Travel to Ecuador, Galapagos: Galapagos Christmas Odyssey on the Samba

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Galapagos Christmas Odyssey on the Samba

			DAYS: 11 GRADE: I define PRICE: From $3295 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] Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

The Samba is a classic steel hulled motor yacht built to accommodate 12 passengers. 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 Islands, a showcase of evolution. 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 cruise, you will visit the major sites in the archipelago, including some of the more remote 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 12 passenger Samba is a perfect blend of intimacy and comfort.

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

DAY 2 :  QUITO CITY TOUR
Enjoy a half-day city tour of colonial Quito. Begining 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 Cafe Cultura, or similar. [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 Samba. [BLD]

DAY 4 :  SANTA CRUZ: PUERTO AYORA / 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 farmhouse. Overnight on the Samba. [BLD]

Explore Galapagos marine environment with daily snorkeling excursions

DAY 5 :  ESPANOLA: GARDNER BAY / PUNTA SUAREZ
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 Samba. [BLD]

DAY 6 :  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 Samba. [BLD]

	The Galapagos are a showcase of unusual vegetation, wildlife and geology

DAY 7 :  ISABELA: PUNTA MORENO / ELIZABETH BAY
The largest island in the archipelago, Isabela is made up of 5 shield volcanoes, joined together by eons of lava flows. Five distinct subspecies of giant tortoises have evolved here, one on each volcano. The rugged coastline features marine iguanas, penguins, flightless cormorants, and great blue herons. Your hike to the interior visits a lagoon with flamingoes and other seabirds. 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 Samba. [BLD]

DAY 8 :  ISABELA: URBINA BAY / FERNANDINA: PUNTA ESPINOZA
Urbina Bay is a perfect example of the geological activity of the islands. In 1954, dramatic movements of the plates beneath the surface caused a 3 mile long section of the shore's edge to rise 13 feet out of the water, exposing the marine reef. During your visit here, your guide will point out the remains of sea creatures who were suddenly lifted out of the sea and left to die onshore. Fernandina 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. Watch penguins throw themselves off the rocks into the water, while the panga driver skillfully eludes the reef to reach the landing site near a small mangrove forest. The 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, one of the few places where you can watch them feed underwater. Overnight on the Samba. [BLD]

Sea lions can be found throughout the islands.

DAY 9 :  SANTIAGO: PUERTO EGAS / 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 Samba. [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 overnight at 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