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2011 Departure Days: 2012 Departure Days: |
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| Day 1(Tue): Los Angeles - Quito (Ecuador) | ||||||
| Depart from Los Angeles on a mid-night flight to Quito, capital of Ecuador. | ||||||
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| Day 2(Wed): Quito Full Day Tour (B) | ||||||
| Explore the bustling streets and squares of the largest historical centre in the Americas. Visit some of its most important churches such as the majestic La Compañía (Society of Jesus Church) and iconic San Francisco, guardians of a stunning multi-ethnic artistic and cultural heritage. Drive through the traditional neighborhood of San Juan. Finish the day at the "Panecillo" hillside with its breathtaking views of the old and modern city. | ||||||
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| Day 3(Thu): Galapagos (Baltra Airport) For a 5 Days / 4 Nights Cruise – Bartolome Island (B, L, D) | ||||||
| Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to
Baltra (aprox. 2 and half hour flight). Passengers will be picked up at
the airport by our guides and taken to the pier to the Galapagos Deluxe
Cruise. Bartolomé Dry landing. Passengers will see volcanic formations like lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. After a hike to the summit you’ll be impressed by the view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock. During the hike to the summit, travelers will often see colonies of marine iguanas, lava lizards, tiquilla, and various cacti. Visitors will be able to snorkel and see the Galapagos penguin, sea turtles, and white tipped sharks from a safe distance. |
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| Day 4(Fri): Cruise: Urbina Bay (Isabela) (B, L, D) | ||||||
| Wet landing. Passengers will visit the
fossil beach and coral area. Depending on the season you may be able to
observe giant tortoises, land iguanas and flightless cormorants. After the
walk we will have time for snorkeling. Fernandina (Espinosa Point) Dry landing. Visitors will see the biggest marine iguanas mingling with sally-light foot crabs, as well as flightless cormorants nesting sites, Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks, and sea lions. Among the flora and volcanic formations observers will spot brachycereus cactus, and “pa-hoe-hoe” lava and “AA” lava formations. Numerous mangrove beds extend into the sea. |
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| Day 5(Sat): Cruise: Santiago (Egas Port) (B, L, D) | ||||||
| Wet landing on a dark sand beach. Most
of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows. You can observe hunting
herons, great blue herons, lava herons, yellow crowned night herons and
oyster catchers. Passengers will see marine iguanas grazing upon algae beds
alongside red sally light-foot crabs. There is a colony of fur-seals swimming
in deep pools of cool water. Here you can swim and snorkel and find octopuses,
sea horses, star fish. Rábida (Jervis) Wet landing. The volcano-formed beach is dark red and frequented by sea lions. It’s considered the geographic center of Galapagos because it has the most diverse volcanic rocks on the Islands. You’ll hike to a salt water lagoon, where flamingos can sometimes be found. July through September is a good time to observe brown pelicans nesting in the salty bushes. Boobies and 9 species of Darwin’s finches can also be observed. You can take a dinghy ride by the reefs, as well as snorkel. |
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| Day 6(Sun): Cruise: Santa Cruz (Charles Darwin Research Station) (B, L, D) | ||||||
| Travelers will visit the Charles Darwin
Research Station, staffed with international scientists conducting biological
research and conservation projects. Here you can admire the giant tortoises
that are part of the breeding program. Visitors can also admire the prickly-pear
cactus forest and many land birds. Later on, you’ll have some free
time to walk around town and shop for souvenirs. Santa Cruz (Highlands) Travelers can trek through the highlands of Santa Cruz and visit Cerro Chato, where you’ll be able to observe the famous giant tortoises. Additionally, travelers can walk inside the dormant lava tubes. |
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| Day 7(Mon): Cruise: Santa Cruz (Bachas Beach) - Guayaquil (B, L) | ||||||
| Wet landing. This beach is located on north side of Santa Cruz Island. Here you will encounter many sea birds, marine iguanas, sea turtles, and have the opportunity to swim on the white sand beach. Return to the Galapagos Deluxe Cruise, check out and transfer to the Baltra’s airport. Return flight to Guayaquil with lunch on the plane. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel where your afternoon is free. | ||||||
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| Day 8(Tue): Guayaquil City Tour (B) | ||||||
| In the morning, you will be picked up
for Guayaquil City Tour, free at leisure. The Guayaquil City tour begins with a visit to the 19th-century neighborhood of Las Peñas, panoramic views of the city and the Guayas River. Walk by the beautiful boardwalk of Malecón 2000, past La Rotonda monument built to pay tribute to the heroes of South American Independence, along the banks of the Guayas River. Visit the famous archaeological museum of the Central Bank. In the evening, you will be transferred to airport for departure to Los Angeles. |
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| Day 9(Wed): Guayaquil - Los Angeles | ||||||
| Arrive in Los Angeles. Conclude the 9 days discovery trip to Galapagos Islands. | ||||||
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| • This itinerary visits
destinations that are at high altitude, which may cause altitude sickness.
Please consult your doctor for preventative treatment. |
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Current Quito weather: |
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APF Travel reserves the right to
make any changes to the itinerary or price without notice, due to any
unfortunate event such as natural disaster, war, strike, and airline
itinerary change or flight cancellation. Copyright APF Travel, Inc. 2011. All Rights Reserved. |
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