Comfort Galapagos - 6 Days G4 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in North Islands

Comfort Galapagos - 6 Days G4 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in North Islands 6 Days

From $2299 USD

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Comfort Galapagos - 6 Days G4 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in North Islands
Comfort Galapagos - 6 Days G4 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in North Islands
Comfort Galapagos - 6 Days G4 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in North Islands
Comfort Galapagos - 6 Days G4 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in North Islands
Comfort Galapagos - 6 Days G4 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in North Islands
Comfort Galapagos - 6 Days G4 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in North Islands
Comfort Galapagos - 6 Days G4 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in North Islands
Comfort Galapagos - 6 Days G4 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in North Islands
Comfort Galapagos - 6 Days G4 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in North Islands
Comfort Galapagos - 6 Days G4 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in North Islands
Comfort Galapagos - 6 Days G4 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in North Islands
Comfort Galapagos - 6 Days G4 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in North Islands
Comfort Galapagos - 6 Days G4 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in North Islands
Comfort Galapagos - 6 Days G4 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in North Islands
Comfort Galapagos - 6 Days G4 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in North Islands
Comfort Galapagos - 6 Days G4 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in North Islands
Comfort Galapagos - 6 Days G4 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in North Islands

Overview
Itinerary
Nuts & Bolts
Experts
Operator
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Overview

Highlights

Duration: 6 Days
Comfort: 66.6666666666667%
Language: English
Rating: 0%
Trip ID: 127051
Start Location: Alfaro, Ecuador
End Location: Centro HistÃ³rico, Ecuador

Guaranteed:
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1. AdventureLink has carefully handpicked the tour operators in our portfolio to give you the best possible selection and experience
2. AdventureLink does not pay the operator until your trip completes in order to ensure the highest possible standard of care
Primary Activities: Cruises, Wildlife
Other Activities: yacht, sightseeing, Swimming, Snorkeling, Hiking, Urban Exploration, national parks, museums, World Heritage Sites
Activity Level: Basic

Encounter the island chain that has enchanted explorers since Darwin first weighed anchor off its shores. Spend four days exploring the incredible wildlife of the Galapagos archipelago in the company of an expert Naturalist Guide. In the evenings, return to the comfortable g4 to reflect on the day’s adventure under a canopy of stars. Retire to air-conditioned cabins with exclusive lower berths and private bathrooms. As one of the region’s largest operators, we understand the importance of controlling the onboard experience—that’s why you won’t be sold onto someone else's ship.

Note: Price posted is for Lower Deck Twin Accommodation

Price Details:

Lower Deck Twin - $2299

Upper Deck Twin - $2449

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Quito: Arrive in Quito at any time. There are no planned activities, so check into our hotel and enjoy the city. A G Adventures representative will greet you at the hotel and brief you on the various aspects of the tour. If you are not able to attend the welcome meeting, our representative will leave all important information at your hotel’s reception indicating what time to be ready on Day 2 of your trip. If there is any confusion on arrival, please do not hesitate to call the contact number listed in this dossier.

Located 2850m (9348 ft) above sea level, the Ecuadorian capital of Quito enjoys a wonderful spring-like climate, despite the fact that it is only 22 km (14 miles) south of the Equator. Nestled in a valley flanked by mountains, on a clear day several snow-capped volcanoes, including nearby Pichincha, are visible from the city centre. Add to its beautiful location a rich history and well-preserved colonial district, and you begin to understand Quito’s appeal to thousands of tourists every year.

In 1978 UNESCO declared Quito a World Heritage site, and any new development in Quito's old town is now strictly controlled. Life in Quito tends to be peaceful, though the drivers are fond of using their car horns! There are approximately 2,000,000 inhabitants in the metropolitan area, but the pace is relaxed and the residents hospitable.

Since pre-Columbian times, the site of Quito has been inhabited by the Quitus, the Shyris and the Puruhas. The Inca reached this city before the Spaniards, but levelled it to the ground rather than give it up to the Spanish. The present capital was founded by the Spanish on December 6th, 1534. Quito is separated into two basic sections, the old and the new cities. The old city is full of historical buildings and churches. One of the more noteworthy is the Catedral de Quito, located on the Plaza de la Independencia. Built between 1550 and 1562, it was one of the first neoclassical works in Quito. La Compañía de Jésus Church is considered one of the most beautiful in the Americas. The decorations in the Compañía contain approximately one and one-half tons of gold, and construction of the church took 170 years (1605-1775).

There are several excellent museums scattered throughout the city. The Casa de la Cultura Ecuadoriana has an interesting display of traditional musical instruments and Ecuadorian traditional dress, a large art collection, and a small natural history museum. For archaeology the best museum to visit is the Museo del Banco Central with its well displayed pottery, gold ornaments, skulls showing deformities and early surgical methods, a mummy and many other objects of interest. The small, rounded hill dominating the old town is El Panecillo or 'the Little Bread Loaf,' a major Quito landmark. From here there are marvelous panoramic views of the entire city and surrounding volcanoes. You can easily take a trolley (streetcar) or a cab between the Old Town and New Town.

Quito’s large foreign population and steady stream of travellers have given it a varied and vibrant nightlife, and salsotecas and other dance clubs abound. For a real Ecuadorian experience though, be sure and drop by a peña if you can; these are great places for meeting locals and dancing, as well as enjoying local cooking.

Just a couple of hours south of Quito is Parque National Cotopaxi, home to Cotopaxi Volcano (5897 m/19342 ft). the beautiful cone-shaped, snow covered volcano is Ecuador’s second highest peak and the highest active volcano in the world. This is a great spot for a days hiking (up to the refuge on the glacier’s edge) or mountain biking (downhill all the way). True enthusiasts attempt the climb to the summit (overnight excursion). Allow yourself an extra day or two in Quito, before or after your trip, if you want to conquer Cotopaxi.
Day 2: San Cristóbal (B,L,D): Transfer early to the airport for our flight to the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival in San Cristóbal, meet our naturalist guide, who will assist with the transfer to the g4. In the afternoon visit Isla Lobos to see the sea lions and walk on the beach.

San Cristóbal is the easternmost island of Galapagos and one of the oldest. The principal town is Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos

The Galapagos Islands are located about 1000 km (620 miles) off the Pacific coast of South America. The archipelago is comprised of 13 major islands and scores of islets that served as a living laboratory for Charles Darwin, the renowned evolution theorist. Long before Darwin arrived in the Galapagos, seafarers knew these isolated islands as home to some of the strangest and most wonderful wildlife imaginable, including birds that could swim but no longer fly, aquatic iguanas, dragon-like lizards left over from prehistoric times, and the giant Galapagos tortoises for which the islands were named.

Covering nearly 5000 square km (3100 square miles), the Galapagos Islands are now a National Park. The Galapagos National Park is the institution that controls the preservation of this environment, assisted by the Charles Darwin Research Station. Inaugurated in 1964 and based in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, the Charles Darwin Research Station is the one place where visitors can easily see the famous Galapagos Tortoises, which may live up to two hundred years. This is also the training centre for naturalist guides who accompany all visitors landing at more than 40 approved sites on the islands, and members of the international scientific community often come to study at the station.

The National Park charges a visitor fee of $100 USD, payable on arrival, which funds Park maintenance and supervision in the Galapagos, as well as ecological study, conservation and infrastructure development in Ecuador's other National Parks. Entry fees and the funds they generate for the National Park System are among measures taken by the Ecuadorian government to protect its natural heritage.
Day 3: North Seymour / Mosquera (B,L,D): Set sail for North Seymour, just north of Baltra, home to sea lions, marine iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, magnificent frigate birds and blue-footed boobies. Seymour Island is probably the most exciting island photographically. Bird life abounds, and close to the trail you will find many nesting pairs and young chicks. Seymour is also home to the Galapagos's largest colony of Magnificent Frigate Birds. Their mating ritual is an ostentatious display: males expand the red sack at the base of their throat and perch atop a bush with wings fully extended, flapping furiously. Interested females circle overhead, and if so inclined, may join the male on terra firma. Further along the trail we can observe a colony of sea lions.

Afternoon excursion to Mosquera Island to stroll on the beach and see the vast sea lion colonies.
Day 4: Isla Santiago / Bartolomé (B,L,D): Visit Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island in the morning to witness the striking and fascinating giant lava formations. Very few plans have managed to survive on this island due to the harsh environment and relatively new lava floe. Enjoy a walk along the lava formations before coming to a white coral sand beach, where plentiful sally lightfoot crabs and sea lions can be seen.

Bartolomé Island (also called Bartholomew) has 2 main areas of interest. A hike to the summit of the island provides a clearer perspective of the islands' not-too-distant volcanic origins, and the panoramic view is one of the best among the islands. From here are visible the double-sided beach of Bartolomé directly below, the volcanic tower rising out of the water next to it, and Santiago in the distance. After the summit hike, stop at the beach to relax in semi-tropical tranquility. There is great snorkelling among the submerged volcanic rock and around the base of the tower. A short hike to the beach on the opposite side is worth the minimal effort. It is not unusual to see sharks in these shallow waters, and marine turtles nest here from January through March.
Day 5: Santa Cruz (B): In the morning we arrive in Puerta Ayora, on Santa Cruz Island where we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station.

Santa Cruz is the second largest in the island group, and has the largest population, with Puerto Ayora as its main town. It also boasts the most varied of the islands' vegetation zones: coastal, transition, scalesia, miconia and pampa. The Charles Darwin Research Station is a 10 minute walk from the centre of the town. Here, an exhibition centre displays photos of recent volcanic eruptions, charts outlining geological formations and drawings of the evolutionary development of endemic species. A corral houses adult Galapagos Tortoises, and a nursery cares for young tortoises until they are about three years old, when their shells have hardened enough to resist attack from feral dogs.

Following this we transfer to the airport on Baltra Island for our flight to Quito. Transfer to our hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Enjoy one last night in historic Quito.
Day 6: Quito: Depart at any time.

Nuts & Bolts

Trip Includes

Arrival transfer and Continental Breakfast while in Quito, 3 nights in the Galapagos Islands, Visit to Charles Darwin Research Station, Incredible wildlife encounters, Daily opportunities for swimming and snorkelling, Flights to and from the Galapagos Islands, Snorkeling equipment onboard Galapagos Yacht.
5 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners.
Hotels (2 nts), twin-share cabins on board our motorized yacht (3 nts).
Local flight, motorized yacht, van, zodiacs, public bus.
Local naturalist guides (certified by the Galapagos National Park) while in the islands. Local G Adventures representative in Quito.

Trip Excludes

Allow USD50-65 for meals not included.
Drinks and tips while on the yacht are extra.
You must pay a USD10 Tourist Transit card fee at the Quito airport and a USD100 (cash) Galapagos park entry fee immediately upon arrival to the Islands (subject to increase).
Visas
Tipping
Travel insurance
Fees for Optional Activities
Personal expenses
International flights

Trip ID#: 127051

CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

Operator

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