COMBINED TOUR Aug. 10 th to 14 th, days / 4 nights

Transcription

1 COMBINED TOUR Aug. 10 th to 14 th, days / 4 nights Room type: Double or twin: US$ per person Single US$ Booking Deadline Deposit: MAY 17, 2019 US$ per person Full payment is required: MAY 15, 2020 DAY-BY-DAY DESCRIPTIONS DAY 1: Transfer Charles Darwin Research Station Your flight will land on Baltra Island where our guide will meet you to provide assistance from the airport to Puerto Ayora, where the Hotel Silberstein is located. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and requires transfers until you reach the Itabaca channel where you will be waiting for the transport that will take you to the Puerto Ayora. On the way, you will make a stop at the Twin Craters that are on the sides of the road that leads to Puerto Ayora. Two impressive formations created by volcanic material inside underground chambers. In this place you will see an important population of Scalecias, endemic plant of Galápagos very characteristic of the high areas. A guide will accompany you to the visit of the Charles Darwin Research Station, home of the famous and centenary turtle El Solitario George,

2 that died in June 2012 and was originally from the Pinta Island. The station has an interpretation center that recounts the origin of the Islands and several sites where their programs for the conservation of the Galapagos species are shown. DAY 2: Bartolome Island The trip to this island begins in Puerto Ayora, early in the morning at 06h00 with a transfer to the Itabaca Channel where you will receive the staff of the boat. The trip to Bartolome lasts approximately 2 hours.

3 During the trip it is possible that the boat is accompanied by schools of dolphins jumping next to the yacht. Once on the island, you should prepare for a walk and climb a staircase that will take you to the viewpoint of the famous Pinnacle Rock, one of the most famous postcards of the Galapagos. When climbing the stairs, little by little you will be immersed in a volcanic landscape, dozens of reddish-brown craters unfold on the island giving the appearance of a lunar landscape. In the afternoon, after lunch on board, you will have time to observe, with a little luck, small colonies of Galapagos penguins (Spheniscus mendiculus) that nest in this area and eventually snorkel with them, sea turtles and starfish. On this island, there are two beaches that interconnect their dunes and are the nesting site for sea turtles and perfect for spotting sharks. You will be back at the hotel at approximately 18h00 to Puerto Ayora. Navigation subject to availability. DAY 3 Seymour Island Your pick you up will be at 08h00 to transfer you to the Itabaca Channel where the yacht s staff waits for the boarding. The navigation lasts approximately 1 hour. Near the arrival, the gray forms of Palo Santo trees are distinguished and usually without leaves most part of the year. Swallow-tailed gulls and frigate birds fly over the island, the males of this species with their big red ball in the chest try to conquer the females, while on the trail you will find dozens of blue footed boobies nesting or in their nuptial ritual, an interesting and

4 funny dance with a characteristic whistle of these birds; it is truly unforgettable. It is usual to see the blue footed boobies flying around the coast in search of food and diving at high speed to fish, it is an attribute that these birds have due to special protection on their wings that waterproof them while diving. Seymour is perhaps the island that best summarizes the best-known species of the Galapagos. In addition, there you can see sea lions, marine and terrestrial iguanas, pelicans, frigates among others. Navigation subject to availability. DAY 4: Highlands of Santa Cruz This island is home of the biggest population of the giant Galapagos tortoises. During the ride from the hotel to the highlands, you can watch the climate and the vegetation change. Some of the residents live in fincas at the highlands to dedicate themselves to stock farming and agriculture. They take care of the conservation of nature and the endemic plants and animals which you can find there. Visitors have the possibility to observe several kinds of birds like the bahama pintail, the moorhen, the Galapagos crake or the mosquero cardenal. Another highlight of visiting the highlands are the lava tunnels which can be explored. They came into existence when thin basaltic lava cooled down at the surface while underneath still flowed lava like in a tube.

5 Bay Tour First stop is the little island Loberia, which is inhabited by trustful sea lions who love to swim with their visitors. At the bottom of the sea, you can find a variety of invertebrate mollusks and fish, which can be observed perfectly through the glass bottom of the boat. The navigation continues close to the coast to experience more knowledge about the birds, the turtles and the basaltic formations. Next stop is the so called Playa de los Perros. The beach got his name by the high distribution of the Cangrejos Perro. You can have a little walk over here. Afterwards you visit the Grietas (rock crevices). A stroll of 15 minutes over lava rocks leads to the Canal de los Tiburones y Del Amor. During the walk you can observe Darwin s finches, sea birds and lagoon birds and admire the local endemic vegetation. Arrived at the canal, there is time to swim, to snorkel and for the brave also to jump from the cliffs into the ocean. Navigation subject to availability. DAY 5: Transfer to the airport According to your flight itinerary, the hotel reception will inform you of the departure time in which our staff will take you to the Baltra airport. IMPORTANT NOTE: Please remember that the exact route and programme may vary according to weather and ocean conditions and the wildlife we encounter. It's also subject to change without previous notice due mainly to readjustment of the National Park policies and regulations.

6 PLEASE KEEP IN MIND that this is a sample itinerary subject to change due to your physical condition, safety and navigations availability. Dry landing: Guests step from the panga (dinghy) onto rocks or a dock. Wet landing: As the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into around 20 cm (8 in) of water and wade ashore. Included - Accommodation in Hotel Silberstein - All meals - Island sightseeing - Naturalists Tour Guide - Transfers in Galapagos - Air tickets to/from Galapagos US$ (Subject to change) - Galapagos National Park admission fee US$ 100 (subject to change) - Transit Control Card for Galapagos US$ 20 per person (subject to change) Not Included - Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage - Tips - Gifts - Internet - Additional items. BOOKING AND PAYMENTS POLICIES: For reservations a deposit of US$ per person is required. Deposits must be received in our bank accounts within the time limits established in these policies for reservations to be processed. For all services, including flight tickets, and Galapagos National Park entrance fee taxes, full pre-payment is required for May 15, CANCELLATION CHARGES: - If cancellation is received between the date of booking until 61 days prior the date our services are due to begin, we will charge (25%) as a cancellation fee. This deposit cannot be transferred to another booking.

7 - If cancellation is received between 60 and 0 days prior the date our services are due to begin, we will charge 100% as a cancellation fee. - In the case of a cancellation, deposits made as part of a booking are non-refundable and not transferable to another departure. - In the case of a cancellation due to medical reasons, we require a medical certificate. With this, we will provide a credit note of a value of 50% of the booking for the guest. This credit note is valid for another departure for one year from the cancellation date. This credit note will not be issued for departures during Peak Season. - In the case of cancellation due to death, we require a certificate. With this, we will provide a credit note of a value of 50% of the booking for a future departure by a friend or family member. This credit note is valid for another departure for one year from the cancellation date. This credit note will not be issued for departures during Peak Season. PACKING CHECK LIST 1 small backpack Comfortable walking shoes Sneakers with rubber soles Shorts Long pants T-shirts Long and short sleeved shirts Wind breaker Bathing suit or a wetsuit for snorkelling in cold months Hat or cap Sunblock and repellent Sunglasses Binoculars Camera & video recorder Any medicine you may be taking Book/Notebook