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south america: galapagos

National Geographic Islander Galapagos Cruises

The perfect blend of activity and education. The 48 passenger National Geographic Islander features Expedition Leaders and naturalist staff are renown experts from National Geographic. This cruise is perfect for travelers seeking an intellectual experience and is willing to pay extra for National Geographic expertise.

A Galapagos Cruise aboard the National Geographic Islander features nimble Zodiacs and kayaks that cruise to the volcanic shores and pristine beaches of Galápagos, and an undersea program utilizes underwater video, glass-bottom boat and hydrophone that bring seldom seen or heard worlds to life. Every expedition in Galápagos is led by a team of Naturalists, (including an Underwater Specialist), a videographer, and Expedition Leader, providing a multitude of resources for a rich and unmatched understanding of all that you’ll see.

The moment you step foot on your first island here you'll see that freedom and fearlessness are a way of life. Whether strolling the islands' pristine beaches, searching for the spectacular waved albatross, having a "chat" with a particularly friendly sea lion, or snorkeling with Galapagos penguins, a glorious feeling of freedom abounds. And, thanks to the legacy of Jacques Cousteau, we are able to keep that feeling alive as we make wide use of our fleet of nimble Zodiacs that can nose into landfalls and cruise along reefs, which afford us intimate views of "the action." Meanwhile, our expert naturalists are always there to point out particularly unusual wildlife behaviors and characteristics so that you may observe, inquire and react as it unfolds before your eyes. Their specialized knowledge and interests - marine biology, zoology, botany, and geology - will transform your experience into a biology class in real-time. Here in Darwin's natural laboratory, the animal world is your oyster.

Day 1 - Guayaquil, Ecuador

Galapagos cruises aboard the National Geographic Islander begin in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Group flights from Miami are available. We’ve found that Miami is a convenient gateway for most, but other air alternatives are available. Arrive Guayaquil by late evening. Upon arrival in Guayaquil, it’s a short drive to the Hotel Hilton Colón.

Accommodations: Hotel Hilton Colon
Meals: n/a

Day 2 - Fly to Baltra, Galapagos and Embark Ship

This morning fly to the island of Baltra in the Galapagos. Flying time from Guayaquil is approximately one and a half hours. Upon arrival, transfer immediately to the National Geographic Islander. After settling into your cabin, gather in the ship's lounge for a refreshing welcome drink and a general orientation. By dinner time, you will have already made the acquaintance of some of the exotic animals you've come here to fraternize with.

Accommodations: Islander
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 3-8 - Galapagos Islands

Although exact routing depends on the National Park Service, we may visit the following islands:

Bartolome

This is an enchanting landscape where lava, mangroves and golden sand converge. Great walks and views abound, with a chance to snorkel with Galápagos penguins.

Santiago

Santiago offers close encounters with Galápagos fur seals along with an opportunity to study the inhabitants of the island’s countless tide pools.

Santa Cruz

Learn about vital preservation work being done at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Then, head up into the highlands to roam the moss draped landscape where wild giant tortoises forage.

Isabela

Walk the streets of the picturesque port of Puerto Villamil and nearby saltwater lagoons. Explore Isabela’s caves, shoreline, and stroll along a beautiful beach.

Fernandina

This is the youngest island in the Galápagos. Discover the marine iguana haven of Punta Espinoza and take in the dramatic backdrop of Isabela’s volcanoes off in the distance.

Floreana

Snorkel among sea lions in the clear waters off Champion Islet. We may also find flamingos, pintail ducks and various shorebirds. Hike to a pristine white-sand beach, a favorite nesting site for sea turtles.

Española

The exclusive home to waved albatross (Apr. - Dec.) and particularly colorful marine iguanas, Española is also a paradise for Darwin’s finches, sea lions galore, and the famous blue-footed boobies. Snorkel and stroll along the island’s lovely beaches.

Accommodations: Islander
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - Baltra/Disembark Ship/Guayaquil

This morning arrive at Baltra Island and disembark the ship. Transfer to the airport and fly to Guayaquil. The late afternoon and evening free to explore the city and prepare for your journey home. If you would to visit Quito, please inquire about our optional Quito extensions.

Accommodations: Hotel Hilton Colon
Meals: breakfast

Day 10 - Guayaquil/Home

This morning fly home - or anywhere else you might have decided to go.

Accommodations: n/a
Meals: none

OPTIONAL MACHU PICCHU EXTENSION

Day 9 - Galapagos/Guayaquil/Lima, Peru

You'll leave Galapagos this morning and fly to Lima, Peru via Guayaquil, arriving in the early evening. The night will be spent at the gracious Orient Express Miraflores Park Hotel located in one of Lima's most exclusive residential neighborhoods. On Sunday you'll be getting up early for the flight to Cusco, so you are on your own for dinner in the hotel or at one of the restaurants in the neighborhood. (B,L)

Day 10 - Lima/Cusco/Sacred Valley of the Inca

This morning, we fly from Lima to Cusco and take a spectacular one and a half hour drive via motor coach through the green mountains to the Urubamba River Valley — the Sacred Valley of the Inca. Along the way, we'll stop for some coca tea — a local remedy to help you adjust to the altitude. As soon as you see the mystical beauty of this area with its verdant vistas and fertile lowlands, you'll understand why the Incas considered it to be sacred.

Our first stop is Chinchero, which sits high on a plateau at 10,368 feet above sea level. After walking through a narrow pathway, we'll arrive at the church, a bright white edifice gleaming against the bright blue sky. From the side of the church, there are sweeping views of the valley. This church is home to a striking gold altar and exquisite frescoes painted by the Cusquenian Indians, making them the oldest examples of paintings of the Cusco School of Art. The local food market, which is set up right at the church's entrance, also makes for some interesting browsing before we travel the few miles to our hotel, arriving just in time for lunch. The Sol y Luna is owned by a French and Swiss couple who have brought their love of the Sacred Valley into the design of the hotel with adobe construction, local stone, wood and ceramics — all a reflection of the region. It is set where the Vilcanota River runs through the Sacred Valley, so the location is superb. Take the afternoon to explore the Valley on your own, or relax on the hotel's grounds — stroll through the gardens, take a swim or simply take it easy while adjusting to the altitude. (B,L,D)

Day 11 - Sacred Valley of the Inca

Today, we'll visit the town and important archaeological site of Pisac. Gateway to the Sacred Valley, Pisac has an "old town" with one of the most beautiful Inca complexes, and a "new town" from the Colonial era. The market in Pisac is quite famous and even on days when it is not in full swing, there are a number of interesting stalls and shops selling Peruvian handicrafts. There will be a late lunch at the Hacienda Orihuela, where the Orihuela family continues a 350-year tradition of farming. In addition, they have amassed a valuable collection of Colonial art, which is housed in their country mansion. This collection of folk art, gathered over a 50-year period, includes pottery, porcelain, paintings and stone relics, some dating back to the 17th century. The house is beautifully set atop a hill from where you will be treated to one of the best views of the Sacred Valley. Members of the family will host our lunch, featuring home-cooked fare made with fresh produce from the plantation. (B,L,D)

Day 12 - Machu Picchu

This morning, we set out for the massive Inca stone fortress of Ollantaytambo. There are several temples among the ruins including the amazing Sun Temple, a profile carved out of the peak of a steep mountain. Most miraculous and mysterious is the fact that the stone used for the terraces here originated on a mountain top more than five miles away. The sheer feat of moving these huge granite blocks across river and valley without any modern equipment is truly mind-boggling. After exploring this site, we board the train for the one and a half hour ride to Machu Picchu.

We'll first have a guided walk, but the real magic happens between 4:30 p.m. when the last train departs and 10:00 a.m. when the first morning train arrives. Between these hours, most of the visitors are gone. Here's what Machu Picchu holds in store:

The citadel known as "The Lost City of the Inca" straddles a mountain ridge surrounded by lush tropical forest. Machu Picchu means "manly peak" and was constructed between 1460 and 1470 A.D. It is thought to have been a royal estate and a religious retreat populated by up to 1,200 women, children and priests. The 200 buildings were mostly residences. The granite blocks used in the construction were cut with bronze or stone tools and fit together perfectly without any mortar whatsoever. Notice that the joints are so close that even a thin piece of metal could not fit between them. The architecture is beautifully integrated into the landscape with many elements carved into the rock and temples hanging over steep mountainsides.

We'll overnight at the atmospheric Orient Express Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel located near the entrance to the ruins. You'll revel in the quiet, the sense of having this once-sacred place to yourself, as twilight comes to the citadel and night descends upon this legendary spot, high up in the Andes. (B,L,D)

Day 13 - Machu Picchu/Cusco

Watching day break over the quiet ruins is an almost mystical experience for many. When Machu Picchu was in its heyday and winter arrived with its waning sunlight, a priest would hold a ceremony to tie the sun to the great stone intihuatana or hitching post of the sun, located inside Machu Picchu. The morning is free to continue exploring Machu Picchu. After lunch on your own, we'll reboard the train for our journey to Cusco. This exciting train ride takes about four hours and travels along the Urubamba River, through fertile valleys with steep, towering mountains on either side of the train. We spend two nights at the Orient Express Monasterio Hotel, a unique hotel in the heart of the city that was originally built as a monastery in 1592. This gracious, old structure has a quiet elegance making your stay here a memorable one. The manicured gardens around the hotel make for lovely views from the spacious rooms. They're also a beautiful place to walk or sit and have a drink. (B,D)

Day 14 - Cusco

The Inca Empire's capital, Cusco, is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere. The heart of the city, as in Inca days, is the Plaza de Armas. Visit the magnificent early 17th-century cathedral built on Inca foundations on the north side of the Plaza. The cathedral takes the shape of a Latin cross. Constructed over a century, between 1566 and 1669, it has many beautiful paintings and an intriguing combination of architectural styles. We'll also explore one of the most important temples of all, Koricancha, a fine example of Inca and Western cultures coming together. In its day, the temple walls were reputed to have been covered in silver and gold. The temple was dedicated to sun worship and could only be visited by the era's highest-ranking luminaries. After the Spanish Conquest, a great deal of the temple was torn down and rebuilt as the Church of Santo Domingo, which we will also visit.

Sacsayhuaman means "satisfied hawk" in Quechua, the language of the Inca, and it's the name of the vast fortress we'll see just outside the city. This imposing fortress, designed to protect the city from marauding jungle tribes, is a premier example of Inca stonework. Made from huge granite blocks, the fortress is divided into three terraces with immense stone walls on either side. We'll return to the city — for an afternoon of exploring on your own. Dinner is also on your own — feel free to choose from several restaurant options. (B,L)

Day 15 - Cusco/Lima

This morning we return to Lima and explore this beautiful city founded in 1535 by the conquistador Francisco Pizarro. Although Lima is Peru's cultural and business center, it seems to enjoy a more leisurely pace than other South American cities. Visit the 17th-century San Francisco Monastery and its unique cloisters, stroll to the Plaza Mayor to see the Government Palace and the Cathedral. Lunch, a somewhat late one as is traditional in Latin America, will be a combination of food and museum, in a sense, at Casa Aliaga. Don Jeronimo de Aliaga, a nobleman from Castille, Admiral of the Seas, co-founder of Lima and founder of the first university in the Americas, built his house in 1535 on the grounds where the last Inca governor resided. Home to 17 generations of Aliagas, this ancestral mansion is the oldest private household in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere. It is not open to the general public.
This evening, which we will spend at the Miraflores Park Hotel, you are on your own to prepare at your own pace for tomorrow's departure. Miraflores, the neighborhood where our hotel is located, is Lima's central cultural district where many fine restaurants are located. Lima has a wonderful array of penas or bars featuring Creole and folk music and restaurants known for excellent cuisine. Comida criolla is a local specialty of spiced meats, seafood or poultry, and small restaurants specializing in fresh seafood offer yet another choice. (B,L)

Day 16 - Lima/Miami

After breakfast at the hotel, we'll drive the half hour to the airport where we'll board our flight to Miami. Before long, you will be rising above the clouds, aware of the magical places that lie below, and perhaps have a new perspective on time, and the abilities of humankind. The almost six-hour flight arrives at approximately 2:00 p.m. (B)


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 available at "Sole Occupancy" rate listed above. Single travelers willing to share accommodations may participate in our share program where we will match you with another same sex traveler and guarantee you the double occupancy rate - even if we are unable to find a same sex match by the time of departure. This share program is available in Cabin Categories 1 and 2 only.

Family Travelers: No minimum age for children. Children under 18 receive a $500 discount. Select triple cabins are available.

Cost Includes: Two hotel nights accommodations with breakfast included, all airport/ hotel transfers, Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($100: adult, $50: child), Galapagos transit card, Galapagos cruise including all meals while aboard, Expedition Leader and experienced Galapagos Islands naturalist guides, use of snorkel equipment and wet suits.

Not Included: Airfare from US to Guayaquil; Roundtrip flight to Galapagos, excess baggage charges; airport departure tax from Quito; gratuities to Naturalist Staff and crew, items of a personal nature such as emails, alcoholic beverages, laundry fees and insurance of any kind.

Arrival and Departure: This trip begins and ends in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Plan flights to arrive at any time on Day 1 and depart anytime on the final 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 Quito, Ecuador.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: We charge a deposit of $500 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. If you cancel your voyage:

-120 or more days out, you receive a refund of your deposit minus $250 which is given to you in the form of a travel certificate.
-between 119 and 90 days out, you forfeit your deposit amount.
-between 89 and 60 days out, you forfeit 25% of the total voyage cost.
-between 59 and 30 days out, you forfeit 50% of voyage cost.
-29 days or less, you forfeit the entire voyage cost. 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 National Geographic Islander: The National Geographic Islander is owned and operated by our partners at Lindblad Expeditions. She accommodates 48 guests. Accommodations are in double cabins, each with toilet and shower. The crew includes: the captain, multilingual naturalist guides, barman/waiter, cook, engineer and deckhands. All meals are prepared and served by the crew on board. Alcoholic 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 zodiacs. 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.

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.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

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