Ecuador & Galapagos Islands Cruise
From: $5899
per person dbl*
• 3 Nights in Quito, Ecuador
• 4 Night Galápagos Island Cruise aboard MV Galapagos Legend
• Two Included Excursions per day During Cruise
• English Speaking Naturalist Guide Aboard Ship
• Quito City Tour and Visit to the Equator
• Highlands Tortoise Reserve
• Visits to: Santiago Island, Rabida Island, Fernandina Island, Isabela Island and Santa Cruz Island
3 Nights Hotel Accommodations, 4 Nights Cruise, 17 Meals: 7 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches & 7 Dinners, Professional Tour Director, Hotel Transfers, Motorcoach Transportation, Admissions per Itinerary, Sightseeing per Itinerary, Baggage Handling at Hotels
January 28 / February 25 / September 23
1 2 3 4
2 Night(s) – Swissôtel, Quito, Ecuador
4 Night(s) – Aboard MV Galapagos Legend
1 Night(s) -Swissôtel, Go Quito Hotel, Ecuador
BOOKING DISCOUNT SAVINGS* – UP TO $400 PER COUPLE/$200 PER PERSON
Ecuador & Galapagos Islands Cruise
8-DAYS
DAY 1: DEPART USA – FLIGHT TO QUITO, ECUADOR
Arrive in Quito, Ecuador, located more than 9,000 feet above “seal level.” Meet your Tour Director at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport and transfer to your hotel. Get acclimated to the elevation and settle in tonight.
Overnight: Quito
DAY 2: QUITO ECUADOR – MIDDLE OF THE WORLD
After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of Quito, the first UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Enjoy the eclectic architecture built over the last five centuries. See the Gothic Basilica of the Heart of Jesús (Basilica Corazon de Jesus) and the Metropolitan Cathedral (known simply as “la Catedral”), featuring an eclectic mix of architectural styles, from Moorish to Baroque and Neoclassical. See Independence Square flanked by the Presidential and the Archbishop’s palaces. Visit the Jesuit Church of the Society of Jesus (“La Compañía de Jesús”), Quito’s most significant Spanish Baroque architecture in South America. Also see San Francisco Plaza, a vast complex of religious art. Visit the Middle of the World (“Mitad del Mundo”) where the earth’s equator passes through Ecuador at 0º0’0” latitude and stand with one foot in each half of the world. The 98-feet monument is built on the historic site where a French explorer calculated the line of the equator in 1736. See the colonial church and bull-fighting ring. The evening is at leisure to explore the city of Quito on your own.
(B,L) Overnight: Quito
DAY 3: QUITO – FLIGHT TO BALTRA – MV GALAPAGOS LEGEND
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to Baltra Island in the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival, meet your naturalist guide and transfer to the MV Galapagos Legend for your four-night cruise. Your cruise departs for Mosquera Islet, a tiny, low lying islet, covered in coral sand, located between North and South Seymour Islands. It is home to a group of sea lions that come to laze on the soft white sand. It is a good spot to observe shorebirds as well as herons, lava gulls and boobies. Rays, barracudas and sharks can also be seen snorkeling.
(B,L,D) Overnight: MV Galapagos Legend
DAY 4: EGAS PORT (SANTIAGO ISLAND) – RABIDA ISLAND
We visit Santiago Island. A wet landing puts you on Egas Port, a black volcanic beach once visited by Darwin. This unique and dramatic shoreline hosts a variety of species that live between land and sea. Particular among these are the endemic Galapagos fur seals. Other species of note include American oystercatchers, sea lions, waders, herons, lava lizards and even Galapagos hawks. Our afternoon adventure lies at the heart of the archipelago, with a visit to Rabida Island with its distinctive red-sand beach. Home to sea lions, mockingbirds, finches, endemic Galapagos doves and more. A walk takes us to a overview of the bay. Snorkeling here can be a highlight, often with sea lions, ubiquitous turtles and black-striped salemas.
(B,L,D) Overnight: MV Galapagos Legend
DAY 5: URBINA BAY & TAGUS COVE (ISABELA ISLAND)
After breakfast our day begins with a wet landing on the beach at Urbina Bay. At the far end of a level hike we arrive at a strange phenomenon where large blocks of coral lie completely exposed after a dramatic geological uplift during the 1950’s. Located at the western base of Alcedo Volcano, be on the lookout for impressive land iguanas as well as some of the volcano´s endemic Galapagos giant tortoises. Excellent snorkeling today in the clear blue waters with an opportunity to see beautiful marine life up close. This afternoon we visit Tagus Cove, one of the few sites visited by Charles Darwin and the HMS Beagle in early 1800’s and a well-known hideout in the days of pirates. A beautiful hike leads us past an overview of Darwin Lake and on to a stunning volcanic landscape revealing Isabela island´s dramatic northern volcanoes. Once back at sea level, we have an opportunity to snorkel with fish, penguins, turtles and spot other sea and wildlife.
(B,L,D) Overnight: MV Galapagos Legend
DAY 6: FERNANDINA ISLAND – ISABELA ISLAND
Today we visit Espinosa Point on Fernandina Island with a dry landing. The youngest island of Galapagos Islands. Fernandina Island is referred to as the ‘marine iguana capital of the world’. This is home to a huge concentration of these enigmatic reptiles. On the same shoreline, we can find pelicans, the Galapagos penguins, sea lions and fur seals all offering amazing photo opportunities. We also have the exciting opportunity to snorkel with marine iguanas feeding underwater, penguins, turtles and the bizarre, flightless cormorants, the only place this species is found in the world. This afternoon visit Vicente Roca Point on Isabela Island. Studded with resting sea birds such as brown noddies and Nazca boobies, view them in close proximity from your dinghies. A marine-only visitor area, snorkeling here is superb and one of the richest marine havens in the Galapagos Islands with certain species of fish only found in the west of the archipelago. We have the opportunity to snorkel and swim with sunfish, sea horses, penguins and green turtles.
(B,L,D) Overnight: MV Galapagos Legend
DAY 7: SANTA CRUZ ISLAND – TORTOISE RESERVE – FLIGHT QUITO
Today your Galapagos Islands cruise ends as you look back on all of the highlights, sights, marine life and wildlife encountered on your adventure. After a dry landing, disembark the ship and travel by coach into the central highlands of Santa Cruz Island to the Highlands Tortoise Reserve. Here have you an opportunity to interact up close with wild, Galapagos giant tortoises. A short walk among these huge, 600-pound reptiles offers great photo opportunities and the chance to see several species of the famed finches. Continue on to the Baltra Island airport for your flight to Quito. This evening enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your fellow travelers and new found friends.
(B,D) Overnight: Quito
DAY 8: QUITO – FLIGHT TO USA
Today transfer to the airport for your return flight home with amazing memories of your Ecuador & Galapagos Islands Cruise.
(B)
Ecuador & Galapagos Islands Cruise
$150 pp Galapagos Entrance Fee, GCC Migration Control Card, Fees are additional and not included in the rates and will be invoiced with final payment.
2025 – January 28 / February 25 / September 23
Cabin Category – RATES**
Standard Plus Cabin – $5899
Junior Suite Cabin – $6299
Balcony Suite Cabin – $6799
Single Room Supplement + (Standard Plus Cabin $2150, • Junior Suite Cabin $2250,• Balcony Suite Cabin $2500) No Triple **Rates are Land only, per person double
MV GALAPAGOS LEGEND
THE SHIP – MV GALAPAGOS LEGEND
A spacious, 100 passenger ship with first class accommodation and facilities over four decks. The vessel was completely refurbished in 2015 and has a variety of en-suite cabins. Facilities include bar and lounge, restaurant, sun terraces, open air bar and observation decks, shop, jacuzzi, sauna, jogging track and medical services.
DINING ABOARD THE MV GALAPAGOS LEGEND
The Lonesome George Restaurant offers breakfast, lunch buffets and dinners. Featuring Ecuadorian and International cuisine with a variety of meats, desserts and salads. 24-hour tea and coffee station is also available on the Sky Deck and The Moon Deck plays host to a special treat one night, with an ice cream festival or a BBQ outside, including lifeboats fitted with booths and tables for a fun dining experience. The Charles Darwin Panorama Lounge Bar offers food made to order, and The Sky Deck’s Fisherman Bar is a ship-shaped bar offering beer, wine and cocktails.
COMFORTABLE & INNOVATIVE CABINS
All MV Galapagos Legend Cabins include lower twin beds or a double bed, private bathroom, safe-deposit box, air conditioning, phone service for internal, local and international calls, and LCD TV with multimedia system for cabin entertainment.
BALCONY SUITE
JUNIOR SUITE
STANDARD PLUS
CABIN INFORMATION: Lower twin beds or double beds • Private bathroom • Safe-deposit box • In-room safe and mini bar • Air conditioning • Phone service for internal, local and international calls • LCD TV with multimedia system
GUEST ACCOMMODATIONS: Naturalist guide • Buffet breakfast, lunch & dinner • Coffee, tea & snacks available 24/7 hours • Housekeeping: 3 times a day • Fitness Center • Jacuzzi • Snorkeling activities included as part of all itineraries • Airport assistance in Galapagos • Internet 24/7 • Kayaking & Scuba Diving options available, upon request • Glass bottom boat • Stargazing Area • Dolphin Observation Deck • Charles Darwin Panorama Lounge Bar • Fisherman´s Bar • Swimming Pool & Sun Terrace
Call for Roundtrip Air Package Rates and details
Land only rates do not include hotel transfers. Roundtrip air package includes hotel transfers. On some dates alternate hotels may be used
* Booking Discount Details – Make your Final Payment by check & receive $400 per couple/$200 per person savings on Air Inclusive Bookings. Land Only/Own Air Bookings receive $200 per couple/$100 per person savings.