8 DAYS TUESDAY TO TUESDAY SOUTH-CENTRAL ISLANDS
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M/S BEAGLE TOURIST SUPERIOR SAILBOAT |
| TUESDAY |
Morning arrival on Baltra Island where you firstly will pay the National Park Entrance Fee before you will be met by your guide and be transferred to Puerto Ayora. |
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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 a tortoise breeding station. 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 Station 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 synthetically. |
| WEDNESDAY |
Floreana Island is perceived as one of the most exotic Island of the archipelago. At Cormorant Point you land on a green olivine sand beach. Following a 100 m long path you will soon reach a lagoon with flamingoes, white-checked pintail ducks and other shorebirds. |
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| THURSDAY |
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). |
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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. |
| FRIDAY |
In the morning you will visit Punta Pitt in the east of San Cristobal. The 1,4 km long way leads through colonies of frigate birds, blue footed boobies, nazca boobies and red footed boobies. |
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In the afternoon you will visit Lobos Island, which is located in front of San Cristobal Island. It is a seasonal nesting location for the blue footed booby and frigate birds. You also should enjoy swimming and snorkeling with sea lions in this calm bay. |
| 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. |
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In the afternoon 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 |
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. |
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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. |
| MONDAY |
After a wet landing, 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. |
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In the afternoon you will visit Cerro Dragon. This mountain is an excellent spot for observing land lizards, wading birds and Darwin´s finks. |
| TUESDAY |
In the morning you will 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. Then you will be escorted to the airport of Baltra island and from there you will fly back to Ecuador mainland. |
8 DAYS TUESDAY TO TUESDAY NORTH-WESTERN ISLANDS
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M/S BEAGLE TOURIST SUPERIOR SAILBOAT |
| TUESDAY |
Morning arrival on Baltra Island where you firstly will pay the National Park Entrance Fee before you will be met by your guide and be transferred to the dock to board the boat. Here you will start your cruise. |
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In the afternoon you will visit the long sandy "Las Bachas" Beach. Here you encounter sea lions, herons and marine iguanas and with good luck penguins. You also have the opportunity to swim offshore of this soft white sand beach. Snorkeling enthusiasts can explore the fascinating underwater world as well. |
| WEDNESDAY |
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. |
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After lunch 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. |
| THURSDAY |
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. |
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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 say to the next islands which you will visit the next day. |
| FRIDAY |
The morning will lead you to the largest island of the archipelago, Island Isabela. With a surface of 4588 sq.km the isle engages more than the half of the land area of whole Galápagos. Located at the 'mouth' of the head of the sea horse, which forms the northern part of the Isabela, 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 good luck you can observe penguins in the deep blue sea. Masked and blue-footed boobies and pelicans sit perched along the point and the sheer cliffs, while flightless cormorants inhabit the shoreline. |
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In the afternoon you will visit Fernandina Island which is not only the westernmost but also the youngest and most pristine Island found in Galapagos. The last eruption of the volcano La Cumbre in 2005 created huge interesting fields of lava. Punta Espinoza, one of Fernandina's visit points, is situated within a fascinating lava scenery with Lava-Cactuses and on the surface of the lava growing mangroves. Beside this unique scenery you will come in contact with numerous animals here. The highlights are sea lions, penguins, the flightless cormorant (especially in spring and summer) and one of the biggest iguana colonies of Galápagos. Do not miss a snorkeling trip during which you have the possibility to explore the beautiful underwater world. |
| SATURDAY |
After a dry landing you 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 landscape with scalesia woods and cactuses. You will reach Darwin Lake, an extremely salted and green crater lake. During a short hike you will explore the scenic uniqueness and beautiness of Isabela Island. You can also enjoy the unique underwater world of this island during a snorkeling trip. |
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At your next approach you will visit the "Bahia Urbina". As a result of a strong outbreak of the volcano Alcedo in the year 1954 suddenly large sections of the coast were pushed up approximately 4 m, so that you can observe coral reefs here ashore. Meanwhile the reefs are covered with trees of chamomile and muyuyo. Furthermore you can observe terrestrial iguanas and the rare Mangrove finch from really close. From January to June occasionally elephant turtles, which live in the higher mountains, are visiting the bay. |
| SUNDAY |
Then you will go to the mangrove area of Elizabeth Bay with little islands off-shore. Here you can see little dwarf penguins as well as schools of manta rays, turtles and other giants of the ocean such as whale-sharks and more. The mangrove woods are the home of different seabirds and herons. |
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At Punta Moreno, a young volcanic landscape with numerous fresh-water pools and lagoons, you can flamingos, bahama ducks and other birds. |
| MONDAY |
This day will lead you to the largest island of the archipelago, Island Isabela. With a surface of 4588 sq.km the isle engages more than the half of the land area of whole Galápagos. You start hiking up the volcano Sierra Negra until the edge of the crater. The volcano with its height of around 1200m and an outer diameter of ca. 9 kilometer is the second biggest lava dome of the world. You take a walk along the crater and move on to visit volcano Chico from where you can enjoy an outstanding view over Bahia Elizabeth and Alcedo, Darwin and Wolf Island. |
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In the afternoon you will visit the "Centro de Crianza de Arnaldo Tupiza", one of the local breeding centers for tortoises. Here you will learn a lot of things about these primeval seeming animals with their shells. |
| TUESDAY |
In the morning you will visit the twin crater Caldera de los Gemelos on the way to the Itabaca Channel, which are known for their diversity of ca. 300 different fern species and the close by "forest" of sunflowers. Then you continue to Baltra from where you will fly back to the mainland. |
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