|
6
DAYS / 5 NIGHTS |
| DAY
1 - WEDNESDAY: |
Arrival and first taste of the Islands
PM: After boarding the ship and a welcome cocktail we will enjoy a delicious lunch before heading to Punta Carrion, the first visit on the islands. Here, we will do a panga (dinghy) ride to take in the surrounding landscape followed by an introductory snorkelling in these shallow waters filled with wildlife. |
| DAY
2 - THURSDAY: |
Heading Eastward
AM:
Dry landing on one of the oldest docks of the Archipelago, colourful Plaza Sur is home to vibrant green prickly pears, deep red Sesuvium and coppery-orange land iguanas; impressive seaward cliffs are excellent for a variety of coastal birds.
PM: Arrive at Santa Fe (wet landing) where we will be looking for the endemic species of land iguana, larger and yellower than land iguanas on other islands. The largest prickly pear cacti in the Galapagos are also found here. |
| DAY
3 - FRIDAY: |
|
From albatrosses to blowholes
AM: We will spend the day in fantastic Española, starting with Gardner Bay (wet landing), an outstanding beach with sea lions, marine iguanas, and the intrepid Española Mockingbird.
PM: Punta Suárez (dry landing) is a spectacular walk into the intimacies of life at sea, with nesting sites of Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies, as well as the fascinating breeding rituals (April to December) of Waved Albatross. Lined with neon-colored marine iguanas (January), and lazy Galapagos sea lions, we walk up to an amazing viewpoint of the famous blowhole. |
| DAY
4 - SATURDAY: |
A day with the Tortoises
AM:
The Fausto Llerena breeding station, also known as the Charles Darwin Research Station was created in 1964. Here, we will see tortoises from different islands, including the most famous of them all, "Lonesome George", the last survivor of the Pinta Island tortoises. The animals are found in large semi natural pens for their protection, but also to ensure an easy view for the tourists. The pens are divided according to four different stages: eggs, neonates, juveniles (held here until they are mature enough to be "repatriated"), and adults.
PM: Cerro Mesa is a private ecological reserve located in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island and dedicated to the conservation of the natural ecosystem. During this visit, we will have the opportunity to walk through the many forest paths, filled with endemic Galapagos vegetation, see the impressive and deep crater, watch the Galapagos ducks and rails, stilts and frigate birds usually present in the lagoon or closely follow the steps of the Galapagos Tortoises, present most of the year (on certain months, the tortoises go down to the coast to lay their eggs). The reserve is also a great place for bird watching, as mockingbirds, flycatchers, warblers, Galapagos doves and Darwin finches are usually present in the area. |
| DAY
5 - SUNDAY: |
'The Baroness' domain
AM:
We spend the day on Floreana, legendary homestead of infamous Baroness Boise Bosquet de Wagner Whereborn. Wet landing onto the olivine beaches of Punta Cormorant; we will be seeking Greater Flamingos on our way to another special beach with the finest sand you'll set your foot on, a sea turtle nesting ground where sharks and rays also visit regularly. We end the outing on a short panga ride to Devil's Crown, an key snorkelling site.
PM: After lunch we will visit Post Office Bay (wet landing), where you can drop your postcards in the barrel as the whalers did centuries ago. |
| DAY
6 - MONDAY: |
Tortoises in the Mist
AM:
Dry landing at Puerto Ayora in Santa Cruz Islands, from which we will visit the wet forests of the highlands in hopes of finding giant tortoises (seasonal). Who would have expected it to be so lush and green on these supposed arid islands? Itinerary A comes to an end as we bus ride back to Baltra airport. .
NOTE: Passengers ending their trip on this day will be transported by bus to the airport at Baltra. We offer additional tourist packages for passengers who want to spend more time at Puerto Ayora. Passengers starting their trip on this day will be transported from Baltra to Puerto Ayora by bus. A certified guide will accompany passengers at all times. |
|
