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Peregrine Travel Centre

Galapagos Cruise Itinerary A (San Jose)

Galapagos Cruise Itinerary A (San Jose)

From $4,295 USD

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Description

Our 7 nights western itinerary primarily explores the remote and exclusive western islands of Isabela and pristine Fernandina, which are both just recently born out of fire. After rounding Isabela clockwise we will return to the heart of the archipelago for several landings at Santiago and its satellite islets, before finishing on and around Santa Cruz and North Seymour. This cruise itinerary includes two nights of quiet rest at fairly calm anchorage-sites.

Though less frequented than popular central and south-eastern islands, this quiet west coast is truly exceptional. Become witness and walk at a short distance past some bizarre miracles of evolution, such as flightless cormorants, huge marine iguanas and Galapagos penguins close to the equator. And discover how pioneer species conquer barren lava fields and create habitats for new colonist species.
On Santa Cruz you will have a full day to quest for emblematic giant Galapagos tortoises in the lush highlands and to learn more on their successful captured breeding programs in the Charles Darwin Research Center. En route you will also have chances to see emblematic and endemic Galapagos land iguanas, whitetip reef sharks, American flamingos and many more. In the overwhelming sea bird colony of North Seymour you can observe blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds from nearby, whilst courtshipping, mating, breeding, nurturing or learning to fly (depending the season).

Please Note: Christmas net surcharges: Dec 18-21: USD 200 pp; Dec 21-25: USD 250 pp; Dec 18-25: USD 400 pp. New Year net surcharge: Dec 25-Jan 1: USD 400 pp.

Trip Name
Galapagos Cruise Itinerary A (San Jose)
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Motor Yacht Length: 34 m Passenger Capacity: 16 Built: 2004 Refurbished: 2016 The San José is 16-passenger yacht, designed for navigation in the Galapagos Archipelago. The yacht was carefully planned and built during 2004 in Guayaquil, Ecuador with the comfort of her guests in mind. Each of the eight double cabins has full air conditioning, a private bathroom, and is incredibly spacious. Additionally, the engine room is located below the living and dining room, to ensure minimal disturbance from engine noise during navigation. The social areas include a lovely dining room, lounge, bar, TV, DVD, and a small library. The San José also offers plenty of outside areas to relax and enjoy the natural sceneries of the Galapagos Islands. There are various carpeted deck areas with reclining chairs and an outdoor bar. On the top deck, there is a sun deck which is great for relaxation and panoramic views. San Jose is one of the larger 16 passenger yachts in Galapagos, and its design leaves ample room for sun and shaded decks with lounge chairs to privately enjoy, read a book, feel the sea breeze and dream away with the panoramic views. Even if we are fully booked, it won’t feel crowded. The outside decks are also excellent for wildlife observation, such as whales, dolphins and frigate birds. At the bar on the shaded outside deck you can order an exotic cocktail, or another drink of your choice.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 – Tuesday Arrival at Baltra Airport & Las Bachas (Santa Cruz)
AM: Arrival at Baltra AirportUpon arrival at Baltra Airport, you will first pass through an airport inspection point where your TCT (Transit Control Card) will be checked and stamped (please keep this carefully with your passport as you will need to show it again when you leave Galapagos). Here you will also pay the Galapagos National Park entrance fee of USD 100 (unless it has been prepaid). To ensure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands, your luggage will be inspected as well. At the arrival hall a naturalist guide will meet you and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbor at Baltra. By dinghy you will be taken to the yacht.PM: Las Bachas (Santa Cruz)These two small beaches are found to the West of Black Turtle Cove. Their sand is made of decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft, making it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish water lagoon, where occasionally it is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. The other beach is longer, but it has two old barges that were abandoned during the Second World War, when the USA used Baltra Island as a strategically point to protect the Panama Channel.
Day 2 - Day 2 – Wednesday Tintoreras, Wetlands, Wall of tears, Tortoise breeding centre (Isabela)
AM: Tintoreras (Isabela)A delightful place reached by a nice zodiac ride. “Tintoreras” are small islands in front of Puerto Villamil coast. There is Heron lava on the lookout on mangrove branch and Galapagos penguins and sea lions often pop out on shore. White-tipped reef sharks are fairly common in the archipelago. Their name in Spanish is “tintorera”, thus the name of this site as they are always found here resting in the shallow waters.PM: Wetlands, Wall of tears, Tortoise breeding centre (Isabela)This afternoon the wetlands close to Puerto Villamil village will be visited. There are a few lagoons, swamps and mangroves, primarily known for their migrant bird populations. One of the most attractive species to be seen is the flamingo.You will also visit the Arnaldo Tupiza breeding center, where giant tortoises are reared in captivity on Isabela, to better protect the main sub specie of this island.The Wall of Tears also known as ‘Muro de las Lagrimas’ is another point of interest; the wall was constructed of clocks of lava rock between 1946 and 1959, when Isabela was a penal colony.
Day 3 - Day 3 – Thursday Punta Moreno (Isabela) & Punta Mangle (Fernandina), Tagus Cove (Isabela)
AM: Punta Moreno (Isabela)Punta Moreno is located on the north coast of Isabela Island between the volcano Sierra Negra and the Cerro Azul volcano. The trail runs along a lava flow Pahohoe (solidified lava in the form of an accordion) into a complex of coastal lagoons. Its main attractions are several species of birds which can be found around the lakes and mangroves.PM: Punta Mangle (Fernandina), Tagus Cove (Isabela)At Tagus Cove, a tour along the cliffs in a zodiac will give the visitors a good chance to see the Galapagos penguin, the flightless cormorant and other sea birds. From the landing dock it is about a 30 minute hike along the trail up to the top of the cliff from where you can view Darwin Lake, an uplifted ultrasaline lake saltier than the sea. You can also see several volcanoes from this location. Look carefully at the graffiti on the surrounding cliffs of the cove. It has been written by pirates, whalers and buccaneers in past centuries.
Day 4 - Day 4 – Friday Punta Espinosa (Fernandina) & Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela)
AM: Punta Espinosa (Fernandina)Fernandina is the third largest island in the archipelago and the site Punta Espinosa is located at the northeastern tip of the island. Just across Tagus Cove, is a visitor’s site where various unique species of Galapagos can be seen. Marine iguanas conglomerate in larger groups than in any other island. They bask around in the sand, swim near the shore and sometimes block the way at the landing dock. Among the unique species found here, is the Flightless Comorant. A bird that, due to the lack of predators, evolved differently; it’s wings, tails and feet progressively adapted for swimming. To see these birds, is to witness evolution happening right in front of you. You can observe the flightless cormorants and penguins very closely.PM: Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela)At the north-western tip of Isabela Island lies the visitor site Punta Vicente Roca. During a panga ride we will observe impressive geological formations including a large cave and volcanic tuft cones. The cliffs are home to a variety of nesting birds, including Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies, gulls, storm petrels, and Brown Noddy Terns. The calmer waters within the cave are a popular area for sea turtles. Above all, Punta Vicente Roca is an excellent snorkeling area due to the nutrient-rich waters of the Humboldt Current. There is good possibility to spot sea lions, penguins, sea turtles and other marine life.
Day 5 - Day 5 – Saturday Espumilla Beach, Bucaneer Cove & Puerto Egas (Santiago)
AM: Espumilla Beach, Bucaneer Cove (Santiago)Espumilla beach is located at the northern coast of Santiago Island in James Bay. During the last presence of the “El Niño phenomenon”, one of the two lagoons of this site underwent a process of sedimentation, thus causing the disappearance of a representative colony of flamingos. The main attraction is the palo santo forest. The beach is an important site for nesting marine turtles. At the nearby Buccaneers Cove we have a great snorkeling opportunity.PM: Puerto Egas (Santiago)Its black beach is located at the west side of the island and is its main attraction. Volcanic tuff deposits have favored the formation of this special black sand beach. This site is called Puerto Egas, because there was an attempt of the company of Hector Egas to start the exploitation of salt. It failed, because the price of salt in the continent was very low and did not justify its exploitation in Galapagos. Thus the project was abandoned.
Day 6 - Day 6 – Sunday Rabida & Chinese Hat
AM: RabidaRábida Island is unique because of the red color of the rocks and sand. The volcanic material in this island is very porous and external factors as rain, salt water and sea breeze have acted as an oxidizing agent.A short walk along a trail lead us to a coastal lagoon behind the beach, which permits the observation of land birds, such as finches, doves, yellow warblers and mocking birds. At the lagoon there is a colony of flamingos. The beach is often full with sea lions, and there are good snorkeling opportunities.PM: Chinese HatThis is a small islet (1 sq km) located just off the southeastern tip of Santiago Island. It is a recent volcanic cone, shaped like a Chinese hat when seen from north side. On the west side lava formations may be observed, formed under the sea and raised upward, this is why coral heads are found on the lava. This is an excellent visit for interpretation of geological features such as lava tubes and lava flows. The landscape is covered by sea lions colonies, marine iguanas and Galapagos penguins.
Day 7 - Day 7 – Monday Charles Darwin Station & Highlands (Santa Cruz)
AM: Charles Darwin Station (Santa Cruz)Although the great majority of Galapagos visitors come here to observe and appreciate natural wonders, it is also interesting to learn how the protection and conservation of the islands are carried out. One of the main attractions are the National Park information center, the Van Straelen Exhibition Hall, the Breeding and Rearing Center for young tortoises, and adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity.PM: Highlands (Santa Cruz)The road to the highlands leaves from Bellavista, a small village located at a 15 minute drive from Puerto Ayora and passes through the agricultural zone, near the National Park boundary, the Miconia Zone, and then goes to the Fern and Sedge zone. With clear weather (unpredictable) this area affords beautiful scenes of rolling hills and extinct volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery all year round. Here you will visit the Twin Craters, which are two pit craters. You will visit as well a local ranch where we can observe the Giant Tortoise specie of Santa Cruz Island in its natural habitat. After our Highlands visit, we will return to Puerto Ayora and the yacht.
Day 8 - Day 8 – Tuesday North Seymour
AM: North SeymourNorth Seymour is an uplifted (different to volcanic origin) island and so is generally flat and strewn with boulders. There are good nesting sites here for a large population of magnificent frigate birds. Blue-footed boobies perform their courtship dance in the more open areas and swallow-tailed gulls perch on the cliff edges. Despite the tremendous surf that can pound the outer shore, sea lions haul out onto the beach and can be found bodysurfing. Watch your step, as the boobies don’t worry much about where they nest, and you might just step on one. The trees are dotted with male frigate birds trying to attract the attention of the ladies by inflating their bright red skin flaps (seasonal activity). They sometimes fly in the air to call more attention to themselves. There’s a circular path that takes you through the island to a beautiful, rocky shore where the waves crash with a silvery-blue color. Transfer to Baltra airport for your flight back to Guayaquil or Quito
Day 9 - Please Note:
Itinerary is subject to change in case of force majeure caused by exceptional and natural circumstances.• Approximate departure and navigation times are just indicative and depend on the sea state and decisions of the captain.• Although Galapagos seldom requires quests for wildlife, observation of specific species can never be guaranteed.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
12-06-201819-06-2018USD$4,295Standard Cabin
26-06-201803-07-2018USD$4,295Standard Cabin
10-07-201817-07-2018USD$4,295Standard Cabin
24-07-201831-07-2018USD$4,295Standard Cabin
07-08-201814-08-2018USD$4,295Standard Cabin
21-08-201828-08-2018USD$4,295Standard Cabin
04-09-201811-09-2018USD$4,295Standard Cabin
18-09-201825-09-2018USD$4,295Standard Cabin
02-10-201809-10-2018USD$4,295Standard Cabin
16-10-201823-10-2018USD$4,295Standard Cabin
13-11-201820-11-2018USD$4,295Standard Cabin
27-11-201804-12-2018USD$4,295Standard Cabin
11-12-201818-12-2018USD$4,295Standard Cabin
22-01-201929-01-2019USD$4,295Standard Cabin
05-02-201912-02-2019USD$4,295Standard Cabin
19-02-201926-02-2019USD$4,295Standard Cabin
05-03-201912-03-2019USD$4,295Standard Cabin
19-03-201926-03-2019USD$4,295Standard Cabin
02-04-201909-04-2019USD$4,295Standard Cabin
16-04-201923-04-2019USD$4,295Standard Cabin
30-04-201907-05-2019USD$4,295Standard Cabin
14-05-201921-05-2019USD$4,295Standard Cabin
28-05-201904-06-2019USD$4,295Standard Cabin
11-06-201918-06-2019USD$4,295Standard Cabin
25-06-201902-07-2019USD$4,295Standard Cabin
09-07-201916-07-2019USD$4,295Standard Cabin
06-08-201913-08-2019USD$4,295Standard Cabin
20-08-201927-08-2019USD$4,295Standard Cabin
03-09-201910-09-2019USD$4,295Standard Cabin
17-09-201924-09-2019USD$4,295Standard Cabin
01-10-201908-10-2019USD$4,295Standard Cabin
15-10-201922-10-2019USD$4,295Standard Cabin
29-10-201905-11-2019USD$4,295Standard Cabin
12-11-201919-11-2019USD$4,295Standard Cabin
26-11-201903-12-2019USD$4,295Standard Cabin
10-12-201917-12-2019USD$4,295Standard Cabin
24-12-201931-12-2019USD$4,295Standard Cabin

Inclusions

    • Guided hikes during island visits
    • Dinghy-rides (in an inflatable dinghy, ‘Zodiac’ or ‘panga’)
    • Snorkelling & swimming
    • Scuba diving (optional)
    • Visit to a Galapagos giant tortoise breeding project, visitor’s centre & interpretative botanic trail
    • Time for relaxing and realizing on which unique place you have ended up

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