8 DAYS ITINERARY "A" SUNDAY TO SUNDAY
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M/Y ANGELITO TOURIST SUPERIOR YACHT |
| SUNDAY |
In the morning flight to the Galapágos Island Baltra. After paying the National Park Entrance Fee, a crew member will accompany you to your ship. Then you start your cruise. |
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After a dry landing, you will have a short walk along the coast of the northernmost island of Seymour. Guests will encounter swallow tailed gulls, sea lions and cliff crabs. This site is also known for being a major nesting colony of blue footed boobies, and the largest colony of the magnificent frigate bird, a species different to the great frigate bird. You can also spot both endemic species of iguanas, the marine iguanas and land iguanas. You will enjoy this relaxing hike around the nesting sites. |
| MONDAY |
After a wet landing at Chinese Hat, you will encounter a small colony of sea lions and then proceed to hike for approximately one hour up this dark unyielding solid rock island. Amazingly you will encounter a certain type of cacti vegetation growing here; the only flora on the island. From a distance, before you arrive, you will notice the shape of the island, hence its name! At the top of the hat you can enjoy stunning views of other islands. |
|
Arriving at Bartolomé you will ascend a lookout point from where you can admire the spectacular panorama of the Sullivan Bay and the famous needle shaped rock, the so called Pinnacle Rock. The beaches at the foot of the Pinnacle Rock boast some fine snorkeling spots from which you can discover the marvelous underwater world with a good chance to encounter penguins or the softly gliding turtles. |
| TUESDAY |
Your destination for today is Genovesa Island. Genovesa is considered as one of the wildest and untouched within the National Park of Galápagos. It is also known as “Bird Island” or “Tower Island”. On your way to this island you will cross the equator. After a panga ride along the cliffs of Genovesa Island you will make a dry landing at Prince Philip’s Steps, a carved out of stone stair. This will lead you to a wide plateau, where you can observe large colonies of masked boobies, frigate birds, storm petrels and bahama ducks. During this easy stroll you will cross a little Scalesia wood, in which you can observe the short-eared owl. The same path will lead you back to your boat. |
|
In the afternoon make a wet landing onto Tower Island at Darwin Bay for an easy stroll observing seemingly thousands of birds, mainly frigate and red footed and masked boobies. On the beach you can see the interesting spectacle how the frigates try to catch the prey of the boobies. |
| WEDNESDAY |
Today you will land at Santiago Island, also known as James, or San Salvador Island, which is the fourth largest island in the archipelago. The influences of the former salt mine workers and their imported animals are still alive on the island. The last tries to populate Santiago Island were given up forty years ago. Visit the dark sand beach with a lot of marine iguanas at Egas Port after a wet landing. After a short walk of about 2 km along the coast you will reach the cliffy lava coast with natural pools where sea lions take a bath and herons and other sea birds are as well local. Additionally you can encounter a small group of sea bears. The surrounding area is good for spotting and observing colonies of sea lions, red sally light-foot crabs, lava iguanas, Galápagos buzzards and lava herons. Then you will make an excursion to the small volcano island Rábida with its dark red beach. A small path there leads you to the little lagoon, which is often visited by flamingos. On your way to this lagoon you will pass nesting pelicans and other sea birds. |
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The beach of Rábida Island is considered as one of the most beautiful places to go snorkeling. Because of a huge richness of fishes you can also observe a lot of sea lions there. |
| THURSDAY |
Today you anchor at the harbor of Puerto Ayora on Island Santa Cruz. Beside its rank as homestay for sea lions and pelicans, the marina is a popular starting point for round-the-world-yachtsman. The island itself has come to be both touristic and scientific center of the archipelago. The Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park offices are based on Santa Cruz Island. The station encompasses an information centre, a museum, a library and the tortoise breeding station as well. Here you will have an opportunity to visit some of the best scientists of the Galápagos. Park rangers and park managers among others, who make huge efforts to preserve this Unesco World Heritage Site, conduct the conservation of the islands. In the tortoise breeding and rearing centre you can encounter tortoises of different subspecies, which are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. The most popular inhabitant of this island is probably Lonesome George. He is the only survivor of his specific turtle species. In the past all approaches to find a partner for him failed. But in July 2008 the scientists found a carved nest wit nine eggs from a female tortoise. Three of them could be saved and now accordingly to strict instructions they are incubated synthetic. In the afternoon you will visit the highlands of Santa Cruz. The lush landscape there is a welcome contrast to the arid scenery of the smaller, lower islands. On your way you will cross the different zones of vegetation, from the dry lower region full of cactuses to the woods of scalesia in the highlands. Points of interest are the famed lava tunnels, a fun and geologically informative visit. |
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The trip to the highlands ends with a visit to the Twin Craters. The vegetation around these is very special and is renowned for its approximately 300 fern species and the many sunflowers. |
| FRIDAY |
Española is the southernmost and oldest island of the Galápagos archipelago. Because of its isolated position you can explore a lot of endemic wildlife. In the morning you will have an excursion to Point Suarez which is one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago, with a long list of species found 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. Several types of reptiles, including the marine iguana and the oversized lava lizard, are unique to this island. When heavy swells are running, Point Suarez is also the site of a spectacular blowhole, with thundering spray shooting 30 yards into the air. The walkabout on a stony path is about 2km (duration about 3 hours). |
|
Gardener Bay is on the eastern shore with turquoise shot colored water and a magnificent beach. Around the small islets nearby, snorkelers will find lots of fish and sometimes turtles and sharks. The bay is also frequented by a transient colony of sea lions which like to swim with you. Birds, like the endemic Hood-Mockingbird and different species of Darwin finches, are omnipresent. |
| SATURDAY |
Today you visit Santa Fe Island, a small rocky peninsula which is covered by little Palo Santo trees and by up to 6m high Opuntia cacti. Inhabitants of this island are a specific species of large yellow land iguanas, the Galápagos buzzard, some blue footed boobies and pelicans. After the hike you can swim or snorkel in the bay in company of sea lions and marine turtles. Finally you can observe the tropic underwater world. |
|
Then you will explore South Plaza Island, the more southerly island of the both Plaza Island, located in the east of Island Santa Cruz. On this island so full of life you will encounter colonies of sea lions and land iguanas. On the steep banks it is possible to see a great number of birds such as nesting tropic birds and fork-tailed seagulls. But most of all, enjoying the beautiful view from atop the steep banks or strolling along the base of the cliff is an extremely pleasurable experience. The Opuntia cactus and red coral bushes grow here and the vegetation changes color according to the seasons of the year. |
| SUNDAY |
In the morning you visit the nearby Black Turtle Cove, a nesting site for marine turtles. With good luck you can observe different types of sharks in the calm water, so for example the white-tipped shark or schools of golden mustard rays as well. Afterwards you will be escorted to the airport of Baltra island and from there you will fly back to Ecuador mainland. |
8 DAYS ITINERARY "B" SUNDAY TO SUNDAY
|
M/Y ANGELITO TOURIST SUPERIOR YACHT |
| SUNDAY |
In the morning flight to the Galapágos Island Baltra. After paying the National Park Entrance Fee, a crew member will accompany you to your ship. Then you start your cruise. |
|
Las Bachas: White coral beach in the north of the Island Santa Cruz. Wet landing and easy walk along the each to small brackish water lagoons behind the sand dune where occasionally it's possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds like black?necked stilts, whimbrels and white cheeked pintail ducks. Important in Bachas is not climbing the sand dunes because it is a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. After the walk you have the possibility to swim and snorkel from the beach. |
| MONDAY |
Mosquera: It's a small sandy island located between North Seymour and Baltra. The wet landing is sometimes a little bit difficult, depending of the tide. Mosquera has one of the big sea lion colonies in Galapagos with different Harems and it is a wonderful visiting point to observe their behavior. Often we have the possibility to see the endemic lava gulls and other coastal birds. On the lava rocks we find marine iguanas and sally lightfoot crabs and under the rocks sometimes scorpions. |
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Cerro Dragón: The name Cerro Dragón means Dragon Hill and it is a very scenic visiting point. The hike passes first a flamingo lagoon behind the beach vegetation and then leads through an impressive forest of prickly pear cactus forest. A loop trail goes to a small hill where land iguanas live and nest. The view from this small hill over the surrounding landscape is spectacular. |
| TUESDAY |
Tagus Cove: This protected cove was a favorite resting site for the early pirates and whalers who also carved and painted their names in the high cliffs of the cove. Dry landing and then scenic hike uphill through the Dry Zone vegetation to the Darwin Lake, a saltwater crater lake. At the end of the hike we go up to a parasitic spatter cone and have a wonderful view over the lava fields of Darwin Volcano. With the dinghy we go then along the cliffs to look out for Galapagos Penguins and flightless cormorants. If the water is clear, Tagus Cove is a very interesting snorkeling place with a great amount of marine invertebrates in the vertical walls. |
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Punta Espinoza (Fernandina): This visit is one of the highlights of a cruise in Galapagos. Dry landing, depending of the tide on lava or on the landing platform in the mangrove forest. On the hike you will see a lot of huge marine iguanas in big groups. Take care to stay strict on the path way because the sand dunes are nesting areas of the marine iguanas. On the lava coast, close to the shore line, there are the nesting places of the flightless cormorant. Lava lizards, the Galapagos hawk, marine turtles and the Galapagos penguins are often to see. On a lava flow there are the largest groups of the endemic lava cactus to see. A short trail inland on a lava field leads till the edge of a large lava flow. |
| WEDNESDAY |
Urbina Bay (Isabela): It's an uplifted area out of the sea at the foot of Alcedo Volcano. Wet landing on a steep beach, sometimes a little bit difficult because of high waves.. Along the shore there are sometimes flightless cormorants and huge marine iguanas. On the trail leading inland we look out for the colorful land iguanas. Sometimes it's also possible to see a Galapagos tortoise along the pathway. |
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Elizabeth Bay: With the dinghy we drive into the protected mangrove cove. The entrance through a very narrow channel is not always easy depending on the tide. In the far away small corners we turn off the motor of the dinghy rowing then noiselessly to observe the marine turtles. In Elizabeth Bay we find within the tallest Red Mangrove Trees in Galapagos. Outside of the mangrove cove we make a dinghy drive around the small islets, the Marielas. These islets are important nesting places for the Galapagos Penguin and we often can see a lot of Blue Footed Boobies resting in the steep cliffs. The flightless cormorants are also to find on this islets. |
| THURSDAY |
Punta Moreno: Very early in the morning we go to a hike on a rough lava field of Punta Moreno. It's a place where we can see all the 3 species of cactus: candelabra cactus, prickly pear cactus and lava cactus. This lava field has also a lot of pioneer plants. Like surprise we find in middle of the lava field some brackish water pools with flamingoes, common gallinules, white cheeked pintail ducks and paint?billed crakes. On a dinghy drive we can see flightless cormorants, Galapagos Penguins and huge marine iguanas. |
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Navegation to Villamil: At around 11 in the morning we start our long (about 6 hours) and beautiful navigation along the shore line around the Volcano Cerro Azul till Puerto Villamil. Depending of the season this navigation can be a little bit rough. We look out for dolphins and whales and stop to observe them if we see some. Just before the dark we arrive in the small harbor Puerto Villamil. |
| FRIDAY |
Sierra Negra: Today we see a total different Galapagos. By bus we go till close to the caldera of the volcano Sierra Negra (about 17 miles) and see the different vegetation zones of the volcano. Often it is a little bit raining or misty and foggy. On a hike of about 1 hour we go to the rim of the volcano to see the huge caldera measuring 6.2 miles (10 km) from North to South and 5.6 miles (9 km) from East to West. We can also see the huge new lava field from the last eruption in 2004. Like a special possibility, those who like can make an excursion with horses to "Volcán Chico". It's about 1.5 hours by horses one way and not very comfortable if people don't know horse back riding. To walk then down to the fumaroles of "Volcán Chico" it's another 2 hours hike down and up. The view to the Perry Isthmus (narrowest part of Isabella), over the west side of the Island Isabella and till Fernandina is wonderful. After this hike you ride back till the bus. The passengers can decide at the beginning of the cruise if they like to make this longer excursion and the additional cost for this part is US$ 60 per person. They can pay directly on board. This excursion is with a local operator and depending of the number of passengers it may be included in a mixed group. |
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Lagoons of Villamil: For those making the official excursion, the hike to the caldera of Sierra Negra, we have in the afternoon an excursion to the lagoons of Villamil. We start in the Tortoise Breading Center where we can see different subspecies of the Galapagos Land Tortoises and the work for restoring the population of endangered populations. On the walk back to town we take a ice trail from lagoon to lagoon and look out for flamingoes, common gallinules, white cheeked pintail ducks and black?necked stilts. We walk through forests of button mangroves. |
| SATURDAY |
Punta Cormorant (Floreana): Wet landing on the "Green Beach" of Punta Cormorant. Depending on the light conditions the sand shines green because of the high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand. On the easy walk through the Arid Zone we come to a big salt?water lagoon with flamingoes, white cheeked pintail ducks, black?necked stilts and depending of the season more migratory shore birds. On a short walk we come to the "White Flour Sand Beach", made of white corals. It's a famous nesting beach for marine turtles and for this it is important not walking on the sand dune. Often we can see a lot of sting rays in the shallow water. Devils Crown (Floreana): The remaining of a volcano is like a black crown. This is one of the most famous snorkeling places in Galapagos, but not so easy because often there is a strong current. For this it is only for experienced snorklers. |
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Post Office Bay (Floreana): Before lunch a short visit of the famous barrel in Post Office Bay with a wet landing. We complete the unwritten law to visit this place to check, if there is a letter or postcard to the country you are from. The most special thing would be if you can take a postcard with you to hand delivering it to the destination. Like this the tradition is maintained and don't get lost. The barrel was first placed there in 1793 from the whalers. They used it to receive and send letters home and to have contact within them. After this visit we have navigation to the Island Santa Cruz to Puerto Ayora where we arrive at about 17:00. The passengers have a little bit time to walk in town and it's no specific guided visit. During this time the Angelito will have to get food and all necessary things for the continuation of the cruise. The dinner is on board. |
| SUNDAY |
Daphne Panoramic:Daphne is a tuff cone with little vegetation. This island is famous for the studies about the Darwin Finches by Peter and Rosmary Grant. Perfect literature to read about: The Beak of the Finch of Jonathan Weiner We make only navigation around the small tuff cone, but not too close to avoid introduction of insects |
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Baltra: After the breakfast we have to leave the Angelito at about 08:00 to go to the airport Baltra for the return flight to the continent. |
5 DAYS ITINERARY SUNDAY TO THURSDAY
|
M/Y ANGELITO TOURIST SUPERIOR YACHT |
| SUNDAY |
In the morning flight to the Galapágos Island Baltra. After paying the National Park Entrance Fee, a crew member will accompany you to your ship. Then you start your cruise. |
|
After a dry landing, you will have a short walk along the coast of the northernmost island of Seymour. Guests will encounter swallow tailed gulls, sea lions and cliff crabs. This site is also known for being a major nesting colony of blue footed boobies, and the largest colony of the magnificent frigate bird, a species different to the great frigate bird. You can also spot both endemic species of iguanas, the marine iguanas and land iguanas. You will enjoy this relaxing hike around the nesting sites. |
| MONDAY |
After a wet landing at Chinese Hat, you will encounter a small colony of sea lions and then proceed to hike for approximately one hour up this dark unyielding solid rock island. Amazingly you will encounter a certain type of cacti vegetation growing here; the only flora on the island. From a distance, before you arrive, you will notice the shape of the island, hence its name! At the top of the hat you can enjoy stunning views of other islands. |
|
Arriving at Bartolomé you will ascend a lookout point from where you can admire the spectacular panorama of the Sullivan Bay and the famous needle shaped rock, the so called Pinnacle Rock. The beaches at the foot of the Pinnacle Rock boast some fine snorkeling spots from which you can discover the marvelous underwater world with a good chance to encounter penguins or the softly gliding turtles. |
| TUESDAY |
Your destination for today is Genovesa Island. Genovesa is considered as one of the wildest and untouched within the National Park of Galápagos. It is also known as “Bird Island” or “Tower Island”. On your way to this island you will cross the equator. After a panga ride along the cliffs of Genovesa Island you will make a dry landing at Prince Philip’s Steps, a carved out of stone stair. This will lead you to a wide plateau, where you can observe large colonies of masked boobies, frigate birds, storm petrels and bahama ducks. During this easy stroll you will cross a little Scalesia wood, in which you can observe the short-eared owl. The same path will lead you back to your boat. |
|
In the afternoon make a wet landing onto Tower Island at Darwin Bay for an easy stroll observing seemingly thousands of birds, mainly frigate and red footed and masked boobies. On the beach you can see the interesting spectacle how the frigates try to catch the prey of the boobies. |
| WEDNESDAY |
Today you will land at Santiago Island, also known as James, or San Salvador Island, which is the fourth largest island in the archipelago. The influences of the former salt mine workers and their imported animals are still alive on the island. The last tries to populate Santiago Island were given up forty years ago. Visit the dark sand beach with a lot of marine iguanas at Egas Port after a wet landing. After a short walk of about 2 km along the coast you will reach the cliffy lava coast with natural pools where sea lions take a bath and herons and other sea birds are as well local. Additionally you can encounter a small group of sea bears. The surrounding area is good for spotting and observing colonies of sea lions, red sally light-foot crabs, lava iguanas, Galápagos buzzards and lava herons. Then you will make an excursion to the small volcano island Rábida with its dark red beach. A small path there leads you to the little lagoon, which is often visited by flamingos. On your way to this lagoon you will pass nesting pelicans and other sea birds. |
|
The beach of Rábida Island is considered as one of the most beautiful places to go snorkeling. Because of a huge richness of fishes you can also observe a lot of sea lions there. |
| THURSDAY |
Today you anchor at the harbor of Puerto Ayora on Island Santa Cruz. Beside its rank as homestay for sea lions and pelicans, the marina is a popular starting point for round-the-world-yachtsman. The island itself has come to be both touristic and scientific center of the archipelago. The Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park offices are based on Santa Cruz Island. The station encompasses an information centre, a museum, a library and the tortoise breeding station as well. Here you will have an opportunity to visit some of the best scientists of the Galápagos. Park rangers and park managers among others, who make huge efforts to preserve this Unesco World Heritage Site, conduct the conservation of the islands. In the tortoise breeding and rearing centre you can encounter tortoises of different subspecies, which are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. The most popular inhabitant of this island is probably Lonesome George. He is the only survivor of his specific turtle species. In the past all approaches to find a partner for him failed. But in July 2008 the scientists found a carved nest wit nine eggs from a female tortoise. Three of them could be saved and now accordingly to strict instructions they are incubated synthetic. Afterwards you will be escorted to the airport of Baltra island and from there you will fly back to Ecuador mainland. |
4 DAYS ITINERARY THURSDAY TO SUNDAY
|
M/Y ANGELITO TOURIST SUPERIOR YACHT |
| THURSDAY |
In the morning flight to the Galapágos Island Baltra. After paying the National Park Entrance Fee, a crew member will accompany you to your ship. Then you start your cruise. |
|
The trip to the highlands ends with a visit to the Twin Craters. The vegetation around these is very special and is renowned for its approximately 300 fern species and the many sunflowers. |
| FRIDAY |
Española is the southernmost and oldest island of the Galápagos archipelago. Because of its isolated position you can explore a lot of endemic wildlife. In the morning you will have an excursion to Point Suarez which is one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago, with a long list of species found 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. Several types of reptiles, including the marine iguana and the oversized lava lizard, are unique to this island. When heavy swells are running, Point Suarez is also the site of a spectacular blowhole, with thundering spray shooting 30 yards into the air. The walkabout on a stony path is about 2km (duration about 3 hours). |
|
Gardener Bay is on the eastern shore with turquoise shot colored water and a magnificent beach. Around the small islets nearby, snorkelers will find lots of fish and sometimes turtles and sharks. The bay is also frequented by a transient colony of sea lions which like to swim with you. Birds, like the endemic Hood-Mockingbird and different species of Darwin finches, are omnipresent. |
| SATURDAY |
Today you visit Santa Fe Island, a small rocky peninsula which is covered by little Palo Santo trees and by up to 6m high Opuntia cacti. Inhabitants of this island are a specific species of large yellow land iguanas, the Galápagos buzzard, some blue footed boobies and pelicans. After the hike you can swim or snorkel in the bay in company of sea lions and marine turtles. Finally you can observe the tropic underwater world. |
|
Then you will explore South Plaza Island, the more southerly island of the both Plaza Island, located in the east of Island Santa Cruz. On this island so full of life you will encounter colonies of sea lions and land iguanas. On the steep banks it is possible to see a great number of birds such as nesting tropic birds and fork-tailed seagulls. But most of all, enjoying the beautiful view from atop the steep banks or strolling along the base of the cliff is an extremely pleasurable experience. The Opuntia cactus and red coral bushes grow here and the vegetation changes color according to the seasons of the year. |
| SUNDAY |
In the morning you visit the nearby Black Turtle Cove, a nesting site for marine turtles. With good luck you can observe different types of sharks in the calm water, so for example the white-tipped shark or schools of golden mustard rays as well. Afterwards you will be escorted to the airport of Baltra island and from there you will fly back to Ecuador mainland. |
ADDITIONAL ITINERARIES
15 DAYS SUNDAY TO SUNDAY ( 8 DAYS "A" + 8 DAYS "B")
12 DAYS SUNDAY TO THURSDAY (8 DAYS "B" + 5 DAYS)
11 DAYS THURSDAY TO SUNDAY (4 DAYS + 8 DAYS "B") |
SHIPS 
