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ITINERARIES 2010 (UP TO MAY 25TH 2011)
8 DAYS WEDNESDAY TO WEDNESDAY
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M/S SAGITTA FIRST CLASS SAILBOAT |
| WEDNESDAY |
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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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. |
| 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 synthetically. |
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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. Here you will visit the tortoise reserve El Chato, which was founded in 1964. Explore the huge Galápagos turtles in their natural habitat. |
| 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). |
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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. |
| SATURDAY |
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. Then you will reach Devils Crown (Corona del Diablo), a broken volcanic cone, which is one of the most beautiful places to go snorkeling on Galápagos Island. You can swim between riff sharks, star fishes, marine turtles, sea lions and many tropical ornamental fishes. |
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Afterwards you will visit the famous Post Office Bay which keeps the legendary post barrel that whalers historically used to post their mail in. Nowadays you can leave a letter and hope that it will make its destination via another tourist. |
| SUNDAY |
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. At Punta Moreno, a young volcanic landscape with numerous fresh-water pools and lagoons, you can flamingos, bahama ducks and other birds. |
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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. |
| MONDAY |
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. 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. |
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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. |
| TUESDAY |
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. |
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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. |
| WEDNESDAY |
Today 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. |
ITINERARIES 2011 (FROM MAY 25TH ON)
6 DAYS "A" WEDNESDAY TO MONDAY SOUTHERN ISLANDS
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M/S SAGITTA FIRST CLASS SAILBOAT |
| WEDNESDAY |
On arrival at Baltra airport your guide will help you transfer to your yacht. Sagitta will set course for Mosquera Islet, giving you the chance to become acquainted with the vessel and have lunch. |
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At Mosquera your first wet landing onto a beautiful coralline white beach inhabited by the largest Galápagos sea lion colony in the archipelago. Mosquera Islet is a small, flat, sandy islet almost devoid of vegetation. Good area for lava gulls and coastal birds. Afterwards we will visit Punta Carrion to enjoy some snorkeling. |
| THURSDAY |
AM: Plaza Sur: this tiny island captivates visitors with its vibrant colours: the green prickly pears, the reddish sesuvium, and the copper-orange Galapagos land iguanas. Dry landing onto one of the oldest docks built by the Galapagos National Park Service for at least 1 ½ hours on shore. The island is well known for its Galapagos sea lion colony, swallow-tailed gulls, Audubon shearwaters and red-billed tropicbirds. |
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PM: Santa Fe: wet landing onto a white beach where Galapagos sea lions doze. Here we find the largest specimens of prickly pear cactus in Galapagos. This island has its own species of land iguana: the Santa Fe land iguana. Watch out for land birds such as Darwin's finches and yellow warblers. |
| FRIDAY |
AM: Cerro Brujo (San Cristóbal): one of the most scenic beaches in Galapagos. A salt-water lagoon right behind the beach reveals birds like the black-necked common stilt and white-cheeked pintail duck. Wet landing onto a white sandy beach. An ideal place to swim, snorkel, or stroll in the company of Galapagos sea lions. Cerro Brujo is a contrasting landscape with its salt-water lagoon and geological features that tell us about a time when San Cristóbal was an active volcano. |
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PM: Punta Pitt (San Cristóbal): wet landing onto a sandy beach. Long hike to a view point to watch seabirds riding the thermals. Red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, great frigatebirds. The north-easternmost point in Galapagos, Punta Pitt's arid beauty is caused by strong trade winds eroding the volcanic cones. |
| SATURDAY |
AM: Gardner Bay (Española): always a special visit! Gardner has one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos Islands. Galapagos sea lions, marine iguanas, Darwin's finches, and Española mockingbirds. Wet landing. |
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PM: Punta Suárez (Española): dry landing at the start of a spectacular walk. Watch your step, because the trail is dotted with unafraid marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and Galapagos sea lions. Nesting site of the Galapagos albatross from April to December. Good place to observe endemic land birds: Darwin's finches, Galapagos doves, and Galapagos hawks. Also we will get to watch an impressive blowhole from our position high on the cliffs. |
| SUNDAY |
AM: Punta Cormorant (Floreana): wet landing onto a sandy beach, locally called "Green Beach" because of its volcanic olivine crystals. A salt-water lagoon with greater flamingos and other waders. The trail ends at "Flour Beach", an extremely fine white-sand beach where sea turtles nest. This will be followed by a short panga ride to Devil's Crown for some snorkeling. |
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PM: Post Office Bay (Floreana): short visit with a wet landing. A short walk to visit a memorable site in Galapagos history, where centuries ago whalers used to drop their mail in the barrel for other passing sailors to deliver back home. |
| MONDAY |
AM: Highlands (Santa Cruz): dry landing at the pier of Puerto Ayora plus a bus ride to Baltra airport during which, along the way, vegetation changes as we drive through different vegetation zones. Short stop in the highlands to see giant tortoises. Santa Cruz Island is the home of the dome-shaped Galapagos giant tortoises. |
6 DAYS "A" MONDAY TO SATURDAY WEST AND BEYOND
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M/S SAGITTA FIRST CLASS SAILBOAT |
| MONDAY |
AM: Arrival at Baltra airport and bus transfer to Puerto Ayora. |
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PM:After getting acquainted with the Sagitta, you will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz): home of Lonesome George, the most famous tortoise of Galapagos, last survivor of the Pinta Island tortoise population. Learn about the conservation efforts to restore giant tortoise populations to their original islands. Afterwards, stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora, the largest settlement in the Galapagos. |
| TUESDAY |
AM: Punta Moreno (Isabela): dry landing onto a superb pahoehoe lava flow, surrounded by giant shield volcanoes -some still active! Flamingos, gallinules, and ducks in brackish water ponds and lagoons, flanked by pioneer and endemic vegetation. Good opportunity to spot our first cormorants and penguins. This will be followed by a short panga ride or snorkelling at Punta Vicente Roca. |
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PM: Elizabeth Bay (Isabela): enjoy a panga ride in a salt-water mangrove lagoon, where the largest red mangrove trees in Galapagos grow. Green sea turtles' heads will pop up here and there, and Galapagos penguins will "fly" right next to you chasing fish. |
| WEDNESDAY |
AM: Urbina Bay (Isabela): wet landing onto a dark sandy beach often used by green sea turtles as a nesting site. We will walk over different terrains observing large land iguanas, a variety of native and endemic plants, and sometimes giant tortoises in their natural habitat. There are also the remains of a 50-year old uplift, exposing coral heads and other marine fossils. |
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PM: Punta Espinosa (Fernandina): one of the most unspoiled islands in the world! A true highlight. Dry landing to stroll the shoreline where you have to decide whether you are looking at lava or marine iguanas… flightless cormorants, Galapagos sea lions, and colourful Sally Lightfoot crabs will keep you company during your walk. |
| THURSDAY |
AM: Tagus Cove (Isabela): long walk through a beautiful Galapagos landscape. Dry landing next to a cove where early visitors carved graffiti of their boats' names. Darwin Lake, a salt-water crater lake, surrounded by tuff stone. At the end of the trail, observe the vast lava flows that connect the volcanoes of Northern Isabela. |
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PM: Punta Albemarle (Isabela): one of the most pristine visitor sites within the Galapagos National Park. Dry landing onto a pahoehoe lava flow, where huge marine iguanas and flightless cormorants wait to greet you. |
| FRIDAY |
AM: Espumilla (Santiago): wet landing onto golden-coloured sand, where green sea turtles nest. A trail will take you through a Palo Santo forest containing the largest specimens in the islands. Lots of land birds: yellow warblers, Darwin's finches, Galapagos flycatchers… |
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PM: Puerto Egas (Santiago): wet landing onto a dark sandy volcanic beach. Once inhabited, Puerto Egas offers you a magnificent stretch of coastline. Lava flows carved by the ocean have produced grottos and arches that shelter the shy Galapagos fur seal. |
| SATURDAY |
AM: North Seymour: prior leaving for the airport at Baltra, you will visit this small uplifted island, which hosts the largest colony of magnificent frigatebirds, one of the two species that nest in Galapagos. Male frigatebirds display their large red throat pouch to attract a female, while on the ground, blue-footed boobiesstep out in their courtship dance. Dry landing. |
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Transfer OUT |
5 DAYS "C" SATURDAY TO WEDNESDAY CENTRAL AND NORTHERN ISLANDS
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M/S SAGITTA FIRST CLASS SAILBOAT |
| SATURDAY |
AM: Arrival at Baltra airport and bus transfer to Puerto Ayora. |
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PM: Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz): after leaving Baltra airport, the Sagitta navigates the short passage to Black Turtle Cove, a large mangrove lagoon on the north coast of Santa Cruz, the second largest island in the Galapagos Archipelago. Pelicans and herons roost on the mangrove branches, while green sea turtles cruise right next to you as the panga smoothly make its way through the lagoon. |
| SUNDAY |
AM: Darwin Bay (Genovesa): wet landing onto a coralline beach, one of the highlights of any trip in the Galapagos Islands. Red mangroves and soft-haired prickly pear cacti used as perching sites by red-footed boobies and great frigatebirds. And under the salt bush, the elegant swallow-tailed gulls. |
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PM: Prince Philip Steps (Genovesa): dry landing to clamber up steps in the cliff onto a plateau where Nazca boobies and great frigatebirds nest. Red-footed boobies perch on Palo Santos trees, and hundreds of Galapagos storm petrels fly around effortlessly. Tower Island - the island of birds! |
| MONDAY |
AM: Bartholomew: dry landing to enjoy the most well-known, always breathtaking panorama in the Galapagos Islands. After climbing some wooden steps, you reach the top of this spatter cone to look out onto the Islands' most famous icon: Pinnacle Rock, with neighbouring Santiago Island and most of the central islands as well. |
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PM: Sullivan Bay (Santiago): dry landing. A unique opportunity to walk over a recent lava flow. Here we see very fresh pahoehoe lava formations, lava bubbles containing crystallized minerals, and pioneer plants. Along the shoreline, Galapagos penguins and herons go after small fish. |
| TUESDAY |
AM: Rábida: the red island. Wet landing to explore its fascinating maroon-tinted interior and saltwater lagoon. Amazing scenery, lots of Darwin's finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, and yellow warblers. Given the right time of the year, brown pelicans nest on the salt bush that fringes the beach. |
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PM: Cerro Dragón (Santa Cruz): dry landing onto the north-west shore of Santa Cruz. White sand with giant cacti and succulent sesuvium, and behind a saltwater lagoon inhabited by greater flamingos, black-necked common stilts, and white-cheeked pintail ducks. A walk inland leads to a nesting site of Galapagos land iguanas. |
| WEDNESDAY |
AM: Daphne: before heading to Baltra airport, we circumnavigate the tiny islet of Daphne where the longest ongoing evolutionary field research has been carried out. The cliffs teem with Nazca boobies and red-billed tropicbirds, and Darwin's finches have been showing the scientific community how evolution works. |
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Transfer OUT |
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SHIPS 
