Travel to Galapagos: Galapagos Wildlife Odyssey - Parranda

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Galapagos Wildlife Odyssey - Parranda

			DAYS: 11 GRADE: I define PRICE: From $4495 per person (Includes Local Air) HIGHLIGHTS: Quito Galapagos cruise Wildlife interaction 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, a showcase of evolution, aboard the Parranda, a 125 foot motor yacht 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 Parranda

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]

Get up close and personal with seals and their pups!

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 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 Parranda. [BLD]

DAY 4 :  TOWER: PRINCE PHILIP'S 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 Parranda. [BLD]

DAY 5 :  ISABELA: TAGUS COVE / FERNANDINA: PUNTA ESPINOSA

This morning arrive at Fernandina Island, which is the youngest and westernmost island in the Galapagos. 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 navigates the reef to reach the landing site near a small mangrove forest, watch 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, and blocking the way at the landing dock. This also is one of the few places where you can watch them feed underwater.  A short boat ride mid-day through Bolivar Channel will bring us to Tagus Cove. 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 connected to the sea by a long, narrow inlet. At the top of the trail it is possible to observe the different vegetation zones and catch a glimpse of Darwin and Wolf Volcanoes, Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, and pelicans. Fernandina is the youngest and westernmost island in the Galapagos. Overnight on the Parranda. [BLD]

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

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