Portland

Community

College Presents

and The

Galapagos Islands

Tour Highlights

November 5 – 16, 2010

Credit Card

Authorization

Day 1 – Saturday - November 5 – Miami/Quito

Depart Portland this morning for Miami. Connect with a flight to Quito,Ecuador. Upon arrival, you are escorted to your hotel.

Day 2 – Sunday – November 6 – Quito

After breakfast you will begin sightseeing of the best of Quito with its rich cultural legacy, ornate facades, and dazzling gilt altars Visit the Independence Square, The Archbishop’s palace, The Metropolitan Cathedral as well as other very representative samples of colonial art and architecture. Quito Archaeological Museum, relive the history of Ecuador’s most ancient cultures in one of the finest archaeological and gold artifact collections in the Americas. There are over 1800 pieces, beautifully arranged in chronological corridors with explanatory panels and dioramas. Equator Complex, just 25 minutes outside of Quito, visit “ La Mitad del Mundo” (Middle of the World), marks 0 latitude and take advantage of the opportunity to stand on both hemispheres at the same time. Visit the Equatorial Museum featuring a complete sample of Ecuador’s different ethnic groups. (B, D)

Day 3 - Monday – November 7 – Quito/Galapagos

Fly to San Cristobal and visit the Interpretation Center for insight into the first settlements and pioneers of the Galapagos Islands, as well as the flora and fauna. Then board the M/Y MONSERRAT, your elegant first-class motor yacht. Each cabin has separate climate controls and private bathrooms. Enjoy exceptional food and daily lectures by naturalists. Set sail for Playa Ochoa for a chance to snorkel and swim with a small colony of sea lions. (B, L, D)

Day 4 – Tuesday – November 8 – Hood Island/Punta Suarez

This morning you arrive at Hood Island’s Gardner Bay – the only nesting site in the Galapagos for Waved Albatrosses. Continue to Punta Suarez, one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago. In addition to five species of nesting seabirds, there are the curious Hood Island Mockingbirds, brilliantly-colored marine iguanas and oversized lava lizards. (B, L, D)

Day 5 – Wednesday – November 9 - Santa Fe/South Plaza

Today you will visit one of the oldest islands dating back four million years and one of the smallest; Santa Fe, home to the largest species of the giant Opuntia cactus. Enjoy snorkeling and swimming with seals. Hike the trail that leads to a nearby cliff to experience land iguanas, lava lizards, Red-billed Tropicbirds and Shearwater Petrels. Depart for South Plaza known for the bright red ground cover of sesuvium plants and the sea lion colony on the coast. A circular path winds its way up 82-feet for views of soaring pelicans and Audubon’s Shearwaters. Easy to spot are the yellow iguanas, a subspecies of land iguanas. (B, L, D)

Day 6 – Thursday – November 10 - Darwin Research Station/

Santa Cruz Highlands

This morning you arrive at Puerto Ayora where you will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station where scientists from all over the globe conduct biological research. Observe giant tortoises and learn about the captive-breeding program. Take a bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. From June to January, you can find giant tortoises on a private farm. Visit Los Gemelos, a pair of large pit craters where you may see bright red Vermilion Flycatchers. (B, L, D)

Day 7 – Friday – November 11 - Tower Island

Welcome to Darwin Bay. For those interested in bird watching have your binoculars ready as you will have an opportunity to see a variety of South American birds. Swim, snorkel and then board your panga to see more wildlife near Prince Phillips Steps. (B, L, D)

Day 8 – Saturday – November 12 - Bartolome/Sulivan Bay

Explore the rustic beauty of Bartolome and Sulivan Bay’s lunar landscape of cones and craters. Survey bright red Sally Lightfoot crabs scramble sideways across molten lava frozen in time and space. A 30-minute hike to the summit of a once active volcano offers a panoramic view of your surroundings including the distinctive Pinnacle Rock. Swim and snorkel with colorful fish and penguins. (B, L, D)

Day 9 – Sunday – November 13 - Bachas Beach/North Seymour

Today you will have an opportunity to enjoy Bachas Beach. Its interior lagoons are home to the Greater Flamingoes. A floating pier is all that’s left from the U.S. WW II presence. Continue onto North Seymour Island and scenes of Blue-footed Boobies and Magnificent Frigate birds colonies. Watch for scores of Galapagos sea lions and marine iguanas on its sandy shores. (B, L, D)

Day 10 – Monday – November 14 - San Cristobal

Today you will visit La Galapaguera Center established as a breeding and conservation program. As you walk the trails you may be greeted by giant tortoises that live in a semi-wild environment. Before returning to the boat you will make a stop at the island's largest fresh water lake, El Junco. Be on the look out for sea lions and the Chatham Mockingbirds and Galapagos Flycatchers (B, L, D)

Days 11 – Tuesday – November 15 - San Cristobel/Quito

Your journey ends this morning as you disembark in San Cristobal and fly to Quito. Enjoy some time exploring Quito, shopping and people watching. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner. (B, D)

Day 12 – Wednesday – November 16 – Departure

Farewell! Arrive home your hearts and minds filled with happy memories of Ecuador and all the best of Mother Nature!

Please Note: Itinerary subject to change without prior notice due to cruise and flight schedules.

• International Air Portland/Houston/Quito/Houston/Portland
  

• 3 nights accommodations in Quito at the Hilton Colon Hotel or similar
  

• 1 week Galapagos Island cruise on board the M/Y MONSARETT or similar
  

• 10 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 10 dinners
  

• All sightseeing and entrance fees as per program
  

• English speaking escort throughout
  

• English speaking naturalist-guide
  

• Hotel taxes and service charges
  

• Porterage
  

     NOT INCLUDED

• ·U.S. Departure Tax, Airport Security Tax, Fuel Surcharges (approximately $250.00 – subject to change)
  

• ·Ecuador Departure Tax if necessary
  

• ·Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, meals not included in program, soft drinks, coffee, tea, mineral water, alcoholic beverages, tips to drivers, guides, transfer people, travel insurance, etc…..