Travel to Galapagos: Short Galapagos Vacation

Home  >  Destinations  >  South America  >  Galapagos  >  Short Galapagos Vacation

Short Galapagos Vacation

			DAYS: 8 GRADE: I, Easy Hiking define PRICE: From $2795 per person * $715 Internal Flights, Park Fees, and Fuel Taxes * 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

A comfortable, mid-sized yacht, the  Coral I has 18 cabins on two decks, accommodating up to 35 passengers. The interiors are fully carpeted with bronze accents throughout the en suite cabins and common areas.

Explore the fascinating blend of Indian and Spanish culture in Quito, South America's oldest capital city and designated UN World Heritage Site, and voyage among the unique Galapagos Islands. Discover plants and animals unique to particular islands as you travel throughout the archipelago. Our expert naturalist guides explain how these species have evolved and adapted over time. During your cruise you will visit the major wildlife sites to meet exotic and bizarre wildlife as you venture among cinder cones, lava flows, white and black sand beaches, and rocky cliffs and cool off snorkeling in clear equatorial waters.

DAY 1 :  ARRIVE 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. Overnight Patio Andaluz or similar. [Meals on your own]

DAY 2 :  QUITO
Enjoy a half-day city tour of colonial Quito today, including the bustling Independence Plaza, the dazzling, gold-leafed altars of La Compania Church, and the gorgeous San Francisco Church. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and prepare for the cruise. Overnight Patio Andaluz or similar. [B]

DAY 3 :  GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
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 Coral I. The ship's 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 onboard. [BLD]

	Get up close to friendly Galapagos wildlife

DAY 4 :  RABIDA & SANTIAGO ISLANDS
Rabida is considered to be the geographic center of the Galapagos archipelago and features the most diverse volcanic rocks of all the islands. Brown pelicans nest in the mangrove sand and Great flamingos feed at a nearby salt lagoon. Following the morning hike, you will have great opportunities for snorkeling with sea lions before departing for Santiago Island. After landing this afternoon at the beautiful black sand beach of Puerto Egas, on Santiago, embark on a hike through the dry interior of the island. Keep your eyes out for hawks, doves, and finches before reaching the opposite coastline. Deep aquamarine colored grottos shelter sea lions and night herons, as well as invertebrates such as sea urchins, octopus, and starfish. This is one of the few places in the Galapagos to spot fur seals basking on the black lava rocks.  Overnight on Coral I. [BLD]

DAY 5 :  FERNANDINA & ISABELA ISLANDS
This morning, head out to Fernandina, 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. A short boat ride mid-day through Bolivar Channel will bring you to Tagus Cove, at Isabela Island. 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 narrow inlet. At the top of the trail it is possible to observe the different vegetation zones, catch a glimpse of Darwin and Wolf Volcanoes, and see Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, and pelicans. Overnight on Coral I.[BLD]

Have a stunning view of the Galapagos Islands from the top of Bartolome Island

DAY 6 :  BARTOLOME & SANTA CRUZ ISLANDS
Visit Pinnacle Rock on Bartolome Island, where penguins are often spotted. Hike up to the summit of the island for spectacular views of the Rock, the white-sand beaches and the lush mangrove swamps below. Identify various volcanic formations like spatter and tuff cones with your guide, keeping an eye out for pelicans and Galapagos hawks. Then head to Black Turtle Cove, a Red Mangrove lagoon on Santa Cruz Island that serves as a nursery for many types of sharks as well as Golden and spotted Spotted Eagle rays. The water is mirror-calm and by paddling quietly, it is possible to see dozens of majestic creatures floating just beneath the surface. Overnight on Coral I. [B]

DAY 7 :  CHARLES DARWIN STATION & RETURN TO QUITO
Visit the famous Charles Darwin Station on Santa Cruz Island and learn about current research and conservation initiatives including 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.  Disembark this afternoon and 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 or similar. [B]

DAY 8 :  DEPART
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home or extend your trip to visit 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