dossier
Cruising the Galapagos
Day 1: Arrive in Quito
We meet you at the airport and take you to your central hotel (30mins) – home for the next three nights.
Day 2: Pululahua & the Centro Historico
Today we visit the Ethnographic Museum straddling the Equator – you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere! Nearby we explore the orchid reserve of Pululahua volcano. After lunch we return to Quito and tour spectacular golden churches in the cobbled Centro Historico. This evening why not enjoy a horse and cart ride (pay locally), around the floodlit central churches?
Day 3: Otavalo Market
A drive north to Otavalo (2hrs) – a daily craft market ablaze with colourful tapestries. After browsing we enjoy a hacienda lunch, after which we meet locals weaving intricate patterns on Spanish looms in Peguche village, and see traditional instruments hand crafted by musician José Luis Fichamba, before returning to Quito in time for dinner and an early night before the flight tomorrow.
Day 4: Depart for San Cristobal
We land on San Cristobal Island– Darwin’s first landfall in 1835. After lunch on board, inflatable boats take us for our first close encounters with basking lava lizards and Nazca boobies, who punch into clear water like dive-bombers, emerging with struggling silvery fish. Back on board, relax at the captain’s welcome cocktail where he’ll introduce some of the 52 crew!
Day 5: Espanola and Floreana
We visit Punta Suarez this morning to meet endearingly dopey blue-footed boobies and perhaps see their entrancing courtship dance. After lunch on board we land on Floreana, where sea turtles nest on white sand beaches and we stroll inland to see pink flamingo snoozing in shallow lagoons. Go snorkelling from the beach then in the evening watch the sun go down with a sunset cocktail before dinner.
Day 6: Fernandina and Isabela
After breakfast we walk on Fernandina’s newest lava within touching distance of hundreds of scaly marine iguanas basking at Punta Espinoza. This afternoon we may spot giant tortoises dozing in the shade on our walk in Urbina Bay on Isabela. After a refreshing swim in the bay return for dinner - perhaps bisque de cuustaceos(shellfish soup) and filete de corvina(fillet of sea bass with dill sauce).
Day 7: Baltra and Santa Cruz
Maybe beachcomb or snorkel along Aeolian beach this morning - after lunch, take a boat ride along mangrove-lined islets of Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island to see Galapagos flycatcher, yellow warblers and the fearlessly brazen Galapagos mockingbirds who hop onto your knee to say hello. Back on board sit back relax with a drink and enjoy another fascinating “eco lecture” given by the rangers.
Day 8: Bartolome and San Salvador
Enjoy views from the summit of Bartolome this morning, before snorkeling with Galapagos penguins by Pinnacle Rock – swim fast to keep up! After lunch we can see marine iguanas grazing on emerald green algae beds on the shores of James Bay, and walk through fur sea lion colonies. After another delicious dinner why not join the stargazing talk tonight?
Day 9: Rabida and Darwin Research Station
You can literally meet a sealion today as we land on Rabida Island’s red coral sand beach, and swim in clear water with their playful pups, and you will encounter a huge variety of bright tropical fish. After lunch we arrive at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz to meet captive giant tortoises and learn about their conservation work, before relaxing back on board in the top deck jacuzzi.
Day 10: Santa Cruz Highlands and North Seymour
We explore the verdant moisture-rich Santa Cruz Highlands today, where we can see wild tortoises and giant daisy trees, while spotting scarlet and emerald vermillion flycatchers against the lush green forest. We cruise to North Seymour during lunch where sea turtles bask with marine iguanas on the sandy shore. Look out for dolphins in the surf before relaxing on the sundeck with a cocktail back on board.
Day 11: San Cristobal and Guayaquil/fly home
A visit to the Interpretation Centre on San Cristobal ends our week, before flying back to the mainland. A private guide meets you in Guayaquil, and leads a relaxing tour of the boardwalk and riverside gardens. After a café stop in the historic Las Penas district, full of artist studios and ancient battlements, we return to the airport for your evening flight home.
This holiday is unsuitable for children under 16.
Singles: Please phone for details. Add $82 per night in Quito 2008 departures. For boat add $4,209 for 2008 departures.
Extra nights: We recommend Guayaquil or Quito. Prices from $74 per person, B&B, $110 per person, half board, based on 2 sharing.
Combining tours: To combine with ‘Ecuador Andes Adventure’ holiday please phone for details and prices.
Room upgrade: Patio Andaluz, Quito Duplex $26 pppn. Boat deck superior room $426 pp per 7 night cruise.