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*Galapagos The Enchanted Isles - Your Itinerary
10 days
From: £2553
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What's included:
- Scheduled flights, including all U.K. and overseas airport taxes and applicable fuel surcharges
- English-speaking expert naturalist guides during the cruise, who will also give informal lectures every evening
- Private air-conditioned vehicle, exclusive to Bales clients for all transfers (group basis in the Galapagos)
- Private sightseeing tour in Quito. Daily programme of activities and shore excursions during the cruise, the maximum group size on these excursions is 16 passengers
- Accommodation and meals First class centrally located hotel in Quito. Main Deck Outside Cabin aboard the first class M/V Santa Cruz.
- 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners
- Galapagos Park Entrance Fee Worth US$100
- Minimum participation 1 passenger
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Day 1
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 Day 1
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Depart from London Heathrow this evening by KLM via Amsterdam to Quito.
Meals:
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Day 2
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 Day 2
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On arrival in the morning you will be met and transferred to the Hilton Colon
Hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore or relax in Ecuador’s capital city.
Meals:
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Day 3
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 Day 3
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Morning sightseeing in Quito, including a visit to the Equatorial Monument.
Meals: B
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Day 4
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 Day 4
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Morning flight via Guayaquil to Baltra in the Galapagos Islands. Transfer on
arrival to the M/V Santa Cruz, where a welcome talk and safety drill takes place.
Later, visit Cerro Dragon on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. A trail into the interior affords great views of the bay and the western reaches of the archipelago, a superb introduction to this breathtaking spot. This area is a natural nesting site for land iguanas. Evening stargazing on deck (weather permitting).
Meals: B, L, D
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Day 5
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 Day 5
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Morning shore excursion by panga (small motorised dinghy) visiting Bartolome
Island, where a dry landing allows stunning views of the striking
Pinnacle Rock. There will be the opportunity to snorkel next to Galapagos penguins. The Santa Cruz sails to James Island, where in the afternoon, in addition to viewing numerous seabirds, you will visit a colony of endemic Galapagos sea lions.
Meals: B, L, D
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Day 6
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 Day 6
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Swimming and snorkelling are an integral part of Galapagos cruises, and
this morning you have an opportunity to explore the crystal clear waters off the red
sands of Jervis Island. Here you can find large colonies of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin finches. Close to the beach is a salt pond where Greater Flamingos can occasionally be seen and where from June to November, pelicans nest in the surroundings. Later, see the Galapagos tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, where a breeding programme is in place for these endangered reptiles.
Meals: B, L, D
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Day 7
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 Day 7
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An early return to Santa Cruz Island this morning sees you driven up into the
highlands, to view the giant Galapagos tortoise in its natural habitat. Vegetation
on this island includes the Scalesia Forest, and birds such as the scarlet-feathered Vermillion Flycatcher, and species of Darwin’s finches. In the afternoon visit North Seymour Island whose sandy shores teem with sea lions and marine iguanas, and whose trails lead to colonies of blue-footed boobies.
Meals: B, L, D
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Day 8
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 Day 8
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Your 4-night cruise ends today at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the provincial
capital of the Galapagos on San Cristobal Island, where Charles Darwin first visited. See the San Cristobal Interpretation Centre, with its displays of the natural history of the islands. Afterwards, fly back to Quito for an overnight stay at the Hilton Colon Hotel.Alternatively, you can remain on board the Santa Cruz for a further 3 nights visiting more of the Galapagos Islands
Meals: B
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Day 9
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Day 9
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After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the KLM flight back to Amsterdam.
Meals: B
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Day 10
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 Day 10
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Arrive at London Heathrow in the morning.
Meals:
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