Day 1 Sunday Morning: Arrive at Baltra, Galapagos
The flight from Quito (via Guayaquil ) to the Galapagos is approximately 2 ½ hours on a Boeing 727. Upon arrival at Baltra travelers pass through an airport inspection point to ensure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands and to pay the park entrance fee of $100 (unless prepaid as in your case). Guides will meet you, collect your luggage and escort you on the short bus ride to the harbor. Motorized rafts, called ‘ Pangas ' will transport you to the motoryacht Eden and our crew will welcome you onboard. After departure and lunch, the first island visit is made.
Sunday Afternoon: Santa Cruz ( Indefatigable ) Island — Las Bachas Beach
Las Bachas is a white sandy beach that is a major egg-laying site for sea turtles, Las Bachas refers to the indentations left in the sand by egg laying turtles and departing hatchlings. On shore are marine iguanas, and, in the lagoon, flamingos are common. A newer visitor site
Day 2 Monday Morning: North Seymour Island
Afternoon disembarkation (dry landing) for a walk along the coast and the interior of the island, observing bird colonies of blue footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow tailed gulls and also sea lions and marine iguanas. A shorter walk is also available.
Monday afternoon: Santa Fé ( Barrington ) Island
Early morning (pre-breakfast) visit to Santa Fé ( Barrington ) Island. This island, according to the latest geological studies, shows the islands' oldest rocks. The small bay on Santa Fe 's northern coast provides one of the most picturesque harbors within the archipelago. A large sea lion colony inhabits most of the surrounding landing site. Follow the trail among a very tall forest of opuntia cacti, where large and somewhat pale land iguanas, that are island endemics, can be seen. A variety of finches and the Galápagos mockingbird abound.
Day 3 Tuesday Morning : Hood (Española) Island —Punta Suarez
Punta Suarez is one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago, with a long list of species found along its cliffs and sand or pebble beaches. In addition to five species of nesting seabirds there are the curious and bold Hood Island mockingbirds, Galapagos doves and Galapagos hawks. Several types of reptiles, including the brilliantly colored marine iguana and the oversized lava lizard, are unique to this island. When heavy swells are running, Punta Suarez is also the site of a spectacular blowhole, with thundering spray shooting 30 yards into the air
Tuesday Afternoon: Hood (Española) Island— Gardner Bay
One of the oldest of the islands, Hood is small and flat with no visible volcanic crater or vent. Gardner Bay is on the eastern shore and has a magnificent beach. This beach is frequented by a transient colony of sea lions, and is a major nesting site for marine turtles. Around the small islets nearby, snorkelers will find lots of fish and sometimes turtles and sharks. On a trail leading to the western tip of the island you'll pass the only nesting sites in the Galapagos of the waved albatross, huge birds with a 6-foot wingspan. These huge birds nest here from April to December and represent the majority of the world's population of this species.
Day 4 Wednesday Morning: Point Cormorant ( Floreana Island )
After breakfast, disembark at Point Cormorant (wet landing) for an easy walk to see the flamingos that inhabit a brackish-water lagoon, and other birds like ducks, stilts, sandpipers, etc. There is great snorkeling from the beach or near by, at the Devil's Crown. Those who do not snorkel can enjoy a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Lunch on board.
Wednesday afternoon: Post Office Bay ( Floreana Island )
Wet landing at the historical Post Office Bay to learn about the human side of the islands, its early inhabitants and the adventures of pirates and whalers. Then, a panga ride will take you to nearby islets to observe sea lions, rays and sea turtles, boobies and possibly the Galapagos penguin. Naturalist's briefing and dinner.
Day 5 Thursday Morning: Santa Cruz (Indefatigable) Island— Puerto Ayora Town
Charles Darwin Research Station
Santa Cruz is the only inhabited island to be visited during this Galapagos cruise. Puerto Ayora, with a population of about 10,000 people is the location of the Charles Darwin Research Station, world famous for its tortoise breeding programs.
Thursday Afternoon
After touring the Station, journey by bus into the highlands to Los Gemelos (The Twins), the two deep pit craters situated in the Scalesia forest with lots of interesting bird life. Go for a walk through the giant lava tubes, visit the Tortoise Reserve to search for giant tortoises in their natural surroundings. There will be some free time to explore the town of Puerto Ayora on your own.
Day 6 Friday Morning: Santiago ( San Salvador , James) Island— James Bay
This island has several sites to visit at the western end of James Bay . Puerto Egas, with its black sand beaches, was the site of small salt mining industry in the 1960s and a hike inland to the salt crater is an excellent opportunity to sight land birds such as finches, doves, and hawks. A walk down the rugged shoreline, especially at low tide, will turn up many marine species such as iguanas basking on the rocks and sea lions lazing in the tide pools. At the end of the trail there is a series of grottoes or sea caves where fur seals and night herons are found resting on shady ledges. Just north of James Bay is Buccaneer Cove, a particularly scenic area of steep cliffs and dark beaches.
Friday Afternoon: Bartolome (Bartholomew) Island
Bartolome is a small island that has beautiful white sandy beaches, luxuriant green mangroves and a colony of penguins. Activities will include swimming and snorkeling and a climb to the summit of the island for one of the most breathtaking views in all the Galapagos. From the summit you will have the best view of the often-photographed Pinnacle Rock .
Day 7 Saturday Morning: Tower (Genovesa) Island — Prince Philip's Steps
A second trail called Prince Philip´s Steps, leads to an open area for masked boobies, frigates, and red-footed boobies. At the end of this trail are thousands of band-rumped storm petrels at the cliff's edge, where they nest in crevices. Short-eared owls can sometimes be seen here, hunting the storm petrels during daylight hours.
Saturday Afternoon: Tower (Genovesa) Island— Darwin Bay Beach
Tower is a collapsed volcano and ships sail directly into its large breached caldera to anchor at the foot of the steep crater walls. Tower attracts vast numbers of pelagic seabirds that come here to nest and breed: great frigate birds, red-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and storm petrels. A trail leads from a coral beach past tidal lagoons where lava gulls and yellow-crowned night herons are seen, then along the low shrubs populated by frigates and boobies, and eventually to a cliff edge where seabirds soar.
Day 8 Sunday Morning: Santa Cruz (Indefatigable) Island —Black Turtle Cove
The panga will take you into a tidal lagoon to see three kinds of mangrove plants, red, white and black. White-tipped sharks, spotted rays, mustard rays and Pacific marine turtles frequent the waters here.
Take off from Baltra island
NOTE:
• The route and program may vary according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety reasons and wildlife encounters. Our crew is trained to deal with all the elements of the nature of this expedition. Safety will be always part of the daily programming of activities. Kindly follow all suggestions. It is compulsory to wear a life vest during all dinghy rides between the ship and the shore. Flexibility is essential in order to cope with nature's outstanding features. Given the islands' volcanic origin, and the fact that most walking is done over pristine and irregular volcanic terrain, guests must be in suitable physical condition for this kind of outings. The ship also organizes activities like shorter walks, boat rides, snorkeling, swimming, lectures, all complementing everyone's experience.
• The Expedition Staff will provide you with snorkeling gear (mask and snorkel, fins, floating vest and net bag). The operation does not carry prescription masks. A shortie wet suit is highly recommended from June to December. Cooperation of guests is a key point when complying with the rules of the National Park. This alone can guarantee a major success in the expedition.
• For island visits, two types of landings are planned: Dry landing: guests step from the dinghy directly onto rocks or a dock. Wet landing: as the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into knee-deep water and wade ashore
The rate includes:
• All meals, Buffet (breakfast - lunch - dinner) water with meals.
• Accommodation in double cabins.
• Transfers from the airport to the yacht and vice versa in Galapagos.
• Excursions in the islands with English Speaking Nature Guide.
• Air ticket
Rate does not include: • Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee: USD 100.00 per person
• Migratory Control Card: USD 10.00 per person
• Soft drinks and alcoholics beverages.
• Snorkelling equipment for rent on board.
• Tips.
NOTE: • Rates per person in U.S. Dollars
• Single occupancy supplement 50%
• The route of the ship and the itinerary are subject to change and can vary depending on the regulations and policies of the Galapagos National Park, weather, seasonal changes, safety, etc.
