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Ecuador and the Galapagos
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8 Nights - Quito to Guayaquil (WBG)
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Day 1 - Arrive in Quito, Ecuador
Welcome to Quito!
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Day 2 - Quito
An included sightseeing tour showcases Quito’s treasures: the historic
stone murals of the LEGISLATIVE PALACE, Independence Plaza and the 16th-century SAN FRANCISCO
MONASTERY, the Jesuit’s LA COMPANIA CHURCH with its stunning golden altars, and the impressive
paintings at the WORKSHOP & MUSEUM of Oswaldo Guayasamin. Have your photo taken in front of
the EQUATORIAL MONUMENT, the “Center of the World.” This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
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Day 3 - Quito–San Cristobal–Galápagos Islands
(Embarkation)–Cruising
A morning flight to San Cristobal, one of the remote Galápagos Islands. Upon
arrival, board the sleek Santa Cruz and enjoy four days of CRUISING among various Galápagos
Islands. Each day, travel ashore to the remote islands with your expert Naturalist who
introduces you to the unique fauna living free and fearless of man. Today, visit San Cristobal
Island, where Charles Darwin first set foot in the Galápagos back in 1835. This island is home
to seabirds like blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, herons, and frigatebirds. Also look for
the Chatham (San Cristobal) Mockingbird and Chatham Lava Lizard—both species are endemic to
this island and seen nowhere else in the Galápagos. (Breakfast, Lunch,
Dinner)
NOTE:
The ship’s itinerary may vary according to Galápagos National Park policies
and regulations, weather conditions, and seasonal changes to create the perfect cross-section
of sites visited.
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Day 4 - Cruising: Galápagos Islands
Your exploration continues on Española (Hood Island), one of the oldest
islands in the archipelago. Here you will see the famous blowhole as well as unique sea bird
colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April-December), Nazca and blue-footed boobies, and
Darwin’s finches. Also, look for red, green, and black marine iguanas and a rookery of sea
lions right at the landing site. This afternoon, visit a brackish-water lagoon on Floreana,
where you may observe greater flamingos, pintail ducks, common stilts, herons, and sandpipers.
For marine enthusiasts, this is a great place for snorkeling! (Breakfast, Lunch,
Dinner)
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Day 5 - Cruising: Galápagos Islands
This morning brings you to the youngest island, Fernandina. Having no
introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment and the highest density of marine
iguanas. Sharing their habitat are sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs, and hawks. In the
afternoon on Isabela Island, enjoy coastal exploration by panga along the cliffs of sunken
Ecuador Volcano. Your Naturalist guides explain the dramatic geology of the area with remains
of lava flows and tuff stone layers. This is the nesting place for flightless cormorants, the
only birds in the world that have changed from flying birds to diving birds. Wildlife here
includes sea lions, Galápagos penguins, blue-footed and Nazca boobies, and noddy terns.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
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Day 6 - Galápagos (Disembarkation)–Santa Cruz–Finch Bay
Hotel
This morning, disembark on Santa Cruz Island, where your Naturalist
introduces the island’s lush and vibrant green highlands, pit craters, lava tunnels, the
Scalesia forest, and the giant tortoises’ wild habitat. After checking in at the Finch Bay
Hotel, visit the CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION, established to help conserve the Islands’
natural habitat and protect the famous giant tortoises. (Breakfast, Lunch,
Dinner)
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Day 7 - Galápagos. Finch Bay Hotel
Named after the famous Darwin’s finches abundant in the area, the Finch
Bay Hotel offers a private seaside location surrounded by mangroves. Outings today include a
list of activities that allow you to have a “Galápagos à la carte” adventure. Choose a walk to
Tortuga Bay, a 6-mile-long coralline beach, mountain bike up in the highlands, or swim or
snorkel right off the beach. Tonight, enjoy the view of the bay at your farewell dinner.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
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Day 8 - Santa Cruz–Baltra–Guayaquil
Transfer to Baltra for your return flight to Guayaquil, where you’ll enjoy
free time this evening. (Breakfast)
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Day 9 - Guayaquil
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
(Breakfast)
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Departure Date
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Vacation Start Date
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Vacation End Date
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Departure Number
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Ship
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Starting from
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6-Apr-11
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6-Apr-11
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14-Apr-11
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10406
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Santa Cruz
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$3,529.00
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4-May-11
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4-May-11
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12-May-11
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10504
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Santa Cruz
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$3,529.00
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8-Jun-11
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8-Jun-11
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16-Jun-11
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10608
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Santa Cruz
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$3,529.00
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13-Jul-11
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13-Jul-11
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21-Jul-11
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10713
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Santa Cruz
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$3,529.00
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10-Aug-11
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10-Aug-11
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18-Aug-11
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10810
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Santa Cruz
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$3,529.00
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21-Sep-11
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21-Sep-11
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29-Sep-11
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10921
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Santa Cruz
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$3,529.00
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19-Oct-11
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19-Oct-11
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27-Oct-11
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11019
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Santa Cruz
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$3,529.00
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9-Nov-11
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9-Nov-11
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17-Nov-11
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11109
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Santa Cruz
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$3,529.00
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7-Dec-11
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7-Dec-11
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15-Dec-11
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11207
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Santa Cruz
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$3,529.00
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17-Jan-12
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18-Jan-12
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26-Jan-12
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20118
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Santa Cruz
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$3,349.00
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31-Jan-12
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1-Feb-12
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9-Feb-12
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20201
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Santa Cruz
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$3,349.00
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21-Feb-12
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22-Feb-12
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1-Mar-12
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20222
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Santa Cruz
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$3,349.00
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6-Mar-12
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7-Mar-12
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15-Mar-12
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20307
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Santa Cruz
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$3,349.00
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Intra-tour air value:
$430
Single Room Supplement:
$2050
Triple rooms are not available
Extra Nights per person in
Quito:
in single room $178; in twin room $100
Extra Nights per person in Guayaquil:
in single room $156; in twin room $93
Cruise pricing is based on Main Deck cabins. Upgrades are available. Please
call for prices.
(800) 526-8539
2012 prices and itineraries are subject to
change.
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Not Included In Your Vacation Price (Land-Only or
Cruise-Only Vacation)
Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs
and Immigrations; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by
government entities; applicable cruise taxes, fees, fares and port
charges; passports; visas and vaccinations; transfers; tips to your
Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ships'
crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone;
minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as
presented at a hotel or restaurant (these extra items will be billed to you
before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); optional excursions;
porterage at train stations; Travel Protection premiums; and all other
items of a personal nature.
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Each month our cruise experts select great itineraries that will be sailing within the next
6-8 months.
Check back next month to see what itineraries have been added to our 'top picks' list.
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