Cruise onboard Yacht
Angelique Normally, navigation between islands is realized at night
All meals onboard Yacht Angelique
Sunday: ........ / Quito
Arrival to Quito, reception and transfer to Hotel Quito Compass (4*)
Accommodation
Free day
Monday: Quito / Galapagos Islands - Baltra Island (B-D)
Breakfast
Transfer hotel to airport (5:40 AM aprox)
Flight Quito to Baltra
The guide will pick us up in the Baltra airport (Galapagos Islands) and brings us on board
of the
sail yacht Angelique.
Then we begin our trip to
Bachas Beach where the sand is made of
decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft, and a favorite site for
nesting sea turtles. The Sally Lightfoot crabs are abundant on the lava
rocks along the water's edge. These crabs will eat anything they can get
their claws on. On this hike, is possible to see
flamingoes, hermit crabs,
black necked stilts, and whimbrels.
We disembark to Sullivan Bay where lava field is a variety of interesting
patterns. The shapes and textures of trees, which once existed there and
Hornitos caused when pockets of gas or water trapped under the lava exploded.
The Sullivan Bay Lava is known a Panoehoe (Hawaiian for Rope). This thin-skinned
lava's molten material cools down after an eruption causing the surface
materials to buckle creating a rope like appearance. Panoehoe Lava is rare to
the rest of the world, but is common to the volcanoes of Hawaii and the
Galapagos Islands. The walk takes approximately an hour to an hour and a half.
Returning to the shoreline black and white Oystercatchers can be seen fishing
for crabs and mollusks in the tide pools.
After exploring the lava flow, there
is swimming and snorkeling.
Then we go to Bartholomew. It displays a fantastic
landscape of lava formations. Arriving at the top, walking distance takes
approximately 30 to 40 minutes, you are treated to one of the great panoramic
views in the Galapagos.
In the afternoon the guide
will pick up other passengers in the Baltra airport and bring them on board of
the motor yacht Spondylus, lying in the harbor of Puerto Ayora on the Santa Cruz
island.
After lunch we visit the highlands of Santa Cruz. First we drive to a
private land tortoise sanctuary where we can observe the famous and huge
tortoises in their natural habitat.
Afterwards we visit one of the long lava
tunnels, proof of the earlier volcanic activities of the island.
On the way back
to Puerto Ayora we stop on top of the hill, the Miconia vegetation zone. On a
clear day, this area offers beautiful scenery of rolling hills and extinct
volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery throughout the year.
After
dinner on board we have some time off to enjoy the nightlife of Puerto Ayora.
On the island Floreana we visit first the Post Office
Bay: Historically, this site is the location of a wooden barrel that was placed
there in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. Since that time, it has
been used by mariners and tourists as a post office.
Afterwards we go snorkeling
around the Devil’s Crown volcanic cone. This islet consists of an eroded
volcanic crater that owes its present form to the strong wave action.
Lunch
In the
afternoon we visit in Punta Cormorant on the other side of the island. Its
landing point is a beautiful green beach, an excellent place to observe the
colorful crabs and sea lions. After a short walk we get to a lake fed by the
tides. Here we can see flamingos, royal terns, ducks, migrating birds and
beautiful vegetation with a high tolerance of salt. Following the trail we get
to a beautiful white beach with very fine sand, a nesting site for the sea
turtles.
In Española we visit first Punta Suarez. This rocky point
of land sustains one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds on
the Galapagos. Along its southern shore, high cliffs rise up from the sea
offering the visitors a spectacular view of soaring birds and of the blowhole,
where water spouts up to 50-75 feet into the air according to the intensity of
the surf.
Lunch
In the afternoon we visit the northeastern coast of Española: Gardener
Bay provides an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming, snorkeling and observing
sea lions.
After breakfast we'll visit Santa Fe, an extremely picturesque anchorage. The
trail leads to a scenic viewpoint on top of a cliff where it is possible to find
land iguanas, which are endemic to the island. A particular attraction is the
unusually tall forest of prickly cacti close to the beach.
Early in the morning we visit North Seymour. This flat
and low-lying island was formed as a result of uplift of a submarine lava
formation. The vegetation is mainly low and bushy, and there lives the largest
colony of magnificent frigate birds of the Galapagos. There is also a large
population of blue footed boobies and along the coastline resides a colony of
playful sea lions.
Afterwards we sail to the harbor of Baltra and later on we
take the flight back to Quito.
Reception in Quito's airport.
Transfer airport to Hotel Quito Compass
Accommodation.
Sunday: Quito / ........ (B)
Breakfast
At an appropriate time, transfer to the airport
Itineraries are subject to National Park regulations and can be modified
without previous notice.
Limited vacancy
Air Fare Quito / Baltra / Quito: US $ 462.22
Include:
2 nights accommodation in Quito
Transfers airport / hotel / airport in Quito
Accommodation in double cabin with private facility, bath with hot/cold
water, upper and lower beds, air condition
Full board
Water and coffee free 24 h.
All listed tours and excursions.
Guided visits mentioned in the program with Naturalist Guide level II
All transfers in Galapagos Islands.
Not Include:
International flight tickets
Airport taxes and migration card (US $ 10)
Entrance fee to Galapagos National Park US $ 100
Snorkeling equipment (US $ 20)
Alcoholic and soft drinks
Personal expenses
Tips
Important:
Expiration date:31/12/2009
All
rates are per person, in US $ dollars.
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