Galapagos Islands Holiday Cruise

Galapagos Islands Holiday Cruise Itinerary:

• Day 1 Dec 29 Saturday: Arrive Quito

  Your trip begins today in Quito, Ecuador. Transfer to your hotel, the beautiful Patio Andaluz in the colonial district of Quito. Enjoy dinner on your own this evening. Hotel accommodations included.

• Day 2 Dec 30 Sunday: Arrive at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal, Galapagos

  Meet in the lobby early this morning for your transfer to the airport for a morning flight to the Islands (via Guayaquil). Board your flight to the Galapagos either from Quito or Guayaquil. Upon arrival to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island, airport 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 (REI Adventures will collect this fee from you and pre pay it). Here, the boat crew is waiting to escort you to your anchored yacht. After the welcome briefing and safety drill we set sail for Playa Ochoa, where we have a chance to test our snorkeling equipment and at the same time swim with a small colony of sea lions. Behind the beach, there is a tidal lagoon where birds can be spotted including the rare Chatham mockingbird. At sunset, we cruise around Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido), a vertical tuff cone formation that abruptly juts up almost 500 feet out of the ocean. On the cliffs, we find blue-footed boobies, masked boobies and magnificent frigate birds. All meals included when aboard ship.

• Day 3 Dec 31 Monday: Punta Pitt, Cerro Brujo

  This morning, we visit the northeast tip of San Cristobal, Punta Pitt, a tuff formation that serves as a nesting site for many sea birds including blue footed, Nazca and red-footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls and storm petrels. Punta Pitt is considered to be a first class site for birds and equal to Genovesa (Tower) Island. This afternoon we visit Cerro Brujo, a breathtaking white-powder sand beach and said to be one of the most spectacular in the Galapagos Islands. We'll have an opportunity to snorkel or kayak right from the beach.

• Day 4 Jan 1 Tuesday: Espanola

  Today's start begins with a dry landing at Punta Suarez, Espanola, where we witness the highest rate of endemic species in Galapagos. Sea lions noisily greet us as we land on their beach. Curious Hood mockingbirds peck at our shoelaces. From April to November, the waved albatross, found only on Espanola, performs its wild mating ritual. Colonies of blue-footed boobies engage in "sky-pointing" to show off for potential mates. Nazca boobies busily care for their young. Stunning swallow-tailed gulls are the only nocturnal gulls in the world. Red-billed tropicbirds take shelter under the cliffs. We also find Darwin's Finches, Galapagos doves and Galapagos hawks. Observe a unique species of marine iguanas that are identified with traces of red and green colorings. Colorful Sally Lightfoot crabs crawl along the shoreline near to the famous "blow hole". In the afternoon, we have a wet landing on Gardner Bay, Espanola or also known as Hood Island. Walk along seemingly endless stretches of this white sandy beach where you'll find large colonies of sea lions. There is no trail to follow so this is a chance to explore and you may find a Galapagos hawk, Darwin's finches or Hood mockingbirds. Swim with sea lions right from the beach, explore by kayak or just relax. There's an excellent snorkeling site off Gardner Islet with a colorful diversity of sea life near Tortuga Rock or explore caves covered with invertebrates.

• Day 5 Jan 2 Wednesday: Floreana, Post Office Bay

  This morning we step ashore at Punta Cormorant, Floreana one of the few populated islands in the Galapagos. Floreana presents a rich history with mystery and intrigue. Set foot on a black-sand beach alive with the sounds of sea lions. We'll follow a trail to a brackish lagoon, home of the pintail ducks, common stilts, and the pinkest flamingos in the world. Wind your way past a rich variety of plants including morning glory, cut leaf daisies, palo verdes and scalesia that lead to a beach with powder soft sand. Sea turtles lay their eggs in the sand dunes and rays swim in the shallow water. After the walk, we have an opportunity to snorkel at Devil's Crown or Champion, a shallow sunken crater colonized by a brilliant array of colorful fish and corral. This afternoon we visit Post Office Bay, not the most scenic, but probably the most famous site in the Galapagos. Here is where a post barrel was put into use in the late 18th century by English whaling vessels. You are invited to leave a post card and to pick up any mail from your home area.

• Day 6 Jan 3 Thursday: Isabela – Sierra Negra and Wall of Tears

  After breakfast, we visit a hidden gem on Isabela Island called Los Humedales and Muro de Lagrimas which translates to "wetlands" and "wall of tears". This area includes trails lined with all four species of mangroves, secluded beaches with rocky shores, lava tunnels and natural pools. View migratory birds including whimrels, short-billed dowitchers, Wilson's pharlarope, common tern, osprey, semi-palmated plovers as well as mating flamingos. The national park has released young tortoises from the breeding center in this area so you may encounter tortoises in the wild. Our visit will include a stop at the Wall of Tears. This wall was constructed during the years of 1946-1959 when Isabela was a penal colony. In the afternoon, we visit Sierra Negra Volcano, located in the Southwest portion of Isabela and considered the oldest and largest volcano on the island. From Puerto Villamil, we travel by motorized vehicle to Santo Tomas. From here, you can choose to continue by horseback or hike to the rim of the caldera, traversing a lava field through a series of craters and fumaroles until we reach Volcan Chico. Along the way, you can spot the vermillion flycatcher, Galapagos martins, whimbrels, egrets, Galapagos hawks and possibly the dark-billed cuckoo.

• Day 7 Jan 4 Friday: Bartolome

  This morning we visit Mosquera, a tiny islet between Baltra and North Seymour with a long narrow beach and large population of sea lions. After a wet landing, we will have time for swimming and snorkeling on this volcanically-formed islet. This afternoon we visit Bartolome, where it seems like we are walking on the moon. This young island is inhospitable to most plants and animals. After a dry landing, climb 30 minutes up stairs leading to the summit of a once active volcano. Along the way, we pause to marvel at lava bombs, spatter cones and cinder cones. From the top of the wooden stairs, we can gaze out across the island for a panoramic view of the island and "Pinnacle Rock", an eroded tuff cone. Crystal clear water is an invitation to snorkel from the beach or ride along in the zodiac with schools of tropical fish and Galapagos penguins.

• Day 8 Jan 5 Saturday: Santa Cruz Highlands

  This morning, we visit South Plaza, a small geological uplift with tall cliffs offering spectacular views. After a dry landing, the trails lead us through prickly pear cactus or opuntia and sesuvium. Here we can find the Galapagos land iguana feeding on the cactus leaves. Toward the end of the hill, we encounter a colony of bachelor sea lions. The dominant bulls are in various stages of recovery from battles lost over prime beach territory. We also find swallow tailed gulls, shearwaters and red-billed tropicbirds who build their nests along the cliffs.
  
  After lunch, we will travel by bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. The scenery gradually changes as we wind our way through all seven vegetation zones found in the Galapagos. Here, we visit the tortoise reserve at one of the private farms in the highlands where we encounter giant tortoises in their natural habitat. We visit Los Gemelos (Spanish for "The Twins"), a pair of large pit craters where we find the bright red male vermilion flycatcher. We stop at "the tunnels", the largest lava tubes found in the Galapagos.

• Day 9 Jan 6 Sunday: San Cristobal Island—Interpretation Center - Departure

  This morning, we drop anchor in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal. We visit the Interpretation Center opened in 1999. Here we gain a more complete understanding of the natural and human history of the islands. Afterwards, we head straight to the airport for our flight back to the mainland. Arrive in Quito or Guayaquil between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

• Day 10 Jan 7 Monday: Home

  Depart for home or continue your adventure in Ecuador. Perhaps further adventures await you in Otavalo or the Amazon basin with accommodations at a remote jungle lodge. Call us for further information about visiting the jungle before or after your trip to the Galapagos.

Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

Due to this special sailing, single cabins will be limited to one. Single cabin request will be on a first come, first served basis.

Share Basis for Single Travelers: We cannot accept any share requests for this special holiday sailing.

Cruise, all meals while on board, an experienced Galapagos Island naturalist guide, two nights hotel in Quito, airport transfers and hotel taxes. REI will arrange for your round-trip flight to the Islands and your National Park fee.

Airfare from U.S. to Ecuador and the Galapagos Island.  Meals on the mainland; additional nights in Quito, excess baggage charges; airport departure tax from Quito; tips to local staff and items of a personal nature such alcoholic beverages, laundry fees and insurance of any kind.

Park fees and the price of fuel sometimes increase the cost of cruise arrangements significantly, and we reserve the right to alter our prices or introduce surcharges accordingly, even if payment has been received in full.

REI Adventures standard payment and cancellation policies do not apply to Galapagos cruises. Due to the holiday week and charter agreement for this private REI sailing, the following payment and cancellation policy applies: A deposit of $1000 per person (double occupancy) and $1000 (single occupancy) is required for confirmation. $500 of that is non-refundable. A second deposit of $1000 per person is due June 20th , 2012. Final payment for the Galapagos Holiday Cruise is due at 120 days (Aug. 29th , 2012) before departure. When a trip cancellation is received 180-150 days from departure, the deposit, $1000, is non-refundable. When a trip cancellation is received 149-120 days prior to departure, all deposits costs are 100% non-refundable. Cancellations within 120 days, all trips costs are non-refundable. This policy is in accordance with the cruise company.

If any trip must be delayed due to bad weather, canceled or delayed transportation, sickness or any other situation for which REI Adventures cannot make provisions, all costs incurred during such delays must be borne by trip members. Again, we recommend that all passengers traveling to the Galapagos during the holidays allow two nights in mainland Ecuador prior to their cruise to allow for potential flight delays and misconnections.

DOLPHIN DECK
Cabins 1,3 & 4 have two twin lower beds and picture windows (beds can be configured into doubles).
Cabin 2 has one double bed and picture window. Price $4,615 per person.
(cabins average 95 square feet)

BOOBY DECK
Cabins 5 & 6 have one double bed and picture windows. Price $4,215 per person.
(cabins average 90 square feet)

IGUANA DECK
Cabins 7 & 8 have two twin lower beds and port lights.
Cabins 9 & 10 have two twin lower beds and one upper berth with port lights and are best for triples.
Price $3,815 per person.
(cabins average 110 square feet)

All cabins come with private bathrooms, hot showers and air conditioning, and during landings your quarters will be cleaned twice daily.

Life aboard a small boat requires some physical agility and a flexible and social nature. The crew is comprised of the captain, multilingual naturalist guide, chef, barman/waiter, mechanic and two to four sailors. All delicious meals are prepared and served by the crew on board. Juices, water, soft drinks are complementary. Beer and wine are available for purchase on board.

Although Ecuador lies on the equator, the country has a wide range of climates due to the varying altitudes.  The city of Quito, located at 9,350', has an average temperature of 55 to 75 degrees.  The cold Humboldt Current flowing from the Antarctic modifies the Galapagos Islands weather.  Fall and winter months tend to be drier with cooler water temperatures.  Summer months tend to have more chance of rain, but warmer water temperatures.  Days year round are warm; shorts and a T-shirt are fine.  Nights will often be cool aboard the ship.  For extended snorkeling, a thin wet suit is recommended.

This trip is rated Easy Active [2]. This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health and leads an active life.  Daily excursions from the boat to the islands will be made in pangas (dinghies).  Trip members will hike from the landing point to specific areas for wildlife observation.  Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna.  Some landings are dry but many are "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks.  The boat staff will be on hand to assist.

The Galapagos cruise can be combined with several opportunities to see more of Ecuador and possibly Peru.  Many travelers enjoy a few extra days in Ecuador, visiting places like the famous market town Otavalo, Cotopaxi National Park or the Equatorial Monument.  A real highlight is visiting Ecuador's Amazon Basin. It's a great place to see exotic birds and wildlife while spending the nights in a rustic but comfortable lodge. Feel free to contact REI Adventures for further information on timing, travel logistics and details about any of these great opportunities.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To obtain maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. This gear list has been created to help you choose your clothing and gear for this trip. Try to bring only what is necessary—this will help you and the field staff.

Weather

Weather in the Galapagos and Quito, despite a 9000 foot elevation difference, are not so different. Both experience warm days and cool evenings. In the Galapagos year round daytime temperatures can be 90 degrees with cool 50s at night. The cold deep water of the Humbolt Current keeps these equatorial Islands and waters not as hot as one might expect. Quito is quite temperate with 75 degrees during the day and cool 40s at night possible, though 50s are more common at night.

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• Always pack essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, medications and one set of spare clothes in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed.
• A sweater and wind shell are often needed, as evenings are usually cool in temperature and from breezes. Note: You’ll need the sweater if you want to spend the night up on deck, under a very bright, star-studded sky.
• Cotton is wonderful in warm weather. Quick-dry items are advisable, since laundry facilities are not available. Clothes should be casual and loose fitting. Long and short sleeve shirts are recommended. 
• All bedding and towels are provided on the boats.
• New FAA-certified scanning equipment may fog any unprocessed camera film that passes through the checked-baggage scanner. Don't place single-use cameras or unprocessed film in any luggage that will be checked onto any flights. This includes cameras that still have film in them. Put all unprocessed film into your carry-on luggage or ask for a hand inspection at passenger screening.
• The sun is particularly strong on the equator, so a good sun hat and a long-sleeved, light-colored shirt are important. Bring plenty of water-resistant sunscreen.
• Bring a spare duffel bag, as extra luggage can be stored at the hotel in Quito.