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from $2,695*
From the airport in Baltra, on Santa Cruz Island, we head to Puerto Ayora and board the M/Y San Jose. We head for Mosquera, with its long, narrow stretch of white sand and calm waters offering excellent snorkelling opportunities.
Next is Genovesa, a small volcanic outcrop where we find an abundance of finches, frigate birds and boobies. Santa Fe is also called Barrington Island, a place favoured by sea lions who like to bask on the beaches. We then visit San Cristobal via Leon Dormido and Cerro Brujo, home to Sally Lightfoot Crabs, brown pelicans and California sea lions.
For something a little different, we spend our last night in the town of San Cristobal before flying back to Quito. -
from $4,695*
As we fly from Quito to the Galapagos Islands, located in the equatorial water of the Pacific Ocean, we suddenly find ourselves in a very different world. We board our vessel, the M/Y San Jose, and follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin, we start to encounter nature at its finest. Remote Genovesa Island is a bird-lover's paradise with three species of boobies present, all resplendent and wearing their colourful 'shoes'.
Storm petrels and frigatebirds can also be seen, as well as a myriad of underwater life. Sea lions and iguanas await us at Plaza Sur and Santa Fe, whilst in San Cristobal we meet the grand-daddy of the Galapagos - the giant tortoise.
At Floreana, with its unusual Post Office Bay, we view flamingos wading in a lagoon and learn about some of the island's more bizarre history. A hike on Bartolome offers panoramic views across some of the other islands, showcasing the dramatic volcanic landscape. -
from $4,695*
HIGHLIGHTS: Isabela Island - snorkel with turtles - swim with iguanas - penguins and sea lions - Quito - Baltra - Espumilla Beach - Santiago Island
We are greeted by a fascinating collection of wildlife - the same types of exotic animals that greeted Charles Darwin on his epic journey there in 1831. Our journey takes us to Isabela Island - home to an incredible array of wildlife including more wild giant tortoises than all the other islands put together. Snorkel with turtles, swim with iguanas, penguins and sea lions and observe magnificent greater flamingos in their colourful splendour -
from $5,879*
This adventure combines our 'Classic Peru' trip with our 'Galapagos Explorer' voyage.
In the 15th century Peru was the heartland of the Inca Empire with Cusco as its capital. But with the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadors, the conquest of the region was completed in just a few short years. Today, Peru is rich in both Inca and Spanish colonial culture and we 'conquer' it in just a few days (minus the destruction and savagery).
Lima, the sprawling capital, is built on the coastal desert strip nestled between the mountains and the sea and has many excellent museums and buildings dating from the Spanish colonial period. Just a short flight away, over towering, snow-capped Andean peaks, is Cusco, a living, cultural treasure house built on the foundations and walls of the old Inca capital. The city is centred on the Plaza de Armas and dominated by the great cathedral, with the narrow, cobblestone streets radiating outwards, packed with ancient houses, shops and some excellent restaurants.
Overlooking the main town is the massive temple complex of Sacsayhuaman and further out in the Sacred Valley is the colourful market-trading town of Pisac. A highlight of any visit to Peru is the world renowned 4-day Inca Trail trek. Arriving at the Sun Gate, the spectacular entrance to Machu Picchu, is an amazing experience that we are sure to remember forever.
After flying from Quito to the Galapagos, we continue on to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz. Here we see giant tortoise at the Charles Darwin Station. In the afternoon we board the 'San Jose' and cruise to Leon Domido and the large island of San Cristobel, where we visit the new interpretation centre and the rugged volcanic peaks of Cerro Brujo.
Next stop is isolated Espanola Island, where we find waved albatrosses plus blue-footed and masked boobies, Galapagos hawks, Darwin finches, sea lions and marine iguanas. On the 'Buccaneer' hideaway island of Floreana we visit Post Office Bay and the island's volcanic cone. It is a great spot for snorkelling, full of sea lions and colourful fish.
We also encounter stately pink flamingos, as they wade in the shallow waters of inland lagoons. Arriving back at Santa Cruz Island we visit Black Turtle Cove and cruise amongst the mangroves, where the array of wildlife kicks into overdrive The lagoons are a nursery for many sharks and rays. Amongst all this activity we also find time to relax sunbath, swim, snorkel and enjoy new friendships. -
from $6,395*
On this 14-day journey we depart from Ecuador's capital, Quito, to discover the magic of these fabled islands. On board the M/Y San Jose we first make our way to Santa Cruz Island and make acquaintance with turtles, marine iguanas and flamingos before cruising to Isabela Island - the largest and most volcanic in the Galapagos with five active craters.
In the waters we see reef sharks and meet blue-footed boobies, Galapagos penguins and the ubiquitous sea lions. However, the 'grandfathers of the Galapagos' are the giant tortoises - the very creatures that gave these islands its name.
From rocky outcrops to sheltered lagoons, a variety of stunning and often spectacular terrains give rise to a wide range of wildlife habitats. Bird-watchers will be bewitched by sightings and history buffs will be dazzled by the islands' amazing tales as we round up our voyage by visiting Santiago Island, Santa Cruz, Genovesa, Santa Fe and San Cristobal. -
from $8,595*
On board the M/Y San Jose, we are treated to a very special experience.
Explore the islands from on deck, on foot and in the water, no doubt with your eyes open for your next unique sight. We encounter giant Galapagos tortoises, blue-footed and masked boobies, pelicans and frigate birds, as well as land and marine iguanas, sea lions, fur seals and perhaps dolphins, whales and sea turtles - the Galapagos contains a myriad of fascinating wildlife.
Because of the extreme isolation of the islands, nearly a quarter of all species are endemic and much of the wildlife has no instinctive fear of man, allowing you to observe nature in its full glory. This 17-day program is the ultimate Galapagos exploration and our most comprehensive voyage.
It includes the volcanic wonders of Isabela Island and offers the best opportunities to encounter the magnificent flora and fauna that make the Galapagos unique. -
Galapagos, Amazon & Inca Adventure
from $9,405*
There's nowhere quite like the Galapagos for a hefty dose of dazzling wildlife. The exploration of the natural world's riches continues in the Amazon, where we check out the jungle's astounding biodiversity, and opportunities to see the rare pink Amazonian dolphin.
Further south, Peru's Incan treasures take centre stage: exploring Cusco, and Sacred Valley gems such as Pisac and Ollantaytambo, whets the appetite for the area's most glorious sight - the hidden, cloud-shrouded lost city of Machu Picchu.
After that, we explore Lake Titicaca, home to Incan creation myths and fascinating, preserved island cultures, before moving on to La Paz, Bolivia's crown jewel, a city ablaze with colour and spectacle, its elaborately dressed residents lending a carnival feel to our journey's end.
