Galapagos Encounter

7 days - from $2865

An informative look at the forces of nature at work in this remarkable archipelago

This trip introduces the highlights of the northern islands of the Galapagos. From the airport in Baltra, on Santa Cruz Island, we head to Puerto Ayora and board the M.Y. San Jose. We head for Mosquera, with its long, narrow stretch of white sand and calm waters offering excellent snorkelling opportunities. Next is Genovesa, a small volcanic outcrop where we find an abundance of finches, frigatebirds and boobies. Santa Fe is also called Barrington Island, a place favoured by sea lions who like to bask on the beaches. We then visit San Cristobal via Leon Dormido and Cerro Brujo, home to Sally Lightfoot crabs, brown pelicans and California sea lions. For something a little different, we spend our last night in the town of San Cristobal before flying back to Quito.

Highlights

• UNESCO World Heritage-listed Colonial Quito
• Frigatebird spotting
• Puerto Ayora

Itinerary:

Day 1: Quito - Arrival day2: Fly Quito to Baltra. Visit Mosquera Island.3: Genovesa Island and Darwin Bay4: Plaza Sur and Santa Fe Islands5: San Cristobal Island: Leon Dormido, Cerro Brujo and Red Hill6: Fly San Cristobal to Quito7: Quito
Included:

• The services of Peregrine's expert English-speaking naturalist guide and a crew of eight on board the Galapagos vessel.

• Return flights from Quito to the Galapagos Islands.

• Accommodation onboard the First Class M.Y. San Jose in one of just eight well-appointed, air-conditioned, twin share, lower-berth cabins with private facilities. Use of a comfortable lounge and sun deck.

• All Zodiac and shore excursions during the voyage: Mosquera, Genovesa and Darwin Bay, Plaza Sur, Sante Fe, and the Red Hill giant tortoise breeding centre on San Cristobal Island.

• All meals aboard the M.Y. San Jose.

• Use of snorkelling equipment during the voyage.

• Arrival transfer.

International flights, airport departure taxes, international departure transfer, visas where required, meals not included in the itinerary, insurance, laundry, any optional tours or activities during free time, tips, items of a personal nature, Galapagos transit card US$10and the entrance fee to the Galapagos Islands National Park US$100, and optional wetsuit hire US$15

The National Park and Transfer Card fee of $US110 is not included in the trip cost and must be paid in cash upon arrival at Baltra airport.