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Tour Description:
Sail the Galapagos islands on either the
Coral I or
Coral II on our
Galapagos Discovery and experience the archipelago in
style. Both the Coral I and Coral II are luxurious yachts
with spacious and well appointed social areas and
accommodations. They will sail alongside each other during
most cruise departures while the friendly crew and
professional Naturalist guides on board will make sure this
trip will be unforgettable in more that just one way. The cruise itinerary will take you on a exploration of
some of the most interesting islands of the Galapagos.
The Naturalist guides will explain and teach you about the
history of the islands and show you the fascinating
Flora, Fauna and underwater world of the Galapagos
islands.
A day on the Coral I or Coral II begins with breakfast
followed by an excursion. Morning and afternoon
excursions are scheduled either with a dry or wet
landing. During dry landings passengers step from a
dinghy onto rocks or a dock while on a wet landing the
dinghy will edge onto a sandy beach where passengers
will step into knee deep water and wade ashore.
Every night the Naturalist guides
will give a briefing on the day's activities and the
excursions planned for the following day. Enjoy your
Galapagos cruise. |
Day 1 - Wednesday
AM / PM - QUITO or GUAYAQUIL /
BALTRA & SANTA CRUZ (INDEFATIGABLE
/ CHAVEZ) ISLANDS - Dragon Hill / Venice
Our services will begin upon your arrival at the airport of
Baltra island (Galapagos) from
Quito or
Guayaquil after a flight of approximately 2 and a half hours.
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Contact us for services in Quito and
Guayaquil and airfares to the Galapagos and Ecuador |
The guides of the
Coral I or
Coral II (both yachts operate this program
side by side) will greet you outside the customs area of the
airport and provide the transfer to the port. After check in and a
short time of relax we disembark for an afternoon excursion to
Dragon Hill on
Santa Cruz island. After a dry landing we will walk to a lagoon behind the
beach which is occasionally visited by pink flamingos. From here the
trail leads up to Dragon Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the
bay. The area is a nesting site for a large number of land iguanas
that were re-introduced by the Charles Darwin Research Station.
There is also a somewhat bizarre Scalesia tree forest.
We continue on a dinghy ride around the islet along the coast of
Santa Cruz. The land iguanas in Venice are protected from the wild
dogs that live on the island. It is also possible here to observe
the vegetation and marine animals like the Spotted Eagle Rays and
Golden Rays, Mullets, White Tipped Reef Sharks and pacific green Sea
Turtles which rest in the calm waters of the coves and channels.
EVE - The crew and your Naturalist guides on board the
Coral I or
Coral II will give a briefing on security procedures and an
outline of the program to follow over the next week. Dinner and
evening at leisure. Overnight on board.
(L, D.)
Day 2 - Thursday
AM - RABIDA (JERVIS) ISLAND
 In the morning hours we will go for a wet landing at the
dark red colored beach of volcanic origin of
Rabida island, frequented by sea lions. It is often
considered the geographic center of Galapagos because it has the
most diversified volcanic rocks of all the Islands. A short trail
leads to a salt water lagoon, where we occasionally find flamingos.
From July thru September is a good time to observe brown pelicans
nest in the salty bushes found at the far side of the salty lagoon.
Also to be observed are boobies and 9 species of Darwin’s finches.
We continue by dingy for a ride along the reefs where we find an
excellent opportunity for snorkeling.
PM -
SANTIAGO (JAMES / SAN
SALVADOR) ISLAND - Puerto Egas
The Yacht will move on to Puerto Egas (Egas Port) on
Santiago island where we will disembark on a wet landing.
Most of the landscape here is tuff-stone layers and lava flows. The
surrounding area is prime for spotting and observing hunting Herons,
Great Blue Herons, Lava Herons, Oyster Catchers, and the Yellow
Crowned Night Herons. Enjoy the sight of Marine Iguanas grazing on
algae beds at low tide sharing space with red sally light-foot
crabs. A colony of Fur Sea Lions swim in deep pools of cool water
called “grottos”. From the beach you can swim and snorkel in search
of Octopuses, Sea Horses, Star Fish and other sea life species.
EVE - Dinner and evening at leisure. Overnight on
board.
(B, L, D.)
Day 3 - Friday
AM -
FERNANDINA (NARBOROUGH) ISLAND - Punta Espinosa
In the morning we will make a dry landing at Punta
Espinosa (Espinosa Point) on
Fernandina island. Here we will see the biggest Marine
Iguanas mingle with sally-light foot crabs. Flightless Cormorants
have their nesting sites here while Galapagos Penguins, Galapagos
hawks and sea lions can be found here as well. Flora and volcanic
formation observers will note Brachycerus cactus, and two kinds of
lava formations “pa-hoe-hoe” lava and ”AA”. Numerous mangrove beds
extend into the sea, depicting a healthy and thriving eco-system.
PM - ISABELA
(ALBEMARLE) ISLAND - Tagus
Cove
This afternoon we will visit
Isabela island, the largest island in the Galapagos. At
Tagus Cove, we disembark on a dry landing. Our Naturalist guides
will explain about the eruption of five volcanoes that flowed
together to form this land mass. The marked trail leads to Darwin’s
salt water lagoon and an excellent view of the lava fields, scoured
with unique volcanic formations. From the dingy we will have time to
observe marine life. Frequently, Galapagos Penguins can be seen
here. Graffiti, dating back to the 1800’s, can help visitors better
appreciate the relationship between the islands and tourism today.
Most of the graffiti is believed to be done by pirates and
buccaneers. Snorkeling is possible in this part.
EVE - Dinner and evening at leisure. Overnight on board.
(B, L, D.)
Day 4 - Saturday
AM - BARTOLOME
(BARTHOLOMEW) ISLAND
Breakfast on board followed by a visit to
Bartolomé island. We will make a dry landing on this island
where we will see volcanic formations including lava bombs, spatter,
and cinder cones. After a hike to the summit we will enjoy one of
the most impressive views of the surrounding islands, including the
eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock. During the hike to the summit,
visitors will often see large colonies of Marine Iguanas, Lava
Lizards, tiquila bushes and various cacti. After the hike we will
have a chance to cool off while snorkeling. Here it is possible to
see the Galapagos Penguins, Sea Turtles and White Tipped Reef Sharks
from a safe distance.
PM - SANTA CRUZ
(INDEFATIGABLE / CHAVEZ) ISLAND - Black Turtle Cove
After lunch we visit Black Turtle Cove, located near Las Bachas
beach in the north coast line of
Santa Cruz Island. On this excursion we will take a “dingy” ride
though the mangrove, during which the outboard motor of the small
boat is turned off allowing us to observe Marine Turtles, White
Tipped Reef Sharks, Spotted Eagle Rays and Yellow Rays from up
close.
EVE - Dinner and evening at leisure. Overnight on board.
(B, L, D.)
Day 5 -
Sunday
AM - SANTA CRUZ
(INDEFATIGABLE / CHAVEZ) ISLAND - CHARLES DARWIN STATION
On this last morning in the Galapagos we will visit the Charles
Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora on
Santa Cruz island. The station is staffed by international
scientists conducting biological research and conservation projects.
Here you can also admire giant tortoises that are part of the
breeding program. Time permitting we visit "Rancho Primicias" in the
highlands of the island before returning back on board the yacht.
PM - BALTRA ISLAND / GUAYAQUIL or
QUITO
We disembark at the docks of
Baltra island from where we take a bus to the airport for
the flight back to mainland Ecuador via Guayaquil to Quito.
(B, L.)
END OF SERVICES |
