8 Day Galapagos and Ecuador with 4 Day Cruise

Pricing listed on our site DOES NOT include air travel. Any reference to air travel below, is based on land only + airfare being additional. Due to the fluctuations in air pricing, and the fact that you can fly from all major U.S. airports, it is not possible to quote airfare in the dates & prices tab. Please contact one of our travel agents for land+air package pricing from your Gateway.

• Round trip flights Miami Quito
  Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices
• Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
• Intra flights
• 7 nights First Class accommodations
• 3 nights <, Quito
• 4 nights Galapagos Cruise on
• All transfers
• 15 Meals: 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
• Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air conditioned motor coach
• Shore Excursions
• Galapagos National Park Fee of $100
• Galapagos Transit Control Card fee of $10

Special Features

• Galapagos Islands
• Historic Quito City Tour

Day DAY 1: Depart the USA/Quito
Depart the USA for Ecuador. Arrive and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure
Overnight: Quito

Day DAY 2: Sail to Cerro Brujo
This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to San Cristobal Island. Upon arrival, proceed to board your ship, the Galapagos Explorer II. After settling in, you are whisked away to visit Cerro Brujo (Wizard's Hill), one of the first sites Charles Darwin visited in the Galapagos. Today, it has become renowned for its stunning white sand beach where an abundance of wildlife can be found, including brown pelicans, blue footed boobies, marine iguanas, and, most notably, sea lion colonies
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day DAY 3: Sail to Española Island
In the morning, arrive at Española Island and spend the morning relaxing or enjoying one of the several optional activities around Gardner Bay. Although the water may be chilly, travelers are encouraged to go swimming and snorkeling in the crystal clear waters to view the varied species beneath the surface. In the afternoon, visit Punta Suarez with a chance to see sea lions surfing the waves and marine iguanas basking in the sun
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day DAY 4: Sail to Whale Bay/ Rabida Island
This morning, travel to Whale Bay off the coast of Santa Cruz Island, one of the oldest whaling camps in the Galapagos. The beaches here are tinted green because of the presence of olivine crystals in high concentrations. The Galapagos only natural predatory animal, the Galapagos Hawk, can frequently be seen here as well. 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 varied types of lava in the island chain. Famous for its red sand beaches, a small saltwater lagoon provides occasional sights of Flamingos feeding on pink shrimp larva while the beach is home to a large sea lion colony. Additionally, there is a short walk to the top of the trail where you will have opportunities to photograph the striking volcanic peaks
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day DAY 5: 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. Afterward, walk through Puerto Ayora, the largest town on the islands, and visit the local shops for unique souvenirs. This afternoon continue to Plazas Island, which was formed from lava leaking out of the ocean floor. It houses one of the largest Land Iguana populations in the Galapagos and is famous for its beautiful flora, which includes prickly pear cactus trees and the Sesuvium ground vegetation, which changes color from green in the rainy season to orange and purple in the dry seasons
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day DAY 6: Sail to Baltra Island/Flight to Quito
Dock in Baltra Island and transfer back to the airport, where a plane will take you back to Quito on the mainland. Upon Arrival, transfer back to your hotel and enjoy the balance of your day at leisure
Overnight: Quito
Meals: Breakfast

Day DAY 7: Historic Quito City Tour
Depart from your hotel in the morning to begin your tour of historic Quito. Start by visiting the Plaza Grande, where a large monument dedicated to the independence fighters from 1809 resides. Admire the numerous historic buildings such as the Carondelet Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace, and the Municipal Palace, all of which reside around the plaza. Continue on to visit the Metropolitan Cultural Center to gain a new appreciation for Ecuadorian culture and its rich history. Finally, visit the Compania of Jesus Church and the San Francisco Church, the former of which is one of UNESCO's 100 most important World Heritage Site Monuments in the world. Balance of the day at leisure
Overnight: Quito
Meals: Breakfast

Day DAY 8: Depart for USA
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
5/28/2012 - 6/5/2012	$3,249
6/11/2012 - 6/19/2012	$3,349
6/25/2012 - 7/3/2012	$3,549
7/9/2012 - 7/17/2012	$3,499
7/23/2012 - 7/31/2012	$3,249
8/6/2012 - 8/14/2012	$3,249
8/20/2012 - 8/28/2012	$3,549
10/1/2012 - 10/9/2012	$3,499
10/15/2012 - 10/23/2012	$3,499
11/12/2012 - 11/20/2012	$3,549
12/10/2012 - 12/18/2012	$3,399
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Hotel Information:

Galapagos Explorer II
Grand Hotel Mercure Alameda Quito
Grand Hotel Mercure Alameda Quito

*Not Included:
Gratuities.

Additional Information:
Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers, but does include flights Quito Galapagos Quito.

Passport numbers for all passengers must be submitted 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.

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.

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