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The 16-passenger Alta is one of the most elegant motor sailing ships in the Galapagos Islands. On a Galapagos cruise aboard the Alta easy nature hikes, fun snorkeling and easy kayaking bring you into intimate contact with astounding birds and wildlife. Expert naturalist guides points out all of the Galapagos Island’s unique flora and fauna.

Our Galapagos cruises combine the finest small ships with the most talented naturalist guides and offer a range of activities designed to bring you into intimate contact with the unique creatures and ecosystems of the Galapagos. Spend more time ashore hiking among nesting frigate birds or albatross, more time snorkeling with sea lions, or perhaps just relaxing on a crescent beach.

A Galapagos cruise package aboard the Alta begins and ends in colonial Quito, Ecuador and includes Quito hotel accommodations, airport/hotel transfers, round trip flights from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos Islands and a half day tour of the Quito's old town, a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site. Join us and see why, quite simply, our small ship and yacht cruises to the Galapagos Islands aboard the Alta are the vacation of a lifetime!

Day 1 - Arrive Quito Ecuador

Upon arrival at the Quito, Ecuador international airport you are met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel.

Accommodations: Hotel Patio Andaluz or similar
Included Meals: none

Day 2 - Colonial Quito

South America's oldest capitol city, Quito sits at 9,184-feet elevation. It has been amazingly preserved and is protected as a UNESCO world heritage site. Enjoy a three hour guided walking tour of Quito's colonial center including Independence Plaza, La Compania Church and San Francisco Cathedral. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy this lively city, rest or prepare for your Galapagos Cruise.

Accommodations: Hotel Patio Andaluz or similar
Included Meals: breakfast

Day 3 - Quito to San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands

This morning, we will depart on a three-hour flight to the island of San Cristobal in the Galapagos. San Cristobal is the easternmost and one of the oldest islands of the archipelago, and is comprised of ancient volcanic peaks in the north and lush vegetation in the south. We will drop anchor in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the second largest settlement area in the islands and the capital of the providence of Galapagos, where we will visit the impressive Interpretation Center, which opened in 1999. Here, we gain a more complete understanding of the natural and human history of the islands. You may have some free time today to spend at your leisure in town before boarding the Alta.

Accommodations: Alta
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Tower (Genovesa): Prince Philip's Steps, Darwin Bay

On our way to Tower Island, the most northeastern part of the archipelago, we may encounter dolphins, whales and immature red-footed boobies, which sometimes land on the boat's railings and lines to hitch a free ride home. The island of Tower is a collapsed volcano, and ships are able to sail directly into its large breached caldera to anchor at the foot of the steep crater walls. Tower attracts vast numbers of pelagic seabirds that come here to nest and breed. Explore a trail known as "Prince Philip's Steps", which leads us to an open area popular with frigate birds and red-footed and masked boobies. At the end of this trail are thousands of band-rumped storm petrels at the cliff's edge, where they nest in crevices. Short-eared owls can also sometimes be seen here, hunting the storm petrels during daylight hours. This afternoon, follow along another trail, which leads from a coral beach past tidal lagoons where lava gulls and yellow-crowned night herons are seen, then along the low shrubs populated by frigates and boobies, and eventually to a cliff where seabirds soar.

Accommodations: Alta
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Fernandina Island: Punta Espinosa & Isabela: Tagus Cove

Today visit Punta Espinosa on Isla Fernandina. Fernandina is the youngest and most active volcano in the Galapagos, with eruptions taking place every few years. The flat lava of Punta Espinosa offers a stark and barren landscape, but here flightless cormorants build their nests on the point, sea lions sprawl on the beach or play in the tide pools and large numbers of marine iguanas dot the sand.

After lunch and a siesta head to Tagus Cove, located on the Island of Isabela. The boat will sail through the Bolivar Channel. These are the coldest, most productive waters in the Galápagos, the upwelling of the Cromwell Current, where dolphins and whales are frequently seen. Tagus Cove, named for a British naval vessel that moored here in 1814, was used historically as an anchorage for pirates and whalers. One can still find the names of their ships carved into the rock above our landing, a practice now prohibited, of course. The cove’s quiet waters make for an ideal panga ride beneath its sheltered cliffs, where blue-footed boobies, brown noddies, pelicans and noddy terns make their nests, and flightless cormorants and penguins inhabit the lava ledges.

Accommodations: Alta
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Isabela Island: Urbina Bay, Punta Vicente Roca

Urbina Bay is directly west of Isabella’s Volcano Alcedo, an easy, wet landing (a hop into a few inches of water) leads to a gently sloping beach. Walk amongst the dried coral heads, mollusks and other organisms that formed the ocean floor. A highlight of this excursion is the giant land iguanas, whose vivid and gaudy yellow skin suggests that dinosaurs may have been very colorful indeed. Giant tortoises inhabit this coastal plain during the wet season, before migrating to the highlands when it turns dry. Our landing beach also provides opportunities to snorkel amongst marine creatures, or just relax on shore.

In the afternoon visit Vicente Roca where the remnants of an ancient volcano form two turquoise coves with a bay well protected from the ocean swells. The spot is a popular anchorage from which to take panga rides along the cliff where a partially sunken cave beckons explorers. Masked and blue-footed boobies sit perched along the point and the sheer cliffs, while flightless cormorants inhabit the shoreline. The upwelling of coldwater currents in this part of the Galápagos, give rise to an abundance of marine life which, in combination with the protection of the coves, make Punta Vicente Roca one of the archipelago’s sough after dive spots.

Accommodations: Alta
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Bartolome: Pinnacle Rock & Santa Cruz: Black Turtle Cove

This Island is famous for Pinnacle Rock, a towering spearheaded obelisk that rises from the ocean’s edge and is the best known landmark in the Galápagos. Galápagos penguins—the only species of penguin found north of the equator—walk precariously along narrow volcanic ledges at its base. Sea lions snooze on rocky platforms, ready to slide into the water to play with passing snorkelers. Just below the surface, shoals of tropical fish dodge in and out of the rocks past urchins, sea stars and anemones. A perfectly crescent, pink-and-white sandy beach lies just to the east of the pinnacle. Sea turtles use the beach as a nesting site and can sometimes be found wading in the shallow water near the shore, or resting in the sand to recover from the arduous task of digging nests, laying eggs and covering them over. Penguins dot the nearby rocks of the next landing site, less than a kilometer along the eastern shore. Here the submerged walls of a tiny volcanic crater give the impression of a fountain pool. This dry landing—no wet feet!—is the entrance to a 600-meter (2000-foot) pathway complete with stairs and boardwalks leading to Bartolome’s summit. The route is not difficult and presents a museum of vulcanology; a site left untouched after its last eruption, where cones stand in various stages of erosion and lava tubes form bobsled-like runs from the summit. At the top you will be rewarded with spectacular views of Santiago Island and James Bay to the west, and far below, Pinnacle Rock and our beach, where the crystal blue waters of the bay cradle your yacht.

On the north shore of Santa Cruz, is a living illustration of how mangroves alter the marine environment to create a rich and unique habitat. Three species of mangrove crowd from the shore out into the lagoon, which reaches almost a mile inland. Drift though the quite waters in our panga, looking for spotted eagle rays and diamond shaped mustard rays, which swim in a diamond formation. White-tipped reef sharks slip beneath the boat and Pacific green sea turtles come to the surface for air and to mate. Waterfowl, including pelicans, herons and egret, all feed in the cove.

Accommodations: Alta
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Santa Cruz Island: Darwin Research Station, The Highlands

Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz's main population center, is home to about 10,000 people. It is on this island that we will have the best opportunity to see the famed Galapagos giant tortoise while we visit the world-famous Charles Darwin Research Station. The research center aids the National Park Service in its efforts to save the Galapagos wildlife; the museum at the station has a facility for rearing tortoises, a project to increase the depleted population. After touring the station, journey by bus into the highlands to Los Gemelos - two deep pit craters situated in the Scalesia forest that host a variety of interesting birdlife. Go for a walk through the giant lava tubes and visit the Tortoise Reserve to search for giant Galapagos tortoises in their natural surroundings. This afternoon, there may be some free time to explore the town of Puerto Ayora.

Accommodations: Alta
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - Hood (Espanola) Island: Punta Suarez, Gardner Bay

One of the oldest of the Galapagos Islands, Hood is small and flat with no visible volcanic crater or vent. Located on the western tip of the island, one of the world's densest and most diversified concentrations of wildlife is found at Punta Suarez. The area is famous for its marine iguanas with unique copper-red patches, swallow-tailed gulls, lava lizards, finches, long-billed mockingbirds, blue-footed and masked boobies and oystercatchers. When heavy swells are running, Punta Suarez is also the site of a spectacular blowhole, with thundering spray shooting thirty yards into the air. Gardner Bay, located on the eastern shore, hosts a magnificent beach frequented by a transient colony of sea lions and is a major nesting site for marine turtles. Around the small islets nearby, snorkelers will find many fish and possibly turtles and sharks. On a trail leading to the western tip of the island, you will pass the only nesting sites in the Galapagos of the waved albatross. These huge birds nest here from April to December and represent the majority of the world's population.

Accommodations: Alta
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 10 - San Cristobal: National Park Visitor Center, Return to Quito

Cruise around Kicker Rock (known as "Leon Dormido" as it is shaped liked a sleeping lion) - a vertical tuff cone formation that abruptly juts up almost 500 feet out of the ocean. The rock is split in two with towering vertical walls on either side, forming a narrow channel through which small vessels can navigate. Before we bid farewell to the Alta and her crew we visit the Interpretation Center. In 1998 the Galápagos National Park Visitor Center opened for the benefit of islanders and travelers alike, presenting a comprehensive exhibit of the islands’ natural history, human interaction, ecosystems, flora and fauna. Our guide will use the exhibits to provide an illustrated overview of the natural history of the islands. From the Interpretation Center, a short trail arrives at Frigate Bird Hill, where both “magnificent-frigates” and “great-frigates” can be seen in the same colony—ideal for learning to distinguish the two bird species. Following this visit we return to Puerto Baquerizo, where you’ll have time for some last minute island shopping.

Accommodations: Hotel Patio Andaluz or similar
Included Meals: breakfast

Day 11 - Depart Quito

Transportation will be provided to the airport for return flights home or for excursions into the Amazon Basin rainforest or Machu Picchu.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast



Notes on Itinerary: We may occasionally alter itineraries slightly for safety, or to take advantage of weather, wildlife, and unplanned discoveries. Our ability to be flexible makes our style of cruising unique.

Single Travelers: Single cabins are available for a 75% surcharge. If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations our Roommate Share Program guarantees double occupancy rates for boat cabins even if we are unable to match you with a roommate.

Family Travelers: Child discounts are available for children under 12 years old, sharing a cabin with an adult. Limit of 1 discount per cabin with a maximum of two discounts per family. Not valid during holiday periods. Minimum child age is 7 years old.

Land Cost Includes: Three nights Quito hotel accommodations with breakfast included, all airport/ hotel transfers, Galapagos flight, Galapagos National Park entrance fees & taxes, Galapagos transit card, Galapagos cruise including all meals while aboard and an experienced Galapagos Islands naturalist guide.

Not Included: Airfare from US to Quito; excess baggage charges; airport departure tax from Quito; tips to local staff and items of a personal nature such as soft drinks or alcoholic beverages, laundry fees and insurance of any kind.

Arrival and Departure: This trip begins and ends in Quito, Ecuador. Plan flights to arrive at any time on Day 1 and depart anytime on the last day. Airport transfers are included for travelers arriving and departing on scheduled arrival/departure days. This trip can also be arranged to begin and end in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: We charge a deposit of $1000 at the time of booking with the final payment due 90 days from departure. A special cancellation policy applies to all Galapagos trips, which is stricter than the AdventureSmith Explorations policy. When a trip cancellation is received inside of 70 days from departure, all trip costs are 100% non-refundable. Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with

Accommodations Aboard: The Alta accommodates 16 guests. Life aboard a small boat requires some physical agility and a flexible and social nature. Accommodations are in double cabins, each with toilet and shower. The crew is comprised of the captain, a multilingual naturalist guide, barman/waiter, cook, engineer and two deckhands. All meals are prepared and served by the crew on board. Soft drinks and beer are available for purchase on board.

Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health and leads an active life. Daily excursions from the boat to the islands will be made in pangas (dinghies). Trip members will hike from the landing point to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist. There are numerous opportunities to swim and snorkel. Easy-to-use, sit-on-top kayaks are also available.

Extending Your Trip: This trip combines well with our Peru, Machu Picchu 6 Day Explorer Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining trips to Machu Picchu and the Galapagos.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations "Terms & Conditions". Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.

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