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Three identical Superior first-class
20-passenger motor-yachts
Sunday: San Cristobal / Playa Ochoa / Leon
Dormido
Upon arrival to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno,
SAN CRISTOBAL Island, our crew is waiting at the airport
to escort you to your anchored yacht. After the welcome
briefing and safety drill we set sail for Playa Ochoa,
where we have a chance to test our snorkeling equipment
and at the same time swim with a small colony of sea
lions. Behind the beach, there is a tidal lagoon where
bird can be spotted including the rare Chatham mockingbird.
At sunset, we cruise around Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido),
a vertical tuff cone formation that abruptly juts
up almost 500 feet out of the ocean. On the cliffs,
we find blue-footed boobies, masked boobies and magnificent
frigate birds.
Monday: Darwin Bay/ Prince Philip’s Steps, Tower
We spend the entire day on TOWER (Genovesa),
considered to be one of the most spectacular Islands
in Galapagos for bird species. This morning, we have
a dry landing at Prince Philip’s Steps. Red-footed
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boobies nest here in Palo Santo
trees and Nazca (formerly masked) boobies nest near
the trail. In an open lava field, we find storm
petrels in large numbers. If you are lucky, we will
see the elusive short-eared owl. After lunch, sea
kayaks are available to paddle along the shoreline.
Look for the beautiful red-billed tropic bird usually
seen in a crevice. A snorkeling opportunity is offered
along the inner rim of the volcanic crater. We land
on Darwin Bay, a coral sand beach where swallow-tailed
and lava gulls gather near the tide pools. Enter
a forest of Optuntia cactus and mangroves where
colonies of great frigate birds nest. The males
inflate their red-throated pouches to attract females
as they fly overhead. The trail leads through a
rich inter tidal zone where we find a wide diversity
of animal life. Swim from the beach with sea lions.
Tuesday: Bachas Beach/ North Seymour
This morning, we visit Las Bachas, which
is the Spanish translation for “barges”.
There is a long stretch of a soft white-sand beach
and interior lagoons where we find the Greater Flamingo.
There is also a wonderful chance to snorkel here
from the beach. Remnants of the U.S. presence from
World War II – a floating pier - is found
here.
This afternoon, we disembark on North Seymour, a
small geological uplift. After a dry landing, we
follow a trail that leads us to swallow-tailed gulls,
blue-footed boobies and the endemic land iguanas.
Visit the largest colony of magnificent frigate
birds found in Galapagos. As we stroll along the
beach, sea lions body surfing the northern swells.
Wednesday: Tagus Cove, Isabela
/ Punta Espinoza, Fernandina
This morning, we visit Tagus Cove, located
on the western Island of ISABELA. Six volcanoes flowed
together and formed the largest Island in Galapagos.
On our walk, we discover a salt-water lagoon, a scenic
overlook with a spectacular view of the ocean, lava
fields and volcanic formations. Graffiti dating back
to the 1800's is written on the rocky cliffs. Explore
the Cove in pangas or sea kayaks to find Galapagos
penguins, boobies, pelicans and other seabirds. After
lunch, we cross the Bolivar Canal. Be on the look
out for whales and dolphins riding the bow wave.
We disembark at Punta Espinoza, FERNANDINA, the youngest
and most pristine Island found in Galapagos. Hundreds
of marine iguanas, the largest colony in Galapagos,
bask in the sun along the rugged shoreline. Observe
sea lion harems with resident bulls carefully guarding
their territory. Flightless Cormorants build their
nest on the point and Galapagos Hawks fly overhead.
Recent lava flows formed by an active volcano stretch
their way around the coast. A snorkel here provides
opportunities to see many sea turtles.
Thursday: Puerto Egas, Santiago/
Bartolome
This morning, stroll along the shore at Puerto
Egas, SANTIAGO (James) looking for octopus, starfish
and other sea life caught in the tide pools. At low
tide, catch a glimpse of marine iguanas as they feed
on exposed green algae. Watch for great blue herons,
lava herons, American oystercatchers and yellow-crowned
night herons. Our walk ends at the grottos, deep pools
of clear water where we encounter fur sea lions once
on the verge of extinction. Before returning to the
yacht, there is a snorkeling opportunity with loads
of tropical fish.
On Bartolome, it seems like we are walking on the
moon. This young Island is inhospitable to most plants
and animals. After a dry landing, climb 30 minutes
up stairs leading to the summit of a once active volcano.
Along the way, we pause to marvel at lava bombs, spatter
cones and cinder cones. From the top of the wooden
stairs, we can gaze out across the island for a panoramic
view of the island and "Pinnacle Rock",
an eroded tuff cone. Down below, crystal clear water
is an invitation to snorkel with schools of tropical
fish and Galapagos Penguins. On the other side of
the Island, encounter sea turtles and white-tipped
sharks.
Friday: Darwin Station /
Highlands, Santa Cruz
Friday is feeding day at the tortoise corals
at the Charles Darwin Research Station. We visit all
three tortoise corals and the breeding center with
new hatchlings and miniature tortoises not yet ready
to be repatriated. Scientists from all over the globe
work at the station and conduct biological research
from anatomy to zoology. We also visit the Van Straelen
Hall where there are exhibits and a short video presentation.
Visitors can now see the pen of Lonesome George, the
last surviving member of the Pinta Island subspecies.
After lunch on board, we travel by bus to the highlands
of SANTA CRUZ Island. The scenery gradually changes
as we wind our way through all seven vegetation zones
found in Galapagos. From June to January, we can find
giant tortoises on a private farm in the highlands.
We visit Los Gemelos, Spanish for “The Twins”,
a pair of large pit craters where we find the bright
red male vermilion flycatcher. We stop at "the
tunnels", the largest lava tubes found in Galapagos.
Stroll through the town of Puerto Ayora (population:
15,000) the largest town in the Galapagos. Buy souvenirs,
mail postcards or kick back at an internet cafe in
the social heart of the Islands.
Saturday: Gardner Bay / Punta
Suarez, Espanola (Hood)
This morning, step onto Gardner Bay, ESPANOLA
(HOOD). Walk along seemingly endless stretches of
sandy beach where you’ll find large colonies
of sea lions. There is no trail to follow so this
is a chance to explore and you may find a Galapagos
Hawk, Darwin’s Finches or Hood Mockingbird.
Swim with sea lions from the beach. There’s
an excellent snorkeling site off Gardner Islet with
a colorful diversity of sea life near Gardner Islet
and Tortuga Rock with caves covered with invertebrates.
This afternoon, we disembark at Punta Suarez, ESPANOLA,
where we witness the highest rate of endemic species
in Galapagos. Sea lions noisily green us as we land
on their beach. Curious Hood mockingbirds peck at
our shoelaces. From April to November, the waved albatross,
found only on Espanola, perform their wild mating
ritual. Colonies of blue-footed boobies engage in
“sky-pointing” to show off for potential
mates. Nazca (formerly masked) boobies busily care
for their young. Stunning swallow-tailed gulls are
the only nocturnal gulls in the world. Red-billed
tropicbirds take shelter under the cliffs. We also
find Darwin’s Finches, Galapagos Doves and Galapagos
Hawks. Observe a unique specie of marine iguana identified
with traces of red and green colorings. Colorful sally
light-foot crabs crawl along the shoreline near to
the famous "blow hole". This is the scene
most people envision when they decide to visit Galapagos
and is a glorious finale to your Galapagos cruise.
Sunday: Interpretation Center/
San Cristobal
This morning, we drop anchor in Puerto Baquerizo
Moreno, SAN CRISTOBAL. We visit the Interpretation
Center opened in 1999. Here we gain a more complete
understanding of the natural and human history of
the Islands. Afterwards, we head straight to the airport
for our flight back to the mainland.
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