Important Please Note
For departures after 31 December 2011 this trip has variations.
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Galapagos Explorer
Trip Length |
Trip Code |
| 7 days | PSGX |
Activities |
|
| Wildlife (Easy), Cruising (Easy) | |
Maximum Passengers |
|
| 16 people | |
Countries Visited |
|
| Ecuador, Galapagos Islands (Ecuador) | |
Start City |
End City |
| Quito | Quito |
Flying to Baltra we cross by ferry to Santa Cruz island and continue by road to Puerto Ayora where we’ll visit the Galapagos tortoise research program at Darwin Station. In the afternoon we board the M.Y San Jose and cruise to Leon Domido and the large island of San Cristobal where we visit the new interpretation centre and the rugged volcanic peaks of Cerro Brujo. Next stop is isolated Espanola Island where we find waved albatrosses plus blue-footed and masked boobies, Galapagos hawks, Darwin finches, sea lions and marine iguanas. On the ‘Buccaneer’ hideaway island of Floreana we'll visit Post Office Bay and the island’s volcanic cone, a great spot for snorkelling, full of sea lions and colourful fish. You’ll also encounter the stately, pink flamingos as they wade in the shallow waters of inland lagoons. Arriving back at Santa Cruz Island we'll visit Black Turtle Cove and cruise amongst the mangroves, where the array of wildlife kicks into overdrive! The lagoons are a nursery for many sharks and rays. Amongst all this activity you will also find time to relax sunbath, swim, snorkel and enjoy new friendships.
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: Quito
On arrival at Quito's Mariscal Sucre International Airport you are met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. There is a pre-departure meeting in the evening at 6:00pm where you meet others travelling on your cruise to the Galapagos Islands. Note: Quito is located at 2850 metres above sea level. At this altitude you may possibly experience some of the milder effects of altitude sickness, such as dizziness, insomnia and a shortness of breath. If this is the case we recommend that you avoid any strenuous activity.
Day 2: Galapagos (Santa Cruz - Puerto Ayora - Charles Darwin Station)
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
This morning we are transferred to the airport for our flight to the Galapagos. Lunch is normally served on the flight. On arrival at Baltra Airport in the Galapagos you must pay the US$100 arrival tax for entry to Galapagos National Park. This is best done using cash, as using credit cards can be a time consuming process. We are met in the arrival hall and transferred by boat and bus to the 'M.Y. San Jose' in Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz Island. Once our luggage has been stored on board we commence our exploration of Santa Cruz, the second largest island in the Galapagos. The small town of Puerto Ayora is the economic centre of the archipelago, whilst the island is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station. If you didn't take your lunch on the flight you can eat in one of the many excellent restaurants in town. In the afternoon we visit the Darwin station to observe the tortoise research and breeding program. It is here in the station that we have the opportunity to get up close to some Galapagos giant tortoises. In the late afternoon we board the 'San Jose' and set sail for San Cristobal.
Day 3: Galapagos (San Cristobal Island)
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
The town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal is the capital and administrative centre of the Galapagos Islands. There is a good interpretation centre here that is well worth a visit. The centre focuses primarily on the history and geography of the archipelago, from its volcanic origins to the present-day ecosystem. We pass through Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock), which is a magnificent rock in the middle of the sea, set in a shape resembling a sleeping lion. The rock rises 150 metres above the surface and is divided into two parts by a narrow channel navigable by small vessels. We also visit Cerro Brujo, where there is a chance to go hiking, swimming and snorkelling. The sandy beach is home to Sally Lightfoot crabs, brown pelicans and blue-footed boobies.
Day 4: Galapagos (Espanola – Bahia Gardner - Punta Suarez)
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Today we cruise to the island of Espanola - the southernmost island of the Galapagos. Because of its remote location this place has a large population of endemic fauna. It is the breeding site for nearly all of the world's 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses and also home to colonies of blue-footed and masked boobies. We also visit the beautiful white sandy beaches at Bahia Gardner, which are great places for swimming and relaxing. The rocks off the coast provide excellent snorkelling opportunities, with reef sharks, turtles and many species of tropical fish, including surgeon and angelfish, often seen. The small white-tipped reef sharks are also often spotted resting under the rocks. We also pay a visit to Punta Suarez, one of the most attractive locations in the Galapagos and home to large and varied wildlife population.
Day 5: Galapagos (Floreana - Post Office Bay - Punta Cormorant)
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Our destination is the island of Floreana, where we go ashore at Punta Cormorant. Here, the sand is made up of fine olivine crystals, a glassy volcanic mineral, giving the beach its olive-green colour and it is the best place to we see Galapagos sea lions. Today is also our best opportunity to see pink flamingos and other water birds wading in the lagoons, including pintails and stilts. Devil’s Crown is an old eroded volcanic cone and a popular roosting site for seabirds such as boobies, pelicans and frigates. Red-billed tropicbirds can also be seen nesting in the rocky crevices. The centre of the cone is an outstanding snorkelling spot, full of sea lions and colourful fish. Floreana is also home to Post Office Bay, where 18th Century whalers used a barrel as an unofficial mail drop. This custom continues to this day with visitors to the Galapagos!
Day 6: Galapagos (Caleta Tortuga Negra - Baltra) - Quito
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Today we take an early morning excursion to Caleta Tortuga Negra (Black Turtle Cove) - a mangrove swamp on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. In the smaller corners of the cove we paddle a dinghy for a wonderfully peaceful journey through this beautiful and unique area. This is often an excellent place to see green turtle, golden ray and Galapagos shark. There is also abundant birdlife, such as yellow warbler and lava heron. It is not uncommon to see turtles mating. This is our final excursion before we return to the airport in Baltra for our flight back to Quito. As you will be leaving the boat this morning, please remember that if you have enjoyed the services provided by your guide and crew, a tip would be very much appreciated by them. As a guideline we recommend each passenger consider US$15 per day for the crew and US$7-10 per day for your guide. You can leave tips in envelopes that are placed in your cabin on this last day of your journey. Upon arrival in Quito Airport you are transferred back to our hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 7: Quito
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Our 'Galapagos Explorer' adventure ends today after breakfast.
Your Trip
What's Included
• The services of Peregrine's expert English-speaking naturalist guide and a crew of 8 onboard the Galapagos vessel.
• Return flights from Quito to the Galapagos Islands.
• Accommodation onboard the First Class M.Y. San Jose in one of just eight well-appointed, air-conditioned, twin share, lower-berth cabins with private facilities. Use of a comfortable lounge and sun deck.
• All Zodiac and shore excursions during the voyage: Santa Cruz Island including Black Turtle Cove; Cristobal Island via Leon Dormido and Cerro Brujo; Interpretation Centre; Espanola Island including Bahia Gardner, Punta Suarez and Devil's Crown; and Floreana Island including Post Office Bay and Punta Cormorant.
• Visit to the tortoise research and breeding program at the Charles Darwin Research Station.
• All meals aboard the M.Y. San Jose.
• Use of snorkelling equipment during the voyage.
• Arrival transfer.
Summary of accommodation, transport & meals
Transport
- Boat
- Bus
- Mini-van
- Plane
- Zodiac
Accommodation
- 4 nights Cruise
- 2 nights Comfortable hotel
Meals
- 6 breakfasts
- 4 lunches
- 4 dinners
Highlight of Highlights
Baby tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station
See the tortoise-rearing pens where thousands of newborns are hatched and yearlings are reared as part of the programme to re-introduce giant tortoises into the wild. These little giants are not to be missed!
Not Included
International flights, airport departure taxes, international departure transfer, visas where required, meals not included in the itinerary, insurance, laundry, any optional tours or activities during free time, tips, items of a personal nature, Galapagos transit card and the entrance fee to the Galapagos Islands National Park, Wetsuit Hire US$15.
What to know
VaccinationsVaccinations may be required for this trip. Talk to your doctor about the up-to-date information for this region.
Visas and PermitsIt is your responsibility to ensure you have all required visas for your trip. Rules and regulations governing the issuance of visas are constantly changing, and vary for different nationalities and you should check visa requirements with your travel agent or relevant consular authority well before travel.
Ecuador
Australians, New Zealanders, Americans, Canadians and British do not currently require a visa for Ecuador. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent.
You are required to have travel insurance before heading off on a Peregrine trip. Insurance can be organised by your Peregrine representative or your travel agent.
Responsible Travel
Our Responsible Travel ethos is at the heart of everything we do, from getting the basics right like respecting local cultures and the environment, to initiating projects that make positive contributions to communities, to our staff’s fundraising efforts and offsetting our carbon emissions.
Please visit our Responsible Travel (http://www.peregrineadventures.com/rt) page for more information.
Our Pre Departure Information packs (provided upon booking a trip) provide tips on how you can show respect for the local customs and culture in the country you are travelling in.
The information listed above is a brief description of some things you may need to consider when booking a trip. Once a tour is booked you will be provided with a Pre Departure Information pack which will contain detailed information.
Further Reading
EcuadorEcuador - A Fragile Democracy-Corkill & Cubitt
The Panama Hat Trail-T Miller
Galapagos - A Natural History Guide-M Jackson
Watching Wildlife: Galapagos Islands - David Andrew - Lonely Planet Galapagos – Kurt Vonnecut Galapagos: A Natural History – Michael H Jackson
Entrance
You must pay US$100 entrance fee to Galapagos Islands National Park upon arrival at Baltra Airport in the Galapagos. In the interest of speed and efficiency, this is best paid in cash.The Ecuadorian Government requires that all visitors to the Galapagos Islands, obtain a transit card. The cost of this transit card is US$10 and you must pay this in cash upon entrance to the national park.
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 keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!
Last Updated
3 November 2011