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ECUADOR & THE GALAPAGOS - 2010: La Pinta
9 days from Quito to Guayaquil (WBG)
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 This exciting Galapagos vacation lets you sample the natural wonders of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Quito, have your photo taken at the "Center of the World," and spend time at leisure in Guayaquil. Also, fly over the Pacific to San Cristobal Island, where you'll embark on an exciting 4-day cruise among various Galapagos Islands. Then, spend two nights on Santa Cruz Island at the Finch Bay Hotel to learn more about incredible plants and vastly different animals unique only to the Galapagos! INCLUDED FEATURES Cruise:
3-night cruise in the Galapagos in an outside stateroom
Quito:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide; Legislative Palace, San Francisco Monastery, La Compania Church, Workshop & Museum of Oswaldo Guayasamin, and Equatorial Monument; welcome dinner
Galapagos Islands Cruise:
Three nights cruising Galapagos National Park aboard the Santa Cruz; Charles Darwin Research Station; guided sightseeing each day with a local Naturalist
Galapagos Islands Finch Bay Hotel:
Two nights for relaxing and further exploration of the Galapagos; farewell dinner
All Intra-Tour Flights
Notes: Wine with dinner on cruise. Maximum elevation on tour: 9,200 ft. The ship's itinerary may vary according to Galapagos National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, and seasonal changes to create the perfect cross-section of sites visited. MEALS - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner American breakfast daily (B), 5 lunches (L), and 6 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Quito and a farewell dinner at the Finch Bay. SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class Quito Swissotel Quito (SF), Galapagos Cruise Santa Cruz (F), Galapagos Hotel Finch Bay Hotel (F), Guayaquil Oro Verde (SF)
M/V Santa Cruz INSIDE VISITS Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable. # ItineraryDay 1 Fly to Quito, Ecuador(Wed.) Board your flight to Quito. Your flight to South America arrives late this evening and will be met by your Local Host. Day 2 Quito(Thu.) An included sightseeing tour showcases Quito's treasures: the historic stone murals of the LEGISLATIVE PALACE, Independence Plaza and the 16th-century SAN FRANCISCO MONASTERY, the Jesuit's LA COMPANIA CHURCH with its stunning golden altars, and the impressive paintings at the WORKSHOP & MUSEUM of Oswaldo Guayasamin. Have your photo taken in front of the EQUATORIAL MONUMENT, the "Center of the World." This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner. (B,D) Day 3 Quito-San Cristobal-Galapagos Islands (Embarkation)-Cruising(Fri.) A morning flight to San Cristobal, one of the remote Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival, board the sleek Santa Cruz and enjoy four days of CRUISING among various Galapagos Islands. Each day, travel ashore to the remote islands with your expert Naturalist who introduces you to the unique fauna living free and fearless of man. Today, visit San Cristobal Island, where Charles Darwin first set foot in the Galapagos back in 1835. This island is home to seabirds like blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, herons, and frigatebirds. Also look for the Chatham (San Cristobal) Mockingbird and Chatham Lava Lizard-both species are endemic to this island and seen nowhere else in the Galapagos. (B,L,D) Day 4 Galapagos Islands Cruising(Sat.) Your exploration continues on Espanola (Hood Island), one of the oldest islands in the archipelago. Here you will see the famous blowhole as well as unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April-December), Nazca and blue-footed boobies, and Darwin's finches. Also, look for red-green-black marine iguanas and a rookery of sea lions right at the landing site. This afternoon, visit a brackish-water lagoon on Floreana, where you may observe Greater Flamingos, pintail ducks, common stilts, herons, and sandpipers. For marine enthusiasts, this is a great place for snorkeling! (B,L,D) Day 5 Galapagos Islands Cruising(Sun.) This morning brings you to the youngest island, Fernandina. Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment and the highest density of marine iguanas. Sharing their habitat are sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs, and hawks. In the afternoon on Isabela Island, enjoy coastal exploration by panga along the cliffs of sunken Ecuador Volcano. Your Naturalist guides explain the dramatic geology of the area with remains of lava flows and tuff stone layers. This is the nesting place for flightless cormorants, the only birds in the world that have changed from flying birds to diving birds. Wildlife here includes sea lions, Galapagos penguins, blue-footed and Nazca boobies, and noddy terns. (B,L,D) Day 6 Galapagos (Disembarkation)-Santa Cruz-Finch Bay Hotel(Mon.) This morning, disembark on Santa Cruz Island, where your Naturalist introduces the island's lush and vibrant green highlands, pit craters, lava tunnels, the Scalesia forest, and the giant tortoises' wild habitat. After checking in at the Finch Bay Hotel, visit the CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION, established to help conserve the Islands' natural habitat and protect the famous giant tortoises. (B,L,D) Day 7 Galapagos. Finch Bay Hotel(Tue.) Named after the famous Darwin's finches abundant in the area, the Finch Bay Hotel offers a private seaside location surrounded by mangroves. Outings today include a list of activities that allow you to have a "Galapagos a la carte" adventure. Choose a walk to Tortuga Bay, a 6-mile-long coralline beach, mountain bike up in the highlands, or swim or snorkel right off the beach. Tonight, enjoy the view of the bay at your farewell dinner at Angermeyer's Point. (B,L,D) Day 8 Santa Cruz-Baltra-Guayaquil(Wed.) Transfer to Baltra for your return flight to Guayaquil, where you'll enjoy free time this evening. (B) Day 9 Guayaquil-Homebound Flight(Thu.) Depart this morning for hometown connections. (B) |
| Call (781) 837-1111 for more information or to book today! Mention code 8587512 | | Avalon Waterways | | Offer valid through 11/30/2009 | |  La Pinta
Click for more information on this ship. |
| | Day | Port | Arrive | Depart | | Day 1 | Quito | | | | Day 2 | Quito | | | | Day 3 | Cruising | | | | Day 4 | Galapagos Islands Cruising | | | | Day 5 | Galapagos Islands Cruising | | | | Day 6 | Santa Cruz | | | | Day 7 | Galapagos | | | | Day 8 | Guayaquil | | | | Day 9 | Homebound Flight | | |
| | | US$ Price DetailsApplicable air fare taxes and fees Intra-tour air value:
$420
Single Room Supplement:
$1953
Triples are not available.
Extra nights per person in Quito:
in single room $171; in twin room $97.
Extra nights per person in Guayaquil:
in single room $150; in twin room $90.
Cruise pricing is based on main deck cabins. Upgrades are available.
2011 prices and itineraries are subject to change.
Our Volume Buying Power Saves You Money!
-We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city.
-Additional accommodations before or after your vacation may be available at our low prices.
Additional Information:
-Departure/arrival taxes and fares from other cities will be advised at the time of booking.
-Vacation departures, itineraries and prices are subject to change.
Guaranteed air-inclusive prices:
Air is only available to passengers traveling from the United States and only available when booked in conjunction with a land vacation. An additional $250 non-refundable deposit is required for air booked in conjunction with any land vacation (i.e., air-inclusive vacation.) However, once your airfare is confirmed for departures Jan 1, 2009-Dec. 31, 2009 (or published 2010 departures) and Avalon Waterways has received your full air and land deposit, your air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed. Departure is based on the land start date as listed in the vacation itinerary.
We also accept your reservation on a land-only basis:
While booking your vacation air-inclusive gives you various advantages, you can also choose the land-only option. But remember, airlines' special fares generally apply to very brief periods. (Our low air-inclusive fares apply throughout the year.) Plus, to get these "deals" you often are required to pay full fare at the time of booking.
Taxes & fees
Taxes and fees are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full land and air deposit are received.
Applicable airfare taxes & fees:
Air-inclusive prices do not include a September 11th Security Fee of up to $10, passenger facility charges of up to $18, Federal domestic flight segment fees of up to $3.50 per segment, and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government imposed fees of up to $300, depending on your itinerary. Your final air-inclusive vacation price for departures Jan 1, 2009-Dec. 31, 2009 is not guaranteed until your air schedule has been confirmed and your full air and land deposit have been received by Avalon Waterways. Departure is based on the land start date as listed in the vacation itinerary.
Not included in the vacation price:
Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees including the September 11th Security fee up to $10 per person, Passenger facility charges up to $18 per person, Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure, and other government imposed fees up to $300 per person; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ships' crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted Avalon Waterways menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); optional excursions; airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection premiums; excess baggage fees; and all other items of a personal nature. |
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