Galapagos Islands - Cachalote Explorer (Itinerary B)
Galapagos Islands - Cachalote Explorer (Itinerary B)
10 Days Starting in Quito and ending in Guayaquil
Visiting: Quito, Baltra Island, Puerto Ayora, Sombrero Chino, Rabida Island, Isabela Island, Urbina Bay, Tagus Cove, Punta Espinosa, Punta Vicente Roca, Santiago Island, Bartolomé Island, Guayaquil
Tour operator:
Tour code:
WAG
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 16
Physical rating:
Leisurely
Age range:
16 to 99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
The extraordinary archipelago of the Galapagos left a lasting impression on Darwin and is likely to do the same for you. An enchanted world: characterised by stark lava fields, cactus forests, volcanic craters, mangrove lagoons and turquoise waters. Step over snoozing Sea lions, watch the courting rituals of Blue-footed boobies or snorkel with turtles, sharks and rays.
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Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Quito.
Location: Quito
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Vieja Cuba (or similar)
Meals Included: No Meals
Land Only clients should aim to arrive at the hotel this afternoon/evening.
Free transfers are available for all clients. A local guide will welcome you
to Quito and explain the schedule for the next few days.
Day 2 : Discover Quito At Your Leisure.
Location: Quito
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Vieja Cuba (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is free to relax, recover from the flight and explore the fascinating
city of Quito. Quito is the second highest capital in the world, standing at
2,850m on the western cordillera of the Andes. It is one of the smaller and
more attractive of the colonial capitals of South America. Because of the
altitude visitors to Quito are advised to take it easy at first.
Day 3 : Fly To Galapagos. Visit Santa Cruz Highlands And Charles Darwin Centre. Embarkation.
Location: Baltra Island, Puerto Ayora, Baltra Island
Accommodation: Cachalote Explorer
Accommodation Name: Cachalote Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer to Quito Airport and fly to Baltra in the Galapagos Islands. We take
a short ferry crossing to Santa Cruz Island where we drive to the highlands
to look for Galapagos giant tortoises. This afternoon visit the Charles
Darwin Centre to learn about the ecology of the islands and visit the
centre's tortoise hatchery. After this we board our boat at Puerto Ayora, the
island's main town. As we may not be able to easily access our luggage from
arrival at Baltra until this evening, please make sure that you bring your
camera, sun cream and appropriate clothing: comfortable footwear for some
short walks (possibly amongst grass), light clothes, a hat/cap and a light
waterproof in case of a shower or mist.
Day 4 : Chinese Hat & Isla Rabida
Location: Sombrero Chino, Rabida Island
Accommodation: Cachalote Explorer
Accommodation Name: Cachalote Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A short walk on the small island of Chinese Hat before snorkelling with Sea
lions (and penguins if lucky!); on to the dark red beach of Isla Rabida to
walk amongst spatter cones, pelicans, Blue-footed and Nazca boobies.
Day 5 : Isabela Island
Location: Isabela Island
Accommodation: Cachalote Explorer
Accommodation Name: Cachalote Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We start three days exploring the largest island of Isabela and walk to the
huge 5-mile wide caldera on Sierra Negra volcano. In the afternoon it's
possible to visit the Galapagos giant tortoise breeding centre on Isabela
island.
Day 6 : Isabela Island
Location: Isabela Island
Accommodation: Cachalote Explorer
Accommodation Name: Cachalote Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cruising around Isabela's west side, we hope to see whales and dolphins. We
land at Punta Moreno's swirling fresh lava flows and also explore the islets
of Elizabeth Bay with the largest colony of penguins in the Galapagos.
Day 7 : Urbina Bay, Tagus Cove & Darwin Lake
Location: Urbina Bay, Tagus Cove
Accommodation: Cachalote Explorer
Accommodation Name: Cachalote Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
In 1954 Urbina Bay was uplifted 4 metres. Walk here amongst exposed coral
heads, wandering Galapagos giant tortoises and huge land iguanas. In the
afternoon we visit Tagus Cove and Darwin Lake, directly opposite recently
active Fernandina Volcano.
Day 8 : Punta Espinosa On Fernandina & Punta Vicente Roca On Isabela
Location: Punta Espinosa, Punta Vicente Roca
Accommodation: Cachalote Explorer
Accommodation Name: Cachalote Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Land at Punta Espinosa on Fernandina in the midst of a huge colony of Marine
iguanas; the sea life is very rich here and supports a large Sea lion and Fur
seal colony. Cross the straights and explore the cliffs of Punta Vicente Roca
on Isabela.
Day 9 : Santiago Island & Bartolome Island
Location: Santiago Island, Bartolomé Island
Accommodation: Cachalote Explorer
Accommodation Name: Cachalote Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Excellent birding on Santiago Island at Puerto Egas followed by an afternoon
snorkel and a walk amongst incredible volcanic scenery up little Bartolome
Island - cones, lava tubes and Pinnacle Rock.
Day 10 : Fly To Guayaquil; End Guayaquil.
Location: Guayaquil
Meals Included: Breakfast
An early morning walk on North Seymour amidst Palo Santo trees and
Blue-footed booby colonies.
After a late breakfast we disembark for the journey back to Baltra to
transfer to the airport and fly back to the mainland. We fly to Guayaquil
airport where it's possible to connect with international flights this
evening from 6pm onwards. Alternatively, you can extend your stay for a few
extra nights or join the Napo Wildlife Centre Extension (which starts in
Quito). Land only clients may prefer to organise post-tour accommodation for
the night in Guayaquil and organise their international flights for the
following day.
What's Included
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Arrival and departure transfers
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All transport and listed activities
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We can include flights from the UK. Please contact us for a quote.
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All breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners
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All accommodation
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Tour leader throughout
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Snorkel equipment (mask, snorkel and fins) available free of charge on board
What's Not Included
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Compulsory Galapagos taxes USD120, paid locally
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Travel insurance
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Visas or vaccinations
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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. USD4 per beer, USD32.50 for
a bottle of wine, around US10 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.
Accommodation
7 nights on board a motor yacht the Cachalote Explorer, in en suite, air-conditioned cabins, and 2 nights comfortable hotel. Single rooms can be arranged for a supplement for the two 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 up with another traveller of the same sex for the 7 nights on board.
Check out our Q&As
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What is the maximum group size?
16
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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 standard of the hotels on this tour?
7 nights on board a motor yacht the Cachalote Explorer, in en suite, air-conditioned cabins, and 2 nights comfortable hotel.
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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.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus 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 charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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