Yampu Latin America Tours » Ecuador » Quito and Galapagos Islands Tour with Coral I & Coral II

Starting Price:	£3,185.00
Trip Length:	8 days

Interests:

Walking/Hiking
Soft/Multi Adventure
Snorkeling/Scuba
Ecotourism/Wildlife
Cruises
Sun and beaches

Coral I

Snorkeling in the Galapagos

San Francisco Monastery in Quito

Quito and Galapagos Islands Tour with Coral I & Coral II

Description Pricing Itinerary Hotels

The M/Y Coral I is a 36 passenger yacht, with 18 spacious cabins
The M/Y Coral II is a 20 passenger yacht with 10 spacious cabins

Both have a European design and modern shape which offers more space, comfort safe security for a naturalist cruise. They are attractive and functional mid-size (Mega yacht), perfect for an intimate experience when cruising the islands. Some cabins are connecting, just for families and special groups.

The ample lounges are graced with a classic marine decoration; large windows that allow our guests to have an amusing panoramic view of the islands and its wildlife; comfortable lounge couches to read, sleep or relax, give a different ambience and environment to live Charles’ Darwin paradise.

This tour includes international airfare from London (UK), on non-holiday dates. You do not need to fly via London; Yampu will fly you the most direct way to your city of destination. Depending on your travel dates and proximity of travel, we will quote you the most economical surcharge from your city or country of origin.

Additional information on this trip:

Days of Week the Trip can Start:
Monday
Dates this trip is NOT available for online booking (please submit a regular request):
20 December - 02 January
Visited Cities:
Quito

Day 1

Monday
Upon arrival in Quito, transfer to your hotel.

Day 2

Tuesday
Full Day Colonial Quito Tour & the Equator The tour begins with a visit to Independence Square, where the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral and El Sagrario Church are located. We will also visit the Church of La Compańia (1605), with its amazing gilt altars. This is considered the finest example of baroque art in America and the Moorish influence can also be noted in the intricate designs carved on the magnificent red-and-gold columns and ceilings. Afterward we will take you to the church and monastery of San Francisco (1535). This is the oldest Ecuadorian church, and the main altar inside is a spectacular example of baroque carving. There is also a fine collection of artwork, including paintings, sculpture and furniture dating back to the 16th century. Finally we will drive up to the highest viewpoint of the city, El Panecillo, where we will have a spectacular view of Quito and the opportunity to see an old church with the famous "winged virgin" of Quito. After visiting the colonial and modern areas of the city, a 30-minute drive will take us to La Mitad del Mundo (the Middle of the World) with its 30-meter-high monument marking the equatorial line and excellent ethnographical museum.

Day 3

Wednesday
Transfer to the airport for your morning flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra airport in Galapagos (approx. 2.5 hour flight). You will be greeted by guides at the airport and transferred to the Coral I or Coral II at the Baltra Port.

Santa Cruz (Dragon Hill)
During this excursion visitors head for Dragon Hill. After a dry landing, passengers walk to a hypersalinic lagoon behind the beach, which is occasionally visited by pink flamingos. The trail then leads up to Dragon Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay. This area is a nesting site for a large number of land iguanas that where reintroduced by the Charles Darwin Research Station. There is also a bizarre scalesia tree forest.

Santa Cruz (Venice)
Dinghy ride around the islet along the coast of Santa Cruz. The land iguanas that live in Venice were protected from the wild dogs that live on the island of Santa Cruz. In Santa Cruz is possible to observe the vegetation and marine animals like: spotted eagle rays and golden rays, mullets, white tipped reef sharks and pacific green sea turtles which rest in the calm waters of the coves and channels.

Day 4

Thursday
Rábida (Jervis)
Wet landing at the dark red colored beach of volcanic origin which is frequented by sea lions. It is often considered the geographic center of Galapagos because it has the most diversified volcanic rocks of all the Islands. A short trail leads to a salt water lagoon, where you will occasionally find flamingos. July thru September is a good time of the year to observe how brown pelicans nest in the salty bushes found at the far side of the salty lagoon. Also to be observed are boobies and 9 species of Darwin's finches. Dingy ride by the reefs and an excellent opportunity for snorkeling.

Santiago (Egas Port)
Visit the dark sand beach at Egas Port during a wet landing. Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows, the surrounding area is prime for spotting and observing hunting herons, great blue herons, lava herons, oyster catchers, and the yellow crowned night herons. Passengers enjoy the sight of marine iguanas grazing upon algae beds at low tide sharing space with red sally light-foot crabs. There is a colony of fur-sea lions swimming in deep pools of cool water called "grottos". On this beach you can swim and snorkel in search of octopuses, sea horses, star fish and other sea life species.

Day 5

Friday
Fernandina (Espinosa Point)
After a dry landing at Espinosa Point, passengers will see the biggest marine iguanas mingling with sally-light foot crabs. They will also enjoy the flightless cormorants nesting sites, the Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks, and sea lions. Among the flora and volcanic formation observers will note brachycereus cactus, and two kinds of lava formations "pa-hoe-hoe" lava and "AA". Numerous mangrove beds extend into the sea, depicting a healthy and thriving eco-system.

Isabela (Tagus Cove)
This is the largest island in the Galapagos. At Tagus Cove, passengers enjoy a dry landing. Visitors will learn more about the eruption of five volcanoes that flowed together to form this land mass. The marked trail leads to Darwin's salt water lagoon and an excellent view of the lava fields, scoured with unique volcanic formations. Time allows us to observe marine life from the dinghy. Frequently, visitors see Galapagos penguins at this site. A view of graffiti dating back to the 1800's can help passengers to better appreciate the relationship between the islands and tourism today. Most of the graffiti is believed to be done by pirates and buccaneers.

Day 6

Saturday
Bartolomé
Dry landing. Arriving on this island, passengers will see volcanic formations including lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. After a hike to the summit visitors available to enjoy an impressive view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock. During the hike to the summit, travelers will often see large colonies of marine iguanas, lava lizards and tiquilla among bushes and various cacti. Visitors will also enjoy a chance to cool off while snorkeling. Here it is possible to see the Galapagos penguins, sea turtles, and white tipped reef sharks from a safe distance.

Santa Cruz (Black Turtle Cove)
Arrive at Black Turtle Cove located near Las Bachas beach in the north coast line of Santa Cruz Island. This excursion provides passengers with a dinghy ride though the mangrove, during which the outboard motor of the small boat is turned off. This allows the close observation of marine turtles, white tipped reef sharks, spotted eagle rays, and yellow rays.

Day 7

Sunday
Santa Cruz (Charles Darwin station)
Travelers will have the chance to investigate the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, staffed with international scientists conducting biological research and conservation projects. Here you can also admire giant tortoises that are part of the breeding program.

Passengers will take a bus to the airport for their flight back to mainland via Guayaquil to Quito. Upon arrival in Quito, transfer to your selected hotel.

Day 8

Monday
Transfer to the airport to take the flight back home.

Suggested Hotels by City and Category *

Quito
3-star	NU House, Vieja Cuba (Room Class AA), Reina Isabel or similar.
4-star	Mercure Alameda, Dann Carlton, Stubel Suites or similar.
5-star	Swissotel, Casa Aliso (boutique), Patio Andaluz, Hilton Deluxe room, Le Parc Boutique Hotel, or similar.
Boutique	Cafe Cultura or similar
Deluxe	Plaza Grande (Royal Suite) or similar.

* Subject to confirmation at time of booking

8 days , from £3185

Occupancy Type	3-Star/ Moon Suite	4-Star/ Moon Suite	5-Star/ Junior Suite	Deluxe/ Junior Suite
Double	£3185	£3336	£3758	£4219
Single	£4552	£4866	£5550	£6427

Prices shown above are per person, in Sterling (Ł).

Price includes: International air from London to Quito round-trip; domestic air from Quito to the Galapagos round-trip; 4 nights cabin on the Coral I or Coral II; all meals on the cruise; hotel accommodation in Quito including buffet breakfast; daily guided tours of the islands, led by naturalist guides; full-day excursion in Quito; all transfers. A $90 per person fuel surcharge is included in the rates. Also, the $100 Galapagos Park fee and the $10 Transit Control Card fee are both included in these rates.
Local airport departure taxes that are payable in the country of destination are not included. Airfare taxes and security fees that can be paid at time of ticketing are included in the cost.

Please note that cruise itineraries are subject to change without prior notice.

By traveling to the Galapagos with Yampu Latin America Tours, you will be making the choice to travel responsibly. As members of IGTOA (International Galapagos Tour Operators Association), Yampu donates $7 for every traveler that travels to the Galapagos with us. We are dedicated to helping preserve the islands while supporting sustainable ecotourism. As an IGTOA member, we are informed, involved, and concerned.

There will also be an optional Galapagos Conservation contribution of $50 per passenger added to your final proposal.
The contribution will go towards:

Creating benefits and educational opportunities for local people.
Strengthening responsible tourism management.
Building strong financial support for conservation among the travel industry and travelers.

Promoting high professional standards for the tourist industry.

Yampu Latin America Tours is a trading name of Kontiki Tours & Travel Ltd – Registered in England, Company No: 6054303 ATOL Number: 9522 VAT Number 919 1679 90 – 0800 011 2424 – Email Us

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