Central and South America > Galapagos, The Enchanted Isles
Galapagos, The Enchanted Isles
Quito (2 nights), Galapagos Islands Cruising (4 nights) and Quito (1 night)
The
Galapagos Islands lie on the Equator, 600 miles west of the coast of
Ecuador and offer a diversity of flora and fauna unique in the world.
Explore these islands aboard the excellent M/V Santa Cruz which is
operated by our local agents, Metropolitan Touring. In addition to the
shore excursions, briefings and slide shows are held each evening by
expert naturalists.
Days: 10
Price: from £2198
Group Departures Dates and Prices
| 20/4/2007
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29/4/2007 |
£2395.00 |
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4/5/2007
|
13/5/2007 |
£2198.00 |
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18/5/2007
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27/5/2007 |
£2198.00 |
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1/6/2007
|
10/6/2007 |
£2198.00 |
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8/6/2007
|
17/6/2007 |
£2198.00 |
|
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29/6/2007
|
8/7/2007 |
£2585.00 |
|
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20/7/2007
|
29/7/2007 |
£2585.00 |
|
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10/8/2007
|
19/8/2007 |
£2585.00 |
|
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17/8/2007
|
26/8/2007 |
£2585.00 |
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28/9/2007
|
7/10/2007 |
£2395.00 |
|
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19/10/2007
|
28/10/2007 |
£2395.00 |
|
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2/11/2007
|
11/11/2007 |
£2395.00 |
|
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9/11/2007
|
18/11/2007 |
£2395.00 |
|
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7/12/2007
|
16/12/2007 |
£2395.00 |
|
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21/12/2007
|
30/12/2007 |
£2665.00 |
Your Price Includes:
- Scheduled flights, including U.K. airport passenger duty and service charge
- English-speaking expert naturalist guides during the cruise, who will also give informal explanatory lectures every evening
- Private air-conditioned vehicle, exclusive to Bales clients for transfers
- Daily programme of activities and shore excursions during the cruise
- First class centrally located hotel in Quito
- Main Deck Outside Cabin aboard the first class M/V Santa Cruz
- 7 full breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners
- Galapagos Park Entrance Fee Worth US$100
- Minimum participation 1 passenger
Day 1
Evening
departure from London Heathrow by KLM (or your nearest regional airport
served by KLM) to Amsterdam (approximate flying time 1 hour). At
Amsterdam, change aircraft, and continue by KLM to Quito (approximate
flying time 15 hours 25 minutes with stops at Bonaire and Guayaquil en
route).
Meals:
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Day 2
On arrival in the morning you will be met and transferred to the Hilton Colon Hotel. The rest of the day is free.
Meals:
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Day 3
At
leisure in Quito. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ecuador’s
capital has a rich legacy of colonial architecture. Our local agents
will be pleased to offer you a variety of optional excursions
Meals: B
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Day 4
Our
flight this morning takes us by air across the Pacific Ocean to the
Galapagos Islands (approximate flying time 3 hours with a stop in
Guayaquil). On arrival in Baltra, embark on the Santa Cruz. A magical
introduction to the islands this afternoon as you take a dinghy ride
along the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, viewing boobies, frigate
birds and pelicans, and perhaps marine iguanas on the black volcanic
rocks.
Meals: B, L, D
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Day 5
Shore
excursions on the islands are by small dinghies or ‘pangas’. Safety
precautions are paramount and each passenger is provided with a
life-jacket. Landings are either ‘wet’ or ‘dry’. Wet landings are
usually on a beach, and you step out of the ‘pangas’ into shallow
water; at the dry landing stages you walk ashore onto rocks or steps.
In the morning stop at Bartolome Island, to view the striking Pinnacle
Rock with an afternoon visit to James Island to see a colony of fur
seals
Meals: B, L, D
Hotel:
The MV Santa CruzThe MV Santa Cruz (1,675 tons) is specially designed for Galapagos
cruising and accommodates a maximum of 90 passengers in single, twin
and triple cabins, each with private shower and toilet. Launched in
1979, and renovated in 1998, she is fully air-conditioned and fully
carpeted throughout. There is a spacious cocktail lounge, bar, dining
room, sun deck (with Jacuzzi) and observation area. A small shop sells
film (limited stocks), tee-shirts, sun protection cream, postcards and
locally made souvenirs.
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Day 6
Casual
dress is the order of the day throughout the cruise, and you should
always have your swimming costumes at the ready, as there are many
opportunities for swimming and snorkelling (equipment provided), such
as this morning when you visit Jervis Island which also has excellent
birdlife. In the afternoon, land at Santa Cruz Island and visit the
Charles Darwin Research Station, where the famous giant Galapagos
tortoises are bred
Meals: B, L, D
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Day 7
Early
this morning you will return to Santa Cruz in order to drive into the
highlands to see the giant Galapagos Tortoises in their natural
habitat. In the afternoon visit North Seymour Island, an excellent
location for viewing sea-lions and marine iguanas.
Meals: B, L, D
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Day 8
Your
4-night cruise ends at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the provincial capital
of the Galapagos Islands, before taking the flight back to the
mainland. On arrival in Quito, transfer to the Hilton Colon Hotel.
Meals: B
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Day 9
You
will be transferred to the airport to depart by KLM to Amsterdam
(approximate flying time 12 hours and 45 minutes with a stop at Bonaire
en route).
Meals: B
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Day 10
Arrive London Heathrow in the morning
Meals: |
