Galapagos with the M/V Explorer
Visiting Quito - Queen City of the Andes, Otavalo market and cruise around the Galapagos Islands aboard the Deluxe M/V Galapagos Explorer
INCLUDING:
Meeting and transfer service. Tours as noted in itinerary including entrance fees and English speaking guides. Hotel selected for 4 nights including room taxes and service charges. The 4 day/3 night Galapagos Cruise aboard the deluxe ship M/V Explorer. Meals as noted in itinerary B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner. Airfare from Miami to Quito and from Quito to San Cristobal Island via Tame or similar. Tips to airport porters.
NOT INCLUDED:Services not mentioned in itinerary. Passport fees. Departure taxes: Galapagos National Park Tax upon entry $100.00: Airport departure tax of $3.00 in Quito. Insurance. Tips to hotel porters, and naturalist guide in Galapagos. USA departure tax $232 (Inc. USA airport tax/security/fuel surcharges).
* As of Aug.01, 2007…..The new international departure tax in Quito will be USD40,80 per person, Guayaquil however will remain at USD26,00 per person.
DEPOSITS: US$300.00 per person at the time of booking. Final payment is due 60 days before departure.
INSURANCE: Through Insure America, cost for this program starts at US$US$235-305. Please see information on back page.
CANCELLATIONS:
Cancellations must be in writing and received by Tara Tours Inc.
Penalties are as follows prior to departure date:
121 days or more…$100 per person
120-61 days $250 penalty per passenger service charge.
60-31 days 50% penalty
30 or less -no refunds
Meeting and transfer service. Tours as noted in itinerary including entrance fees and English speaking guides. Hotel selected for 4 nights including room taxes and service charges. The 4 day/3 night Galapagos Cruise aboard the deluxe ship M/V Explorer. Meals as noted in itinerary B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner. Airfare from Miami to Quito and from Quito to San Cristobal Island via Tame or similar. Tips to airport porters.
NOT INCLUDED:Services not mentioned in itinerary. Passport fees. Departure taxes: Galapagos National Park Tax upon entry $100.00: Airport departure tax of $3.00 in Quito. Insurance. Tips to hotel porters, and naturalist guide in Galapagos. USA departure tax $232 (Inc. USA airport tax/security/fuel surcharges).
* As of Aug.01, 2007…..The new international departure tax in Quito will be USD40,80 per person, Guayaquil however will remain at USD26,00 per person.
DEPOSITS: US$300.00 per person at the time of booking. Final payment is due 60 days before departure.
INSURANCE: Through Insure America, cost for this program starts at US$US$235-305. Please see information on back page.
CANCELLATIONS:
Cancellations must be in writing and received by Tara Tours Inc.
Penalties are as follows prior to departure date:
121 days or more…$100 per person
120-61 days $250 penalty per passenger service charge.
60-31 days 50% penalty
30 or less -no refunds
Details
- Tour Operator
- Tara Tours
- Offer
- Offer valid through 12/31/2008
- Duration
- 8 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - No
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Depart USA | DAY 01 SUN. USA-QUITO - Depart Miami for Quito, Ecuador. After going through customs and immigration, you will be transfer to hotel selected. |
| Day 2 | Quito | DAY 02 MON. QUITO - Afternoon combined tour of colonial and modern Quito. Drive through this beautiful city and its colonial center visiting the Cathedral, Government Palace, the La Compania Church with its ornate golden altars, then a drive through modern Quito. |
| Day 3 | Quito | DAY 03 TUE. OTAVALO COUNTRY TOUR - This excursion goes north, to the land of the Otavalos and South America's most famous Indian fair along the Panamerican Highway through dramatic mountain scenery to the textile market of Otavalo, where guests will enjoy visiting the many stalls full of ponchos, scarves, blankets, wall hangings, woven belts (fajas), hats, handbags and much more. Here Otavalenos barter in silence, in marked contrast to the raucous noise of other markets; take your time to negotiate the best bargains. Then, proceed to Peguche, an Indian village very near Otavalo that is home to the artisans who do the weaving in their homes; guests can learn about their culture and everyday life and then take the cobblestone road to San Pablo, with a stop along the way at a weaving workshop specialized in fine backstrap loom woven textiles. Lunch is at one of the charming country inns or haciendas of the area. |
| Day 4 | San Cristobal | DAY 04 WED-QUITO-SAN CRISTOBAL - Transfer to the airport for your flight to San Cristobal Island in Galapagos Islands to board the M/V Galapagos Explorer II. Your first day in Galapagos you'll visit one location near San Cristobal Island. At Cerro Brujo (wet landing), you`ll go to the beach for swimming and snorkeling activities. You can see: blue footed boobies, brown pelicans, coast bird (whimbrels, sander lings, etc), Darwin's finches, yellow warblers. Free time to walk on the beach. |
| Day 5 | Galapagos Islands | DAY 05 THU-GALAPAGOS ISLANDS - Morning at Punta Suarez (Hood Island) which is on the west end of Espanola, has a landing beach where visitors are generally greeted by a colony of sea lions. On the nearby lava rocks one of the most colorful subspecies of marine iguana can be found, along with brilliant red Sally light-foot crabs. Among the birds in the immediate area are long-billed mockingbirds, Galapagos doves, short-eared owls, an occasional lava heron, oystercatchers and swallow-tailed gulls. Behind Punta Suarez, on a cliff plateau, blue-footed and masked boobies nest. Beyond the booby colonies and farther inland, are many waived albatross colonies. Afternoon at Gardner Bay in Espanola Island About 1km long beach that is among the most magnificent in all Galapagos. It is home to many sea lion colonies and the turquoise colored water makes a beautiful contrast to the white sand that consists of shell dust. Mocking birds fight for their territory and inspect the backpacks of the tourists. About 50m of the coast there is a rock where you can encounter tropic fish and rays while snorkeling. But more spectacular is the Gardner Rock that can be reached with a panga. It is home to white-tipped reef shark, cactus finch and other colorful sea dwellers and very popular among snorkelers. (B,L,D) |
| Day 6 | Galapagos Islands | DAY 06 FRI- GALAPAGOS ISLANDS - Morning at Puerto Ayora in Santa Cruz Island. P. Ayora is famous because the Charles Darwin Research Station. A wildlife reserve has been set aside under the guidance of the Ecuadorian Land Commission and the Charles Darwin Station. Tortoises from different islands can also be seen in captivity at the Charles Darwin Station at Puerto Ayora. Afternoon at Rabida A small island (5 km2), covered by dry and coastal vegetation, has a central volcano of 367 m2. Rabida contains the largest variety of lava types, being red the dominant color. A salt-water lagoon provides occasional sights of Flamingos. While the beach holds a large sea lion colony, fur seals also may be seen here. Red sands and teal waters characterize this island. Sea lions cover the waterfront, and the bull is always making a show of his bravado. There's a short walk to the top of the trail where you can take fabulous photos of the clear waters and volcanic peaks. There's also great snorkeling. Keep near the rocks and keep your eye out for sharks and rays. (B,L,D). |
| Day 7 | Quito | DAY 07 SAT. GALAPAGOS-BALTRA-QUITO - Morning at Bachas Beach in Santa Cruz Island It is White sand beach where you can see some nesting site for sea turtles, a small lagoon, whimbrels, heron, pelican, Sally Lightfoot crab and other species. Early then transfer to the airport for flight to Quito with short stopover in Guayaquil. Overnight at hotel selected. (B) |
| Day 8 | Return USA | DAY 08 SUN. QUITO-USA - Transfer to the airport for flight to Miami and homeward bound. |
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
- RATES VALID from Jan.02 to Jun.17 & Aug.16. From Jun.18 to Aug.15 -please add $100 per person. Also, from Dec.09 to 31 add $250 pp.
NOTE: Rates are based on Magellan or Columbus deck-Classic Suite (all cabins are suites at the M/V Explorer). For Premiun Suite-Marco Polo deck add $145 pp; for Deluxe Suite Erickson Deck add $300 pp; for Renaissance Suite add $500 pp.
UPGRADE TO HOTEL MARRIOTT or HILTON : Please add $376 for Dbl/Trp and $484 for SGL
ADD-ONS & VIA AMERICAN AIRLINES:
For same package add $140 from ORL,TPA, JAX, FMY and Zone 1; $190 from ATL; add $230 from BDL, BOS,BWI, EWR, NYC, PHL, RDU, WAS, + Zone 3 - - Add $290 from CHI, CLE, DTT; - Add $320 from DEN, DFW, HOU, MSY, SJU ZONE 2 & 4; Add $390 from LAX, SFO + ZONE 5; Add $410 from Zone 6. RATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME.
