Red Mangrove Galapagos Expedition

Call (770) 436-1334 for more information or to book today! Mention code 9385492

Tour Operator

Tara Tours

Duration

8 Days

Escorted

Escorted - No

Itinerary

Day	Destination	Description
DAY 1	Quito	SUN. MIAMI-QUITODepart USA for Quito, Ecuador. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to hotel Dann Carlton. : Depart USA for Quito, Ecuador. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to hotel Dann Carlton.
DAY 2	Quito	MON. QUITO: : Afternoon sightseeing tour of Quito, known as "Queen of the Andes" - visiting the modern Legislative Palace, San Agustin Monastery, Independence Square, La Compania Church, the Cathedral and many other places of interest in old and new Quito. (B)
DAY 3	Santa Cruz Island	TUE: QUITO- SANTA CRUZ ISLAND (Baltra airport) : Transfer to the airport for flight to Galapagos Islands. Arrive and ferry to Santa Cruz Island. Check-in at Red Mangrove Aventura Lodge. PM Begin your Academy Bay Tour at "La Loberia", where you can snorkel with sea lions then to "Tortuga Bay". As we enter the white sandy beach, we have a chance to observe different marine species like Sting Rays and baby Reef Sharks in the shallow waters of the Mangrove ecosystems. After swimming on the beach we take a very short hike to the Marine Iguana nesting site. The walk back is through a Prickly Pear forest carpeted in crimson Sesuvium with black lava outcroppings home to more marine iguana colonies. Box Lunch on the beach. Welcome Cocktail. Briefing and Dinner.
DAY 4	Floreana	WED: SANTA CRUZ - FLOREANA : After breakfast depart "Los Gemelos" (The Twins), two enormous collapsed lava chambers - an awe-inspiring visual reminder of the power of nature. The short, easy hike to each of the twins is teeming with endemic flora and fauna, including the remaining Scalesia Forest draped in Liverwort, large and small tree finches, the adorable Vermillion flycatcher and more. It's a wonderful introduction to the majestic power of the forces of natures and the great biodiversity of the Santa Cruz Highlands. Afterwards, we will visit a 600-acre private reserve where the giant Galapagos tortoises freely roam, graze and sleep. After visiting the tortoises, we'll take a 5-minute ride to the entrance of a 450 meter (1350 feet) illuminated lava tunnel. PM After lunch at Aventura Lodge we will cruise to a cove called "Luz del Dia" (Light of Day) to see penguins and sea lions on the steep, rocky shore and rays and tropical fish beneath the clear waters. We will continue on to the main dock in Floreana. Overnight and dinner at Red Mangrove Floreana Lodge
DAY 5	Isabela	THU: FLOREANA - ISABELA : After breakfast you will be transported to the highlands of Floreana, while your Naturalist Guide begins filling you in on the history of this first settled island in the Galapagos. You will walk up to see the Asilo de la Paz (Peace Asylum) where the spring is located, an artisan spring that attracted pirates, whalers and later settlers to Floreana as it was one of the very few year round sources of fresh water in the Galapagos. The Cueva de los Piratas (Pirate's Cave) is quite literally where pirates carved temporary shelter out of soft stone and is also where one of the original settlers, then to Cerro Pajas (Bird Hill) to see a multitude of Floreana Finches. It also offers spectacular views of the island and the sea below. We will visit a tortoise reserve where you can watch many of the giant tortoises up close and personal. Then depart for Isabela Island, cruising by Tortuga Island which is chocked full of frigates, blue-footed boobies and other birds. When arriving in Floreana you will see sea turtles, sea lions and penguins. We will check-in to the Red Mangrove Isabela Lodge and have a hot, wholesome lunch. PM departure to Las Tintoreras and Bay Tour. After lunch, we will board a smaller craft to head out across the port, slowing down to view blue footed boobies and Galapagos penguins. From there, we take a walk through a jagged "AA" lava field, passing abundant colonies of marine iguanas, to see a small canal full of resting white-tipped reef sharks...The views from here are beautiful....The black, treacherous lava field, the emerald green sea, the forest green mangrove and the cloud capped volcanoes of Isabela Island is the sort of afternoon backdrop you are not likely to ever forget. Overnight and dinner at Red Mangrove Lodge.
DAY 6	Santa Cruz	FRI: ISABELA - SANTA CRUZ : After breakfast we begin with a drive out of town along the most beautiful, white sand, palm lined beach in Galapagos, Long Beach. Visit the National Park for astounding vistas from the top of Cerro Orchilla. As you drive down the road, you will very likely see the largest of the Galapagos marine iguanas sunning by the side of the road and occasionally Galapagos tortoises trying to cross the road . . You will visit the "Muro de Las Lagrimas" (Wall of Tears), which is abundant with lava lizards, the males are larger and striped and the females red-throated... Birds are also incredibly abundant and your Naturalist Guide will assist you with identification. Isabela has more tortoises in the wild than any other island with several sub-species as lava fields created a barrier that limited their mobility to freely roam. On your way back to town, you will visit the Interpretation Center, a breeding center for the giant Galapagos Tortoises and the only place to view the rare, remaining flat backed (so-called "tabletop" shells) Galapagos tortoises, many of which still bear the scars of volcanic activity from Sierra Negra. Then depart for Santa Cruz, arriving in Puerto Ayora about noon and to the Aventura Lodge. Lunch. Afternoon visit the fascinating Charles Darwin Research Station. Dinner and overnight at the Red Mangrove Aventura Lodge.
DAY 7	Guayaquil	SAT: SANTA CRUZ - GUAYAQUIL : AM Wake-up call will and breakfast will depend on your flight departure time. Arrive and transfer to hotel Hampton Inn for the night. (B)
DAY 8	Return USA	SUN: GUAYAQUIL-USA : Transfer to the airport for your flight to Miami and connections. (B)

Dates/Pricing

Disclaimer

DEPOSITS:
US$350.00 per person at the time of booking.Final payment is due 65 days before departure.
INSURANCE:
Through Insure America, cost for this program starts at US$235-305. Please see information on the Insurance section.
CANCELLATIONS:
Cancellations must be in writing and received by Tara Tours Inc.
Penalties are as follows prior to departure date:
At any time....deposit to Galapagos of $300 is not refundable.
120-61 days $350 penalty per passenger service charge.
60-31 days 50% penalty
30 or less -no refunds