Vassar Galapagos

GALAPAGOSAugust 3 to 10, 2010

Arrive in Quito, Ecuador – a city with more than 400 years of

history.

The lovely Hotel Mercure Alameda is centrally located for convenient access to key attractions and amenities.

Tour Quito’s architectural masterpieces.

San Francisco Church

Quito Cathedral Square

Journey through the centuries at the Museum of the City of Quito.

Shop for handmade goods and absorb the sights and sounds of lively Otavalo Market…

…South America’s most famous Indian fair.

Fly to the Galapagos Islands, to follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin…

M/V Santa CruzYour luxurious vessel is known for its excellent standards, superb

service, expert crew and extremely knowledgeable guides.

…but with 21st century luxury accommodations!

Ship Features

• The only ship built exclusively for cruising the Galapagos Islands.

• Recently renovated, inside and out.• 47 cabins on 4 decks, holds 90 passengers:

- 2 master suites, each with a private balcony and 2 junior suites;

- 4 superior-class cabins and 39 standard cabins.• Excellent ratio of staff to guests: 52 crew

members, six naturalist guides.• Entire ship is air-conditioned; all cabins have

private facilities.• Elegantly appointed dining room, lounge, bar and

well-stocked library.• Sun Deck with bar and jacuzzi.• Observation platform for dolphin and whale

watching. • Aromatherapy and Relaxation Center with full

suite of massage services.• Masks, fins and snorkels (in average sizes)

available free of charge.• Wet suits available (limited basis) for a

nominal fee.

Begin your adventure on San Cristobal Island...

…at the stunning

white coraline beach of

Cerro Brujo.

Curious sea lions pose for

pictures as you stroll along.

Colorful birds create their own photo ops!

Blue-footed Boobies

Nazca Boobies

You may be lucky enough to spot

Yellow Warbler, the rare

Chatham Mockingbird and

the endemic Vermillion Flycatcher.

…one of the most outstanding wildlife areas

of the archipelago...

Hood Mockingbird

Next day, disembark on Hood Island and visit

Punta Suarez...

Lava lizard

…and the only nesting site in the Galapagos for the Waved Albatross.

At a blow hole site, during heavy swells, a thundering spray surges 30 feet into the air!

Sail to Floreana Island and disembark at Punta Cormorant, marveling at its distinctive beaches.

Watchflamingos and stilts frolick in a large

salt lagoon.

Look for frigates, pelicans and other unique birds in Devil’s Crown, an eroded volcanic cone.

Venture into the center of the crown for snorkeling

with sea lions & a rainbow of tropical fish.

Disembark on the rugged shoreline of Fernandina Island – the youngest & most pristine landscape of

the chain.

The largest colony of marine iguanas resides here—you’ll see hundreds basking in the sun!

Along with sea lion harems guarded tenaciously by resident bulls.

Flightless Cormorantsnest on the rocky points.

Galapagos Hawks patrol the rocky coastline.

Explore the coastline of Isabela Island, the largest in the chain. Its dramatic landscape was created by the lava flow of six volcanoes.

Witness the rich marine life on a snorkeling adventure off the coast of partly-sunken Ecuador Volcano.

Galapagos Penguin – the only penguin species in North America.

Pelican

Tern

Fur seal

Rise early for one final Galapagos adventure: Charles Darwin Research Station

Enjoy a scenic bus ride along the highlands en route to Puerto Ayora, observing changes in vegetation along the way.

Learn about the center’s important research and conservation efforts…

including a captive-breeding program for the Galapagos’

legendary giant tortoises.

Stroll among an impressive giant prickly-pear cactusforest.

Bid “adios” to Charles Darwin’s living laboratory and its unique inhabitants as you drive to Baltra Island and transfer to Guayaquil.

Hotel Oro Verde

Depart the next morning for home, bringing with you spectacular memories and stunning photos from one of the most unique places on Earth.

Optional Post-Extension

CUSCO & MACHU PICCHUJune 11-19, 2009

Jose Antonio Executive Hotel

Your excursion begins in Lima’s upscale district of Miraflores after your flight from Guayaquil.

Next morning, fly to Cusco, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere.

Elegant Hotel Picoaga, your home for the next four nights.

Tour Cusco, a unique blend of Spanish and Incanheritage with many architectural wonders.

Many of the city’s stone walls are from Incan times.

The Baroque Cathedral of Cusco is the highlight of the

Plaza de Armas.

Enjoy the lively music and vibrant traditional clothing of Cusco’snative people.

Visit the massive Incan fortress of Sacsayhuaman.

Puma’s Paw

A 20 foot statue of Christ overlooks the city from a nearby hilltop.

Tambo Machay, the traditional bathing place for the Inca royalty

Temple of the Sun

Continue your adventure in Pisac, where a vital Incan road once snaked its way up the canyon and into the sacred Urubamba Valley.

Set high above the valley, the Pisac Citadelcontrolled this route.

Its impressive terraces,

temples and ducts are cut

from solid rock.

Stop at Pisac’s Market Day for beautiful handcrafted jewelry, leather, woolens, carpets, alpaca, and the vibrant local culture.

Explore Ollantaytambo, a major Incan fortress and temple.

All aboard to the ‘Lost City of the Incas’…

…Discovered in 1911 by Yale archaeologist Hiram Bingham.

Return to Cusco, where you have a day at leisure.

Next morning, fly to Lima, where a dayroom awaits you at the Jose Antonio Executive Hotel. Your afternoon is free to explore on your own.

Restaurant Rosa Nautica

Parque del Amor

Bid farewell to the ancient mysteries of Peru this evening as you board your overnight flight to Miami.

Your Adventure Costs

Main Trip: August 3 to 10, 2010• $3,795 per person, double occupancy,

land only, based on Main Deck Standard Cabin

• Single Supplement: $1,995 per person • Round-trip Air:

• From Miami: $900 per person • From New York or Houston: $1,300

per person *Rates include all flights within Ecuador

and departure taxes• Cabin Upgrades: $80-$772 per person,

depending on cabin level

Optional Extension: August 9 to 15, 2010• $1,795 per person, land only, double

occupancy• Single Supplement: $695 per person• Air from Ecuador & within Peru: $950

per person

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contact Classic Escapes.