7 DAY PROGRAM departs: Fridays and Saturdays
8 DAY PROGRAM departs: Mondays and Tuesdays
11 DAY PROGRAM departs: Mondays,Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
7 DAY PROGRAM -
DAY 1 (FRI)
Depart the USA on your flight to Quito. Meeting and transfer to your hotel.
DAY 2 (SAT)
After buffet breakfast, your morning sightseeing takes you back to Quito Colonial Past. Visit starts in Orellana´s way, drive around the colonial center of Quito and see the stone-carved façade of Ecuador’s House of Congress depicting scenes from Ecuadorian history; Independence Square, with the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral and El Sagrario. Visit the Church of La Compañía (1605), (if open), with its breathtaking gilded altars, considered the finest example of baroque art in America; and the church and monastery of San Francisco (1535). Visit the art & crafts gallery of Tianguez. Finally, drive up to El Panecillo Hill to have a spectacular view of Quito and to see the only winged Virgin in South America. Afternoon at leisure.
DAY 3 (SUN)
Meeting and transfer to airport to take a flight to the Galapagos Island.
Flight Quito to Baltra (aprox. 2 hours flight). Passengers are greeted by guides at the airport and transfered to the Itabaca canal and cross to the Island of Santa Cruz and ride to Puerto Ayora. On the way to Puerto Ayora you cross the highlands of Santa Cruz passengers will observe the twin pit crates, Los Gemelos and later visit Cerro Chato. Opportunity to admire the famous Giant Tortoises that gave the name to these islands. Lunch at the Highland of Santa Cruz Charles Darwin Station, staffed with international scientists doing biological research and conservation projects. Here you can also admire giant tortoises and their one year old offspring, the second being a miniature version of the first and are part of the breeding program. Admire the impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. The visit to the station lasts around 40 minutes. After this visit passengers have some free time to walk around town and shop for souvenirs or can mail postcards.
Passenger welcome & briefing, there is a cocktail and a presentation of the crew. At this time a safety drill is practiced. (National park regulation)
Free time on board.
DAY 4 (MON)
Wake up call, in each cabin there are speakers and a light music will awaken passengers softly. Buffet Breakfast. Disembark at Punta Suarez, dry landing and walk on lava terrain. Aside from the sea lion colonies this is one of the most important sites for bird watching. Here as soon as you disembark many species can be spotted up close, among these the hood mocking bird, red billed tropic birds. You will also spot large marine iguanas with traces of green and red along with lava lizards and colourfull sally light foot crabs. After a short trek you will run into colonies of masked and blue footed boobies and their nesting grounds sometimes overlapped over the trail. You will also find Galapagos doves, hawks and swallow-tailed gulls. After crossing the nesting grounds you will reach the world colony of waved albatross(15000 aprox.), they all come to the Galapagos for their mating rituals. Finally you will visit the blowhole where water shoots into the air at almost 23 m. (75 ft.). After a 3 hour trek you will want to stay longer. Disembarkation at Bahia Gardner (isla Española), wet landing on a white coral beach amidst a large colony of sea lions, this site has no trails but is considered an open area where you can spot : Galapagos hawks, American oyster catchers, galapagos doves, hood mockingbirds, 3 species of Darwin finches, yellow warblers, lava lizards and marine iguanas and a great place for swimming and snorkelling, the best spot is by the islet that looks like a turtle; here if you are lucky you can admire many of the Galapagos marine species such as King Angelfish, Creole fish, damsel fish, parrot fish, manta rays, white tipped reef sharks, and many more. Cocktail & Dinner. Guides’ briefing on next day activities at the living room.
DAY 5 (TUE)
Wake up call, in each cabin there are speakers and a light music will awaken passengers softly. Buffet Breakfast. Visit Ochoa Beach at Isla Lobos, after a walk on a short trail passengers can swim and practice snorkelling with sea lions. Dry landing at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Interpretation Centre, the visit to the interpretation centre, where you learn about the natural and human history of the islands through display presentations, lasts more or less one hour. There is some time to shop in town for souvenirs. Lunch.
Disembarkation, wet landing at Punta Pitt (San Cristobal), guides provide passengers with towels so they can dry their feet and put on their shoes and begin the morning hike to the top of Pitt Point, an excellent opportunity to view important nesting sites for many sea birds including blue footed, masked and red footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls and storm petrels.
Passengers board & at the bar awaits a delicious cocktail & snacks, the yacht or ship departs to navigate through the León Dormido (Kicker rock) a vertical tuff cone formation rising almost 153 m. (500 ft.) from the ocean, representing for many a sleeping lion or a shoe in mid - ocean; aside from the beauty in formation itself you can spot blue footed and masked boobies, frigate birds on its cliffs and sea lions along the shore.
Farewell cocktail. Guides’ briefing on next day activities. Dinner.
DAY 6 (WED)
Early wake up call. Disembarkation at Seymour Norte here after a dry landing you will be encountered by swallow tailed gulls and sea lions that will be found bodysurfing, it is also known for being another major nesting site for blue footed boobies, and the largest colony of magnificent frigate birds (different from the great frigate birds) . You will also spot marine iguanas and the opportunity to see land iguanas. Breakfast. Disembark at the docks (Isle of Baltra), passengers board a bus that drives them to the airport for their flight back to mainland, Quito. Meeting and Transfer to your Hotel
DAY 7 (THU)
After buffet breakfast, meeting and transfer to the Airport.
8 DAY PROGRAM -
DAY 1 (MON)
Depart the USA on your flight to Quito. Meeting and transfer to your hotel.
DAY 2 (TUE)
After buffet breakfast, your morning sightseeing takes you back to Quito Colonial Past. Visit starts in Orellana´s way, drive around the colonial center of Quito and see the stone-carved façade of Ecuador’s House of Congress depicting scenes from Ecuadorian history; Independence Square, with the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral and El Sagrario. Visit the Church of La Compañía (1605), (if open), with its breathtaking gilded altars, considered the finest example of baroque art in America; and the church and monastery of San Francisco (1535). Visit the art & crafts gallery of Tianguez. Finally, drive up to El Panecillo Hill to have a spectacular view of Quito and to see the only winged Virgin in South America. Afternoon at leisure.
DAY 3 (WED)
After buffet breakfast, meeting and transfer to airport to take a flight to the Galapagos Island. Flight Quito to Baltra (aprox. 2 hours flight).
Welcome at Baltra Airport. Briefing on yacht or ships facilities at lounge given by guides National Park regulations given by guides Safety drill practice with passengers, crew and guides. Lunch. Bartolome Island Dry and wet landings. Arriving at this islands seems as if you were walking on the moon the volcanic formations on this island include lava bombs, spatter cones, and cinder cones. There is a steep hike to the summit aided by wooden steps, from where you will have an impressive view of the Islands including Pinnacle rock an eroded tuff cone. On your way to the top you have the possibility of admiring a large colony of marine iguanas and lava lizards. Among the flora you may find Red mangroves, tiquilla, cacti. Later on enjoy the pleasure of snorkelling. Here you can spot Galapagos penguins, marine tortoises (January through March), white-tipped sharks. Back on Board, Cocktail of the day.
Briefing on next day’s excursion. Welcome Cocktail & Dinner
DAY 4 (THU)
Wake up call, Breakfast. After cruising through the Bolívar channel for a possible observation of whales and dolphins, we disembark to visit Urbina bay, Isabela island(Wet landing). We go for a medium-length walk in search of giant tortoises and land iguanas orange-yellow in color with large spines along their backs. Great possibilities for swimming and snorkelling where you can spot marine iguanas, sea turtles, manta rays, hammerhead sharks, white tipped sharks, galapagos sharks, eels, groupers, and snappers.
Back on board, welcome with appetisers by Crew, Lunch. Tagus Cove, Isabela Island. Dry Landing. Isabela is the largest Island in the Galapagos, it was created by the eruption of five volcanoes that flowed together. Graffiti dating back to 1800’s is written on the rocky cliff, believed to be done by pirates and bucaneers. The trail leads to Darwin’s salt water lagoon and an excellent view of the lava fields, volcanic formations and the ocean. A Dinghie ride will allow you to see marine life and Galapagos Penguins and flightless cormorants. Visit largest population of giant tortoises(about 4000 very difficult to spot), galapagos penguins, galapagos hawks and frigate birds. Cocktail of the day. Briefing on next days excursion. Dinner.
DAY 5 (FRI)
Breakfast. Disembarkation to visit Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island. Dry Landing. Catch the sight of largest colony of Marine iguanas sharing space with sally-light foot crabs, also to be found Flightless Cormorants nesting points, galapagos Penguins, galapagos Hawks and Sea lions where resident bulls are present. Among the Flora and volcanic formations there is, Brachycereus cactus, pa hoe hoe & a lava formations, and mangroves extending into the sea. Recent lava flows formed by an active volcano are also evident. Lunch. Disembark at Point Vicente Roca, Isabela island. dry landing and hike to the top of volcano Ecuador where you will be rewarded by a striking view.You will be able to observe boobies, gulls and sea lions. Snorkelling is possible although water will be cold. Briefing given by Guides on next days activities, Cocktail & Dinner.
DAY 6 (SAT)
Breakfast. Visit the dark sand beach at Puerto Egas, San Salvador Island. Wet landing. Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows, you will go for a mid-length walk. A great spot for observing hunting herons, great blue herons, lava herons, oyster catchers and a yellow crowned night heron.
Enjoy the sight of Marine iguanas grazing upon algae beds at low tide sharing space with Red Sally light-foot Crabs. There is a colony of fur-sea lions swimming in deep pools of cool water called grottos. This is an excellent spot for swimming and snorkelling in search of Octopuses, sea horses, star fish and other sea life caught in the small pools as the tide went out. You will also find yourself among Moray Eels, Hammerhead sharks, White tip and Galapagos Sharks, Darwin Finches, Doves, galapagos Hawks, Golden and white spotted Eagle Rays, Jacks, Wahoos, Tuna fish, Groupers, Red-tailed and Dog Snappers, Black and Yellow-black Galapagos Coral reefs, Sea Fans, Sea Lions, and Sea Turtles (November-May). Lunch. Disembarkation by groups to visit Rabida located off San Salvador Island. Dry landing at the dark red colored beach of volcanic origin, frequented by sea lions. It is often considered the geographic centre of Galapagos because it has the most diversified volcanic rocks in all of the Islands. Here a short trail leads to a salt water lagoon, where we find small colonies of Flamingos feeding. The brown pelican nests in the mangroves found at the far side of the lagoon. Also to be found are boobies and 9 species of Darwin’s finches. Dinghie ride by the reefs and an excellent opportunity for snorkelling. Cocktail of the day at the Sun Deck, Briefing by guides on next days activities, Dinner.
DAY 7 (SUN)
Breakfast. Charles Darwin Station in Puerto Ayora, staffed with international scientists doing biological research and conservation projects. Here you can also admire giant tortoises and their one year old offspring, the second being a miniature version of the first and are part of the breeding program. Admire the impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. The visit to the station lasts around 40 minutes. After this visit passengers have some free time to walk around town and shop for souvenirs. Cross the highlands of Santa Cruz passengers will observe the twin pit craters, Los Gemelos and later visit Cerro Chato. Opportunity to admire the famous Giant Tortoises that gave the name to these islands. Lunch at Ranch (typical restaurant).
NOTE: On the second visit to Santa Cruz, those who have already visited the Darwin Station will tour the highlands.
Check out and depart to the airport, flight back to Quito. Meeting and transfer to your Hotel.
DAY 8 (MON)
After buffet breakfast, meeting and transfer to the Airport.
11 DAY PROGRAM -
DAY 1 (MON)
Depart the USA on your flight to Quito. Meeting and transfer to your hotel.
DAY 2 (TUE)
After buffet breakfast, your morning sightseeing takes you back to Quito Colonial Past. Visit starts in Orellana´s way, drive around the colonial center of Quito and see the stone-carved façade of Ecuador’s House of Congress depicting scenes from Ecuadorian history; Independence Square, with the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral and El Sagrario. Visit the Church of La Compañía (1605), (if open), with its breathtaking gilded altars, considered the finest example of baroque art in America; and the church and monastery of San Francisco (1535). Visit the art & crafts gallery of Tianguez. Finally, drive up to El Panecillo Hill to have a spectacular view of Quito and to see the only winged Virgin in South America. Afternoon at leisure.
DAY 3 (WED)
After buffet breakfast, meeting and transfer to airport to take a flight to the Galapagos Island. Flight Quito to Baltra (aprox. 2 hours flight).
Welcome at Baltra Airport. Briefing on yacht or ships facilities at lounge given by guides National Park regulations given by guides Safety drill practice with passengers, crew and guides. Lunch. Bartolome Island Dry and wet landings. Arriving at this islands seems as if you were walking on the moon the volcanic formations on this island include lava bombs, spatter cones, and cinder cones. There is a steep hike to the summit aided by wooden steps, from where you will have an impressive view of the Islands including Pinnacle rock an eroded tuff cone. On your way to the top you have the possibility of admiring a large colony of marine iguanas and lava lizards. Among the flora you may find Red mangroves, tiquilla, cacti. Later on enjoy the pleasure of snorkelling. Here you can spot Galapagos penguins, marine tortoises (January through March), white-tipped sharks. Back on Board, Cocktail of the day.
Briefing on next day’s excursion. Welcome Cocktail & Dinner
DAY 4 (THU)
Wake up call, Breakfast. After cruising through the Bolívar channel for a possible observation of whales and dolphins, we disembark to visit Urbina bay, Isabela island(Wet landing). We go for a medium-length walk in search of giant tortoises and land iguanas orange-yellow in color with large spines along their backs. Great possibilities for swimming and snorkelling where you can spot marine iguanas, sea turtles, manta rays, hammerhead sharks, white tipped sharks, galapagos sharks, eels, groupers, and snappers.
Back on board, welcome with appetisers by Crew, Lunch. Tagus Cove, Isabela Island. Dry Landing. Isabela is the largest Island in the Galapagos, it was created by the eruption of five volcanoes that flowed together. Graffiti dating back to 1800’s is written on the rocky cliff, believed to be done by pirates and bucaneers. The trail leads to Darwin’s salt water lagoon and an excellent view of the lava fields, volcanic formations and the ocean. A Dinghie ride will allow you to see marine life and Galapagos Penguins and flightless cormorants. Visit largest population of giant tortoises(about 4000 very difficult to spot), galapagos penguins, galapagos hawks and frigate birds. Cocktail of the day. Briefing on next days excursion. Dinner.
DAY 5 (FRI)
Breakfast. Disembarkation to visit Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island. Dry Landing. Catch the sight of largest colony of Marine iguanas sharing space with sally-light foot crabs, also to be found Flightless Cormorants nesting points, galapagos Penguins, galapagos Hawks and Sea lions where resident bulls are present. Among the Flora and volcanic formations there is, Brachycereus cactus, pa hoe hoe & a lava formations, and mangroves extending into the sea. Recent lava flows formed by an active volcano are also evident. Lunch. Disembark at Point Vicente Roca, Isabela island. dry landing and hike to the top of volcano Ecuador where you will be rewarded by a striking view.You will be able to observe boobies, gulls and sea lions. Snorkelling is possible although water will be cold. Briefing given by Guides on next days activities, Cocktail & Dinner.
DAY 6 (SAT)
Breakfast. Visit the dark sand beach at Puerto Egas, San Salvador Island. Wet landing. Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows, you will go for a mid-length walk. A great spot for observing hunting herons, great blue herons, lava herons, oyster catchers and a yellow crowned night heron.
Enjoy the sight of Marine iguanas grazing upon algae beds at low tide sharing space with Red Sally light-foot Crabs. There is a colony of fur-sea lions swimming in deep pools of cool water called grottos. This is an excellent spot for swimming and snorkelling in search of Octopuses, sea horses, star fish and other sea life caught in the small pools as the tide went out. You will also find yourself among Moray Eels, Hammerhead sharks, White tip and Galapagos Sharks, Darwin Finches, Doves, galapagos Hawks, Golden and white spotted Eagle Rays, Jacks, Wahoos, Tuna fish, Groupers, Red-tailed and Dog Snappers, Black and Yellow-black Galapagos Coral reefs, Sea Fans, Sea Lions, and Sea Turtles (November-May). Lunch. Disembarkation by groups to visit Rabida located off San Salvador Island. Dry landing at the dark red colored beach of volcanic origin, frequented by sea lions. It is often considered the geographic centre of Galapagos because it has the most diversified volcanic rocks in all of the Islands. Here a short trail leads to a salt water lagoon, where we find small colonies of Flamingos feeding. The brown pelican nests in the mangroves found at the far side of the lagoon. Also to be found are boobies and 9 species of Darwin’s finches. Dinghie ride by the reefs and an excellent opportunity for snorkelling. Cocktail of the day at the Sun Deck, Briefing by guides on next days activities, Dinner.
DAY 7 (SUN)
Charles Darwin Station, staffed with international scientists doing biological research and conservation projects. Here you can also admire giant tortoises and their one year old offspring, the second being a miniature version of the first and are part of the breeding program. Admire the impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. The visit to the station lasts around 40 minutes. After this visit passengers have some free time to walk around town and shop for souvenirs or can mail postcards. Cross the highlands of Santa Cruz passengers will observe the twin pit craters, Los Gemelos and later visit Cerro Chato. Opportunity to admire the famous Giant Tortoises that gave the name to these islands. Lunch at Ranch (typical restaurant).
DAY 8 (MON)
Wake up call, in each cabin there are speakers and a light music will awaken passengers softly. Buffet Breakfast. Disembark at Punta Suarez, dry landing and walk on lava terrain. Aside from the sea lion colonies this is one of the most important sites for bird watching. Here as soon as you disembark many species can be spotted up close, among these the hood mocking bird, red billed tropic birds. You will also spot large marine iguanas with traces of green and red along with lava lizards and colourfull sally light foot crabs. After a short trek you will run into colonies of masked and blue footed boobies and their nesting grounds sometimes overlapped over the trail. You will also find Galapagos doves, hawks and swallow-tailed gulls. After crossing the nesting grounds you will reach the world colony of waved albatross(15000 aprox.), they all come to the Galapagos for their mating rituals. Finally you will visit the blowhole where water shoots into the air at almost 23 m. (75 ft.). After a 3 hour trek you will want to stay longer. Disembarkation at Bahia Gardner (isla Española), wet landing on a white coral beach amidst a large colony of sea lions, this site has no trails but is considered an open area where you can spot : Galapagos hawks, American oyster catchers, galapagos doves, hood mockingbirds, 3 species of Darwin finches, yellow warblers, lava lizards and marine iguanas and a great place for swimming and snorkelling, the best spot is by the islet that looks like a turtle; here if you are lucky you can admire many of the Galapagos marine species such as King Angelfish, Creole fish, damsel fish, parrot fish, manta rays, white tipped reef sharks, and many more. Cocktail & Dinner. Guides’ briefing on next day activities at the living room.
DAY 9 (TUE)
Wake up call, in each cabin there are speakers and a light music will awaken passengers softly. Buffet Breakfast. Visit Ochoa Beach at Isla Lobos, after a walk on a short trail passengers can swim and practice snorkelling with sea lions. Dry landing at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Interpretation Centre, the visit to the interpretation centre, where you learn about the natural and human history of the islands through display presentations, lasts more or less one hour. There is some time to shop in town for souvenirs. Lunch.
Disembarkation, wet landing at Punta Pitt (San Cristobal), guides provide passengers with towels so they can dry their feet and put on their shoes and begin the morning hike to the top of Pitt Point, an excellent opportunity to view important nesting sites for many sea birds including blue footed, masked and red footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls and storm petrels.
Passengers board & at the bar awaits a delicious cocktail & snacks, the yacht or ship departs to navigate through the León Dormido (Kicker rock) a vertical tuff cone formation rising almost 153 m. (500 ft.) from the ocean, representing for many a sleeping lion or a shoe in mid - ocean; aside from the beauty in formation itself you can spot blue footed and masked boobies, frigate birds on its cliffs and sea lions along the shore. Farewell cocktail.
Guides’ briefing on next day activities. Dinner.
DAY 10 (WED)
Early wake up call. Disembarkation at Seymour Norte here after a dry landing you will be encountered by swallow tailed gulls and sea lions that will be found bodysurfing, it is also known for being another major nesting site for blue footed boobies, and the largest colony of magnificent frigate birds (different from the great frigate birds) . You will also spot marine iguanas and the opportunity to see land iguanas. Breakfast.
Disembark at the docks (Isle of Baltra), passengers board a bus that drives them to the airport for their flight back to mainland, Quito. Meeting and Transfer to your Hotel.
DAY 11 (THU)
After buffet breakfast, meeting and transfer to the Airport
Altura's included features:
* Choice of 3, 4 or 7 night cruise programs. "Run of the boat" cabin
accommodations
* Choice of hotel accommodations for 3 nights in Quito. 2 prior to the cruise
and 1 after the cruise
* City sightseeing tour in Quito including entrance fees
* All meals on board and buffet breakfast in Quito: B (breakfast),
L (lunch), D (dinner) as detailed in itinerary.
* Land excursions from vessels conducted by English Speaking
experienced Naturalist Guides
* Roundtrip transfers including baggage handling
* Hotel taxes and service charges
* Galapagos National Park entrance fee
* Assistance by local Altura representative
Selected Hotels in Quito:
First Class - Radisson, Sheraton Four Points
Deluxe - Marriott, Swiss Hotel
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