Calipso 2022 Rates

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Calipso 2022 Rates www.royalgalapagos.com Calipso 2022 Rates KEY FEATURES Naturalist and Diving Cruises Recently Refurbished Brand new and beautiful cabins PAX Excellent Itineraries PRICES RACK RATES Program Type 8 Days 5 Days 4 Days Naturalist Cruise $6,145 $4,145 $2,645 RACK CHARTER RATES Naturalist Cruise $84,450 $55,450 $37,450 Ask your account manager for your comission rate. INCLUDED: NOT INCLUDED: IMPORTANT NOTES: All meals and excursions Roundtrip Airfare to / from Galapagos • Discount for groups from 4 to 14 pax* 10% Transfers in the islands Alcoholic drinks • Discount for children under 12 years* 20% Bilingual National Park Guide $100 Galapagos National Park fee • Single supplement 50% $20 Transit Control Card • Christmas and New Year: special conditions Travel / medical insurance apply. Contact us for details. Tips • Penalty fee applies for Galapagos air tickets not Personal Expenses issued by Royal Galapagos • All prices in United States Dollars and commissionable * Discount does not apply on 2X1 promotions. CALIPSO ITINERARIES 2022 am Arrival to San Cristobal Airport: Transfer to boat El Arco, DARWIN DARWIN Thu El Arenal WOLF WOLF pm San Cristobal: Lobos Island Shark Bay Point, GENOVESA GENOVESA El Derrumbe, La Ventana, La Banana am Santa Cruz Island: Carrión Point MARCHENA MARCHENA ISABELA ISABELA ) Fri pm Baltra Island: North East Seymour A Cape Marshall ( Vicente Roca Point am Wolf Island: La Ventana Islet / La Banana SANTIAGO SANTIAGO E Sat pm Wolf Island: Shark Bay Point / El Derrumbe S Cousins Rocks Espinosa Point I Tagus Cove BARTHOLOMEW Cape Douglas U NORTH SEYMOUR am Darwin Island: Darwin’s Arch North East Seymour (Baltra) Urbina Bay Chinese Hat NORTH SEYMOUR Sun RABIDA RABIDA pm Darwin Island: El Arenal & Darwin’s Arch Carrión Point FERNANDINA FERNANDINA South Plaza C Tortoise Breeding Tortoise Breeding SAN CRISTOBAL SAN CRISTOBAL am Darwin Island: Darwin’s Arch & El Arenal El Chato Center Center Y Moreno Point Mon Witch Hill pm Wolf: La Banana / Shark Bay Point / Anchor Bay SANTA CRUZ Lobos Island SANTA CRUZ A SANTA FE D Pto. Baquerizo Moreno Pto. Baquerizo Moreno am Isabela: Coka Port*/ Fernandina:Cape Douglas** Interpretation Center Tue 8 DAY DIVING CRUISE 8 pm Isabela: Cape Marshall*/ Vicente Roca Point** Cormorant Point Baroness Viewpoint 8 DAY DIVING CRUISE am Post Oce Bay Santiago Island: Cousins Rocks 8-Day Diving Cruise 8-Day Naturalist Cruise Wed pm Santa Cruz: El Chato/Tortoise Breeding Center Thursday - Thursday FLOREANA Thursday -Thursday FLOREANA ESPAÑOLA ESPAÑOLA Thu am San Cristobal Island: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno DARWIN DARWIN pm San Cristobal Island: Witch Hill WOLF WOLF GENOVESA GENOVESA am Bartholomew Island Fri pm ISABELA MARCHENA ISABELA MARCHENA Santiago Island: Chinese Hat am Fernandina Island: Espinosa Point Sat pm SANTIAGO SANTIAGO Isabela Island: Tagus Cove Espinosa Point am Tagus Cove Isabela Island: Urbina Bay BARTHOLOMEW BARTHOLOMEW Sun pm NORTH SEYMOUR NORTH SEYMOUR 5 DAY CRUISE Urbina Bay Chinese Hat Isabela Island: Moreno Point RABIDA RABIDA FERNANDINA FERNANDINA South Plaza am North Seymour Island Tortoise Breeding Mon SAN CRISTOBAL Center SAN CRISTOBAL pm South Plaza Island Moreno Point Witch Hill SANTA CRUZ SANTA CRUZ am Floreana: Post Office Bay/Baroness Viewpoint SANTA FE SANTA FE Tue Pto. Baquerizo Moreno Interpretation Center pm Floreana Island: Cormorant Point Cormorant Point am Santa Fe Island Baroness Viewpoint Wed Post Oce Bay pm Santa Cruz Island: Tortoise Breeding Center 5-Day Naturalist Cruise FLOREANA 4-Day Naturalist Cruise FLOREANA ESPAÑOLA ESPAÑOLA 8 DAY NATURALIST CRUISE am San Cristobal Island: Interpretation Center Thursday - Monday Monday - Thursday Thu pm Transfer to San Cristobal Airport 4 DAY CRUISE Arrival Visitor Site Departure Airport *Itineraries subject to change without previous notice. *Jan-May / **Jun-Dec Charters & Groups Land Services Contact us for special rates! We oer the full range of travel experiences in the region, including: Machu Picchu and Peru, Amazon Lodges, Andes Adventures, hotels, ights, day tours and transfers. Contact us for details. Sales Reservations Address Toll Free: +1-877-209-7243 [email protected] 265 Foch Street and 6 de Diciembre Av. Sonelsa Tower. Quito - Ecuador Direct Line: +593-2-255-4080 [email protected] www.calipso-cruise.com www.royalgalapagos.com [email protected] (unbranded) VTA: 06-JUL-2021.
Recommended publications
  • Galapagos Islands Fact Sheet Galapagos Islands Fact Sheet
    GALAPAGOS ISLANDS FACT SHEET GALAPAGOS ISLANDS FACT SHEET INTRODUCTION The Galapagos Islands are located west of Ecuador and are renowned for being the home to a vast array of fascinating species of wildlife, including lava lizards, the giant tortoise as well as red and blue-footed boobies. They are one of the world’s foremost destinations for wildlife viewing, many of the plant and animal species being found nowhere else in the world. Located at the confluence of three ocean currents and surrounded by a marine reserve, the islands abound with marine species. The Galapagos Islands, of which there are 19 main islands, are an archipelago of volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean. They lay either side of the Equator and 1,000km west of the South American continent and mainland Ecuador of which they are a part. The islands were formed as a result of processes caused by volcanic and seismic activity. These processes along with the isolation of the islands resulted in the development of unusual animal life. Charles Darwin’s visit to the islands in 1835 was the inspiration for his theory of evolution by natural selection. The largest island Isabela, measures 5,827 square kilometres and accounts for nearly three quarters of the total land area of the Galapagos. Volcan Wolf on Isabela is the highest point of the Galapagos at 1,707m above sea level. GALAPAGOS ISLANDS FACT SHEET CLIMATE The Galapagos Islands have a subtropical and dry climate with comfortable temperatures year-round. The warmest months are usually from December to June (high season) and this is the recommended time to visit.
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  • ITINERARY C+D 8 Days – 7 Nights
    The Galapagos Islands DAY BY DAY ITINERARY C+D 8 days – 7 nights C Our Galapagos itineraries offer unforgettable experiences, with our weekly departures EAST allowing you to experience 3, 4, 7, and up to 14 nights tours including: full board, two daily + guided excursions with optional activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, dinghy rides and our new feature daily diving tours for license-holding divers. D SOUTH 8 Days / 7 Nights Sund ay: Baltra Airport pm. Charles Darwin Research Station & Fausto Llerena Breeding Center (Santa Cruz Island) Monday: GENOVESA am. Mosquera Islet Darwin Bay pm. North Seymour Island Tuesday: El Barranco, am. Santa Fe Island Prince pm. South Plaza Island Philip’s Steps Wednesday: am. Kicker Rock circumnavigation. Cerr o Colorado Tortoise Reserve (San Cristobal Island) pm. Interpretation Center & Tijeretas (San Cristobal Island). Thursday: am. Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal Island) pm. Pitt Point (San Cristobal Island ) Friday: am. Suarez Point (Española Island) Buccaneer Cove pm. Gardner Bay, Osborn or Gardner Islets (Española Island) Saturday: am. Cormorant Point, Devil’s Crown or Champion Islet (Floreana Island) pm.Post Office (Floreana Island) Sunday: am. Pit Craters (Santa Cruz) Baltra airport Pit Craters Charles Darwin Research Station Kicker Rock Champion Islet Gardner Islets DAY 1 - SUNDAY am – Baltra Airport Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island (2 ½-hour flight). Arriving in the Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by our natural guides and taken to a ten-minute bus drive to the pier to board the M/Y Coral I or M/Y Coral II. pm – Charles Darwin Research Station & Fausto Llerena Breeding Center (Santa Cruz Island) Dry landing.
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  • Galaven 8 Days Itinerary A
    GALAPAGOS ITINERARY GALAVEN - 8 DAYS ITINERARY A TUESDAY - TUESDAY ISLANDS - Baltra DAY BY - Genovesa Island - Santiago Island - Santa Cruz Island - Floreana Island DAY - Española Island - San Cristobal Island DAY 1 MORNING FLIGHT FROM QUITO OR GUAYAQUIL TO BALTRA NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND –BLACK TURTLE COVE SUMMARY Assistance at the airport by our representative for your Galapagos Explore the central and eastern flight. islands on this 8-day Galapagos You will arrive at Baltra Island in the morning. After passing through itinerary onboard the Galaven immigration and baggage claim you will be met by Galaven staff and yacht. Spot blue-footed boobies, transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you Audubon's shearwaters, noddy will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing. terns and frigate birds at El In the afternoon we will visit Black Turtle Cove is situated in the Barranco and learn how northern part of Santa Cruz. This inlet is surrounded by mangroves and pahoehoe lava flows are formed is only accessible by dinghy. The shallow cove is a safe haven for at Sullivan Bay. Then get up young marine life. Black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, and a close to giant tortoises at the variety of rays are often spotted here. Charles Darwin Research Station DAY 2 and go snorkeling in the abundant waters of Devil’s EL BARRANCO & DARWIN BAY Crown. Genovesa Island is located at the inner part of Darwin Bay. This area contains an abundance of frigatebirds and other interesting seabirds. Behind the small beach filled with nesting areas for frigates, Red- footed Boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls are a number of tide pools.
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  • ITINERARY B+C 8 Days – 7 Nights
    The Galapagos Islands DAY BY DAY ITINERARY B+C 8 days – 7 nights Our Galapagos itineraries offer unforgettable experiences, with our weekly departures B allowing you to experience 3, 4, 7, and up to 14 nights tours including: full board, two daily WEAST guided excursions with optional activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, dinghy rides and our new feature daily diving tours for license-holding divers. + C EAST 8 Days / 7 Nights Wednesday: Baltra Airport pm. Highlands Tortoise Reserve (Santa Cruz Island) Thursday: am. Vicente Roca Point (Isabela Island) GENOVESA pm. Espinosa Point (Fernandina Island) Darwin Bay Friday: am. Urbina Bay (Isabela Island) El Barranco, pm. Tagus Cove (Isabela Island) Prince Saturday: Philip’s Steps am. Egas Port (Santiago Island) pm. Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island) Sunday: am . Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz Island) pm. Charles Darwin Research Station & Fausto Llerena Breeding Center (Santa Cruz Island) Monday: am. Mosquera Islet pm. North Seymour Island Tuesday: am. Santa Fe Island Buccaneer Cove pm. South Plaza Island Wednesday: am. Kicker Rock circumnavigation. Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve (San Cristobal Island) San Cristobal Airport Pit Craters Charles Darwin Research Station Kicker Rock Champion Islet Gardner Islets DAY 1 -WEDNESDAY am – Baltra Airport Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island (2 ½-hour flight). Arriving in the Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by our natural guides and taken to a ten-minute bus drive to the pier to board the M/Y Coral I or M/Y Coral II. pm – Highlands Tortoise Reserve (Santa Cruz Island) Dry landing. In the mountains of Galapagos is possible to admire different kinds of birds, such as tree and ground finches, vermillion flycatchers, paint-billed crakes, yellow warblers, and cattle egrets (usually standing on the tortoises’ shell).
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  • Galap PS 22 Final Text Only 2.25.21
    THE PLANETARY SOCIETY & BETCHART EXPEDITIONS INC. GALAPAGOS ISLANDS LUNAR ECLIPSE EXPEDITION May 11-20, 2022 Come join us for 8 days and 7 nights in Galapagos, and see the Total Lunar Eclipse over the Galapagos Islands on board the comfortable, 100-passenger M/V Galapagos Legend. See the Lunar Eclipse on May 15, 2022, and discover the night sky and constellations in this remote wilderness, with leadership by popular Planetary Society astronomer Dr. Tyler Nordgren. The Galapagos itinerary includes: • The sea lions of sandy Mosquera Islet • The brown volcanic sands of Port Egas on Santiago Island • The red sands of Rabida Island, home to sea lions, Galapagos finches, mockingbirds, and a forest of Palo Santo trees • Exposed coral at Urbina Bay due to a geologic uplift in 1954 • A pirate hideout, Tagus Cove, also visited by Charles Darwin in 1835 • Snorkeling at Punta Espinosa with Galapagos penguins, marine iguanas and flightless cormorants. • Galapagos Tortoises at the highlands reserve on Santa Cruz Island • A walk to the top of Bartolome Island to discover Pinnacle Rock • The cliffs of South Plaza island and red-billed tropicbirds • North Seymour Island with frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies • The Galapagos Tortoise Breeding Center on San Cristobal Island Also includes overnight with breakfast in Guayaquil before and after your Galapagos trip, all meals on board ship, and excellent Galapagos naturalist guides DAILY ITINERARY DAY 1 DEPART US – GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR Arrive in Guayaquil, Ecuador and transfer to Hotel (1 night). DAY 2 GUAYAQUIL TO GALAPAGOS Fly from Guayaquil to Baltra Island. Meet our naturalist guides upon arrival, and transfer to the M/V Galapagos Legend (7 nights).
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  • Galápagos Natural History Extravaganza
    GALÁPAGOS NATURAL HISTORY EXTRAVAGANZA 21 NOVEMBER – 02 DECEMBER 2021 2022 (DATES ON REQUEST) 29 OCTOBER – 09 NOVEMBER 2023 Red-footed Booby is one of three booby species likely to be found on this trip. www.birdingecotours.com [email protected] 2 | ITINERARY Galapagos: Natural History Extravaganza Just 483 years ago the first man stepped onto the Galápagos Islands and marveled at this living laboratory. Today we continue to be awestruck by this constantly changing archipelago. As the Nazca Plate moves and new islands are formed, evolution is illustrated up close and personal. Visiting the Galápagos archipelago is a dream for all naturalists. From Quito we will fly to the island of Baltra. We then will make our way to our home for the next eight days, the Samba, a spacious and luxuriously designed motor sailing yacht with wide open and shaded sun decks, a fully stocked bar, and a library. The abundant marine life that visits these waters year-round, the Marine Iguanas that rule the rocky coastlines, and of course a unique group of birds make it easy to understand why this trip is a must for birders and natural history buffs. Some of the Galápagos specials that we hope to find on this trip include Galapagos Penguin, Waved Albatross, Galapagos Shearwater, Wedge-rumped and Elliot’s Storm Petrels, Magnificent Frigatebird, Nazca, Red-footed, and Blue-footed Boobies, Lava Heron, Galapagos Hawk, Lava Gull, Galapagos Martin, Galapagos Flycatcher, Vermilion Flycatcher, Galapagos, Floreana, San Cristobal, and Espanola Mockingbirds, Vegetarian Finch, Woodpecker Finch, Common Cactus Finch, Green Warbler-Finch, Large and Small Tree Finches, Small and Medium Ground Finches, and Mangrove Finch.
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  • Day 1: Saturday Day 2: Sunday
    www.royalgalapagos.com Cormorant II 8-day Cruise "B" (Santa Cruz, Isabela, Fernandina, Isabela, Fernandina, Isabela, Santiago, Genovesa, North Seymour) Day 1: Saturday SANTA CRUZ ISLAND In the morning: Baltra Airport Arrival Morning flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra, Galapagos Islands. You will arrive at Baltra Island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by a Cormorant II staff member and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing. In the afternoon: Twin Craters You will visit the Twin Craters located opposite to each other on both sides of the road leading from Puerto Ayora to Baltra. The name is only figurative; not real craters, these formations were created by the collapse of surface material in underground fissures and chambers. The view is breathtaking. Twin Craters, Santa Cruz Island Possible Activities: Walking and scape viewing Difficulty: Easy Type of Landing: Dry Landing Highlights & Animals: Pit craters, Scalesia Forest Afterwards: Highlands Accessible by bus from Puerto Ayora, the highlands of Santa Cruz are a deep green which contrast beautifully with the dry, lower part of the islands. The predominant vegetation in the highlands are Scalesia trees which create a lush green forest. The lava tunnels, over half a mile long, are underground and walking through them is a unique, surreal experience. At this place you’ll have lunch. Highlands, Santa Cruz Island Possible Activities: Hiking (1.5 miles / 2 ½ km) Difficulty: Easy Type of Landing: Dry Landing Highlights & Animals: Lava tunnels, Finches, wild tortoises, tortoise nesting site.
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  • ITINERARY C+D 8 Days – 7 Nights
    The Galapagos Islands DAY BY DAY ITINERARY C+D 8 days – 7 nights C Our Galapagos itineraries offer unforgettable experiences, with our weekly departures EAST allowing you to experience 3, 4, 7, and up to 14 nights tours including: full board, two daily + guided excursions with optional activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, dinghy rides and our new feature daily diving tours for license-holding divers. D SOUTH 8 Days / 7 Nights Sund ay: Baltra Airport pm. Charles Darwin Research Station & Fausto Llerena Breeding Center (Santa Cruz Island) Monday: GENOVESA am. Mosquera Islet Darwin Bay pm. North Seymour Island Tuesday: El Barranco, am. Santa Fe Island Prince pm. South Plaza Island Philip’s Steps Wednesday: am. Kicker Rock circumnavigation. Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve (San Cristobal Island) pm. Interpretation Center & Tijeretas (San Cristobal Island). Thursday: am. Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal Island) pm. Punta Pitt (San Cristobal Island ) Friday: am. Punta Suarez (Española Island) Buccaneer Cove pm. Gardner Bay, Osborn or Gardner Islets (Española Island) Saturday: am. Punta Cormoran,, Devil’s Crown or Champion Islet (Floreana Island) pm.Post Office (Floreana Island) Sunday: am. Pit Craters (Santa Cruz) Baltra airport Pit Craters Charles Darwin Research Station Kicker Rock Champion Islet Gardner Islets DAY 1 - SUNDAY am – Baltra Airport Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island (2 ½-hour flight). Arriving in the Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by our natural guides and taken to a ten-minute bus drive to the pier to board the M/Y Coral I or M/Y Coral II. pm – Charles Darwin Research Station & Fausto Llerena Breeding Center (Santa Cruz Island) Once home to the famous Lonesome George, the last tortoise of the Pinta race, the breeding and relocation center is named in honour of his long-time guardian.
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  • Day 1: Thursday Day 2: Friday
    www.royalgalapagos.com Calipso 8-day Cruise "Naturalist" (San Cristobal, Bartholomew, Santiago, Fernandina, Isabela, North Seymour, South Plaza, Floreana, Santa Fe, Santa Cruz, San Cristobal) Day 1: Thursday SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND In the morning: San Cristobal airport arrival You will arrive at San Cristobal Island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by a Calipso staff member and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing. In the afternoon: Witch Hill Located on the northern coast, this eroded hill and its surroundings present one of the most picturesque beaches in the Galapagos with its white powdery sand and the abundance of animals. Wildlife includes sea turtles, rays, and various types of booby birds. The clear water provides an excellent opportunity for enjoying swimming and snorkeling. Witch Hill, San Cristobal Island Possible Activities: Hike, dinghy ride, snorkeling & kayaking Difficulty: Easy Type of Landing: Wet Landing Highlights & Animals: Beautiful rock formations, sea lions, shore birds, finches and mockingbirds; Snorkeling: nice tropical fish, anemones, sponges, coral Day 2: Friday BARTHOLOMEW AND SANTIAGO ISLANDS In the morning: Pinnacle Rock You will head to Bartholomew Island where the famous Pinnacle Rock is found. Bartholomew consists of an extinct volcano with a variety of red, orange, black and even green volcanic formations. We will take a trail of stairs to the summit of the volcano (about 30 or 40 minutes) where you will enjoy one of the best views of the islands! You will also visit a small, beautiful beach surrounded by the only vegetation found on this barren island.
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  • Celebrity Xploration Itinerary
    CELEBRITY XPLORATIONSM ITINERARIES Itineraries subject to change ©2019 Celebrity Cruises. Ships’ registry: Ecuador. 16051191 • 8/2019 CELEBRITY XPLORATION 7-NIGHT NORTHERN LOOP ITINERARY Day Ports of call Arrival Departure Saturday Baltra, Island 3:00pm Saturday Black Turtle Cove 4:00am 6:00pm Sunday Sullivan Bay, Santiago 7:30am 10:30am Quito Sunday Bartolomé Island 2:00pm 4:30pm ECUADOR Monday Urvina Bay, Isabela 8:00am 11:00am PACIFIC OCEAN Darwin Bay El Barranco Monday Tagus Cove, Isabela 3:00pm 5:00pm Equator Tuesday Espinoza Point, Fernandina 7:30am 11:30am Vicente Roca Point Espumilla Beach Tagus Cove Sullivan Bay North Seymour Island Tuesday Vicente Roca Point, Isabela 3:30pm 6:00pm Espinoza Point Bartolomé Baltra Island Urvina Bay Island Wednesday Egas Port, Santiago 7:30am 11:00am Puerto Egas Black Turtle Cove Wednesday Espumilla Beach, Santiago 3:00pm 6:00pm Puerto Ayora Thursday Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz 8:00am 6:00pm Friday El Barranco, Genovesa 7:30am 11:45am Friday Darwin Bay, Genovesa 2:30pm 6:00pm Saturday North Seymour Island 6:00am 7:00am Saturday Baltra Island 8:00am DAY 1 SATURDAY PM - Baltra Island - Embarkation During World War II, Baltra served as a U.S. military base protecting the Panama Canal from enemy attack. Now the cactus-strewn landscapes of Baltra are home to the region’s main airport and where you will meet the ship. From the airport, it is just a short bus and Zodiac ride to the ship. DAY 1 SATURDAY PM - Black Turtle Cove, Santa Cruz Island - A Zodiac ride into Black Turtle Cove, one of the most beautiful sites in the Galapagos, takes us through a complex maze of tranquil saltwater inlets surrounded by mangroves.
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  • M/Y Sea Star Journey Cruise a · Avanti Destinations
    6 Days/5 Nights Departs Tuesdays from Quito or Guayaquil M/Y Sea Star Journey Cruise A: Galapagos Islands This boutique yacht, with 8 spacious suites, was named "South America's Leading Boutique Cruise for 2017" by World Travel Awards. Amenities include a large solarium with hot tubs and a mini-spa. Capacity: 16 guests. ACCOMMODATIONS • Cruise Accommodations INCLUSIONS • Roundtrip Air & • Galapagos National Park • Excursions with Naturalist Ground Transfers Entrance Fee Guide • All Meals ARRIVAL: (AM) Flight to Galapagos from Quito/Guayaquil Airport: Upon arrival at San Cristobal Island, guides will meet you, collect your luggage, and escort you to the ship, where the crew will welcome you aboard. After a welcome briefing and safety drill, a delicious buffet lunch is served on board. (PM) San Cristobal: In the afternoon, you will visit Puerto Chino. It is rife with huge cacti spreading over the trail like trees. Once you get on the beach, you will enjoy its surroundings with wildlife. Sea lions share the beach with people so its common see the pups playing and swimming. Enjoy the deep blue waters with the waves and tide, often visited by tortoises. Later, you will visit the Breeding Center Jacinto Gordillo. Also known as the "Galapaguera" it is a good place to observe Galapagos tortoises in their natural habitat. San Cristobal island has endemic species such as the Mockingbird Nesomimus melanotis, lava lizard, Chatham Leaf-toed Gecko, and the tortoises. All of these species can be observed in this place. (Lunch, Dinner, & Accommodations, M/Y Sea Star Journey) M/Y SEA STAR JOURNEY: (AM) Española Island, Gardner Bay: Located on the north-eastern coast of Hood, Gardner Bay provides an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and the opportunity to observe sea lions.
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  • GALÁPAGOS Endemics Cruise
    GALÁPAGOS Endemics Cruise “The natural history of these islands is eminently curious, and well deserves our attention.” (Charles Darwin 1845) Swallow-tailed Gulls mating on “Bird Island”, a.k.a. Genovesa November 18 – 27, 2011 On board the Reina Silvia Tour Leader: Sam Woods with the help of Galápagos National Park guide Edison Franklin Ramirez Uribe Thanks to tour participant Chris Sloan for allowing us to use his photos for this report ALL photos were taken on this tour Galapagos Endemics Cruise November 2011 INTRODUCTION The Galápagos Islands lie in the Pacific Ocean, 600 miles (965km) off the coast of Ecuador, but are a world away from anywhere. This trip holds wide appeal: for the avid world lister it is a must for the thirty or so endemic bird species that can only be found there, for wildlife photographers and nature lovers it offers some unrivaled close-ups with birds, mammals, and reptiles like almost nowhere else, and for biologists and those interested in natural history, the link back to Darwin’s landmark expedition there is inescapable and absorbing. And that is just above the water. Below water a myriad of tropical marine life awaits too. We experienced all of this, time and again, on our eight day cruise of the islands. We managed to “clean up” on all of the possible endemic birds due to a specially-arranged itinerary that allowed us to visit all of the six islands that need to be visited in order to see them all. We landed on nine different islands in total during the cruise, arriving first at the airport on Baltra, before moving to North Seymour Island, just to the north of there.
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