Our Next Bucket List Adventure!
On most people’s Bucket List is:
a private yacht cruise in the Galapagos Islands.
So that is our newest Bucket-list destination!
It’s an expedition of exploration.
Mark has escorted people there and our customers loved it.
While the islands have interesting differences in vegetation, these extinct volcanic islands are the home to some strange creatures on land and in the ocean.
a private yacht cruise in the Galapagos Islands.
So that is our newest Bucket-list destination!
It’s an expedition of exploration.
Mark has escorted people there and our customers loved it.
While the islands have interesting differences in vegetation, these extinct volcanic islands are the home to some strange creatures on land and in the ocean.
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Our date is now set: October 13-27, 2025. It's the perfect time to go there. The cooler weather has ended and temperatures are 79. It's a month just before the heat starts. In addition, the cooler currents stir the oceans floor, sending fish food to the top – so we get to see the maximum number and varieties of fish.
We have lined up our yacht, guides and locations. It is NOT a cheap tour! In fact, Galapagos cruises are some of the most expensive in the world, but, we know a guy who knows a guy and we’re getting much more reasonable rates. Our full tour of Quito and then the Galapagos Islands cruise and exploration is $4968. This price includes all food aboard the ship, port fees, Galapagos Park fees, and air from Quito to Galapagos and return. All guides, tours, buses are also included. Lower priced tours usually don't include many of these additional fees so beware of hidden costs. International air from the USA to Ecuador and return is NOT included. Our preferred agent is Madina and she has our route and dates. Her phone is 888.985.4801. It is always recommended to spend at least one night in Quito, and we spend two nights so we can tour Quito's colonial city. Plus the excursion to the volcanoes is beautiful and Quito is a very nice city. More about this 430 year old city in the itinerary..
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Register today to secure your place ($500 7-day refundable deposit is required) - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Like our African Safari, Australia/New Zealand, and Croatian cruises, we sell out quickly. Quito & Galapagos Expedition Cruise fare: $4,968 Machu Picchu Extension fare: $2,480 The yacht holds 36 but 20 spots are now sold. |
What happened here: |
Charles Darwin anchored his ship, The Beagle in Galapagos bays and set up science camps on various Galapagos Island and, to better observe these animals, birds and aquatic life. He had to find an explanation as to why these creatures were radically different in many ways to similar creatures found in Peru and Ecuador. |
a quick look at the wildlife
Galapagos Marine and Land Iguanas , Giant Galapagos Tortoises and Green Turtles ... to name just a few,
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Great opportunities for snorkeling and diving in a submerged crater to see a myriad of fish, Galapagos Grey sharks that spend their time on the sea bottom (far from us but the water is so clear you can see them 40 feet below – and they stay away from humans as do the hammerhead sharks we’ve seen).
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The birds are amazing and we see nearly all of these: Flamingos, Herons, Oystercatchers, Flightless Cormorants, Waved Albatross (only during mating season which is when we’ll be there), Galapagos Brown Pelican, Darwin’s Finch, Penguins, Red-chested Magnificent Frigates, Galapagos Hawks, Boobies (red and blue footed) and more.
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Our yacht is similar although a bit larger than the yacht we use in Croatia. It sleeps 36 in nice cabins with some excellent amenities like dining area, outdoor covered lounges as well as indoor lounges. Hot tubs and snorkeling gear are also provided.
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Memories from Mark:
- When I first took a group to the Galapagos Islands, I wondered if people would enjoy an up close experience with the animals and birds. Quickly people understood why Charles Darwin came here -- similar animals to those in South America but with some amazing differences leading Darwin to write his Origin of the Species.
- Snorkeling is great around all the islands we visit. I'm told the ocean floor was 30 feet or more. Way down there I saw some Galapagos Grey Sharks, and gulped. Then I remembered those sharks stay on the bottom, eating and living. There has never been a shark attack there. Too many fish for easy shark pickings. I also saw in the distance two hammerhead sharks. One of our guests "scubed" all over the world and had never seen a hammerhead. I grabbed him and pointed to the two hammerheads who scurried away. No wonder they're called "chicken of the seas."
- On most days we found new sights under the direction of our nature guide. Their insights were critical to understanding this fascinating collection of island. Sometimes we sailed at night; one evening as our dinner was served, we heard the crew yelling for help. We had come across a school of flying fish that kept landing on our decks and the sailors needed our help tossing the fish back. Suddenly, from the sea below there were dozens of sea lions leaping out of the water to grab the flying fish. With a fish in its mouth, each sea lion crashed into the water but just as quickly shot up out of the water, fish firmly in his jaws -- but then he let the fish go only to chased it and capture it again! The sea lions were playing with their food. Crazy sea lions.
- On a beach I couldn't resist lying down on the beach near a sea lion, copying his sleeping pose. When I got into the water, the sea lion followed me but shot past me like I was floating. Then the sea lion circled back, shooting past me but stopped to look at me a few yards away as if to say, "you call THAT swimming. I'll show you swimming." He then darted off, circling me a few times but headed out to sea in a blur.
- On each island we got to hike to where the nesting areas were and the launch sites for the albatross. It’s on a high cliff which we easily came to by hiking up the back way. Cliffs are essential for the winged albatross so the birds can jump off, catch the air currents with their giant wings and head for Peru or wherever. Quite a sight to watch them launch.
AFTER GALAPAGOS YOU CAN OPT TO EXTEND TO MACHU PICCHU, CUSCO, LIM AND THE VALLEY OF THE INCA KINGS….
Take the special Lima, Cusco, Valley of the Inca Kings, Ollantaytambo, and…MACHU PICCHU extension.
If you’ve only been to Machu Picchu, that is great, but you might have missed the whole package. That is a wonderful extension. CLICK HERE for the Extension Itinerary: A Bucket List Vacation. Let us know if you’d like to be added to the “I’m Interested” list.
The Early Bird rate is reduced to just $2,480 for the complete Machu Picchu extension.
Take the special Lima, Cusco, Valley of the Inca Kings, Ollantaytambo, and…MACHU PICCHU extension.
If you’ve only been to Machu Picchu, that is great, but you might have missed the whole package. That is a wonderful extension. CLICK HERE for the Extension Itinerary: A Bucket List Vacation. Let us know if you’d like to be added to the “I’m Interested” list.
The Early Bird rate is reduced to just $2,480 for the complete Machu Picchu extension.