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Tour
Description: The Galapagos Voyage
on the
Coral I /
Coral II is definitely one of the best cruise programs
available on the Archipelago. During most of the voyage
these yachts will sail near each other offering spacious
accommodations and excellent service, provided by a
professional and friendly crew. The cruise itinerary will
take you on a exploration of some of the most interesting
islands of the Galapagos. 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.
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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
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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.
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- Some passengers
will disembark at this time while others will join us
for the remainder of our cruise -
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PM -
SANTA CRUZ (INDEFATIGABLE
/ CHAVEZ) ISLANDS - Puerto Ayora & Highlands
In the
afternoon we cross the highlands of Santa Cruz visiting Cerro Chato
where we will be able to observe the famous giant tortoises that
gave the name to these islands. On
Santa Cruz travelers can literally get "into" the Galapagos by
walking in the dormant lava tubes.
EVE
- Dinner and evening at leisure. Overnight on board.
(B, L, D.)
Day 6 - Monday
AM -
ESPANOLA (HOOD) ISLAND - Punta Suarez
Wake up in the Galapagos islands and take in the smell and the
breeze of the ocean when stepping outside your cabin. After
breakfast on board we leave the yacht for a dry landing at Suarez
Point (Punta Suarez) on
Espanola island. Your Naturalist guides will explain and
teach you about the lava terrain while crossing the inactive lava
fields. We will be able to see several sea lion colonies but mostly
this is one of the most important sites for bird watching. As soon
as you step foot on this island many species can be spotted and
observed at close range. Among the species that can be found here
are the hooded mocking bird and red billed tropic. After crossing
the nesting grounds you will reach the world’s largest colony of
waved albatross (15,000 approx.). From May till December their
mating rituals are a highlight of the visit. Nearing the end of this
excursion passengers will visit the famous blowhole, where water
shoots into the air at almost 75 feet (some 23 meters).
PM -
ESPANOLA (HOOD) ISLAND - Gardner Bay
Lunch on
board. For the afternoon excursion we will go for a wet landing on a
white coral beach on Gardner Bay (Espanola
island) amidst a large colony of sea lions. Hiking is not possible
here as the site has no trails, but it is considered an open area
where you can spot a great variety of fauna. Galapagos hawks,
American oyster catchers, Galapagos doves and Hood mockingbirds,
three species of Darwin finches and Yellow Warblers, lava Lizards
and Marine Iguanas all can be seen here. All of these species are
endemic to this island. This is also a great place for swimming and
snorkeling. The best place for this spot is by the rock outcropping
that looks like a turtle. Often snorkelers see many of the Galapagos
marine species such as: King Angelfish, Creole fish, Damsel fish,
Parrot fish, Manta rays, White tipped reef sharks and many more.
Enjoy yourself snorkeling in an open Galapagos aquarium.
EVE - Dinner and evening at leisure.
Overnight on board.
(B, L, D.)
Day 7 - Tuesday
AM -
FLOREANA
(SANTA MARIA / CHARLES)
ISLAND - Punta Cormorant
After breakfast we head out for a wet landing on a greenish
colored sand beach on
Floreana island. The guides will take us on a
well-marked trail beginning in the Black Mangrove beds and we will
hike towards the back of the lagoon. The large, brackish lagoon
holds one of the biggest populations of flamingos in the Galapagos.
This island is best known for its endemic plant life. We can observe
the Galapagos millwork, Passion flower, and unique button mangrove
(one of the four species in the Galapagos). Novice snorkelers can
practice their skills back on the main beach where the sea lions are
playful, while experienced snorkelers can roam the waters around
Devils Crown.
PM -
FLOREANA
(SANTA MARIA / CHARLES)
ISLAND - Post Office Bay
During lunch the yacht
will head towards Post Office baby, located on the North side of
Floreana Island. The bay is so-named because in 1793,
Captain James Colnett installed an empty barrel of rum which works
as an informal post box for the sailors who periodically passed
through the Galapagos, taking with them letters for their next ports
of call or final destinations.
- The tradition carries on. Today, visitors to
the islands continue the tradition by placing postcards without
stamps inside the barrel which reach their destinations free of
charge. Sometimes it takes weeks, sometimes months, and sometimes
the cards never get there at all. You may want to try this easy
mail, be ready with your post cards and letters, it is a good way to
get Galapagos friends -
Just a short walk from the famous barrel, across
typical vegetation of the island, we come to a tunnel formed by lava
flows. It is quite a tricky way down to a path where we can observe
land birds such as Mocking bird of Galapagos, some species of
Darwin’s finches, yellow warblers and lava lizards. Later in the
afternoon we make a wet landing on “Mirador de la Baronesa”. Our
Naturalist guide will tell the story about the murder and mystery
legend of the "Baronesa". This viewpoint is located on the north of
the Floreana Island. It is a tuff basalt formation between Punta
Cormorant and Post Office bay. The climb on the trails is very easy
as steps are placed in this area for security.
EVE - Dinner and evening at leisure.
Overnight on board.
(B, L, D.)
Day 8 - Wednesday
AM - NORTH
SEYMOUR ISLAND
In the morning hours we will visit
North Seymour island for a dry landing. Here we will find
Swallow tailed gulls and Sea lions. The site is also known for being
a major nesting colony of blue footed boobies and the largest colony
of the magnificent frigate bird, a different species from the great
frigate bird. On a relaxing hike around the nesting sites we can
also spot both endemic species of Iguanas, the Marine Iguanas and
Land Iguanas.
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
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