Galapagos Aboard the M/V Legend

Tara Tours

South America

Ecuador

Visiting Quito, Otavalo and cruise around the Galapagos Islands aboard the M/V LEGEND

INCLUDING:
Round trip airfare from Miami to Quito via American Airlines. Meeting and transfer service. Tours as noted in itinerary including entrance fees and English speaking naturalist guides. Hotel Dann Carlton or Alameda for 4 nights including room taxes and service charges with Buffet Breakfast. The 4 day/3 night Galapagos Cruise aboard the M/V Legend -outside SUPERIOR cabins-with 2 lower berths. Meals as noted in itinerary B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner.
Airfare from Quito to Baltra Island via Tame Airlines. Tips to airport porters.

NOT INCLUDED:
Services not mentioned in itinerary. Passport fees. Departure taxes: Galapagos National Park Tax upon entry $100.00: Airport departure tax of $2.00 in Quito
Insurance. Tips to hotel porters and naturalist guide in Galapagos . USA $232 (Inc. departure tax/security/fuel surcharges/tax)
* As of Aug.01, 2007…..The new international departure tax in Quito will be USD40,80 per person, Guayaquil however will remain at USD26,00 per person.

DEPOSITS:
US$250.00 per person at the time of booking. Final payment is due 65 days before departure.
INSURANCE:
Through Insure America, cost for this program starts at US$235-305. Please see information on the Insurance section..(click here)
CANCELLATIONS:
Cancellations must be in writing and received by Tara Tours Inc.
Penalties are as follows prior to departure date:
121 days or more…$100 per person
120-61 days $250 penalty per passenger service charge.
60-31 days 50% penalty
30 or less -no refunds

Call (707) 446-4356 for more information or to book today! Mention code 7417690

Tour Operator

Tara Tours

Offer

Offer valid through 12/31/2008

Duration

8 Days

Escorted

Escorted - No

Itinerary

Day	Destination	Description
Day 1	Quito	FRI. MIAMI-QUITO : Depart Miami for Quito, Ecuador. After going through customs and immigration, you will be transferred to the new hotel Dann Carlton or Alameda Real.
Day 2	Quito	SAT.QUITO : Afternoon drive along the northern residential section and see the impressive Parliament Building. Then stroll downtown to visit the colonial temple and monasteries designated by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. Visit San Agustine Convent with its colonial cloisters, coffered ceilings and vast collection of paintings. Continue to the Independence Plaza flanked by the Cathedral, Presidential Palace, Municipal Building and Archbishop's Palace. Next, visit the great church and Monastery of San Francisco with the Virgin of Quito at its main altar. Your scenic tour ends at a lookout point with a great view of Quito (B)
Day 3	Quito	SUN. OTAVALO COUNTRY TOUR & MARKET : This excursion goes north, to the land of the Otavalos and South America's most famous Indian fair along the Panamerican Highway through dramatic mountain scenery to the textile market of Otavalo, where guests will enjoy visiting the many stalls full of ponchos, scarves, blankets, wall hangings, woven belts (fajas), hats, handbags and much more. Here Otavalenos barter in silence, in marked contrast to the raucous noise of other markets; take your time to negotiate the best bargains. Then, proceed to Peguche, an Indian village very near Otavalo that is home to the artisans who do the weaving in their homes; guests can learn about their culture and everyday life and then take the cobblestone road to San Pablo, with a stop along the way at a weaving workshop specialized in fine backstrap loom woven textiles. Lunch is at one of the charming country inns or haciendas of the area. Return to Quito and to hotel Dann Carlton or Alameda Real. (B,L)
Day 4	Galapagos	MON. QUITO-GALAPAGOS-M/V LEGEND : Transfer to the airport for flight to Galapagos. Welcome at Baltra Airport . Briefing on ship's facilities at lounge given by guides as well as National Park. Safety drill practice with passengers, crew and guides. Afternoon visit North Seymour Island . After a dry landing guests will encounter Swallow Tailed Gulls and Sea Lions. This site is also known for being a major nesting colony for Blue Footed Boobies, and the largest colony of the Magnificent Frigate Bird. (a different species from the Great Frigate Bird). Travelers will also spot both endemic species of iguanas, the Marine Iguanas and Land Iguanas. Passengers will enjoy this relaxed hike around the nesting sites. (B,L,D)
Day 5	Galapagos	TUE. GALAPAGOS : Morning at Genovesa Island . Best known as "the island of birds." Passengers enjoy the safe harbor of being anchored deep within the cater formed bay. A dry landing at El Barranco (Prince Philip's Steps). Passengers will walk on lava terrain observing Red Footed Boobies, Frigates, and the fragrant Palo Santo trees. Thousands of Storm Petrels can be seen hovering over the open expanses. Your second visit is a refreshing wet landing, travelers visit Darwin Bay . Visitors will enjoy observing the Red-Footed Boobies, Frigates, Sea Lions, Lava Gulls, Night Herons, and Fiddler Crabs at this site. This site also offers snorkeling in the bay to observe sharks and rays at a safe distance. Passengers never forget the beaches on this island. (B,L,D)
Day 6	Galapagos	WED. GALAPAGOS : Espanola Island . Travelers enjoy a dry landing at Suarez Point. Upon landing visitors will learn more about the lava terrain while crossing the inactive lava fields.. Aside from the Sea Lion colonies, this is one of the most important sites for bird watching. As soon as visitors step foot on this island many species can be spotted and observed up close. Among the many species, the Hooded Mocking bird and Red Billed Tropic Bird can be seen. Travelers will also spot a large colony of Marine Iguanas, Lava Lizards, and the colorful Sally Light Foot Crabs. After a short trek visitors encounter colonies of masked and blue-footed boobies. Nesting grounds sometimes overlap the trail. Visitors will also find Galapagos Doves, Hawks and Swallow-Tailed Gulls. After crossing the nesting grounds you will reach the world's largest colony of Waved Albatross (15000 approx.), Their mating rituals are a highlight. Nearing the end of this excursion passengers will visit the famous blowhole, where water shoots into the air at almost 23 mts. (75 ft.). Afternoon at San Cristobal Island . Dry landing at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Here passengers visit the Interpretation Center providing travelers an opportunity to learn about the natural and human history of the islands through an hour-long interactive presentation. There is some time to shop in town. (B,L,D)
Day 7	Quito	THU. GALAPAGOS-QUITO : Morning arrival at Black Turtle Cove located near Las Bachas beach in the north of Santa Cruz Island . This excursion provides passengers with a "panga" ride though the mangrove, during which the outboard motor of the small boat is turned off. This allows for the close observation of Sea Turtles, White Tipped Reef Sharks, Spotted Eagle Rays, and Yellow Rays. Transfer to the airport for flight to Quito with transfer to hotel Dann Carlton.
Day 8	Miami	FRI. QUITO-MIAMI : Transfer to the airport for flight to Miami and homeward bound. (B)

Dates/Pricing

Disclaimer

From Jan.01 to Mar.31 and from Jun.15 to Aug.15 -please add $100 per person (high season for the air portion). From Dec.09 to 31 -please add $300 per person.
Rates includes airfare from Quito to Galapagos.
*Children rate based -sharing room with 2 adults.
Note: Upgrade to Junior Suite for $196 per person. For the Legend suites add $520 per person.

ADD-ONS & VIA AMERICAN AIRLINES: For same package add $140 from ORL,TPA, JAX, FMY and Zone 1; $190 from ATL; add $230 from BDL, BOS,BWI, EWR, NYC, PHL, RDU, WAS, + Zone 3 - - Add $290 from CHI, CLE, DTT; - Add $320 from DEN, DFW, HOU, MSY, SJU ZONE 2 & 4; Add $390 from LAX, SFO + ZONE 5; Add $410 from Zone 6. RATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME.

World Travel Associates

Galapagos Aboard the M/V Legend

Visiting Quito, Otavalo and cruise around the Galapagos Islands aboard the M/V LEGEND