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Galapagos Cruise - Explorer II
Ship: Galapagos Explorer II
Days: 7
Passengers: 100
Dates: Cruise Only - Starts Wednesdays (4 days)
Package - Starts Mondays (7 days)
Ship in Dry Dock: Sep 4 - Oct 2, 2010; Sep 3-Oct 1, 2011 Just-Released Offer Departures:  10/6/2010, 10/13/2010, 10/27/2010, 11/3/2010, 11/17/2010, 11/24/2010, 12/8/2010, 12/15/2010, 1/19/2011, 2/2/2011, 2/9/2011
Highlights:
Perfect for those who want to travel on a very comfortable ship with a "lighter" natural history program. Families enjoy this ship.
Summary: The Galapagos Islands are considered one of the most spectacular and pristine National Parks in the world. Visitors delight in the abundant, unusual, and surprisingly approachable wildlife--from Galapagos giant tortoises to playful sea lions to the fascinating Blue-footed Boobies. ExpeditionTrips' staff member, Amelia Tockston, has sailed on this voyage. Click to view her travel journal and photos!
This trip may be booked as a package, as seen below, or cruise only starting on Day 3 and ending on Day 6.
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Itinerary - In Brief
Itinerary - Detailed
Day 1:
Arrive Quito
Deluxe Hotel or Premium Upgrade Hotel
Arrive in Quito, Ecuador and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Quito.
Day 2:
Quito
Deluxe Hotel or Premium Upgrade Hotel
Today is at your leisure. A variety of day tours are available for purchase. Overnight in Quito.
Day 3:
San Cristobal Island / Embark - Cruise Only Starts
Fly to the Galapagos to begin the cruise, arriving on San Cristobal, easternmost of the Galapagos Islands. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is the capital of the Galapagos province and hosts the second largest concentration of human population in the archipelago, approximately 6,000 inhabitants. You’ll board ship and settle into your cabin. This afternoon, visit Cerro Brujo on San Cristobal.
Day 4:
Espanola Island
Explore Punta Suarez, one of the most spectacular sites in the islands and is home to the only site in the Galapagos to spot the Galapagos Albatross (a seasonal sight). Look for sea lions, Marine iuanas, and further in land, Masked and Blue-footed Boobies. Hike a trail towards the cliffs to a blowhole, a fissure in the lava cliffs where seawater jets high in the air.
In the afternoon, explore Bahia Gardner (Gardner Bay), on Espanola Island where you can snorkel, walk and relax on the beach that is among the most magnificent in all Galápagos. You may also visit the spectacular Gardner Rock by panga (Zodiac), which is home to white-tipped reef shark, cactus finch and other colorful sea dwellers.
Day 5:
Santa Cruz Island / Rabida Island
This morning, visit Santa Cruz, the second largest island of the Archipelago. Visit Darwin Station to learn about the research activities conducted on the island. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a Galapagos Giant Tortoise breeding and rearing center. Here, tortoises of different subspecies are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. Afterwards, you can stroll through Puerto Ayora.
In the afternoon, visit Rabida Island, a small island covered by dry and coastal vegetation with a central volcano. This island contains the largest variety of lava types and a salt-water lagoon provides occasional sights of Flamingos. Sea lions, fur seals, penguins, pelicans, and Galapagos Hawks may be seen here. The island offers great snorkeling, and there's also a short walk to the top of the trail where you can take fabulous photos of the clear waters and volcanic peaks.
Day 6:
Disembark / Santa Cruz / Baltra / Quito - Cruise Only Ends
Deluxe Hotel or Premium Upgrade Hotel
After breakfast, visit Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz Island. Transfer to the airport on Baltra Island for your flight back to the mainland. Today is at your leisure. Overnight in Quito.
Day 7:
Quito / Home
This morning, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
Notes:
Holiday Cruises: To confirm a Christmas or New Years cruise, the following amounts must be deposited:
- 30% of cruise rate when reserving 240 days prior to departure
- 50% of cruise rate when reserving 180 days prior to departure
This itinerary is subject to change. ExpeditionTrips.com is not responsible for itinerary changes.
Included (Cruise Only):
Cabin accommodations aboard ship; all meals aboard ship; all shore activities and excursions; guide and lecture services; transfers and baggage handling between island airport and ship.
Not Included (Cruise Only):
Hotel nights before/after cruise; transfers in Quito or Guayaquil; international airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos Islands; Galapagos National Park entrance fee, USD$100 (children under 12 subtract $50), subject to change without notice; alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; Galapagos Transit Card ($10 per person), paid in cash upon arrival to airport; international airport departure tax, must be paid in cash; government taxes; charges and all items of a personal nature such laundry, consumption from the mini-bar located in suites; gratuities to ship staff is left to the discretion of the passenger; traveler’s insurance; wetsuit shorty ($15 per person / 4 days, advanced reservation required); snorkeling gear ($10 / 4 days); tour guide hearing system (optional, $15 / trip); Wireless Internet card ($15 / 1 hour, $25 / 2 hours); 2010/2011 fuel surcharge ($26 per person per night).
Included (Package):
Three hotel nights in Quito in either a Deluxe Hotel or Premium Upgrade hotel [2010 Premium Upgrade hotel for an additional $125 per person/double room; or 2010 Premium Upgrade hotel for an additional $200 per person/single / 2011 Premium Upgrade hotel for an additional $155 per person/double room; or 2011 Premium Upgrade hotel for an additional $275 per person/single] (hotel based on availability); four transfers in Quito; adult Galapagos National Park tax, USD$100 (Children under 12 subtract $50), subject to change without notice; cabin accommodations aboard ship; all meals aboard ship; all shore activities and excursions; guide and lecture services; transfers and baggage handling between island airport and ship; Galapagos Transit Card.
Not Included (Package):
International airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos; alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; international airport departure tax, must be paid in cash; government taxes; charges and all items of a personal nature such laundry, consumption from the mini-bar located in suites; gratuities to ship staff is left to the discretion of the passenger; traveler’s insurance; wetsuit shorty ($15 per person / 4 days, advanced reservation required); snorkeling gear ($10 / 4 days); tour guide hearing system (optional, $15 / trip); Wireless Internet card ($15 / 1 hour, $25 / 2 hours); 2010/2011 fuel surcharge ($26 per person per night).
If you are booking a cruise only program, we are happy to add hotels, air and land arrangements as requested, and you will be quoted for services.
Airfare between Quito/Guayaquil and the Galapagos Islands:
The flights between mainland Ecuador (Quito or Guayaquil) and the Galapagos Islands are an additional cost. For your cruise security, ExpeditionTrips must reserve these flights for you at the time of cruise booking. Approximate cost (including service fee): $420-$460 per adult; $250-$275 per child under 12 (copy of passport required).
Just Released Offer Details: Book by September 30, 2010 and save up to $666 per person! Enjoy special discounted cruise rates, plus receive all of the following complimentary: Round-trip Galapagos airfare, Galapagos National Park fee and control card, and fuel surcharge.
Applicable Dates: 10/6/2010, 10/13/2010, 10/27/2010, 11/17/2010, 11/24/2010, 12/8/2010, 12/15/2010
Per Person Discounted Rates: (includes cruise, Galapagos airfare, park fee, and fuel surcharge)
Low Season:
Classic Suite: $1,596; Premium Suite: $1,708; Deluxe Balcony Suite: $1,899
High Season:
Classic Suite: $1,671; Premium Suite: $1,794; Deluxe Balcony Suite: $1,997
Per Person Regular Rates: (includes cruise, Galapagos airfare, park fee, and fuel surcharge)
Low Season:
Classic Suite: $2,128; Premium Suite: $2,278; Deluxe Balcony Suite: $2,533
High Season:
Classic Suite: $2,228; Premium Suite: $2,393; Deluxe Balcony Suite: $2,663
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Book by September 30, 2010 and save up to $445 per person on regular cruise rates in Classic, Premium and Deluxe Balcony Suites. Offer subject to availability and may not be combined with any other discount.
Applicable Dates: 11/3/2010
Per Person Discounted Rates: (cruise only)
High Season:
Classic Suite: $1,240; Premium Suite: $1,369; Deluxe Balcony Suite: $1,580
Per Person Regular Rates: (cruise only)
High Season:
Classic Suite: $1,590; Premium Suite: $1,755; Deluxe Balcony Suite: $2,025
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Book by September 30, 2010 and save up to $316 per person on regular cruise rates in Classic, Premium, Renaissance Panoramic Suite, and Deluxe Balcony Suites. Offer subject to availability and may not be combined with any other discount.
Applicable Dates: 1/19/2011, 2/2/2011, 2/9/2011
Per Person Discounted Rates: (cruise only)
High Season:
Classic Suite: $1,407; Premium Suite: $1,551; Renaissance Panoramic Suite: $1,704; Deluxe Balcony Suite: $1,789
Per Person Regular Rates: (cruise only)
High Season:
Classic Suite: $1,665; Premium Suite: $1,825; Renaissance Panoramic Suite: $2,005; Deluxe Balcony Suite: $2,105
New Reservations Only
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