What Makes "Spirit de las Galápagos" Epic! Boli, our Naturalist Guide! His expertise on the flora and fauna in Galapagos combined with his fun loving, easy going personality, is bound to make an already special experience, Epic! Our flexibility! Yes we have a daily schedule that we have to loosely follow, but if something out of the ordinary is happening, you better believe we’ll be right there in the action! Staying in town! Get to know the people of the Galapagos Islands and their culture with this unique opportunity to live in two completely different population centers during our stay. The Price! Hands down, can not be beaten!

Itinerary

Itinerary At a Glance
Day 1: Fly to Ecuador
Day 2: Fly to Galapagos, Tortoise Reserve, sink holes, & a lava tube
Day 3: Cruise to North Seymour Islands & Bachas Beach, Hike & Snorkel
Day 4: Cruise to Bartolome, Hike & Snorkel
Day 5: Cruise to Isabela, Snorkel & Biking
Day 6: Sierra Negra Volcano, Hike & Beach time
Day 7: Back to Ecuador, Guayaquil City Tour & Farewell Dinner
Day 8: Back to USA

 

DAY 1: FLIGHT TO GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR Please be at John F. Kennedy (NYC) airport no later than 8:30am. Our American Airlines flight to Guayaquil, Ecuador leaves at 10:30am. We’ll travel through Miami and arrive in Guayaquil around 8:40pm. After collecting our bags we’ll head through customs and on to the well-appointed Hotel La Fontana for a wonderful nights rest.

DAY 2: FLY TO THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS – GIANT TORTOISES IN THE WILD After breakfast, we will board our plane taking us to the Galapagos Islands. The adventure begins the moment we step off the plane. We’ll head straight from the airport to the Highlands of Santa Cruz where we’ll stop to have an authentic porch lunch at a family's home. After lunch we’ll head just down the road and get right into the action! We’ll start the adventure by trekking through sink holes, lava tubes, and of course searching for wildlife. Be on the look out for the elusive Vermilion Flycatcher! After that, it’s on to the Galapagos Giant Tortoises Reserve to see these big endemic reptiles in their own natural habitat. We’ll conclude our day by settling into the Hotel Pelican Bay in the colorful town of Puerto Ayora, and we will enjoy an excellent dinner in town. Breakfast, Lunch on the airplane, and Dinner are included.

DAY 3: NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND AND BACHAS BEACH Today after breakfast, we’ll board our charter boat to North Seymour Island. On this small, flat, uplifted island you’ll be introduced to magnificent frigate birds, blue footed boobies, gulls, land iguanas and playful sea lions. After spending a couple of hours exploring the island we’ll head back to the boat and change to go snorkeling. We’ll snorkel in a large channel between North Seymour and Baltra, an area where Galapagos and Hammer Head sharks are often spotted. After a mouth watering, Galapagos boat lunch we’ll go to “Bachas Beach” located on the northern part of Santa Cruz. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, teeming with wildlife and crystal clear water. Here we’ll see a flamingo lagoon, sally light foot crabs, marine iguanas, pelicans and boobies flying by. Tonight you’ll have free time for dinner on your own in Puerto Ayora. Breakfast and Lunch are included today. ***Certified SCUBA Divers have the option to dive instead of today’s planned activities at an additional expense.***

DAY 4: BARTOLOME Early this morning, after breakfast, we’ll depart by boat for Bartolome Island, the most photographed island in all of the Galapagos! We’ll hike up the 372 stairs to the summit of this extinct volcano for breathtaking views of legendary Pinnacle Rock and the neighboring island of Santiago. Galapagos penguins, sea lions and pelicans are plentiful here. Get ready for your second snorkel in waters full of marine life. In addition to dozens of varieties of colorful tropical fish, watch for stingrays, spotted eagle rays, and white tipped sharks! We’ll cap off the afternoon with another unforgettable boat lunch. Breakfast and Lunch are included today. ***Certified SCUBA Divers have the option to dive instead of today’s planned activities at an additional expense.***

DAY 5: ISABELA This morning say good-bye to our home and the warm locals from Puerto Ayora. After breakfast, a speedboat will be waiting to take us to the largest island in the Galapagos, Isabela. We’ll spend the next two nights is the small fishing village of Puerto Villamil. The town is on a beautiful white coral beach giving us a great opportunity to enjoy the calm, azure water. Once we’ve settled in to our beachfront hotel, we’ll head back out for another outstanding snorkeling session. Then on to our next adventure, a bike ride down the shore to the Wall of Tears. This is a mystical wall built by the penal colony that once inhabited this area. Along the way we’ll make stops to enjoy the beach, view wildlife, and learn about the area’s natural history. We’ll eventually make our way back to town for dinner at a local establishment. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are included today.

DAY 6: ISABELA ISLAND – SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO – VILLAMIL LAGOONS Today, after breakfast, we’ll take a 45 minute private coach ride to Sierra Negra Volcano. This is one of five active volcanoes on Isabela, and has the second largest caldera in the world! We’ll hike all the way to the volcano rim and if conditions are good, we will adventure down to the fumaroles. At the peak we’ll enjoy a breath-taking view of this active volcano (last eruption was October 2005) and enjoy a delicious picnic lunch! From here we’ll hike on to Chico Volcano to see it’s puffing fumaroles and dramatic lava formations. We’ll be back to Puerto Villamil by mid-afternoon for one last swim, snorkel, or walk along this spectacular white coral beach. Dinner tonight is on your own in town. Breakfast and Lunch are included today.

DAY 7: BALTRA ISLAND – GUAYAQUIL – CITY TOUR Early in the morning, after breakfast, we’ll journey by speedboat to the island of Baltra and jet back to the beautiful city of Guayaquil. After we pick up our luggage, and check into the Hotel La Fontana, we’ll have a chance to see a little bit of downtown Guayaquil. We’ll visit the famous “Crystal Palace,” go shopping at a small, local market and have the chance to purchase the wonderful handcrafts made of vegetable ivory called “Tagua”. We’ll also go to Santa Ana Hill and “Las Penias,” one of the most traditional neighborhoods in Guayaquil. Sunset from the Santa Ana Hill is just breathtaking. Then we’ll walk along the beautiful waterfront and finish the day with our farewell dinner. Breakfast, Lunch on the airplane, and Dinner are included today.

DAY 8: BACK HOME This morning, after breakfast, we’ll go to the Jose Joaquin de Olmedo international airport, say goodbye to our newly found friends, and board our plane back home.

 

• Book Trip or call 800-742-9740

Logistics

This is a multi-sport trip taking place in the Galapagos Islands on the dates of November 13-20, 2010. You’ll be hiking, snorkeling, biking, and if you choose, scuba diving, your way through the Galapagos Islands, more specifically, the islands of Santa Cruz, North Seymour, Bartolome, and Isabela. Below is important information that you should know about this adventure before we depart.

Adventure Price: $3499 Plus $100 National Park Entrance Fee
Adventure Dates: November 13 – 20, 2010
Adventure Length: 8 days/7 nights

Getting Here: Part of what makes this adventure such an outstanding deal...we’ve included ALL of your flights in the price of this trip.
November 13, 2010 - Please be at John F. Kennedy (NYC) airport no later than 8:30am. Our American Airlines flight to Guayaquil, Ecuador leaves at 10:30am. We’ll travel through Miami and arrive in Guayaquil around 8:40pm.
November 20, 2010 - Our journey home on American Airlines begins at 11:25am from Jose Joaquin de Olmedo international airport. We’ll arrive in Miami at 3:40pm to clear customs and then continue on to JFK. We expect to arrive home around 10:20pm.
Note:If JFK does not work for you, please contact an Adventure Consultant at 800.742.9740 to get a quote from an alternative air gateway.

Getting Around: We’ll fly to and from the Galapagos Islands in a standard size commuter jet. A small passenger bus will be our mode of transportation on the ground to get around Santa Cruz and Isabella. A 16-18 passenger charter boat with changing rooms and bathrooms as well as dinning, lounging, and sunning areas, will be our mode of transportation to and from the islands of North Seymour and Bartolome. From the charter boat we will use a Panga (inflatable skiff) to get to and from the islands and also for snorkeling excursions. A speedboat will be our transportation to and from Isabela.

Meals: Almost all of your meals are included on this Adventure as shown in the itinerary. Part of what makes Epic Adventures stand apart from the rest is the mouthwatering, authentic cuisine you’ll enjoy throughout your trip. There will be multiple “highlight” meals along the way including a lunch at a local family's home, two exquisite boat lunches, and of course our farewell feast. Vegetarian? No problem! Just make sure to let us know well in advance.

Accommodations: Unlike many other Galapagos tours, one aspect of our trip that makes it stand out from the rest is the fact that we will be staying in the Galapagos Islands at small hotels woven into the population centers, giving you the chance to truly discover the local culture. This is an outstanding feature of traveling, that all too often, is overlooked by other tour companies offering Galapagos trips solely by boat.
Guayaquil (Night 1 and 7): We’ll be staying at the well-appointed Hotel La Fontana. This boutique hotel is located in the heart of Downtown Guayaquil only three blocks from the Malecon; the name given to the urban renewal project along the Guayas river that brought museums, gardens, fountains, restaurants, bars, and even the first IMAX theater in South America.
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz (Nights 2, 3, & 4): Here we’ll stay at the centrally located Hotel Pelican Bay, a new and comfortable establishment located in the oldest neighborhood in the island. Downtown Puerto Ayora is a happening little place with something for everyone. Dotted with great shops, art galleries, restaurants, nightlife, and most importantly, friendly people; Puerto Ayora and the Pelican Bay is sure to be one of many highlights of this adventure!
Puerto Villamil, Isabela (Nights 5 & 6): Hotel Sol Isabela will be our home for the final two nights in the Galapagos, and get ready to fall in love! This small hotel is located right on the ocean on one of the most magnificent stretches of white sand beach you will ever see! Marine Iguanas, Penguins, Sea Lions, Marine Birds and Darwin Finches are regularly seen around the hotel.

Your Naturalist Guide: As you may or may not know, the Galapagos Islands are 95% national park and these areas are extremely protected. You are not allowed to set foot in the park without a licensed naturalist. Lucky for you, we have the best naturalist guide in the Galapagos Islands, Bolivar Sanchez! Having grown up in the Galapagos Islands, Bolivar Sanchez developed a keen interest in wildlife and the outdoors at an early age. For the past 17 years he has worked as a certified naturalist guide in Galapagos National Park, sharing his knowledge of this unique place with visitors to his homeland. This, combined with his sense of humor and warm personality, makes Boli the perfect person to reveal the secrets of Galapagos to you.

The Adventure: Your guides will meet you at JFK at 8:30am for your flight to Guayaquil, Ecuador. You’ll spend the night in Guayaquil and then it is off to the Galapagos. After a short morning flight to Baltra, you’ll spend the next three days and nights exploring the islands of Santa Cruz, North Seymour and Bartolome. From Santa Cruz you’ll take a speedboat to Isabela and spend the next two days and nights on the largest Islands in the Galapagos. We will take a speedboat back to Baltra and a brief flight back to Guayaquil where we will have a short walking tour and our farewell dinner. The final day will be spent in transit back home.

What’s Included:
2 nights of hotel accommodation in Guayaquil, Ecuador (double occupancy)
5 nights of hotel accommodation in the Galapagos (double occupancy)
Roundtrip international airfare from New York City (JFK)
Domestic air...flights to and from the Galapagos
All ground transportation and transfers
Charter and speed boat transportation
Migration card
All your visits with a Tour Guide on the mainland and a Naturalist Guide in the islands
Snorkeling gear and wetsuit
All tips
Soft drink or water with your included meals

What’s Not:
Travel insurance
Medical care or any medical expenses
Galapagos Park fee of $100.00 (to be paid upon arrival in the Galapagos)
Scuba Diving
Items of personal nature
Alcohol
Fuel surcharge
Single supplement ($300)
Departure tax out of Gye $29.00

• Book Trip or call 800-742-9740

FAQ

• What will the weather be like in November?
• What will the water temperature be in November?
• How many guides will be with me on this adventure?
• Can I touch the wildlife?
• What is the currency in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands?
• What should I pack for this trip?
• What time zone are the Galapagos Islands located in?
• What’s included in the price of this trip?
• What’s not included in the price?
• I’m a vegetarian. Will I starve to death on this trip?
• What kind of beverages come with our meals?
• Is the water safe to drink?
• What is a typical day like on this Galapagos adventure?
• How Strenuous will each day be, and what type of shape do I need to be in for this Adventure?
• What kind of boats will we use to get to the different islands?
• What if I get seasick?
• What will I see?
• What type of equipment/gear should I bring?
• What about SCUBA Diving?
• Will there be cell phone or internet access in the Galapagos Islands?

 

What will the weather be like in November?

The weather always seems to be nice in the Galapagos. Even though it’s right on the equator, the temperatures rarely get extremely hot. You can expect daily temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees. June through December is considered the dry season in the Galapagos, although a light raincoat is never a bad idea for the times we will be in the highlands. Also, pack lots of sunscreen and a hat for your head or the sun WILL get you.

What will the water temperature be in November?

From June to December, a colder Humbolt current is brought north by southern trade winds causing the water to cool off a bit. Average temperature is about 72 degrees, but it varies quite a bit from location to location due to all the different currents that converge on the Galapagos. Don’t worry, wetsuits are provided, and the initial shock is quickly over come by complete amazement at the undersea life.

How many guides will be with me on this adventure?

There will be three guides with you to ensure this adventure is nothing short of Epic - one naturalist, and two guides from Epic Adventures.

Can I touch the wildlife?

Wildlife in the Galapagos Islands has truly evolved without fear of humans and as a result, everything you see will be extremely close up. In order to keep it this way it is a strict park rule that you do not touch any of the wildlife. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t get close. In fact Boli, our naturalist guide, is outstanding at getting you more up close and personal with the Galapagos wildlife than you could ever imagine!

What is the currency in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands?

Surprisingly enough, the Ecuadorian government works off of US dollars. US cash is accepted everywhere and most establishments except major credit cards. ATM’s are also available in some locations.

What should I pack for this trip?

Epic Adventures always includes a detailed packing list with it’s pre-trip documents however here are a couple of the most important items. Sturdy walking or hiking shoes are a must. We’ll be on our feet everyday walking trails that at times can be quite rugged. Sunscreen and a hat or some sort of head protection is also a must. We’ll be spending much of our day out in the equatorial sun and the last thing you want is to miss an action packed day due to sun poisoning or heat exhaustion.

What time zone are the Galapagos Islands located in?

Central Time! This is a jet-lag free trip!

What’s included in the price of this trip

2 nights of hotel accommodations in Guayaquil(double occupancy)
5 nights of hotel accommodations in the Galapagos (double occupancy)
Roundtrip international airfare from New York City (JFK)
Domestic air...flights to and from the Galapagos
All ground transportation and transfers
Charter and Speed boat transportation
Migration card
All your visits with a Tour Guide on the mainland and a Naturalist Guide in the islands
Snorkeling gear and wetsuit
All tips
Soft drink or water with your included meals

What’s not included in the price?
Travel insurance
Medical care or any medical expenses
Galapagos Park fee of $100.00 (to be paid upon arrival in the Galapagos)
Scuba Diving
Items of personal nature
Alcohol
Fuel surcharge
Single supplement ($300)
Departure tax out of Guayaquil, Ecuador: $29.00

I’m a vegetarian. Will I starve to death on this trip?
Absolutely not! Just let us know well in advance and you’ll be eating like a king or queen!

What kind of beverages come with our meals?
Water is and soft drinks are included with all your meals. If you would like to purchase alcoholic beverages, they are almost always available and you are welcome to do so.

Is the water safe to drink?
An active day in the sun would not be possible without being well hydrated. Rest assured, we will be drinking safe, purified water through out the trip.

What is a typical day like on this Galapagos adventure?
To start with, there really is no typical day in the Galapagos Islands, but we’ll do our best to paint a picture. We’ll typically have breakfast around 7:00am, sometimes earlier if the day’s schedule dictates an earlier start. After that really varies depending on the days itinerary. What we can tell you is that you will be both on your feet and in the water almost every day. Our days are scheduled to a point, but one of the great things about this trip is that if something out of the ordinary is happening, rarely will our schedule keep us from fully enjoying the moment. An example of that is during one of our trips to the Galapagos, we were heading back to Santa Cruz from North Seymour. All of a sudden off in the distance we spotted a large female Orca Whale and her baby. We spent the next hour tracking the whales and actually saw the large female fully breach the water three times! Now that was Epic!

How strenuous will each day be, and what type of shape do I need to be in for this adventure?
The combination of hiking, swimming and sun on any given day can and will be tiring. You will need to be in decent physical shape to participate in all the scheduled activities on a given day. We’re not talking triathlon shape here. If you lead a reasonably active lifestyle, you should be fine.

What kind of boats will we use to get to the different islands?
Two types. For the days we travel to Bartolome and North Seymour, we’ll use a 16-18 person charter boat with a bathroom, changing rooms, and ample room for dining, lounging in the sun, and even napping while we journey to the islands. On the days we travel to and from Isabela we’ll take a speed boat used for one thing...getting us to and from Isabela as fast as possible. The average time spent in transit to and from these islands is about two hours.

What if I get seasick?
We do travel around by boat quite a bit on this adventure and seasickness can be miserable, there's really no denying that. If you think you have a problem with motion sickness, please alert one of Adventure Consultants before you depart. They will talk with you about preventative measures that can be taken to avoid this problem.

What will I see?
A more appropriate question might be, what won’t you see? Here is a list of wildlife that could potentially see...obviously this is not a zoo, so we can’t guarantee anything.
Sea Lions...lots of Sea lions
Land Iguanas
Marine Iguanas
Blue Footed Boobies
Frigit Birds
Giant Tortoises
Sea Turtles
Sally Light Foot Crabs
Lots and Lots of Tropical fish
Sharks (White Tip Reef Sharks, Galapagos Sharks, Hammer Head Sharks)
Galapagos Penguins
Rays (Sting Rays, Eagle Rays, Manta Rays, Golden Rays)
Finches
Albatross
And so much more

What type of equipment/gear should I bring?
All equipment that is needed for this adventure is provided in the Galapagos Islands. However, if you have your own snorkeling gear, wetsuit, regulator, etc. and would like to bring them along, by all means, be our guest.

What about SCUBA Diving?
As detailed on the itinerary, there are three opportunities for **Optional** SCUBA Diving on this adventure. Unfortunately, any SCUBA Diving you do will have to be in place of the activities scheduled on that day. There is no way around this. SCUBA Diving costs approximately $150 for a full day. This includes, transportation, all equipment, lunch, and two dives. SCUBA Diving in Isabela can not be guaranteed and is subject to number of participants.

Will there be cell phone or internet access in the Galapagos Islands?
Yes. Each cell phone provider has different policies and coverage internationally. Please check with your cell phone provider about rates and coverage if cell phone use is important to you on this adventure. There are internet cafes on the Islands of Santa Cruz and Isabela.