GTMT- 106 – QUITO AND THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

ABOARD THE NEW M/V SANTA CRUZ II
EASTERN ISLAND PROGRAM
Seven Day / Six Night Program

2017: Specially priced departures from the USA:
August 24, September 7, October 5, October 19, November 2, November 16, November 30 & December 14
Cruise dates:
August 26, September 9, October 7, October 21, November 4, November 18,
December 2 & December 16
(Additional departure dates for 2017 and for 2018 available on request)

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Arrival in Quito

Meeting and assistance and private transfer from airport to hotel.
Overnight accommodations at J W Marriott Hotel

DAY 2: Quito (B)

Private Scenic tour of Quito
We will visit downtown Quito to relish in this urban jewel and its treasures of art and architecture. Quitos colonial quarter, the largest and best preserved of South America, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will stroll at the Independence Plaza, flanked by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace. We will visit also the temple of *La Compañía de Jesús and its awesome gilded interior.

We continue on to the Monastery of San Francisco, one the of great religious buildings of the New World; its impressive façade and atrium that lead to its Baroque interior influenced by Moorish style, with the winged Virgin of Quito at its main altar.
Overnight accommodations at J W Marriott Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 3: – Quito / Galapagos Islands

FIVE DAYS/ FOUR NIGHTS – EASTERN ISLANDS ITINERARY
Saturday to Wednesday

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno/Punta Pitt (San Cristóbal Island)
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer hotel to airport for your flight San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands. Transfer to the MVSanta Cruz, anchored at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the provincial capital of the Galápagos Islands. Cabin assignment, introductory talk, boat drill and lunch.

Punta Pitt (San Cristóbal Island)
In the afternoon, we disembark on the eastern tip of the island at Punta Pitt, an eroded tuff cone, whose trail provides spectacular views of the shoreline. This is the only site in the Galápagos where the three species of boobies can be found together. We can walk or enjoy a panga ride along the coast.
Overnight M/V Santa Cruz II
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

DAY 4: Galapagos Islands

Santa Fe Island & South Plaza Island
After breakfast, we take the dinghy over to this idyllic sandy-white beach populated by many sea lions. The endemic land iguana, unique to this island, may be spotted during the morning walk amid the giant prickly pear cactus. Snorkelling and swimming from the panga rounds off our rewarding experience, or if guests prefer, the glass bottom boat for non-snorkelers.

South Plaza Island
Following lunch and a rest, we disembark in this channel, whose turquoise waters contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline. Beyond, a carpet of scarlet sesuvium succulents serves as groundcover for a grove of luminescent green prickly-pear cactus. Yellow-grey land iguanas sit beneath these, waiting patiently for pears to drop. Along the coastline one finds sea lion colonies, while frigates, swallow-tailed gulls and shearwaters glide, playing with the thermals.
Overnight M/V Santa Cruz II
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

DAY: 5: Galapagos Islands

Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)
In the morning, we disembark (dry landing) for our visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station’s giant tortoise Breeding Centre within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest home to many land birds. These are the headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation and the National Park administration. Following our visit, we board our transport to enjoy lunch in the cooler highlands of Santa Cruz Island, a completely different ecosystem.

Santa Cruz Island
We have several options available for the afternoon (hiking, mountain biking or kayaking in Tortuga Bay), which can be discussed in advance with your Expedition Leader. At the end of the afternoon’s activities, we return to Puerto Ayora and embark on the Santa Cruz.
Overnight M/V Santa Cruz II
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

DAY 6: Galapagos Islands

Punta Suárez & Gardner Bay (Española Island)
An exciting walk awaits at this site, where we enjoy its unique sea bird colonies, including waved albatrosses (April- January), Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tail gulls as well as a view of the Galápagos famous “blow-hole”. Also, look out for red-green-black marine iguanas. Back on board for lunch.

Gardner Bay (Española Island)
In the afternoon, the picture-postcard white coral beach of Gardner Bay provides a beautiful setting for observing sea lions, mockingbirds, finches as we relax. We can expect great snorkeling in this area.
Overnight M/V Santa Cruz II
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

DAY 7: Depart Galapagos Islands

Baltra / Quito or Guayaquil / home (*)
Transfer out to Baltra airport for flight to Mainland (Quito or Guayaquil) and your connecting international flight.
Meals: Breakfast
(*) Depending on your international flight departure time either from Guayaquil or Quito you may not require an additional overnight in Ecuador if the flight departs same evening. If not, we will arrange for you round trip transfers between airport and hotel and overnight accommodations on request as optional.

GT PREFERRED RATES PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY

A SAVINGS OF $300 PER PERSON!!

PLEASE CHECK WITH US FOR INTERNATIONAL AIR FARES
FROM USA TO ECUADOR ON OUR AIR PARTNERS:
AMERICAN AIRLINES, LATAM AND AVIANCA

RATES INCLUDE:

Five day/four night cruise aboard the MV Santa Cruz II based on Horizon Deck Explorer cabin – Double occupancy. Fully escorted daily nature oriented tours to the islands as per itinerary. English speaking naturalist guides. Daily Briefings. All meals during the cruise.
Two night hotel accommodations at selected hotel including taxes and daily breakfast.
Private fully escorted tour of Scenic Quit. Certified English speaking guide.
Two transfers with English speaking guide between airport and hotel. Round trip transfers in Galapagos between airport and cruise.

NOT INCLUDED:

International air between the USA and Quito or Guayaquil. Round trip local air between Quito and Galapagos ($498.00 per person including taxes and subject to change) . Galapagos National Park admission fee (US $100 subject to change without notice), transit Control Card for Galapagos (US$ 20 per person), wet suits, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage, tips, gifts, internet and additional items of personal nature and not indicated in itinerary.