Ecuador Galapagos Islands Itineraries A & B

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1 Trip Summary Welcome to Darwin s natural laboratory! Venture each day from your 20-passenger luxury yacht with a skilled naturalist to a new island and get up close and personal with the stunning terrain and fearless exotic creatures that make Galápagos their home. Walk volcanic trails and protected highlands and marvel at lava bombs, spatter cones, cinder cones and lava tubes on a hike to the top of an inactive volcano. Come nose to nose with a 600-pound, 150-year-old tortoise, snorkel alongside warm-water penguins and watch as a blue-footed booby dances in courtship. Return each night to a delectable meal and a restful night s sleep in the comfort of your signature yacht. Itinerary A Day 1: Quito or Guayaquil / Galápagos San Cristóbal Island Meet at the Quito or Guayaquil airport for your flight to Galápagos 1 ½ hours prior to your scheduled flight time Upon arrival to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island, our crew is waiting at the airport to escort you to your anchored yacht After the welcome briefing, a delicious buffet lunch and safety drill, we travel by bus to Cerro Tijeretas or Frigatebird Hill, situated just outside town near La Predial a fishing community present from 1952 to 1960 Return to the yacht and depart at 3PM to cruise around Leon Dormido aka Kicker Rock, a vertical tuff cone formation that rises abruptly almost 500 feet out of the ocean Join your fellow yacht mates this evening for your island briefing followed by our Captain s welcome cocktail party and dinner prepared by our well-trained chefs Overnight M/Y Eric, Flamingo, or Letty (L, D) Day 2: Cerro Brujo / Punta Pitt San Cristóbal Island We arrive to Cerro Brujo, a breathtaking white coral beach, considered one of the most spectacular in Galapagos where we ll have an opportunity to snorkel or kayak from the beach or swim with sea lions as well as a Zodiac ride During lunch, we cruise toward the northeastern tip of San Cristobal to Punta Pitt, a tuff formation that serves as a nesting site for many sea birds including all three types of boobies: Blue footed, Nazca and Red-footed boobies, both Frigate species, swallow-tailed gulls, Storm petrels and a colony of sea lions Punta Pitt is considered to be a first class site for birds and on par with Genovesa (Tower) Island Return to the yacht for a briefing followed by dinner Overnight M/Y Eric, Flamingo, or Letty (B, L, D) Day 3: Punta Suarez / Gardner Bay Española (Hood) Island At Punta Suarez, witness the highest rate of endemic species in the Galapagos Listen as sea lions noisily greet you as we land on their beach and laugh as Curious Hood mockingbirds peck at your shoelaces From April to November, the waved albatross, found only on Española, perform their wild mating ritual Here, where colorful sally light-foot crabs crawl along the shoreline near the famous blow hole, we can also observe a unique species of marine iguana, the Christmas Iguana, identified with traces of red and green colorings Walk along seemingly endless stretches of Gardner Bay s white sandy beach where you ll find large colonies of sea lions With no trail to follow, this is your chance to explore and find a Galapagos Hawk, Darwin s Finch or Hood Mockingbird Swim with sea lions right from the beach, explore by kayak or just relax Snorkel off Gardner Islet with its colorful diversity of sea life near Tortuga Rock and explore caves by Zodiac covered with invertebrates Overnight M/Y Eric, Flamingo, or Letty (B, L, D) Day 4: Punta Cormorant / Devil s Crown or Champion/ Post Office Bay Floreana Island Step ashore at Punta Cormorant, Floreana, one of the few populated islands in the Galapagos, rich with history, mystery, and intrigue Set foot on a green-sand beach alive with the sounds of Sea Lions Follow a trail to a brackish lagoon, home of Pintail ducks, Common stilts, and the pinkest Flamingos in the world Wind your way past a rich variety of plants including Morning Glory, Cut Leaf Daisies, Palo Verdes and 1

2 Scalesia leading to a beach with powder soft sand Snorkel Devil s Crown or Champion, a shallow sunken crater colonized by a brilliant array of colorful fish and coral Visit Post Office Bay, one of the most famous sites in the Galapagos where a post barrel was put into use in the late 22 nd century by English whaling vessels Leave a post card and pick up any mail to personally deliver to your home area Overnight M/Y Eric, Flamingo, or Letty (B, L, D) Day 5: El Chato (Highlands) / Los Gemelos / CCFL (Darwin Station) Isabela Island We disembark in port and travel by bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz, where the scenery gradually changes as we wind our way through all seven vegetation zones found in Galapagos Here, we visit the tortoise reserve at Las Primicias one of the private farms in the highlands where we encounter giant tortoises in their natural habitat We ll also visit Los Gemelos, Spanish for The Twins, a pair of large pit craters where we find the bright red male vermilion flycatcher Later, we ll head to the Centro de Crianza Fausto Llerena (formerly the Charles Darwin Research Station) See all three tortoise corrals and the breeding center with new hatchlings and miniature tortoises not yet ready to be repatriated Afterward, walk through the town of Puerto Ayora, population 24,000, and the social heart of the islands This evening you have the option to return to your yacht for a buffet dinner or remain in town on your own account Those who return to the yacht will be provided Zodiacs to return to town to shop for souvenirs, watch a soccer game, stop at a pub or internet café Zodiacs will be provided for your return to your yacht Overnight M/Y Eric, Flamingo, or Letty (B, L, D) Day 6: Bartolomé / Las Bachas / Blake Turtle Cove or Sombrero Chino Santa Cruz Visit Bartolomé, an island inhospitable to most plants and animals, where you walk on the moon Climb the wooden stairs leading to the summit of a once active volcano, pausing to marvel at lava bombs, spatter cones and cinder cones From the top of the stairs, we can gaze out across the island for a panoramic view of the island and "Pinnacle Rock", an eroded tuff cone Crystal clear water is an invitation to snorkel from the beach or Zodiac with schools of tropical fish and Galapagos Penguins Explore Las Bachas, Spanish for the barges, where a long stretch of soft white sand beach and interior lagoons offer opportunities for snorkeling and chances to see the Greater Flamingo Located off the Southern tip of Santiago is Sombrero Chino or Chinese Hat which owes its name to its shape After a wet beach landing with sea lion colonies, the trail gives way to a primeval landscape of volcanic rubble including cracked lava formations and lava tubes Search for marine iguanas and pairs of oystercatchers or you can choose to snorkel at a site that is frequented by Galapagos penguins Overnight M/Y Eric, Flamingo, or Letty (B, L, D) Day 7: South Plaza / North Seymour Santa Cruz Island Visit South Plaza, a small geological uplift with tall cliffs offering spectacular views After a dry landing, the trails lead us through Prickly Pear Cactus, Opuntia and Sesuvium Find the Galapagos land iguana feeding on cactus leaves Toward the end of the hill, encounter a colony of bachelor sea lions; the dominant bulls are in various stages of recovery from battles lost over prime beach territory Dry landing at North Seymour, where we visit the largest colony of Magnificent Frigate birds found in Galapagos As we stroll along the beach, look for Marine Iguanas and sea lions body surfing the northern swells After the walk there is a snorkeling opportunity offered in deep water Overnight M/Y Eric, Flamingo, or Letty (B, L, D) Day 8: Galápagos / Guayaquil / Quito San Cristóbal Island Visit the Interpretation Center in San Cristobal to learn more about the history of the Islands Next, head to the airport for a flight back to the mainland (departing San Cristobal at 11:20 am, arriving in Guayaquil at 2:15 pm flight schedule subject to change) Transfer to your hotel in Guayaquil or continue the flight on to Quito (arriving at 4:00 pm) to connect with your departing flight to the U.S. (B) 2

3 Itinerary B Day 1: Quito or Guayaquil / Galápagos San Cristobal Island Meet at the Quito or Guayaquil airport for your flight to Galápagos 1 ½ hours prior to your scheduled flight time Upon arrival to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island, our crew is waiting at the airport to escort you to your anchored yacht After the welcome briefing, buffet lunch and safety drill, travel by bus into the interior of San Cristobal to visit La Galapaguera Cerro Colorado, where the National Park has established a breeding program for tortoises and set up an information center for visitors Along the trail, find the San Cristobal (Chatham) mockingbird and Calandrinia plant, both endemic to this island Here, see the terrestrial tortoises living in their natural habitat but also learn about their origin, evolution and threats by introduced animals Overnight M/Y Eric, Flamingo, or Letty (L, D) Day 2: Tower / Darwin Bay Genovesa Island Spend the entire day on Genovesa (Tower) Island, considered to be one of the most spectacular Islands in Galápagos for bird species Wet landing on Darwin Bay, a coral sand beach where Swallow-tailed and Lava gulls gather near tide pools Enter a forest of Optuntia cactus and mangroves where colonies of redthroated Great Frigate birds nest The trail leads through a rich inter tidal zone where we find a wide diversity of wildlife After lunch, we have a dry landing at Prince Philip s Steps where we re welcomed by red-footed and Nazca boobies Walk across an open lava field, home to large numbers of storm petrels and the elusive short-eared owl Sea kayak the shoreline looking for the beautiful Red-billed Tropic bird usually found in the crevices Swim or snorkel from the beach with sea lions or for those with experience, snorkel in some deeper water Next stop: Return to the yacht for the briefing and dinner before we cross the equator Overnight M/Y Eric, Flamingo, or Letty (B, L, D) Day 3: Las Bachas Beach or Black Turtle Cove & Cerro Dragon Santa Cruz This morning visit Las Bachas (The Barges), where a long stretch of soft white sandy beach and interior lagoons tempt your curiosity Snorkel straight from the beach to explore your colorful underwater surroundings Located on the northern tip of Santa Cruz is Cerro Dragon meaning Dragon Hill Along the trail, search out Darwin Finches, Galapagos Flycatchers, Yellow Warblers, Audubon Shearwater and the endemic land iguanas, orange-yellow in color with large spines along their backs From the top of the hill, we enjoy a majestic view of the bay island covered in Opuntia cactus, Palo Santo and Cordia Lutea (muyuyu) After the briefing and dinner, we sail toward the western islands and cross the equator line for the second time Overnight M/Y Eric, Flamingo, or Letty (B, L, D) Day 4: Punta Espinoza Fernandina Island / Urbina Bay Isabela Island This morning, we have a semi-wet landing at Punta Espinoza, Fernandina, the youngest and most pristine island in Galapagos where recent lava flows formed by an active volcano stretch their way around the coast Hundreds of marine iguanas, the largest colony in Galapagos, bask in the sun along the rugged shoreline Observe sea lion harems with resident bulls carefully guarding their territory After lunch, cross the Bolivar Chanel where you may spot whales and dolphins riding the bow wave This afternoon explore Urbina Bay, home to very large and colorful Galapagos land iguanas At Punta Vicente Roca, a Zodiac ride offers an incredible view of the tuff walls, as we enter wave-sculpted caves in search of sea turtles that frequent the area Overnight M/Y Eric, Flamingo, or Letty (B, L, D) Day 5: Elizabeth Bay / Tagus Cove Isabela Island This morning, we visit Elizabeth Bay by Zodiac starting with a visit to a secluded cove, lined with large red mangrove trees Motor to the rocky islets known as Las Marielas, where a colony of nesting Penguins, Flightless Cormorants and giant Marine Iguanas are found We have a dry landing at Tagus Cove, located on 3

4 the western Island of Isabela, created when six volcanoes flowed together and formed the largest island in Galapagos Discover a salt-water lagoon, a scenic overlook with a spectacular view of the ocean, lava fields, and volcanic formations Ride the coves by Zodiac or kayak to find Galapagos Penguins, Boobies, Pelicans and other seabirds Finish off the day with an excellent snorkeling opportunity After dinner, a sky full of stars beckons you to go out on deck and observe the galaxy Overnight M/Y Eric, Flamingo, or Letty (B, L, D) Day 6: Puerto Egas Santiago Island / Rabida Island Wet landing at Puerto Egas, Santiago where you stroll along the shoreline looking for Octopus, Starfish and other sea life caught in the tide pools At low tide, catch a glimpse of Marine Iguanas as they feed on exposed green algae Watch for Great Blue Herons, Lava Herons, American Oystercatchers and Yellowcrowned Night Herons End your walk at the grottos, deep pools of clear water, where you will encounter fur sea lions once on the verge of extinction Before returning to the yacht, snorkel off the shores of the beach This afternoon, disembark on Rabida Island, the geographic center of Galapagos, which sports the most diversified volcanic rocks of all the islands Follow a trail that leads to a salt water lagoon, and observe Greater Flamingos sunning themselves in the heat of the day Snorkel the crystal clear waters, keeping your eyes peeled for different kinds of tropical fish Overnight M/Y Eric, Flamingo, or Letty (B, L, D) Day 7: El Chato / Centro de Crianza Fausto Llerena Santa Cruz Island We travel by bus to El Chato in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, the scenery gradually changing as we wind our way through all seven vegetation zones found in Galapagos Here, we visit the tortoise reserve at Las Primicias one of the private farms in the highlands where we encounter giant tortoises in their natural habitat Visit the Centro de Crianza Fausto Llerena (formerly the Charles Darwin Research Station) where you ll see all three tortoise corrals and the breeding center with new hatchlings and miniature tortoises not yet ready to be repatriated Scientists from all over the globe work at the station and conduct biological research from anatomy to zoology We also visit the Van Straelen Hall where there are exhibits and a short video presentation Afterward, walk through the town of Puerto Ayora, population 24,000, and the social heart of the islands Overnight M/Y Eric, Flamingo, or Letty (B,L,D) Day 8: Galápagos / Guayaquil / Quito San Cristóbal Island Visit the Interpretation Center in San Cristóbal to learn more about the history of the Islands Next, head to the airport for a flight back to the mainland (departing San Cristobal at 11:20 am, arriving in Guayaquil at 2:15 pm flight schedule subject to change) Transfer to your hotel in Guayaquil or continue the flight on to Quito (arriving at 4:00 pm) to connect with your departing flight to the U.S. (B) Note: Additional options for pre- and post-tour packages are available, including Ecuadorian highlands and jungle extensions as well as a bare-bones add-on that just includes airport transfers, pre-cruise lodging in Quito and post-cruise lodging in Quito or Guayaquil. Please call your Austin Adventures trip consultant ( ) for complete details. *This trip is operated in partnership with Ecoventura. **Trip itineraries are subject to change without notice due to road, ocean, weather, trail, and other factors outside of our control, for the safety and enjoyment of our guests, as deemed necessary and appropriate by Austin Adventures and/or Ecoventura. 4

5 Activities Hiking: 1 to 2 miles per hike, easy to moderate terrain. Sea Kayaking: No experience necessary. Snorkeling: Equipment provided, no experience necessary. Boating: Inflatable Zodiac touring with naturalist guide. Discovery: The rugged volcanic landscape of the Galápagos Islands offers truly exceptional encounters with wildlife. Venture out each day with a skilled naturalist on foot, in kayaks, and motorized panga (Zodiac) to witness an astounding variety of exotic creatures that have never learned to fear human contact. This is an active tour, quite different from most Galápagos adventures. Did you know that there are three species of boobies in the Galapagos Islands: Blue-footed, Red-footed, and Nazca boobies all of which you might observe at Punta Pitt? Were you aware that some of Galapagos volcanoes are still active today with occasional eruptions and seismic activity? Why do you think the Galapagos Islands were designated as Whale and Shark Sanctuary in 1990? If you re lucky when you re snorkeling, you ll catch a glimpse of a white-tipped Galápagos shark, known to spend most of its time resting in caves during the day, it comes out at night to feast on octopus, spiny lobsters, crab and many types of fish. A mangrove, a tree that has adapted to growing in the inhospitable tidal zone between the land and the sea, provides valuable nursery areas for juvenile fish and crustaceans. Come explore these magnificent islands with their amazing wildlife with the leaders in adventure travel! Ecoventura Austin Adventures is proudly offering this trip in conjunction with our Ecuadorian partner Ecoventura. Each year, Ecoventura carries thousands of nature enthusiasts to the Galápagos Islands. As Ecoventura enters its second decade of operation, we reflect back to 1990 when boat builders outfitted their first two 20- passenger vessels, Eric and Flamingo. In 1994 they launched their third sister yacht, Letty. In 2001 they launched the M/V Galapagos Sky, a custom-designed dive live-aboard. Clearly, Ecoventura holds a solid reputation for delivering personalized service, value and a high level of guest satisfaction. Ecoventura s participation in the Smart Voyager environmental certification program ensures that all vessels, passengers and crewmembers commit to preserve the Galápagos National Park and to respect the fragile ecosystem that, worldwide, is recognized as a living laboratory of evolution. Offering unmatched comfort and safety, Ecoventura, delivers the enchantment of the Galápagos with a dedication to details that will make your journey fun, comfortable and truly rewarding. 5

6 Distinctive Accommodations Suggested Pre-Cruise/Quito: Hotel Le Parc Quito or Mercure Cruise: M/Y Eric, Flamingo I & Letty Ecoventura s signature fleet includes three identical expedition yachts custom-designed for Galapagos cruising: the M/Y Eric, Flamingo I and Letty. Built in 1991 and refurbished annually, these identical superior first-class sister yachts accommodate no more than 20 guests and feature three decks of spacious staterooms with polished teak interiors trimmed with shiny brass fittings. Accommodations include ten double outside-facing cabins with a window or porthole view, one double bed or two twin lower beds, fully air-conditioned with private bathroom (hot and cold water showers), bio-degradable soap/shampoo dispensers, hair dryer, closet, drawers, intercom and separate climate controls for your comfort. There s a dining room, well-stocked bar and conference area with a flat screen TV, library and panoramic picture windows. Or you can relax in a lounge chair on the sun deck, enjoying sea breezes and a sky full of stars. Cruise highlights 7-night expeditions depart every Sunday from San Cristobal 20-guest superior first-class motor yacht 10 fully air-conditioned outside staterooms with private bathrooms Dining room featuring Ecuadorian and international cuisine Fully-stocked bar Conference room for briefings with TV, DVD player and library Observation areas and open sun deck Enjoy with Ecoventura s compliments Three meals daily, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages Captain s welcome and farewell cocktail parties House wine and local beer served during dinner Guided excursions with English-speaking naturalist Low guide to passenger radio (max 10 guests per guide) Complimentary snorkeling equipment, 3mm custom wet suits and kayaks Meals The hallmark of an Austin Adventures vacation is our exceptional dining. All meals: breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners, refreshments and receptions are included as indicated by itinerary. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner). Most alcoholic beverages and related gratuities are not included in the trip price. 6

7 Arrivals and Departures Please arrive in Quito no later than the evening prior to your cruise (we recommend arriving a minimum of two nights to allow for potential flight delays and misconnection). Flights to Galapagos for Ecoventura s passengers are serviced by AEROGAL Airlines from Quito and Guayaquil. On the day of departure, please be at the airport in Quito or Guayaquil one and a half hours prior to departure for check-in. Please look for the Ecoventura representative at the AEROGAL Airline ticket counter to collect your boarding pass, transit card (if prepaid) and get assistance with check in. On your last day, head to the airport for a flight back to the mainland (departing San Cristobal at 11:20 am, arriving in Guayaquil at 2:15 pm flight schedule subject to change) Transfer to your hotel in Guayaquil or continue the flight on to Quito (arriving at 4:00 pm) to connect with your departing flight to the U.S. If you would like assistance in arranging your pre or post cruise details, please contact your Austin Adventures trip consultant ( ). Trip Price From $3,900 per person, plus internal air, park entrance fee, transit control card, and optional pre/post cruise lodging and tour package Children 15% to 30% off adult price (sharing a cabin with an adult some restrictions apply) *Airfare and additional fees are subject to change at any time up until the day of departure and even after tickets have been paid in full. Trip Length 8 days / 7 nights 2014 Dates Departing Weekly Call for Availability Host City Quito, Ecuador Airport code: UIO Guayaquil, Ecuador Airport code: GYE Reservations & Availability Fearless and free: the soul of the Galápagos 7

8 Trip Reservations Reservations, Deposits and Balances Due To make a reservation, contact Austin Adventures with your choice of trip and dates. A $750 per person deposit is required to confirm your reservation. Holiday departures and custom programs may require additional deposits. Full payment is required at the time of booking if your trip departs within 90 days. Choose one of the following contact methods: Toll free: Phone: Online: austinadventures.com reservations@austinadventures.com Mail: Austin Adventures, P.O. Box 81025, Billings, MT * You may also book your Austin Adventure with your preferred travel professional. ** We accept most major credit cards and personal checks (U.S. funds made payable to Austin Adventures). Please do not send cash. Included in the Trip Price Cabin accommodation on board. All breakfasts, lunches and dinners, snacks and refreshments. Non-alcoholic beverages and filtered water throughout cruise / House wine and beer with dinner. Fully trained, bilingual, professional guides and knowledgeable local partners. Guided shore excursions. Use of snorkeling equipment, wet suits, and sea kayaks. Transports between the airport and dock in Galápagos. Austin Adventures T-shirt & luggage tags. Pre-departure and packing information. Not Included in the Trip Price Gratuities to Austin Adventures / Ecoventura guides & crew. Alcoholic beverages. Transfer to Quito or Guayaquil airport from your pre-trip hotel. Airfare to Galapagos & airfare fuel surcharge. Galapagos Entrance Fee & Transit Card Pre-and post-trip accommodations/packages and associated expenses. Air and land transportation to/from host cities. All types of personal insurance. Personal expenses & purchases on board / from boutique. Pre-departure Information After receiving your reservation and deposit, we ll send you a pre-trip planner with general information about the area you ll be visiting, a packing list, exercise guidelines, a guest information questionnaire and a liability release agreement for you to sign and return within 10 days. 8

9 Private Custom Trips Maybe your vacation schedule doesn t fit our list of trips and dates. Or perhaps you d prefer a slightly different itinerary or level of luxury and activity. A Custom Adventure is the perfect answer. You pick the date and destination and brief us on the size of your group, what activities you want, your must haves and just how you like to relax and unwind. No detail is too small, no idea too outrageous. Our staff of experts will help create a tailor-made vacation that s just right for you and your group. In short, if you can dream it, we can make it happen. Room Occupancy, Single Supplements, and Shared Room Assignments All trip prices are based on double occupancy. Single rooms are available for an additional charge, referred to as a single supplement. If you re traveling alone and wish to share a room, make the request at the time of booking. Austin Adventures will attempt to find a suitable roommate for you. Child Age and Pricing on Family Adventures Family Adventures are suitable for children 7 years old and up (5 years and older for our Costa Rica and Yellowstone Family Adventures). Children who share a room with one or more adults may receive reduced rates. The minimum age on our non-family designated adult and teen adventures is 16 years old. Cancellations and Refunds The following cancellation policies and cancellation fees are in effect: ***As with deposits on some international and custom programs, refund schedule may vary, speak with your Adventure Consultant for details. Cancellation 90 days or more before trip departure Full trip payment refunded less a $300 per person administration fee Cancellation days before trip departure Full trip payment less 25% per person is refunded Cancellation 0-59 days before trip departure No refund is given * Holiday departure deposit and cancellation policy varies (March / December / December 28 04). Please call your adventure consultant for details. Our Guarantee Exceeding your expectations is our number one priority. In the unlikely event that you are dissatisfied with something during your trip, immediately notify your guide(s). If he or she is unable to resolve the issue, call our main office and give us the details of the problem, and a chance to correct it. We will do our best to find a resolution. If we are unable to do so during your trip, we will work with you upon your return home to arrive at a fair and equitable solution, including up to a full refund. 9