Galapagos Encounter - Archipel I (Itinerary D)
Galapagos Encounter - Archipel I (Itinerary D)
Galapagos Encounter - Archipel I (Itinerary D)
10 Days Starting in Quito and ending in Guayaquil
Visiting: Ecuador, Galapagos Islands
Tour operator:
Tour code:
WGAD
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 16
Age range:
12-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
This 8 day north-western tour aboard the catamaran Archipel I gives an extensive overview of the Galapagos Islands by combining the circumnavigation of the Isabela Island with excursions in the northern points of the archipelago. Explore the untouched western end of Galapagos, which has just been born out of fire and the lush highlands. Nutrient rich ocean upwellings are a magnet to all kinds of marine and birdlife. Visit the sea bird colonies of popular North Seymour as well as the isolated and exclusive Genovesa. On the spectacular volcano islet of Bartolomé and the lava flow at Sullivan Bay, you will certainly get impressed by the creative forces and fascinating pioneer species.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Quito
The adventure starts in Quito, aim to arrive at the hotel this afternoon/evening. Free transfers are available for all clients – check the Joining Instructions for more information. A local guide will welcome you to Quito and explain the schedule for the next few days.
Accommodation: Hotel Casona de la Ronda (or similar)
Day 2 : Discover Quito At Your Leisure
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is free to relax, recover from the flight and explore the fascinating city of Quito, the second-highest capital in the world, standing at 9,350ft (2,850m) on the western cordillera of the Andes. It is one of the smaller and more attractive of the colonial capitals in South America. Because of the altitude, visitors to Quito are advised to take it easy at first.
Accommodation: Hotel Casona de la Ronda (or similar)
Day 3 : Fly To Baltra Airport On The Galapagos And Visit Fausto Llerena Breeding Center (Santa Cruz)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: Fly to Galapagos
Transfer to Quito Airport and fly to Baltra Airport in the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival, you pass through the airport inspection point to make sure no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the island, and to pay the national park entrance fee. Your guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbour where a dinghy will take you to the yacht.
Afternoon: Fausto Llerena Breeding Center (Santa Cruz)
On a tour of the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, you can see the tortoises of Española Island, ending in the tortoise exhibit corral. Tortoises of this corral are accustomed to humans – an excellent chance to capture a photo for your wall back home.
Accommodation: Archipel I
Day 4 : Floreana Island
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: Cormorant Point
You have the chance to spot Galapagos penguins from the dinghy or a flamingo lagoon against the backdrop of extinct tuff cones and scented palo santo bushes. Don't expect to see flightless cormorants here, though, they live exclusively in west Galapagos.
Afternoon: Post Office Bay
Bring your postcards and drop them in the traditional barrel at this historic site. They might arrive home quicker than you!
Accommodation: Archipel I
Day 5 : Española Island
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: Gardner Bay
One of the jewels of the Galapagos, Española provides the exclusive opportunity to become an eyewitness of evolution.
Afternoon: Suarez Point
The west tip of Española is a dream for birdwatchers and photographers. Feel as though you're within an exciting nature documentary and hike a short distance from colourful marine iguanas.
Accommodation: Archipel I
Day 6 : San Cristóbal
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: Pitt Point
Two wind-sculpted tuff cones at Pitt Point constitute the easternmost end of the Galapagos and were the first sight of land for the crew of Darwin’s HMS Beagle.
Afternoon: Witch Hill
Enjoy a leisurely afternoon in Witch Hill's crescent-shaped beach of soft powdery sand.
Accommodation: Archipel I
Day 7 : San Cristóbal Island
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: Lobos Islet
The Asylum of Peace hike goes past a mesmerising cave and visits a freshwater spring. La Loberia beach is an ideal spot to enjoy the ocean and see the cute sea lions that live there.
Afternoon: Interpretation Centre
The Interpretation Centre provides a perfect explanation of this unique archipelago – the exhibition reveals what makes it so unique. Information panels, pictures, documents, maquettes and dioramas delve into the background and conservation stories of the islands.
Accommodation: Archipel I
Day 8 : South Plaza And Santa Fe
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: South Plaza
Popular South Plaza is not to be missed! This Jurassic islet is the best place to see the emblematic Galapagos dragons, which crawl across it.
Afternoon: Sante Fe
Sante Fe is another jewel of the Galapagos, where the pale Barrington land iguana and practically every other creature is unique to the archipelago or this island alone.
Accommodation: Archipel I
Day 9 : North Seymour And Chinese Hat
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: North Seymour
North Seymour is another cruise highlight. It’s home to the most extensive seabird breeding colony in the archipelago and you can walk just a short distance from frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies.
Afternoon: Chinese Hat
Though recently born out of the fire, the volcanic islet of Chinese Hat does not appear to be any more inhospitable than Bartolomé and Sullivan Bay.
Accommodation: Archipel I
Day 10 : Disembark Santa Cruz; Fly Baltra To Guayaquil And End
Meals Included: Breakfast
Morning: El Chato Reserve – Twin Craters
El Chato Reserve is a protected area and part of the Galapagos National Park. It extends from Cerro El Chato as far down as the southwestern coast of Santa Cruz Island.
Afternoon: Transfer to Baltra Airport
Assisted by the naturalist guide and some crew members, the dinghy will bring you and your luggage to San Cristóbal, where we take the airport shuttle. From here, we fly to Guayaquil where it's possible to connect with international flights from 6pm onwards.
What's Included
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Meals
9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners.
* All breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners
* All accommodation
* All transport and listed activities
* Tour leader throughout
* Snorkel equipment (mask, snorkel and fins) available free of charge on
board
* We can include flights from the UK. Please contact us for a quote.
What's Not Included
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Compulsory Galapagos taxes US$120, paid locally
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Visas or vaccinations
Accommodation
The Archipel I catamaran has an outside lounge and dining area, an inside lounge/bar and a spacious sun deck, perfect for relaxing and observing the incredible Galapagos landscape. There are two cabins with double beds and six twin cabins with two single beds. All cabins have air conditioning and private bathrooms. Beach towels are provided and there are two sea kayaks for passenger use.
Please note, a lot of the travelling between islands is done overnight, so some cabin noise and movement should be expected.
Boat specifications:
Catamaran
16-passenger capacity with two double cabins and six twin cabins
Crew: Nine plus one naturalist guide
Length: 88ft (27m)
Beam: 36ft (11m)
Virtual 360 Tour – Archipel I – https://catamaranarchipel.com/VR/ARCHIPELL.html
Single rooms can be arranged for a supplement for the hotel nights in Quito, subject to availability – please enquire at the time of booking. Unfortunately, we cannot offer single cabins on board the boat in the Galapagos, and you will be paired with another traveller of the same sex for the seven nights on board.
Food
All breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners included.
On board meals are plentiful with a wide choice of international and local
cuisine. Breakfasts will usually consist of cheese, meats, eggs, cereal,
toasts, yoghurts and fruits. Snacks are provided mid-morning and
mid-afternoon, and for lunches and dinner soup usually precedes the main
course.
Alcoholic drinks are available on board (approx. US$4 per beer, US$35 for a
bottle of wine, around US$8 for selected cocktails) and the crew request that
you do not bring your own alcohol with you. Drinking water, tea, coffee and
juice is freely available at no additional charge.
The chef can prepare meals for vegetarians and those with other dietary
requirements provided advance notice is given - please inform us at the time
of booking.
Check out our Q&As
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
16+ age people can go on this tour.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What is the maximum group size?
16
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.