Where the wild things are
Bargain Galapagos Islands package is one of several tours worth checking out
By Rosemary McClure
LOS ANGELES TIMES
Saturday, September 14, 2002
Visit the Galapagos Islands — Ecuador's legendary wildlife preserve — and the Spanish colonial capital of Quito on a low-cost tour that combines a three-night island cruise with a mainland hotel stay.
Seven-day packages, from $999 per person, double occupancy, are available through Dec. 23.
The Galapagos, 600 miles off Ecuador's coast, are considered a showcase of evolution in action. Their diverse species were chronicled by English naturalist Charles Darwin, who visited in 1835 and devised his theory of evolution based on the living laboratory he found there. The archipelago, a cluster of 13 major volcanic islands and scores of islets and rocks, is part of the Ecuadorean national park system.
During the cruise, passengers visit five islands and are taken to shore in small groups, accompanied by a multilingual naturalist. There is time for walking, swimming, snorkeling and photography.
In Quito, participants take a half-day tour of the historic city, go on an excursion to the Otavalo Indian market and have time to tour the region.
The package is made up of three nights aboard ship, four nights in a hotel in Quito, airport transfers, some meals and sightseeing. Air fare from Quito to the Galapagos to board the ship (about $340), admission to the national park ($100) and round-trip air fare from Los Angeles to Quito are extra.
Departure dates are Sept. 30, Oct. 7, Nov. 4, Dec. 9 and 16. Longer cruises are available.
• Adventure Associates/Metropolitan Touring; (800) 527-2500, www.metropolitan-touring.com. |
