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Tour
Description: Experience the
Galapagos islands on board the most luxurious ship of
the region, the
M/V Galapagos Explorer II.
You will discover and explore the archipelago accompanied by some of the most
knowledgeable Naturalist guides on the islands. They will
lead you on daily shore excursions to seek out wildlife and
help you to learn about the fascinating natural history of
these volcanic islands.
The Galapagos Explorer II will be your
home for the next 04 days. This 293 foot, first-class, all
suite,
ocean-going cruise ship carries 100 passengers.
Its comfortable suites feature air-conditioning, private
bathrooms and a small sitting area. When you are not exploring, you and your
family can enjoy the ship’s pool, solarium and reading
room without experiencing the motion of a smaller vessel.
A day on the Galapagos Explorer II begins with breakfast
followed by the morning excursion. On each day of the cruise you will
disembark the vessel twice. Morning and afternoon
excursions are scheduled either with a dry or wet landing.
During dry landings passengers step from the 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 or PM - QUITO or
GUAYAQUIL - SAN CRISTOBAL (CHATHAM) ISLAND
You will fly from either
Quito or
Guayaquil (flights not included) to the island of
San Cristobal (Chatham) - Galapagos. This is the easternmost
island of the Galapagos Islands. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is the
capital of the Galapagos province and the location of the
extraordinary Interpretation Center for Galapagos National Park. You
will be met by the crew of the
M/V Galapagos Explorer II outside the customs area at the
airport. Transfer to the ship where you will board and settle into
your cabin.
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Contact us for services in Quito or
Guayaquil and/or airfare to Ecuador and the Galapagos
islands |
PM - SAN
CRISTOBAL (CHATHAM) ISLAND - Cerro Brujo
Lunch on board followed by the first excursion of the
cruise. On this first day in the Galapagos you will visit one
location near San Cristobal Island. We head out to Cerro Brujo for a
wet landing. Here we have a chance to observe blue footed boobies,
brown pelicans, coast bird (Whimbrels, sander lings, etc), Darwin’s
finches and yellow warblers. There will be time to go to the beach
for swimming and snorkeling activities before returning back to the
ship.
EVE - Dinner on board and evening at leisure.
Overnight on board
(L, D.)
Day 2 -
Thursday
AM - ESPANOLA (HOOD) ISLAND - Punta
Suarez
After breakfast disembark for excursion to
Espanola (Hood) island, the southernmost island of the
archipelago. Because it is so isolated, the island has a large
population of indigenous wildlife. You will explore Punta Suarez,
one of the most spectacular spots in the Galapagos, where you’ll
look for sea lions surfing the breaking waves and groups of iguanas
basking in the sun. Further inland, Masked and Blue-footed Boobies
nest beside the trails. You can hike a trail towards the cliffs to
the Blowhole, a fissure in the lava cliffs where seawater jets high
in the air.
PM - ESPANOLA (HOOD) ISLAND -
Gardner Bay
In the afternoon, after lunch, we visit Gardner Bay
on
Espanola (Hood) island. This long beach is about 1 kilometer
long and is among the most magnificent in the Galapagos. It is home
to many sea lion colonies and the turquoise colored water makes a
beautiful contrast to the white sand that consists of shell dust.
Mocking birds fight for their territory and inspect the backpacks of
the tourists. About 50 meters of the coast there is a rock where you
can encounter tropic fish and rays while snorkeling. But more
spectacular is the Gardner Rock that can be reached with a dinghy.
It is home to white-tipped reef shark, cactus finch and other
colorful sea dwellers and very popular among snorkelers.
EVE - Dinner and evening at leisure. Overnight on board.
(B, L, D.)
Day 3 -Friday
AM - SANTA CRUZ (INDEFATIGABLE /
CHAVEZ) ISLAND - Charles Darwin Research Station & Puerto Ayora
In the morning hours, you will visit
Santa Cruz (Indefatigable / Chavez) Island, landing in the
town of Puerto Ayora. Here we will visit the Darwin Station to learn
about the research conducted on the island. This UNESCO World
Heritage Site is a Galapagos tortoise breeding and rearing center,
where tortoises of different subspecies are prepared for
reintroduction to their natural habitats. Afterwards, you can stroll
through Puerto Ayora, largest town on the islands before returning
to the ship for lunch.
PM - RABIDA (JERVIS) ISLAND
While lunching the ship moves on to our next island,
Rabida (Jervis). The island is covered by dry and coastal
vegetation, and has a central volcano of 367 square meters. Rabida
contains the largest variety of lava types, being red the dominant
color. A salt-water lagoon provides occasional sights of Flamingos.
While the beach holds a large sea lion colony, fur seals also may be
seen here. Red sands and teal waters characterize this island. Sea
lions cover the waterfront, and the bull is always making a show of
his bravado. There's a short walk to the top of the trail where you
can take fabulous photos of the clear waters and volcanic peaks.
There's also great snorkeling. Keep near the rocks and keep your eye
out for sharks and rays.
EVE - Dinner and evening at leisure. Overnight on board.
(B, L, D.)
Day 4 - Saturday
AM - SANTA CRUZ
(INDEFATIGABLE / CHAVEZ) ISLAND / BALTRA - Bachas Beach
On this last morning we will visit Bachas Beach on
Santa Cruz (Indefatigable / Chavez) island. The white sand
beach is a great place for swimming. We can also see some nesting
site for sea turtles and in the small lagoon behind it we can see
flamingos and marine iguanas frequent the shore. Whimbrels, blue
heron, pelicans, sally light-foot crab and other species can also be
found here.
PM - Transfer by zodiac to the Baltra pier and bus ride to
airport for the return flight to
Guayaquil or
Quito.
(B, L.)
END OF SERVICES |
