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south america: galapagos

z-Samba

The 14 passenger Samba is a classic traditional steel-hulled tourist superior yacht offering Galapagos Cruising at and affordable price. This yacht offers comfortable accommodation, open and shaded deck space, fine cuisine served in the salon or on deck, and personal service on board by a well trained crew and guide.

We'll follow in Darwin’s 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.

Our Samba Galapagos cruise combines enjoyable sailing, simple comforts and delicious meals with the most talented naturalist guides offering a range of activities designed to bring you into intimate contact with the unique creatures and ecosystems of the Galápagos. 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.

The Samba 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 Galápagos 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 Galápagos Islands 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: na

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 Galápagos Naturalist Cruise cruise.

Accommodations: Hotel Patio Andaluz or similar
Included Meals: breakfast

Day 3 - Depart Quito to Baltra, Galapagos & South Plaza Island

This morning depart on a three-hour flight to the island of Baltra in the Galapagos. Upon arrival at Baltra airport meet your Expedition Leader and transfer to the Samba. After a brief safety meeting and a delicious lunch, the Samba will set course for South Plaza Island, known for its large Galapagos Sea Lion colonies, Land Iguanas, Opuntia cacti, Swallow-tailed Gulls, Audubon Shearwaters and Red-billed Tropic-birds.

Accommodations: Samba
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 – Santa Cruz Island: Highlands, Darwin Research Station

Arrive in the morning to the island of Santa Cruz and travel by bus to the Santa Cruz Highlands for the opportunity to see the Galapagos Giant Tortoises in the wild. Enjoy the opportunity to photograph these fascinating creatures as they walk at a very slow pace. This is also one of the best sites for watching land birds including: Darwin's Finches and Vermilion Flycatchers.
In the afternoon return to Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz's main population center boasting about 10,000 people, and visit the world famous Charles Darwin Research Station. Here guests will have the best opportunity to see the famed giant tortoises while visiting this informational and educational site. The research center aids the National Park Service in its efforts to preserve the wildlife of the Galapagos. Keep an eye out for Lonesome George, the last remaining of the La Pinta giant tortoises. Following this informational and educational visit, enjoy some free time in town for some shopping & sight-seeing.

Accommodations: Samba
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Española(Hood) Island: Punta Suarez, Gardner Bay

One of the oldest of the 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: Samba
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Floreana Island: Punta Cormorant, Post Office Bay

This is a peaceful, rolling island dotted with numerous extinct volcanic cones amidst a variety of scrubby vegetation. Its colorful human history goes back almost two centuries and, at times, verges on the bizarre: from marooned whalers to prisoners and colonists. Disembark at Point Cormorant (wet landing) for an easy walk to see the flamingos that inhabit a brackish-water lagoon, and other birds like ducks, stilts, sandpipers, etc. Take advantage of the great snorkeling from the beach or near by, at the Devil's Crown. In the afternoon, make a wet landing at the historic Post Office bay. Walk along a short trail and witness the barrel that served as the regions unofficial post office in centuries past. Try your luck at an old mail swap tradition that goes back to whaling days.

Accommodations: Samba
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Isabela Island: Punta Moreno, Elizabeth Bay

Today explore Isabela, the largest island in the Archipelago. The island is comprised of six shield volcanos that have merged into a single land mass. Isabela is a striking contrast to the lower-lying islands that surround it, and is home to many unique species. Begin your exploration of Isabela with a 2 hour guided walk across lava fields, passing by ‘oasis like’ lagoons, and admiring the rich in flora and fauna of the area. Chances are you will see Galapagos Flamingos and there is a good opportunity of spotting your first cormorants and/or Galapagos penguins. In the afternoon visit Elizabeth Bay, also on the Western side of Isabela, and enjoy a panga ride to a quiet mangrove lagoon where sea turtles rest. When passing by the Mariela Rocks, keep a look out for Galapagos penguins, cormorants, and Blue-footed Boobies.

Accommodations: Samba
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Isabela Island: Urbina Bay & Fernandina Island: Punta Espinosa

While near Urbina Bay keep an eye out for Galapagos Penguins, Flightless Cormorants, pelicans and other marine invertebrates. Enjoy a walk over different terrains, seeing large Land Iguanas, a variety of native and endemic plants, and sometimes Giant Tortoises in their natural habitat. There are also the remains of a 50-year up-lifting, exposing coral heads and other marine fossils. Moving onto Isla Fernandina, visit the spectacular Punta Espinosa. 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. Disembark and make a dry landing. Enjoy your naturalist led guided walk over lava fields while observing large colonies of Marine Iguanas, Flightless Cormorants, penguins and sea lions.

Accommodations: Samba
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - Santiago(James) Island: Puerto Egas & Bartolome Island

Puerto Egas, with its black sand beaches, was the site of a small salt mining industry in the 1960s, and a costal walk is an excellent opportunity to sight land birds such as finches, doves and hawks. Take a trail leading to the Fur Seal Grottos, one of the only places in the islands where Fur Seals can be seen. Look for sea lions basking on the rocks beneath a natural rock bridge, diving blue-footed boobies, Sally Lightfoot crabs and colorful lava lizards scurrying at our feet. After an enjoyable walk, take advantage of the excellent swimming and snorkeling off the landing beach. The afternoon will be spent on Bartolome. Most likely the first of the islands to rise from the sea, Bartolome is a small island that has beautiful white sand beaches and luxuriant green mangroves. After a dry landing, take an easy up-hill walk to the summit and delight in the panoramic views of Bartolomé and the famous Pinnacle Rock. After descending from the peak, enjoy your free time swimming and snorkeling off the beach where more Galapagos penguins and sea lions can be found.

Accommodations: Samba
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 10 - Santa Cruz: Black Turtle Cove & Baltra, Return to Quito

The ship anchors in the morning at the entrance to Black Turtle Cove. This is a great place to see large schools of Golden Rays, Green Sea Turtles (they are on the rare and endangered species list), White-tipped Sharks, Galapagos Sharks, Lava Herons, Yellow Warblers and a variety of other bird species. Then sail into Baltra Island this morning to board your flight back to the Ecuador mainland. Upon arrival in Quito, you will be transferred to your hotel and spend the rest of the evening at your leisure.

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 Ecuador's Highlands or Jungle or Peru's 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. Please note: on this trip the Galapagos National Park entrance fee must be paid directly by visitors upon their arrival.

Single Travelers: Single rooms are available at the listed rate. If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, our Roommate Share Program will guarantee 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. Not valid during holiday periods. Minimum child age is 5 years old.

Land Cost Includes: Three nights Quito hotel accommodations with breakfast included, all airport/ hotel transfers, Galapagos flight, transit cards, 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; Galapagos national park entrance fee; tips to local staff and items of a personal nature such as soft drinks or alcoholic beverages, laundry fees and insurance of any kind. Onboard purchases must be paid in cash. No credit cards accepted.

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 higher deposit of $1000 for our Galapagos trips 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 Samba is a tourist superior yacht and can accommodate 14 guests in 7 cabins all with private bathrooms and air-conditioning. There is also a bar, interior dining room, and an open-air dining area. 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, multilingual naturalist guides, cook, barman/waiter, mechanic and two to four sailors. 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 roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Given the islands volcanic origin, and the fact that most walking is done over pristine and irregular volcanic terrain, guests must be in suitable physical condition. Two types of shore landings are planned in the Galapagos Islands. On Dry Landings guests will step from the dinghy directly onto rocks or a dock. On wet Landings, as the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into knee deep water and wade ashore. There are numerous opportunities to swim and snorkel. Sit on top kayaks are also available. The boat staff will be on hand to assist.

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 provided for the duration of the cruise. Shortie wet suits may be available for rent and are recommended from June to December. If interested, please advise your adventure coordinator upon booking.

Extending Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining trips to Mainland Ecuador and Peru: Machu Picchu

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