take the shore excursion may enjoy a panga ride along the shoreline to observe birds and marine iguanas. Evening conference and dinner. Weather permitting, stargazing on deck. Early risers will enjoy the dramatic landscape of the youngest volcanoes in Galapagos, like the volcano Ecuador, whose collapsed crater is partly under water, while crossing the Equator line. It is here where the coolest waters are found, with great chances to observe whales and dolphins. The morning brings us to the youngest island, Fernandina. Disembark (dry landing) for a one-mile walk. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness with lots of wildlife. Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas; sharing their space with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, hawks, penguins and the flightless cormorant. Lunch on board.

December 25. SANTIAGO - BARTOLOME ISLAND
Before breakfast, we will disembark at Santiago also known as James Island. A favorite island for pirates and whalers, Santiago has a long human history as well as some outstanding opportunities for wildlife viewing. Highlights of a visit include the Fur Seal grotto, pink flamingo lagoon as well as the chance to see Galapagos hawks and vermilion fly catchers. Once rich in vegetation, feral goats were released on the island in the 1880's where the goats thrived in the lush environment eating everything in sight and their numbers grew to over 100,000. Their presence has severely affected the island's flora and fauna. Visitor sites are located on both the east and west sides of the island, making multiple visits likely on longer trips. A visit to Puerto Egas on Santiago begins with a wet landing on the dark sand beaches of James Bay. The visit begins with a walk along the rocky coast giving visitors the opportunity to view some of the Galapagos Island's best tidal pools. Sponges, snails, hermit crabs, barnacles and fish including the endemic four-eyed blenny can be seen. The walk also presents visitors with a variety of shore birds, marine iguanas, sally light foot crabs and sea lions. After lunch, a visit to Bartolome Island (dry landing) for a hike to its 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.

December 26. SANTA CRUZ – TURTLE COVE – QUITO
Our last day on the Enchanted Islands where after breakfast we visit Turtle Cove. a red mangrove lagoon on Santa Cruz. This site is a nursery for many sharks and rays and is also a great location to observe mating sea turtles. There are large groups of resting white-tip reef sharks, schools of golden rays and spotted eagle rays, and a few juvenile scalloped hammerhead sharks and black-tip sharks. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the mainland. Arrival in Quito, reception and transfer to your hotel.

December 27. QUITO (Breakfast)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight home

End of services.