Genuine Galapagos

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9820
Availability : February 29 - March 8, 2024

Highlights Include:

  • Travel with a small group of like-minded adventurers to explore Quito and the fascinating wildlife of the Galapagos Islands
  • See the Middle of the World in Quito
  • Visit four islands of the Galapagos
  • Observe unique marine & wildlife
  • Explore by land & water, including snorkel excursions
  • Unparalleled scenery, with exceptional photo opportunities

Genuine Galapagos

From: $7,425 per person, double occupancy | Single supplement from $1,212

International flights to/from MSP included

9 days

Tour Dates: February 29 – March 8, 2024

Tour Details

Join this Borton Overseas Signature Journey on a travel through time to visit Quito, Ecuador, and the amazing Galapagos Islands. See the highlights of Quito, once the capital of the Inca Empire, and a city filled with rich history and one of the most extensive and best-preserved historic centers of South America. Then experience the famous Galapagos, with its surrounding seas that are teeming with life, unspoiled nature, and history dating back to 1535. We will explore 4 islands, both by land and sea. Each island has its own distinct atmosphere and landscape, and special flora and fauna. From volcano summits, dramatic lava flows, and breathtaking vistas, to the sea, remote mangroves, cliffs and coasts, this journey will allow you to get close to its nature, experience the local lifestyle, and absorb the beauty of this incomparable part of the world.

Itinerary
This tour is part of our Borton Overseas Signature Journey series which are small group tours hosted by a Borton Overseas Specialist. The order of islands visited is subject to change based on National Park approvals and confirmations.

Thursday, February 29Depart the US to Ecuador | Meals: D

Depart from Minneapolis/St.Paul, or your home city, to Quito, Ecuador. On arrival, we’ll be transferred to our hotel. Overnight in Quito

Friday, March 1Quito | Meals: B L D

Today we will explore Quito. After breakfast at our hotel, we will enjoy a guided city tour of Quito and experience the Middle of the World, which highlights the exact location of the Equator (from which the country takes its name) and commemorates the eighteenth-century Franco-Spanish Geodesic Mission which fixed its approximate location. Overnight in Quito

Saturday, March 2Fly to Santa Cruz | Meals: B L

We will take our domestic flight to the Galapagos Islands today and spend our day in the Highlands on Santa Cruz before checking into our hotel. These fascinating cooler highlands have a microclimate all their own away from the island coastline with some astonishing geological features formed during past volcanic eruptions. We will stop for a chance to visit the infamous giant tortoises of Galapagos wandering their way around the grasses of the highlands. The last stop of the day will be the Charles Darwin Research Center. The center is a reservoir of information on habitats and local conservation. The most striking attraction of this station is the Tortoise Breeding Center, home to tortoises of different shapes and sizes and in particular, the legendary “Lonesome George” the last of his species. Overnight in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz

Sunday, March 3Bartolome | Meals: B L

Today we will navigate via boat to Bartolome Island. This island is home to the famous Pinnacle Rock and some of the most spectacular scenery of the Galapagos Islands. Its otherworldly lunar-like landscape features volcanic cones, craters, and lava fields. Snorkeling and swimming are possible at its beaches, where if you’re lucky, you’ll see some of the Galapagos penguins. A walk to the top, made possible for most people by a sturdy, wooden staircase, presents you with a breathtaking, 360º view of your surroundings. Overnight in Puerto Ayora

Monday, March 4South Plaza | Meals: B L

We will travel to South Plaza Island via private boat today to see some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the Galapagos. The Plazas land iguanas are smaller than their relatives found on other islands. Throughout the island there are several hybrid iguanas, a result of crossing a male marine iguana and a female land iguana. See Swallow Tailed Gulls nest in the rugged cliffs, and view other sea birds such as Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropic birds, frigate birds, and brown pelicans. Overnight in Puerto Ayora

Tuesday, March 5Isabela | Meals: B L

After breakfast and check-out today, we’ll board a speedboat to Isabela Island. After approximately 2 ½ hours, we’ll arrive the town of Puerto Villamil. We will visit the Isabela Breeding Center where we will learn about the efforts of the Galapagos National Park and local/international foundations to preserve and promote the reproduction of some of the giant tortoise species found in the Galapagos. We will continue to the Tintoreras Islets, home to a great variety of wildlife. Its turquoise, crystalline waters are inhabited by white-tipped reef sharks, Galapagos penguins, marine turtles, and sea lions. One of its beaches, surrounded by mangroves, is one of the few sites where marine iguanas can successfully reproduce. Overnight in Puerto Villamil

Wednesday, March 6Isabela | Meals: B L D

Today we will journey to the south of Isabela Island to explore Los Tuneles, (The Tunnels). We will snorkel with marine life such as sharks, lobsters, penguins, sea lions, boobies, marine turtles and more in an area formed millions of years ago when rivers of liquid magma ran across the island reaching its coastal shore. The cold water froze their superficial layer isolating the interior while liquid magma kept flowing into the sea. When the eruption ended, a hollow structure was formed and its wall later broke allowing water to seep inside, creating a tunnel.

This evening we will gather for a Farewell Dinner on our last night in the islands.
Overnight in Puerto Villamil

Thursday, March 7Santa Cruz and Departure | Meals: B

This morning, we will say goodbye to the Galapagos. We will travel by private speedboat from Isabela to Santa Cruz and transfer via minibus to the Baltra ferry terminal where we will ferry to the airport to board our flight to Quito, We will connect to our international flight home departing late in the evening from Quito. Overnight onboard our international flight

Friday, March 8Arrive back to Minneapolis/St Paul (or your home city).

Welcome Home!

Included
  • International flights, Minneapolis St. Paul to/from Quito
  • Inter-Ecuador flights, Quito to/from Santa Cruz
  • Seven nights’ hotel accommodation 
  • Round trip airport transfers in Quito
  • Private Quito City Tour
  • Admission to the Middle of the World
  • Ecuadorian Chocolate Experience
  • Meals as indicated (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, BL-Boxed Lunch, D-Dinner) 
  • All transportation in Galapagos by private speed boat or minibus
  • Galapagos Migration Card 
  • Dock Fees
  • Naturalist Guide throughout itinerary in the Galapagos
  • Contribution to the local community
  • Pre-departure and full itinerary services of Borton Overseas
Not Included
  • Entrance fee to the Galapagos National Park (US $100 per person)
  • Travel insurance – minimum insurance required for tour participation is Medical/Emergency Evacuation Coverage 
  • Additional transfers, sightseeing, activities, meals, and beverages not specified
  • Luggage handling at airports and hotels and airport transfers
  • Gratuities for services (not required)
  • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, spa services, internet, phone, etc.
  • Fees for passports, visas, or health vaccinations
  • Any other item not mentioned as included
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