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Marine: Complete Galapagos - Estrella del Mar (SEV17LA)
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Countries Visited: Ecuador
Trip Style: Marine - Small-ship adventures on the world's great seas and rivers The poles of the Earth, the wonders of the Galapagos, the mysteries of the Amazon, out-of-the-way Greek Islands and other great places are best (and sometimes only) accessed by boat. Marine trips get you there aboard small ships, exclusive yachts and catamarans.
Service Level: Standard
Great value, reasonable prices, quality experiences Comfortable and varied tourist-class accommodations chosen for location and character Mix of public and private transport for the best overall experience All the top highlights included, plus plenty of time to explore on your own
Physical Demands Rating: 1 - You'll have to walk around on your own, climb some stairs and carry your own bag. Easy does it.
Group Size: Max 16, avg 12
Meals Included: 16 breakfasts, 14 lunches, 14 dinners
Accommodations: Not Availaible
Highlights
14 nights cruising in the Galapagos Islands aboard the Estrella, explore the least visited islands of Isabela and Fenandina to see massive bird colonies and impressive volcanoes, relax on Santiago Islands white-sand beach, hike to the top of the Sierra Negra volcano the most recently active volcano in the Galapagos, go snorkelling with sea lions and search for turtles and rays
Description
This two-week-plus adventure is loaded with astounding experiences among the wildlife of the world-within-a-world of Galapagos Islands. Observe giant tortoises doing their thing, go snorkelling with the beautiful fish of Devils Crown, take coastal walks, roam through lava tunnels, and marvel at the thousands of sea lions, frigatebirds, and (sometimes) flamingos that call this region home. Just another day (or 15 of them) in the Galapagos.
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| Call (209) 648-9490 for more information or to book today! Mention code 13201063 | | G Adventures | | | | Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | Quito | Day 1 Quito
There are no planned activities, so check into the hotel and enjoy the city. A G Adventures representative will greet you at the hotel and brief the group on the various aspects of the tour. Additional Notes: If you are not able to attend the welcome meeting, a representative will leave all important information at the hotel's reception indicating what time to be ready on Day 2 of the trip. If there is any confusion on arrival, please do not hesitate to call the contact number listed in this dossier. Booking pre- or post-trip accommodation is highly recommended to fully experience the city and take advantage of the optional activities available. Included Activities: Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting with G Representative | | Day 2 | Puerto Ayora | Day 2 Quito/Puerto Ayora (1B, 1L, 1D)
Take an early flight to the Galapagos Islands and transfer to Puerto Ayora and board the ship. Spend the afternoon in the highlands seeing giant tortoises in the wild and exploring lava tunnels. Additional Notes: The Consejo de Gobierno (local government council) have implemented a system of Transit Control Cards at a fee of $20 USD per person. This card is to be purchased in CASH at a counter in the Quito airport before boarding the flight to the Galapagos. Please retain this card along with your passport as you will be required to present this upon arrival to the Galapagos Islands. Please note that this applies to all tourists entering the Galapagos Islands and is a supplement to the existing entry fee to the National Park and is not controlled by tour operators or travel agencies. It is the first of a number of initiatives to track, control, and maintain the sustainable tourism targets set out by the Galapagos National Park and the Ecuadorian government in an attempt to preserve the fragile environment of the archipelago. The Ecuadorian government currently levies a Galapagos Islands Park entry fee of USD100 per person. This is payable at the airport upon arrival in the park. It is not included in the cost of the tour, and must be paid in CASH. This fee funds park maintenance and supervision in the Galapagos as well as ecological study, conservation, and infrastructure development in Ecuadors other National Parks. Entry fees and the funds they generate for the National Park System are among measures taken by the Ecuadorian government to protect its natural heritage. Included Activities: Highlands Giant Tortoises Visit Lava Tunnels Visit Transport: Flights from Quito to Baltra depart between 6:40am and 9:40am depending on the day of the week. These will arrive into the Galapagos between 9:30am and 12:30pm with a short refuelling stop in Guayaquil (you will not disembark the plane). You will generally arrive at the boat in time for lunch on Day 2 before the afternoon activity. Plane (3.00 hour(s)) Estrella Del Mar | | Day 3 | Rabida Island | Day 3 Chinese Hat/Rabida Island (1B, 1L, 1D)
Spend the morning exploring lava flows and lava tunnels on the small island of Chinese Hat. After, enjoy a refreshing dip in turquoise waters. Search for fish and sea turtles in the protected bay. In the afternoon, explore the red sand beaches and salt water lagoons of this tiny island. Look for wading flamingos and nesting pelicans before heading out to do some snorkelling. Included Activities: Chinese Hat Visit Rabida Island Excursion Transport: Estrella Del Mar | | Day 4 | Puerto Egas | Day 4 Playa Espumilla/Puerto Egas (1B, 1L, 1D)
In the morning, see the towering cliffs of Buccaneer Cove and keep an eye out for the hundreds of birds nesting on the edge. Later, land at Puerto Egas home to the elusive Galapagos hawk. Visit the salt crater as well as a dark-sand beach and tidal pools. Included Activities: Playa Espumilla Excursion Puerto Egas Visit Transport: Estrella Del Mar | | Day 5 | Urbina Bay | Day 5 Punta Espinoza/Urbina Bay (1B, 1L, 1D)
Enjoy a morning visit to Punta Espinoza on Fernandina, the youngest of the Galapagos Islands. Witness the large colony of marine iguanas and a variety of bird life. In the afternoon, travel to Urbina Bay, located at the base of Alcedo Volcano. Hike the trail to get a view of the caldera and watch for land iguanas along the way. Included Activities: Punta Espinoza Visit Urbina Bay Visit Transport: Estrella Del Mar | | Day 6 | Punta Moreno | Day 6 Elizabeth Bay/Punta Moreno (1B, 1L, 1D)
Pay a morning visit to Elizabeth Bay which offers amazing bird and marine life viewing opportunities. Head out on the pangas and explore the shallows and mangroves to look for sea turtles and penguins. In the afternoon, land at Punta Moreno on the southwest coast of Isabela to see lava formations, flamingos, and amazing views of the three most active volcanoes in the Galapagos Islands. Included Activities: Elizabeth Bay Panga Ride Punta Moreno Visit Transport: Estrella Del Mar | | Day 7 | Isabela Island | Day 7 Isabela Island (1B, 1L, 1D)
Early landing in the small town of Puerto Villamil before beginning the hike to the Sierra Negra Volcano, which has the largest basaltic caldera in the Galapagos. Later on, visit las Tintoreras, one of the best places to see sharks and other marine wildlife. Choose to visit the wet lands or the tortoise breeding centre in the Puerto Villamil area. Included Activities: Sierra Negra Volcano Hike Las Tintoreras Excursion Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre Visit Transport: Estrella Del Mar | | Day 8 | Santa Cruz Island | Day 8 Santa Cruz Island (1B, 1L, 1D)
Take the morning to explore Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galapagos. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, do some shopping, and see how locals live in the islands. After lunch on board, hike to the beautiful beach at Tortuga Bay. Choose to relax on the white sand or rent a kayak and search for rays and turtles in the shallow waters. Included Activities: Charles Darwin Research Station Visit Tortuga Bay Hike Transport: Estrella Del Mar | | Day 9 | San Cristobal Island | Day 9 San Cristobal Island (1B, 1L, 1D)
Visit the Interpretation Centre and learn more about the history of the Islands, after, enjoy free time to explore the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. In the afternoon visit Isla Lobos. Included Activities: Interpretation Center Visit Isla Lobos Visit Transport: Estrella Del Mar | | Day 10 | Cerro Brujo | Day 10 Punta Pitt/Cerro Brujo (1B, 1L, 1D)
Enjoy a morning visit to Punta Pitt, the only site in the Galapagos where it is possible to see the three species of boobies as well as frigatebirds, all nesting in the same area. Walk up to the colonies along the lava flows of this volcanic island. In the afternoon, visit the beautiful white powdery sand beaches of Cerro Brujo and snorkel with the marine life at the famous Leon Dormido, otherwise known as Kicker Rock, off San Cristobal. Included Activities: Punta Pitt Visit Cerro Brujo Visit Snorkelling (Kicker Rock) Transport: Estrella Del Mar | | Day 11 | Punta Suarez | Day 11 Bahia Gardner/Punta Suarez (1B, 1L, 1D)
Sailing south, arrive at EspaNola Island, the southernmost island in the Galapagos archipelago. In the morning, visit Bahia Gardner and the small islands around the bay. Start the day with a walk on the white sandy beach home to a large colony of sea lions and a great chance to see them up close. After getting a picture taken with them, head out into the bay to the islands of Osborn and Gardner, two amazing snorkelling spots. Keep an eye out for many varieties of fish species, rays, and, of course, sea turtles. Included Activities: Gardner Bay Visit Snorkelling (Gardner Bay) Punta Suarez Visit Transport: Estrella Del Mar | | Day 12 | Floreana Island | Day 12 Floreana Island (1B, 1L, 1D)
Spend the morning visiting Mirador de la Baronesa on Floreana island and send a postcard from famous Post Office Bay. In the afternoon, enjoy a snorkelling excursion at the Corona del Diablo and landing at Punta Cormorant. Take guided walks to observe the birds and wildlife and learn about the natural history. Additional Notes: Please make sure you are a comfortable swimmer. Despite the protection from the open sea provided by the "crown," the water here can be rough and the currents strong. Included Activities: Post Office Bay Visit Snorkelling (Corona del Diablo) Punta Cormorant Visit Transport: Estrella Del Mar | | Day 13 | Bartolome Island | Day 13 North Seymour/Bartolome Island (1B, 1L, 1D)
Early breakfast and landing at North Seymour in the morning to observe frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies. Afternoon hike up to the top of Bartolome Island to see pinnacle rock one of the most famous views of the Galapagos. Cool off with a swim from the soft sandy beach. Included Activities: Bartolome Island Hike North Seymour Island Visit Transport: Estrella Del Mar | | Day 14 | Genovesa Island | Day 14 Genovesa Island (1B, 1L, 1D)
Take a morning walk up the caldera to see red-footed boobies and other birds before searching for marine life in the protected Bahia Darwin. Enjoy an afternoon hike to the Prince Philip steps to get an amazing view of the island. Included Activities: Darwin Bay Visit Snorkelling (Darwin Bay) El Barranco Visit Transport: Estrella Del Mar | | Day 15 | Santa Fe Island | Day 15 Islas Plaza/Santa Fe Island (1B, 1L, 1D)
Enjoy a morning walk around South Plaza islet looking out for marine birds and sea lions swimming in the turquoise waters. Later, explore Santa FE keeping a close eye out for land iguanas in the unique cactus forest. Included Activities: South Plaza Island Visit Santa Fe Island Visit Transport: Estrella Del Mar | | Day 16 | Quito | Day 16 Puerto Ayora/Quito (1B)
Disembark in Baltra. Transfer to the airport for the flight back to Quito. Additional Notes: Flights from Baltra to Quito depart between 10:00am and 1:00pm depending on the day of the week. These will arrive into Quito between 2:30pm and 5:30pm with a refuelling stop in Guayaquil (you will not disembark the plane). You will arrive back at the hotel in the early evening in time for dinner. Included Activities: Highlands Giant Tortoises Visit Lava Tunnels Visit Transport: Plane (2.00 hour(s)) | | Day 17 | Quito | Day 17 Quito (1B)
Depart at any time. Included Activities: Departure Day |
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Local Flights: All local flights to and from the Galapagos aare included in the cost of your tour. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.
Flights to either of the airports in the Galapagos leave early in the morning on Day 2 and get you into the islands in the early afternoon. Flights back to the mainland depart between 10:00am and 1:30pm arriving in the early evening.
Please note that all flights to and from the Galapagos make a 1 hour refuelling stop in Guayaquil.
Dossier Disclaimer:The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer: While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.
Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances. |
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