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Galapagos 4 Day Cruise Itinerary A (Nemo I)

Galapagos 4 Day Cruise Itinerary A (Nemo I)

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Description

Our 3 nights northern route enables you to combine the sea bird colonies of North Seymour and exclusive Genovesa with spectacular volcano islets Bartolome and Chinese Hat, where you will get impressed by their creative forces.

Though less frequented than popular central and south-eastern islands, the barren north offers most dramatic landscapes and reveals the first chapter of evolution. Discover how pioneer species conquer barren lava fields and create habitats for new colonist species. Walk at very short distance past frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, red-footed and Nazca boobies whilst courtshipping, mating, breeding, nurturing or learning to fly (depending on the season). Furthermore, en route you will have chances to see emblematic and endemic Galapagos land iguanas, marine iguanas and Galapagos penguins close to the equator! In the contrasty lush highlands of Santa Cruz you will encounter the famous Galapagos giant tortoises.

Please Note: Christmas net surcharges: Dec 21-27: USD 300 pp; Dec 24-27: USD 200 pp; Dec 24-31: USD 350 pp; Dec 27-31: USD 250 pp. New Year net surcharges: Dec 31-Jan 4 USD 250 pp; Dec 31-Jan 7: USD 350 pp; Jan 4-7: USD 200 pp.

Trip Name
Galapagos 4 Day Cruise Itinerary A (Nemo I)
Days
4
Overview
Vessel Type: Motor Sail Catamaran Length: 25m Passenger Capacity: 14 Built / refurbished: 1996 / 2014 The Nemo I (also known as the Nemo Martinica) is a 14-passenger sailing catamaran, offering a unique cruising experience in the Galapagos Archipelago. The catamaran was designed and built in France by Dufour & Sparks. On this catamaran you will experience the Galapagos Archipelago to its fullest. Most social areas are open deck spaces where you will constantly enjoy the most spectacular views of the islands and their volcanic rock formations. These areas include various lounges and catamaran netting at the front. Meals are served in the indoor and outdoor dining areas. When weather conditions permit we can turn off the engines and raise the sails, navigating silently through one the world’s natural wonders. The rich and spectacular Galapagos wildlife is the most important aspect of every naturalist cruise, but not the single and only factor that paints Holiday memories for the rest of your life. MS/C Nemo I contributes truly to a comfortable and pleasant stay as well. We follow fascinating routes in a more adventurous way, accompanied by an excellent naturalist guide, including time to unwind from the well-filled excursion program. Our chef will pamper you with a rich breakfast buffet, snacks, exquisite warm lunch and dinner served in buffet style. During your cruise you can fully enjoy the unrestrained ambience and personal service on board.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 – Monday Arrival at Baltra Airport & North Seymour Island
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: North Seymour IslandNorth 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.
Day 2 - Day 2 – Tuesday Darwin Bay & Prince Phillip Steps (Genovesa)
AM: Darwin Bay (Genovesa)This bay has origin when the crater of this island collapsed below sea level. The wet landing is on a beautiful white coral sandy beach. This is a favorite island for birdwatchers: red footed-boobies, masked boobies, wandering tattlers, lava gulls, whimbrels Yellow-crowned, black-crowned and lava herons, and yellow warblers can be seen in the area.Continuing on the trail, visitors climb gradually to the edge of the cliff seeing Red-Foots nesting in the Mangrove trees below. Bird watching includes sightings of Sharp-Beaked Finches, Large Cactus and Ground Finches, Galapagos Doves and Swallow-Tailed Gulls. Reaching the end the trail at the cliff’s edge offers an incredible view of the island and the many birds living there.PM: Prince Phillip Steps (Genovesa)El Barranco is located at the southern part of Darwin Bay and it is also known as Prince Philip’s Steps. Passengers will climb to a plateau that is part of the stretch of land that surrounds Darwin Bay on its eastern side. There is a big population of Masked boobies and Red-Footed boobies in the trees; Storm petrels and Short-eared Owls have found the ideal place for nesting in the lava flows.
Day 3 - Day 3 – Wednesday Bartolome & Chinese Hat
AM: BartolomeBartolome Island is situated across Sullivan Bay. It has an altitude of 114 meters, from where we can observe one of the most beautiful sceneries of the Galapagos Islands such as: Volcanic cones, lunar-like craters, lava fields, and the famous Toba formed pinnacle eroded by the sea. There is very little vegetation on this island.It has two breathtaking beaches where marine turtles exist and at the base of the pinnacle, as well as a very small colony of Galapagos penguins.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 4 - Day 4 – Thursday Santa Cruz Highlands Tortoises Farm
AM: Santa Cruz Highlands Tortoises FarmSanta Cruz also offers excellent opportunities for viewing wild tortoises, both roaming through pastures in the agricultural zone and in the Tortoise Reserve, which is accessible from Santa Rosa or Salasaca. Several farms serve food and allow visitors to explore their grounds in search of tortoises. Descending through the agricultural zone into the Transition Zone where the Tortoise Reserve is located, the introduced vegetation of the farmlands is replaced by native vegetation. The pond at El Chato is surrounded by forest where short-eared owls, Darwin’s finches, Vermilion Flycatchers, Yellow Warblers, Galapagos Rails, and Paint-billed Crakes can be seen. As the visitor walks into the forests overgrown with lichens, ferns, and other epiphytes, it is time to listen carefully for the sound of heavy footsteps and the sound of shrubs being slowly crushed as the tortoises make their way through the brush.Transfer to Baltra airport for your flight back to Guayaquil or Quito
Day 5 - 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

Inclusions

    • Guided hikes during island visits
    • Dinghy-rides (in an inflatable dinghy, ‘Zodiac’ or ‘panga’)
    • Snorkelling & swimming
    • Sea-kayaking
    • 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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