Galapagos Island Retreat September 23-30, 2019 $4,000 pp dbl $4,800 sgl First it was Darwin, now it is your turn. Join our 8-day tour to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Tour the capital, Quito and then slow down in the Islands. With daily yoga instruction and excursions with a Naturalist Guide exploring the local, unique and endemic flora and fauna, this is the perfect trip that offers a mind, body and spirit balance. Your Tour Director & Certified Yoga Instructor Marina Haksteen Marina has guided tours all over the world and instructed yoga for over 20 years. Featuring International & Domestic Flights 4-star Accommodations Quito City Tour Yoga Instruction in the Galapagos Islands San Cristobal, Santa Cruz & Lobos Islands Galapagos Highlands Community Project Experience El Chato Tortoise Reserve Full-time Tours of Distinction Tour Director Expert Naturalist Guide Snorkeling Opportunities w/ Equipment Incredible Wildlife Activity Level Passport Required For Information & Reservations Tours of Distinction 1-800-426-4324 toursofdistinction.net
8-Day Galapagos Island Retreat Your Itinerary Day 1 Today, transfer to Bradley International with your Tours of Distinction Tour Director for the flight to Quito, Ecuador. Upon arrival in Quito, we transfer to our hotel. Day 2 Following breakfast, we head out to explore Quito. Our city tour of Quito includes: the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Basilica del Voto Nacional, La Compañia Church, San Francisco Square, Plaza Grande and the Panecillo which is a statue of the virgin of Quito that overlooks and protects the city. Then, we travel to the middle-of-the-world, Mitad-del-Mundo. At 0 degrees latitude, you can stand with both feet in each hemisphere and learn the gravitational forces at work along this imaginary line. There is some free time this afternoon before our included dinner this evening at the hotel. (B,D) Day 3 This morning after breakfast, we transfer to the Quito airport for our flight to the Galápagos Islands. We arrive on the island of Baltra and transfer to our hotel in Santa Cruz. After check-in, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station for an introduction to the Island s unique wildlife and history. The Charles Darwin Research Station works to preserve the unique and balanced ecosystem. Here, we have a thorough introduction to the flora and fauna that make these islands so special. Later, we travel to Rancho Chato, in the highlands of Santa Cruz, and get up-close and personal with the giant Galápagos tortoise. The area also has volcanic lava tubes we can explore underground. We top off our time in these spectacular natural surroundings with a local, traditional Galapagos lunch. (B,L,D) Day 4 Today, we hop-over by speed boat and visit South Plazas, one of the smallest islands in the Galápagos. Though one of the smallest islands in the Galapagos, it has the island chain s largest population of land iguanas. Birdlife is also abundant. Look out for red-billed tropicbirds and indigenous swallow-tailed gulls and sea lions frolicking the water as we tour the area. Our time on South Plaza includes lunch before we return to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz island. (B,L,D) Day 5 We begin our day with a yoga lesson in Tortuga Bay. Tortuga bay is one of the most beautiful stretches of white sandy beach and turquoise waters in the Galapagos Islands. This morning, we depart for San Cristobal to witness amazing wildlife watching and interesting geological formations. Each island in the Galapagos is truly a different experience and San Cristobal is one of the most unique. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel. In the afternoon, we head into the highlands of San Cristobal and have a yoga lesson in the typical highlands of the San Cristobal. San Cristobal is the fifth largest and easternmost island in the Galapagos. It consists of a few fused volcanoes and is the island where Darwin first went ashore in 1835. (B,D) Day 6 Today, we take a small boat to Isla Lobos. We have a guided tour and will learn about frigate birds, blue footed boobies and sea lions that inhabit the island from our Naturalist Guide. Afterwards, we have time to snorkel and swim with playful sea lions and observe rays and turtles. We continue to a local restaurant for lunch before ending our Lobos excursion on Playa Ochoa ~ a white coral beach. Here, we have a yoga lesson surrounded by views of the Pacific Ocean. After, we transfer back to our hotel and have dinner. (B,L,D)
8-Day Galapagos Island Retreat Your Itinerary (Continued) Day 7 Today, after our last yoga session, we have some free time for some last minute shopping or sightseeing around San Cristobal. Some great sites to explore include: Jacinto Gordillo Breeding Center A giant tortoise breeding center where you can view various species of these incredible creatures that can to be over 100 years old! Punta Pitt Go exploring for three types of boobies, frigate birds, sea lions, marine iguanas, and seabirds along the beach. You can also take a refreshing swim in the turquoise waters or visit some freshwater lagoons where you may see flamingos. Early this afternoon, we transfer to the airport for the flight to Quito. Upon arrival in Quito, we will check-in for our overnight flight home to Bradley International Airport. (B) Day 8 We arrive at Bradley International Airport this morning and transfer home rested and relaxed with incredible memories. *Yoga Lessons and snorkeling are included activities. They are not mandatory to participate in. Your Accommodations Angermeyer Waterfront Inn Seas Side Hotel San Cristobal Hotel Aliso Quito
8-Day Galapagos Island Retreat The Details Roundtrip BDL Airport Transfers International Airfare from Bradley International 6 Nights 4-star Accommodations 14 Meals: 6 Breakfasts / 3 Lunches / 5 Dinners Return Galapagos Island Flights Galapagos Park Entrance Fee & Card Yoga Instruction Daily in the Galapagos Quito City Tour Inter Island Transportation Excursions on Santa Cruz, Lobos & San Cristobal with Naturalist Guide Charles Darwin Research Station Entrance & Visit Rancho Chato Highlands Ranch Baggage Handling at Hotels Tours of Distinction Tour Director Gratuities for Tours of Distinction Tour Director, Local Guides and Naturalist Guide PAYMENT SCHEDULE: 1 st Deposit: $500 pp due at time of reservation + Optional Travel Protection 2 nd Deposit: $1,500 pp due by April 26, 2019 Final Payment: due by June 10, 2019 CANCELLATION POLICY: A cancellation fee of $500 per person + non-refundable tour expenses will be charged for any cancellation received from time of booking to 121 days prior to departure. A cancellation fee of 50% of the total tour cost + non-refundable tour expenses will be charged for cancellations 120-91 days prior to departure. A cancellation fee of 100% of the total tour cost will be charged for cancellations received 90-0 days prior to departure. Deposit is refundable based on trip insurance. OPTIONAL TRAVEL PROTECTION: Optional Travel Protection Rates: $276 pp dbl $319 sgl Plan Document will be provided to you upon registration for this tour. Read the document carefully as it provides complete details of the plan; including benefits and exclusions. IF CANCELLING FOR A MEDICAL REASON, YOU MUST SEE YOUR DOCTOR AND PROVIDE SUPPORTING MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION WHEN SUBMITTING A CLAIM. $4,000 pp dbl $4,800 sgl Disclaimer: We are in the business that plans far ahead of the tour s start date which can, at times, leave us with a change of itinerary, attraction, meal or accommodation. Due to any unforeseen circumstances, Tours of Distinction, Inc., must reserve the right to change the booked itinerary, attractions, restaurants or accommodations. In such an event, the alternative will be of equal or greater value. 1-800-426-4324
2019 Air RESERVATION FORM One Form Per Person Name: First Middle Last (Must match your passport!) Address: GUEST DETAILS Tours of Distinction Galapagos Island Retreat September 23-30, 2019 Date of Birth: City, State: Zip Code: Phone #: Email Address: Cell #: Passport issue date: Passport issued in what country: Please send in a copy of your passport with your reservation. Room Type: Single Double Travel Partner(s): Special Needs (wheelchair, diet, handicap, etc.): PASSENGER DETAILS Passport Exp Date: Passport #: **Please note that we try to accommodate special preference requests (i.e. specific staterooms, specific deck, adjoining staterooms) when possible, but we cannot guarantee them. Make Checks Payable to: Tours of Distinction PAYMENT DETAILS Mail this form, a copy of your Passport & deposit to: Tours of Distinction See Address Below Optional Trip Protection: I would like to Accept or Decline the optional travel protection I am paying by: Check or Credit Card (we accept Visa, MasterCard & AMEX) Total Deposit for the Tour Portion: $ Total Optional Travel Protection Included: $ Total Amount Enclosed: $ Credit Card Information: Visa MasterCard Discover Card #: Name on Card: Expiration Date: CID #: 3 or 4 numbers on the back of your card I acknowledge that I have read the Disclaimer and Cancellation Policies on the reverse of this page and understand all information given to me. Guest s Signature: TOURS OF DISTINCTION PO Box 1011, East Windsor, CT 06088 Phone: 860.627.0199 Toll-Free: 800.426.4324 Fax: 860.627.5113 Date: For Office Use Only Date Received: Cabin Type: Cabin #: Reservation #:
Disclaimer and Cancellation Policies RESPONSIBILITY: Tours of Distinction and its affiliates act only as an agent for the passenger with respect to transportation and hotels and exercise every care possible. However, we can assume no liability for injury, damage, delay, loss, accident or irregularity in connection with the services of any airplane, ship, motor-coach, train or other conveyance used in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. We cannot accept responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, acts of God, or by other causes beyond our control. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the right to make alterations to this published itinerary. Tours of Distinction reserves the right to cancel the tour prior to departure, in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation on our part. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour. PAYMENT SCHEDULE: 1 st Deposit: $500 due at time of reservation + optional insurance 2 nd Deposit: $1,500 due April 26, 2019 Final Payment: June 10, 2019 Cancellation Policy A cancellation fee of $500.00 per person + non-refundable tour expenses will be charged for any cancellation received from time of booking to 121 days prior to departure. A cancellation fee of 50% of the total tour cost + non-refundable tour expenses will be charged for cancellations 120-91 days prior to departure. A cancellation fee of 100% of the total tour cost will be charged for cancellations received 90-0 days prior to departure. Optional Travel Protection Plan cost per person, based on overall trip cost. Double: $276 pp Single: $319 pp Categories not listed above may increase the cost of your travel protection. We encourage all travelers to purchase a plan at the time of initial deposit. The Plan Document, which contains the full description of coverage will be provided to you upon plan purchase. Passports ARE required for this tour. Passports need to be obtained no later than the final payment date of the tour. Space is available on a first come, first serve basis.