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MC Athala - Galapagos Islands Cruise (8 days)8 days duration
Upon arrival on Baltra Island, you are transferred to the pier to board MC Athala for your seven-night cruise of this remarkable archipelago.
Bartholomew Island is the home to the Pinnacle Rock, one of the most famous vistas in the Galapagos. Climbing to the top of this island rewards visitors with panoramic views of varied lava formations, volcanic peaks and a moon-like landscape. You may also get the chance to swim with the Galapagos Penguin. (LD)
The seahorse shaped Isabela Island is the largest and also one of the youngest and most volcanically active islands in the archipelago. Punta Vicente Roca is comprised of two separate coves; this site is a large bay with spectacular sea life. Keep an eye out for seahorses, sea turtles and the strange, yet fascinating, Mola Mola (or Sun Fish). Fernandina Island is scheduled in the afternoon. There has been no invasion of foreign species here and as such, it is one of the world's most pristine island ecosystems and the most protected by the Galapagos National Park. Across the channel that divides Isabela Island from Fernandina is Punta Espinosa. The walking trail starts at a large marine iguana colony and leads to the amazing flightless cormorant nesting sites with much to observe and enjoy in between. (BLD)
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. Here you will also find good snorkeling off the beach with a broad array of marine life to be seen.
In the morning we anchor at Isla Lobos on San Cristobal Island. The name “Isla Lobos” means Sea Lion Island, which is certainly appropriate since many sea lions frolic, leap and make their homes here. This island is also a great place for snorkelling (and if we’re lucky with the sea lions as well). 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)
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)
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)
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)
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. 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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