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south america: galapagos

z-Corals (7, 8 or 11 Days) 2011

The newly refurbished Motor Yachts Coral I and Coral II marry comfort, style, speed and space, the perfect combination for cruising the Galapagos Islands. This cruise combines the versatility and intimacy of a small yacht with the comfort and luxury of a small ship.

Located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador is an ecosystem among the most unique and prolific in the world: the Galapagos Islands. It was here, in 1853, that Charles Darwin caught the first glimmer of his earth-shaking theory of evolution. We'll follow in his footsteps, with unparalleled opportunities for observation and photography. Walk and snorkel among the island's famed and protected inhabitants - The giant tortoise, iguana, sea lions, boobie birds, penguin, finches, flamingo and more.

Galapagos cruises aboard the Corals 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.

Our Coral Galapagos cruise packages begin and end in colonial Quito, Ecuador and include 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 are the vacation of a lifetime!

Day 1 - Friday - 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: na

Day 2 - Saturday - 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 -Sunday- Fly to Galapagos: Baltra Island & Santa Cruz Highlands

Arrive to Baltra Island, transfer by bus to Puerto Ayora and board the Coral I or II. Receive a warm welcome and introductory briefing from the crew and enjoy a delicious lunch. Spend the afternoon in the highlands, observing the twin pit craters of Los Gemelos and visit Cerrro Chato. The Santa Cruz Highlands provides visitors with the opportunity to observe the famous Giant Tortoises. Following the trip to the Highlands, return to the vessel for dinner and a naturalists briefing on the next day’s activities.

Accommodations: Coral I or Coral II
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 -Monday- Espanola(Hood) Island: Punta Suarez, Gardner Bay

After breakfast, make a dry landing at Punta Suarez for an exciting walk on rocky terrain across inactive lava fields. This area home to a large colony of sea lions, and also to many species of birds including the Hooded mockingbird and Red-billed Tropic. Walk a little further and you will encounter the world’s largest colony of Waved Albatross, who’s mating rituals between May and December can be a highlight of this visit. In the afternoon, arrive at Gardner Bay and disembark (wet landing) at a white coral beach amidst a large colony of sea lions. Gardner Bay is an open area where you can enjoy your time freely: keep a lookout for animals such as Galapagos hawks, American oyster catchers, Galapagos doves, hood mockingbirds, Darwin finches, yellow warblers, lava lizards, and marine iguanas. If you like, take a swim or go snorkeling and explore the underwater world of the Galapagos. Admire the many marine species found here including king angelfish, Creole fish, damsel fish, parrot fish, manta rays, white tipped reef sharks.

Accommodations: Coral I or Coral II
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 -Tuesday- Floreana Island: Punta Cormorant, Post Office Bay

After breakfast, disembark at Punta Cormarant (wet landing) on a greenish colored beach. Hike though black mangrove beds to a large, brackish water lagoon that holds one of the largest flamingo populations in the Galapagos. Floreana Island is also known for its endemic plant life like the Galapagos millwork, passion flower, and button mangrove. After ample exploration on land, practice snorkeling from the beach with the playful sea lions, or head out a bit further to roam around famous Devil’s Crown. After visiting Cormorant Point, hop in the dinghy and ride along the coast for a tour to observe blue footed boobies, sea lions, marine iguanas, and swallow-tailed gulls. During this panga ride, time will be allotted for some deep water snorkeling. This unforgettable activity will allow you to swim with colorful fishes, tame sharks, and rays. Today’s next visitor site is Post Office Bay, located on the north side of Floreana Island. The bay is so-named because in 1793, Captain James Colnett installed an empty barrel which served as an informal post box for sailors who passed through the Galapagos, taking with them the letters to their destinations. Today, you may continue the tradition by placing unstamped postcards inside the barrel and see if they reach their destinations! Take a short walk from the famous barrel and you’ll come to a tunnel formed by lava flows. Down a path you can observe the Galapagos mocking bird, species of Darwin’s finches, yellow Wardle and lava lizards.

Accommodations: Coral I or Coral II
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 -Wednesday- North Seymour Island & Baltra & Santa Cruz

Make a dry landing for a walk along the coast and the interior of North Seymour Island, observing bird colonies of blue footed boobies, magnificent frigatebirds, swallow tailed gulls and also sea lions and marine iguanas. Pick up any additional passengers in Baltra. In the afternoon visit Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz. Hike in search of Galapagos "dragons" or land iguanas. In Zodiacs investigate mangrove-flanked channels searching for sea lions, a variety of birds, sea turtles, sharks and rays.

Passengers on 3 or 4 night cruises (7 or 8 day packages) disembark or embark at this time.

Accommodations: Coral I or Coral II
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 -Thursday- Santiago Island: Puerto Egas & Rabida Island

Rabida is a small island just over 2 kms in width and 400 meters at its highest point. Located to the south of Santiago Island, Rabida is known for its unusual red colored beaches. The vegetation consists mainly of Opuntia Cactus, Palo Santo tress and scrubby bushes. Enjoy being greeted by sea lions upon your landing. Hike to a salt water lagoon to look for flamingos. Depending on the season, keep an eye out for brown pelicans, Boobies and up to 9 species of Darwin’s finches.

In the afternoon visit Puerto Egas on Santiago (James) Island. Take a mid-length walk through a landscape of tuff-stone layers and lava flows. This is a great opportunity to see land and marine birds. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds and there is a colony of fur-sea lions. Enjoy some great snorkeling and swimming from the beach after the walk.

Accommodations: Coral I or Coral II
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 -Friday- Fernandina: Punta Espinoza & Isabela: Tagus Cove

This morning arrive at the youngest island of the Galapagos Archipelago, Fernandina. Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing their space with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, hawks, penguins and the flightless cormorant. Among the flora and volcanic formations observers will spot brachycereus cactus, and “pa-hoe-hoe” lava and “AA” lava formations

After lunch sail across the Bolivar Channel and arrive at Isabela, the largest of the Galapagos Islands, for a dry landing. Learn about the eruption of five volcanoes that formed this island and then take the trail that leads to Darwin’s salt water lagoon to enjoy an excellent view of the lava fields and volcanic formations. Returning from the lagoon, embark on a dinghy ride to a great snorkeling spot to observe the abundant marine life.

Accommodations: Coral I or Coral II
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 -Saturday- Bartolome Island & Santa Cruz: Black Turtle Cove

Disembark at Bartolome Island (dry landing) for a hike to the summit. Along the way observe the many volcanic formations such as lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. After reaching the summit, enjoy the great views of the surrounding islands, including Pinnacle Rock’s eroded tuff cone. Following this hike, return to the beach and snorkel for a chance to see the Galapagos penguin, sea turtles, and white tipped sharks from a safe distance. The next visitor site of the day brings you to Black Turtle Cove, located near Las Bachas beach on the north side of the island. Take an exciting dinghy ride though the mangrove channels. Along the way, the guide will then turn motor off to allow for up close observation of marine turtles, white tipped reef sharks, spotted eagle rays, and yellow rays.

Accommodations: Coral I or Coral II
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 10 -Sunday- Santa Cruz: Darwin Station & Fly Baltra to Quito

After breakfast, disembark (dry landing) to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens, an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. Time permitting, take a stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora. Sail into Baltra and transfer by bus to the airport for flights back to the mainland, arriving around 5:30pm. Transfer to your hotel.

Accommodations: Hotel Patio Andaluz or similar
Included Meals: breakfast

Day 11 - Monday - Depart Quito

Transportation will be provided to the airport for return flights home or for excursions to Ecuador's Mainland or Peru's Machu Picchu.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

7 Day Itinerary FRI - THU:
Day 1 - Friday - Arrive Quito
Day 2 - Saturday - Colonial Quito
Day 3 - Sunday - Quito to Baltra, Galapagos Islands/Santa Cruz
Day 4 - Monday - Hood (Espanola): Gardner Bay, Punta Suarez
Day 5 - Tuesday - Floreana: Point Cormorant, Post Office Bay
Day 6 - Wednesday - North Seymour / Baltra / return to Quito
Day 7 - Thursday - Depart

8 Day Itinerary MON - MON:
Day 1 - Monday - Arrive Quito
Day 2 - Tuesday - Colonial Quito
Day 3 - Wednesday - Quito to Baltra / Santa Cruz
Day 4 - Thursday - Rabida / James (Santiago): Puerto Egas
Day 5 - Friday - Fernandina: Punta Espinoza / Isabela: Tagus Cove
Day 6 - Saturday - Bartolome / Santa Cruz: Black Turtle Cove
Day 7 - Sunday - Santa Cruz: Darwin Station/Baltra to Quito
Day 8 - Monday - Depart Quito

11 Day Alt. Itinerary MON - THU:
Day 1 - Monday - Arrive Quito
Day 2 - Tuesday - Colonial Quito
Day 3 - Wednesday - Quito to Baltra / Santa Cruz
Day 4 - Thursday - Rabida / James (Santiago): Puerto Egas
Day 5 - Friday - Fernandina: Punta Espinoza / Isabela: Tagus Cove
Day 6 - Saturday - Bartolome / Santa Cruz: Black Turtle Cove
Day 7 - Sunday - Santa Cruz: Darwin Station/Baltra to Quito
Day 8 - Monday - Espanola: Punta Suarez, Gardner Bay
Day 9 - Tuesday - Floreana: Punta Cormorant, Post Office Bay
Day 10 - Wednesday - North Seymour Island/Baltra to Quito
Day 11 - Thursday - Depart Quito


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: The Corals offer single occupancy at an 80% supplement. There is no same sex share program on the Corals.

Family Travelers: Children under 12 years old at the time of sailing receive 25% off when sharing the cabin with 2 adults. Some Junior cabins and Moon cabins are interconnected and are great for accommodating families and small groups. 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 and 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.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with Travel Insurance. Please note that you must purchase your Travel Insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions.


Accommodations Aboard: The Coral I and Coral II are deluxe mega yachts that accommodate 36 & 20 guests respectively. Other than a slight difference in size, these sister yachts are almost identical. Both vessels offer comfortable, well-appointed cabins and many on-board amenities. The crew is comprised of the captain, multilingual naturalist guides, barman/waiter, cook, engineer and deckhands. All meals are prepared and served by the crew on board. Alcoholic beverages 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 round trip 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.

Snorkeling: The underwater experience is an integral part of any Galapagos cruise. We encourage all travelers to try snorkeling. Snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins, floating vest and net bag) are available to rent for the duration of the cruise. Shortie wet suits are also available for rent and are recommended from June to December.

Extending Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining this trip with our Mainland Ecuador and Peru: Machu Picchu extensions.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and 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.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

800-728-2875 | 530-583-1775 | fax 530-583-1711 | travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com