Galapagos: Wildlife Wonderland Holiday Departure
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Overview
Highlights
- 5-night Galapagos cruise aboard Santa Cruz II with expert naturalist guides
- on-tour film vignettes custom-made for Tauck by BBC Earth natural history experts
- access to field equipment such as Go Pro cameras and FLIR® thermal imaging cameras
- Equator visit and Quito sightseeing
- visit to Charles Darwin Research Station
- lunch near a volcanic crater
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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 Field equipment may include FLIR® thermal imaging cameras Five nights aboard the 90-guest Santa Cruz II, designed especially for Galápagos Islands cruising; all-day soft drinks, cocktail hour & wine with dinner aboard ship Licensed Naturalist Guides of Galápagos National Park who accompany private Tauck Bridges shore excursions (average of two daily) and hold briefings aboard ship - living natural history lessons Entrance fee to Galápagos National Park - $100 per adult Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about marine and terrestrial conservation in the islands Visit to the Equator and an interactive museum, lunch near a volcanic crater and guided sightseeing in Colonial Quito Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted 21 meals (8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners); applicable fuel surcharges, porterage, taxes and service charges
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Itinerary
Tour begins: Swissôtel Quito. A transfer is included from Quito's International Airport to the Swissôtel Quito, where you'll spend the next two nights in Executive Level rooms. Begin your adventure early tomorrow morning in Ecuador's capital city. Founded in the 16th ...
Quito has a history as colorful as the sites you will see today. Your discoveries start at the Equator, the imaginary line that divides the Northern and Southern hemispheres. You'll be able to stand with one foot on each side of the world during your visit this mornin...
Hop on a plane headed via Guayaquil to Baltra Island, the starting point for this Galápagos Island expedition*. The crew of the Santa Cruz II is waiting to welcome you aboard. Settle into your cabin and get your sea legs ready for one of the most amazing wildlife crui...
Chart a course to Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island this morning where you'll explore the coast by panga, making a wet landing at Albemarle Point, where you can still see an old radar station built by American troops during World War II. This is the nesting place f...
Every day is a different adventure here in the Galápagos, with volcanic islands as diverse as the wildlife that lives on them. This morning, a wet landing at Tagus Cove on Isabela Island and an uphill hike takes you to the back of saltwater-filled Darwin Lake, where t...
Following a dry landing at Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to hear about ongoing conservation efforts to preserve the natural environments and wildlife you've encountered, and explore the town of Puerto Ayora. Then head to ...
Prepare to get wet when we go ashore on Floreana Island, rich in lore and intrigue for its history as a favorite stopping point for whalers, sailors and buccaneers. Bring your postcards with you for a wet landing at Post Office Bay - the first wooden post barrel was e...
Watch a slide show presented by your team of naturalists before bidding farewell to Santa Cruz II and her crew. Disembark your ship at Baltra Island for a flight to Guayaquil on the mainland of Ecuador where you will spend the night at the Hilton Colón Guayaquil. Toni...
Tour ends: Guayaquil. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Hilton Colón Guayaquil to José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport; you should allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in.
MEALS : B
PORTOFCALL : Baltra
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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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