MC Athala - Galapagos Islands Cruise (5 days)
5 days duration
These enchanting islands are a paradise of many species of flora and fauna and lie on the Equator 1,000 km from Ecuador. An archipelago of 13 large islands, 6 small ones and 40 rocky islets, they were created by violent eruptions of submerged volcanoes. The archipelago is the most famous National Park in the world and takes its name from its symbol, the tortoise.
The luxury Catamaran Athala was specifically designed and built to cruise the Galapagos Islands in style. The elegant design provides more comfort, superior speed, excellent stability and meets all the latest safety standards. The Athala is unrivalled in offering the generous, comfortable accommodation and amenities of a larger boat while still preserving the relaxed exclusivity of a smaller vessel. All cabins on board are deluxe, with well-appointed private bathroom, water, air conditioning and wall to wall carpeting. All have ocean views with large portrait windows (not portholes).
Day 1
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Tuesday |
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Arrive San Cristobal Island |
Upon arrival at San Cristobal Island, you are transferred to the pier to board MC Athala for your four-night cruise of this remarkable archipelago.
After lunch 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. (BLD)
Day 2
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Wednesday |
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Espanola Island |
The Española Island (also called Hood) is the southernmost island and teems with wildlife. It is the breeding site of nearly all of the world's 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. Gardner Bay has a lovely white sand beach where you will see a sea lion colony. It is a good place for snorkelling or just relaxing on the beach.
Suarez Point is often listed as a Galapagos favorite visitor site. Along a 2 mile (3km) walk you have the chance to see blue-footed boobies and waved albatross as well as the famous “blowhole” spurt water high into the air. The landscape is great for photography. (BLD)
Day 3
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Thursday |
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Floreana Island |
At Post Office Bay on Floreana Island, 18th century whalers used a barrel as an unofficial mail drop. In those times ships could often be away from home for 2 years or more. Ships on their outward journey would leave letters and ships returning home would collect them and mail them in their homeland. The custom continues to this day between Galapagos visitors!
We start the afternoon at Cormorant Point. The trail will take us along the beach where sea lions are basking in the sand. Further ahead, behind white and black mangroves we will reach a vast brackish water lagoon where flamingos can be seen. We will carry on until we reach a look out point and then to the white sand beach which is a sea turtle nesting ground. The nearby Devil’s Crown is widely considered to one of the best snorkelling sites in the Galapagos. (BLD)
Day 4
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Friday |
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Santa Cruz Island / Plazas Island |
The visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz allows you to learn about the giant tortoise breeding and repatriation program and the eradication of introduced species. You will also 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 for souvenir shopping.
Plazas 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. (BLD)
Day 5
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Saturday |
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North Seymour Island / Depart Baltra Island |
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).
Later you are transferred to the airport on Baltra Island 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.
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