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EcoAdventures, Inc.
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Day |
Trip at a Glance 2009 |
Meals
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Sep' 09
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Dec '09
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1
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Arrival Quito Airport & transfer to the deluxe Radisson Royal Hotel for 2 nights. |
None
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02
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02
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2
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Colonial Quito City Tour. Special hotel site inspections will also be provided. |
B
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03
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03
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3
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Quito to the Galapagos Islands - Morning flight to the islands & board M/V Santa Cruz |
B, L, D
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04
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04
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4
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Cruising the Galapagos Islands |
B, L, D
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05
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05
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5
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Cruising the Galapagos Islands |
B, L, D
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06
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06
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6
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Galapagos Islands to Quito, deluxe Radisson Royal Hotel for 1 night |
B
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07
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07
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7
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Transfer to Quito Airport for flight home. |
B
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08
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08
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Day One, Wednesday:
Home City to Quito
International Airfare is NOT included.
You will be met by our local representative upon arrival at the airport
and transferred to the Radisson
Royal Hotel Quito.
Day Two, Thursday: Colonial Quito City
Tour
Quito's new image delights all visitors. Quito's
Colonial downtown area, the largest and best preserved architectural space
in all of the Americas, has been completely restored and has just celebrated
the 25th Anniversary of its declaration as a World Cultural Heritage Site.
A slow drive will take you through romantic plazas and past impressive
public and religious buildings. You will visit the highlights of old Quito,
including Independence Square, La Ronda, and La Compania. Finally, drive
up Panecillo Hill for a panoramic view of the city and surrounding snow-covered
volcanic peaks (weather permitting). Special hotel site inspections will
also be provided. (B)
Day Three, Friday: Quito to the Galapagos
Islands
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristobal (Chatham) Island)
You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred
to the airport and assisted with checking in for your flight to the Galapagos
Islands. Arrival at San Cristobal Island and transfer to the M/V
Santa Cruz, which will be anchored
at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the provincial capital of the Galapagos Islands.
Cabin assignment and lunch. After lunch, introductory welcome talk and
lifeboat drill.
Cerro Brujo
In the afternoon, you will have a wet landing
on the beach at 'Wizard Hill,' or Cerro Brujo. This is a nice introduction
to the wildlife of the Galapagos as you encounter sea lions, crabs and
a few interesting birds (e.g. Yellow Warbler, Ground Finch, Plover, Oyster
Catchers, Lava Heron and diving Blue-footed Boobie). Here you will have
an opportunity to wander along the beach or swim and snorkel. You will
return back to the ship for a welcome cocktail and dinner. ECO Moment
and briefing on the next day's activities, followed by a welcome cocktail
offered by the Captain and dinner. (B, L, D)
Day Four, Saturday: Punta Suarez (Española
(Hood) Island)
After breakfast, disembark at Punta Suarez (dry
landing) for an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique
sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April - December),
nazca (masked boobies), and the famous blowhole. Great hike for observing
Blue-footed Boobies, swallowtail gulls, the Hood Island Mockingbird, red-green-black
marine iguanas, and of course a rookery of sea lions right at the landing
site. For those planning not to walk the entire trail, there will be a
dinghy ride arranged along the coastline of Punta Suarez, followed by
a very short walk. Return to the ship for lunch.
Floreana (Cormorant Point)
Wet landing on a greenish colored sand beach
where you will hike a well-marked trail beginning in the black mangrove
beds heading towards the back of the lagoon. This large, brackish lagoon
holds one of the biggest populations of flamingos in the Galapagos. This
island is best known for its endemic plant life, such as the Galapagos
millwork, passionflower, and unique button mangrove. Return to the ship
for and ECO moment and briefing on the next day's activities, followed
by dinner. (B, L, D)
Day Five, Sunday: Punta Espinosa (Fernandina
Island)
This morning brings us to the youngest island,
Fernandina. First, you will take a dinghy ride to observe Galapagos penguins,
as well as flightless cormorants and then disembark (dry landing) for
a one-mile walk. Punta Espinosa has an amazing combination of barrenness
with lots of wildlife. Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a
very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing
their island habitat with sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs, and hawks.
Lava terrain calls for good walking shoes. Snorkeling at this location
depends on local sea conditions, and will be announced by the Expedition
Staff. Return to the ship for lunch.
Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island)
This magnificent landscape shows the uniqueness
of the western volcanoes of Galapagos. You are now looking at the youngest
geological features of the archipelago, and you are at the northern tip
of the largest island, Isabela. Lava intrusions called sills and dikes
reveal the relatively recent volcanic activity in this area. Since there
is no landing site at this location, your outing will include costal exploration
where the naturalists will commit to explaining the dramatic geology of
the area. These cool nutrient rich waters attract plenty of sea dependant
species, which include brown pelicans, Blue-footed Boobies, shearwaters
and the Galapagos penguin. Depending on sea conditions, a snorkeling outing
may be scheduled. (B, L, D)
Day Six, Monday: Baltra Island and Return
to Quito
Arrival to Baltra and transfer by bus to the
airport for the flight back to Quito and transfer to the Radisson
Hotel. (B)
Day Seven, Tuesday: Homeward Bound
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
(B)
Click here for Galapagos
Weather Conditions and Wildlife Cycles
Fax completed form to 408-465-8177 / 8178
Extend your Fam trip with EcoAdventures' Optional 5-Day Post-Tour Extension to Cuenca with the Chiva Express.
EcoAdventures,
Inc.
15105 Concord Circle, Suite 220
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
CST #1011294-10
800-326-5025
408-465-8181
Fax: 408-465-8177
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