Galapagos Cruise
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Boasting some of the largest cabins on any small yacht in the Galapagos, with her double cabins measuring at least 284 square feet, the ultra-modern 16-passenger catamaran has 9 spacious double cabins, all with private bathrooms. This 8-day/7-night Galapagos luxury cruise will take you through this cluster of legendary islands some 600 miles off the Pacific Coast of Ecuador. Made famous by Charles Darwin for having inspired his theories of evolution, you too will have the chance to walk over stunning volcanic formations and hike through rich forests teeming with indigenous birdlife. During your Galapagos Island cruise on board the luxury Ocean Spray catamaran, you will sail to the principal western, central and eastern islands of the archipelago, where you can walk alongside iguanas in the morning, swim with curious sea lions in the afternoon, and watch Blue-footed boobies fly overhead as you enjoy your alfresco dinner in the evening.
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AM: In the morning, you will fly from the Ecuadorian mainland to Baltra Island, in the heart of Galapagos archipelago. Upon arriving at the airport, you will need to pay the national park entrance fee, which goes to protecting both the Galapagos National Park and Marine Reserve. A member of the crew will then welcome you and accompany you to your ship.
PM: We will have a wet landing on Chinese Hat Island, located southeast of Santiago Island. Its name describes the shape of the island, which you will be able to appreciate from a distance. This island’s landscapes are dominated by volcanic formations and very fragile lava tubes lava. Because of this, it is very important to stay on the paths. Here you will encounter a small colony of sea lions and then proceed to hike through this dark, unyielding island of solid rock.
AM: This morning will take us to the largest landmass in the Galapagos archipelago: Isabela Island. With a surface of 1,770 sq. miles (4,588 sq. km.), the island constitutes more than the half of the land area of the entire Galapagos archipelago. Located at the “mouth” of the head of the seahorse which forms the northern part of Isabela Island is Punta Vicente Roca, an interesting rock formation. Here the remnants of an ancient volcano form two turquoise coves with a bay well-protected from the ocean swells. With a bit of luck, you can see penguins. Masked and Blue-footed boobies as well as pelicans sit perched along the point and the sheer cliffs, while flightless cormorants inhabit the shoreline.
PM: Fernandina Island is not only the westernmost island but is also the youngest and most pristine island in the Galapagos. The 2005 eruption of La Cumbre Volcano created huge fields of lava. This eruption was followed on April 11, 2009, when the volcano flared up again, forming a cloud of ash and steam while hot lava flowed down the slopes of the volcano into the ocean. Nonetheless, an abundance of wildlife calls this island home, including the famous Flightless cormorants as well as penguins, pelicans, marine iguanas and sea lions. You can also find mangroves here on Fernandina Island.
This afternoon, we will make a dry landing on Espinoza Point, one of Fernandina Island’s visitor points. It is filled with fascinating scenery, such as cactuses growing on the surface of lava. One gets a sense of how life fought to begin when seeing these plants emerging from crevices in this barren landscape. Within this unique scenery, you will encounter numerous animals – the highlights being sea lions, Galapagos penguins, Flightless cormorants (especially in the spring and summer), and one of the largest iguana colonies in the Galapagos Islands. In fact, on this small strip of land that constitutes Espinoza Point, you can find literally thousands of marine iguanas, which gather in large groups.
AM: After a dry landing we will visit the notorious Tagus Cove, which was historically used as an anchoring place for pirates, buccaneers, and whalers. Around the deep blue bay, you can observe a large number of Blue-footed boobies perched on the ledges of the cliffs, as well as marine iguanas, penguins, brown pelicans, brown noddy terns and swallow-tailed gulls. A steep trail passes through an area of dry vegetation and volcanic landscapes with scalesia woods and cactuses.
PM: After lunch, we will visit Urbina Bay. As a result of an especially violent eruption of the Alcedo Volcano in 1954, large sections of the Isabela Island coast were suddenly pushed up about four meters high, making the coral reefs visible here. These reefs are covered with poison apple and muyuyo trees. You can also observe land iguanas and the rare mangrove finch up close. From January to June, land turtles occasionally visit the bay from their higher mountain living environments.
AM: Today we will head to the mangrove area of Elizabeth Bay and visit the small islands offshore. Here you can see dwarf penguins as well as schools of manta rays, turtles and other giants of the ocean – possibly even surfacing whale sharks. The mangrove woods are also home to various species of seabirds and herons.
PM: In the afternoon we will visit Moreno Point, a young volcanic landscape with numerous fresh-water pools and lagoons. You will be able to see flamingos, Bahama ducks and other birds here.
AM: Located on Santa Cruz Island, on the outskirts of Puerto Ayora, the Charles Darwin Research Station is primarily an international scientific research station and one of the most visited spots in the islands. Here you will be taken to the visitor center to read about the geology, climate, natural history and the conservation of the archipelago. The highlight of your visit will undoubtedly be the Fausto Llerena Tortoise Breeding Center, where giant tortoises are hatched and raised until they can be safely returned to their island homes.
PM: Then we will visit the Highlands of Santa Cruz Island. The lush landscape is a welcome contrast to the arid scenery of the smaller, lower islands. On the way, we will cross through different vegetation zones – from the dry lower region full of cactuses to the scalesia woods in the highlands. There are two small agricultural communities here which grow the famous organic Galapagos coffee.
AM: Today we will explore South Plaza Island, located east of Santa Cruz Island. On this life-filled island, you will encounter colonies of sea lions and land iguanas; while on the steep banks you can see numbers of birds like nesting Tropicbirds and Fork-tailed seagulls. But most of all, you will enjoy the extremely pleasurable experience and beautiful view from atop the steep banks or strolling along the base of the cliff. Opuntia cactuses grow on this island and the vegetation changes color throughout the year.
PM: Following lunch, we will visit Santa Fe Island, a small rocky island covered in small Palo Santo trees and 6-meter-high opuntia cactuses. The island is inhabited mainly by large yellow land iguanas, the Galapagos buzzard, Blue-footed boobies, and pelicans. While snorkeling in the wonderful blue-green bay where the ship anchors, you can observe the many inhabitants of the underwater world, including countless tropical fish, rays, sea turtles and playful sea lions.
AM: Española is the southernmost and oldest island of the Galapagos archipelago. Its English name is “Hood Island,” in honor of the British admiral Samuel Hood. Because of its isolated position, there is much endemic wildlife to be explored here. It is also the only island where you will find albatrosses. After breakfast, we will go on an excursion to Suarez Point, one of the most outstanding wildlife areas in the archipelago and one that boasts a long list of species along its cliffs and sand or pebble beaches. In addition to five species of nesting seabirds, there are the curious and bold Española Island mockingbirds, Galapagos doves and Galapagos hawks found. This is also the only site where you will be able to see red iguanas. From May to December, albatrosses nest on the island, so you even might be able to see some of the little ones. Several types of reptiles are unique to this island, including the marine iguana and the oversized lava lizard. When heavy swells are running, Suarez Point is also the site of a spectacular blowhole, whose thundering spray shoots 30 yards up into the air. The trek here is on a stony path about a mile long. (Excursion duration: about 3 hours)
PM: This small island in front of Gardner Bay is lined with vertical cliffs that drop to sandy ledges and large boulders. While snorkeling here in the afternoon you are likely to encounter the smallest of the Galapagos garden eels, snake eels, black-spotted morays, Galapagos puffer fish, scorpion fish, trumpet fish, cornetfish, and red-lipped batfish. You will be able to see many sea lions lying lazily on the beach. On the north end of the island there are twisting tunnels and to the south, there are caves that make for an interesting excursion. The area has an abundance of fish including schools of snappers, Creole fish, king angelfish, large puffer fish, and a variety of sea urchins and sea stars. We will also ride around Osborn Islet, located close to Española Island. It is made of volcanic rock and is a popular fishing site among local small-scale fishers. On this Galapagos islet, you will have a chance to go snorkeling and see schools of tropical fish, Manta rays, Green turtles, Surgeon fish, Sea urchins, and starfish.
AM: At the port of Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of Ecuador’s Galapagos Province, we will visit San Cristobal Island’s Interpretation Center, an excellent place to learn about the natural and settlement history of the archipelago. Here you will discover displays that provide information about the volcanic origins of the islands, the ocean’s currents, the archipelago’s climate, and facts concerning the arrival of different species. The islands’ human history is also showcased, chronologically narrating the most significant events related to the discovery and settlements of the Galapagos. One of the main attractions of San Cristobal Island is the La Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado Tortoise Breeding Center, where you will see enormous Galapagos tortoises, as well as iguanas. As the natural population of tortoises from San Cristobal Island is seriously threatened by animals introduced onto the island by humans – mainly wild goats, cats, and rats – the center is attempting to increase the number of tortoises as well as eradicate threatening species. Close to the center is an easy trail that covers a distance of 900 meters; along this trail, you will see different species of native and endemic plants of the Galapagos, like cat’s claw, manzanillo, romerillo, and acacia. Be careful not to touch or eat the manzanillo fruits as these are toxic. San Cristobal Island is also one of the few islands where you can see the plant calandrinia galapagosa, which is in danger of extinction.
PM: Afterwards, we will take a bus to the San Cristobal Island airport for your flight back to the mainland. Enjoy the last view of the “enchanted islands,” a unique paradise with fascinating natural highlights.
| Room | Charter | Golden Staterooms |
| 8 Days | US$ 118,690 PP | US$ 7,950 PP |
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