Trip Details

WHO: Divers & non-divers. All ages!

WHEN: June 10-19, 2005

WHERE: Pacific Ocean off Ecuador
Add-ons are available.

COST: (Galapagos Liveaboard adventure only)
$ 2,795 per person double occupancy + airfare
Ecuador add-on adventure
$ 1,600 per person double occupancy + Airfare
(Price subject to change depending on deposit date. Sign up now to lock in this low price.)

COST INCLUDES:

• Liveaboard Diving
  - All inclusive food
  - Unlimited diving
  - Tanks & weight belt
• Entertainment
  - Midnight swims

HOW TO SIGN UP:
A non-refundable $1,000 deposit is required to hold your spot.
Remaining due eight weeks prior to departure date.

COSTS NOT INCLUDED:

• Hotels
• Galapagos hyperbaric chamber $35
• National Park fee $100
• Round trip airfare Quito to boat $390

Trip Necessities

We recommend that you pack light and consider the following items:

• Dive gear (except tank & weight belt)
• Wetsuit - minimum 5 mm
• Dive computer*
• Bathing suit
• Sunscreen, hat
• Sunglasses
• Mosquito repellent
• Party clothes for evening events
• Cool/comfortable clothing
• Walking shoes/sandals
• Camera, film

* Dive computers are not required, but they are strongly suggested because it will significantly increase your bottom time, diving flexibility and safety. If your dive buddy is on computer, you must be also.

ITINERARY:
Jun.10: Quito
Welcome and lodging at your hotel Fuente de Piedra or similar.
Jun.11: Fly and overnight at Guayaquil
June 12: On the liveaboard: welcome aboard Peter Hughes’ M/V Sky Dancer—8 days/7 nights of unlimited diving!
June 20: Quito—Hotel Fuente de Piedra or similar.
June 21: Quito—Otavalo
Otavalo market and Indigenous family lodge North of Quito, visit the small villages of the northern Andes and the Otavalo Indian market, the most important in South America. Practice your Spanish as you barter for local art. Spend the night with a local family at their self-owned lodging part of the UNCORCAC community project. Enjoy a homemade dinner and talking with your new friends.
June 22: Otavalo—Quito Hiking around Cuicocha Lake. This bright blue colored lake is located inside a volcanic crater under the skirts of the Cotacachi volcano. The beautiful scenery is enhanced by the local flora composed of miniature orchids and other Andean flowers. The possibility of spotting local animals includes sightings of foxes, llamas, Andean ducks and even the majestic Condor. After hiking there is the optional possibility of taking a short cruise around the islets found in the Lake. Afternoon back to Quito and lodging.
June 23: Quito—Cotopaxi and market. Departure from Quito through The Panamericana South Highway, enjoying the beautiful landscapes of the place, We will visit the Saquisilí market (only Thursdays) where native people of the region expose and sell their handicrafts, continuing we will arrive at the impressive active volcano Cotopaxi (5897 m. high). During our staying at the National Park we will visit its museum, the natural environment of the place, its animals and plants, stop a the Limpiopungo Lake, depending on the weather conditions, we can ascend to the parking lot of the Cotopaxi National Park and admire the environment. Return to Quito Entrance to the Cotopaxi National Park is not included.
June 24: Quito-Coca Manatee Amazon Cruise Morning departure by plane from Quito to Francisco de Orellana (Coca), a center of oil production, named in honor to the Spanish Conqueror who discovered the Amazon River in 1541. The Manatee will be awaiting near this river port and guests reach it by motor canoe on the Napo River. Once aboard the Manatee Amazon Explorer a thrilling adventure of exploring the tropical rain forest and its native communities will begin. The courteous crew will attend to your needs and the guides will introduce you to the surprising Amazon world, its people, more than 560 species of birds, and hundreds of botanical wonders. The Manatee sails along different ecosystems and important natural reserves such as the Yasuni National Park and the Limoncocha Biological Reserve.
June 25: Terra Firmae Forest, Lakes and Gorges Parrots and the Limoncocha Biological Reserve, Early departure by motor canoe to visit a very special corner of the jungle, the clay banks of the river where different species of parrots gather daily to eat this clay that helps them digest the seeds they feed on. It is quite a sight, colorful and noisy! Then, back aboard the Manatee to sail upriver and reach one of the tributaries of the Napo to observe the flora and fauna, the surprising pygmy monkeys. Then a trek to the installations of what was the Summer Institute of Linguistics of South America in Limoncocha, currently the only Biological Reserve of Ecuador. Upon reaching the Limoncocha Lake, we will board a canoe and travel along the banks of this marshy ecosystem, where over 470 species of birds have been recorded. There is a possibility to fish for piranha, and a short walk. At night, it is possible to observe the black caimans who inhabit the lagoon, quite an experience... Late return to the Manatee for dinner and overnight.
June 26: Culture / The Amazonian man / Giants of the Forest. The adventure today begins with a visit to the Museum of Pompeya, a small archaeology sample with Amazonian funeral urns that date back several centuries, as well as utensils and ways of life of the ancient denizens of the rain forest, which can still be seen today. We will also have the opportunity to see the giant tress of the Amazon, like the kapok, which rise over the forest canopy to more than 80 meters high, with huge roots. Guests can also try rowing the canoes on a tranquil tributary of the Napo River up to the house of a native family, to share a moment with them and learn their ways of life.
June 27: The Return. While the Manatee navigates upriver, the guides wrap up our knowledge of the great Amazon region. Then transfer to the airport for the flight to Quito. Transfer in your hotel and lodging.
June 28: Quito City + Linea Colonial city tour of Quito & Equator line. Visit the colonial center of Quito and see a variety of colonial churches, plazas and museums. Finally, drive up to el Panecillo Hill to have a spectacular view of Quito and to see the amazing 20-meter-high statue of the winged virgin overlooking the city. After visiting the colonial center, see the Middle of the World Monument 30 minutes north of Quito. Optional entrance to the Ethnographic Museum on site. Accommodation Eugenia or similar.
June 29: Quito—Transfer out international.

Galapagos Islands

Come visit the site were the theory of evolution evolved, where change is almost tangible. A place where uniqueness can be witnessed both above and below the water. We’ve planned this 8-day, world-class liveaboard trip for June to almost ensure encountering whale sharks. There is no better time of year! In addition, you’re almost guaranteed to swim with hammerheads and huge schools of pelagic fish. The sights around Darwin Island will impress even the most experienced diver. Not to mention the attractions you’ll observe from above. After 7 days of remarkable diving, 5-star service and gourmet food, you can visit the mainland of Ecuador.

Options include touring the capital city of Quito, white water river rafting, and volcanic tours. You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the colorful handcrafts, music and culture of the local Ecuadorian Indians. For the adventurous travelers, a trip to the headwaters of the Amazon is only a short flight away and a wonderful way to wrap up this summer adventure.

Galapagos dive adventures book up a year in advance. If you want to join this adventure, you need to pay a $1000 deposit now! Cost of the liveaboard dive excursion is $2,795, excluding airfare. This will be a trip to remember, call to hold your spot today!

The M/V Sky Dancer

The newest liveaboard boat from Peter Hughes Diving, the M/V Sky Dancer, cruises the Galapagos Islands in search of sea lions, penguins, schooling hammerhead sharks, turtles, stingrays, and the magnificent mantas. Included in planned itineraries are visits to the very remote islands of Wolf and Darwin. The newly constructed Sky Dancer will feature all the Dancer Fleet amenities you have come to expect including Nitrox fills, private en-suite facilities, spacious lounge areas, fine dining and more.

THE FOLLOWING SEVEN-NIGHT ITINERARY IS A SAMPLE ONLY—Weather Dependent
Sky Dancer’s itinerary offers a total of approximately 19 dives. It offers 4 land excursions, and covers 565.5 nautical miles of ocean. It has only one very long navigation (15 hours from Wolf to North Seymour). It also places Darwin & Wolf Islands closer to the end of the trip, and finishes the diving with two really great dive sites (North Seymour & Gordon’s rocks) that you won’t forget.

When the TAME or AEROGAL flight is scheduled for early arrival, the Sky Dancer crew will escort all guests to the Galapagos Interpretation Center after being greeted at the airport and before boarding the Sky Dancer. This gives our guests a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the oceanography and volcanic origins, plus a very nice exhibit on the human history of the Galapagos Islands.

Sunday: Guests are welcomed aboard at approximately 1:00. After a short period of relaxation and adjustment there is a briefing and mandatory “checkout dive” at Isla Lobos. A land walk at Isla Lobos is also scheduled. Dinner at 7:00 pm followed by Orientation Slide Show. Each weekday morning is greeted with morning beverage service to your stateroom and a breakfast cooked to order. Lunch is always buffet, but an elegant dinner will be served to the table. Each evening provides an opportunity for entertainment, education or other diversion.

Monday: two dives at Cousins Rock in the morning and a land excursion at Bartolome Island. Possible opportunity to snorkel with penguins at Bartolome. Night dive at Cousins Rock.

Tuesday: Land walk at Punta Espinosa and possibly opportunities to snorkel with Marine Iguanas. Three dives this day including Caleta Tagus Cove and Punta Vicente Roca, an excellent night dive.

Wednesday to Friday: These days will include diving at the remote Wolf and Darwin Islands with up to four or five dives per day on Wednesday and Thursday and two dives on Friday before returning to the central islands.

Saturday: Two dives will be scheduled at North Seymour and possibly Gordon Rocks in the Morning with a visit to Puerta Ayora in the afternoon for shopping and a tour of the Charles Darwin Research Station.

Sunday: 8:00 am departure is preceeded by a continental breakfast buffet. Once guests disembark there is still an opportunity to visit the Interpretation Center at San Cristobal before boarding the flight back to Ecuador’s mainland.

This is a “Sample Itinerary Only.” Itineraries may be changed due to current or pending weather conditions or at the Captain’s discretion to ensure the safety of the passengers, crew and vessel.