Eastern Galapagos Islands in Luxury - 4 Day Cruise

Description

Your time in Galapagos can be short but sweet on the M/Y Passion’s 4-day cruise. First, spend a whole day with the world-famous Giant Tortoises in the Charles Darwin Research Center. Spend time with colorful land iguanas in Plaza Sur and then hang out with sea lions on Santa Fe. Then, marvel at the geologic formations of the coast of Española and snorkel with some of the world’s most majestic sea creatures.

Trip Name

Eastern Galapagos Islands in Luxury - 4 Day Cruise

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Luxury Yacht Length: 159 feet / 48.5 meters Passenger Capacity: 12 (6 cabins) Built/Refurbished: 1973/2014 Originally built as a private luxury yacht, the M/Y Passion has been completely refurbished while still retaining many of its original elegant features such as its rose colored marble bathrooms and teak wood decks that make the vessel one of a kind. The M/Y Passion, originally named Bellisima (beautiful in Italian) has never been used for tourism before. This exclusive vessel has ample social areas, a panoramic sky lounge and bar, separate dining room, wonderfully spacious sun decks for al fresco dining and a secluded sun deck with jacuzzi for relaxation and privacy. Measuring 159 feet (48.5 meters), she stands four decks and boasts an exceptional amount of space for its only 12 passengers. The ratio of one staff member per guest ensures first class service and the finest gourmet cuisine is served throughout the cruise. Each of the six ample state cabins has its own private bathroom with bathtub. The VIP and Master suites feature two en-suite bathrooms. All four staterooms and two suites on board are fully air-conditioned and incredibly spacious.

Itinerary

Day 1 - DAY 1 - WEDNESDAY SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS & DARWIN RESEARCH STATION

After arriving at Baltra airport, we will be greeted by our personnel and have a short transfer to the Itabacachannel, where we will board a ferry to reach Santa Cruz Island, where another transport will take us to PuertoAyora, where the M/Y Passion is anchored. Once in Puerto Ayora, we will board the yacht and have time for ashort snack, before departing for our first visit to the islands, the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here, wewill see tortoises from different islands. The animals are found in large semi natural pens for their protection,but also to ensure an easy view for the visitors. The pens are divided according to four different stages: eggs,neonates, juveniles (held here until they are mature enough to be "repatriated"), and adults. Afterward, wewill head back to Puerto Ayora, where we will have some time to explore the town and shops by ourselves(this is the only chance of shopping during on this itinerary) before boarding the M/Y Passion at around 5:00p.m.Once on board, the crew and captain will welcome us, have a short security drill and enjoy dinner and thebriefing for the next day´s activities.

Day 2 - DAY 2 - THURSDAY PLAZA SUR & SANTA FE ISLAND

AM: We will have a dry landing on one of the oldest docks of the archipelago on colorful Plaza Sur, home tovibrant green prickly pears, deep red Sesuvium, and coppery‐orange land iguanas. Impressive seaward cliffsmake the perfect perching spot for a variety of coastal birds. This is also a great place to observe the sea lionadult and pups swimming along the shores.PM: After a wet landing on Santa Fe, we will encounter a white beach where sea lions are usually resting. Wewill be looking for the endemic species of land iguana, which is larger with a deeper shade of yellow than landiguanas on other islands. The biggest prickly pear cacti in the Galapagos are also found here.

Day 3 - DAY 3 - FRIDAY GARDNER BAY & PUNTA SUAREZ

AM: Following a wet landing, we will spend the morning in Española Island’s Gardner Bay, an outstanding beachwith sea lions, marine iguanas, and the bold Española mockingbird. Close to Española, there is a beautiful arrayof islets ideal for observing marine life. While snorkeling at one of these locations, we will come face to face withthe marine reserve’s endemic species including the playful sea lions.PM: After this visit, we will head to Punta Suarez, one of the most popular landing sites in Galapagos. Thehighlights include: sea lions near the landing place (sometimes seen body‐surfing in the large breakers) largemarine iguanas, with red‐colored males in the breeding season, oystercatchers, blue-footed and maskedboobies, Galapagos hawks, Galapagos doves, swallow‐tailed gulls, red-billed tropicbirds, and three speciesendemic to Española: the waved albatross (present only from April to December), the Española mockingbird,and the Española lava lizard. The trail ends in El Soplador, a blowhole that sprays water some 25 meters (75 feet)into the air.

Day 4 - DAY 4 – SATURDAY TWIN CRATERS & DEPARTURE

AM: This is our last day on the islands. After breakfast we will disembark in Puerto Ayora to take our transportto the Baltra airport, making a short stop to visit the Twin Craters. The Gemelos are two deep craters located tothe side of the road that leads from Puerto Ayora to the other side of the island in order to arrive to the airport.These huge craters were most likely created in a volcanic explosion or by magma chambers having collapsedunderneath the island´s surface. This is also an excellent place to see the Galapagos hawk and the Santa Cruzbarn owl. The surrounding forests are also filled with birds such as the vermilion flycatcher and the yellowwarbler.After this visit, we will continue our way to the Baltra airport for the departing flight to mainland Ecuador.

Day 5 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Santa Cruz
South Plaza
Santa Fe
Española