Travel to Galapagos: Galapagos Wildlife Odyssey - Eclipse

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Galapagos Wildlife Odyssey - Eclipse

	The Eclipse accomodates 48 passengers in an intimate atmosphere.

The Eclipse accommodates up to 48 passengers yet still preserves an elegant, smaller boat atmosphere. Begin your adventure in Quito, South America's oldest capital city designated as a UN World Heritage Site. Discover a blend of Indian and Spanish culture on our city tour before continuing westward to the Galapagos. Voyage among the islands, a showcase of evolution. As you travel from island to island, our on-board, expert naturalist guide points out the unique behavioral and physical characteristics plants and animals have developed as they evolve and adapt to each unique island habitat. During an 8-day voyage, you visit all the major sites in the archipelago, including outer islands. Nowhere else on Earth can you observe, photograph and commune so closely with exotic and bizarre wildlife as you venture among cinder cones, lava flows, white and black sand beaches, rocky cliffs and shorelines. Plan to hike, snorkel and sea kayak (available on specific yachts).

DAY 1 :  QUITO
Arrive in Quito and transfer in to overnight at Cafe Cultura, or similar. [Meals on your own] 

DAY 2 :  QUITO
Enjoy a half-day city tour of colonial Quito. Beginning in the charming hillside neighborhood of Guapulo with quaint cobblestone streets and lavish walled residences of ambassadors, continue into the main area of Quitos New Town, passing the American Embassy and House of Culture. The old colonial center includes the bustling Independence Plaza, the dazzling gold-leafed altars of La Compania Church and the San Francisco Church. Your orientation continues with a visit to Mitad del Mundo, the Equatorial marker and ethnographic village and museum. Learn about the broad diversity of people living in this small nation, from descendents of African slaves on the Pacific coast to the remote Achuar of the rainforest. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and prepare for your Galapagos Wildlife Odyssey. Overnight Cafe Cultura, or similar. [B]

DAY 3 :  BEGIN GALAPAGOS VOYAGE
Private transfer in the morning to the domestic airport for the 2 hour flight to the Galapagos. Upon arrival, meet your naturalist guide and transfer to the vessel. The ships crew will greet you on board, take care of your luggage, and run through safety drills. Enjoy fresh fruit drinks as the yacht makes her way to the first site visit. As the sun sets, enjoy a typical Ecuadorian meal, the nightly briefing and formal presentation of the captain and crew. During the rest of this week, you will leisurely voyage through the stunning Galapagos Islands, among a varied landscape and diverse flora and fauna. Overnight on the Eclipse. [BLD]

**PLEASE NOTE: This is a sample only.Itineraryis subject to change due to weather conditions or readjustment of Galapagos National Park policies.**

DAY 4 :  SANTIAGO: PUERTO EGAS / BARTOLOME
Landing at the beautiful black sand beach of Puerto Egas we hike through the dry interior observing land birds such as hawks, doves and finches, before reaching the coastline. Deep blue-green grottos shelter sea lions and night herons, as well as invertebrate organisms such as sea urchin, octopus and starfish. This is one of the only places in the Galapagos to spot fur seals, navigating amongst the marine iguanas basking on the black lava rock. In the afternoon visit Pinnacle Rock on Bartolome Island where penguins are often spotted. Hike up to the summit of the island for spectacular views of Pinnacle Rock and picturesque bays with white-sand beaches and lush mangrove swamps. Various volcanic formations are identified such as spatter and tuff cones. Watch for pelicans and Galapagos Hawks. Overnight on the Eclipse. [BLD]

Experience Nature's glory during mating rituals.

DAY 5 :  SANTA CRUZ: CERRO DRAGON / RABIDA
Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) is a newly opened site featuring endemic land iguanas which were once part of the Darwin Station's breeding program and are now repopulating this island. Skirting a salt water lagoon, you can view flocks of pink flamingos feeding in the shallows. From the peak of Cerro Dragon, a magnificent view of the bay opens before you.  Rabida is considered to be the geographic center of the Galapagos chain, and features the most diverse volcanic rocks of all the islands. Brown pelicans nest in the mangrove sand, Great flamingos feed at a nearby salt lagoon. Following the hike, you have great opportunities for snorkeling with sea lions. Overnight on the Eclipse. [BLD]

DAY 6 :   ISABELA: TAGUS COVE / ELIZABETH BAY
A short boat ride through Bolivar Channel lies Tagus Cove. These are very productive waters, whales and dolphins are often seen here. Tagus Cove was historically used as an anchoring site for pirates and whalers. The nature trail is an ascent through the typical dry vegetation zone and offers spectacular views of Darwin Lake, a saltwater crater lake and the long narrow inlet that appears to connect with it. At the top of the trail it is possible to observe the different vegetation zones, as well as catch a glimpse of Darwin and Wolf Volcanoes as well as Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants and pelicans.  At Elizabeth Bay enjoy a panga ride through the mangrove area to see the rays, turtles, sea lions, and, circling overhead, Galapagos hawks. A colony of penguins inhabit a rocky islet at the entrance to Elizabeth Bay. Overnight on the Eclipse. [BLD]

	The last call at the end of a perfect Galapagos day.

DAY 7 :  FERNANDINA: PUNTA ESPINOZA / ISABELA: PUNTA VICENTE ROCA
Youngest island in the Galapagos, Fernandina lies to the far west of the archipelago. Punta Espinoza is a narrow stretch of land where some of the most unique Galapagos species can be seen including Sally Lightfoot crabs, penguins, and Marine iguanas, which congregate in larger groups here than on any other island. While the panga driver skillfully eludes the reef to reach the landing site near a small mangrove forest, penguins throw themselves off the rocks into the water. Marine iguanas are everywhere: basking in the sand, swimming near the shore, grazing on the exposed seaweed in the lava and blocking the way at the landing dock, and this is one of the few places where you can watch them feed underwater. On the far northwestern tip of Isabela are the remains of Volcan Ecuador, which reaches into the sea at Punta Vicente Roca. Our hike takes us to view flightless cormorants and the collapsed caldera of the volcano (610m). The snorkeling off the point is particularly good. Overnight on the Eclipse. [BLD]

DAY 8 :  SANTA CRUZ: DARWIN STATION /HIGHLANDS
Visit the famous Charles Darwin Station on Santa Cruz Island and learn about research and conservation initiatives including breeding programs to reintroduce specific tortoise species back onto the island of their origin. Meet Lonesome George, possibly the oldest resident of Galapagos and the last surviving individual giant tortoise of his Pinta Island sub-species. In the lush green highlands we explore lava tubes and pit craters and look for giant tortoises in the wild. Enjoy a typical Ecuadorian lunch at a local restaurant. Overnight on the Eclipse. [BLD]

DAY 9 :  ESPANOLA: PUNTA SUAREZ/GARDNER BAY
Relax on the beach with the sea lions at Gardener Bay. Snorkeling from shore you find plenty of beautiful fish as well as harmless nurse sharks and sea turtles. Due to its isolation, Espanola has a high number of endemic species found only on this island. We visit the nesting site of 10-12,000 pairs of Waved albatross (April-December). At 1 meter height and a 2 meter wing span, the albatross are one of the most impressive and comical aerial acrobats in the world. They are found no where else on Earth. Punta Suarez is an outstanding opportunity to see more wildlife including five species of nesting seabirds such as Hood Island mockingbirds, Galapagos doves, and Galapagos hawks. Prehistoric looking marine iguanas and giant lava lizards roam the terrain. A short hike leads to the Blowhole, a fissure in the lava cliffs which blasts incoming breakers into geysers over 90 high. Overnight on the Eclipse. [BLD]

DAY 10 :  GALAPAGOS TO QUITO
Disembark in the morning. Your guide accompanies passengers to the Galapagos airport for your afternoon flight to the mainland. Transfer in from the Quito airport and overnight Cafe Cultura, or similar. [B]

DAY 11 :  QUITO
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home or extend your trip to explore more of Ecuadors natural wonders. [B]

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Jeff Stivers 1(800)345-4453