The Finch & the Tortoise - Itinerary B

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Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Quito

Explore Quito, the capital of Ecuador and the highest capital city in the world with a judicial building (bear with us). La Paz, in Bolivia, is the actual highest capital city in the world, but it doesn't have a judicial building. We think someone, somewhere was extremely bored when they gave Quito that title.

• If arriving early, perhaps spend time getting acquainted with Quito
• Evening pre-departure meeting at approx 6pm (details will be at the hotel Reception)

Day 2: Baltra via North Seymour

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Man of war birds, pirate birds, frigate pelican, frigatebirds - whatever you want to call them, these things are ridiculous (FYI, we call them frigatebirds). They've got the largest wingspan in comparison to their body out of any bird species in the world, and they can stay airbourne for an entire week. Head to North Seymour and see if you can't spot some of these awesome critters.

• Take an early morning flight 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.)
• Board the M.Y. Pelikano and set off on the Galapagos cruise
• Sail to North Seymour - one of the Galapagos’ most visited islands
• Gain good views of Daphne Major and Minor
• Keep eyes peeled for the magnificent frigatebird, blue-footed boobies, sea lions and marine iguanas

Day 3: San Cristobal & Cerro Brujo

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Visiting a tiny island and a powder beach is a pretty fine way to spend a day, but just wait 'til you reach Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock). The water surrounding this rock, that juts 150m out of the sea, is a playground for wildlife. It's like Sesame Street, with less Cookie Monsters and more marine iguanas.

• Visit Isla Lobos and spend the morning relaxing by the island’s rocky shores alongside blue-footed boobies and sea lions
• Be lucky to spot some the Sally Lightfoot crabs and the frigatebird
• Continue on to Cerro Brujo, a fine powder beach on San Cristobal’s north coast and spend time snorkelling and relaxing
• Head to Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido) and cruise through the channel - one of the finest experiences in the Galapagos

Day 4: Española

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Española is also known as Hood Island. But you won't find any turf-wars or marine iguana cartel here, just 12,000 pairs of waved albatross and a whole bunch of other Galapagos wildlife living in harmony. Brightly coloured lava lizards are endemic to Española - they're basically marine iguanas that look like they got in a fight with a rainbow and lost. Very cool.

• Cruise to Española - the breeding site of nearly all of the world's 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses
• Take trails right through the middle of booby colonies, where Galapagos doves and mockingbirds are also often seen
• Gain an epic panorama and a cliff-top viewpoint
• Perhaps see the elaborate courtship rituals performed by albatrosses before the female chooses her lifelong mate
• Visit Gardner Bay and one of the archipelagos longest stretches of white sand
• Go snorkelling alongside reef sharks, turtles and many species of tropical fish, including surgeon, parrot and angelfish

Day 5: Floreana

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Wildlife often steals the show in the Galapagos, but Floreana has a pretty interesting human history. It would take far too long to explain it all in this day-by-day itinerary, but make sure you write a letter to leave in the 220-year-old post box. We told you it was pretty interesting.

• Visit the island of Floreana - one of the most beautiful islands in the Galapagos
• Post a letter for passing boats at Post Office Bay
• Go swimming with turtles
• Head to Punta Cormorant and hike from a greenish-coloured sand beach, through black mangrove beds, towards a flamingo-filled lagoon
• Pass Galapagos millwork, passion flower and the unique button mangrove
• Go snorkelling at the Devil's Crown, surrounded by tropical fish, rays, whitetip reef sharks and turtles
• Take a panga ride to the Mirador - excellent for viewing marine life such as golden eagle rays, sea turtles, sea lions and Galapagos penguins
• Take in sweeping views of the coastline from Enderby Island to Post Office Bay, including Cerro Straw and the pool of flamingos at Punta Cormorant

Day 6: Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz & Charles Darwin Research Station

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Giant tortoise can grow up to four feet long. Think about that. That's about three and a half feet of tortoise more than you'll ever have seen before. Pay them a visit on Santa Cruz.

• Visit the town of Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station
• Perhaps have a close-up encounter with a giant tortoise
• See loads of newborn and young giant turtles, thanks to the research station's breeding program
• Fly back to Quito for overnight

Day 7: Quito

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Brekkie. Goodbyes. Home. Until next time, compadre.

• The trip ends today after breakfast

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Your Trip

Nuts and Bolts

• Gecko's expert English-speaking naturalist guide on board the Gecko's boat.

• Return flights from Quito to the Galapagos Islands.

• All meals and accommodation onboard the Gecko's boat. Accommodation in one of just eight well-appointed, air-conditioned, twin share, bunk-bed cabins with private facilities.

• Excursions during the voyage.

• Visit to the tortoise research and breeding program at the Charles Darwin Research Station.

• Transfer to and from Quito Airport on Day 2 and Day 9.

Summary of accommodation, transport & meals

Transport

• Boat
• Bus
• Plane

Accommodation

• 4 nights Cruise boat
• 2 nights Hotel

Meals

• 6 breakfasts
• 4 lunches
• 4 dinners

Not Included

International flights, arrival and departure transfers, departure and airport taxes, visas, entrance fees, US$10 Galapagos transit card, US$100 Galapagos National Park fee, other meals, drinks, optional tours or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, travel insurance, tips and items of a personal nature.

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On The Ground Payments
Please note: The Galapagos National Park fee and transit card, USD110 are not included in the price of this tour. These must be paid locally in cash on arrival in Baltra, Galapagos.

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Important Information

The Gecko's Boat – The M.Y. Pelikano
The M.Y Pelikano is air-conditioned with 8 twin share cabins, all with bunk berths and private facilities. The boat is comfortable and represents fantastic value in the islands.

M.Y. Pelikano

Built: 1986
Refurbished: 2009
Length: 21 meters
Beam: 6 meters
Engines: 2
Speed: 10 Knots
Crew: 7 + 1 English speaking naturalist guide
Passengers: 16
Electricity: 110/220 AC
Snorkelling equipment: Included

Accommodation on board is based on twin share bunk berths. Single supplements are available on request should you require a cabin to yourself; however, be warned, they are expensive.

Gecko's Community Trust & The Galapagos Conservancy
If, after having visited this unique and precious region of the world, you would like to make a donation towards the protection of the Galapagos, the recently launched Gecko's Community Trust is the easiest and most convenient way to do so.

The Trust supports the Galapagos Conservancy, an organisation dedicated to raising funds and awareness for Galapagos conservation. It is a membership-based organisation and the largest source of private support for conservation efforts. The 11,000 Friends of Galapagos are individuals and institutions who care deeply about the Galapagos Islands, and understand the scientific importance of preserving this one-of-a-kind ecosystem.

Funds raised by the Galapagos Conservancy support the core operations of the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) and the Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS), both located on the island of Santa Cruz.

Please see below for details on how to make a contribution to the Gecko's Community Trust or refer to the Pledge Card provided at your pre-cruise briefing which contains details for making a donation.

 

About this Information

The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please ensure that you have the most up-to-date information for your trip. We recommend that you check the trip notes for your tour around one month before departure. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!

Last Updated

29 April 2013

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