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Galápagos Tour Package: 9 Days Wildlife Wonderland - Holiday Departure 2012 Tour Package
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights Arrive in Quito, Ecuador This special holiday version of our Bridges Galápagos cruises begins in Ecuador at the Swissôtel Quito. A transfer is included from Mariscal Sucre International Airport to the Swissôtel Quito, where you'll spend the next two nights in Executive Level rooms. After your flight to Ecuador, get a good a night’s sleep so you’ll be rested and ready for your family's unforgettable Galápagos adventure. Day 2 Standing in two hemispheres at once Today's discoveries in Quito start at the Equator, the imaginary line between the Northern and Southern hemispheres. You’ll be able to stand with one foot on each side of the world during your visit this morning, before stopping at the Intiñan Museum to learn more about one of the Earth’s first solar GPS systems. Volcanoes have made their presence known in Ecuador since the 1600s when the first recorded eruption took place; have lunch near the dormant crater of one of these hot-headed geologic wonders, then head downtown to explore Quito’s colonial quarter. Sights include Independence Plaza, the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace and the Archbishop’s Palace. Join us back at the hotel this evening for a welcome reception and dinner as we share details about your upcoming cruise to the wildlife-rich Galápagos Islands. Day 3 Galápagos adventures begin on San Cristóbal Hop on a plane and fly to San Cristóbal Island, the starting point for your Galápagos Islands expedition*, where the crew of the M / V Santa Cruz will be waiting to welcome you aboard one of the most amazing wildlife cruises in the world! Your first shore excursion is to Galapaguera Cerro Colorado in the highlands of San Cristóbal; the Galápagos National Park Service has created a wilderness preserve for the giant tortoises that live here. Keep an eye out for finches, mockingbirds and doves as you hike through a transition forest today. This evening, enjoy a naturalist’s briefing prior to the Captain’s welcome reception and your first dinner at sea. Day 4 Tropical birdlife and a lava walk Ride a dinghy along the tuff-stone shores of San Cristóbal Island to a white coraline beach – like the one where a twenty-something Charles Darwin first set foot in the Galápagos along with his shipmates from the H.M.S. Beagle in 1835 – for a morning spent beachcombing and birdwatching; look for two residents found only on this island, the Chatham Lava Lizard and the Chatham Mockingbird, as well as many other types of birds. After a wet landing, check out the northeastern side of the island with your naturalist on a walk to see colonies of nesting boobies, frigate birds and bachelor sea lions. Conditions permitting, enjoy a swim off the beach before heading back to your ship. A briefing by your expedition leader, dinner and perhaps a bit of star-gazing tonight round off another extraordinary day in the Galápagos! Day 5 Sea lions & more on Santa Fe & South Plaza Land on Santa Fe Island today for a close-up look at the harems of sea lions that dominate one of the beaches here, as the “bulls” (or bullies, if you’re a smaller male sea lion) stand guard over their girlfriends. As you take a walk along the island's shores, look up to see Galápagos hawks peering down at you from their perches on the salt bushes; you'll also spot giant prickly pear cactus (living up to their name with tree-sized trunks) as well as land iguanas, which are native to this island only. You'll have time to swim and snorkel for a chance to see what lives under these waters before heading for South Plaza Island – another little island that's big on wildlife, with more sea lions, frigate birds and swallow-tailed gulls to welcome you ashore! Learn more about all that you've seen during a lecture by one of our on-board naturalists after dinner. Day 6 Giant tortoises and Darwin Research Station Today you have a chance to see the famous Galápagos giant tortoises in their natural habitat in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, where you'll also view native vegetation such as the Scalesia Forest, and birds like the bright red vermilion flycatcher. After lunch and some time to swim, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz to learn more about the Galápagos tortoises and the ongoing efforts to protect them – and perhaps meet these gentle giants face-to-face; your close encounter with these amazing reptiles will be a fond memory of your family's Galápagos cruise! Check out the main street of Puerto Ayora before returning to the ship for dinner. Day 7 Waved Albatrosses and boobies galore After a dry landing and a challenging walk at Punta Suarez on Española (Hood) Island, watch Waved Albatrosses – the largest birds in the Galápagos, with a wingspan of seven to eight feet – fling themselves off cliffs... which is the only way that they can get into the air! Both masked and blue-footed boobies also abound here, and the view of the island's blowhole is well worth the walk on the lava landscapes. Join us for a wet landing to a white coral beach in preparation for a panga or glass-bottom boat ride to Gardener Bay. Spend the afternoon swimming or snorkeling alongside local residents like blue-footed and Nazca boobies, sea lions, marine iguanas, Darwin’s finches, mockingbirds and swallow-tail gulls. Celebrate your last day at sea tonight by joining us at the Captain's farewell reception and dinner! Day 8 Disembark at Baltra & fly to the mainlaind Say goodbye to the M/V Santa Cruz and her crew today as you disembark on Baltra Island for the end of this most memorable of Galápagos tours, and board a flight back to the mainland of Ecuador. Join us for a farewell party beside the hotel swimming pool in Guayaquil tonight! Day 9 Journey’s end Special holiday Galápagos cruise adventure ends in Guayaquil. A transfer from Hilton Colón Guayaquil to Guayaquil International Airport is included. You should allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight chec Save time, money and stress! For reservations: Fill out the vacation planner to be contacted by our Galapagos vacation specialist. Contact: Travelwizard.com Phone: 1-800- 330-8820 or 1 415 446 5252 12/12 |
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