Marine: Galapagos - West & Central Islands aboard the Monserrat (SEV10NC)

Countries Visited: Ecuador
Trip Style: Marine - Small-ship adventures on the world's great seas and rivers The poles of the Earth, the wonders of the Galapagos, the mysteries of the Amazon, out-of-the-way Greek Islands and other great places are best (and sometimes only) accessed by boat. Marine trips get you there aboard small ships, exclusive yachts and catamarans.
Service Level: Standard
  • Great value, reasonable prices, quality experiences
  • Comfortable and varied tourist-class accommodations chosen for location and character
  • Mix of public and private transport for the best overall experience
  • All the top highlights included, plus plenty of time to explore on your own
    Physical Demands Rating: 1 - You'll have to walk around on your own, climb some stairs and carry your own bag. Easy does it.
    Group Size: Max 20, avg 14
    Meals Included: 9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners
    Accommodations: Not Availaible

    Highlights
    7 nights cruising the Galapagos National Park aboard the Monserrat, hike over the dramatic volcanic flows to a viewpoint on Bartolome, snorkel with sea lions and sea turtles, hike the Sierra Negra Volcano - the largest basaltic caldera in the Galapagos, choose to search for sea turtles or simply relax on the white-sand beaches of Santiago

    Description
    Picture it: the Galapagos, viewed from the deck of the comfortable Monserrat as she cuts through blue waters bound for another island paradise loaded with natural splendour. But it's not just a "look but can't touch" situation - on this trip, you'll get up-close and personal with aquatic wildlife like sea lions and turtles, hike over volcanic lava flows to check out the landscapes of Bartolome, and relax on the stunning white-sand beaches of Santiago. Get out onto the high seas and start making better memories.
  • Call (214) 206-4488 for more information or to book today! Mention code 12967498

    Tour Operator
    G Adventures
    Duration
    10 Days
    Escorted
    Escorted - Yes
    DayDestinationDescription
    Day 1QuitoDay 1 Quito
    Arrive at any time. Additional Notes: Booking pre- or post-trip accommodation is highly recommended to fully experience the city and take advantage of the optional activities available. Included Activities: Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
    Day 2Puerto AyoraDay 2 Quito/Puerto Ayora (1B, 1L, 1D)
    Upon arrival, meet the naturalist guide, who will assist with the transfer to the Monserrat moored in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island. Additional Notes: Flights from Quito to Baltra depart between 6:40am and 9:40am depending on the day of the week. These will arrive into the Galapagos between 9:30am and 12:30pm with a short refuelling stop in Guayaquil (you will not disembark the plane). You will generally arrive onto the boat in time for lunch on Day 2 before your afternoon activity. The National Park charges a visitor fee of USD100, payable on arrival, which funds park maintenance and supervision in the Galapagos, as well as ecological study, conservation, and infrastructure development in Ecuadors other National Parks. Entry fees and the funds they generate for the National Park System are among measures taken by the Ecuadorian government to protect its natural heritage. Included Activities: Highlands Giant Tortoises Visit Transport: Early transfer to the airport to catch the flight to the Galapagos. Private Vehicle Plane (1.00 hour(s)) Local bus Private Vehicle Monserrat
    Day 3Bartolome IslandDay 3 Sullivan Bay/Bartolome Island (1B, 1L, 1D)
    Visit Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island to see giant lava formations contrasting the white-coral sand beach. Continue to Bartolome for a guided tour to see the dramatic volcanic features before hiking to a panoramic viewpoint. Included Activities: Sullivan Bay Visit Snorkelling (Sullivan Bay) Bartolome Island Landing Snorkelling (Bartolome Island) Transport: Monserrat
    Day 4Cerro DragonDay 4 Bachas Beach/Cerro Dragon (1B, 1L, 1D)
    Visit Bachas Beach in the morning, located on the northeastern tip of Santa Cruz Island. A great beach to stroll on with crystalline waters perfect for swimming, Bachas Beach also gives visitors the opportunity to see frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, and sea lions. In the afternoon, visit Cerro Dragon, on the west coast of Santa Cruz Island. See land iguanas as well as a saltwater lagoon frequented by flamingos and various species of birds. Included Activities: Bachas Beach Landing Snorkelling (Bachas Beach) Cerro Dragon Visit Transport: Monserrat
    Day 5Mosquera IslandDay 5 Black Turtle Cove/Mosquera Island (1B, 1L, 1D)
    Take a morning panga ride and look for marine life in Black Turtle Cove before navigating back to Baltra for lunch. In the afternoon, sail to Mosquera and walk along the beach and observe the vast sea lion colonies. Included Activities: Mosquera Island Excursion Black Turtle Cove Excursion Transport: Monserrat
    Day 6Isabela IslandDay 6 Isabela Island (1B, 1L, 1D)
    In the morning, visit Las Tintoreras, a small island in front of Puerto Villamil. Its bay is known to be home to a colony of whitetip sharks. Check out the tortoise breeding centre to see some of the famous giant tortoises of the Galapagos. Included Activities: Las Tintoreras Visit Sierra Negra Volcano Hike Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre Visit Transport: Monserrat
    Day 7Rabida IslandDay 7 Chinese Hat/Rabida Island (1B, 1L, 1D)
    In the morning, the boat arrives at a small uniquely shaped island off the southern tip of Santiago called Chinese Hat. Here it is often possible to see Galapagos penguins, and the marine life is fantastic for snorkelling. There is also a large sea lion colony as well as many marine iguanas that can be seen while walking amongst the volcanic scenery. Trek to see good views of the islands volcano. Included Activities: Chinese Hat Visit Snorkelling (Chinese Hat) Rabida Island Excursion Snorkelling (Isla Rabida) Transport: Monserrat
    Day 8Santiago IslandDay 8 Puerto Egas/Santiago Island (1B, 1L, 1D)
    Morning excursion to Playa Espumilla, one of the most idyllic beaches in the Galapagos Islands, which has thick mangroves and flamingo and sea turtle nesting sites. Continue to Puerto Egas to see the salt crater as well as a dark sand beach and tidal pools. Santiago Island has seen its share of human activity from whalers and pirates over the years, and despite the introduction of goats to the island many years ago, the wildlife of Santiago has otherwise flourished and provides outstanding viewing opportunities. The island boasts marine iguanas, sea lions, fur seals, land and sea turtles, among others. Enjoy great wildlife viewing both on land and in the water. Additional Notes: Please be sure you are a comfortable swimmer. The "crown" provides protection from the open sea, but the water here can be rough and the currents strong. Included Activities: Puerto Egas Visit Snorkelling (Puerto Egas) Playa Espumilla Excursion Buccaneer Cove Visit Transport: Monserrat
    Day 9QuitoDay 9 North Seymour/Quito (1B)
    Visit North Seymour, just north of Baltra, home to sea lions, marine iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, magnificent frigatebirds, and blue-footed boobies. Transfer to the airport on Baltra Island for a flight to Quito. Flights from Baltra to Quito depart between 10:00am and 1:00pm depending on the day of the week. These will arrive into Quito between 2:30pm and 5:30pm with a refuelling stop in Guayaquil (you will not disembark the plane). You will arrive back at the hotel in the early evening in time for dinner. Included Activities: North Seymour Island Visit Transport: Monserrat Plane (2.00 hour(s))
    Day 10QuitoDay 10 Quito (1B)
    Depart at any time. Included Activities: Departure Day
    Disclaimer

    Local Flights: All local flights to and from the Galapagos are included in the cost of your tour. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.

    Flights to either of the airports in the Galapagos leave early in the morning on Day 2 and get you into the islands in the early afternoon. Flights back to the mainland depart between 10:00am and 1:30pm arriving in the early evening.

    Please note that all flights to and from the Galapagos make a 1 hour refuelling stop in Guayaquil.

    Dossier Disclaimer:The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

    VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

    Itinerary Disclaimer: While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
      
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