For expert help planning your South America vacation, call a travel specialist at 1-800-942-3301
| ECUADOR and THE GALAPAGOS (WBG2008)
An 11-Day tour starting from $CALL
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| About This Tour | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vacation Overview This 11-day cruise vacation lets you sample the natural wonders of Ecuador and the Galápagos. Your trip begins in Quito with guided sightseeing of the Legislative Palace and the 16th-century San Francisco Monastery. Have your photo taken in front of the Equatorial Monument, “the center of the world.” Next, fly over the Pacific to Baltra Island to embark on an exciting 8 days of cruising among various Galápagos Islands aboard the La Pinta yacht. During your cruise, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and see incredible plants and animals native to the area. Depart the Galápagos for Guayaquil, where you will have time at leisure to reflect on your South American journey.
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Hotels QUITO Hilton Colon (SF), GALAPAGOS CRUISE La Pinta, GUAYAQUIL Oro Verde (SF) Meals American breakfast daily (B), 7 lunches (L), and 8 dinners (D), including a farewell dinner onboard the La Pinta.
Day 1:
Fly to Quito, Ecuador. Board your flight to Quito. Your flight to South America arrives late this evening and will be met by your Local Host. Day 2: Quito. An included sightseeing tour showcases Quito’s treasures: the historic stone murals of the LEGISLATIVE PALACE; Independence Plaza and the 16th-century SAN FRANCISCO MONASTERY; the Jesuit’s LA COMPANIA CHURCH with its stunning golden altars; and the impressive paintings at the WORKSHOP AND MUSEUM of Oswaldo Guayasamin. Have your photo taken in front of the EQUATORIAL MONUMENT, “the center of the world.” This evening, enjoy a WELCOME DINNER at a local restaurant. (B,D) Day 3: Quito–Baltra–Galápagos Islands (Embarkation)–Cruising. Fly to Baltra, one of the remote Galápagos Islands. Upon arrival, board the La Pinta yacht for an exciting eight days of CRUISING among various Galápagos Islands. (B,L,D) Please note: The ship’s itinerary will vary according to the Galápagos National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, and seasonal changes to create the perfect cross-section of sites visited. Day 4: Galápagos Islands. Travel ashore each day to the remote islands with your expert naturalist who introduces you to the unique fauna living free and fearless of man. Each cruise will visit the CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION, established to help conserve the Islands’ natural habitat. On the last night of your cruise, your Tour Director hosts a FAREWELL DINNER, ending an unforgettable experience. (B,L,D daily) Day 5: Galápagos Islands. Travel ashore each day to the remote islands with your expert naturalist who introduces you to the unique fauna living free and fearless of man. Each cruise will visit the CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION, established to help conserve the Islands’ natural habitat. On the last night of your cruise, your Tour Director hosts a FAREWELL DINNER, ending an unforgettable experience. (B,L,D daily) Day 6: Galápagos Islands. Travel ashore each day to the remote islands with your expert naturalist who introduces you to the unique fauna living free and fearless of man. Each cruise will visit the CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION, established to help conserve the Islands’ natural habitat. On the last night of your cruise, your Tour Director hosts a FAREWELL DINNER, ending an unforgettable experience. (B,L,D daily) Day 7: Galápagos Islands. Travel ashore each day to the remote islands with your expert naturalist who introduces you to the unique fauna living free and fearless of man. Each cruise will visit the CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION, established to help conserve the Islands’ natural habitat. On the last night of your cruise, your Tour Director hosts a FAREWELL DINNER, ending an unforgettable experience. (B,L,D daily) Day 8: Galápagos Islands. Travel ashore each day to the remote islands with your expert naturalist who introduces you to the unique fauna living free and fearless of man. Each cruise will visit the CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION, established to help conserve the Islands’ natural habitat. On the last night of your cruise, your Tour Director hosts a FAREWELL DINNER, ending an unforgettable experience. (B,L,D daily) Day 9: Galápagos Islands. Travel ashore each day to the remote islands with your expert naturalist who introduces you to the unique fauna living free and fearless of man. Each cruise will visit the CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION, established to help conserve the Islands’ natural habitat. On the last night of your cruise, your Tour Director hosts a FAREWELL DINNER, ending an unforgettable experience. (B,L,D daily) Day 10: Galápagos (Disembarkation)–Guayaquil. Depart the Galápagos today for Guayaquil. Enjoy time in Guayaquil or relax at your hotel this evening. (B) Day 11: Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)
City Highlights QUITOSightseeing with a Local Guide, Legislative Palace, San Francisco Monastery, La Compania Church, Workshop and Museum of Oswaldo Guayasamin, Equatorial Monument, welcome dinner.GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS Seven nights cruising the Galápagos National Park aboard the La Pinta, Charles Darwin Research Station, guided sightseeing each day with a local naturalist, and a special farewell dinner.ALL INTRA-TOUR FLIGHTSExamples of Islands visited:NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND: Nesting colonies of magnificent frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and also sea lions and marine iguanas.HOOD ISLAND: Most southeastern island featuring eroded lava terrain. See Galápagos sea lions, lava lizards, Nazca boobies, and the only island with a Waved Albatrosses colony (May-December). Also see the famous blowhole!FLOREANA ISLAND:See flamingos that inhabit a brackish-water lagoon, and other birds like ducks, stilts, and sandpipers. Great snorkeling provides close-up views of the marine life like sea lions, rays, sea turtles, and possibly the Galápagos penguin. This island is also the site of Post Office Bay where you learn about the human side of the islands, its early inhabitants and the adventures of pirates and whalers.SANTA CRUZ ISLAND: The second-largest island boasts the largest human population, giant tortoises in the wild, and the CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION. The highlands are great for birdwatching, walking through a Scalesia forest and seeing the twin pit craters Los Gemelos.TOWER ISLAND: Due to its northern isolation and the effect of northern currents, this island’s ecosystems are quite different from others. Possessing the most seabird diversity, you will find frigate birds, red-footed and masked boobies, gulls, herons, finches, mockingbirds, and the short-eared owl. Good snorkeling is found here too—along with hammerhead sharks!ISABELA ISLAND: On the northwest of Isabela, secluded Tagus Cove was in past centuries a favorite anchor for pirates and whalers old graffiti can still be found. The vegetation in the area includes the unusual Palo Santo trees—these white-barked trees are leafless and look dead most of the year. A walk takes you to the back of Darwin Crater, filled with salt water and one of Isabela’s six volcanoes. Galápagos penguins, flightless cormorants, sea turtles, marine iguanas, and wild, giant tortoises are a few species that call this island home.FERNANDINA ISLAND: The youngest of all islands is home of continuous volcanic activity and recent black lava flows. Considered by many to be one of the most pristine islands in the world due to the absence of introduced mammals. Fernandina has a very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing their space with sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hawks, penguins and the flightless cormorant.BARTOLOMÉ ISLAND: The most photographed view of islands in the Galápagos is seen here with Pinnacle Rock. A great place for swimming and snorkeling with its numerous schools of tropical and subtropical fish, sea lions, sharks, rays, sea turtles, and Galápagos penguins. Ship La Pinta Price Details US Price will incur a fuel surcharge.
Related Tours WBGQ|Start your vacation in the Amazon. CURRENT SPECIALS: Standard Offers and Specials provided by Globus
Share the pleasure of a Globus vacation with your children and grandchildren and take advantage of a 10-percent discount on the land-only price. For eligibility, children must be under 18 years of age on the departure date and must be accompanied by an adult. On escorted vacations we don’t accept children under eight years old because we have found that they are too young to enjoy these vacations.
Pay less for your second vacation We charge you vacation price for your first vacation in 2008, but for every additional Globus vacation you take in the same year, you pay US$35 under list. Our vacations are designed and scheduled so you can combine them almost any way you want. It’s fun to play the add-a-vacation game yourself or talk to your travel agent.
Triple room reduction On most Globus vacations you receive a reduction when three people travel together and share the same accommodations. Triple room reductions, when available, are listed on the itinerary pages. A word of caution: Triple rooms usually are no larger than twin rooms and the third bed, if there is one, is often a rollaway put in a twin-bedded room.
Avoid the single room supplement We do not take reservations on a “share” basis because we have found that strangers rarely enjoy sharing a room for the duration of their vacation. Avoid the single room supplement by traveling with a friend. It’s less expensive and much more fun!
Globus River Cruise Special Offers
And now, a Globus river cruise is an even better value. Book a 2009 European river cruise before February 28, 2009, and you will save $400 per stateroom on the air-inclusive price or save $200 per stateroom on the land/cruise price.*
*Book a 2009 Globus River Cruise Europe air-inclusive vacation to receive the $200 off per person offer. Cruise-only bookings are eligible for the $100 off per person offer. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between December 16, 2008 and February 28, 2009 for travel through December 31, 2009. Offers not valid with one-another or any other offer except Journeys Club and applies to new 2009 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply. Book a group of 10 or more and one travels FREE! *Book a group of 10 or more members on any 2009 Globus, Cosmos, Monograms or Avalon group benefit eligible vacation to receive the one free (land only) offer. To qualify, group must be booked and under deposit between October 17 and February 28, 2009, for travel commencing by December 31, 2009. Applies to new 2009 bookings only. Offer excludes tour vacations with cruises of three or more nights. Not combinable with other group incentives. Additional restrictions may apply. |
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| Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
