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Estrella del Mar - Galapagos Islands Cruise (8 days)8 days duration
Upon arrival on San Cristobal Island, you are picked up at the airport by our guides and taken to the pier to board the Estrella del Mar for your seven-night cruise of this remarkable archipelago.
San Cristobal Island is home to the capital and administrative centre of the Galápagos Islands, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno which is located on the west side of the island. We'll visit Isla Lobos, a seasonal nesting location for the blue footed boobie, although the basalt island outcropping is named for the sea lions sometimes present there. Isla Lobos means ”Sea-Lion Island”, and the name is certainly appropriate because they frolic, leap and make a racket here. It is also a nesting place for Blue-footed Boobies and a good place for snorkelling. (LD)
The southernmost island and the only nesting site of the Waved Albatross. Today we spent time snorkelling at the lovely beach of Gardner Bay and at Punta Suarez, see mockingbirds, Blue-footed and Masked Boobies, Darwin Finches, Galapagos Doves and Hawks, red and green marine iguanas, sea lions and the famed Blow Hole. (BLD)
The day starts with a morning snorkelling opportinity at Post Office Bay, where 18th century whalers used a barrel as an unofficial mail drop, a custom still continues today. At Point Cormorant you'll find more than 50 volcanic cones in a 80 mile area, pink flamingos, clear water and interesting coral formations, making this also a perfect spot for snorkeling. (BLD)
Isabela Island is the largest island of the Galapagos at over 100km long and is extremely narrow. Six volcanoes are found on Isabela, of which two are over 1,700m which are Wolf and Cerro Azul. The most commonly visited sites are Punta Garcia to watch for the Flightless Cormorants, Volcan Alcedo for Land Tortoises, Tagus Cove for Blue Footed Boobies, Flightless Cormorant, Galápagos Penguins and Marine Iguanas, and Urbina Bay for Marine Turtles. (BLD)
The central island in the Galapagos and home to the main port, Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station, which you will visit during your tour. The largest town in Galapagos hosts numerous hotels, restaurants, shops, a post office, a small supermarket and two diving companies.
Located directly to the north of Baltra Island, North Seymour Island is famous for its colony of Frigates found on the south west side of this small island. Also found on this island are Blue Footed Boobies, Land Iguanas, Swallow-tailed Gulls, pelicans and Red-billed Tropic Birds.
Bartolome Island is probably the most photographed island in the Galapagos due to its 350 feet high summit and fabulous 360° views, which is reached after a 60m hike. Subject to weather conditions, the following islands may be seen from here: Santiago, Santa Cruz, Baltra, North Seymour and Rábida. The best view is from the Pinnacle Rock, rising 70m from the cove below where your yacht will probably anchor. The main attractions are a small colony of the indigenous Galapagos penguin and a colony of sea lions, both found in the cove where you will make a wet landing. Behind the beach it can be found the red and white mangrove, salt bushes, morning glory and the prickly pear cactuses. Other animals that may be seen here are the Great Blue Heron and possibly sea turtles as they lay their eggs from January to March. (BLD)
Plazas Island is the smallest of the large islands at 1km by 130m. After a dry landing your hike will take you from the shore, which is usually covered in sea lions, to the other side of the island to see the Land Iguanas. On your return, you may see various Sea Iguanas.
Santa Fe Island may well be the oldest island in the Galapagos. The ship will anchor at one of the most beautiful and most sheltered bays in the archipelago. Some of the best snorkelling is here due to crystal clear and shallow waters. Certainly one of the best locations for swimming with sea lions and for a glimpse of the Galapagos White-tipped Shark and a sea turtle. After a wet landing you will walk up to a nearby cliff to see the land iguanas through an area of Opuntia Cactus. Other animals present are the Galapagos Hawk, owls, Frigates, Pelicans, Manta Rays and mockingbirds. (BLD)
On approach to Puerto Baquerizo on San Cristobal Island, it is not unusual to see a school of dolphins swimming alongside your yacht. Here we visit the Interpretation Centre which explains the natural processes that have made the Galápagos such a unique place, delineates efforts to protect and preserve the islands, and serves as an education centre for park personnel and naturalist guides.
Your cruise comes to an end and you will journey to the airport for your flight back to Guayaquil or Quito. (BL) Inca Tours does not own any of the hotels, lodges or service providers utilised in making up the tours. As a result Inca Tours is only acting as an agent for the operators and as such does not accept responsibility for any negligence, omissions, errors or differences in standard experienced by passengers when utilising the operators' products or services. Please Note: for full booking terms and conditions please see the back of our booking form. To Enquire about this Product Please call us now on 1800 024 955. Alternatively, you can enquire about this product by clicking the button below. |
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