Galapagos Cruise
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6-day/5-night “B” "Galapagos in Detail and Your Way Tour": This adventure has been designed to introduce the Galapagos Islands with a stay on Santa Cruz Island complemented with day excursions to nearby islands. You can enjoy these pristine spots by wildlife watching, snorkeling, exploring, kayaking, hiking and biking. Beginning your journey on Santa Cruz Island, you will be able to observe the unique symbiosis between volcanic lava formations and endemic plants and animals. Here, you can also walk among the giant Galapagos tortoises and enjoy kayaking and snorkeling with sea lions, sharks, marine iguanas, sea turtle, rays and schools of colorful tropical fish. In addition to this stay on Santa Cruz, you will go on trips to three other islands to discover their own endemic species as well as Galapagos penguins, Blue-footed boobies, flamingos, pelicans, Sally Lightfoot crabs, and countless fascinating underwater creatures.
“I want to thank you for arranging a perfect tour for me. I know you did not have control over who the other people would be, but it all, on all fronts, was perfect. The itinerary was sensational and the boat fabulous.”
AM: In the morning, you will fly from Quito or Guayaquil (on the Ecuadorian mainland) to Baltra Island, which is the heart of the Galapagos archipelago and the main point of entrance to this natural paradise. Upon your arrival at the airport, you will need to pay the national park entry fee, which goes to protecting both the Galapagos National Park and Marine Reserve. A member of the Surtrek team will then welcome you and accompany you to the Galapagos Habitat Eco Luxury Hotel on Santa Cruz Island.
PM: After lunch, we will head for one of the most visited spots in the islands. Located on Santa Cruz Island, the Charles Darwin Research Station is primarily an international scientific research station situated on the outskirts of Puerto Ayora. You will be taken to its visitor center to learn about the geology, climate, natural history and the conservation of the Galapagos Islands. However, the highlight of your visit here will undoubtedly be the research facility’s Fausto Llerena Tortoise Breeding Center, which breeds giant tortoises. These enormous and slow-moving reptiles can live up to 150- 200 years and weigh between 250 and 300 kg. Approaching them in their humid and forested spaces is always an inspiring adventure. For decades, the Fausto Center was home to “Lonesome George,” who finally died in 2012 as the last of his particular species. The tortoises you will see here are accustomed to humans, so it’s an excellent spot for visitors to take photographs with them.
AM/PM: Today we will visit Santa Fe Island, a tiny rocky island covered in small Palo Santo trees and six-meter-high opuntia cactuses. The island is inhabited mainly by large yellow land iguanas, Galapagos buzzards, Blue-footed boobies, and pelicans. While snorkeling in the wonderful blue-green bay in which the ship anchors, you can observe the many inhabitants of this underwater world, including countless tropical fish, rays, sea turtles and playful sea lions.
AM/PM: After a dry landing on North Seymour Island, we will take a short walk along its coast, where you will encounter Swallow-tailed gulls, sea lions, and Cliff crabs. This part of Seymour Island is also known for being a major nesting site for Blue-footed boobies and one of the largest colonies of Magnificent frigatebirds (a species different from the Great frigatebird). As you enjoy this relaxing hike around various nesting sites, you can also spot both of the endemic species of iguanas: marine iguanas and land iguanas.
AM: This morning you will be picked up at the hotel and taken to Itabaca Channel, where you will embark on a ship to sail to Bartolome Island. This island possesses a fascinating moonscape formed by various volcanic formations — including lava bombs, spatter, cinder cones — as we hike to the island’s summit for striking views of the surrounding islands, Sullivan Bay and the towering Pinnacle Rock. As the beaches at the foot of the Pinnacle Rock boast some of the finest snorkeling in the islands, you can discover a marvelous underwater world here and have a good chance of finding sea turtles gliding gently alongside you. On the rocks beneath Pinnacle Rock, it’s quite possible to spot some of the quick-as-an-arrow Galapagos penguins; at around 25 centimeters tall, these are members of the second smallest species of penguin in the world. Likewise, you’re likely to see harmless Whitetip reef sharks sunning in these waters. For many visitors, this may turn out to be the best of snorkeling experiences, as the water here is generally clear, without too much surf and full of marine life.
AM/PM: This is a day of leisure on your own. You may elect to simply enjoy the show from the hotel’s private deck and restaurant area, with incredible panoramic scenes of the Galapagos Islands. This deck area is commonly visited by multiple Galapagos natives, including friendly sea lions, marine iguanas, pelicans, and other well-known island species that love to relax in the company of the hotel's guests. In addition, you can explore the nearby mangroves, work out, get a massage, swim, do a bit of shopping, and rest and relax.
AM: Concluding this amazing experience in the Galapagos Islands, after breakfast, you will be transferred to the Baltra Island airport for your return flight to the Ecuadorian mainland. Enjoy your last look back at the “enchanted islands,” a unique paradise with inspiring natural wonders.
| Persons | Double | ||
| Standard | Suite | Superior | |
| 2 | US$ 3,416 PP | US$ 4,086 PP | US$ 3,589 PP |
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“We loved the Galapagos Islands. Both of our hotels on Santa Cruz and Isabella islands were excellent. Our tour guides were knowledgeable and directed us to the most interesting sights and wildlife. Thanks Surtrek for organizing an excellent trip.”