5 DAY LUXURY CRUISE -
Friday to Tuesday (1 night on Santa Cruz)*
| Friday |
am: |
Arrive Baltra airport and transfer to hotel
Santa Cruz Island- Charles Darwin Research Station
Friday Morning: Islas Plaza
This island is a very special place for the Galapagos; you will find a big colony of Sea Lions, land iguanas, several birds species, a beautiful view to the ocean from a cliff and a forest of Opuntia Cacti. |
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Islas Plaza
Friday afternoon*: Visit the Highlands of the Island
The highland of Santa Cruz is one of the best place to watch wild giant tortoises. As you walk through the forest, be aware to the sound of heavy foot steps and the sound of shrubs being slowly crushed as the tortoises make their way through the brush to enjoy a meal. In the highalnds you will also find the lava tubes, sinkholes and craters to explore. These formations offer a fascinating hike into the belly of the island to view its volcanic make-up.
After this visit, you will have dinner and overnight in a first class hotel in Puerto Ayora town, Santa Cruz Island.
Friday afternoon or Saturday morning**: Charles Darwin Research Station
The visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station allows you to learn about the giant tortoise breeding and repatriation program and the eradication of introduced species. You will be able to walk among the giant tortoises. The station is also home to the world´s rarest animal. There is only one Pinta Island giant tortoise remaining on this planet. He is known as Lonesome George and when he dies the Pinta tortoise will be extinct. Afterwards you will have an opportunity to look around Puerto Ayora (souvenir shopping etc.).
Highlights: Lonesome George, Giant Tortoises
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| Saturday |
am: |
North Seymour/ Baltra island-Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the main land
NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND
Saturday morning
North Seymour is a very low-lying island and has a very large population of blue footed-boobies. It is also home to the largest colony of the magnificent frigate birds in Galapagos. The large red pouch of the males makes for quite a spectacle. The first half of the trail is sandy but the second half is rocky (be sure to bring good walking shoes).
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Highlights: |
Magnificent frigate birds, great frigate birds, blue footed boobies, marine iguanas, sea-lions, swallow-tailed gulls |
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| Monday |
am: |
James Island: Egas Port
Monday morning: Egas Port
Puerto Egas (also called South James Bay) is on the northwest side of Santiago Island. The lava and black sand beaches make for great photography. Puerto Egas is one of the few places in Galapagos where you can see Galapagos “Fur seals”. We start with an easy walk along the beach. The lava and black sand beaches make for great photography. Here you will also find good snorkeling off the beach with a broad array of marine life to be seen.
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Highlights: |
Fur seal grotto, tide pools, Galapagos hawk, oyster catchers, marine iguanas, finches, snorkeling |
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Rábida Island Monday pm
Rábida Island (also called Jervis) is a bird-watcher's delight. Some of the rarest species are in abundance, such as 9 varieties of finches, large billed flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans. The trail starts along the red sand beach and then to the top of a hill where you will have a great view of the surrounding landscape.
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Highlights: |
White cheeked pintail ducks, sea lions, snorkeling, red beach, salt water lagoon, palo santo trees |
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| Tuesday |
am: |
San Cristobal Island-Isla Lobos and transfer back to the airport for your flight to the main land.
Tuesday morning: Galapaguera
In the morning we disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos Islands. From there we take a one hour bus ride to the Galapaguera. The Galapaguera allows you to see the Giant tortoise in its natural environment. You can see baby tortoises and well as the large adults.
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