Call us : +1 (561) 841-1551
Itinerary
Journey to the Galapagos Islands 2019
Date:
March 15, 2019 - March 25, 2019
Meeting point:
Palm Beach, FL (KPBI)
Length:
11 days / 10 nights
Mileage:
3,410 NM
Day 1 - Friday, March 15: West Palm Beach, FL → Boscobel, Jamaica → Cartagena, Colombia (525 + 485nm)
We’ll meet at Signature Flight Support FBO of Palm Beach Intl. Airport (KPBI) for a briefing about the forthcoming flight.
Our flight today will bring us over Cuba before landing in Boscobel (Jamaica) to refuel. We’ll then continue on to Colombia – one of the most ethnically diverse nations in South America – for our visit to Cartagena.
Undeniably one of Latin America’s most beautiful cities, Cartagena is lost somewhere in time between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries, with the Caribbean sea as a sparkling backdrop.
Sir Francis Drake laid siege to the city but the fortress walls and cannons remain, making the area within the old walled city a living museum.
There will be time to relax before we enjoy a well-deserved welcome cocktail and dinner.
Hotel : Sofitel Santa Clara
Welcome cocktail and Dinner included
Day 2 - Saturday, March 16: Cartagena
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cartagena is a city with a wealth of character and well-preserved colonial architecture. With restored mansions, horse-drawn carriages and Old World-style plazas, it is a perfect walking city.
With our local guide we’ll enjoy a walking tour of the historic walled old town as we discover the hidden history of this colonial city. We’ll see Puerta Del Reloj (Clock tower entrance), a symbol of Cartagena, the Plaza San Pedro Claver with its stunning Church, and Plaza Bolivar.
After lunch our tour continues with a drive to visit the impressive Castillo San Felipe. Built in the 17th century to protect the city from marauding invaders, it is the largest Spanish fortification in the Americas. Next, see the 17th century Convent of La Popa, a beautiful convent building that sits atop the highest point in the city, commanding spectacular views of the bay, old town and Caribbean Sea beyond.
Hotel : Sofitel Santa Clara
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 3 - unday, March 17: Cartagena → Guayaquil, Ecuador (795nm)
Fly to Guayaquil, Ecuador – gateway to the Galapagos Islands. Guayaquil is Ecuador’s largest city and an important trade center.
Strategically located in the downtown commercial and banking heart of the city, the Hilton Colon Guayaquil is only a short transfer from the airport.
Hotel : Hilton Colon Guayaquil
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 4 - Monday, March 18: Guayaquil to Baltra, Galapagos
Embarkation
Today we will fly commercial airline (ticket not included) to Baltra in the Galapagos. Upon arrival, transfer to the highlands, where we’ll learn about Santa Cruz’s unique ecosystems and biodiversity. Lunch is at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Highlands
After lunch, we continue by bus to reach a reserve that is one of the best places in the archipelago to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. The tortoises are easy to spot, lumbering around, eating grass and leaves and wallowing in the small pools. There are several lava tunnels in the reserve, too. A short bus ride takes us down to Puerto Ayora to board Yacht La Pinta.
Hotel : Y/La Pinta
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 5 - Tuesday, March 19: Eden Islet and Sombrero Chino Islet
Morning: Eden Islet (Santa Cruz Island)
A panga ride takes us to Eden Islet, located off the coast of Santa Cruz, where we can observe blue footed boobies diving into the water, reef sharks and frigates.
There’s a chance to snorkel and, if weather conditions permit, to ride in the glass-bottom boat. The volcanic setting of this area is quite stunning due to its variety of volcanic debris, including cinder cones, tuff cones, and semi-eroded lava flows.
Afternoon: Sombrero Chino Islet
The tiny island of Sombrero Chino gets its name from its appearance, reminiscent of a Chinese hat. This islet, formed only fairly recently, makes a beautiful visit as one explores the wildlife along its 400-metre long trail, which begins at a crescent-shaped white sandy beach.
The cove offers excellent swimming and snorkeling opportunities amid white-tipped reef sharks and Galapagos penguins.
Hotel : Y/La Pinta
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 6 - Wednesday, March 20: Bartolomé Island & Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island)
Morning: Bartolomé Island
This morning, a Galapagos icon awaits: Bartolomé Island. A great way to start the day, with a steep climb up a wooden
staircase: the view from the top is worth the effort! Following the walk, we take to the dinghies for a ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock, followed by time to enjoy the beach and some snorkeling. We can also ride in the glass-bottom boat for great views of the underwater world.
Afternoon: Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island)
After lunch, we board the pangas to land at Sullivan Bay on the east coast of Santiago, a white coral sand beach great for swimming and snorkelling, and with a trail over a lava field that flowed here less than 100 years ago. This is the perfect place to see and feel the volcanic origin of Galapagos while observing its wildlife.
Hotel : Y/La Pinta
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 7 - Thursday, March 21: Darwin Bay and Prince Philip’s Steps (Genovesa Island)
Morning: Darwin Bay
We begin our exploration of this island with an easy stroll to observe marine and land birds. There is an optional walk over sharp lava and uneven terrain for dramatic views, or else we can return to the beach to enjoy swimming and snorkeling at this beautiful natural harbor. The more adventurous can snorkel along the cliffs or paddle sea kayaks.
Afternoon: Prince Philip’s Steps (Genovesa Island)
Enjoy a panga ride along the cliffs before we disembark for a short but steep climb up a wooden staircase. Once at the top, the land is flat, allowing for a captivating walk of about a mile to the other side of this small island, observing large colonies of Nazca boobies, frigate birds and storm petrels and the elusive short eared owl.
Hotel : Y/La Pinta
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 8 - Friday, March 22: Baltra Island and Guayaquil
We disembark at Baltra Island where we transfer to the airport to take the commercial flight (ticket not included) back to Guayaquil.
Upon arrival in Guayaquil, transfer to the Hilton Colon hotel.
Hotel : Hilton Colon Guayaquil
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 9 - Saturday, March 23: Guayaquil → Panama City, Panama (665 nm)
We will retrieve our planes and fly to Panama. Enjoy a scenic approach to Panama City including a beautiful view of the Panama Canal.
Hotel : Waldorf Astoria Panama
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 10 - Sunday, March 24: Panama City
After breakfast we will depart for our full day sightseeing tour including a one-hour tour on the Panama Canal with the pleasure to enjoy the vegetation and wildlife (monkeys).
We will then proceed to the Miraflores Lock where you will be able to watch ships entering the lock and discover the new museum where you can test your skills to enter the lock on a simulator. A buffet lunch will be served at the Miraflores Restaurant providing a great view of the canal.
In the afternoon, we will continue our tour including the Old City with the most important sites.
Hotel : Waldorf Astoria Panama
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 11 - Monday, March 25: Panama City → Grand Cayman → Key West, FL (625 + 315nm)
We will transfer to the airport and fly to Key West to clear US Customs. There will be an optional technical stop in Grand Cayman to refuel.
Breakfast included