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8
DAYS / 7NIGHTS
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| DAY
1 - TUESDAY |
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Baltra
Island
Morning arrival to Baltra Island by Aerogal flight and immediate
transfer to the dock to board the ISABELA II. Welcome introductory
briefing, and lunch.
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. Welcome
Cocktail offered by the Captain. Naturalist's briefing on the
next day's activities and dinner.
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| DAY
2 - WEDNESDAY : |
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Gardner
Bay (Hood Island)
After breakfast, disembark (wet landing) at a white coral beach
where you can take a short walk and watch the sea lions, mockingbirds,
finches or enjoy the beach.. There is great snorkeling in this
area (snorkeling equipment is available for guests at no extra
cost), or ride the glass-bottom boat.
Punta Suárez (Hood Island)
Afternoon dry landing for an exciting walk on lava terrain to
visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the Waved Albatrosses
(May - December) and the famous blowhole. A shorter walk is also
available. Naturalist's briefing and dinner.
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| DAY
3 - THURSDAY : |
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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 at this site. Those who do not snorkel can
enjoy a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Lunch on board.
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.
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| DAY
4 - FRIDAY : |
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Santa Cruz
Island
After breakfast, disembark (dry landing) to visit the highlands
of Santa Cruz Island, an Scalesia forest and the twin pit craters
Los Gemelos. From December to mid-April a visit to see the giant
tortoises in the wild may be included, if weather conditions are
good. Lunch at the Finch Bay Eco Hotel. Afternoon visit to the
Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens, an
impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds.
Then a stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora before embarking
on the ISABELA II. Naturalist's briefing and dinner.
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| DAY
5 - SATURDAY : |
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Darwin
Bay (Tower Island)
Morning wet landing for an easy stroll observing thousands of
bird life, mainly frigate birds, red footed and masked boobies,
gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds. If you wish you can continue
walking over sharp lava and uneven terrain, or just go back to
the beach to enjoy swimming and snorkeling at this beautiful natural
harbor. Those most adventurous can snorkel along the cliffs. Lunch
on board.
Prince Philip's Steps (Tower Island)
The afternoon starts with a very interesting panga ride along
the cliffs and then disembark (dry landing) on rocks for a steep
climb (90 feet) and then a leveled walk for about a mile to the
other side of this small island observing large colonies of masked
boobies, frigate birds, storm petrels and the short-eared owl.
Naturalist's briefing and dinner.
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| DAY
6 - SUNDAY : |
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Early risers
will enjoy cruising right in front of famous Ecuador Volcano,
which rises off the water line with one of its halves completely
collapsed, and now resting underwater, while crossing the Equator
line.
Tagus Cove (Isabela Island)
On the northwest of Isabela, secluded Tagus Cove was in past centuries
a favorite anchor for pirates and whalers. Old graffiti is still
found on its walls. The vegetation in the area includes the unusual
Palo Santo trees. These white-barked trees are leafless and look
dead most of the year. They leaf out and spring back to life in
the short wet season, which usually begins in March or April.
An uphill hike through palo santo forest takes guests to the back
of Darwin Crater, filled with salt water. The view at the end
of the trail is worth the climb. Darwin is one of Isabelas
six volcanoes, a remarkable contrast to the lower islands to the
east of the archipelago. Lunch on board.
Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)
The afternoon brings us to the youngest island, Fernandina. Disembark
(dry landing) for a one-mile walk. Punta Espinoza has an amazing
combination of barrenness with lots of wildlife. Having no introduced
mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment with the highest
density of marine iguanas, sharing their space with sea lions,
sally-light foot crabs, hawks, penguins and the flightless cormorant.
Naturalists briefing and dinner.
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| DAY
7 - MONDAY : |
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Puerto
Egas (James Island)
Wet landing for a mid-length walk. Most of the landscape is tuff-stone
layers and lava flows. This is a great opportunity to see land
and marine birds. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae
beds and there is a colony of fur-sea lions. Good snorkeling and
swimming from the beach after the walk. Lunch on board.
Bartolome Island
Disembark at Bartolome Island (dry landing) for a hike to the
summit. This is a steep climb aided by a wooden staircase; the
view from the top is worth the effort. There will be time for
a panga ride around Pinnacle Rock to observe penguins, to enjoy
the beach (wet landing), snorkeling and swimming from the beach,
or a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Farewell cocktail and departure
briefing.
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| DAY
8 - TUESDAY : |
| After
breakfast, departure to the port and airport to take the flight
back to the continent. |
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