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Focus On Galapagos
Experience extreme nature on a voyage through one of the world’s great marine reserves
This is the ultimate Galapagos exploration! Onboard our vessel the M.Y. San Jose, you will be treated to a very special experience. The Galapagos Islands, 1000 kilometres off the coast of Ecuador, are a World Heritage sanctuary. As a result of the extreme isolation of the islands, nearly a quarter of all species are endemic and much of the wildlife has no instinctive fear of man. On your explorations of the islands the wildlife will astound you. Blue-footed, red-footed, and masked boobies are found alongside pelicans and frigate birds. There are giant Galapagos tortoises, land and marine iguanas, sea lions, fur seals, dolphins, whales and sea turtles - a myriad of fascinating wildlife to be discovered. Our 8-day program is one of our most popular voyages, it is designed to offer you the best opportunities to experience the magnificent flora and fauna that make the Galapagos unique.
Gallery View map
This is the ultimate Galapagos exploration! Onboard our vessel the M.Y. San Jose, you will be treated to a very special experience. The Galapagos Islands, 1000 kilometres off the coast of Ecuador, are a World Heritage sanctuary. As a result of the extreme isolation of the islands, nearly a quarter of all species are endemic and much of the wildlife has no instinctive fear of man. On your explorations of the islands the wildlife will astound you. Blue-footed, red-footed, and masked boobies are found alongside pelicans and frigate birds. There are giant Galapagos tortoises, land and marine iguanas, sea lions, fur seals, dolphins, whales and sea turtles - a myriad of fascinating wildlife to be discovered. Our 8-day program is one of our most popular voyages, it is designed to offer you the best opportunities to experience the magnificent flora and fauna that make the Galapagos unique.
Gallery View map
Tour Highlights
- Bartolome's lunar-like landscape
- Waved albatrosses and boobies on Espanola Island
- Sullivan Bay's black lava field
- Snorkelling in the volcanic cone of Devil’s Crown
- The tortoises of Charles Darwin Research Station
- Post Office Bay on Floreana
- Frigatebird spotting
Inclusions
- • Return flights from Quito to the Galapagos Islands. • Accommodation onboard the First Class vessel the M.Y. San Jose in one of just eight well-appointed, air-conditioned, twin share, lower berth cabins with private facilities. Use of a comfortable lounge and sun deck. • The services of an expert English-speaking naturalist guide and a crew of 8 on board the Galapagos vessel. • All Zodiac and shore excursions during the voyage: Las Bachas, Rabida Island, Santiago Island, Sullivan Bay, Santa Cruz Island including the Highlands and Black Turtle Cove, Cristobal Island, Leon Dormido, Cerro Brujo, Interpretation Centre, Espanola Island including Bahia Gardner, Punta Suarez and Devil's Crown, and Floreana Island including Post Office Bay and Punta Cormorant. • Hike to the top of a once-active volcano on Bartolome Island. • Visit to the tortoise research and breeding program at the Charles Darwin Research Station. • All meals aboard the M.Y. San Jose, served in a comfortable dining room. • Use of snorkelling equipment during the voyage.
- Boat
- Bus
- On foot
- Zodiac
- 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners
Focus On Galapagos
Day 1
Galapagos (Las Bachas - Santa Cruz Island)
Meals Privided:
, Lunch, Dinner
You should make your own way to the Quito domestic airport and be there 90 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time for the Galapagos. Generally flights to the Galapagos depart around 9.00am however you should check the exact time on your flight ticket. In the departure lounge of the domestic airport you will meet the representative of the M.Y. San Jose who will assist you with your group check-in and payment of the $10 transit card fee.
Lunch is normally served on the flight. On arrival at Baltra Airport in the Galapagos you must pay the US$100 arrival tax for entry to Galapagos National Park. This is best done using cash, as using credit cards can be a time consuming process. We are met in the arrival hall of the airport by our naturalist guide and transferred to the 'San Jose'.
Once settled on board, our cruise departs for Las Bachas. The sandy, white beaches on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island are a nesting site for the Pacific green turtle, and marine iguanas are also commonly seem. The rocks provide a great snorkelling experience and are the perfect habitat for the Sally Lightfoot crabs, which are plentiful on the island.
Day 2
Galapagos (Rabida Island - Santiago Island)
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The volcanic rocks of Rabida are covered with palo santo trees, opuntia cacti and low, scrubby bushes. Sea lions abound on the red sand beach and there is a lagoon inhabited by flamingoes. There are also several species of Darwin finches. The shoreline of Puerto Egas on Santiago is an ancient lava flow and the beach is a breeding ground for large numbers of marine iguanas. The beach provides a home to many shore birds including ruddy turnstone and American oystercatcher. Sugarloaf Mountain serves as a magical backdrop to the area and a natural bridge leads to the inlets where endemic fur seals are found on the rough lava shores.
Day 3
Galapagos (Sullivan Bay - Bartolome Island)
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Bartolome is a relatively new island in the chain and traces of its volcanic past can be seen everywhere, as evident by the amazing lunar-like landscape. The Pinnacle Rock is one of the most photographed sites in the Galapagos. Here we can hike to the top of a once-active volcano and enjoy superb views across to Sullivan Bay, on nearby Santiago Island. Later in the day we visit the bay, which will be of great interest to those keen on geology. We see much evidence of a violent volcanic past with pahoehoe lava, ropy lava and gigantic lava tubes seen everywhere.
Day 4
Galapagos (Santa Cruz - Puerto Ayora - Charles Darwin Station - Highlands)
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we visit Santa Cruz, the second largest island in the Galapagos. The small town of Puerto Ayora is the economic centre of the archipelago, whilst the island is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station. There will be time to explore the station and observe the tortoise research and breeding programs. We also head up into the highlands for a total change of scenery. Here it is a lush humid zone containing miconia bushes, scalesia and inactive volcanic cones. We can visit a pair of large pit craters called 'Los Gemelos' (if lucky, we may spot a vermilion flycatcher) and the largest lava tunnels found in the Galapagos. Santa Cruz has more endemic plants than any of the other islands and we may even see Galapagos giant tortoises in their natural habitat.
Day 5
Galapagos (San Cristobal Island)
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal is the capital and administrative centre of the Galapagos Islands. There is a good interpretation centre here that is well worth a visit. The centre focuses primarily on the history and geography of the archipelago, from its volcanic origins to the present-day ecosystem. We pass through Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock), which is a magnificent rock in the middle of the sea, set in a shape resembling a sleeping lion. The rock rises 150 metres above the surface and is divided into two parts by a narrow channel navigable by small vessels. We also visit Cerro Brujo, where there is a chance to go hiking, swimming and snorkelling. The sandy beach is home to Sally Lightfoot crabs, brown pelicans and blue-footed boobies.
Day 6
Galapagos (Espanola – Bahia Gardner - Punta Suarez)
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we cruise to the island of Espanola - the southernmost island of the Galapagos. Because of its remote location this place has a large population of endemic fauna. It is the breeding site for nearly all of the world's 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses and also home to colonies of blue-footed and masked boobies. We also visit the beautiful white sandy beaches at Bahia Gardner, which are great places for swimming and relaxing. The rocks off the coast provide excellent snorkelling opportunities, with reef sharks, turtles and many species of tropical fish, including surgeon and angelfish, often seen. The small white-tipped reef sharks are also often spotted resting under the rocks. We also pay a visit to Punta Suarez, one of the most attractive locations in the Galapagos and home to large and varied wildlife population.
Day 7
Galapagos (Floreana - Post Office Bay - Punta Cormorant)
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our destination is the island of Floreana, where we go ashore at Punta Cormorant. Here, the sand is made up of fine olivine crystals, a glassy volcanic mineral, giving the beach its olive-green colour and it is the best place to we see Galapagos sea lions. Today is also our best opportunity to see pink flamingos and other water birds wading in the lagoons, including pintails and stilts. Devil’s Crown is an old eroded volcanic cone and a popular roosting site for seabirds such as boobies, pelicans and frigates. Red-billed tropicbirds can also be seen nesting in the rocky crevices. The centre of the cone is an outstanding snorkelling spot, full of sea lions and colourful fish. Floreana is also home to Post Office Bay, where 18th Century whalers used a barrel as an unofficial mail drop. This custom continues to this day with visitors to the Galapagos!
Day 8
Galapagos (Caleta Tortuga Negra - Baltra) - Quito
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
Today we take an early morning excursion to Caleta Tortuga Negra (Black Turtle Cove) - a mangrove swamp on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. In the smaller corners of the cove we paddle a dinghy for a wonderfully peaceful journey through this beautiful and unique area. This is often an excellent place to see green turtle, golden ray and Galapagos shark. There is also abundant birdlife, such as yellow warbler and lava heron. It is not uncommon to see turtles mating. This is our final excursion before we return to the airport in Baltra for our flight back to Quito.
As you will be leaving the boat this morning, please remember that if you have enjoyed the services provided by your guide and crew, a tip would be very much appreciated by them. As a guideline we recommend each passenger consider US$15 per day for the crew and US$7-10 per day for your guide. You can leave tips in envelopes that are placed in your cabin on this last day of your journey. Your Galapagos adventure comes to an end upon arrival back at the Quito airport. If you are flying out of Quito this evening we recommend that you do not book your departure fligt before 8pm.
IN A NUTSHELL
8 days
from $5,115
16
TOUR INFORMATION
| Start | End | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 11/10/2011 | 18/10/2011 | $5,115 |
| 25/10/2011 | 01/11/2011 | $5,115 |
| 01/11/2011 | 08/11/2011 | $5,200 |
| 08/11/2011 | 15/11/2011 | $5,200 |
| 29/11/2011 | 06/12/2011 | $5,200 |
| 06/12/2011 | 13/12/2011 | $5,200 |
| 13/12/2011 | 20/12/2011 | $5,200 |
| 27/12/2011 | 03/01/2012 | $5,200 |
