Ecuador & the Galápagos Islands

Transcription

1 Ecuador & the Galápagos Islands October 22 - November 1, 2015 aboard the National Geographic Islander We return once again to the Galápagos Islands on the lovely MS Islander. We will have a chance to explore the highlands of Ecuador, visit the Otavalo market and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of old town Quito before we head to the archipelago for a week of wildlife overload. The Galápagos Islands are one of the world s best examples of sustainable tourism. The over-abundant wildlife is indifferent to our presence, knowing it has nothing to fear from the friendly human visitors. At many stops, we ll be the only visitors, feeling like we have the whole island to ourselves. Top-notch naturalist guides are trained at the University of the Galápagos and share their knowledge on land and in the water. We ll enjoy a combination of guided nature walks, Zodiac cruises and town visits, along with plenty of opportunities to swim and snorkel in the warm waters. We do hope you ll join us in Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands in 2015.

2 Dennis Minty From $6,475 USD per person For full pricing details see Page 7

3 HIGHLIGHTS Galápagos Islands Enjoy one of the world s greatest wildlife experiences Visit Quito, the Otavalo market and walk on the Equator Experience wildlife up-close on land, in the air and in the water Swim and snorkel daily in calm waters Travel in style with one of the best vessels in the Galápagos PROPOSED ITINERARY Day 1: Arrival in Quito, Ecuador Day 2: Old Town Quito and the Middle of the Earth Day 3: The Otavalo Market Day 4: Quito to the Galápagos Islands Day 5: Gardner Bay and Punta Suarez, Isla Española Day 6: Champion and Punta Cormorant, Isla Floreana Day 7: Puerto Villamil, Isla Isabela Day 8: South Plazas and Santa Fe Day 9: Santiago Island Day 10: Genovesa Island Day 11: Baltra to Guayaquil, Ecuador Our itinerary is subject to Galápagos National Park approval.

4 THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ISLANDER The 48-passenger National Geographic Islander is a versatile 50 m (165 ft) twin-hulled vessel with 24 spacious cabins. She is a sturdy expedition ship, designed for year-round discovery and active exploration of the Galápagos. Each air-conditioned cabin comes with an outside view and private facilities. Registered in Ecuador, the National Geographic Islander has numerous common areas including a lounge with a bar and facilities for films, slideshows and lectures. The ship holds a library, and plenty of deck space from which to view wildlife. The luxurious vessel is equipped with Zodiac landing craft, snorkelling gear, wetsuits, a spa, guest stations, a video microscope, hydrophone and Splash-Cam. A gift shop and doctor s office complete the list of facilities. Meals are served in one seating, from a menu of international cuisine with Ecuadorian flair. Deck Plan CATEGORY 1 CATEGORY 2 CATEGORY 3 CATEGORY 4 CATEGORY 5 CATEGORY 6 CATEGORY 7 SINGLE FLIGHT TRIPLE BRIDGE DECK Two twin beds, one pull-out couch, one window MAIN DECK DOUBLE Twin beds, one window.. BRIDGE DECK DOUBLE Twin beds, one window. UPPER DECK DOUBLE Two singles convert to double bed, glassed terrace, large windows UPPER DECK DOUBLE Two singles convert to queen, glassed terrace, large windows UPPER DECK Two singles convert to queen, larger windows, glassed terrace SUITE Upper deck, two singles convert to queen, larger glassed terrace Twin bed, one window Internal flight from Quito - Galápagos - Guayaquil. Cost: $525 USD

5 2015 Ecuador & the Galápagos Islands ITINERARY DETAILS Day 1: Arrival in Quito Arriving this evening we check into our elegant hotel and meet for snacks and cocktails at our welcome reception. Day 2: Old Town Quito and the Middle of the Earth After breakfast, our local guides take us on a walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Old Town Quito. We visit spectacular plazas, centuries-old churches and El Panecillo, which overlooks all of Quito. After lunch, we head north of the city to the Mitad del Mundo where we see equator coriolis-effect experiments, shrunken heads and blowguns. Day 3: The Otavalo Market Rising bright and early, we venture to one of the most famous markets in South America: the Otavalo Market. We wind up through the countryside, punctuated by volcanoes, mountain vistas and idyllic lakes. We re greeted in Otavalo by a riot of brightly coloured handicrafts bursting from the stalls, jewellery sparkling in the sun, everywhere deals are being made. This is the place in South America to find handmade weavings, garments, carvings and leather goods. Day 4: Quito to the Galapagos Islands We rise early and head to the airport for our flight to San Cristobal Island, Galápagos, where the National Geographic Islander awaits. You will have time for lunch and to settle into your cabins before arriving at your first stop, Cerro Brujo. You may choose to swim or snorkel from the lovely white sand beach, enjoy the first kayaking opportunity of the expedition or just stroll along the shore looking for marine iguanas and sea lions. Day 5: Gardner Bay and Punta Suarez, Isla Española Española Island is the oldest and most southerly island in the chain. Its remote location makes for some unique endemic inhabitants, including the only marine iguana to change colour during the mating season. We may also find some Waved Albatross here, as Española is their only nesting place in the Galápagos, attracting 12,000 pairs each year. Mating for life, the males reacquaint with their mates by a ritual dance, taking up to five days, which includes strutting, honking, and beak fencing. Sea kayaking, snorkelling and hiking are all offered here today. Day 6: Champion and Punta Cormorant, Isla Floreana On our visit to Floreana we learn it is best known for its colourful history of buccaneers, whalers, convicts, and colonists. We have a chance here to send some mail back home from famous Post Office Bay. We make our landing on a unique green sand beach and follow a trail with good viewing opportunities for Large Billed Flycatchers, Small and Medium Ground Finches and Cactus Finches. Flamingos sometimes feed in the island s large lagoon. We end at a beautiful white sand beach that s as fine as flour. At Champion Islet, we get into the water at one of the best snorkelling sites in the islands, with its playful colony of sea lions. Day 7: Puerto Villamil, Isla Isabela and Isla Fernandina Villamil is often considered the most beautiful site in the Galápagos with its palm-lined, white sand beaches. Behind Villamil are several brackish water lagoons where Pink Flamingoes, Common Stilts, Whimbrels, White-cheeked Pintails and Gallinules are usually seen. The beaches and lagoons near Villamil provide the best migratory bird viewing in the Galápagos. Villamil is home to the Darwin Station s tortoise breeding centre on Isabela. We ll also explore Isabela s caves and shoreline and search the waters for dolphins, whales, sea turtles and the elusive ocean sunfish the mola-mola. In the afternoon we will visit the Sierra Negra Volcano in the highlands.

6 Day 8: South Plazas and Santa Fe South Plazas is a beautiful uplifted islet that is home to dense colonies of sea lions on one side, and spectacular cliffs frequented by gulls, tropic birds, terns, shearwaters and boobies on the other side. Prickly pear cactus trees rise up from the rocky land that is covered by dense red mats of vegetation. Under the cacti, you ll find countless Galápagos land iguanas, as the islet has one of the last healthy populations in the archipelago, and here their territories overlap with those of the marine iguanas. You ll also visit Sante Fe, which is home to its own endemic species of land iguana as well as the largest giant prickly pears in Galápagos, and beaches with huge sea lion colonies. You ll have the option of joining either a heart-pumping hike or a more leisurely stroll along a trail, as well as opportunities to snorkel, kayak or enjoy a Zodiac ride along the shoreline. Day 9: Santiago Island This island is one of the most picturesque and geologically interesting in the archipelago, renowned for its stark volcanic landscape and the famous Tuff Cone formation known as Pinnacle Rock. You will visit Sombrero Chino, a charming volcano named due to its resemblance to a Chinese Hat. You may take Zodiac rides, kayak or go ashore to admire the volcanic landscape, and snorkel in an area often frequented by penguins, sea lions and small reef sharks. In the afternoon you ll view the famous Pinnacle Rock. You ll hike over pahoehoe lava, likely dating back to the end of the 19th century. You ll be able to distinguish the older reddish-brown lava from the younger black lava and identify many interesting features. You may have additional opportunities to swim and snorkel. Day 10: Genovesa Island The National Geographic Islander sails into the caldera of Genovesa, known as bird island, where you ll enjoy hikes among nesting colonies of swallow-tailed gulls, frigate birds, red-footed and Nazca boobies all while keeping a look out for hunting short-eared owls. You ll ride Zodiacs and kayak along the base of the caldera wall, and snorkel among large schools of parrot fish and other tropical species. Day 11: Baltra to Guayaquil On Sunday we arrive at Baltra Island, where we say goodbye to the National Geographic Islander and crew. Our flight will arrive back in Guayaquil in the early afternoon. We have an optional walk along the Malécon (Guayaquil s boardwalk) to the historic and colourful Las Peñas district. In the evening join your new friends for a goodbye dinner. Danny Catt

7 EXPEDITION COSTS INCLUDE: *Passage aboard the Ocean Endeavour or National Geographic Islander *Pre-departure materials *Special access permits, entry and park fees *Team of expedition staff *Applicable taxes *Educational program * Interactive workshops *Evening entertainment *Guided activities *Sightseeing and community visits *All Shipboard Meals *All Zodiac excursions *Port fees EXPEDITION COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: *$250 Discovery fee *Commercial & Charter flights *Gratuities (suggested $15 USD per passenger, per day) *Personal expenses *Mandatory medical evacuation insurance *Additional expenses in the event of delays or itinerary changes *Possible fuel surcharges *Pre & post hotel accommodation *Optional excursions * Additional costs associated with payments made by credit card. Please see credit card rates on the next page (53) Berth Prices (USD) PRICES ARE CASH/CHEQUE DISCOUNTED, AND IN US DOLLARS Cabin Class Categories Date 2015 Days Charter flights Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands Oct 22 - Nov 1 11 $6,475 $8,075 $8,475 $9,175 $9,675 $10,775 $11,775 Discovery Fee $250 $250 $250 $250 $250 $250 $250 $250 $250 $250

8 DISCOVERY FEE Each area we visit has rich cultural experiences and wild treasures to offer. As guests, we have made a point to source and support local projects in the areas through which we travel. A contribution from each passenger, billed separately as the Discovery Fee, represents a portion of the money we donate to ensure the longevity and success of educational, environmental and cultural initiatives in these regions. Our Discovery Fee is $250 USD per person for all Shipboard Expeditions. PRICING Rates are in US dollars, per person, per voyage based on double occupancy. Discovery fee and charter and commercial airfare are not included in the Berth price. Single occupancy cabins are available in select cabins on Ocean Endeavour and The Islander. Please call for availability. CURRENCY Although we are a Canadian company, most of our operating costs are paid in U.S. dollars. For this reason all tour prices are in U.S. dollars. We will accept Canadian dollars at our current exchange rate, please call for details. We are not responsible for bank exchange rates on credit card transactions. TOUR FARES Published prices are based on exchange rates and tariffs in effect at the time of printing (May 2014) and are subject to change without notice. Once the deposit has been received changes will not be made to the base price. No refund will be given if costs are reduced. The company reserves the right to amend all or part of any tour price for any reason including, without limitation: increased fuel costs, airfares, airport charges or increases in ground operator service fees. If the price increase is more than 7% (except increases resulting from an increase in retail sales tax or Federal Goods and Services Tax or Harmonized Sales Tax) the customer has the right to cancel the contract and obtain a full refund. Tour fees quoted are based on group participation. Prices are cash/cheque discounted, and in US dollars CREDIT CARD PRICING IS AS FOLLOWS IN USD: Ecuador & the Galápagos Islands C1 $6,734 C2 $8,398 C3 $8,814 C4 $9,542 C5 $10,062 C6 $11,206 C7 $12,246 Cusco, Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley $3,115 PAYMENT POLICY A deposit of $1,000 USD per person is required upon booking to confirm participation. Adventure Canada strongly advises all passengers to obtain trip cancellation insurance at the time of deposit. The balance of the payment is required 120 days prior to your departure date. The Company reserves the right to cancel reservations if payments are not received in time. Prices are cash/ cheque discounted, if you wish to pay by credit card please refer to our credit card pricing. Please make cheques payable to: ADVENTURE CANADA. Please review our Cancellation & Refund Policy for a full outline of our cancellation terms. WE ARE FAMILY FRIENDLY Family is important! To promote multi-generational travel, we are offering a 30% discount to travellers under 30 years of age. Please call us for details! SAILING SOLO? Single travellers not requiring private accommodation on shipboard programs can be matched with another single traveller at no extra charge. Single-occupancy cabins are also available at 1.5 times the regular cost. Please call us for pricing & availability. WE LOVE BAGPIPERS! If you can play the bagpipes, bring them along and ask about our bagpiper s rebate!