Travel to Galapagos: Galapagos Wildlife Odyssey - Alta

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Galapagos Wildlife Odyssey - Alta

			DAYS: 11 GRADE: I define PRICE: From $4695 per person (Includes Local Air) HIGHLIGHTS: Quito Galapagos cruise Wildlife interactions Snorkeling ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges Yacht/Ship MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] SEASON: Year-round Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

Discover a blend of Indian and Spanish culture in Quito, South America's oldest capital city and designated UN World Heritage Site. Voyage among the Galapagos Islands aboard the Alta, a 3 masted schooner accommodating up to 16 passengers. As you travel from island to island, discover plants and animals native only to this area as our expert naturalist guides point out how these species have evolved and adapted to each unique Galapagos island habitat. During an 8-day voyage, you will visit all the major sites in the archipelago, including outer islands. The Galapagos is one of the few places on Earth where you can observe, photograph, and explore 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).

	The Alta offers accommodation for 16 passengers.

DAY 1 :  QUITO
Arrive in Quito and transfer to Patio Andaluz, a 4 star boutique hotel situated in the heart of the refurbished colonial center of Quito. [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 gorgeous 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 at Patio Andaluz. [B]

DAY 3 :  GALAPAGOS
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 a 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 of diverse flora and fauna. Overnight on the Alta. [BLD]

Prince Philips steps lead to the nesting grounds to the Nazca, Blue and Red-footed boobies

DAY 4 :  TOWER: PRINCE PHILIPS STEPS / DARWIN BAY
Darwin Bay is the former caldera of a collapsed volcano with steep, soaring walls. Known as the bird island, Genovese features a wealth of avian species including great frigatebirds, herons, mockingbirds, boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, storm petrals, and Darwin's finches. This afternoon, you may kayak or ride the dinghy below the steep cliffs to view birds nesting in the narrow rock crevices. Red-Billed Tropicbirds, as well as Masked and Red-Footed Boobies are usually seen on the hike up Prince Phillip's Steps to the high plateau. The path meanders through a Palo Santo forest before emerging on the other side of the island. Snorkeling in the submerged caldera is excellent, as the high nutrient content of the water attracts abundant sea life. Overnight on the Alta. [BLD]

DAY 5 :  ISABELA: PUNTA VICENTE ROCA / FERNANDINA: PUNTA ESPINOSA
On the northwestern tip of Isabela are the remains of Volcan Ecuador, which reaches into the sea at Punta Vicente Roca.  Our hike will take us to view flightless cormorants and the collapsed caldera of the volcano (610m).  Snorkeling off the point is particularly good, with many opportunities to see marine animals.  Punta Espinosa 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, watch penguins throw themselves off the rocks into the water. The Marine iguanas are everywhere: basking in the sand, swimming near the shore, grazing on the exposed seaweed, and blocking the way at the landing dock; one of the few places where you can watch them feed underwater.  Overnight on the Alta. [BLD]

	Get up close to Galapagos Sea Lions basking in the Sun

DAY 6 :  SANTIAGO: JAMES BAY / BARTOLOME
Landing at the beautiful black sand beach of Puerto Egas we will hike through the dry interior, observing land birds like hawks, doves, and finches, before reaching the coastline. Deep blue-green grottos shelter sea lions and night herons, as well as invertebrate organisms like the sea urchin, octopus, and starfish. This is one of the only places in the Galapagos to spot fur seals and Marine iguanas basking on the black lava rocks. 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 the white-sand beaches and lush mangrove swamps below. Identify various volcanic formations like spatter and tuff cones with your guide. Watch for pelicans and Galapagos hawks. Overnight on the Alta. [BLD]

DAY 7 :  SANTA CRUZ: CHARLES DARWIN STATION / HIGHLANDS
Visit the famous Charles Darwin Station on Santa Cruz Island and learn about current research and conservation initiatives including several breeding programs that hope 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 wild giant tortoises. Enjoy a typical Ecuadorian lunch at a local restaurant. Overnight on the Alta. [BLD]

DAY 8 :  FLOREANA: PUNTA CORMORANT / POST OFFICE BAY
Of all the islands in the Galapagos, Floreana has the most intriguing human history. Learn about the 18th century whalers who created the wooden barrel in Post Office Bay which is still used as a general mail distribution center, and the infamous, self-proclaimed baroness, who mysteriously disappeared. The fine olivine and white sand beaches are common nesting areas for green sea turtles and a nearby brackish lagoon is home to flamingos, pintail ducks, stilts, and other shorebirds. Visitors may also spot stingrays and white-tipped reef sharks swimming in the shallows of the bay.  Overnight on the Alta. [BLD]

Brightly colored Sally Lightfoot crabs scuttle along the rocks near the seashore.

DAY 9 :  HOOD: PUNTA SUAREZ / GARDNER BAY
Relax on the beach with the sea lions at Gardener Bay. Snorkeling from shore you will 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 will visit the nesting site of 10-12,000 pairs of Waved albatross (April-December). At 1 meter height with 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 like the 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 feet high. Overnight on the Alta. [BLD]

DAY 10 :  GALAPAGOS TO QUITO
Disembark in the morning. Your guide will accompany you to the Galapagos airport for your afternoon flight to the mainland. Transfer in from the Quito airport and stay overnight at Patio Andaluz. [B]

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

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

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