Monograms Cruising the Galápagos on board the Coral - 7 Night cruise(ISZ)
11 Day Package from Quito to Guayaquil
Iguanas, and sea lions, and turtles, oh my! Where on earth can you find more rare species of plants and animals than people? The Galápagos Islands, of course! And when you cruise to this unique group of islands with Monograms, there is no stress, just fun! We take care of the hassles for you, from your hotel and cruise accommodations, to sightseeing and most meals. We even set you up with a Local Host® to help meet your needs during your stay, so that all you have to do is remember to pack your swimsuit!Your vacation begins in Quito, where your Local Host will greet you and help acquaint you with the city. The next morning, after an included breakfast, you will head out on a private tour to explore the city, rich with history and marked by the legacy that the Incas and Spaniards left behind. See Independence Square, the cathedral, and San Francisco Plaza Church. Enjoy an afternoon of leisure before packing your bags and heading off to the Galápagos the next morning.You will embark on a 7-night cruise around the gorgeous and one-of-a-kind Galápagos Islands. For this leg of your adventure, all of your meals are included. Begin your adventure at the Charles Darwin Research Station to see and learn about the Giant Tortoises native to these islands. You’ll also visit Bartolomé, where you can see a fascinating moonscape and take a hike to see the striking view of the surrounding islands; Rábida Island, where you will discover a rare red sand beach, home to colonies of marine iguanas, sea lions and several species of Darwin’s finches; Santa Cruz, where the clear, calm waters of Black Turtle cove offer the perfect place to see a colorful array of fish, rays and reef sharks; Isabela and Fernandia Islands where you can watch for flightless cormorants, penguins, and whales, and finally, Santiago Island, where you can explore tidal pools populated by fur seals and Sally Lightfoot Crabs. Throughout your cruise there will be multiple opportunities to snorkel in search of the diverse and colorful marine life found in the archipelago.So grab your camera and say “Sayonara” to the stresses of planning your own vacation. With Monograms, your vacation package to the Galápagos Islands is as stress free and fabulous as you dreamed it would be!
Itinerary (2023)| Day 1 | ARRIVE IN QUITO, ECUADOR. | | | Arrive in Quito. | | Day 2 | QUITO | | | Your included private city tour showcases Independence Square, the cathedral, San Francisco Plaza Church, and the Basilica with its marvelous stained-glass windows. (B) | | Day 3 | QUITO–BALTRA–SANTA CRUZ (EMBARKATION) | | | Fly to Baltra and transfer with your expert Naturalist to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where the Galápagos giant tortoise breeding program helps preserve the fragile Galápagos environment. Learn how eggs are brought from the nearby Galápagos Islands, incubated artificially until the galápaguitos (little turtles) are born and, at the age of 5, are returned to their native areas. Board your ship for your 7-night cruise. (B,L,D) | | Day 4 | CRUISING: SANTA CRUZ & BARTOLOMÉ ISLANDS | | | At Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island, walk by a brackish lagoon where feeding flamingoes can occasionally be found. The trail leads to an important nesting ground for endemic land iguanas, and offers lovely views of the neighboring islands. The forest is home to mockingbirds, Darwin’s finches, yellow warblers, and Galápagos doves. After lunch, visit Bartolomé Island to discover a fascinating moonscape formed by volcanic parasitic cones. Hike to the summit for impressive views of the surrounding islands and Pinnacle Rock. Bartolomé offers some of the best snorkeling, thanks to clear waters and abundant sea life, including sea turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, and perchance Galápagos penguins. (B,L,D) | | Day 5 | CRUISING: RÁBIDA & SANTIAGO ISLANDS | | | On Rábida Island, see its red-colored beach, formed from the unusually high content of iron in the volcanic material. Here, your Naturalist points out large colonies of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers, and several species of Darwin’s finches. This is a wonderful place to snorkel from the beach, due to the unique combination of underwater species and submarine landscapes. Later, explore Buccaneer Cove on Santiago Island and see the dramatic coastline inhabited by a large number of marine birds, sea lions, and inter-tidal organisms. At Espumilla Beach, walk through the mangroves and see salt-water lagoons that are home to wading birds like flamingos. (B,L,D) | | Day 6 | CRUISING: SANTA CRUZ ISLAND | | | Arrive at Black Turtle Cove on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, accessible only by sea, where turtles enjoy swimming in the calm waters along with colorful fish, rays, and small sharks. This cove has been declared a “Turtle Sanctuary,” and is home to sea birds, including pelicans, herons, and egrets. Eden Islet offers opportunities to see Nazca and blue-footed boobies, and reef sharks. Disembark at Whale Bay on Santa Cruz in search of marine iguanas and seabirds, followed by time for snorkeling. (B,L,D) | | Day 7 | CRUISING: ISABELA & FERNANDINA ISLANDS | | | Off the coast of Isabela Island, admire impressive geological formations, including a sheer cliff that is home to a diverse sea and coastal birds such as pelicans, Galápagos penguins, and flightless cormorants. There are whale-watching opportunities between May and December. Your afternoon visit of Espinosa Point on Fernandina Island reveals the largest, most primitive-looking of marine iguanas, mingling with sea lions, flightless cormorants, and Galápagos penguins. (B,L,D) | | Day 8 | CRUISING: ISABELA ISLAND | | | At Urbina Bay, walk on a volcanic black beach in search of giant tortoises, land iguanas, and flightless cormorants. At Tagus Cove, learn about the eruption of the five volcanoes that formed Isabela Island. Take a trail to a saltwater crater lake for excellent views of lava fields and volcanic formations. A dinghy ride reveals marine wildlife, blue-footed boobies, brown noddies, and maybe Galápagos penguins. (B,L,D) | | Day 9 | CRUISING: SANTIAGO ISLAND | | | Walk along a trail comprised of volcanic ash and basaltic rock at Puerto Egas to tidal pools populated by fur seals and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Snorkeling is a highlight, and marine wildlife includes lobster, starfish, marine iguanas, and octopus. A walk at Sullivan Bay features extensive Pahoehoe lava flows. (B,L,D) | | Day 10 | CRUISING: SANTA CRUZ (DISEMBARKATION)–BALTRA–GUAYAQUIL | | | Disembark on Santa Cruz Island and visit Bachas Beach, where you will find two flamingo ponds, sunbathing iguanas, and many coastal birds. This beach is also a main nesting site for sea turtles. You will find remains of barges that sank long ago, once the property of the U.S. Navy air base operating on Baltra Island during World War II. Later, fly to Guayaquil. (B) | | Day 11 | GUAYAQUIL | | | Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B) |
Included Monograms Meals Buffet breakfast daily; 7 lunches; 7 three-course dinners
Monograms Pricing Details This vacation includes the following Intra-Vacation Air segments in the vacation price: Quito/Galápagos; Galápagos/Quito. All other flights are not included in the vacation price and can be purchased from Monograms. Galápagos package does not include Galápagos National Park entrance fee and transit card ($120 value) but are additional and mandatory. These fees will be added to your Vacation Estimate.
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