Marine Iguanas feed underwater and sneeze out excess salt, which dries to a white powder on their heads. photo by John Woram, © 2001

Experience Evolution firsthand. In September 1835, upon his arrival in the Galapagos Islands, Charles Darwin stated, "The natural history of these islands is eminently curious, and well deserves attention". No one could have said it better. The collections and observations made by Darwin produced a revolution in human thought, the effects of which we can still feel today. Join us on a voyage to a land of mythic beauty, untouched by the modern world.

Take a naturalist cruise with us and experience the unique nature of the Galapagos. Explore the many winding paths filled with sea and land bird's nests, prehistoric-looking reptiles, and other rare and endemic wildlife. Marvel at the wonders of the botanical Galapagos world surrounded by one of the richest oceans of our planet, as part of your unique experience.

The Sally Lightfoot Crab is a fast mover that will even skitter over people who sit still. photo by John Woram, © 2001

Cruise on a variety of yachts, accommodating anywhere from 16 to 100 people. Cabins are based on double occupancy, private bath with hot water; 3 meals per day, and transfers. Yachts feature sundecks, bar, comfortable dining/lounge areas and carry snorkeling equipment. Your naturalist guide will offer a briefing of each day's activities. You will go ashore each day, visiting the islands in small boats called pangas to visit the most fascinating wildlife on the Galapagos Islands. Discover nature at its best.

Please provide us with the following information and we will be glad to send you prices:

          • Your travel dates - month/year
          • Preference of nights for your cruise - 4 or 7 nights
          • The Number of people in your group
          • If you will be travelling with children, please indicate the number of children and their ages at time of travel
          • Yacht category - Please specify your preference of Superior Tourist or First-Class vessel
          • Galapagos Hotel category - Superior Tourist or First Class

We also furnish the airfare from Quito airport to The Galapagos Islands including airport transfers from San Jorge Eco-Lodge.

9 Night/10 Day – San Jorge Eco-Tour with 4 Night/5 Day Galapagos Islands Cruise:
Day 1 – Evening transfer from Quito Airport and overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito
Day 2 – Choose from one activity today: Old Colonial Quito ½ Day City Tour or Medicinal Plants & Sacred Waterfalls Hike at San Jorge Botanical Reserve/Quito (High Barren Plains/Highland Rainforest); overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito, includes 3 meals
Day 3 – AM transfer to Quito Airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands (airfare included), breakfast
Day 3 – 7 – Galapagos Island Cruise, 4 Nights/5 Days, double cabin with private bath, 3 meals per day, naturalist guide for daily excursions to the islands, includes transfers from airport to yacht
Day 7 – Return flight to Quito Airport; transfer to San Jorge/Quito, overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito, includes dinner
Day 8 – Hiking Naturalist Tour at San Jorge de Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary (Cloud Forest), overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Tandayapa, includes 3 meals
Day 9 – Hiking Naturalist Tour with swimming at the waterfalls at San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve (Tropical Rainforest), overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito, includes 3 meals
Day 10 – AM transfer to downtown Quito or airport, includes breakfast

12 Night/13 Day – San Jorge Eco-Tour with 7 Night/8 Day Galapagos Islands Cruise:
Day 1 – Evening transfer from Quito Airport and overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito
Day 2 – Choose from one activity today: Old Colonial Quito ½ Day City Tour or Medicinal Plants & Sacred Waterfalls Hike at San Jorge Botanical Reserve/Quito (High Barren Plains/Highland Rainforest); overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito, includes 3 meals
Day 3 – AM transfer to Quito Airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands (airfare included), breakfast
Day 3 – 10 – Galapagos Island Cruise, 7 Nights/8 Days, double cabin with private bath, 3 meals per day, naturalist guide for daily excursions to the islands, includes transfers from airport to yacht
Day 10 – Return flight to Quito Airport; transfer to San Jorge/Quito, overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito, includes dinner
Day 11 – Hiking Naturalist Tour at San Jorge de Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary (Cloud Forest), overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Tandayapa, includes 3 meals
Day 12 – Hiking Naturalist Tour with swimming at the waterfalls at San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve (Tropical Rainforest), overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito, includes 3 meals
Day 13 – AM transfer to downtown Quito or airport, includes breakfast

Specify if you wish additional days added to above itinerary.

Contact us for pricing information

Optional: Travel insurance

Some of the most incredible wildlife in the world is found on the Galapagos Islands and this is the trip of a lifetime for most visitors. Located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean, the archipelago is a National Park. In an effort to preserve the islands as they were centuries ago, The Galapagos Islands and the Marine Reserve have been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

Your Voyage
Your day begins after breakfast when you go ashore in small boats called "pangas". The well-marked paths will lead you to discover the most fascinating wildlife, from blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas and sea lions to the rare Galapagos penguins

Some of the most incredible wildlife in the world is found on the Galapagos Islands and this is the trip of a lifetime for most visitors. Located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean, the archipelago is a National Park. In an effort to preserve the islands as they were centuries ago, The Galapagos Islands and the Marine Reserve have been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
For many travelers that go to Galapagos, yachts are the preferred way to see the islands, offering planned flexible itineraries with multilingual naturalist guides, licensed and trained at the Darwin Research Station. All yachts carry snorkeling equipment and there is an opportunity to explore underwater daily. Returning to your yacht at midday, a delicious lunch awaits and perhaps a short "siesta".

All yachts offer fine cuisine, ranging from international to local specialties in an atmosphere perfect for making new friends, while discovering nature at its best. After dinner, the naturalist guide will offer a briefing of the next day's activities. Since each island has its own unique landscape and diverse species of animal and plant life, every day is a new adventure.

What to Bring
Visitors are asked to pack casual, comfortable garments. We strongly encourage our guests to also pack the following:

Clothes Comfortable walking shoes (at least two pairs - they will get dirty and wet by the terrain) Remember that you will walk over rocky lava terrain, so shoes with rubber soles must be worn. a light jacket or windbreaker (for the nights aboard) a sweater (polar fleece is good and dries quickly) light, long-sleeved shirts, light weight long and short pants shorts a rain poncho a wide brimmed hat (to cover your head and back from the sun) bathing suits Wet suit (water is pleasant all the year, but water can be a little cooler from July to November) Accessories / other gear sunglasses (for the sun and the the sand - the wind brings sand to your eyes) binoculars small backpack (waterproof) sunscreen (waterproof) Insect repellant Toilet kit (biodegradable shampoo please) Eye-drops Sea sickness medication, such as Dramamine Dressing is always casual.	photo by John Woram, © 2001   Luggage: A maximum of 20 kilos or 44 pounds is allowed on flights to the Galapagos Extra kilos pay extra charge. Passport: Original passport will be required at the airport in Quito and in Galapagos. Galapagos Entrance Fee: $100.00 per adult, $50.00 for children under 12 years old. Only cash accepted (small bills) upon arrival to the islands. Extra beverages and Tips can be paid in cash. There is not a credit card system on board.
Climate The Islands are isolated so the climate is determined almost entirely by the ocean currents, which in turn are influenced by trade winds that push the currents. In general, December to June are the warmest months. January to March can be hot & humid, but also mostly green at this time. July to November are cooler. The average year-round temperature is 24 C ( 75 F)	The giant tortoise, or galapago in Spanish, for which The islands were named, can weigh up to 700 pounds. photo by John Woram, © 2001
There are two seasons in the Galapagos. The dry, or garua, season, which runs from July to December. "Garua" refers to the fog and mist that common hangs on the higher elevations during this season. The hot or wet season lasts from January through June, with March and April generally being the wettest months. The timing of the seasonal change varies somewhat and there is often a several month transition when either type of weather can occur. These seasons are also governed by oceanographic conditions. Around December, several changes occur in atmospheric and oceanic currents. The trade winds slacken and the Intertropical Convergence Zone, the "climatic equator" that is usually located north of the geographic equator, shifts south toward the Galapagos. The slacking trade winds cause the westward flowing current to slow. These reduces the upwelling and allow warmer water to invade the region. The air warms and the inversion layer breaks down. This allows warm air to rise to the point where rain clouds form and daily afternoon showers occur. Even in this season, however, low elevations, particularly those in the rain shadow of highlands, receive only limited rain. Interestingly, the highlands receive more moisture from the garua than they do from the rain Typical water temperatures vary between the islands depending on which currents they receive. For example: Jan to May Santiago, Bartolome and Genovesa 75 -77 deg F (24-25C) Isabela and Fernandina 69 - 75 deg F (21-24C) Espanola 75 - 80 deg F (24-27C) Jun to Dec Santiago, Bartolome and Genovesa 69 - 73 deg F (21- 23C) Isabela and Fernandina 59 - 68 deg F (15- 20C) Espanola 68 - 73 deg F (20-23C)