Voyage to the land that time has forgotten and experience a world that Darwin discovered in the 19th century - a group of remote and secluded islands teaming with unique wildlife that formed the basis and inspiration for Darwin's seminal theory of evolution and natural selection "The Origin of Species." Who is to say what Charles Darwin would think of how the Galapagos Islands are run today, with tourism and people descending upon their shores by air and by sea, but at least the Ecuadorian government recognizes the value of its greatest assets and works diligently to protect the environment.
Traveland (tel. 800/321-6336; www.traveland.com) has an affordable deal available for select departures dates only to Ecuador. The "Galapagos Special" is a seven day package including round-trip airfare to Quito from the U.S., airport transfers, two nights' accommodations at the Hotel Akros in Quito, a city tour of Quito, domestic flight to the Galapagos Islands (Baltra), three nights aboard the Galapagos Floreana Yacht, guided visits to the islands with a bilingual guide, one additional night back in Quito, daily breakfast plus all meals and snacks on board the Floreana. From Miami this trip is priced from $1,299 per person, or $1,599 from Boston, Chicago, New York, Washington DC, Kansas City, Detroit, Indianapolis and Memphis. The price goes up to $1,749 from Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Francisco or Seattle. These prices are available for departures on June 13, July 4, September 12 and September 19, 2006 only. Taxes of $193 are additional as is the $100 Galapagos Island entry fee. Single supplement is $750.
The "Galapagos Marvelous Journey II" includes round-trip airfare to Quito from the U.S., airport transfers, two nights' accommodations at the Hotel Rio Amazonas in Quito, a city tour of Quito, domestic flight to the Galapagos Islands (Baltra), four nights aboard the Galapagos Sea Man Yacht, guided visits to the islands, snorkel equipment, one additional night back in Quito, daily breakfast plus all meals and snacks on board the Floreana. From Miami this trip is priced from $1,799 per person, or $2,099 from Boston, Chicago, New York, Washington DC, Kansas City, Detroit, Indianapolis and Memphis. The price goes up to $2,249 from Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Francisco or Seattle. These prices are available for departures on June 20, July 14 and 18, August 1 and 15, September 12 and 26 and October 3 and 17, 2006 only. Taxes of $200 are additional as is the $100 Galapagos Island entry fee. Single supplement is $800.
Marnella Tours (tel. 866/993-0033; www.marnellatours.com) is offering a seven day "Galapagos Passport Legend" trip that includes round-trip airfare on Lan Ecuador to Quito, airport transfers, three nights' accommodations at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Quito, a Colonial city tour, round-trip flights from Quito to Galapagos Islands, three nights in a superior inner cabin aboard the MV Legend, all meals while on the boat and the Galapagos National Park tax. The package is priced from $1,975 per person from Miami or $2,175 from New York.
Their seven day "Galapagos Islands Explorer" package includes round-trip airfare to Quito, airport transfers, three nights' accommodations at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Quito, a Colonial city tour, round-trip flights from Quito to Galapagos Islands, three nights' accommodations at Hotel Silberstein on Santa Cruz Island, two day tours to Plazas, Punta Carrion, Seymour Island, and Bachas, a half day tour of the Charles Darwin Research Station, breakfast, lunch and dinner, daily (drinks are not included), hotel taxes and service fees. Prices start at $1,680 from Miami flying Lan Ecuador, $1,795 from Dallas flying Continental, $1,840 flying Delta Airlines from Atlanta, $1,860 from Baltimore flying American and $190 from New York flying Lan Ecuador.
Friendly Planet (www.friendlyplanet.com) has a 15 day Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands package including Lima, Cuzco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Quito priced from $3,299 to $3,399 per person. These prices represent a saving of $400 per person if you book before May 25, 2006. Departures are on August 7 and 21, September 4 and 18, October 9 and 30, November 20 and December 4, 2006. Their December 25, 2005 departure is priced at $3,699. The trip includes round-trip airfare from Miami on Lan Peru and Lan Ecuador (add $180 if departing from New York), Intra-South America flights, ground transportation and transfers, accommodations at first class hotels, a three night Galapagos Cruise aboard MV Galapagos Explorer II, 25 meals (13 full buffet breakfasts, five lunches and seven dinners), comprehensive sightseeing tours and shore excursions and professional English-speaking tour directors.
Discovery World Cruises (tel. 866/623-2689; www.discoveryworldcruises.com) recently completed its maiden visit to the Galapagos Islands. The line's MV Discovery sailed from Papeete, Tahiti, and included visits to Easter Island, Chile and Peru. A second voyage from the Galapagos sailed via the Panama Canal to Nassau, with calls at ports in Costa Rica and Belize. Next year, the 25-day "Galapagos and The Americas" cruise departs from San Jose, Costa Rica on January 1, 2007 and visits Panama, Ecuador, Peru and Chile including five days in the Galapagos. The cruise is priced from $5,095 per person. The same cruise departing on March 31, 2007 on a reverse schedule from Chile to Costa Rica is priced at $4,995. The 12 night "Panama and Galapagos" cruise that begins in Quito on April 12, 2007 and ends in Cost Rica is priced from $2,850. Carrying a maximum of 500 passengers, Discovery World Cruises have gone to great lengths to ensure that their vessel meets the stringent environmental protection standards set by the Ecuadorian government's Ministry of the Environment including switching from heavy marine oil to cleaner-burning diesel. Passengers and crew are briefed about do's and don'ts and the appropriate conduct while ashore. Galapagos and National Park rangers also present lectures on the history and nature of the islands.
Gap Adventures (www.gapadventures.ca) always offers affordable options when it comes to pursuing off the beaten track adventures and the Galapagos is no exception. Its seven day ¿Voyage Galapagos" trip starting in Quito is priced at $1,250 and includes round-trip airfare from Quito to the Galapagos, two nights hotel accommodations in Quito, four nights aboard a motorized yacht -- the Daphne, visits to Floreana, Santa Cruz, Espanola, Santa Fe and Seymour, daily opportunities for snorkeling and swimming and all meals while in the Galapagos. The $100 entry fee is additional as is a local payment of $300. This trip departs on July 7, 2006. They also have similar six day trips on various departures dates throughout the year aboard different vessels from $1,150 or a family package on a smaller vessel from $1,095.
Its ten day package is priced at $1,695 includes round-trip airfare from Quito to the Galapagos, two nights hotel accommodation in Quito and seven nights aboard the 16 passenger, 65-foot motor vessel, the G.A.P Adventurer III. All cabins have upper and lower berths, private bathrooms and outside views (window or porthole). The crew of eight includes a bilingual Level III naturalist, the highest level in the Galapagos. Visit Baltra, Bartholome, Rabida, Santa Cruz, Floreana, Espanola, Santa Fe and Seymour. This trip departs weekly, each Monday throughout the year.
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