Galapagos is unlike anywhere else on Earth, a magical place that feels untouched by humanity’s hand. To travel here is to take a step back in time and embark on a journey of discovery.

Next February, you can be a part of the adventure. Join us as we sail into the heart of Galapagos and explore the natural wonders of these enchanted isles. On this 8-day/7-night excursion, you’ll cruise in luxury among the islands that inspired Darwin, hiking across the wild and beautiful landscape or exploring the world beneath the waves. You’ll be accompanied by expert naturalists eager to share their knowledge of this extraordinary world treasure. And you’ll experience close encounters with animals found nowhere else on Earth.

Back onboard, Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director of The Wetlands Institute, will be on-hand to talk about the unique features of the Galapagos Islands  – from their geology and environment to the role their isolation played in shaping the evolution of the animals that live there. She’ll also discuss conservation challenges on the Galapagos, and connect research and conservation programs here at the Wetlands Institute to broader conservation questions and initiatives around the world.

Following a full day of exploration and discovery, you’ll be treated to fine cuisine as you recount your adventures. Afterwards, repair to the observation deck and enjoy refreshments while watching the sun set over these spectacular islands.

Come experience the magic of Galapagos. And prepare to be changed.

For more information, use the tabs below, click here for a trip brochure, or here for a detailed itinerary. 

DAY 1 – Feb. 25: Philadelphia/Miami/Guayaquil
HOTEL PATIO ANDALUZ
Depart for Ecuador via Miami. Upon arrival to Guayaquil, you will be escorted to your hotel.

DAY 2 – Feb. 26: Guayaquil/Galapagos: San Cristobal ~ Cerro Colorado
MOTOR YACHT CORAL I OR II
Fly to the Galapagos Islands where your vessel awaits. Travel by bus to the highlands and visit Centro de Crianza Jacinto Gordillo, where the National Park has established a breeding program for giant land tortoises.

DAY 3 – Feb. 27: San Cristobal ~ Cerro Brujo & Punta Pitt
M/Y CORAL I OR II
In the morning, you’ll disembark at the white sand beach of Cerro Brujo and visit a lagoon where you can see Blue-footed, Red-footed, and Nazca Boobies and Great Frigatebirds. You might also encouter the endemic Chatham Mockingbird, San Cristobal lava lizards, the tiny Pajaro Brujo, and young tortoises. Later in the day, you’ll land at the olivine beach of Punta Pitt for an intense hike to the top of a volcanic tuff with a stunning view of your surroundings.

DAY 4 – Feb. 28: Espanola ~ Punta Suarez & Gardner Bay
M/Y CORAL I OR II
Spend the day at Punta Suarez searching for various nesting species, including Galapagos Doves and Galapagos Hawks. As you head towards Gardner Bay, you’ll also visit the only nesting colony of Waved Albatross in the Galapagos. Frequented by sea lions, the bay is also a major nesting site for marine turtles.

DAY 5 – Feb. 29: Floreana ~ Cormorant Point, Champion Islet & Post Office Bay
M/Y CORAL I OR II
The day’s first stop is Punta Cormorant, which offers two highly contrasting beaches – olivine and white-sand. As easy walk between them leads to a salt lagoon, frequented by Greater Flamingos, White-cheeked Pintails, Black-necked Stilts, and other wading birds. Stop number two is Champion Islet for panga rides and snorkeling. Later in the day you’ll visit the 18th-Century era Post Office Bay. Drop in a letter or postcard and it may be delivered, even without postage!

DAY 6 – Mar. 1: Santa Cruz ~ highlands, Tortoise Reserve & Charles Darwin Research Center
M/Y CORAL I OR II
Head to Santa Cruz Island for a special opportunity to view the island’s most famous reptile: the Galapagos Giant Tortoise. You may also spot Vermilion Flycatchers and a few species of Darwin’s finches. In the afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you’ll see year-old tortoises and learn about the captive breeding program.

DAY 7 – Mar. 2: Santa Cruz ~ Dragon hill/Bartolome
M/Y CORAL I OR II
Take a panga ride among mangrove-lined islets along a dramatic coastline of amazing past volcanic activity. After a dry landing, head to Dragon Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western area of the archipelago. A visual search along the black lava often reveals large numbers of one of the Galapagos’s great curiosities – marine iguanas . In the afternoon, land on the white-sand beach of Bartolome, where you’ll walk over lava that flowed here less than 100 years ago and climb to the summit of a dormant volcano for a panoramic view.

DAY 8 – Mar. 3: Rabida/Santiago ~ Buccaneers Cove & Espumilla Beach
M/Y CORAL I OR II
Disembark at Rabida Island on a red-sand beach. A stroll along the beach of this small island allows the observation of marine iguanas, mockingbirds, and a large colony of sea lions. You’ll also explore the impressive cliffs of Buccaneer Cove and learn about the history of Santiago Island and its importance to whalers, pirates, and early researchers. Fiunally, you’ll spend time at Espumilla beach, an important site for nesting marine turtles.

DAYS 9/10 ~ Mar. 4-5: Santa Cruz ~ Black Turtle Cove/Baltra/Guayaquil/Miami/Philadelphia 
Spend your final morning on a panga ride through anextrensive tidal lagoon system that stretches almost a mile inland. While aboard, you’ll spot turtles, herons, and serveral species of sharks and rays. Return to the Baltra airport for your flight to Guayquil. A dayroom will be waiting for you at the Oro Verdo hotel, where you can rest before enjoying a farwell dinner at El Patio Restaurant. After dinner, you’ll be taken to the airport for your flight back
home, arriving the following day.

Your host, Dr. Lenore Tedesco, is the Executive Director of The Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor, NJ. Lenore has a PhD from the University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science, and a bachelor’s degree in Geology from Boston University. She brings a wealth of expertise on the geology of the Galapagos, evolution, and the oceanography and climate setting of these enchanted islands. She is an accomplished restoration scientist and avid birder. She will discuss conservation challenges and how research and conservation programs at the Institute are connected to broader conservation questions and initiatives worldwide.

The Wetlands Institute is celebrating 50 years of excellence in research, conservation, and education. It fulfills its mission through applied research, life-saving conservation, and engaging education programs.

 

 

M/Y Coral I

The Coral I is a well-equipped and spacious motor yacht designed with teak wood and a modern decor; the interior is fully carpeted. This Galapagos vessel has been recently remodeled throughout and upgraded to luxury class. Every cabin comes equipped with a full private bath handsomely decorated using wooden nautical fixtures. There are junior cabins, earth deck moon cabins, and superior cabins available. The Coral I provides cabin space for 36 passengers.

Ship Description: This yacht provides comfortable lounges and a dining salon, in addition to common areas with LCD TVs. It features a well-stocked bar, large viewing windows, an expansive observation deck with full-sun and shaded areas, two additional sun decks, and a jacuzzi.

Cabin Facilities: The Coral I has 18 exterior double cabins, all fully carpeted and carefully decorated in teak wood and bronze trim. All cabins are air conditioned and each has a private bathroom with a hair dryer and various other amenities. The beds have been upgraded and may combine to form double beds, or separate to form twin beds. This yacht is ideal for families as some of the cabins interconnect.

M/Y Coral II

The Coral II is a well-equipped and spacious motor yacht designed with teak wood and a modern decor; the interior is fully carpeted. This Galapagos vessel has been recently remodeled throughout and upgraded to luxury class. Every cabin comes equipped with a full private bath handsomely decorated using wooden nautical fixtures. There are junior cabins, earth deck moon cabins, and superior cabins available. The Coral II provides cabin space for 20 passengers.

Ship Description: This yacht provides comfortable lounges and a dining salon, in addition to common areas with LCD TVs. It features a well-stocked bar, large viewing windows, an expansive observation deck with full-sun and shaded areas, two additional sun decks, and a jacuzzi.

Cabin Facilities: The Coral II has 11 exterior double cabins, all fully carpeted and carefully decorated in teak wood and bronze trim. All cabins are air conditioned and each has a private bathroom with a hair dryer and various other amenities. The beds have been upgraded and may combine to form double beds, or separate to form twin beds. This yacht is ideal for families as some of the cabins interconnect.

Pre-extension Feb. 23-25: Quito & Otavalo

Start your adventure in Quito, the largest colonial town of the Americas and the first UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour includes parks like El Ejido and Alameda, the monument of Simon Bolivar, the Gothic Basilica of the Heart of Jesús, Independence Square, the Presidential and Archbishop’s palaces (dating back to the 17th and 19th centuries respectively), and the Metropolitan Cathedral with excellent examples of the Spanish renaissance.

You’ll also visit the Otavalo Market, South America’s most famous and picturesque indigenous fair and craft market. Immerse yourself in this colorful and vibrant culture as you browse among a variety of woven goods, bags, hats, and wooden flutes or simply appreciate the skillful and generous people responsible for the elegance and beauty of the clothing and handicrafts.

Post-extension: Mar. 4-12: Peru

Keep the adventure going with eight days in Peru. You’ll start with a tour of the capital city of Lima, including stops at the Cathedral, San Francisco Monastery (founded in the 16th century), and the Larco Herrera Museum, which contains a collection of more than 45,000 pre-Columbian pieces.

Your trip also includes a visit to the town of Pisac, an historic Inca stronghold in the Urubamba Valley. The ancient citadel offers beautiful panoramic views, and the main Sun Temple ruin recals the buildings at Machu Picchu. Pisac also features a market where you can purchase handcrafted jewelry and leather, beautiful woolens and ponchos, carpets, and alpaca products.

No excursion to Peru would be complete without a journey to Machu Picchu, the legendary “Lost City of the Incas.” You’ll explore this mountain-top sanctuary surrounded by breathtaking Andean vistas, and find yourself captured by the mystery that is this incredible World Heritage site.

Your journey ends with a tour of the ancient city of Cusco, where you’ll visit several sites, including the Colonial Cathedral, the Sun Temple of Korikancha (known today as Santo Domingo Church) – the stones of which were covered in gold during the Inca period – and the gigantic Inca fortress of Sacsayhuamán.

Your Journey At A Glance

Including: Guayaquil, 7-night cruise to The Galapagos Islands aboard the M/Y Coral I or II

Optional: Pre-Extension to Quito & Otovalo

Optional: Post Extension to Peru including Lima, The Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco

Costs: Prices are Per Person, Double Occupancy Main Program
Based On 10 Travelers
Pre Extension
To Quito & Otavalo
Based On 10 Travelers
Post Extension
To Peru
Based On 10 Travelers
Land only based on standard twin cabins & air Quito/Galapagos/ Guayaquil  (2 cabins available) $6,795 per person $895 per person $4,195 per person, Including flights Guayaquil/Lima-Cusco/Lima
Single room supplement* $2,395 per person, additional $395 per person, additional $1,495 per person, additional
International air from Philadelphia, including taxes & fuel surcharges** $1,490 per person N/A $1,740 if taking the Peru extension and returning from Lima

Cabin upgrades On Corals***:

Standard plus double (3 cabins available)

Junior suite double (4 cabins available)

$930 per person double cabin
$1,400 single cabin

$1,610 per person double cabin
$2,410 single cabin

 

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* Single supplements are valid for first two single rooms booked. If more than two single rooms, additional supplement may apply. Singles are assigned on a first-come/first served basis.

**All international airfares are subject to change and based on minimum number of travelers. Taxes and fuel surcharges are subject to change until ticketed. The special rates negotiated by Classic Escapes are not upgradable.

***Cabins are assigned on a first-come/first-served basis. If cabin of choice is not available, next category will be assigned.