fbpx

Peregrine Travel Centre

Western Galápagos (Santa Cruz ll)

Western Galápagos (Santa Cruz ll)

WG8MT
Call for Price

Book Now Request a callback
Email Us Print

Description

Our itinerary together begins at Baltra where we will board the ship and sail towards Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island for an interesting hike through palo santo forests full of Galapagos’ famed land iguanas. Overnight, we sail round the seahorse-shaped Isabela Island to two great visitor sites: Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island with the fascinating geology of collapsed Ecuador volcano, and then wild and pure Punta Espinoza on Fernandina, one of the most pristine islands in the world, with one of the islands’ densest colonies of marine iguanas and opportunities to see flightless cormorants. From there, we sail back round to Santa Cruz to visit the world-famous Charles Darwin Research Station where scientists are involved with research and conservation efforts, the most well-known of which involves a captive breeding program for giant tortoises, and then spend the afternoon enjoying a range of active options. The following day finds us on Floreana Island, exploring its human history and stunning wildlife at both Post Office Bay and Punta Cormorant. The next day we say goodbye to the islands after an amazing journey! The entire crew aboard the Santa Cruz will do our utmost to ensure that your Galapagos experience is truly, deeply moving and memorable.

Trip Name
Western Galápagos (Santa Cruz ll)
Days
5
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Vessel Length: 71.8 meters Passenger Capacity: 90 Built / Refurbished: 2002 / 2015 / 2018 Conceived for operations in remote areas, our state-of-the-art expedition vessel evinces the perfect infrastructure for Galápagos exploration. Carrying its crew’s heritage of decades of experience working in the islands and just over 70 metres long, the generous, five-deck craft holds 50 cabins for 90 guests and features ample, luxury-sized social areas indoors and out that allow guests to make the most of their Galápagos cruise experience. From top to bottom, the Santa Cruz II features ample, indulgent spaces. Modern, generous social areas laid out with choice contemporary materials feature prominently on four of its five decks. With an intelligent layout, including wide hallways and broad stairwells, guests will immediately know their way around. From dining areas indoors and out, the fitness room and Jacuzzis to the elegant bar and lounge, not to forget the well-stocked library, the ship is designed to please with sophisticated simplicity. Luxury ratios of crew and guides to passengers guarantee quality individual attention. Facilities & Amenities: • Bar & Lounge • Restaurant • Al fresco dining-BBQ • Gift shop • Fitness Room • 24h Coffee station (free coffee, tea, and water) • Satellite telephone • WiFi hotspot (intermittent/low bandwidth) • PA system • Snorkelling equipment • Hair dryer • iPod/MP3 docking station • Safe deposit box (in cabin) • Hot tub (2) • Reading room and natural history library • Multiple purpose room • Air conditioned throughout • Wetsuit rental • Glass bottom boat • Kayaks

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 - Baltra & Cerro Dragon (Santa Cruz Island)
Baltra IslandWe arrive by plane at Baltra Island and transfer to the dock to board the Santa Cruz II where we receive our welcome introductory briefing, boat drill and lunch.Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) (Santa Cruz Island)The north shore of Santa Cruz hosts the fascinating landscapes of Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill). The first part of our walk passes a brackish-water lagoon frequented by shorebirds, ducks and flamingos, while further inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western islands of the archipelago, as well as the chance of observing land iguanas.
Day 2 - Day 2 - Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island) & Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)
Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island)After breakfast, we explore the coast by panga, while our naturalist guide explains the dramatic geology of the area, a nesting place for several Galapagos highlights: flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins, fur seals, boobies, etc. Depending on weather conditions, we can snorkel along the cliffs of this area rich in marine life, seasonally-visited by green sea turtles and oceanic sun fish (Mola mola)Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)The afternoon is dedicated to exploring the youngest island of the archipelago, Fernandina, which, having no introduced mammals, boasts a very unique environment with a very high density of marine iguanas, who share their space with sea lions, Sally light-foot crabs, hawks, penguins and the flightless cormorants.
Day 3 - Day 3 - Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)
Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)In the morning, we disembark (dry landing followed by a brief bus ride) for our visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station’s giant tortoise Breeding Centre within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest, home to many land birds. These are the headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation and the National Park administration. Following our visit, we board our transport to enjoy lunch in the cooler highlands of Santa Cruz Island, a completely different ecosystem.Santa Cruz IslandWe have several options available for the afternoon, which can be discussed in advance with your Expedition Leader. Options include beach walks, kayaks, walks along the tortoise reserve, etc. At the end of the afternoon’s activities, we return to Puerto Ayora and embark on the Santa Cruz II.
Day 4 - Day 4 - Baroness Tower – Post Office Bay & Champion Islet – Punta Cormorant (Floreana Island)
Baroness Tower – Post Office Bay (Floreana Island)After breakfast, panga ride along the maze of channels on Floreana’s north shore can be enjoyed. We follow this visit by continuing to Baroness Cove with its breathtaking views of Floreana. We land at Post Office Bay to visit the historic barrel that has served as a post office in the archipelago for over two centuries and where postcards are traditionally left for guests from other vessels to hand-deliver to their destinations. Snorkeling off the beach. We then head back on board for lunch.Champion Islet – Punta Cormorant (Floreana Island)Following lunch and a siesta, we take the pangas and glass-bottom boat to explore the underwater wonders around Champion Islet, an extinct shield volcano, regarded as one of the best snorkeling spots in the archipelago. From there, it’s on to Punta Cormorant, beginning with a wet landing on the olivine-crystal beach for an easy walk that includes a brackish-water lagoon where bird species such as American flamingos, pintail ducks, common stilts, herons, sandpipers, and others gather. We continue our walk over to a white-sand beach, where sea turtles emerge from the sea at night to nest (from December to May).
Day 5 - Day 5 - Baltra Island
Baltra IslandWe disembark at Baltra Island in order to transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.
Day 6 - Please Note:
Please remember that the exact route and programme may vary according to weather and ocean conditions and the wildlife we encounter. It’s also subject to change without previous notice due mainly to readjustment of the National Park policies and regulations.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type

Inclusions

    • Begin at Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island, home to Galapagos land iguanas
    • Spend a day at Isabela Island (Punta Vicente Roca) and Fernandina Island, the pristine jewel of the national park
    • Visit the world-famous Charles Darwin Research Station and learn about its captive tortoise breeding program
    • Discover Floreana Island’s Post Office Bay and Punta Cormorant

Map

Related products

Recent Blog Posts

Browse Trips in

Ecuador
More of activity:
South & Central America Cruises