11 Day Galapagos with 7 Day Cruise (Tuesday Departure)

$4589 Land Only

$5039* Air & Land

Home : : April 2008 - October 2008

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Highlights Guided Package Includes Flights Miami-Guayaquil, Quito-Miami Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices Airline fuel surcharges Intra-flights 10 nights accommodations 1 night Grand Hotel Guayaquil, Guayaquil 7nights Galapagos Cruise on Galapagos Explorer II, Classic Suite outside cabin with 2 lower berths 2 nights Hilton Colon, Quito All transfers 24 meals: 10 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners Sightseeing per itinerary in a modern air-conditioned motor coach Shore Excursions Services of English-speaking local guides Entrance fees per itinerary Special Features Galapagos Cruise Charles Darwin Research Station City tour of Quito Itinerary DAY 1, Tuesday - Depart the USA Depart the USA for Ecuador. Arrive in Guayaquil and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure Overnight: Guayaquil DAY 2, Wednesday - Sail to Cerro Brujo This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to San Cristobal, the Galapagos archipelago's oldest and easternmost island. Upon arrival, transfer to the pier and board the Galapagos Explorer II. Settle in for a visit to Cerro Brujo (wet landing) to view pelicans and a variety of sea birds, including Blue and Red-footed Boobies, Common Gallinules, and Frigates. Enjoy free time for snorkeling or a swim Overnight: Cruise Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 3, Thursday - Sail to Bahia Gardner This morning, sail to Punta Suarez (Española Island) (dry landing), where you can view sea lions surfing the waves and marine iguanas basking. You may hike further inland and view the Blowhole, a fissure in the lava cliffs where seawater jets high into the air. In the afternoon, arrive at Bahia Gardner (wet landing) and view one of the most pristine beaches in all of the Galapagos, home to many sea lion colonies and endemic mocking birds. Venture out to Gardner Rock for wall dives, where you may encounter tropical fish, rays, cactus finch and other colorful sea dwellers while snorkeling Overnight: Cruise Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 4, Friday - Sail to Santa Cruz Island Today, arrive at Santa Cruz Island (dry landing). Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, a specialized breeding and rearing center for the endangered Galapagos Giant Tortoise. The Darwin Station is a working branch of the international, non-profit Charles Darwin Foundation, which works to protect and maintain the Galapagos' precious ecosystems. Afterwards, walk through Puerto Ayora, the largest and most cosmopolitan town on the islands. In the afternoon, journey to the small island of Rabida (wet landing), located to the south of Santiago, and home to a central volcano with some of largest and most variegated types of lava in the island chain. A small saltwater lagoon provides occasional sights of flamingos feeding on pink shrimp larva, while the beach holds a large sea lion colony. There's a short walk to the top of the trail where you will have an opportunity to photograph the striking volcanic peaks Overnight: Cruise Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 5, Saturday - Sail to Las Bachas This morning, enjoy the white-sand beaches of Las Bachas (wet landing). The beaches owe their stark tone and consistency to the decomposed coral of which they are made, a characteristic which also makes them a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. This afternoon, visit Dragon Hill (wet landing) to view flamingos and a variety of other island birds feeding at the marshland lakes. Visit the beach zone where you are likely to see marine iguanas, sea lions, and a colony of small-footed boobies Overnight: Cruise Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 6, Sunday - Sail to Bartolome Island This morning, sail to Bartolome Island (wet landing), whose 350-foot peak offers 360º views of five other islands in clear weather. Enjoy a fairly steep climb on wooden steps up to the summit to observe the island's unique lava formations and tuff cones. Afterwards, continue to the beach to see the Galapagos Penguins, the only penguins north of the Equator, fishing near Pinnacle Rock. In the afternoon, visit Puerto Egas on James (Santiago) Island (dry landing). Here you will walk a light trail to see the Fur Seal Grottoes, the only site on the islands where fur seals can be seen Overnight: Cruise Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 7, Monday - Sail to Fernandina Island Sail to Fernandina Island and disembark at Punta Espinoza (dry landing), where marine iguanas can be found basking or diving for food among the rocks. Follow a trail inland and see Flightless Cormorants, the serpent-necked birds who live without any natural predator on the island. This afternoon, travel to Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island, an island made up of six shield volcanoes. Enjoy a dinghy-ride to view the island and see sea lions and sea turtles at play. Though the water is rather cold, as it is sometimes referred to as the "Galapagos Ice-box," you may enjoy time for snorkeling in the nearby bay, where manta-rays, sting-rays, and dolphins are occasionally found Overnight: Cruise Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 8, Tuesday - Sail to North Seymour Island Spend the morning at North Seymour Island (dry landing), a bird-lover's paradise. On this small uplifted island, you can see basking land and marine iguanas, as well as a vast variety of endemic tropical birds, including blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, lava gulls, and the largest frigate bird colony in the Galapagos. In the afternoon, board a bus and drive ride through vegetation zones to the Santa Cruz Highlands, where nearly 40 giant tortoises thrive in the wild. The more adventurous may hike to the nearby tunnels formed by cooling lava Overnight: Cruise Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 9, Wednesday - Sail to San Cristobal This morning, enjoy an excursion on the island of San Cristobal, the Galapagos archipelago's oldest and easternmost island. This afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight from Baltra to Quito on the mainland. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure Overnight: Quito Meals: Breakfast DAY 10, Thursday - Quito city tour Your morning tour of Quito begins with a view of the Congress Building, with an outside stone mural that records Ecuador's colorful history. Continue to Quito's Colonial quarter and walk its narrow cobblestone streets for a sense of 16th-century Quito. View the Independence Plaza, the Presidential Palace, Municipal Building, the Archbishop's Palace, and the Churches of La Compañía and San Francisco. Afterward, see the Ecuadorian landscape from atop El Panecillo Hill. Balance of the day at leisure Optional: Middle of the World (PM) Overnight: Quito Meals: Breakfast DAY 11, Friday - Depart for the USA Transfer to the airport in Quito for your departure flight Meals: Breakfast Optionals Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, and save money. Tours purchased while traveling cost at least 10% more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment! Save your cash - many countries do not accept credit cards. Middle of the World 3:00 PM Day #10 01 Apr 2008 - 31 Dec 2008     $62 Your visit to the Middle of the World begins with a drive through the Ecuadorian countryside. The Equatorial Monument marks the exact Middle of the World at a latitude of 0º. Take time to stand in both hemispheres at once, or to stand on top of the equator. Afterwards, return to Quito. Details: Departs at 3:00 p.m. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time. Pick up and drop off from the hotel. Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, and save money. Tours purchased while traveling cost at least 10% more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment! Save your cash - many countries do not accept credit cards. Rates & Hotels Click On A Date To Book Online * All Prices are in USD 2008 Land/Cruise Only Air & Land/Cruise Jun 17 (Sold Out) 4589 5079 Aug 12 (Sold Out) 4589 5039 Sep 23 4529 4979 Nov 11 4589 5039 *Not included: airport taxes, fees & September 11th Security Fee, optional tours, Ecuador departure taxes, Galapagos National Park fee of $100, Galapagos Transit Control Card fee of $10, tips to local guides and drivers (see Terms & Conditions). Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers, but does include flights Guayaquil-Galapagos-Quito Dry landing: Passengers step from the dinghy onto rocks or a dock. Wet landing: As the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, passengers step into knee-deep water and wade ashore. Sturdy shoes are recommended for this program. Passport numbers for all passengers must be submitted to Gate 1 before documents can be issued. The route and program may vary according to weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety issues and wildlife migration patterns. Wildlife and visits listed in the itinerary are based upon optimal conditions and therefore subject to change. Cabin Categories Cat. Classic - [details] Galapagos Explorer II   Galapagos The M/V Galapagos Explorer II is a dedicated cruise ship that navigates the Galapagos Islands. The ship sports 53 outside suites and offers numerous amenities such as diving equipment, swimming pool, jacuzzi, solarium, lounge, bars, and massage suite. Expert nature guides provide daily shore excursions to explore the unique Galapagos ecosystems. While on board, enjoy magnificent views of the islands from the observatory deck. [more] Grand Hotel Guayaquil   Guayaquil This first class hotel is situated on a city block next to the Cathedral in Guayaquil. [more] Hilton Colon Quito   Quito This deluxe hotel is located in the heart of Ecuador's capital, in the financial district with easy access to the colonial sector of the city. [more] Cat. Premium - [details] Galapagos Explorer II   Galapagos The M/V Galapagos Explorer II is a dedicated cruise ship that navigates the Galapagos Islands. The ship sports 53 outside suites and offers numerous amenities such as diving equipment, swimming pool, jacuzzi, solarium, lounge, bars, and massage suite. Expert nature guides provide daily shore excursions to explore the unique Galapagos ecosystems. While on board, enjoy magnificent views of the islands from the observatory deck. [more] Grand Hotel Guayaquil   Guayaquil This first class hotel is situated on a city block next to the Cathedral in Guayaquil. [more] Hilton Colon Quito   Quito This deluxe hotel is located in the heart of Ecuador's capital, in the financial district with easy access to the colonial sector of the city. [more] Package Date: Select Date   Pre/Post Accommodations Pre-Accommodations: Nights   Post-Accommodations: Nights   Include Flight? Yes No Inner Air Departure City Departure Date   Return Date   Preferred Airline [Any] Accesrail Aces Airlines Aegean Airlines Aer Lingus Aero California Aerocontinente Aeroflot Russian Airlines Aerolineas Argentinas Aerolineas Internacionales Aeromar Aeromexico Aeropostal Airlines Aerosvit Airlines Afrinat International Airlines Air Alm Air Canada Air Caraibes Air China International Air D'ayiti Air Europa Air France Air India Air Jamaica Air Liberte/Aom Air Malta Air New Zealand Air Pacific Air Santo Domingo Air Tahiti Nui Air Transat Airtran Airways Alaska Airlines Alitalia Airlines All Nippon Airways Allegro Airlines Aloha Airlines America West Airlines American Airlines American Trans Air Amtrak Asiana Airlines Austrian Airlines Aviacsa Avianca Azteca Airlines Bahamasair Big Sky Airlines British Airways British Midland Airways Bwia Intl Airways Caribbean Star Airlines Caribbean Sun Airlines Cathay Pacific Airways Cayman Airways China Airlines China Eastern Airlines China Southern Airlines Continental Airlines Copa Croatia Airlines Crossair Dba Swiss Csa Czech Airlines Delta Airlines Deutsche Ba Dutch Caribbean Airlines Egyptair El Al Israel Airlines Emirates Era Aviation Ethiopian Airlines Eva Airways Finnair Oy Frontier Airlines Garuda Indonesian Airways Ghana Airways GOL Linhas Aereas Great Lakes Aviation Great Plains Airlines Gulf Air Hahn Air Hawaiian Airlines Iberia Icelandair Indigo Airlines Isair Japan Air Lines Jet Airways Klm Royal Dutch Airlines Korean Air Kuwait Airways Lacsa Airlines Lan Argentina Lan Chile Airlines Lanecuador Lanperu Lapa Lin Aer Privadas Liat (1974) Lloyd Aereo Boliviano Lot Polish Airlines Ltu International Airways Lufthansa Airlines Malaysia Airlines System Malev Hungarian Airlines Martinair Holland Meridiana Mesa Air Lines Mexicana Airlines Middle East Airlines Midwest Express Airlines National Airlines North American Airlines Northwest Airlines Olympic Airways Pakistan Intl Airlines Penair Philippine Airlines Pluna Lineas Polynesian Airlines Qantas Airways Qatar Airways Royal Air Maroc Royal Jordanian Airlines Saudi Arabian Airlines Scandinavian Airlines Singapore Airlines Sn Brussels Airlines Solair South African Airways Southern Winds Southwest Airlines Spanair Spirit Airlines Sun Country Airlines Surinam Airways Swisswings Ag Taca International Airlines Tam Airlines Tam Mercosur Tap Air Portugal Tarom Romanian Air Transport Thai Airways Turkish Airlines Ukraine International Airlines United Airlines Universal Airlines US Airways Varig Airlines Vasp Brazilian Airlines Via Rail Canada Virgin Atlantic Airways Virgin Blue Virgin Express # of Adults # of Children 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 -- 1 2 3 Preferred Class Economy Business What is Airfare Type? Gate 1 Travel Airfare - These are Gate 1 Travel fares which allow you to book your trip while paying a minimal deposit at time of booking. Instant Purchase/Published Airfare - These are fares that airlines have published which require payment in full at time of purchase. In some cases, these fares may be displayed as Gate 1 Airfare with Instant Purchase Requirement. To find the lowest available airfare, select [ANY] and you will get results for both kinds of airfare. Each of these fare types has its own set of restrictions which cover changes, cancellations, fuel surcharges, etc. Please refer to our terms and conditions for full details. Airfare Type [Any] Gate 1 Travel Airfare Only Published Airfare Only We are unable to reserve airline seats for you until 11 months prior to your date of travel. Until then, we offer a choice of airfares from major US cities which you may select for your reservation. Your final flight details, airfare, airport taxes and fees will be advised 11 months prior to travel. Airfares are subject to change. Air reservations may be completed no more than 11 months prior to the date of travel. For travel more than 11 months prior, please call Gate 1 at (800) 682-3333. Accommodations Select Number of Rooms/Cabins   1 2 3 4 Room 1 # of Adults 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 # of Children -- 1 2 3 First Child Age -- 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Second Child Age -- 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Third Child Age -- 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Room 2 # of Adults