Galapago-go - Itinerary B
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Overview
RIP Lonsome George (? - 2012). He was the last of the Pinta Island giant tortoises and a conservation icon. George is survived by no one.
(Was Galapagos at a Glance)
Itinerary
Day 1 - Quito
Quito is tough. Despite suffering from numerous shake, rattle and rolls (earthquakes) over the years (the worst being in 1797 and 1859) it still boasts the best-preserved historic centre in Latin America. It's also built on the ruins of an ancient Inca city, so Quito's pretty unique. Arrive here and have a wander before the Galapagos adventure begins.
- Arrive in Quito and get acquainted with this UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Spend time exploring the narrow, winding cobblestone streets and the lively Plaza Grande and Plaza San Francisco
- Evening pre-departure meeting at approx 6pm (details will be at the hotel Reception)
Day 2 - Baltra via Charles Darwin Research Station
The Galapagos giant tortoise is basically just a big tortoise. If that doesn't sound that exciting, just consider other things that increase in awesome as they increase in size: mountains, lakes, icebergs, burritos, smiles, paychecks, TV screens, dinosaurs - the list goes on. Get up close with these gentle giants at the Charles Darwin Research Station.
- Fly from Quito to Baltra, in the Galapagos Islands-Please note the pick-up time will usually be as early as 4am as Quito airport is a one hour drive and we must allow for delays and check-in times (Your Tour leader will confirm this time with you at the pre-departure meeting on day one.
- Visit the town of Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station
- Perhaps have a close-up encounter with a giant tortoise
- See newborn and young giant turtles, thanks to the research station's breeding program
Breakfast | DinnerDay 3 - South Plaza & Santa Fé
There's a bit in The Jungle Book, when Baloo's singing "Bare Necessities", where he talks about being cautious when you pick a paw paw or a prickly pear. "Don't pick the prickly pear by the paw, when you pick a pear try to use the claw," he warns an attentive Mowgli. Unfortunately you don't have claws, so we recommend not picking the prickly pears on Santa Fe. Actually, Mowgli didn't have claws either. Turns out Baloo wasn't so great at advice.
- Walk among resting sea lions and on trails amid one of the Galapagos’ largest land iguana populations
- Spot tropicbirds and swallow-tailed gulls, and ‘the gentlemen’s club’ - a gathering of male sea lions either too young or too old to be ‘beachmasters’
- Stop at Santa Fe - and island offering a dense concentration of wildlife
- Expect to see the Galapagos hawk, land iguanas, a variety of finches and the Galapagos mockingbird, sea lions, marine turtles, frigatebirds, Galapagos doves and lava lizards
- Snorkel in jade green waters
- Hike through Opuntia Forest
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 4 - Bartolomé & Sombrero Chino
Take the summit trail to the top of Bartolomé and gain one of the most amazing views of the Galapagos. It's the kind of view that will make you feel all humble and grateful to be in such an incredible place. After the trek you'll be all hot, which will make you feel like you want to take your clothes off and go snorkelling. Go right ahead, you earned it.- Take the summit trail to the iconic view of the Galapagos
- See a large colony of marine Iguanas and lava lizards as well as red mangroves and various cacti
- Cool off with a snorkel and swim among Galapagos penguin, turtles and whitetip reef sharks
- Visit Sombrero Chino, a small islet located near the south-east coast of Isla Santiago
- Explore the island’s volcanic origin
- Follow a trail that circles a cove and passes through a sea lion colony and innumerable marine iguanas
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 5 - Mosquera – Baltra – Quito
Spend one last morning wildlife-spotting on tiny Isla Mosquera. Here you'll find sea lions, marine birds, boobies, Sally Lightfoot crabs and much more. You might even think you notice some of the animals waving to you as you leave. They're not. They're animals for goodness sake.
- Sail to nearby Isla Mosquera, an Islet situated between Baltra and North Seymour and a great place for wildlife spotting
- Cruise back to Baltra and say goodbye to the Galapagos Islands
- Fly back to Quito
BreakfastDay 6 - Quito
Brekkie. Goodbyes. Home. Until next time, compadre.
- The trip ends today after breakfast
Breakfast -
What to Know
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Map
Map Itinerary
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Dates
Trip Dates and Prices
Show more departures...Start Date – End Date Trip Status Price 29 May 2013 - 03 Jun 2013 2 Request US $1,995 Book Now 12 Jun 2013 - 17 Jun 2013 7+ Request US $1,995 Book Now 26 Jun 2013 - 01 Jul 2013 1 Available US $2,055On Sale Sale: US $1,682 Book Now 10 Jul 2013 - 15 Jul 2013 7+ Available US $2,055On Sale Sale: US $1,682 Book Now 24 Jul 2013 - 29 Jul 2013 3 Available US $2,055On Sale Sale: US $1,682 Book Now 07 Aug 2013 - 12 Aug 2013 3 Available US $2,055 Book Now 21 Aug 2013 - 26 Aug 2013 7 Available US $2,055On Sale Sale: US $1,682 Book Now 18 Sep 2013 - 23 Sep 2013 5 Available US $1,995On Sale Sale: US $1,771 Book Now 02 Oct 2013 - 07 Oct 2013 7+ Available US $1,995On Sale Sale: US $1,622 Book Now 16 Oct 2013 - 21 Oct 2013 7+ Available US $1,995 Book Now 30 Oct 2013 - 04 Nov 2013 7+ Available US $1,995 Book Now 13 Nov 2013 - 18 Nov 2013 7+ Available US $2,055 Book Now 27 Nov 2013 - 02 Dec 2013 7+ Available US $2,055 Book Now 11 Dec 2013 - 16 Dec 2013 7+ Available US $2,055 Book Now 25 Dec 2013 - 30 Dec 2013 7+ Available US $2,055 Book Now 19 Feb 2014 - 24 Feb 2014 7+ Available US $2,055 Book Now 05 Mar 2014 - 10 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $2,055 Book Now 19 Mar 2014 - 24 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $2,055 Book Now 02 Apr 2014 - 07 Apr 2014 7+ Available US $2,055 Book Now 16 Apr 2014 - 21 Apr 2014 7+ Available US $2,055 Book Now 30 Apr 2014 - 05 May 2014 7+ Available US $2,055 Book Now 14 May 2014 - 19 May 2014 7+ Available US $1,995 Book Now 28 May 2014 - 02 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $1,995 Book Now 11 Jun 2014 - 16 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $1,995 Book Now 25 Jun 2014 - 30 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $2,055 Book Now 09 Jul 2014 - 14 Jul 2014 7+ Available US $2,055 Book Now 23 Jul 2014 - 28 Jul 2014 7+ Available US $2,055 Book Now 06 Aug 2014 - 11 Aug 2014 7+ Available US $2,055 Book Now 20 Aug 2014 - 25 Aug 2014 7+ Available US $2,055 Book Now 03 Sep 2014 - 08 Sep 2014 7+ Available US $2,055 Book Now 17 Sep 2014 - 22 Sep 2014 7+ Available US $1,995 Book Now 01 Oct 2014 - 06 Oct 2014 7+ Available US $1,995 Book Now 15 Oct 2014 - 20 Oct 2014 7+ Available US $1,995 Book Now 29 Oct 2014 - 03 Nov 2014 7+ Available US $1,995 Book Now 12 Nov 2014 - 17 Nov 2014 7+ Available US $2,055 Book Now 26 Nov 2014 - 01 Dec 2014 7+ Available US $2,055 Book Now 10 Dec 2014 - 15 Dec 2014 7+ Available US $2,055 Book Now 24 Dec 2014 - 29 Dec 2014 7+ Available US $2,055 Book Now 07 Jan 2015 - 12 Jan 2015 7+ Available US $2,055 Book Now -
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What to know
On arrival in the islands you must pay US$110 national park fee to enter Galapagos National Park (this includes the US$10 transit fee).