Voyage Galapagos: 7-Day G3 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in Central Islands

Voyage Galapagos: 7-Day G3 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in Central Islands 7 Days

From $2449 USD

Trip URL: www.adventurelink.com/

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Voyage Galapagos: 7-Day G3 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in Central Islands
Voyage Galapagos: 7-Day G3 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in Central Islands
Voyage Galapagos: 7-Day G3 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in Central Islands
Voyage Galapagos: 7-Day G3 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in Central Islands
Voyage Galapagos: 7-Day G3 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in Central Islands
Voyage Galapagos: 7-Day G3 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in Central Islands
Voyage Galapagos: 7-Day G3 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in Central Islands
Voyage Galapagos: 7-Day G3 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in Central Islands
Voyage Galapagos: 7-Day G3 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in Central Islands
Voyage Galapagos: 7-Day G3 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in Central Islands
Voyage Galapagos: 7-Day G3 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in Central Islands
Voyage Galapagos: 7-Day G3 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in Central Islands
Voyage Galapagos: 7-Day G3 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in Central Islands
Voyage Galapagos: 7-Day G3 Cruise & Wildlife Adventure in Central Islands

Overview
Itinerary
Nuts & Bolts
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Overview

Highlights

Duration: 7 Days
Comfort: 66.6666666666667%
Language: English
Rating: 0%
Trip ID: 131348
Start Location: Quito, Ecuador
End Location: Centro HistÃ³rico, Ecuador

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Primary Activities: Cruises, Wildlife
Other Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling, Swimming, World Heritage Sites, national parks, boating, Walking Tour
Activity Level: Basic

A more compact version of the 10-day EV10HA, this cruise stays focused on the central islands of the Galapagos Archipelago. Climb aboard the comfortable G3 and enjoy extras like included snorkelling gear and the presence of and Expert Naturalist guide, there to make sense of this unique region. After a full day of swimming with unique sea life and walking among wildlife that has no fear of humans, enjoy deck-side drinks before retiring to your air-conditioned cabin. Ocean views come standard. As always with G Adventures, our vessels are exclusive so you know you're exploring in good company.

Note: Price posted is for Lower Deck Twin Accommodation.

Price Details:

Lower Deck Twin - $2449

Upper Deck Twin - $2385

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 marvellous 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.

Warning: Please take care when wandering about the city on your own, as pick pockets and purse-snatchers are common, particularly in the Old Town. Be safe and leave your passport, credit cards, traveller’s cheques and cash you don’t need in the hotel’s safety deposit box. Most Quiteños are honest and genuinely helpful and friendly, but be safe and enjoy the city!
Day 2 San Cristóbal (1B,1L,1D): Early flight to San Cristóbal, in the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival meet our naturalist guide who will assist with the transfer to our boat, the g3. We view Kicker Rock and visit the Interpretation Centre in the afternoon.

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 USD100, 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.

Visible from the shore of San Cristóbal Island is an island called Leon Dormido, or "Kicker Rock," which resembles a sleeping lion. It is quite striking and if conditions are right we may be able to sail through a narrow channel which splits Kicker Rock in half.

Visit San Cristóbal's Interpretation Centre to learn more about the natural history, human history, and conservation efforts of the Galapagos Islands.

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.

Estimated Travel Time: 3 hours (By flight)
Day 3 Santa Fé/Plazas (1B,1L,1D): Set sail and reach Santa Fé Island, a fairly small and dry island. Also called Barrington, Santa Fé Island is well-known as a great place for watching (and swimming with) sea lions. Along the island's northern shore you can view the forest of giant Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia). Santa Fé is also home to a number of endemic species which have bounced back from various threats to their survival. You may get a chance to see the Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, a variety of finches and the Galapagos mockingbird.

In the afternoon, visit South Plaza Island. One of the smallest islands in the Galapagos, South Plaza has one of the largest populations of land iguanas. Walk along a path through a cactus forest and view a combination of dry and coastal vegetation.
Day 4 North Seymour/Bartolomé (1B,1L,1D): 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.

Bartolomé Island (also called Bartholomew) has two 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 Santiago Island/Rábida (1B,1L,1D): Visit Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island in the morning to witness the striking and fascinating giant lava formations. Very few plants 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.

In the afternoon, we will take an excursion to Rábida Island, where we will land on a red sand beach. From here a short trail leads to a salt water lagoon, often home to wading flamingos. Another trail goes past the lagoon to the interior, where the revered palo santo trees grow. When burned, the branches of this tree give off a pleasing aroma and ward off mosquitoes. Back on the beach among low-lying bushes nest the prehistoric-looking pelicans. This is the best area for close viewing of these nesting birds, and it's a rare treat to watch parent pelicans return with gullets full of fish for the squawking youngsters.
Day 6 Santa Cruz/Baltra/Quito (1B): Take an excursion by "panga" to Black Turtle Cove on Santa Cruz Island to witness the extensive mangrove system and interesting waterway canals. Sea turtles and different species of rays can often be seen in this cove, offering a peaceful and fascinating glimpse into the diversity of the area.

Disembark in Baltra. Transfer to the airport for the flight back to Quito.
Day 7 Quito (1B): Depart at any time.

Nuts & Bolts

Trip Includes

4 nights in the Galapagos Islands, Visit to San Cristóbal Interpretation Centre, Incredible wildlife encounters, Daily opportunities for swimming and snorkelling, Flights to and from the Galapagos Islands, Snorkelling equipment onboard Galapagos Yacht.
6 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners. (Allow US75-100 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).)
Hotels (2 nts), twin-share cabins on board our motorized yacht (4 nts).
Local flight, motorized yacht, van, zodiacs, public bus.
Local naturalist guide (certified by the Galapagos National Park) while in the islands. Local G Adventures representative in Quito.

Trip Excludes

Allow US75-100 for meals not included.
100.00 USD (Galapagos Park Fee)
10.00 USD (Transit Control Card)

Trip ID#: 131348

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

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