M/V XPEDITION

Reception and transfer to the M/V XPEDITION (carries only 100 passengers in 50 cabins with private bathrooms and air conditioning). Mid-day departure with afternoon visit to North Seymour Island to observe colony of blue boobies, frigate birds, swallow tail gulls and sea lions. (B,L,D)

DAY 02 MON. GALAPAGOS:

Morning at Leon Dormido, a vertical tuff cone formation, abruptly rising 500 feet from the ocean, erosion has split the rock and giving its characteristic shape. You’ll see masked boobies and frigate birds. Afternoon at Punta Suarez on Hood island. Nearly all of the species found on these islands are visible at Punta Suarez. Tame mocking birds, uncommon red and green-trimmed marine iguanas, both blue-footed and masked boobies, and albatross colonies. (B,L,D)

DAY 03 TUE. GALAPAGOS:

Morning at Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island) to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here you will learn first hand of the conservation projects and biological research efforts in the islands and about the tortoise hatching and breeding program. Afternoon at Cerro Dragon, along the trail we will find endemic land iguanas, then by the lagoon you will see the pink flamingos. From on top of the hill , we can enjoy a majestic view of the bay (B,L,D)

DAY 04 WED. GALAPAGOS

On BARTOLOME, it seems like we are walking on the moon as this young Island is inhospitable to most plants and animals. The volcanic formations include lava bombs as well as spatter cones and cinder cones. After a dry landing, we have a 30 minute steep climb to a summit of a once active volcano for a panoramic view including the famous "Pinnacle Rock", an eroded tuff cone. Down below, the water is crystal clear where we can swim and snorkel with schools of fish. Penguins are usually spotted in this area. On the other side, is another beach with sea turtles and white-tipped sharks.(B, L, D)

DAY 05THU. GALAPAGOS:

This morning, we visit Tagus Cove, ISABELA, and the largest Island in Galapagos created by six volcanos that flowed together. Graffiti dating back to the 1800’s is written on the rocky cliff. The trail leads to a salt water lagoon and a great view of the lava fields, volcanic formation and the ocean. A ride by panga or sea kayak reveals marine life and Galapagos penguins.

This afternoon, we disembark at Punta Espinoza, FERNANDINA. Along the shoreline hundreds of marine iguanas bask in the sun – the largest colony in Galapagos. There are lots of sea lions with resident hulls are present. Flightless Cormorants build their nests on the point and often Galapagos Hawks fly up overhead. Recent lava flows formed by an active volcano are evident
(B, L, D)

DAY 06 FRI. GALAPAGOS

This morning, we walk along the shore at Puerto Egas, SANTIAGO (James), looking for octopus, starfish and other sea life caught in the small pools as the tide went out. We also see the great blue heron, a lava heron, oyster catchers and yellow crowned night heron. If the tide is low, we’ll see marine iguanas grazing on the exposed green algae. Our walk ends at the grottos, deep pools of clear water where we encounter the fur sea lion, once thought to be on the verge of extinction.
In the afternoon visit RÁBIDA ISLAND, (Jarvis) behind the island’s red-sand beach, frequented by sea lions, is a flamingo lagoon. Pelicans and boobies nest in the vicinity. Nine species of finches have been spotted here. (B,L,D)

DAY 07 SAT. GALAPAGOS

This morning we visit the small settlement of Puerto Velasco Ibarra (BLACK BEACH) to visit its famous resident , Margaret Wittmer. The Wittmer Pension is the administrative headquarters of the Post Office Barrel, and one of the Wittmers will cancel-stamp your post cards with one of the various seals and emblems of this unusual post office.
After lunch, passengers will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station staffed with international scientists doing biological research and conservation projects. Have your picture taken with the giant tortoises and see the one year old miniature versions that are part of the breeding program. (B, L, D)

DAY 09 SUN. GALAPAGOS-BALTRA-QUITO:

Morning arrival to Baltra Island where you will be transferred to the airport for flight to Quito or Guayaquil. (B)

RATES:

Please call 1-800-327-0080 or e-mail us at tara@taratours.com

SAMPLE AIRFARE VIA AMERICAN AIRLINES FROM MIAMI TO GUAYAQUIL US$550:

Add-ons from other USA cities:

Add $200 from ORL,TPA, JAX, FMY and Zone 1; $250 from ATL; add $230 from BDL, BOS,BWI, EWR, NYC, PHL, RDU, WAS, + Zone 3 - - Add $300 from CHI, CLE, DTT; - Add $320 from DEN, DFW, HOU, MSY, SJU ZONE 2 & 4; Add $400 from LAX, SFO + ZONE 5; Add $390 from Zone 6. RATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME.

**SEASONS: From Jun.18 to Aug.15 and Jan.1 to Mar.31 add $100 pp. (From Dec.09 to 31, add $250 to all rates)

ZONE CHART TO ECUADOR, Via American Airlines

ZONE 1: APF, EYW, FLL, FMY, JAX, PBI, SRQ.

ZONE 2: ABI, ABQ, ACT, AMA, AUS, BPT, BTR, CLL, CRP, ELP, FSM, FYV, GGG, HRL, ILE, JAN, LAW, LBB, LFT, LIT,LRD, MAF, MFE, OKC, SAT,SHV, SJT, SPS, TUL, TXK,TYR.

ZONE 3: ALB, BDL, BGR, BTV, BUF, CLT, GSO, GSP,HAR, HPN, ISP, MHT, ORF, ORH, PIT, PVD, PWM, RIC, ROC, SAV, SWF, SYR

ZONE 4: AZO, BHM, BNA, CID, CMH, CMI, COS, CVG, DAY, DBQ, DLH, DRO, DSM, EGE, EVV, FWA, GRB, GRR, GUC, HDN, HSV, ICT, IND, LSE, MEM, MKC, MKE, MSN, MSP, OMA, PHX, PIA, RST, SDF, SGF, STL, TOL, TUS, TVC, TYS, ALO, BRL, CGI, COU, DEC, FSD, IRK, MKL, JLN, LEX, LNK, MLI, MWA, OWB, PAH, SPI, SUX, SBN,TBN, UIN.

ZONE 5: BFL, BUR, FAT,LAS, LGB, MRY, OAK, ONT, PSP, RNO, SAN, SBA, SBP, SJC, SLC, SMF, SNA. ZONE 6: JAC, PDX, SEA