Atlas Cruises & Tours www.escortedgeneraltours.com
A division of the Atlas Travel Network
Journey to the Galapagos - 2010 Departures
A n  8-Day tour starting from $3,499

Live, experienced travel consultants available:
1-800-942-3301
Monday-Friday 9AM - 6:30PM Eastern Time
9AM - 2PM Saturdays

Tour Length:    8 Days
Tour Type:    Fixed Departure Dates
Tour Category:    Uncategorized
Tour Operator:    General Tours
Tour Code:    GT-394
About This Tour
Discover Ecuador’s unforgettable diversity... from amazing wildlife and geology in the Galapagos to the Colonial-era monuments of Quito. Tour the capital, nestled in the high Andes, and then step aboard our deluxe all-suites vessel. You’ll voyage farther through the archipelago to join our handpicked naturalists for amazing animal encounters on seven unique islands!
What's Included?

Engaging Discoveries for our World Travelers
  • More time in Quito means you’ll discover all the World Heritage monuments of the city. Dine at El Ventanal... Famed for creative Ecuadorian fusion cuisine and dramatic views over Quito. Encounter more creatures on more islands! Built for speedy ocean cruising, our ship even takes you to remote Isabela Island, where nutrient-rich ocean currents promise spectacular wildlife-viewing. 2 World Heritage Sites #WHS#
Superior, all-inclusive value!

We feature a superior ship, a deluxe hotel, excellent meals, wine with dinner and naturalist-guided excursions on 7 unique islands. We even include your National Park fee, Transit Control Card and all internal flights!






HOTEL INFORMATION:

Swissotel
Hotel Class:
Swissotel (Quito, Ecuador)
 
Sightseeing / Highlights

Engaging Discoveries for our World Travelers
  • More time in Quito means you’ll discover all the World Heritage monuments of the city. Dine at El Ventanal... Famed for creative Ecuadorian fusion cuisine and dramatic views over Quito. Encounter more creatures on more islands! Built for speedy ocean cruising, our ship even takes you to remote Isabela Island, where nutrient-rich ocean currents promise spectacular wildlife-viewing. 2 World Heritage Sites #WHS#
Superior, all-inclusive value!

We feature a superior ship, a deluxe hotel, excellent meals, wine with dinner and naturalist-guided excursions on 7 unique islands. We even include your National Park fee, Transit Control Card and all internal flights!
Your Itinerary
Day 1 - Welcome to Quito#WHS#
Check in to the deluxe Swissotel, perfectly located in the heart of this Colonial gem.

Day 2 - Discover the Colonial monuments of the capital
Your in-depth exploration of Quito begins along the grand Avenue of 12 October past Alameda Park, the Basilica of the National Vow, famed for its grand bell towers, and the National Congress. Arriving in the historic heart of the city, continue with your guide for a walking tour to see the capital’s finely-preserved, centuries-old architecture, including the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Church of the Compania de Jesus and the Church of San Francisco.

Then ascend into the Andean peaks that surround the city for commanding views over the city and its magnificent mountain backdrop. This evening you dine at El Ventanal, a stylish restaurant with a dramatic and enviable hilltop location; this was the ancient site of the Temple of the Moon. Meals B

Day 3 - Fly to the Galapagos Islands#WHS#
After arriving on Baltra Island you’ll be met and escorted to your waiting ship, the deluxe MV Galapagos Explorer II. After settling-in to your outside stateroom, step ashore to visit Dragon Hill, overlooking a beautiful bay on Santa Cruz Island. Dinner onboard is followed by a briefing from the ship’s engaging staff of experienced naturalists. Each night you can attend these talks previewing the next day’s activities. Meals B,L,D

Day 4 - Morning on Bartolomé Island. James Island in the afternoon!
Bartolomé is famous for its dramatic geological formations, including Pinnacle Rock. A short hike brings you to the summit for a panoramic view. After lunch onboard, the ship sails to James Island where you make landing on a pristine black sand beach, surrounded by fantastic rock formations. A mile-long trail brings you to inter-tidal pools along the coast, home to land iguanas feeding on the exposed algae, Oyster Catchers and Sally Lightfoot Crabs. At trails-end is Fur Seal Grotto, one of the few places on the islands where this wonderful creature can be seen. Meals B,L,D

Day 5 - To the edge of the archipelago... Fernandina & Isabela Islands!
As you prepare to land on Fernandina, keep your eyes peeled for penguins diving off the rocks and marina iguanas congregating in large groups. You can even snorkel and witness the rare spectacle of these iguanas feeding underwater. This morning’s hike crosses two lava flows to a small peninsula, home to flightless cormorants. At the edge of the archipelago is Isabela Island, visited only by faster boats like the Explorer II. Your afternoon exploration of the island’s northwestern tip is well-worth the journey. Sailing by dingy, you’ll travel along imposing coastal cliffs – home to blue-footed and masked boobies, Galapagos penguins, pelicans, and fur seals. The rocky shoreline also attracts sea-turtles who come to feed in these waters and with good conditions, snorkeling here can be spectacular. Manta rays, sea-turtles and sea lions are often seen. Meals B,L,D

Day 6 - About North Seymour and Santa Cruz Islands
Walk along the flat trails of North Seymour to see colonies of blue-footed boobies and the magnificent frigate bird. On Santa Cruz you’ll see evidence of the island’s geological power on a walk through lava tubes. Exploring here in the highlands also offers a rare and exciting opportunity to observe the giant tortoise in its natural habitat. Meals B,L,D

Day 7 - An afternoon flight back to Quito
Depending upon sea conditions and flights, your last day’s activities will include a visit to the sea lion colony at La Loberia, a visit to El Junco Lake, or a tour of the Galapagos Interpretation Center. An afternoon flight returns you to the capital where you’ll be greeted and escorted back to the Swissotel. Meals B,L

Day 8 - Bid farewell to Quito
Your program with us finishes today. Meals B

[Note: You can visit the vibrant Pacific port of Guayaquil instead of Quito. Ask your Travel Professional or contact us for details.]
Dates & Prices

To speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301.

Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date
       
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9/16/2010
9/24/2010
$3,739
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9/23/2010
10/1/2010
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9/30/2010
10/8/2010
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10/2/2010
10/10/2010
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10/7/2010
10/15/2010
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10/7/2010
10/15/2010
$4,099
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10/7/2010
10/15/2010
$4,299
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10/7/2010
10/15/2010
$3,799
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10/14/2010
10/22/2010
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10/14/2010
10/22/2010
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10/14/2010
10/22/2010
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10/14/2010
10/22/2010
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10/21/2010
10/29/2010
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10/21/2010
10/29/2010
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10/21/2010
10/29/2010
$4,299
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10/21/2010
10/29/2010
$3,799
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10/28/2010
11/5/2010
$3,599
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10/28/2010
11/5/2010
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10/28/2010
11/5/2010
$3,799
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10/28/2010
11/5/2010
$4,299
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11/4/2010
11/12/2010
$3,499
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11/4/2010
11/12/2010
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11/4/2010
11/12/2010
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11/4/2010
11/12/2010
$4,199
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11/11/2010
11/19/2010
$4,299
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11/11/2010
11/19/2010
$4,099
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11/11/2010
11/19/2010
$3,599
Call (800) 942-3301
11/11/2010
11/19/2010
$3,799
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11/18/2010
11/26/2010
$3,699
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11/18/2010
11/26/2010
$3,499
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11/18/2010
11/26/2010
$4,199
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11/18/2010
11/26/2010
$3,999
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11/25/2010
12/3/2010
$3,799
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11/25/2010
12/3/2010
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11/25/2010
12/3/2010
$4,199
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11/25/2010
12/3/2010
$3,999
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11/25/2010
12/3/2010
$3,499
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12/2/2010
12/10/2010
$3,699
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12/2/2010
12/10/2010
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12/2/2010
12/10/2010
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12/2/2010
12/10/2010
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12/9/2010
12/17/2010
$3,499
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12/9/2010
12/17/2010
$3,799
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12/9/2010
12/17/2010
$3,999
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12/9/2010
12/17/2010
$3,699
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12/9/2010
12/17/2010
$4,199
Call (800) 942-3301
12/16/2010
12/24/2010
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12/23/2010
12/31/2010
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12/23/2010
12/31/2010
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12/23/2010
12/31/2010
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12/23/2010
12/31/2010
$3,599
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12/30/2010
1/7/2011
$4,299
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12/30/2010
1/7/2011
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12/30/2010
1/7/2011
$3,799
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12/30/2010
1/7/2011
$4,099
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Specials

World Traveler 2% Cash Discount

If you make payment by check, money order or electronic cash withdrawal and pay-in-full for your General Tours trip within 7 days of making your reservation, we'll discount the entire cost of your trip by 2%.

Your entire balance must be paid by personal check, travel agency check, money order or authorized electronic debit withdrawal (ACH) from a checking account to qualify; and your payment must be received by General Tours not later than seven (7) days from the date of your reservation to qualify. We recommend using a traceable overnight delivery method. If your check or electronic debit is returned from your bank for any reason, your reservation will no longer qualify for the 2% cash discount; a $25 processing fee will be added to your account balance; and all future payments will need to be made by credit card or certified funds.


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Explore the world with your family and friends for a more enriching travel experience… Save $50 each when 3 guests travel together, $100 each when 4 guests travel together, and $150 each when 5 or more guests travel together. Combine these savings with your AAA or AARP Member Benefit and save even more!
Important Note:
All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.