8DAYS/7NIGHTS (A) ITINERARY 2016  

           

   

DETAILED ITINERARY    

DAY 1 (SATURDAY)

MORNING  FLIGHT  FROM  QUITO  OR  GUAYAQUIL  TO  BALTRA  (GALAPAGOS)  BACHAS  BEACH  (SANTA  CRUZ  ISLAND)  

    Assistance  will   be  provided   for   you  when  you  arrive   to   the  airport  by  one  of  our   representatives  after  you  have  landed.       You  will   arrive   at  Baltra   Island   in   the  morning.     After   passing   through   immigration   and   baggage  claim  you  will   be  met  by  Cormorant   staff   and   transferred   to   the   yacht.     You  will   be   shown   to   your   cabin  where  you  will  have  some  time  to  settle  in  before  lunch  and  a  welcome  briefing.         The   afternoon   visit,   Bachas   Beach,   is   located   on   the   north   shore   of   Santa   Cruz,   and   is   a   great  swimming  beach.    One  of  the  few  remnants  of  the  U.S.  World  War  II,  a  floating  pier,  remains.    You  may  see  flamingos,  Sally-­‐Lightfoot  crabs,  hermit  crabs,  Black-­‐Necked  stilts,  and  Whimbrels.    Sea  turtles  also  nest  off  the  beach.      +  +              

DAY 2 (SUNDAY)

BARTHOLOMEW  ISLAND  &  SULLIVAN  BAY  (SANTIAGO  ISLAND)       Our  morning  visit  includes  Bartholomew  Island,  home  of  the  famous  Pinnacle  Rock.    Bartholomew  consists  of  an  extinct  volcano  with  a  variety  of  red,  orange,  black  and  even  green  volcanic  formations.    We  will  take  a  trail  of  stairs  to  the  summit  of  the  volcano  (about  30  or  40  minutes),  where  you  will  enjoy  one  of  the  best  views  of  the  islands!    You  will  also  visit  a  small,  beautiful  beach,  surrounded  by  the  only  vegetation  found  on   this   barren   island.     The  beach   is   perfect   for   snorkeling  where   you  may  even   see   the  Galapagos  penguins.          

8-­‐Day  Cruise  -­‐  OPTION  A  Saturday  to  Saturday  

Santa  Cruz,  Bartholomew,  Santiago,  South  Plaza,  Santa  Fe,  San  Cristobal,  Española  and  Floreana

BACHAS BEACH Difficulty: Easy Type of Landing: Wet Landing Highlights: World War II remnants, Sally-Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, Black-necked Stilts, whimbrels, and sea turtles.

BARTHOLOMEW ISLAND Possible Activities: Dinghy ride, snorkeling & hike (1.2 mi / 2 km) Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult. Walk up to the top of volcano 114 meters, 375 wooden steps Type of Landing: Dry and Wet Landing Highlights: Pinnacle rock, panoramic view, moonlike landscape, penguins, pioneer plants, lava cactus, snorkeling, penguins, reef sharks, sting-rays, and a variety of colorful fish.

 Located   southeast   of   Santiago   Island,   Sullivan   Bay   is   of   great   geological   interest.   The   area   is   covered   by  Pahoehoe  lava  flows  combined  with  A’A  lava.    It  was  very  active  200  years  ago.  This  flow  is  geologically  very  young.   The   magma   formed   is   flat,   but   the   movement   of   underground   lava,   the   rapid   cooling   and   other  eruptions   led   to   the   break   in   many   places.     200   meters   around   the   landing,   you   can   see   patterns   of  vegetation   that   were   burned   during   the   eruption.     A   visit   to   this   area   of   black   lava   is   preferable   in   the  afternoon  because  the  temperature  is  more  pleasant  and  the  light  is  better  for  photographs.      

SULLIVAN BAY Possible Activities: Hike (1.3 mi / 1 ½ km) swimming and snorkeling Difficulty: Moderate: The lava is very hot due to the sun, be sure to have thick-soled shoes. Type of Landing: Dry landing at the rocky shore and a wet landing at the white sand beach. Highlights: Pahoehoe lava flows, which have hardened in accordion like formation. Small glass-like bubbles of lava can be found, called “hornitos”. Swimming with sea lions and other wildlife from the shore is a lovely way to finish off the tour.

   

 

DAY 3 (MONDAY)  SOUTH  PLAZAS  ISLAND  &  SANTA  FE  ISLAND  

    In  the  morning,  you  will  head  to  South  Plaza  Island.  This  small   island  with  steep  cliffs  was  formed  by  rising  lava  and  is  now  covered  by  Opuntia  cacti.  It  is  also  home  to  one  of  the  largest  sea  lion  colonies  as  well  as  colorful  yellow  and  red  land  iguanas.  The  most  characteristic  plant  is  the  Sesuvium.  During  the  rainy  season  its  color  is  a  greenish  to  yellowish  tone  and  in  the  dry  season  (end  of  June  through  January)  a  bright  red.                     Our  afternoon  visit  is  to  Santa  Fe  Island,  formed  by  a  volcanic  uplift.  Santa  Fe  (Barrington)  is  home  to  the  small  picturesque  bay  and  anchorage  on  the  island  northeast  coast.  The  bay  has  two  visitor  trails,  one  leading   to  a   scenic  viewpoint  atop  a  cliff  and   the  other   spanning   from  a  small  beach   to  a   tall  prickly  pear  cactus  forest.    The  island  is  home  to  a  colony  of  sea  lions  which  would  be  more  than  happy  to  join  you  for  a  swim.    Santa  Fe  also  has  its  own  sub-­‐species  of  land  iguana.    

 

SOUTH PLAZA ISLAND Possible Activities: Hike (1.5 mi / 2 ½ km) Difficulty: Moderate Type of Landing: Dry Landing Highlights: Land iguanas, sea lion colony, Audubon´s shearwaters, Swallow-tailed Gulls, Nazca Boobies and amazing landscape with cliffs.

SANTA FE ISLAND Possible Activities: Hiking and swimming Difficulty: Moderate Type of Landing: Dry Landing Highlights: Land Iguanas, giant tunas, sea lions.

 

DAY 4 (TUESDAY)  WITCH  HILL  &  PITT  POINT  (SAN  CRISTOBAL  ISLAND)  

  We   will   visit   Witch   Hill   (Cerro   Brujo)   in   the   morning   where   you   will   explore   one   of   the   nicest  beaches   in  the  Galápagos.  You'll  be  tantalized  by  the  texture  and  sight  of  the  powdered,  soft,  white  sand.  With  a  colony  of  sea   lions  and  Blue-­‐footed  Boobies,   this   scenic  place   is  bustling  with   life.   Just  beyond  the  beach  is  a  lagoon,  thriving  with  Egrets  and  Great  Blue  Herons.  The  turquoise  water  and  abundant  marine  life  will  invite  you  to  snorkel  their  midst.

 

   

 

  In  the  afternoon  we  will  visit  Pitt  Point.  Pitt  Point  holds   its  own  as  the  northeastern  most  site  on  Isabela.    After  an  easy  hike,  you  will  be  rewarded  with  a  unique  treat.  Herein  lays  the  only  nesting  site  which  hosts   all   three   species   of   Galápagos   Boobies.     Photographers   will   be   thrilled   with   this   intimate   natural  experience.  The  attractive  volcanic  tuff  formations  will  have  geologists  and  laymen  alike  imagining  the  forces  of  nature  that  possessed  the  earth  to  create  this  land.  

         

       

DAY 5 (WEDNESDAY)

LOBOS  ISLAND  &  KICKER  ROCK  (SAN  CRISTOBAL  ISLAND)  

  In  the  morning  we  will  visit  Lobos  Island,  a  rocky  bay  just  a  30  minute  walk  from  Puerto  Baquerizo.    Note   the  beautifully   colored  plants   in   the  area  down  by   the  beach  and   the  enormous  colony  and  nursery  that  Galapagos  sea  lions  call  home.    Sea  lions  are  normally  here  and  dozens  can  be  seen  at  any  time  as  well  as  shore  birds  and  marine  iguanas.  

 

            In   the   afternoon   you’ll   enjoy   a   dinghy   ride   and   snorkeling   around   Kicker   Rock   (Leon   Dormido),  known  as  the  Sleeping  Lion  because  of  its  resemblance,  this  site  is  located  off  the  coast  of  San  Cristobal.  The  remains  of  a  lava  cone  eroded  by  the  sea  and  two  vertical  rocks  rising  500  feet  above  the  ocean  form  a  small  channel   that   is  navigable  by  small  boats.  This  Galapagos   Islands  natural  monument  has  become  a   favorite  

WITCH HILL Possible Activities: Hike, dinghy ride, snorkeling & kayaking Difficulty: Easy walk along the beach Type of Landing: Wet Landing Highlights: Beautiful rock formations, sea lions, shore-birds, and land birds: finches and mockingbirds. Snorkeling: spot tropical fish, anemones, sponge coral.

PITT POINT Possible Activities: Dinghy ride, snorkeling, kayaking & hike (1.5 mi / 2 ½ km) Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult Type of Landing: Wet Landing Highlights: Wonderful landscape, sea lion colony, three possible species of Boobies.

LOBOS ISLAND Possible Activities: 30 minute walk Difficulty: Easy /Moderate Type of Landing: Dry Landing Highlights: Sea lion colony, shore birds, unique colored plants, marine iguanas.

sight  for  cruises  due  to  the  many  tropicbirds,  frigate  birds  and  boobies  that  fill  the  surrounding  air.    Beneath  the  sea  the  crystal  waters  offer  a  brilliant  show  of  colorful  tropical  fish  and  invertebrates.    

KICKER ROCK

Possible Activities: Snorkeling & Dinghy Ride Difficulty: Easy Type of Landing: No Landing Highlights: Deep water snorkeling: Sharks, tropical fish, turtles, manta rays (occ.), hammerhead sharks, and spectacular rock formations. Sea birds: Blue-footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies & frigatebirds.    

DAY 6 (THURSDAY)

SUAREZ  POINT  &  GARDNER  BAY  /  OSBORN  ISLET  (ESPAÑOLA  ISLAND)       Española  Island  is  the  southernmost  island  of  the  Galapagos  and  is  the  breeding  site  of  nearly  all  of  the  Waved  Albatrosses   in   the  entire  world.  Española   is  densely  populated  with  mockingbirds,  Blue-­‐footed  and  Nazca  Boobies,  Darwin   finches,  Galapagos  Doves,  hawks,   red  and  green  marine   iguanas,  and   loads  of  sea  lions.           In  the  morning  we  will  arrive  at  Suarez  Point.    This  area  is  great  for  spotting  Blue-­‐footed  Boobies,  albatrosses  and  Nazca  Boobies.  A  beautiful  site  on  the  ocean  front,  the  large  Waved  Albatrosses  use  the  cliff  as  a  launching  pad.  The  famous  attraction  is  the  magnificent  blowhole,  spurting  water  high  into  the  air.    This  site  presents  wonderful  photographic  opportunities!                

    Gardner  Bay,  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  island,  is  the  breeding  site  of  nearly  all  of  the  world´s  12,000  pairs  of  Waved  Albatrosses.  It  has  an  ample  white  sandy  beach  with  a  myriad  of  sea  lions,  perfect  for  relaxing.  Its  rocky  shores  make  this  site  a  great  place  for  diving  and  snorkeling.                    

SUAREZ POINT Possible Activities: Hike (1.9 mi / 3 km) Difficulty: Difficult Type of Landing: Dry Landing Highlights: Hood mockingbird, Nazca Boobies, Waved Albatross, Red-billed tropicbirds, lava lizards, Galapagos Hawk, Blue-footed Boobies, blow hole, amazing landscape.    

GARDNER BAY/OSBORN ISLET Possible Activities: Snorkeling, dinghy ride, kayaking, and short hike of (0.6 mi/1 km) Difficulty: Easy Type of Landing: Wet Landing Highlights: White sandy beach, sea lions, mockingbirds; snorkeling: colorful fish, sea lion nursery.

DAY 7 (FRIDAY)    

CORMORANT  POINT  /  CHAMPION  ISLET  &  POST  OFFICE  BAY/  BARONESS  VIEW  POINT  (FLOREANA  ISLAND)       We  will   visit   two   sites   on  Floreana   Island.   Floreana   is   known   for   its   fabulous   snorkeling   sites,   its  vibrantly  pink  flamingos  and  its  black  sand  beaches.           We  will  head  to  Cormorant  Point   in  the  northern  part  of  Floreana.  Here,   land  on  a  green  colored  beach   from   the   olivine   crystals   it   is   composed   of.     Enjoy   a   hike   to   a   salt-­‐water   lagoon  which   is   home   to  flamingos  and  other  sea  birds.    The  trail  continues  to  another  beach  known  as  Flour  Beach  because  of  the  very  fine  white-­‐sand  particles  it  is  made  of,  it  is  also  really  important  to  turtles  that  nest  there.    You  will  also  get  to  swim  in  Champion  Islet,  one  of  the  best  snorkeling  sites  in  the  Galapagos  Islands.  

 

 

 

     

In  the  afternoon,  we  will  visit  the  famous  Post  Office  Bay  and  Baroness  View  Point.  You  will  land  on  a  beach  and  head  to  a  spot  where  18th  century  whalers  once  placed  a  wooden  barrel  for  use  as  an  unofficial  mail   box.   The   custom   continues   to   this   day  with  Galapagos   visitors.   So,   don’t   forget   your   postcards,   and  don’t   be   surprised   if   the  post   card   arrives   to   its   destination  before   you  even   get   home!      Baroness  View  Point   offers   spectacular   views   of   the   coastline   and   is   a   great   place   to   learn   more   about   the   endemic  Mangroves.    

POST OFFICE BAY/BARONESS VIEW POINT

Possible Activities: Short hike (less than 0.6 mi / 1km) & snorkeling, historical views Difficulty: Easy Type of Landing: Wet Landing Highlights: Barrel Post Office, nice sandy beach, Mangrove forest, great views of coastline.  

   

DAY 8 (SATURDAY)  

CHARLES  DARWIN  STATION  &  DEPARTURE  

  In  the  morning  we  start  at  the  Charles  Darwin  Station-­‐  Breeding  Center  "Fausto  Llerena"  home  to  turtles  ranging  from  3-­‐inches  (new  hatchlings)  to  4-­‐feet  long.  Here  you  will  observe  the  various  sub-­‐species  of  turtles   interacting  with  each  other,  and  possibly  with  you.  Many  of  the  older  turtles  are  accustomed  to  humans.  The  babies  are  only  kept  until  they  are  about  four  years  old,  or  large  enough  to  survive  in  the  wild.  These  conservation  efforts  continue  to  be  extremely  successful.  

 

CORMORANT POINT/CHAMPION ISLET

Possible Activities: Hike, Dinghy Ride & Snorkeling (1.2 mi / 2km) Difficulty: Easy Type of Landing: Wet Landing Highlights: Sea lions, flamingos, rays, olive crystals, rock formations.

CHARLES DARWIN STATION

Possible Activities: Walking Difficulty: Easy Type of Landing: Dry landing Highlights: Giant Tortoises, land and marine iguanas, variety of birds  

 

  After  this  final  visit,  you  will  be  transferred  to  Baltra’s  airport  in  time  to  catch  your  flight  back  to  the  mainland.      Please  keep  in  mind  that  on  departure  days,  your  morning  visit  will  be  early  and  short  since  we  need  to  be  prepared  before  heading  back  toward  the  airport  for  your  returning  flight  to  Ecuador’s  mainland.        

Important:   Itineraries   and   activities   are   subject   to   change   without   prior   notice.   Depending   on  weather  conditions  and  water  currents,  some  wildlife  described  above  may  not  be  visible.