Journey to the Galapagos - 12 Day Adventure

Day 1 - Welcome to Quito #WHS#
Check in to the deluxe Swissotel, perfectly located in the heart of this handsome Colonial-era capital.

Day 2 - Discover the Colonial monuments of the capital
With our engaging Trip Leader at your side, your small band of travelers begins its in-depth exploration of Quito along the grand Avenue of 12 October. Continue past Alameda Park, the Basilica of the National Vow, famed for its grand bell towers, and the National Congress. Arriving in the historic center of the city, your guided walking tour takes in the capital’s finely-preserved, centuries-old architecture, including the Church of the Compania de Jesus and the Church of San Francisco. Then ascend into the Andean peaks that surround the city for commanding views over the city and its magnificent mountain backdrop. This evening you dine at Theatrum, an elegant restaurant set in the historic Sucre National Theater under the direction of renowned Peruvian chef Julio Ostolaza. Meals B,D

Day 3 - Fly to the Galapagos Islands #WHS#
We’ve included your transfer to the airport and your flight to the Galapagos. Upon arrival in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, you’ll be met and escorted to the deluxe, all-suites MV Galapagos Explorer II. This afternoon, your first excursion takes you to the Charles Darwin Research Center, one of the world’s most respected scientific research facilities. Your visit continues in the thriving town of Puerto Ayora, an opportunity to see how island residents live and work here in the Galapagos. Dinner onboard is followed by a briefing from the ship’s engaging staff of experienced naturalists. Each night you can attend these informative and entertaining talks which preview the next day’s activities. Meals B,L,D

Day 4 - Bachas Beach and onward to Santiago Island
Step ashore with your Naturalist Guide this morning to explore along the lovely white sands of Bachas Beach. See the nesting sites of marine tortoises and hike to a nearby lagoon where you can spot migratory birds, herons and pelicans. Don’t forget your bathing suit… Bachas Beach offers great swimming and snorkeling.

As you enjoy lunch onboard, the Explorer II charts a course for Santiago Island, where you’ll make an afternoon landing at Puerto Egas. Hiking over ancient lava flows offers an opportunity to site sparrows, hawks, several varieties of finches and lava lizards. During low tide, you’ll also be able to see a wide variety of marine life in the teeming tidal pools – Sally Lightfoot crabs, lava herons, sea lions and marine iguanas. Meals B,L,D

Day 5 - Genovesa Island
With little rainfall, Genovesa Island’s vegetation is unique and characteristic of an arid environment. Except for Marine iguanas, reptiles are few – but the island is a paradise for sea birds including large colonies of red-footed boobies, masked boobies, Galapagos storm petrals and great frigate birds. With hardly any “introduced” species, Genovesa Island is one of the most pristine in all of the Galapagos. Your morning excursion on Genovesa finds you at the El Barranco landing site. In the afternoon, you’ll explore Darwin Bay on the southern side of the island. This bay offers excellent swimming and snorkelers have a good chance of seeing Hammerhead sharks. Meals B,L,D

Day 6 - Ashore on North Seymour and Santa Cruz Islands
After breakfast, make a dry landing on North Seymour Island, home to sea lions and large colonies of resting marine iguanas. A pleasant hike to the interior of this flat island brings you to a small forest with Prickly Pear cactus and numerous nesting sites of Blue-footed boobies.

In the afternoon, you’ll have an excursion into the interior highlands of Santa Cruz. A one-hour hike through the lush and dense vegetation brings you to a remote area where you will be able to observe a variety of giant Galapagos tortoises in their natural habitat. Meals B,L,D

Day 7 - Ashore on San Cristóbal Island
Go ashore on San Cristóbal Island this morning to visit the Galapagos Interpretation Center. After lunch, join our top-notch naturalist guide to explore Wizard Hill, where a fine white sand beach is home to sea lions basking in a particularly picturesque setting. Meals B,L,D

Day 8 - Discover Española Island
Call upon Gardner Bay where your sharp-eyed guide will point out a wide variety of wildlife including Hood mockingbirds, Galapagos hawk, marine iguanas and raucous colonies of sea lions. This morning, you also have the option to snorkel just off-shore at Osborn Islet. In the afternoon, step ashore at Punta Suarez where a rocky coastline is home to Nazca boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, Blue-footed boobies and colored marine iguanas. Meals B,L,D

Day 9 - Explore Santa Cruz and Rabida Islands
This morning’s beach landing at Whale Bay on Santa Cruz Island reveals unique flora including Acacia and Incense trees. In the afternoon, explore along the red sand beaches and cliffs of Rabida Island. These dramatic landscapes are home to greater flamingos, Brown Pelicans, Galapagos mockingbirds and sea lions. Meals B,L,D

Day 10 - Puerto Ayora Town and Plazas Island
Alight in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island to visit the Charles Darwin Research Center. Here you will learn about the pioneering research and important conservation work being done to preserve the islands’ precious natural heritage. In the afternoon, go ashore on Plazas Islands for up-close encounters with Sally Lightfoot crabs, land iguanas and maybe even the magnificent frigate bird. Meals B,L,D

Day 11 - Fly to your choice of Quito or Guayaquil.
Disembark your ship on Baltra Island for your included flight back to the mainland. You can return to Quito and the terrific Swissotel or fly to the bustling Pacific port of Guayaquil for a night at the deluxe Hilton Colon Hotel. Meals B

Day 12 - Farewell to Ecuador
Your voyage with us ends this morning. Meals B

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
5/23/2012 - 6/4/2012	$7,699
5/23/2012 - 6/4/2012	$5,599
5/23/2012 - 6/4/2012	$7,999
5/23/2012 - 6/4/2012	$6,299
5/23/2012 - 6/4/2012	$6,699
6/6/2012 - 6/18/2012	$7,699
6/6/2012 - 6/18/2012	$5,599
6/6/2012 - 6/18/2012	$7,999
6/6/2012 - 6/18/2012	$6,299
6/6/2012 - 6/18/2012	$6,699
6/20/2012 - 7/2/2012	$8,199
6/20/2012 - 7/2/2012	$6,099
6/20/2012 - 7/2/2012	$8,499
6/20/2012 - 7/2/2012	$6,799
6/20/2012 - 7/2/2012	$7,199
7/4/2012 - 7/16/2012	$7,699
7/4/2012 - 7/16/2012	$5,599
7/4/2012 - 7/16/2012	$7,999
7/4/2012 - 7/16/2012	$6,299
7/4/2012 - 7/16/2012	$6,699
7/18/2012 - 7/30/2012	$6,099
7/18/2012 - 7/30/2012	$8,199
7/18/2012 - 7/30/2012	$8,499
7/18/2012 - 7/30/2012	$6,799
7/18/2012 - 7/30/2012	$7,199
8/1/2012 - 8/13/2012	$6,699
8/1/2012 - 8/13/2012	$5,599
8/1/2012 - 8/13/2012	$7,699
8/1/2012 - 8/13/2012	$7,999
8/1/2012 - 8/13/2012	$6,299
8/15/2012 - 8/27/2012	$7,199
8/15/2012 - 8/27/2012	$6,099
8/15/2012 - 8/27/2012	$8,199
8/15/2012 - 8/27/2012	$8,499
8/15/2012 - 8/27/2012	$6,799
10/10/2012 - 10/22/2012	$6,699
10/10/2012 - 10/22/2012	$5,599
10/10/2012 - 10/22/2012	$7,699
10/10/2012 - 10/22/2012	$7,999
10/10/2012 - 10/22/2012	$6,299
10/24/2012 - 11/5/2012	$7,199
10/24/2012 - 11/5/2012	$6,099
10/24/2012 - 11/5/2012	$8,199
10/24/2012 - 11/5/2012	$8,499
10/24/2012 - 11/5/2012	$6,799
11/7/2012 - 11/19/2012	$7,199
11/7/2012 - 11/19/2012	$6,099
11/7/2012 - 11/19/2012	$8,199
11/7/2012 - 11/19/2012	$8,499
11/7/2012 - 11/19/2012	$6,799
11/21/2012 - 12/3/2012	$6,899
11/21/2012 - 12/3/2012	$5,799
11/21/2012 - 12/3/2012	$7,899
11/21/2012 - 12/3/2012	$8,199
11/21/2012 - 12/3/2012	$6,499
12/5/2012 - 12/17/2012	$6,699
12/5/2012 - 12/17/2012	$5,599
12/5/2012 - 12/17/2012	$7,699
12/5/2012 - 12/17/2012	$7,999
12/5/2012 - 12/17/2012	$6,299
12/19/2012 - 12/31/2012	$7,199
12/19/2012 - 12/31/2012	$6,099
12/19/2012 - 12/31/2012	$8,199
12/19/2012 - 12/31/2012	$8,499
12/19/2012 - 12/31/2012	$6,799
1/2/2013 - 1/14/2013	$6,699
1/2/2013 - 1/14/2013	$5,599
1/2/2013 - 1/14/2013	$7,699
1/2/2013 - 1/14/2013	$7,999
1/2/2013 - 1/14/2013	$6,299
1/16/2013 - 1/28/2013	$7,199
1/16/2013 - 1/28/2013	$8,199
1/16/2013 - 1/28/2013	$8,499
1/16/2013 - 1/28/2013	$6,099
1/16/2013 - 1/28/2013	$6,799
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.

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