Begin your Galapagos journey with a day and evening of cultural discovery in Quito where you will visit a number of heritage sites, dine with locals and enjoy Ecuadorian specialties. The following day, you will set out to explore the Galapagos islands in the Eclipse luxury yacht. Your English-speaking naturalist guide will make your experience both fun and educational since you will have ample time to learn about the evolutionary and geological significance of the islands while still have the opportunity to relax, enjoy the warm Ecuadorian sun, snorkel and swim in the pristine turquoise waters. During this once-in-a-life-time experience you will have the opportunity to view extraordinary wild life, many of them endemic, including species such as: the marine iguana, 7 species of lava lizards, two species of land iguanas, Galapagos sea lion, giant tortoise, Galapagos Fur Seal, Pacific green sea turtle, bottlenose dolphin, and over 100 species of birds. Some of the bird species include the blue-footed booby, brown pelican, masked booby, red-footed booby, frigate birds, Galapagos Hawk, lava gull, Galapagos Dove and thirteen finch species made famous by Charles Darwin. Marine life is also abundant and those interested in snorkeling can view numerous species of fish and mammals including Galapagos fur seals, tropical fish, and manta rays. Since much of the islands existence has to do with relatively recent volcanic activity, visitors can have the opportunity to witness the slow creation of these islands and visit lava flows as recent as 100 years.

DAY 02
QUITO: CULTURAL EXPLORATION AND TRADITIONAL CUISINE
This day will be dedicated to exploring Quito's cultural heritage. The past and present come to life when you visit Quito's vast array of cultural exhibits. Your local guide will assist you in selecting the most appropriate to match your interests.

Some examples include: San Juan de Dios, once the oldest hospital in the Americas and now the colonial art museum; the Fundacion Guayasamin, with a fabulous collection of pre-Hispanic and colonial art; the Astronomical Observatory, the oldest in South America, housing the unique Merz equatorial telescope; the Museum of Natural History, including an exhibit of creatures that once roamed Quito 12,000 years ago; and the Museo del Banco Central, a chronological record of Ecuador's antiquity beautifully exhibited in archaeological treasures and providing clues to the origins of man in the Western Hemisphere.

For dinner enjoy authentic Ecuadorian cooking at a private residence. Your gracious hosts will be interested in learning about you, exchanging ideas, or listening to local music while savoring delicious food and local drinks. Overnight in Quito. B,L,D

DAY 03
QUITO - GALAPAGOS (BALTRA)
The flight from Quito (via Guayaquil) to the Galapagos is approximately 2 hours on a Boeing 727. Upon arrival at Baltra travelers pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands and to pay the park entrance fee of $100 (unless prepaid). Guides will meet you, collect your luggage and escort you on the short bus ride to the harbor. Motorized rafts, called 'Pangas' will transport you to the Eclipse and our crew will welcome you onboard. After departure and lunch, the first island visit is made.

In the afternoon we will navigate to Santa Cruz Island and visit the Bachas, a white sand beach that is a major egg-laying site for sea turtles, Las Bachas refers to the indentations left in the sand by egg laying turtles and departing hatchlings. On shore are marine iguanas, and, in the lagoon, flamingos are common. B,L,D

Note: Each evening your naturalist guide will give a briefing on all aspects of the Galapagos and the next day's activity schedule.

DAY 04
MORNING: SAINTIAGO (SAN SALVADOR, JAMES) ISLAND JAMES BAY
This island has several sites to visit at the western end of James Bay. Puerto Egas with its black sand beaches was the site of small salt mining industry in the 1960s and a hike inland to the salt crater is an excellent opportunity to sight land birds such as finches, doves, and hawks. A walk down the rugged shoreline, especially at low tide, will turn up many marine species as iguanas basking on the rocks and sea lions lazing in the tide pools. At the end of the trail there is a series of grottoes or sea caves where fur seals and night herons are found resting on shady ledges. Just north of James Bay is Buccaneer Cove, a particularly scenic area of steep cliffs and dark beaches.

AFTERNOON: BARTOLOME (BARTHOLOMEW)
Bartolome is a small island that has beautiful white sand beaches, luxuriant green mangroves and a colony of penguins. Activities will include swimming and snorkeling and a climb to the summit of the island for one of the most breathtaking views in all the Galapagos. From the summit you will have the best view of the often-photographed Pinnacle Rock. B,L,D

DAY 05
MORNING: TOWER (GENOVESA) ISLAND - DARWIN BAY BEACH
Tower is a collapsed volcano and ships sail directly into its large breached caldera to anchor at the foot of the steep crater walls. Tower attracts vast numbers of pelagic seabirds that come here to nest and breed: great frigate birds, red-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and storm petrels. A trail leads from a coral beach past tidal lagoons where lava gulls and yellow-crowned night herons are seen, then along the low shrubs populated by frigates and boobies, and eventually to a cliff edge where seabirds soar.

AFTERNOON: TOWER (GENOVESA) ISLAND - PRINCE PHILIP STEPS
A second trail called Prince Philip Steps, leads to an open area for masked boobies, frigates, and red-footed boobies. At the end of this trail are thousands of band-rumped storm petrels at the cliff's edge, where they nest in crevices. Short-eared owls can sometimes be seen here, hunting the storm petrels during daylight hours. B,L,D

DAY 06
MORNING: FERNANDINA (NARBOROUGH) ISLAND - PUNTA ESPINOSA
Fernandina is the youngest and most active volcano in the Galapagos with eruptions taking place every few years. The flat lava of Punta Espinosa offers a stark and barren landscape, but here flightless cormorants build their nests on the point, sea lions sprawl on the beach or play in the tide pools and marine iguanas dot the sand.

AFTERNOON: ISABELA (ALBEMARLE) ISLAND - TANGUS COVE
On the towering cliffs of Tagus Cove, 19th and early 20th century ships' graffiti can be seen. After hiking beyond Darwin Lake, a saltwater lagoon above sea level, you will be rewarded with extraordinary views of Darwin and Wolf volcanoes. B,L,D

DAY 07
MORNING: ISABELA (ALBEMARLE) ISLAND - URBINA BAY
Urbina Bay is an easy wet landing on a gentle sloping beach. This area is very interesting in that it is a perfect example of the geological activity of the islands. In 1954 over 3 miles (5 kilometers) of the marine reef at the edge of the shore were uplifted by 13 feet (4 meters).

AFTERNOON: ISABELA (ALBEMARLE) ISLAND - ELIZABETH BAY
At Elizabeth Bay enjoy a panga ride through the mangrove area to see the rays, turtles, sea lions, and, circling overhead, Galapagos hawks. A colony of penguins inhabit a rocky islet at the entrance to Elizabeth Bay. B,L,D

DAY 08
SANTA CRUZ (INDEFATIGABLE) ISLAND - PUERTO AYORA TOWN
Santa Cruz is the only inhabited island to be visited during this Galapagos cruise. Puerto Ayora, with a population of about 10,000 people is the location of the Charles Darwin Research Station, world famous for its tortoise breeding programs. After touring the Station, journey by bus into the highlands to Los Gemelos the two deep pit craters situated in the Scalesia forest with lots of interesting bird life. Go for a walk through the giant lava tubes, visit the Tortoise Reserve to search for giant tortoises in their natural surroundings. There will be some free time to explore the town of Puerto Ayora on your own. B,L,D

DAY 09
MORNING: HOOD (ESPANOLA) ISLAND - GARDNER BAY
One of the oldest of the islands, Hood is small and flat with no visible volcanic crater or vent. Gardner Bay is on the eastern shore and has a magnificent beach. This beach is frequented by a transient colony of sea lions, and is a major nesting site for marine turtles. Around the small islets nearby, snorkelers will find lots of fish and sometimes turtles and sharks. On a trail leading to the western tip of the island you'll pass the only nesting sites in the Galapagos of the waved albatross, huge birds with a 6-foot wingspan. These huge birds nest here from April to December and represent the majority of the world's population of this species.

AFTERNOON: HOOD (ESPA OLA) ISLAND - PUNTA SUAREZ
Punta Suarez is one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago, with a long list of species found along its cliffs and sand or pebble beaches. In addition to five species of nesting seabirds there are the curious and bold Hood Island mockingbirds, Galapagos doves and Galapagos hawks. Several types of reptiles, including the brilliantly colored marine iguana and the oversized lava lizard, are unique to this island. When heavy swells are running, Punta Suarez is also the site of a spectacular blowhole, with thundering spray shooting 30 yards into the air. B,L,D

DAY 10
SANTA CRUZ ISLAND - BLACK TURTLE COVE - BALTRA - QUITO
The panga will take you into a tidal lagoon to see three kinds of mangrove plants, red, white and black. White-tipped sharks, spotted rays, mustard rays and Pacific marine turtles frequent the waters here.

Return to Baltra for flight out to Quito. Overnight in Quito. B,L,D

DAY 11
QUITO - USA
Morning transfer to the airport for flight out. End of services. B

Cost per person
High Season - $3, 172
Low Season - $2,924
Call for pricing for suites and deluxe cabins on the Eclipse.

High Season
Jan 01-May 04
June 16-Aug 31
Nov 01-Nov 30
Dec 16-Dec 31

Low Season
May 05-June 15
Sept 01-Oct 31
Dec 01-Dec 15

TRIP DIFFICULTY: Journey requires moderate walking along trails and sufficient mobility to board small boats in variable land and sea conditions. In the Galapagos several islands require "wet landings" meaning passengers must step out of a small zodiac in shallow water in order to reach the beach. Passengers are not required to go out on every outing and have the option to remain on board the large boat to relax.

INCLUDES: All hotel accommodations based on double occupancy. Meals as specified in the itinerary, entrance fees, transfers, English speaking guides. B=Breakfast; L= Lunch; D=Dinner.

NOT INCLUDED: International airfares, airfare to Galapagos (approx. $390), Galapagos park fee ($100) airport departure taxes or visa fees, meals not specified, tips and gratuities, excess baggage charges, alcoholic beverages, insurance of any kind.

INSURANCE: ARE highly recommends that our travelers take out insurance. We offer travel insurance to our clients.