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Galapagos Natural Life Tourist Superior - Yachts Galapagos GALAVEN II YACHT
8 days – 7 nights (Friday – Friday)
Day 1 Puerto Ayora ( L, D) Early flight to Baltra, in the Galapagos islands. Upon arrival we are met by a representative and are transferred by ferry and bus to Puerto Ayora where we will meet our naturalist guide and visit the highlands of Santa Cruz after boarding our boat, the g3. The Galapagos Islands are located about 1000 km (620 miles) off the Pacific coast of South America. The archipelago is comprised of 13 major islands and scores of islets that served as a living laboratory for Charles Darwin, the renowned evolution theorist. Long before Darwin arrived in the Galapagos, seafarers knew these isolated islands as home to some of the strangest and most wonderful wildlife imaginable, including birds that could swim but no longer fly, aquatic iguanas, dragon-like lizards left over from prehistoric times, and the giant Galapagos tortoises for which the islands were named. Covering nearly 5000 square km (3100 square miles), the Galapagos Islands are now a National Park. The Galapagos National Park is the institution that controls the preservation of this environment, assisted by the Charles Darwin Research Station. Inaugurated in 1964 and based in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, the Charles Darwin Research Station is the one place where visitors can easily see the famous Galapagos Tortoises, which may live up to two hundred years. This is also the training centre for naturalist guides who accompany all visitors landing at more than 40 approved sites on the islands, and members of the international scientific community often come to study at the station. The National Park charges a visitor fee of $100 USD, payable on arrival, which funds Park maintenance and supervision in the Galapagos, as well as ecological study, conservation and infrastructure development in Ecuador's other National Parks. Entry fees and the funds they generate for the National Park System are among measures taken by the Ecuadorian government to protect its natural heritage. Day 2 Floreana (B, L, D) Reach Floreana Island in the morning. The history of Floreana Island (also called Charles) has gradually evolved to reach near mythic proportions. The story begins when a baroness and her two lovers, a German doctor and his mistress, and a German couple and their young son all came to settle on this land. Their dalliances and disasters, shrouded in mystery, were chronicled in John Treherne’s book The Galapagos Affair. Descendants of the German family, the Wittmers, still live on the island in the small community of Puerto Velasco Ibarra. Mrs. Margaret Wittmer has also written a booked entitled "Floreana" and this can be purchased at the airport in Baltra or at a local bookstore. Later in the afternoon we make our way towards Punta Cormorant on the northern part of Floreana. The landing is on a beach of green sand, colored by olivine crystals, volcanic-derived silicates of magnesium and iron. The trail leads to a lake normally inhabited by flamingos and other shore birds and continues to a beach of fine white sand particles known as “Flour Beach”, an important nesting site for turtles. Around the point, Devil's Crown derives its name from the broken remains of a partially submerged volcanic cone. This is a perfect spot to go snorkeling from the boat, as the waters are home to a multitude of colourful fish and sea lions. Please make sure you are a comfortable swimmer, however, as despite the protection from the open sea provided by the "crown," the water here can be rough and the currents strong. Day 3 Española (B, L, D) Sail to Gardner Bay an excellent swimming and snorkeling site. In the afteronoon sail to Punta Suarez, on Española Island. This is the southernmost island in the Galapagos archipelago, and home to several wildlife species, including masked and blue-footed boobies. Optional hike to the top of a cliff for spectacular views and photos. Punta Suarez on the western side of Española Island (also called Hood) is spectacular: gargantuan waves break on jagged cliffs and large bird colonies thickly populate the interior of the island; there is a distinct feel of desolate wilderness here. The Waved Albatross is seen here from April to December during its mating/nesting season. This bird leaves land between January and March each year to make its annual odyssey far out to sea. Amazingly, Española is the nesting site to virtually the entire world population of this species, with more than 12000 pairs residing here. Large numbers of masked and blue-footed boobies are also found here, red-billed tropic birds dash madly through the air, and both marine iguanas and sea lions are common. A huge blow-hole, where the surf is forced through a natural rock formation spouting seawater 15 to 20 m (49 – 66 ft) into the air, adds to the island’s impression of untamed beauty. Follow the trail through a rookery and learn the geological history of the island from our naturalist, including its dramatic volcanic features, climate, flora and fauna.
Day 4 Black turtle cove / North Seymour (B, L, D) Morning visit to black turtle cove, Cruise to Baltra in the morning where we will dock to say farewell to some our friends and will welcome new friends for the rest of our journey. At this time you are free to stay on-board or to wander around at your own leisure. In the Afternoon we visit North Seymour Island. Seymour Island is probably the most exciting island photographically. Bird life abounds, and close to the trail you will find many nesting pairs and young chicks. Seymour is also home to the Galapagos’s largest colony of magnificent frigate birds. Their mating ritual is an ostentatious display: males expand the red sack at the base of their throat and perch atop a bush with wings fully extended, flapping furiously. Interested females circle overhead, and if so inclined, may join the male on terra firma.
Day 5 Rabida / Puerto Egas (B, L, D) We make our way to Rabida Island in the morning where our boat lands on Rabida’s red beach (also called Jervis), from which a short trail leads to a salt water lagoon, often home to wading flamingos. Another trail goes past the lagoon to the interior, where the revered palo santo trees grow. When burned, the branches of this tree give off a pleasing aroma and ward off mosquitoes. Back on the beach among low-lying bushes nest the prehistoric-looking pelicans. This is the best area for close viewing of these nesting birds, and it's a rare treat to watch parent pelicans return with gullets full of fish for the squawking youngsters. Spend the afternoon visiting Puerto Egas, once a salt mining area, it is located on the northwest side of Isla Santiago. Spend the morning visiting the lava rock beaches Puerto Egas is known for.
Day 6 Sombrero Chino / Bartolomé (B, L, D) Today we visit the Island of Sombrero Chino. In English the name means Chinese Hat and is a good way to describe the shape of the island. Here you can find great white sand beaches, sea lions and sally foot crabs. Despite Sombrero Chino's central location, it is a seldom visited island in the Galapagos. In the afternoon we sail to Bartolomé Island. On this visit we have the opportunity to learn about the geological history of Bartolomé, as our naturalist explains its dramatic volcanic features, including unusual splatter cones. Sometimes it is possible to spot rare Galapagos penguins, of which only 800 pairs exist. Bartolomé Island (also called Bartholomew) has 2 main areas of interest. A hike to the summit of the island provides a clearer perspective of the islands' not-too-distant volcanic origins, and the panoramic view is one of the best among the islands. From here are visible the double-sided beach of Bartolomé directly below, the volcanic tower rising out of the water next to it, and Santiago in the distance. After the summit hike, stop at the beach to relax in semi-tropical tranquility. There is great snorkeling among the submerged volcanic rock and around the base of the tower. A short hike to the beach on the opposite side is worth the minimal effort. It is not unusual to see sharks in these shallow waters, and marine turtles nest here from January through March.
Day 7 South Plaza / Santa Fé (B, L, D) Set sail and reach South Plaza Island in the morning. One of the smallest islands in the Galapagos, South Plaza has one of the largest populations of Land Iguanas. Walk along a path through a cactus forest and view a combination of dry and coastal vegetation.In the afternoon visit Santa Fé Island. Santa Fé Island (also called Barrington) is well-known as a great place for watching (and swimming with) sea lions. There is only one place to land launches, but two different trails offer varied experiences. The shorter of the two hikes leads from the beach into a sparse forest of Prickly Pear Cactus. The second, longer trail goes up a cliff side into an area inhabited by Land Iguanas. The interior terrain of the island is interesting, with a good panoramic view from the cliff top. Back on the beach, it is easy to sit for hours just watching the antics of the sociable sea lions.
Day 8 Santa Cruz (B) Sail to Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz Island. Santa Cruz is the most populated island within the archipelago, and Puerto Ayora is its main town. Morning we visit the Charles Darwin Station. The Charles Darwin Research Station is a 10 minute walk from the centre of the town. Here, an exhibition centre displays photos of recent volcanic eruptions, charts outlining geological formations and drawings of the evolutionary development of endemic species. A corral houses adult Galapagos Tortoises, and a nursery cares for young tortoises until they are about three years old, when their shells have hardened enough to resist attack from feral dogs. Then we are transferred to Baltra for our return flight to Quito.
Rate includes:
Rate does not include:
Note: • 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.
galapagos_natural_life@hotmail.com Quito - Ecuador - South America |
Enjoy Ecuador with Galapagos Natural Life
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