Galápagos: Wildlife Wonderland 2019
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Overview
Highlights
- 4-night Galápagos Islands cruise aboard new Santa Cruz II with expert naturalist guides
- on-tour film vignettes custom-made for Tauck by BBC Earth natural history experts; average of two shore excursions per day; explore Quito and visit the Equator
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Trip includes
- All gratuities to Tauck Directors, local guides, drivers, naturalists and ship staff On-tour film vignettes custom-made for Tauck by BBC Earth natural history experts plus other select BBC Earth touches 4 nights aboard the 90-guest Santa Cruz II, designed especially for Galápagos Islands cruising; dry and wet landings Your cruise may be a shared ship experience with non-Tauck guests onboard as well; all Tauck guests will be accompanied by one Tauck Director for approximately every 40 Tauck guests, and your itinerary will always be highlighted by exclusive, private Tauck shore excursions Licensed Naturalist Guides of Galápagos National Park accompany shore excursions and hold briefings aboard ship, offering hands-on natural history lessons Private Tauck Shore Excursions with experts, averaging two daily, for wildlife sightings and exciting activities Entrance fee to Galápagos Nat'l Park - USD $100 value Have brunch near a dormant volcano close to the Equator and explore colonial Quito on a guided tour Learn about the Galápagos' natural history and conservation in the islands during a visit to the Cristóbal Interpretation Center on San Cristóbal Aboard ship - daily cocktail hour; all day soft drinks; wine and beer with dinner On-Tour Air (2 flights) Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted 18 meals (7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners); gratuities to drivers, service charges, most taxes and porterage
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Itinerary
Tour begins: Swissôtel Quito. A transfer is included from Quito Airport to the Swissôtel Quito, where you'll enjoy an Executive Level room; get set for an early morning start.
LODGING : Swissôtel Quito
PORTOFCALL : Quito, Ecuador
Quito is not only 9,200 feet above "seal" level, it's also on the Equator. Take the opportunity to stand on both hemispheres at the same time and visit the Inti Ñan Museum before an Ecuadorian brunch near a volcanic crater. Explore Colonial Quito on a guided tour, the...
Fly to Baltra Island for the start of your Galápagos cruise* aboard Santa Cruz II. We'll be charting a course for Santa Cruz Island today, where a wet landing takes you to pearly white Las Bachas Beach (named for the US military barges, referred to as "bachas," that w...
Go ashore on Santiago Island for a walk through a mangrove forest to see flocks of pink flamingos. This morning we'll take a boat ride off Buccaneer's Cove to observe seabirds like frigates, pelicans and boobies and go snorkeling off the panga. After lunch, a wet lan...
Meet Darwin's finches and other rare birds today after a wet landing on Rabida (Jervis) Island, with its red-colored beaches. Experience both wet and dry landings on your excursion to Bartolomé Island; hike up to the summit and drink in amazing vistas of its volcanic ...
Explore Genovesa (Tower) Island by panga and a dry landing; climb up Prince Philip's steps for a hike across the island, where you'll see masked boobies, frigate birds, storm petrels and more. An afternoon cruise and a wet landing at Darwin Bay offers more amazing vie...
Disembark Santa Cruz II on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, and visit a tortoise reserve to observe in the wild one of the rarest forms of wildlife that continue to thrive here on the Galápagos Islands - the giant tortoise - and efforts being made by the Ecuadori...
Tour ends: Guayaquil. Fly home anytime. A transfer from the Wyndham Guayaquil to José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport is included. You should allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in.
MEALS : B
PORTOFCALL : Guayaquil, Ecuador
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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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SANTA CRUZ II Get ready to embark on a ship built with Galápagos Island cruising in mind! Conceived for operations in remote areas like the Galápagos Archipelago, the new Santa Cruz II boasts five spacious decks with modern interiors designed by renowned Swedish ship designer Richard Nilsson. Just over 70 meters long, the new vessel sleeps 90 guests in 50 contemporary designed staterooms – 36 of which can be interconnected, offering flexibility for families and single travelers. Guests can choose from luxuriously appointed double and triple Explorer cabins, or opt for the more exclusive Darwin Suite, an exceptional standard of accommodation on the Panorama Deck. All staterooms are equipped with air conditioning, a large picture window, hair dryer, iPod / MP3 docking station, numerous electrical outlets, in-room safe, reading lights and more. Santa Cruz II features ample, indulgent spaces crafted from choice materials, including wide hallways and broad stairwells. Passengers can truly relax in the beautifully designed communal areas and viewing platforms, including indoor and outdoor dining options, two lounge bars, a well-stocked library, two indulgent ocean view hot tubs and a state of the art gym. Dining in the colorful Beagle Dining Room or al fresco on the Panorama Deck is a delight for all ages on board Santa Cruz II; shipboard menus include creative Ecuadorian dishes and international cuisine featuring freshly caught seafood and locally grown produce that everyone in your party is sure to enjoy. Bon voyage!
Built: 2002 Renovated: 2015 Decks: 5 Length: 235 ft. / 71.8 m. Beam: 44 ft. / 13.4 m Tonnage: 2,664 gross tons Cruising Speed: 10.5 knots Air Conditioned: Yes Number of Guests: 90 Number of Crew: 50 Registry: Ecuador Crew Nationalilty: Ecuadorian Electricity: 440v / 220v / 110v Internet: Send/Receive (service levels may vary)
SANTA CRUZ II
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