Galápagos — South & East Islands aboard the Monserrat
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Tour Operator:
Tour Code:
1885-3483
Start City:
Quito
End City:
Quito
Tour Style:
Tour Quality:
Budget
Tour Length:
10 days
Age Requirement:
12+ Years Old
Tour Capacity:
20
Physical Rating:
3 - Explorer
Dates & Prices
Promotions
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Promotion Details
Receive 15% off per person on guaranteed departures of select small-group tours as follows: Tour must be booked by October 31, 2019, at 23:59 EST, for travel by August 31, 2020, for the G Adventures tour portion of these trip codes: PVIIA, SP5AR, SPLAR, SEV07LB, SEVL07LB, SEV10LB, SEV10LA, SEV17LA, XVRPNX, XVRDNX, XVLTNX, XVTLNX, XVLLNX, XCETNX, XCTENX, XCELNX, AFMB, AFMS, ASSM, AVLHZ, AVLHA, AVLSZW, AVVSZW, AOLZSE, AOVZSE, SEV07MA, SEV07MB, SEVL07MA, SEVL07MB, SEV10MA, SEV10MB, SEV10MC, SEV10MD, SEV07NA, SEV07NB, SEVL07NA, SEVL07NB, SEV10NA, SEV10NB, SEV10NC, SEV10ND. Valid for new bookings only. Cannot be combined with any other offers, promotions or discounts and is subject to availability for select trips and departures. Does not apply to National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures, National Geographic Family Journeys, Private Groups, SPIT (The Inca Trail), SPTO (Trekking the Inca Trail: 4D/3N), SP5T (Trekking the Inca Trail: 5D/4N), Independents, pre- or post-tour accommodation, insurance, airfare not included in the itinerary, upgrades, Gear Shop, extras, "My Own Room" or "My Own Tent," transfers, theme packs, or other in-country or on-board services. G Adventures reserves the right to withdraw this offer from sale at any time without prior notice. Any refunds made with respect to products booked under this promotion shall be issued at the discounted rate. G Adventures reserves the right to cancel any booking due to unauthorized, altered, ineligible, or fraudulent use of discount. G Adventures is not responsible for technical or system errors that may interfere with or otherwise prohibit the use of the promotion. Other restrictions may apply.
Cities Visited
Baltra Island, Espanola Island, Floreana Island, Puerto Ayora, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Punta Pitt, Quito, San Cristobal, Santa Fe Island, South Plaza
Tour Itinerary
7 nights cruising the Galápagos National Park aboard the Monserrat, find land iguanas feeding in the cactus forests on South Plaza Island, come face-to-face with 100-year-old giant tortoises, gain a deeper understanding of the ecology of the Galápagos at the Charles Darwin Foundation, choose to hike along or simply relax on the white-sand beaches of Española
If an authentic tropical landscape figures big in your travel dreams, get yourself on down to the Galápagos, stat. Want to keep an eye out for native wildlife like sea lions, land iguanas, and giant tortoises? The Galápagos has 'em by the dozen. Looking to recharge on beautiful white-sand beaches? There's plenty of those, too. Even better, you'll have the services of two naturalist guides to help provide an educational slant to this incredible experience.
Day 1: Quito
Arrive at any time.
Activity: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Accommodation: Hotel Hilton Colon (or similar)
Day 2: Quito/Baltra Island
Early flight to Baltra. Meet the guide and transfer to the ship which is moored nearby, just off the island of Baltra. Afternoon excursion to the highlands of Santa Cruz to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat.
Transport: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Transport: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Activity: Head to Santa Cruz's verdant highlands and the El Chato Reserve. There are many reserves in this area, such as El Manzanillo, Primicias, and El Chato II, making this is a perfect place to see giant tortoises in their natural environment.
Transport: Board the spacious 20-person vessel and enjoy the amenities while cruising to your next destination. Spend time on the top deck lounge and bar, indulge in a meal with new friends or relax in the indoor air-conditioned areas.
Meal(s): Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 3: Islas Plaza/Santa Fé Island
Land at South Plaza in the morning for wildlife spotting opportunities and a walk through the cactus forest. In the afternoon, take a guided walk around Santa Fé to observe wildlife and plentiful marine iguanas.
Activity: Visit South Plaza, one of the smallest islands in the Galápagos, which has one of the largest populations of land iguanas. Walk along a path through a cactus forest and view a combination of dry and coastal vegetation on this lively island, home to a wide range of fauna, including incredible birdlife. Spot red-billed tropicbirds and indigenous swallow-tailed gulls resting on the cliffs, and sea lions playing in the waters.
Activity: Lace up your hiking boats to explore the island's flora and fauna. Trek toward the cliffs along the island's northern shore to see a forest of giant prickly pear cacti (Opuntia). See endemic land iguanas lounging in their favourite forest, and feasting on Opuntia pads and fruit.
Transport: Board the spacious 20-person vessel and enjoy the amenities while cruising to your next destination. Spend time on the top deck lounge and bar, indulge in a meal with new friends or relax in the indoor air-conditioned areas.
Meal(s): Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 4: Punta Pitt/Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
Morning landing at Punta Pitt on San Cristóbal Island to observe the marine iguanas and seabirds along the beach. Head to La Galapaguera for opportunities to see giant tortoises and enjoy a snorkelling excursion.
Activity: Enjoy amazing wildlife watching and interesting geological formations on this fascinating expedition. Arrive at a quiet cove on the eastern tip of San Cristóbal to explore Punta Pitt. Made up of volcanic tuff substrate, it's the only site in the Galápagos where it's possible to see three species of boobies and two species of frigatebirds.
Activity: Get up close to giant tortoises at the Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado, an area of land reserved for the repopulation of these magnificent ancient creatures. Learn about the life cycle of the tortoises at the small breeding centre and interpretation centre.
Transport: Board the spacious 20-person vessel and enjoy the amenities while cruising to your next destination. Spend time on the top deck lounge and bar, indulge in a meal with new friends or relax in the indoor air-conditioned areas.
Activity: Snorkel around Punta Pitt Island and spot schools of fish swimming below. On the shore admire the nesting birds and sun bathing seal lions.
Meal(s): Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 5: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
Explore the the port town of Puerto Baquerizo, the capital of the Galápagos. Visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Centre and take a walk through Cerro Tijeretas looking for wildlife and go snorkelling. In the afternoon, visit Isla Lobos and be greeted by sea lions frolicking in the waves.
Activity: Explore this tiny island for great wildlife encounters. Either by foot or by panga, view the sea and shore birds nesting and feeding. Spot a small colony of blue-footed boobies as well as two species of sea lions.
Activity: Snorkel the waters of peaceful Isla Lobos, amid the families of sea lions and their inquisitive pups looking to play. Spot nesting frigatebirds and the famous blue-footed boobies resting on the shore. Be sure to bring your camera to catch some snaps at this prime wildlife watching haven.
Transport: Board the spacious 20-person vessel and enjoy the amenities while cruising to your next destination. Spend time on the top deck lounge and bar, indulge in a meal with new friends or relax in the indoor air-conditioned areas.
Activity: Pay a visit to the Interpretation Centre to learn everything you wanted to know about the Galápagos from the islands' natural history to their ecosystems and flora and fauna.
Meal(s): Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 6: Cerro Brujo
Starting on the north coast of San Cristóbal, land at Cerro Brujo to observe the sea lions, marine iguanas, and seabirds along the beach. Spend the afternoon visiting the tortoise breeding area in the highlands rich with endemic flora.
Activity: Visit Cerro Brujo to explore its coastline, and look for wildlife on the beach, in the water, and in the air. Learn about the human and natural history of the area from the Galápagos CEO/Naturalist Guide.
Transport: Board the spacious 20-person vessel and enjoy the amenities while cruising to your next destination. Spend time on the top deck lounge and bar, indulge in a meal with new friends or relax in the indoor air-conditioned areas.
Activity: Visit the giant tortoise breeding centre and see all of the different species of tortoises up close. See newborns as well as full-grown adult tortoises that can live well over 100 years. Learn how these gentle giants can grow so big!
Meal(s): Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 7: Bahía Gardner/Punta Suárez
Enjoy the day on Española Island, one of the oldest in the archipelago. Visit the white sandy beach of Gardner Bay's and the bird colonies of Punta Suárez.
Activity: Visit Gardner Bay's magnificent white sandy beach and spectacular landscapes. This incredible place is home to sea lions, hood mockingbirds, Nazca boobies, waved albatross, red-billed tropic birds, lava lizards, Galapagos hawks, and blue-footed boobies. Be sure to explore the beautiful turquoise water and its incredible sea life.
Activity: Head to Tortuga Rock and Gardner Bay for a spectacular snorkelling experience. Spot playful young sea lions and large schools of tropical fish, including yellow-tailed surgeonfish, king angelfish, and bump-head parrot fish. Look for white-tipped reef sharks napping on the bottom.
Activity: Visit Punta Suárez, one of most rich wildlife landing sites in the Galápagos. Be greeted by surfing young sea lions on arrival. Head to the trail to find many species of nesting sea birds, and, if lucky, see the waved albatross. Follow the path up to a cliff for great views over the ocean, and watch sea birds gliding in the wind.
Transport: Board the spacious 20-person vessel and enjoy the amenities while cruising to your next destination. Spend time on the top deck lounge and bar, indulge in a meal with new friends or relax in the indoor air-conditioned areas.
Meal(s): Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 8: Punta Cormorant/Floreana Island
Land at Punta Cormorant on Floreana. Guided walks to observe the bird and wildlife and learn about the natural history. Snorkelling excursion at Champion Islet. Visit Post Office Bay.
Activity: Visit Punta Cormorant, the only landing site on Floreana Island, and discover two amazingly different beaches: one with green sand, coloured by olivine crystals, and another with white sand particles known as 'Flour Beach'. Spend the afternoon observing flamingos and other shore birds feeding in the lagoon. Spot penguins and marine iguanas at the water's edge.
Activity: Jump on in and get up close and personal with the playful sea lion colony that reside in the waters off this tiny island. Keep an eye out for sea lions, sea turtles, rays and colourful reef fish swimming by.
Activity: Visit Post Office Bay and learn about its unique history. In the late 18th century, English whaling vessels placed a barrel here to be used as a post office. Today, the box is used mainly by tourists, who may drop off and pick up unstamped letters to be carried to far destinations. Continue the tradition - leave a letter and take one to deliver (be sure it makes it to the correct location)!
Transport: Board the spacious 20-person vessel and enjoy the amenities while cruising to your next destination. Spend time on the top deck lounge and bar, indulge in a meal with new friends or relax in the indoor air-conditioned areas.
Meal(s): Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 9: Puerto Ayora/Quito
Disembark in Puerto Ayora and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to see the giant Galápagos tortoises. Fly back to Quito.
Activity: Visit Fausto Llerena Breeding Center a great place to observe many species of tortoises and land iguanas in captivity. Brought back from the brink of extinction, see the famous Galápagos tortoise up close - a corral houses adult tortoises, and a nursery cares for the young until around age three when their shells have hardened.
This area also houses the Charles Darwin Research Station, a scientific organization initiated in 1964, which works to preserve the Galápagos' ecosystem through the conservation efforts of scientists, researchers, and volunteers. While the offices themselves are not open to visitors, the research station provides a study location for international scientists and environmental education for the local community.
Transport: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Accommodation: Hotel Hilton Colon (or similar)
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 10: Quito
Depart at any time.
Activity: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
Meal(s): Breakfast
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620
Meals Included
9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners
Transport
Plane, motorized yacht, panga, private vehicle.
Inclusions
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group. Cruise the Galápagos Islands aboard the Monserrat (7 nts). 2 Certified Galápagos National Park Service guide. All meals aboard the Monserrat. Highlands giant tortoises excursion. Sante Fé hiking excursion. Snorkelling at Sante Fé, Punta Pitt, Isla Lobos, Gardner Island and Champion Islet. Interpretation Centre Visit (San Cristóbal). Jacinto Gordillo Breeding Center. Post Office Bay Visit. Charles Darwin Research Station Visit. All landings and excursions. Snorkelling equipment and wetsuits. Internal flights. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
