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Ecuador Tours and Travel

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS HOTEL-BASED & DIVING TOURS

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND HOTEL & YACHT COMBINED PROGRAM
(departures: Daily) (3 nights / 4 days)

" Transfer Baltra / hotel in Puerto Ayora, visiting the highland part of Santa Cruz Island (Includes lava Tunnels and a turtle reserve) + Visit to the Scientific Charles Darwin Station. (Transfer operates at 12h00pm)
" 3 nights of accommodation in Galápagos (Santa Cruz Island) with breakfasts
" Excursion to Tortuga Beach & Bay Tour
" Full day Excursion in yacht to one of the following islands Bartolomé, Seymour, Plazas, Floreana or similar ones (Lunch included)
" Transfer hotel / airport & Finca de café. (Transfer operates at 8h30am)
" Hotel taxes

Day 1 : Welcome at the Baltra airport and free transfer by bus to the tip of the Itabaca canal, where you will proceed by a public ferry service in the Island of Santa Cruz. Transport will be waiting in order to transfer you to Puerto Ayora, area where the hotels are located on the Island. On the way, you will have the opportunity to visit the lava tunnels and a Turtle reserve. Visit to the Scientific Charles Darwin Station, where you can learn more about the Galápagos Islands; the species that live in this enchanted place, its origin, the theory of Evolution, the conservation programs, and observe some Giant Turtles in captivity. Accommodation.

Day 2 : Breakfast at hotel. In the morning excursion to Tortuga Bay Beach, after 35minute walk (approx.) we will arrive to this magic place, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos!, with white sand and green mangroves. "Playa mansa" is where we can swim and enjoy of the beach. Free time to eat (lunch is not included). In the afternoon, aboard the yacht for a tour around the bay, starting with a visit to "La Lobería", named because the vast sea lion colony that live there. Here you will be able to swim or snorkel, play with sea lions, see a variety of fishes and sea turtles. Then we proceed with our tour to the "Canal del Amor", a marvelous site where nature gives us an unforgettable view; at the end of this channel, just a few meters forward, a viewpoint where we can observe reef sharks; from here we continue with a short walk to see the marine iguanas that inhabit in "Playa de los Perros". Punta Estrada will also be visited. Return to Puerto Ayora.
This tour only takes place Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Day 3 : Breakfast at hotel.
Excursion in yacht to one of the following Islands: Plazas, Seymour, Bartolomé, Floreana o similar ones. Lunch included and return to Puerto Ayora to accommodation.
** Tour Operations in Galápagos, may change due to climate conditions, operations, and logistics and are also subject to availability and itinerary changes, days of excursions, etc. However, operator Guarantees the number of excursions and visits to be met, but does not guarantee the itinerary or specific place to visit.

Day 4 : Breakfast at hotel.
Our tour guide will pick you up at your hotel to go to the canal of Itabaca, where a ferry will take you to Baltra Island. At the port you will board a bus of your airline that takes you to the airport. En route you are going to visit a coffee plantation which is part of a social responsibility program. The encouragement for the organic coffee cultivation contributes to the conservation of plants and soil and therefore is deemed to be a perfect model of substainable toursim.

2012 Prices per person in US$:

Substitute a day trip to another island for the Tortuga Beach & Bay Tour on day 2 for an extra $55 per person.

GALAPAGOS HOTEL & YACHT COMBINED PROGRAM
(departures: Daily) (4 nights / 5 days)

" Transfer airport / hotel / airport in Galapagos (Baltra)
" 4 nights accomodation in Galapagos (Puerto Ayora - Santa Cruz Island)
" Breakfast
" Bay Tour or Charles Darwin Scientific Station (half day - PM subject to time arrival of the flight to the Galápagos Islands)
" Excursion to Tortuga Beach & Bay Tour
" 2 Island Hopping Yacht Tours (full day) with lunch (Bartolome Island, Seymour Island and Plazas Island or similar)
" Hotel Taxes

Same itinerary as on the 4 day program above, but with an extra day tour to another island

2012 Prices per person in US$:

Substitute a day trip to another island for the Tortuga Beach & Bay Tour on day 2 for an extra $55 per person.

Mike and I had such an amazing time. Ecuador (mainland) was fantastic, and spending our last week in Galapagos was a complete treat - you did such a great job at coordinating everything. Jose from the travel agency you worked with, along with the crew from all our tours delivered all that we expected coming into this trip, and more... Mike and I have already started talking about going back to visit the Amazonian part of Ecuador, and the other Galapagos islands. Thank you so much! Maria & Mike

The Enchanted Islands of Galápagos (Departs: Daily)

(5 nights / 6 days)

" Transfer Baltra / hotel in Puerto Ayora, visiting the highland portion of Santa Cruz Island (Includes lava Tunnels and a turtle reservation)
" 5 nights of accommedation in Galápagos (Puerto Ayora - Santa Cruz Island)
" Breakfasts
" Visit the Scientific Charles Darwin Station
" Visit Tortuga Beach and go on the tour around the Bay
" 2 full day Excursions in a yacht to one of the following islands Bartolomé, Seymour, Plazas, Floreana or similar ones (Lunch included)
" Hotel taxes

Day 1 : Welcome at the Baltra airport and free transfer by bus to the tip of the Itabaca canal, where one will proceed by ferry to public service in the Island of Santa Cruz. Transport will be waiting in order to transfer you to Puerto Ayora, area where the hotels are located on the Island. On the way, one will have the opportunity to visit the lava tunnels and a Turtle reservation. Visit to the Scientific Charles Darwin Station, where you can learn more about the Galápagos Islands; the species that live in this enchanted place, its origin, the theory of Evolution, the conservation programs, and observe some Giant Turtles in captivity. Return to Accommodation

Day 2 : Breakfast at hotel. In the morning excursion to Tortuga Bay Beach, after 35minute walk (approx.) we will arrive to this magic place, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos!, with white sand and green mangroves. "Playa mansa" is where we can swim and enjoy of the beach. Free time to eat (lunch is not included).
In the afternoon you will have a tour in yacht around the bay, so you can see get to know the island and visit "La Lobería" named for all the huge sea lion colonies that live there. Here one will be able to do snorkeling and to swim and play with the sea lions, see beautiful fish of all colors and sea turtles, then we proceed with the tour to the "Canal del Amor" from where one can observe the sharks with white fins with also the possibility of swimming and snorkeling with them, then the yacht will continue to Punta Estrada dock where you will start a walk to see the marine iguanas that live in "Playa de los Perros" and back to the dock to return to accommodation.
This tour only exists for Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Day 3 : Breakfast at hotel. Excursion in yacht to one of the following Islands: Plazas, Seymour, Bartolomé, Floreana o similar ones. Lunch included and return to Puerto Ayora to accommodation.
** Tour Operations in Galápagos, may change due to climate conditions, operations, and logistics and are also subject to availability and itinerary changes, days of excursions, etc. However, GRAY LINE Guarantees the number of excursions and visits to be met, but does not guarantee the itinerary or specific place to visit.

Day 4 : Breakfast at hotel. Free day and accomedation.

Day 5 : Breakfast at hotel. Excursion in yacht to one of the following Islands: Plazas, Seymour, Bartolomé, Floreana o simiar ones. Lunch included.
Return to Puerto Ayora and accommodation.
** Tour Operations in Galápagos, may change due to climate conditions, operations, and logistics and are also subject to availability and itinerary changes, days of excursions, etc. However, GRAY LINE Guarantees the number of excursions and visits to be met, but does not guarantee the itinerary or specific place to visit.

Day 6 : Breakfast at hotel. Transfer from the hotel in Puerto Ayora to the Itabaca canal, in order to cross and return to the Baltra airport heading to your next destination or return home.

2012 Prices per person in US$:

** Galápagos Packages and Tours operations are subject to space availibility, changes of itineraries and departure dates without any notice, according to weather conditions, logistic and other operation requirements
** Airfare to Galapagos and National Park Fees are not included
** diving tour can be exchanged for regular island tour for $90 supplement
** prices are with minimum of 2 people. For only 1 person, in single room, add 5%

DISCOVER GALAPAGOS (7 nights / 8 days) (Departures: Daily)

" Transfer Baltra / hotel in Puerto Ayora, visiting the highland part of Santa Cruz Island (Includes lava Tunnels and a turtle reserve) + Visit to the Scientific Charles Darwin Station. (Transfer operates at 12h00pm)
" 7 nights of accommodation in Galápagos (Santa Cruz Island) with breakfasts
" Excursion to Tortuga Beach & Bay Tour
" 3 Full day Excursion in yacht to one of the following islands Bartolomé, Seymour, Plazas, Floreana or similar ones (Lunch included)
" Transfer hotel / airport & Finca de café. (Transfer operates at 8h30am)
" Hotel taxes

" Day 1 : Welcome at the Baltra airport and free transfer by bus to the tip of the Itabaca canal, where you will proceed by a public ferry service in the Island of Santa Cruz. Transport will be waiting in order to transfer you to Puerto Ayora, area where the hotels are located on the Island. On the way, you will have the opportunity to visit the lava tunnels and a Turtle reserve. Visit to the Scientific Charles Darwin Station, where you can learn more about the Galápagos Islands; the species that live in this enchanted place, its origin, the theory of Evolution, the conservation programs, and observe some Giant Turtles in captivity. Accommodation.

" Day 2 : Breakfast at hotel. In the morning excursion to Tortuga Bay Beach, after 35minute walk (approx.) we will arrive to this magic place, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos!, with white sand and green mangroves. "Playa mansa" is where we can swim and enjoy of the beach. Free time to eat (lunch is not included). In the afternoon, aboard the yacht for a tour around the bay, starting with a visit to "La Lobería", named because the vast sea lion colony that live there. Here you will be able to swim or snorkel, play with sea lions, see a variety of fishes and sea turtles. Then we proceed with our tour to the "Canal del Amor", a marvelous site where nature gives us an unforgettable view; at the end of this channel, just a few meters forward, a viewpoint where we can observe reef sharks; from here we continue with a short walk to see the marine iguanas that inhabit in "Playa de los Perros". Punta Estrada will also be visited. Return to Puerto Ayora
This tour only takes place Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

" Day 3 : Breakfast at hotel.
Excursion in yacht to one of the following Islands: Plazas, Seymour, Bartolomé, Floreana o similar ones. Lunch included and return to Puerto Ayora to accommodation.
** Tour Operations in Galápagos, may change due to climate conditions, operations, and logistics and are also subject to availability and itinerary changes, days of excursions, etc. However, GRAY LINE Guarantees the number of excursions and visits to be met, but does not guarantee the itinerary or specific place to visit.

" Day 4 : Breakfast at hotel.
Free day to choose any extra activities of your own choice and accommodation

" Day 5 : Breakfast at hotel.
Excursion in yacht to one of the following Islands: Plazas, Seymour, Bartolomé, Floreana o similar ones. Lunch included and return to Puerto Ayora to accommodation.
** Tour Operations in Galápagos, may change due to climate conditions, operations, and logistics and are also subject to availability and itinerary changes, days of excursions, etc. However, GRAY LINE Guarantees the number of excursions and visits to be met, but does not guarantee the itinerary or specific place to visit.

" Day 6 : Breakfast at hotel.
Free day to choose any extra activities of your own choice and accommodation

" Day 7 : Breakfast at hotel.
Excursion in yacht to one of the following Islands: Plazas, Seymour, Bartolomé, Floreana o similar ones. Lunch included and return to Puerto Ayora to accommodation.
** Tour Operations in Galápagos, may change due to climate conditions, operations, and logistics and are also subject to availability and itinerary changes, days of excursions, etc. However, GRAY LINE Guarantees the number of excursions and visits to be met, but does not guarantee the itinerary or specific place to visit.

" Day 8 : Breakfast at hotel.
Our tour guide will pick you up at your hotel to go to the canal of Itabaca, where a ferry will take you to Baltra Island. At the port you will board a bus of your airline that takes you to the airport. En route you are going to visit a coffee plantation which is part of a social responsibility program. The encouragement for the organic coffee cultivation contributes to the conservation of plants and soil and therefore is deemed to be a perfect model of substainable toursim.

BARTOLOME ISLAND YACHT TOUR (8 hours) Group: Daily
Departure early in the morning from your hotel and transfer to port of Itabaca channel to board the yatch where you will enjoy the tour with breakfast and lunch included at the end of the tour transfer back to your hotel.
Bartolome is famous for Pinnacle Rock, a towering spearheaded obelisk that rises from the ocean's edge and is the best known landmark in the islands. Galápagos penguins-the only species of penguin found north of the equator-walk precariously along narrow volcanic ledges at its base. Sea lions snooze on rocky platforms, ready to slide into the water to play with passing snorkelers. Just below the surface, shoals of tropical fish dodge in and out of the rocks past urchins, sea stars and anemones. A perfectly crescent, pink-and-white sandy beach lies just to the east of the pinnacle. Sea turtles use the beach as a nesting site and can sometimes be found wading in the shallow water near the shore, or resting in the sand to recover from the arduous task of digging nests, laying eggs and covering them over.
Penguins dot the nearby rocks of the next landing site, less than a kilometer along the eastern shore. Here the submerged walls of a tiny volcanic crater give the impression of a fountain pool. This dry landing-no wet feet!-is the entrance to a 600-meter (2000-foot) pathway complete with stairs and boardwalks leading to Bartolome's summit. The route is not difficult and presents a museum of vulcanology; a site left untouched after its last eruption, where cones stand in various stages of erosion and lava tubes form bobsled-like runs from the summit. At the top you will be rewarded with spectacular views of Santiago Island and James Bay to the west, and far below, Pinnacle Rock and our beach, where the crystal blue waters of the bay cradle your yacht.

SEYMOUR ISLAND YACHT TOUR (8 hours) Group : Daily
Departure early in the morning from your hotel and transfer to port of Itabaca channel to board the yatch where you will enjoy the tour with lunch included at the end of the tour transfer back to your hotel.
North Seymour Island was lifted from the ocean floor by a seismic event, and its origins as a seabed give the island its low, flat profile. Cliffs only a few meters high form the shoreline, where swallow-tailed gulls sit perched in ledges. A tiny forest of silver-grey Palo Santo trees stand just above the landing, usually without leaves, waiting for the rain to bring them into bloom.
This island is teaming with life! You might have to give way to a passing sea lion or marine iguana; blue-footed booby nests sit beside the trail where mating pairs perform their courtship dance. Further along, the rocky shore displays white sand, and large flocks of pelicans mass for a dive-bomb feeding frenzy, rendering a tableau for us from ages long past. The trail turns inland to reveal the largest nesting site in the Galápagos of the "magnificent frigate bird." These huge, dark acrobats have two-meter wingspans, and males, with puffed up scarlet throat sacks, sit precariously perched in low bushes to watch over their equally large chicks.
Also we will visit Las Bachas, a sandy white-coral beach that is a major egg-laying site for sea turtles. Bachas are notches, and the beach's name refers to the indentations left in the sand by both laying turtles and their departing hatchlings. On the shore, there are marine iguanas and in the lagoon, flamingos are commonly seen. A newer visitor's site, Dragon Hill (Cerro Dragon) is a brackish water lagoon that attracts flamingos, common stilts, pintail ducks and other species of birds. There is a short walk up a small hill, which rewards hikers with a nesting site for iguanas and a great view!

PLAZAS ISLANDS YACHT TOUR (8 hours) Group : Daily
Departure early in the morning from your hotel and transfer to port of Itabaca channel to board the yatch where you will enjoy the tour with lunch included at the end of the tour transfer back to your hotel.
This is the southern partner of two small crescent-shaped islands that lie just a few hundred meters off the east coast of Santa Cruz. The northern island is used for scientific purposes only. South Plaza is one of the smallest yet richest islands in the archipelago. Only 130 meters wide (426 feet), it was formed from uplifted seabed, giving it a titled tabletop quality. Our landing is in the channel between North and South Plaza, where the island tilts toward the water.
The approach makes for a lavishly colorful sight! The turquoise waters of the channel contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline. The rocks have grown thick with green seaweed in places, speckled with bright orange "Sally light foot" crabs. Further up the shore a carpet of scarlet sesuvium succulents serves as groundcover for a grove of luminescent green prickly-pear cactus. Yellow-gray land iguanas sit beneath, waiting patiently for pears to drop.
The trail gradually follows the tilt of the island to the cliffs that overlook the ocean to the south, where swallow-tailed gulls nest. Red-billed tropic birds, masked and blue-footed boobies ride the windy currents. The overlook is a great place for spotting large marine life, including manta rays. Surf pounds an inlet at the western corner of the island, where a colony of sea lion bachelors make their home, accounting for the surface of the rocks, polished by the oils of their fur. The shoreline of Las Plazas makes for excellent snorkeling in a sea lion colony of nearly a thousand. Your guide will find the right spot to swim with youngsters away from areas claimed by the surly bulls.

BAY TOUR (4 hours) Group : Daily (A.M. & P.M.)
Departure from the port of Puerto Ayora to take a panoramic visit of the "La Lobería" island named after the big sea wolf colony living in the island. Here you can do snorkeling and play with the friendly sea wolfs, observe colorful fish and sea turtles. Visit to the Love Channel where you Hill be able to see white sharks and the possibility of swim and do snorkeling among them. Finally visit to the port of Punta Estrada for a walk to see the know sea iguanas at the Playa de los Perros and return to the port.

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND MOUNTAIN TOUR & CHARLES DARWIN SCIENTIFIC STATION (6 hours) Daily
Departure form your hotel to the up island side where the craters Gemelos are located where you can enjoy all the nature and diversity of the place. Trough a tunnel you will see the formation of caverns and walls of sulfer finally walt to the paradise of the famous turtles Galapagos, visit the scientific station Charles Darwing where you can understand better the islands, its formation, species and their evolution. Assist and understand to the conservation programs for the islands and finally see the giant turtles Galapagos, and see the famous Solitary George and return to the hotel.

4 Day Learn to Dive Program

GALAPAGOS SCUBA DIVING (5 nights / 6 days)
(departures: Daily)

" Transfer Airport (Baltra) / hotel / Airport
" 5 nights accommodation
" Breakfast
" Santa Cruz Highlands sightseeing tour + Charles Darwin Station
" 2 Scuba Diving Day Tours with lunch
" Hotel Taxes

Day 1 : Transfer Airport Baltra / Hotel in Puerto Ayora (Isla Santa Cruz)
Our guide will be waiting the passengers at the exit of the airport in Baltra. He will assist you with your baggage and take you to the bus service of the different airlines companies to get to the port of Itabaca Channel and take the public ferry and get to Santa Cruz Island. Land transportation will take you from your disembark to Puerto Ayora, where the hotels of the island are located. Vice versa service will be provided for the transfer out to the airport.
In the afternoon, visit to Charles Darwin Scientific Station or Bay Tour.
Departure from the port of Puerto Ayora to take a panoramic visit of the "La Lobería" island named after the big sea wolf colony living in the island. Here you can do snorkeling and play with the friendly sea wolfs, observe colorful fish and sea turtles. Visit to the Love Channel where you Hill be able to see white sharks and the possibility of swim and do snorkeling among them. Finally visit to the port of Punta Estrada for a walk to see the sea iguanas at the Playa de los Perros and return to the port.

Day 2 : Breakfast. Santa Cruz Island Mountain Tour & Charles Darwin Scientific Station.
Departure form your hotel to the up island side where the craters Gemelos are located where you can enjoy all the nature and diversity of the place. Trough a tunnel you will see the formation of caverns and walls of sulfer finally walt to the paradise of the famous turtles Galapagos, visit the scientific station Charles Darwing where you can understand better the islands, its formation, species and their evolution. Assist and understand to the conservation programs for the islands and finally see the giant turtles Galapagos, and see the famous Solitary George and return to the hotel.

Day 3 : Breakfast. Scuba Diving. .
Departure early in the morning from your hotel and transfer to port of Itabaca channel to board the yatch where you will enjoy the tour with lunch included at the end of the tour transfer back to your hotel.

Day 4 : Breakfast. Scuba Diving.
Departure early in the morning from your hotel and transfer to port of Itabaca channel to board the yatch where you will enjoy the tour with lunch included at the end of the tour transfer back to your hotel.

Day 5 : Breakfast. Free time. You can to enjoy to the beach Tortuga Bay

Day 6 : Breakfast. Transfer Hotel / Airport

** Minimum 2 people
** Includes 2 dives each day tour
** Includes all equipment and dive master guides (full 6 mm wetsuit, jacket type BCD with power inflators, regulator with octopus, pressure gauge and depth gauge, mask, snorkel, fins and booties) ,
** PADI Diver License is required for each passenger
** Galapagos Scuba Diving Operations are subject to change without notice, according to weather conditions, space availability and logistic
** Airfare to Galapagos and TCT Card is not included
** Galapagos National Park Fee is not included

2010 Prices per person in US$:

SCUBA DIVING TOURS
Group : Daily

Departure early in the morning from your hotel and transfer to port of Itabaca channel to board the yatch where you will enjoy the tour with lunch included at the end of the tour transfer back to your hotel.
Scuba Diving Tours alternatives subject to availibility:

SANTA FE ISLAND
This island is a solid structure of basaltic lava rocks about an hour away from our base. The 4 dive sites here generally have excellent visibility and mild currents, making these sites ideal for novices. At the same time, the animals and topography (including a spectacular arch) make them interesting for intermediates and experts. We can see stingrays, eagle rays, garden eels, turtles, sea lion colonies, morays, pelagic fish, and maybe white tip reef sharks and/or hammerhead sharks.
Trip duration: 7-8 hours - Difficulty: Intermediate

FLOREANA ISLAND
The island of Floreana is about 90 minutes south from our dive base. There are 9 dive sites here with generally calm waters. On the occasion that we do find strong currents, we can quickly move to another site, which makes Floreana ideal for all levels of divers. This site is one of the best in the central islands to see significant coral colonies, such as pebble coral and endemic black coral. You might encounter baby birds as they make unsuccessful attempts learning to fly. You may look on as barberfish clean sea turtles of parasites. Floreana is also one of the best sites to dive with sea lions. If if that isn't enough there is the enticing gauntlet of sea horses, stingrays, eagle rays, turtles, long nose hawkfish, barracudas, pelagic fish, white tip reef sharks, Galapagos sharks, and hammerhead sharks.
Trip duration: 8-9 hours - Difficulty: Intermediate

GORDON ROCKS
This tuff cone formation is a world famous dive site about one hour from our base. There are 4 dive sites in the area, but only two are for novices. The other two sites are for intermediates and experts because there can be strong currents and surge. The Gordon Rocks dive sites are mostly walls with a deep bottom. Blend in and blow few bubbles and you may be blessed with a hammerhead sighting! Hammerhead sharks are the main attraction of Gordon Rocks, where they often conglomerate in large schools. You won't be able to stop looking at this aquarium as you're likely to also see reef fish, large pelagic fish, golden rays, stingrays, eagle rays, turtles, morays.
Trip Duration: 7-8 hours - Difficulty: Advanced

NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND
North Seymour is an uplifted island of lava flow about 90 minutes north of our dive base. There are 5 dive sites suitable for all levels of divers, although sometimes the currents can be strong. These sites have the most different species per square foot of sandy bottom. We can see cleaning behavior, a large garden eel colony, sea turtles, sea lions, fur seals, eagle rays, yellow-tailed grunts, big-eyed jack, and frequently white tip reef sharks and hammerheads. Occasionally, Galapagos sharks can also be seen here.
Trip duration: 8-9 hours - Difficulty: Advanced

COUSINS ROCK
An islet with a wall dropping from the surface into the deepest depths, Cousins Rock is home to a big area of sloping rock plates known as a "Planchonal" about two hours from our base. There can be strong currents here that separate the productive and unproductive sides of the dive site. Cousins is full of spectacular endemic young black corals and other sightings may include frogfish, fur seals, sea turtles, sea horses, and usually, hammerhead sharks.
Trip duration 8-9 hours.- Difficulty: Intermediate

DAPHNE
This is an isolated offshore tuff cone with vertical walls all around it about one hour from our dive base. The main dive site is a shelf of boulders at about 60 feet and the diving can be difficult depending on the currents and surge. We usually see many Galapagos sharks here, some schools of pelagic fish, and multicolored sponges on the rock wall.
Trip duration 7-8 hours. - Difficulty: Intermediate