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MV Santa Cruz - Galapagos Islands Cruise (4 days)4 days duration
After upon arrival at San Cristobal Island, you are transferred to the MV SANTA CRUZ, which will be anchored at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the provincial capital of the Galápagos Islands where you will have a welcome introductory briefing and lunch onboard.
This afternoon, a dinghy ride along the shores of tuff-stone layers will bring us to Cerro Brujo's white coraline beach. The area gives good views of seabirds like blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, herons, frigate birds, and some shore birds, as well as Galapagos sea lions. The beach is a great open walking area, with rewarding birdwatching. Highlights ashore include the Chatham (San Cristobal) Mockingbird, Chatham Lava Lizard; both species are endemic to this island, and seen nowhere else in Galapagos. We may also spot Yellow Warblers, Galapagos flycatchers and with luck a Vermillion flycatcher (endemic subspecies to San Cristobal). These are the same shores that Charles Darwin walked upon, back in September 1835, as San Cristobal was the first island where he set foot in the Galapagos. Back on board after a briefing on the next day's activities, enjoy a welcome cocktail from the Captain and dinner. (LD)
On arrival at Punta Suarez on Espanola Island, enjoy an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April - December), Nazca (masked boobies), blue-footed boobies, swallow-tail gulls, and the famous blowhole. Among its landbirds, the Hood Island mockingbird, and three species of Darwin’s finches are common highlights. Also, look for red-green-black marine iguanas, and of course a rookery of sea lions right at the landing site. Back on board for lunch.
This afternoon we disembark at Punta Cormorant on Floreana Island at an olivine-crystal beach for an easy walk that includes a brackish water lagoon where bird species like Greater flamingos, pintail ducks, common stilts, herons, sandpipers, and others may be observed. This outing also includes a white-sand beach where sea turtles come out at night for nesting (from December to May). There is the possibility of snorkelling from the beach, or join our Glass Bottom Boat or advanced snorkeling panga if conditions permit. (BLD)
This morning brings us to the youngest island, Fernandina where we disembark at Punta Espinoza for a one-mile walk. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness with lots of wildlife. Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing their island habitat with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs and hawks. Lava terrain calls for good walking shoes. Back on board, enjoy lunch before we sail along the Bolívar Channel, for astonishing views of the Galápagos’ youngest volcanoes. The nutrient-rich waters of the west can also bring surprises like encountering sea birds feeding, dolphins, and possibly whales.
In the afternoon, depending on the conditions of the ocean, we will schedule a snorkelling outing along the cliffs of partly-sunken Ecuador Volcano on the northern tip of Isabela Island. Since there is no landing site at this location, we will include a coastal exploration by dinghy, where our naturalist guides will explain the dramatic geology of the area with remains of lava flows and tuff stone layers. This is the nesting place for flightless cormorants, the only existing marine birds in the world other than penguins that have changed their condition of flying birds to diving birds. Wildlife here also includes Sea lions, Galápagos Fur seals, Galápagos Penguins, Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies and noddy terns. This area has a very rich marine life, and is seasonally visited by green sea turtles. (BLD)
Visiting the famous Charles Darwin Research Station will be certainly a rewarding adventure for this morning's program. This outing is an optional program and an early one. We arrive at the Itabaca Channel, between the islands of Baltra and Santa Cruz and disembark at the public dock for a 30-minute bus ride along the highlands enroute to Puerto Ayora where changes in vegetation can be witnessed. Upon arrival, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the rearing in captivity program for the famous giant tortoises. Here we will get to understand the conservation efforts promoted by this institution, and stroll among an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest where endemic land birds can be seen. After an hour visit, return via the same route to cross the Itabaca Channel by ferry and take the bus to Baltra Island airport in time for early afternoon flight back to the continent.
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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