Cruising the Galápagos Islands 2017
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Overview
Highlights
- Earth Journey
- created with BBC Earth; exclusive 6-night Galápagos cruise aboard Isabela II; daily Galápagos island excursions with expert naturalists
- featuring wet and dry landings via Zodiac-style panga; two nights in Guayaquil
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Trip includes
- All gratuities to Tauck Director, guides, naturalists and ship staff On-tour film vignettes custom-made for Tauck by BBC Earth natural history experts Field equipment may include FLIR® thermal imaging cameras and shotgun microphones Exclusive 6-night Galápagos Cruise aboard the expedition ship, Isabela II - with no more than 40 Tauck guests Private Tauck Shore Excursions in the Galápagos Islands with expert naturalist guides - averaging two daily - for an up-close experience with some of the most unusual and intriguing species of the world Two nights at Hilton Colón Guayaquil, gateway to the Galápagos Islands Daily cocktail hour, all-day soft drinks and house wine with dinner aboard ship Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted 21 meals (8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners); service charges, applicable fuel surcharges, admission fees, entrance fees to Galápagos National Park, porterage
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Itinerary
Tour begins: Oro Verde Guayaquil. A transfer is included from José de Olmedo International Airport to Oro Verde Guayaquil, located in the city's dynamic business district. Most flights arrive late in the day.
LODGING : Oro Verde Guayaquil
PORTOFCALL : Guayaquil
Fly to San Cristóbal Island to board Isabela II. In your orientation briefing, you'll learn more about the exciting cruise* ahead: transfers ashore by panga (Zodiac-style rafts), wet landings that may require wading ashore in shallow water, and dry landings on rocky s...
A morning panga* ride along the cliffs of Genovesa (Tower) Island stops for a dry landing on the rocks of Prince Philip's Steps. It's your choice: continue exploring by panga or join us for a climb of about 90 ft. up rock-hewn steps. Once at the top, a walk across fla...
Climb aboard a panga this morning to explore Buccaneers' Cove on Santiago Island; back in the 17th and 18th centuries, the cove was known as favored stashing grounds for pirated gold and other treasures. When you visit Buccaneers' Cove on your Galápagos cruise today, ...
Today Isabela II makes her way to Isabela and Fernandina, the youngest of the Galápagos Islands (they're only about 5 to 10 million years old). On Fernandina, a walk from Punta Espinoza leads you through exotic lava flows. Look for blue-footed boobies, flightless corm...
On a visit to Urbina Bay, hike with a naturalist through remains of sea life left high and dry in 1954 when volcanic activity lifted the land below by 15 ft., then head to Punta Vicente Roca. Here geological formations provide a gorgeous backdrop for plentiful nesting...
Today, the beaches of Rábida Island fascinate with views of sea lions, marine iguanas and yellow warblers; snorkeling or a glass-bottom boat ride are special pleasures here. Later follow the trails at Cerro Dragón, named after the land iguanas on northern Santa Cruz I...
Disembark Isabela II in Baltra for your return flight to Guayaquil for another night at Oro Verde Guayaquil; spend time enjoying your hotel or take a stroll along El Malecón, a boardwalk along the Guayas River including monuments and recreation areas. Tonight, join us...
Tour ends: Guayaquil. A transfer from Hilton Colón Guayaquil to José de Olmedo International Airport is included. Please allow at least 3 hours for flight check-in.
MEALS : B
PORTOFCALL : Guayaquil
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Tauck.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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It's easy to see the world's sights. To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. We believe that travel should be easy. It should be fun. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. It should re-energize and transform. And above all else, it should be beyond the ordinary. Because how you see the world matters.
In 1882, Herman Tauck arrived in New York City from Germany in search of the American dream. His determination and values were passed on to his son, Arthur Tauck, who would realize that dream. With ingenuity and an innovative spirit, Arthur started Tauck Motor Tours, a travel company that would give birth to a new industry. The first tour, through the back roads of New England, was created by this 27-year-old in 1925. It embodied the same successful formula used by Tauck today: do the right thing. Craft a life-enriching travel experience; provide it at a single all-inclusive price; ensure there is great value for money; and rely on recommendations of satisfied customers to build a following and grow the business.
Two elements that did change over the next 90+ years – and three generations of Taucks – were the scope of destinations served and the variety of modes of travel used. Today Tauck delivers life-enriching travel experiences to every corner of the globe, incorporating small cruise ships, premium riverboats, trains, helicopters and more. What started as a New England motor coach tour company has truly evolved into an extraordinary global travel company. The fourth generation of Taucks is now involved in the company. While remarkable in any business, this seamless continuity across generations speaks to shared vision and values.
Throughout its history, the concept of “family” at Tauck has gone far beyond those sharing the surname to include hundreds of valued employees, and hundreds of thousands of loyal guests. The story of Tauck is the story of a unique American family company celebrating a passion for travel – a story that will continue to inspire generations to come.
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Logistics
ISABELA II An expeditionary-style yacht, the sleek Isabela II carries just 40 Tauck guests in the Galápagos Islands. This recently renovated, fully air-conditioned vessel offers many of the amenities of much larger ships, including a library, boutique, lounge and comfortable dining room in which a combination of Continental and Ecuadorian cuisine is served. She boasts an atmosphere both relaxed and comfortable. The casual atmosphere of Tauck's expeditionary vessels offers an ideal setting for the art of 'conversation' that is conducive to the very nature of exploratory cruising, providing a special camaraderie with fellow explorers. Expedition vessels are designed to navigate coastal waterways, island channels, and narrow inlets with graceful ease, exploring some of nature's most impressive habitats. They are designed to take you on adventures in off-the-beaten-path destinations, where landings on many days will be aboard Zodiac-style rafts that necessitate a 'wet landing' to reach the shore. Expedition and naturalist guides aboard the vessels share their knowledge with guests and enrich their travels with perspectives on everything from botony to geology.
Ship Specifications Built: 1979 Refurbished: 2000 Length: 166 ft. Draft: 12 ft. Beam: 38 ft. Tonnage: 1,025 tons Cruising Speed: 10 knots Air Conditioned: Yes Elevator: No Number of Guests: 40 Crew Members: 24 Registry: Ecuador Crew Nationality: Ecuadorian Double Bed Cabins: 11, 12, 14, Master Suite Internet: Send / Receive / Surf
ISABELA II
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