Big Five's 2010 Galapagos Cruises

STUART, Fla., July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Like Charles Darwin 175 years ago, travelers have long been drawn to the unique Galapagos Islands.  More than 500 miles off the west coast of Ecuador, these biologically distinctive islands are still geologically young and have become famous for their vast number of endemic species.  

Big Five Tours & Expeditions offers a number of Galapagos touring options such as its eight-day Precious Journeys: Ecuador, which includes a three-night island cruise aboard the luxurious M/V Galapagos Legend.  

Many visitors are delightfully amazed to discover how truly interactive a Galapagos experience can be.  People are strictly prohibited from touching, feeding or interfering with the animals; however, the animals don't always abide by the rules.

"I found myself having to step away from an adorable baby seal that wanted to rub against my leg," laughs Yvette Denizard, who visited the islands with Big Five.  "It was a much more up-close and personal experience than I really expected. Sometimes, birds nested on the trails and sea lions draped themselves across stone steps, blocking the way.  I loved it."  

Exploring the islands' varied habitats brings guests in close proximity to a wide range of animals and birdlife  -- from sea lion colonies, large numbers of marine iguanas, lava lizards, and Sally Light-foot crabs, to blue footed boobies, penguins, and 13 species of Darwin finches. Snorkeling or scuba diving the waters around the islands allows you to encounter marine animals like spotted eagle rays, golden rays, mullets, sharks and sea turtles.

Travelers who have enjoyed island cruises elsewhere on large-passenger cruise lines are surprised to learn that most ships in the Galapagos are much smaller than their Caribbean counterparts.  The M/V Galapagos Legend used in this program has a capacity of just 100 passengers, and is specifically designed for Galapagos Islands cruising, with all the amenities of a larger cruise liner, while retaining the privacy of a small ship.  

A Galapagos Islands cruise adventure offers wonderful opportunities for families to learn together and play together, and makes for a fulfilling family vacation.  Big Five's Precious  Journeys: Ecuador starts from $2650 per person, and includes a three-night Galapagos cruise, three nights in Quito with luxury tours exploring the city and the outlining areas such as Otavalo Indigenous Market, the most famous in South America.

SOURCE Big Five Tours & Expeditions