Taste of Galapagos

This morning you transfer to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos. In the departure lounge of the domestic airport you will be met and assisted you with your group check-in and payment of the $10 transit card fee. On arrival you will be asked to pay the Galapagos National Park fee ($100 per person). You are then met in the arrival hall and then transer to the boat The M.Y. Pelicano anchored a short distance away in Baltra's small port. Once on board you are assigned your cabin before you set sail.

Your first visit is to North Seymour, probably one of the most visited Galapagos islands. Follow a trail along the sandy beach with good views of Daphne Major and Minor, heading later inland to palo santo forest and low bushy vegetation. This island is also the nesting ground for the frigate bird. Keep your eyes open for blue-footed booby, sea lion and marine iguana.  Boat – Twin Cabins – 7 nights (BLD)

The southern most island of Espanola is one of the most spectacular in the Galapagos. Due to its remote location there is a large population of edemic fauna to be discovered. It is the breeding site for 12,000 pairs of wave albatrosses, nearly all the world's population, as well as home to colonies of masked and blue footed boobies. Following trails up from the beaches, where the sealions bathe, you will pass right through colonies of boobies, and pass marine iguanas as they make their way to the water. Galapagos doves and mocking birds are also to be seen. White sandy beaches at Bahia Gardner are a great place for swimming and relaxing. Albatross use the cliffs as their "runway" to help them become airborne using the south-east winds to give them lift. You may also be lucky enought to witness their courtship rituals which establish a life long mate partnership. Frigate birds can be seen soaring above and boobies line the rocky shores. In the afternoon make a wet landing to visit one of the longest stretches of white sand in the islands, Gardner Bay. Rocks just off the beach provide excellent snorkelling for those who wish to - with reef sharks, turtles, surgeon and angel fish often sighted. Keep your eye out for small white-tipped reef sharks at rest under the rocks. (BLD)

Santa Cruz, the second largest island in the Galapagos. Today you will explore the small town of Puerto Ayora which is the economic centre of the archipelago, and home to the Charles Darwin Research Station. As well as undertaking vital conservation work, the station also makes for interesting exploration and offers the best opportunities for close encounters with giant tortoises. Sadly this island's famous inhabitant ‘Lonesome George’ who was the last tortoise of his sub-species (one of 11 sub-species native to the islands) died in 2012. You also observe baby tortoises and land iguanas.

You then cruise back to Baltra, where you say goodbye to the amazing Galapagos Islands and take your return flight to Quito. As you will be leaving the boat today, Please remember that if you have enjoyed the services provided by your guide and crew, a tip would be very much appreciated by them. As a guideline you recommend each passenger consider US$10 per day for the crew and US$6 per day for your guide. You can leave tips in envelopes that are placed in your cabin on this last day of your journey. On arrival in Quito you are met and transferred to your hotel for you last night. Hotel – 1 night (B)