Galápagos: Wildlife Wonderland
Exotic wildlife welcomes you
ashore, undisturbed, as they go about their island routines. Families live in colonies, like the red- and blue-footed boobies whose webbed shoes are some of the most colorful you’ll see. Fur seals congregate en masse on rock shores, with many pups staying beside their mothers for up to three years. Harems of sea-diving marine iguanas are guarded by head-bobbing males who threaten unwanted suitors while the islands’ penguins populate beachfronts with their chicks (as both parents take turns feeding and caring for them). Solitary creatures, like giant tortoises, lumber along on a life’s journey that can last more than 100 years. Which gives them ample time to greet families like yours when you come ashore.
1. ARRIVE QUITO,ECUADOR Tour begins: Swissôtel Quito. A transfer is included from Quito Airport to the Swissôtel Quito; get set for an early morning start.
2. VISIT THE EQUATOR AND EXPLORE QUITO Quito is not only 9,200 feet above “seal” level, it’s also on the Equator. Take the opportunity to stand on both hemispheres at the same time before an Ecuadorian brunch near a volcanic crater. Explore Colonial Quito on a guided tour, then join us for a special reception with local entertainment, before our welcome dinner at the hotel. Meals BLD
3. CRUISE TO ISLANDS TIME FORGOT Fly to Baltra Island for the start of your Galápagos cruise* on the M/V Santa Cruz. We’ll chart a course for a wet landing on Santa Cruz Island, home to daisy-tree forests, volcanic craters, endemic cactus and giant tortoises. On our guided walk along a pearly white beach, surrounded by saltwater lagoons, look for pintail ducks, flamingos, stilts, and sandpipers. Meet your captain and crew this evening at a welcome briefing aboard ship. Meals BLD
4. MEET THE LOCALS ON SANTIAGO ISLAND Go ashore on Santiago Island, once a favorite for pirates and whalers, for a walk through a mangrove forest to see flocks of pink flamingos. You’ll learn all about the sea lions and marine iguanas who favor the island’s black lava shores, and the islands’ volcanic origins, from our naturalists. Later, enjoy time for swimming and snorkeling. Meals BLD
5. HIKE ON BARTOLOMÉ & EXPLORE RÁBIDA Hike to the summit of Bartolomé Island – about 365 steps up – for views of the neighboring islands, then ride a panga around Pinnacle Rock. On Rábida (Jervis) Island, you’ll wade ashore a red beach, where you may be greeted by a noisy colony of sea lions and hear the songs of the mockingbirds and Darwin’s Finches who live in its volcanic craters. Meals BLD
Call your travel agent or Tauck at 877-519-1035
Tauck bridges family value Includes
All gratuities to Tauck Directors, local guides, naturalists and ship staff
4 nights aboard the 90-guest M/V Santa Cruz, built exclusively for Galápagos Islands cruising; dry and wet landings
Licensed Naturalist Guides of Galápagos National Park accompany shore excursions and hold briefings aboard ship, offering hands-on natural history lessons
Private Tauck Shore Excursions with experts, averaging two daily, for wildlife sightings and exciting activities ashore
Entrance fee to Galápagos Nat’l Park – $100 value per adult
Have brunch near a dormant volcano close to the Equator and explore colonial Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a guided tour
Learn about marine and terrestrial conservation in the islands during a visit to the tortoise breeding center at the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center
Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted
18 meals (7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners); gratuities to drivers, service charges, most taxes and porterage
www.tauck.com 99
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