MY Coral I & II - Galapagos Islands Cruise (8 days)
8 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 M/Y Coral I and M/Y Coral II are first-class motor yachts with a capacity for 36 guests and 20 guests respectively. The ships have expert crew plus a specialist naturalist guides and are fitted with the latest navigational equipment, all complying with international maritime safety regulations. There are two sun decks, indoor and outdoor dining areas, a well equipped bar, jacuzzi and library aboard each vessel.
Day 1
Sunday
Arrive Baltra Island / Santa Cruz Island
Fly from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island. You are picked up at the airport by our guides and taken to the pier to board the M/Y Coral I or Coral II for your seven-night cruise of this remarkable archipelago.
This afternoon you visit the second largest and most populated of the islands, Santa Cruz, with its most diverse landscape, vegetation, plant and animal life. You can trek through the highlands of Santa Cruz and visit Cerro Chato, where you’ll be able to observe the famous giant tortoises in their natural habitat. For a unique experience, you can also walk inside the dormant lava tubes. (LD)
Day 2
Monday
Espanola Island
From Suarez Point on Espanola Island, you can see the famous blowhole and one of the most varied seabird colonies on the islands. There are blue-footed and Nazca boobies, mockingbirds, sea lions, marine iguanas, lava lizards, rally light foot crabs, Galapagos doves, hawks, swallow-tailed gulls, oyster-catchers and the world's largest colony of waved albatross.
Later today, we cruise to Gardener Bay on Espanola and land on a pristine white coral beach amidst a large colony of sea lions. It’s an open area where you can spot Galapagos hawks, American oyster catchers, Galapagos doves, hood mockingbirds, 3 species of Darwin finches, yellow warblers, lava lizards, and marine iguanas. It’s great for swimming and snorkeling, and you can see many Galapagos marine species like king angelfish, creole fish, damsel fish, parrot fish, manta rays, white tipped reef sharks. (BLD)
Day 3
Tuesday
Floreana Island
Today you visit Floreana Island, landing on a greenish coloured sand beach at Cormorant Point. You will hike from the black mangrove beds to a large, brackish lagoon, which holds one of the biggest flamingo populations in the Galapagos. This island features endemic plants such as Scalesia villosa, Galapagos daisies, white and black mangrove, and holy stick. Novice snorkelers can practice on the main beach with the playful sea lions.
After Cormorant Point, we’ll make dinghy ride along the coast and spend an hour observing blue footed bobbies, sea lions, marine iguanas and swallow-tailed gulls. You'll also have the unforgettable experience of deep water snorkelling, where you willl be swimming in an aquarium with colourful fishes, tame sharks, and rays.
It's then on to the north side of Floreana Island, to Post Office bay so-named because in 1793, Captain James Colnett installed an empty barrel which served as an informal post box for sailors who passed through the Galapagos, taking with them the letters to their destinations. Today, you continue the tradition by placing unstamped postcards inside the barrel which reach their destinations for free. It can take weeks, sometimes months, or sometimes the cards never arrive at all! You'll also have the opportunity to observe the mocking bird of Galapagos, some species of Darwin’s finches, yellow Wardle and lava lizards. (BLD)
Day 4
Wednesday
North Seymour Island / Santa Cruz Island
Today you will visit North Seymour Island, a small 1.9 square km island which has large colonies of sea lions, swallow tailed gulls, red pouched frigate birds, blue-footed boobies and mockingbirds. This site is a major nesting colony of blue footed boobies and has the largest colony of the magnificent frigate bird. You will also spot both iguana species, the marine iguanas and land iguanas, and then hike around the nesting sites.
Later today you visit the second largest and most populated of the islands, Santa Cruz, with its most diverse landscape, vegetation, plant and animal life. You walk to a saltwater lagoon behind the beach, where on occasion many pink flamingos can be observed. This trail leads up to Dragon Hill, which offers a lovely view of the bay. This is a nesting site for reintroduced land iguanas, and there is a peculiar scalesia tree forest. (BLD)
Day 5
Thursday
Ravida Island / Santiago Island
Considered the geographic centre of Galapagos because it has the most diverse volcanic rocks on the Islands, Ravida Island's dark red, volcanic beach is frequented by sea lions. Here you can hike to a salt water lagoon, where flamingos can sometimes be found. From July through September, you can observe brown pelicans nesting in the salty bushes. Boobies and 9 species of Darwin’s finches can also be found. You can also take a dinghy ride by the reefs, as well as snorkel.
On Santiago Island, you can see great blue herons, striated herons, yellow-crowned night herons and American oystercatchers. You will also see marine iguanas grazing upon algae beds alongside red sally light-foot crabs and a colony of fur-seals swimming in pools of cool water. This is where you can swim, snorkel and look for squid, starfish and a variety of colourful tropical fish. (BLD)
Day 6
Friday
Fernandina Island / Isabela Island
On Fernandina Island, you will see the biggest marine iguanas mingling with sally-light foot crabs, as well as flightless cormorant nesting sites, Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks, and sea lions. Among the flora and volcanic formations, you will spot brachycereus cactus, and “pa-hoe-hoe” lava and “AA” lava formations. Numerous mangrove beds extend into the sea.
This afternoon, we visit the Galapagos' largest island, Isabela Island. You will learn about the eruption of five volcanoes that formed this island. A trail leads to Darwin’s salt water lagoon and an excellent view of the lava fields and volcanic formations.
Later, you’ll take a dinghy to observe marine life. Galapagos penguins are seen here frequently and there'll be an opportunity to enjoy some snorkeling. Graffiti, believed to have been made by 19th century pirates, helps us better appreciate the relationship between the islands and tourism today. (BLD)
Day 7
Saturday
Bartolome Island / Santa Cruz Island
You arrive at Bartolome Island and will see volcanic formations like lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. After a hike to the summit you’ll be impressed by the view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock. During the hike to the summit, you will often see colonies of marine iguanas, lava lizards, tiquilla, lava cactus, Scalecia tree and others. You will also be able to snorkel and see the Galapagos penguin, sea turtles, and white tipped sharks from a safe distance.
Located near Las Bachas beach on the north side of Santa Cruz Island, you will take a dinghy though the mangrove where the motor is turned off to allow close observation of marine turtles, white tipped reef sharks, spotted eagle rays, and yellow rays. (BLD)
Day 8
Sunday
Santa Cruz Island / Depart Baltra Island
On Santa Cruz Island, you will be taken to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, a sanctuary for the breeding of giant tortoises and a centre of scientific investigation. Here you will be able to observe the giant tortoises that are part of the reproduction program and the world’s most famous tortoise, Lonesome George, the last surviving specimen of his species. There is also the prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds to admire. Later on, you’ll have some free time to walk around town and shop for souvenirs.
After disembarking at Baltra, you will take a bus 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.
Tour Extensions
Map - hover to enlarge
TOUR DATES
Contact us for latest cruise departure dates aboard MY Coral I and MY Coral II.
Please note: This 7 night itinerary can begin on Wednesday or Sunday.
COUNTRIES VISITED
Ecuador
COMFORT LEVEL
Superior
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Local English speaking Expert Guide
Unique flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands
Santa Cruz Island
Espanola Island
Floreana Island
North Seymour Island
Ravida Island
Santiago Island
Fernandina Island
Isabela Island
Bartolome Island
Snorkelling opportunities
Pristine beaches and unique scenery
ITINERARY IN BRIEF
Galapagos Islands Cruise (7 nights)
It is possible to add nights before or after the cruise in Quito or Guayaquil, at an extra cost.
TOUR INCLUSIONS
Economy-class group airfares as described in the tour.
Accommodation in Superior or Tourist-class hotels or lodges & private facilities.
All tours and excursions with English speaking specialist local guides.
All admission fees on such tours.
Mostly private transfers and tours.
Meals throughout as indicated (B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner).
All transportation as described.
NOT INCLUDED
Airfares to the starting point and from the ending point of the tours.
