LAND BASED TOURS
ECUADOR TOUR EXTENSIONS
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Galapagos by Land & Sea, a Land and Cruise Galapagos Islands adventure tour
Galapagos by Land & Sea, a Land and Cruise Galapagos Islands adventure tour
5D/4N Cruise
Tourist Superior: +$4,380
First Class: +$4,745
Cruise Ship: +$4,945
Luxury Cruise: +$5,700
6D/5N Cruise
Tourist Superior: +$4,680
First Class: +$5,335
Cruise Ship: +$5,780
Luxury Cruise: +$6,345
8D/7N Cruise
Tourist Superior: +$5,130
First Class: +$5,325
Cruise Ship: +$6,000
Luxury Cruise: +$7,125
Internal flights are not included in trip costs
Internal airfare: $385 low season / $430 high season (subject to change)
Please for cruise itinerary and pricing specifics during your timeframe.
This is a highly customizable trip. We can arrange our Galapagos by Land & Sea Tour with any Galapagos cruise of any length (4-10 days) to either begin or end with the cruise, depending on your preference and availability. for details.
Total Duration: 12+ days
If you are going to travel to the Galapagos Islands only once, it is important to make the most of it. Our Galapagos by Land & Sea trip combines a land-based tour with a cruise, providing the best of both worlds. The trip starts with five days on land, staying at hotels on the islands, supplying a perspective few Galapagos travelers experience. Activities such as hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, and biking give you an in-depth dynamic view of this unique destination. The second half of the trip is a Galapagos cruise that affords the opportunity to visit the more distant uninhabited islands of the Galapagos while enjoying the experience of living aboard an attractive yacht.
Private Departures can be arranged. Please regarding details and private departure costs.
SCUBA Diving is available on this tour; please for more information.
Galapagos by Land & Sea Itinerary
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Day 1 QUITO
View Quito accommodations picture gallery
On your arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. We can arrange optional tours to explore the capital city, including visits to museums and other sites of interest if you arrive early.
View Optional Pre-Itinerary Tour Extensions
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Day 2 QUITO – BALTRA - SANTA CRUZ (HIKING)
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Your exploration of the island today starts with El Chato Reserve, a natural habitat for the giant tortoise
This morning, you transfer to the Quito airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands. You will be taken to your hotel in the port town of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island where you will be spending the next two nights. Your exploration of the island today starts with El Chato Reserve, a natural habitat for the giant tortoise, the species from which the islands derive their name. On today’s hike, you will learn about these giants and search for pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches and frigatebirds that may be seen bathing in freshwater lakes. You'll explore unique volcanic tunnel formations in lava caves, and if the weather is clear, be able to see Media Luna, an ancient collapsed crater at the top of the island. You’ll continue on to Los Gemelos, hiking between the two volcanic craters and through a beautiful scalesia forest. This is habitat for the short-eared owl, one of two owl species on Santa Cruz. In the afternoon you will be returned to Puerto Ayora for an evening on your own before a relaxing night at your hotel. (B,L)
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Day 3 SANTA CRUZ (CHARLES DARWIN STATION, KAYAKING, HIKING)
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The Blue-footed Boobie, probably the Galapagos' most loved and comical native
After breakfast, you visit the famed Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about Galapagos conservation and wildlife management efforts. Here you encounter Lonesome George, the last giant tortoise of his sub-species. Next, by kayak you paddle through the calm turquoise waters of Divine Bay near Punta Estrada, winding through high-walled lava channels that are home to white-tipped reef sharks and two species of rays. Above, colonies of blue-footed boobies, tropicbirds, herons, crabs and marine iguanas perch along the cliffs. Back in Puerto Ayora, you will hike to Tortuga Bay, one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the archipelago and nesting site of thousands of marine turtles. This four-mile loop trail travels through dry forest habitat, home to hundreds of iguanas. You'll return to your hotel in the afternoon and have the evening free to sample the cuisine and nightlife of Santa Cruz. (B,L)
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Day 4 SAN CRISTÓBAL (HIKING, SNORKELING)
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A land Iguana, less common but more colorful than the sea Iguanas
In the morning, a short flight takes you to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, capital of San Cristóbal Island, the easternmost island in the Galapagos. You will be taken to your comfortable hotel and after check-in, enjoy a welcome lunch and briefing. You’ll then hike out of town to the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center, for an overview of the island’s geology, evolution and natural history. From here, an invigorating hike takes you to nearby Frigatebird Hill for breathtaking views of the coastline and the capital. This is an excellent bird watching spot where soaring above, you will see both species of frigatebirds with wing spans of over six feet. The frigates share the hill with blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and Darwin's finches. On the way back, you'll stop for a tropical swim at one of two white sand beaches, Carola or Mann. The remainder of the evening is yours to explore this quaint island town and enjoy dinner in one of the restaurants near the charming hotel where you will be staying the next two nights. (B,L)
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Day 5 SAN CRISTÓBAL (KAYAKING, SNORKELING)
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You spend today in ocean kayaks paddling in the turquoise waters that surround the island. The first destination is Playa Ochoa, observing sea lions, marine turtles, blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds from bays and coves along the way. You will stop in Darwin Bay, the first landing site of the MS Beagle. After reaching Playa Ochoa, you continue to nearby Isla Lobos to look for marine iguanas and swim with friendly sea lions. Enjoy a hearty lunch before paddling to Roca Leon Dormido, the jagged remains of an old tuff cone often covered with seabirds. These jutting rocks are known as an excellent area for snorkeling in the Galapagos. Marine life is abundant, with hammerheads, white-tipped reef sharks, eagle rays, golden rays, clams, starfish, marine invertebrates and dozens of different tropical fish, species swimming in and out of the rocky channels. Return to your hotel for another relaxing evening on your own. (B, L)
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Day 6 EMBARK CRUISE
Today you'll begin the cruise portion of the Supreme Galapagos Tour
With no morning schedule, you will be able to enjoy free time in town before embarking on the next leg of your Galapagos adventure aboard your Galapagos yacht. After getting settled, you will receive a welcome briefing and enjoy lunch on board before heading to the first landing site of your sea based itinerary. (B, L, D)
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Day 7-10 GALAPAGOS CRUISE
Spend these full days exploring the Galapagos Islands from the comfort of your cruise. You’ll enjoy two land visits daily as well as snorkeling and kayaking opportunities. Itinerary specifics vary based upon the yacht you select and include four to ten day cruises. Please to send you available cruise options during your timeframe. (B,L,D)
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Day 11 GALAPAGOS – QUITO
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Your final morning in the Galapagos Islands will include one last island visit before being transferred from the vessel to the airport for your return flight to Quito. Arrive in the late afternoon and transfer to your comfortable Quito hotel.
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Day 12 QUITO - HOME
Transfer to the airport for the international departure home, the end of Southern Explorations services. If you are interested in more Galapagos tours, trip extensions to other regions or extra days in Quito, we would be happy to arrange them. (B)
View Optional Post-Itinerary Tour Extensions
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Key: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
ARTICLES & INFORMATION ABOUT GALAPAGOS
TOURS AND TRAVEL
CONTACT US
CALL
1.877.784.5400
TOLL FREE
OUTSIDE
THE U.S.A. CALL
1.206.784.8111
2012 WEEKLY DEPARTURES
2 person minimum / 10 maximum
Weekly departures available. Please for available options.
Private Departures can be arranged. Please regarding private departure costs.
INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS
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Included in tour cost
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Bilingual English speaking naturalist guide
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All listed activities
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All land and sea transportation during the itinerary
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All hotel accommodations in tourist superior hotels (on a twin share basis)
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Continental breakfasts included at all hotels
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Upgrades to first class hotels available
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All meals as noted
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Snorkeling gear
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Sea kayaking gear
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International and domestic transfers
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Local Quito representative
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Southern Explorations pre-departure information
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Excluded in tour cost
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International round trip airfare to and from Ecuador
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Domestic Airfare: Quito / Galapagos / Quito
Low Season: $385
(May 1 - June 14 / Sept 15 - Oct 31)
High Season: $430
(Jan 1 - April 30 / June 15 - Sept 14 / Nov 1 - Dec 31)
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Hiking boots and other necessary sports gear
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Lunches and dinners in the cities (unless otherwise specified)
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Personal expenses (tips and gratuities, alcoholic beverages, medical or travel insurance, laundry, airport taxes, etc)
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Wetsuit rental $5 per day, recommended May - November
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Galapagos Transit Control Card (10 USD)
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Entrance fee to Galapagos National Park (100 USD)
PHYSICAL RATING
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Moderate
ACCOMMODATION
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6 nights Hotels
3-9 nights at sea
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
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Additional $
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Single Supplement is the additional cost of a single traveler not sharing a room in double occupancy.
Prices based on 3.5% cash discount
