8 DAYS SUNDAY TO SUNDAY / WEDNESDAY TO WEDNESDAY
|
ARCHIPEL I TOURIST SUPERIOR CATAMARAN |
| SUNDAY |
In the Baltra Airport our guide will be waiting for you and once the group of passengers is completed you will be transferred to Puerto Ayora where Archipell I Catamaran is anchored in the harbor. After arrival on board, check in and explanations in general, you will have the lunch. |
|
Afterwards you will star with your first excursion to The Charles Darwin Research Station. It is based at Santa Cruz and it is formed by an information centre, a museum, a library and a tortoise breeding station. In the tortoise breeding you can encounter tortoises of different subspecies, which are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. The most popular inhabitant of this Station is probably the Lonesome George turtle. |
| MONDAY |
In Española Island you will explore a lot of endemic wildlife. A lot of Birds, like the endemic Hood-Mockingbird. Gardner Bay provides you an excellent beach for swimming. Around the small islets nearby, snorkelers will find lots of fish and sometimes turtles and sharks. The bay is also frequented by colonies of sea lions which like to swim with you. |
|
Point Suarez, It's 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. |
| TUESDAY |
Santa Fe is one of the most entertaining destinations for shore excursions in the Galapagos Islands. It has two trail choices for visitors, one of which takes you to the tallest Opuntia cactus in the Galapagos. While the other trail takes you into the highlands where land iguanas can be seen. After a long walk, the opportunity to swim in calm waters or snorkel with playful sealions will be pretty tempting. |
|
One of a pair of small uplifted islands a short distance from the east coast of Santa Cruz, South Plaza has unique Sesuvium plants and Opuntia cactuses scattered across the landscape which provide some of the most interesting wildlife observations available in Galapagos. Land iguanas are easily seen from the trail, frequently under the shade of cactuses, waiting for a prickly pear to fall. Swallow-tailed gulls, along with various sea birds, use the rising air to glide effortlessly over the escarpment and the protected rocky seashore is prime habitat for a large colony noisy sea lions. |
| WEDNESDAY |
Located slightly to the north of Baltra, North Seymour is a low, flat island, formed as a result of a submarine lava formation uplift. Covered with low, bushy vegetation, it contains the largest colony of magnificent frigatebirds in the Galapagos. There is also a large population of blue-footed boobies that perform an amusing courtship dance when nesting conditions are right. The dance consists of the birds taking big goofy strides, slowly picking-up high their blue feet, wings spread whilst whistling and honking - it really is one of the highlights of this island. |
|
It is a small barren island that is located across from Sullivan Bay just off James Island, Bartolome has two main visitors sites. The first site offers the possibility to climb to the summit of the island, from where visitors can observe a variety of volcanic formations including lava bombs spatter and cinder cones, lava flows and lava tubes. The moon like landscape provides one of the most scenic panoramas in the archipelago. At the second site, visitors have the chance to relax on a beautiful beach, which offers great snorkelling opportunities. The beaches at the foot of the Pinnacle Rock are excellent for snorkeling from which you can discover the marvelous underwater world. |
| THURSDAY |
Just across from Tagus Cove, there is a visitor's site where some of the unique Galapagos species can be seen. Here marine iguanas unite in larger groups than on any other island as they stretch out on the sand, basking in the sun, swimming near the shore and sometimes evenblocking the path at the landing dock. Among the unique species found here, is the Flightless Cormorant bird that due to a lack of predators had to adjust their way of survival and perfect their skills of finding food in the ocean. Their wings, tails and feet progressively adapted for swimming. Observing these birds, is like witnessing evolution happening right in front of you. |
|
Located on the western coast of Albemarle Island and at the foot of the Alcedo Volcano, this bay was uplifted from the sea in 1954. Flightless cormorants and pelicans can be found along the coast during their nesting seasons, and sea turtles and rays can be seen in the bay. The highlands are home to large and colorful land iguanas. |
| FRIDAY |
As this is a marine visitor site, the excursion is carried out in a zodiac and so there is no landing point. Your zodiac ride starts with a visit to the Marielas islets where there is the largest and most important penguin colony in the Galapagos Islands. The excursion continues into the cove that is surrounded by red mangroves where you can admire their red roots and green leafs. It is here that you are able to observe sea turtles, flightless cormorants, spotted eagle rays, golden rays, brown pelicans and sea lions. Frequently visitors have been able to see Galapagos Hawks soaring overhead whilst schools of Pompano and Dorado fish swim below. |
|
This visitor site has a low-lying rocky shoreline surrounded by black and red mangrove lagoons, and abundant shore birds. It offers close views of volcanoes Alcedo, Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul. It has a desolate and pristine landscape of impressively immense black lava flows and an extraordinary and unusual arid-zone vegetation. Darwin's finches, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds, penguins, cormorants, brown pelicans and blue-footed boobies can be seen. |
| SATURDAY |
Considered one of the most outstanding marine sites of the Galapagos Islands, Devil's Crown is a half-submerged volcanic cone and is a great place for snorkeling. At Punta Cormorant there is a greenish beach, due to the accumulation of olivine crystal mineral. Sea lions swim and play around while you enjoy a good snorkel. The trail leads to a sandy white beach which is a nesting area for Green Turtles. Stingrays and White-tipped reef sharks swim where waves crash, and are visible from the shore. There is also a flamingo lagoon. |
|
This site is home to a wooden barrel, historically placed there in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. Ever since this time, the barrel has been used by mariners and tourists as a sort of postal service. Whalers and Galapagos residents used to leave their mail inside it, waiting for the captain of any boat headed to where the mail was addressed to deliver it, why not try it out to see if it still works?! What's more, apart from being the location of the Post Office Barrel, this site was also the landing area for some of the first colonists to the Galapagos Islands. Very close-by is a pleasant swimming beach. |
| SUNDAY |
The highlands of Santa Cruz have incredible zones of vegetations. There you will visit the private farm "Las Primicias". This reserve offers you one of the best possibilities to see the huge turtles of Santa Cruz Island in their natural habitat. You can observe them from very close. The highlands, are also home to Scalesia, Miconia, and Pampa vegetation zones. Birds in this area include several species of finch, the vermillion flycatcher, Galápagos rail, Galapagos Dove, and paint-billed cake. We also may have the opportunity to visit the spectacular lava tubes on the island. |
|
After this last visit, you will be transferred to the Baltra airport in order to take your return flight to Guayaquil or Quito. |
5 DAYS WEDNESDAY TO SUNDAY
|
ARCHIPEL I TOURIST SUPERIOR CATAMARAN |
| WEDNESDAY |
In the Baltra Airport our guide will be waiting for you and once the group of passengers is completed you will be transferred to Puerto Ayora where Archipell I Catamaran is anchored in the harbor. After arrival on board, check in and explanations in general, you will have the lunch. |
|
It is a small barren island that is located across from Sullivan Bay just off James Island, Bartolome has two main visitors sites. The first site offers the possibility to climb to the summit of the island, from where visitors can observe a variety of volcanic formations including lava bombs spatter and cinder cones, lava flows and lava tubes. The moon like landscape provides one of the most scenic panoramas in the archipelago. At the second site, visitors have the chance to relax on a beautiful beach, which offers great snorkelling opportunities. The beaches at the foot of the Pinnacle Rock are excellent for snorkeling from which you can discover the marvelous underwater world. |
| THURSDAY |
Just across from Tagus Cove, there is a visitor's site where some of the unique Galapagos species can be seen. Here marine iguanas unite in larger groups than on any other island as they stretch out on the sand, basking in the sun, swimming near the shore and sometimes evenblocking the path at the landing dock. Among the unique species found here, is the Flightless Cormorant bird that due to a lack of predators had to adjust their way of survival and perfect their skills of finding food in the ocean. Their wings, tails and feet progressively adapted for swimming. Observing these birds, is like witnessing evolution happening right in front of you. |
|
Located on the western coast of Albemarle Island and at the foot of the Alcedo Volcano, this bay was uplifted from the sea in 1954. Flightless cormorants and pelicans can be found along the coast during their nesting seasons, and sea turtles and rays can be seen in the bay. The highlands are home to large and colorful land iguanas. |
| FRIDAY |
As this is a marine visitor site, the excursion is carried out in a zodiac and so there is no landing point. Your zodiac ride starts with a visit to the Marielas islets where there is the largest and most important penguin colony in the Galapagos Islands. The excursion continues into the cove that is surrounded by red mangroves where you can admire their red roots and green leafs. It is here that you are able to observe sea turtles, flightless cormorants, spotted eagle rays, golden rays, brown pelicans and sea lions. Frequently visitors have been able to see Galapagos Hawks soaring overhead whilst schools of Pompano and Dorado fish swim below. |
|
This visitor site has a low-lying rocky shoreline surrounded by black and red mangrove lagoons, and abundant shore birds. It offers close views of volcanoes Alcedo, Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul. It has a desolate and pristine landscape of impressively immense black lava flows and an extraordinary and unusual arid-zone vegetation. Darwin's finches, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds, penguins, cormorants, brown pelicans and blue-footed boobies can be seen. |
| SATURDAY |
Considered one of the most outstanding marine sites of the Galapagos Islands, Devil's Crown is a half-submerged volcanic cone and is a great place for snorkeling. At Punta Cormorant there is a greenish beach, due to the accumulation of olivine crystal mineral. Sea lions swim and play around while you enjoy a good snorkel. The trail leads to a sandy white beach which is a nesting area for Green Turtles. Stingrays and White-tipped reef sharks swim where waves crash, and are visible from the shore. There is also a flamingo lagoon. |
|
This site is home to a wooden barrel, historically placed there in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. Ever since this time, the barrel has been used by mariners and tourists as a sort of postal service. Whalers and Galapagos residents used to leave their mail inside it, waiting for the captain of any boat headed to where the mail was addressed to deliver it, why not try it out to see if it still works?! What's more, apart from being the location of the Post Office Barrel, this site was also the landing area for some of the first colonists to the Galapagos Islands. Very close-by is a pleasant swimming beach. |
| SUNDAY |
The highlands of Santa Cruz have incredible zones of vegetations. There you will visit the private farm "Las Primicias". This reserve offers you one of the best possibilities to see the huge turtles of Santa Cruz Island in their natural habitat. You can observe them from very close. The highlands, are also home to Scalesia, Miconia, and Pampa vegetation zones. Birds in this area include several species of finch, the vermillion flycatcher, Galápagos rail, Galapagos Dove, and paint-billed cake. We also may have the opportunity to visit the spectacular lava tubes on the island. |
|
After this last visit, you will be transferred to the Baltra airport in order to take your return flight to Guayaquil or Quito. |
4 DAYS SUNDAY TO WEDNESDAY
|
ARCHIPEL I TOURIST SUPERIOR CATAMARAN |
| SUNDAY |
In the Baltra Airport our guide will be waiting for you and once the group of passengers is completed you will be transferred to Puerto Ayora where Archipell I Catamaran is anchored in the harbor. After arrival on board, check in and explanations in general, you will have the lunch. |
|
Afterwards you will star with your first excursion to The Charles Darwin Research Station. It is based at Santa Cruz and it is formed by an information centre, a museum, a library and a tortoise breeding station. In the tortoise breeding you can encounter tortoises of different subspecies, which are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. The most popular inhabitant of this Station is probably the Lonesome George turtle. |
| MONDAY |
In Española Island you will explore a lot of endemic wildlife. A lot of Birds, like the endemic Hood-Mockingbird. Gardner Bay provides you an excellent beach for swimming. Around the small islets nearby, snorkelers will find lots of fish and sometimes turtles and sharks. The bay is also frequented by colonies of sea lions which like to swim with you. |
|
Point Suarez, It's 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. |
| TUESDAY |
Santa Fe is one of the most entertaining destinations for shore excursions in the Galapagos Islands. It has two trail choices for visitors, one of which takes you to the tallest Opuntia cactus in the Galapagos. While the other trail takes you into the highlands where land iguanas can be seen. After a long walk, the opportunity to swim in calm waters or snorkel with playful sealions will be pretty tempting. |
|
One of a pair of small uplifted islands a short distance from the east coast of Santa Cruz, South Plaza has unique Sesuvium plants and Opuntia cactuses scattered across the landscape which provide some of the most interesting wildlife observations available in Galapagos. Land iguanas are easily seen from the trail, frequently under the shade of cactuses, waiting for a prickly pear to fall. Swallow-tailed gulls, along with various sea birds, use the rising air to glide effortlessly over the escarpment and the protected rocky seashore is prime habitat for a large colony noisy sea lions. |
| WEDNESDAY |
Located slightly to the north of Baltra, North Seymour is a low, flat island, formed as a result of a submarine lava formation uplift. Covered with low, bushy vegetation, it contains the largest colony of magnificent frigatebirds in the Galapagos. There is also a large population of blue-footed boobies that perform an amusing courtship dance when nesting conditions are right. The dance consists of the birds taking big goofy strides, slowly picking-up high their blue feet, wings spread whilst whistling and honking - it really is one of the highlights of this island. |
|
After this last visit, you will be transferred to the Baltra airport in order to take your return flight to Guayaquil or Quito. |
|
SHIPS 
