Galapagos 7 Day Route C aboard Treasure of Galapagos

Description

Our 6 night-route runs around the largest, seahorse-shaped island of Isabela, where nature seems to hunt for the greatest. Explore the virtually untouched western end of the Galapagos Islands, which has just been born out of fire. You are right on time for the first thrilling chapters of evolution! Uncover the mystery of how tough pioneer species make barren lava fields habitable; and approach bizarre outgrowths of adaptation as marine iguanas and flightless cormorants. It’s true that accessing this remote and isolated region demands longer navigation (mainly overnight), but our stable mega-catamaran enables you to witness ‘survival of the fittest’, without experiencing it.

Trip Name

Galapagos 7 Day Route C aboard Treasure of Galapagos

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Motor Catamaran Passenger Capacity: 16 Length: 31.6 m Built: 2009 Welcome to the Galapagos aboard our stable motor catamaran Our stable seaworthy catamaran is considered one of most intimate cruise options at present for the Galapagos Islands. It is the perfect choice if you appreciate private comfort or if you dread seasickness; whether travelling on your own or for your romantic getaway! The inviting ambience of your comfortable cabin with inspiring sea views, and a maximum number of only 16 international guests, may turn your naturalist cruise into a personal experience. Bringing nature even more to life Without doubt your on-board naturalist guide is the crucial pivot for your experience in the Galapagos. Being a first-class yacht, Treasure of Galapagos contracts only the best National Park certified guides (Class III or II). Our experts use their extensive experience to lead the excursions, to search and identify species and point out interesting details; besides taking care of your safety and compliance of indispensable conservation rules. Above all our guides share their knowledge, love and respect for the Galapagos’ stunning ecosystem. Their inspiring explanations (in English and Spanish) and fascinating stories about animal behaviour, intriguing ecosystems and survival strategies can bring nature even more to life; not only in the field, but also during lectures or daily briefings aboard. Of course you can consult your guide for personal questions or just to share your curiosity. Enjoy a more intimate nature experience Small groups definitely make your nature and cruise experience more intimate and profound. Thanks to a maximum number of only 16 passengers aboard M/C Treasure of Galapagos, your naturalist guide can easily respond to different individual interests. You can also hear him/her loud and clear in the field. Both our smaller inflatable dinghies (‘Zodiacs’ for only 8 passengers each) make boarding and disembarking our catamaran much faster, and increases your chances to spot wildlife during dinghy-rides. On larger expedition vessels different groups have to keep a certain distance, and lose flexibility and valuable excursion time on the islands. Specially designed for First Class Galapagos cruising This modern First Class yacht was built in 2009 and is well maintained (dry dock every second year). It is equipped with two powerful engines that give a cruising speed of 9 knots (over 22 km/h; 13.5 mp/h). The crew’s quarters, kitchen and engines are hidden inside both hulls (Lower Deck). All this makes Treasure of Galapagos not too large to become impersonal, and not too small to feel trapped without comfort. Leisure time in an inviting private ambience Your impressive cabin resembles a floating hotel room with an ample bathroom, private balcony, sitting area, ample storing space, soft carpeting and regular beds. This inviting private ambiance with inspiring sea views is an ideal place to withdraw for a while, after another impressive excursion (in contrary to common cramped and dark cabins with just a porthole and berths/bunk beds). You may easily forget the cosy living room and deck terraces with comfortable deck chairs and our hot tub! Delicious food: to make your mouth water Our professional cook and kitchen staff will treat you to a substantial breakfast, and mouth-watering warm lunches and dinners, all served in abundant buffet style. The galley (kitchen) will keep surprising you with a varied menu of local and international dishes with at least two choices (usually fish, chicken or meat), rice/potatoes/pasta and various vegetables and salads. Our food is healthy and delicious; special meals (vegetarian or other dietary requirements) are available upon previous request at no extra cost. Snacks and juices are served in-between meals. Meanwhile our captain navigates safely to the next destination Whilst carelessly enjoying the leisure ambience on-board, you can be rest assured that the captain and his competent crew continuously look after your safety on-board. They are always there to help you in and out safely when boarding and disembarking, or driving the inflatable dinghies (‘Zodiacs’) carefully. Many zones of the Galapagos are near the end of the world and request self-sufficiency. As a matter of course all crew-members have first-aid knowledge. Your naturalist guide and captain are trained to deal with eventual medical or other emergencies aboard. The bridge always maintains radio contact with the outside world.

Itinerary

Day 1 - DAY 1 – SATURDAY AM - Flight to Baltra Airport (GPS) & PM - Charles Darwin Station (Santa Cruz)

Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, you will pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands, as well as to pay the park entrance fee of $100 (unless it has been prepaid). Your guide will meet you at the airport, help you with your luggage, and escort you on the short bus ride. You will then board the Treasure catamaran where the crew and captain will introduce themselves and you will proceed to your assigned stateroom. Finally, you will enjoy your first lunch on board. PM - Charles Darwin Station (Santa Cruz) Although the great majority of Galapagos visitors come here to observe and appreciate natural wonders, it is also interesting to learn how the protection and conservation of the islands are carried out. The main attractions are the National Park information center, the Van Staelen Exhibition Hall, the Breeding and Rearing Center for young tor toises, and adult Galapagos tor toises in captivity.

Day 2 - DAY 2 – SUNDAY AM - Eden Islet & PM - Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz)

El Eden is a paradisiacal tuff cone islet, just off the west coast of Santa Cruz (between Whale Bay and Dragon Hill). This morning we will disembark to the appropriately named Eden Islet. On its coast you will observe land iguanas and sea lions soaking up the sun, as well as seabirds feeding in the nearby mangrove forests. It is a perfect location for swimming activities, as the clear and calm waters will allow you to snorkel along tropical fish, rays, and two species of sharks. Alternatively, a kayak ride would be a memorable experience. PM - Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz) The visitor site at Dragon Hill has been open for visits on 1993. This site is located in nor thwestern Santa Cruz Island and consists of a trail that lead to a hyper-saline lagoon behind the beach, frequented by flamingos, pintail ducks and other species of birds. This site has been re populated with land iguanas from Seymour, Isabela and Santa Cruz islands. There is a short walk to the Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay.

Day 3 - DAY 3 – MONDAY AM - Whitetip reef shark channel (Isabela) & PM - Wetlands and Wall of Tears (Isabela)

Just outside the port of Puerto Villamil, a group of islets jut out of the ocean. The jagged black formations, dotted with mangroves and candelabra cacti, are the remains of a lava stream that has ended in the ocean. In this place you can easily observe white-tip reef sharks (called "tintoreras", as the official name of the site) from the shore in the crystal clear turquoise waters. Turtles and graceful eagle rays sometimes glide through this calm channel, as do smaller fish and Galapagos sea lions. After this brief visit, you will continue to the upper part of Isabela. PM - Wetlands and Wall of Tears (Isabela) The Villamil beach wall hides the Las Diablas lagoon; the largest lagoon in the Galapagos and also the breeding place of the largest concentration of red flamingos. It is the jewel of Isabela's swampy wetlands, with more salty and brackish lagoons in collapsed lava tubes, and an ancient mangrove forest. These lagoons attract many wintering waterfowl and shorebirds; some of them even come from arctic regions! Afterwards we will follow a trail to the “The Wall of Tears”; from 1946 to 1959 Isabela was designated a penal colony by the Ecuadorian government. Prisoners were obligated to build a wall with enormous blocks of lava. Due to the arduous labour and harsh conditions in which the prisoners lived, this site is known as “El Muro de las Lagrimas”. There are a number of interesting sites along this route, such as the cerro Orchilla, El Estero, Poza Escondida, Playa del Amor and Pozas Verdes. You will certainly be able to see quite a bit of wildlife, including many marine iguanas, a wide variety of birds and, as a highlight, perhaps some giant Galapagos tortoises in the wild.

Day 4 - DAY 4 – TUESDAY AM - Moreno Point (Isabela) & PM - Urbina Bay (Isabela)

Punta Moreno is located on the nor th coast of Isabela Island between the volcano Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcano. The trail runs along a lava flow Pahohoe (solidified lava in the form of corrugated or an accordion) into a complex of coastal lagoons, its main attraction are several species of birds which can be found around this lakes and mangroves PM - Urbina Bay (Isabela) Urbina Bay is located on the western coast of Isabela, between Elizabeth Bay and Tagus Cove. It is near the base of the Alcedo volcano, so there is a spectacular view. The coastline has suffered a significant uplift, which caused the coastline to expand a little over a kilometer. Here you can find corals, shells and many other calcareous organisms exposed out of the water. Urbina Bay is home to large and colorful land iguanas and giant tortoises from the Alcedo Volcano population. You can also see many Darwin's finches, and the wide variety of plants is constantly changing depending on the season.

Day 5 - DAY 5 - WEDNESDAY AM - Espinoza Point (Fernandina) & PM - Tagus Cove (Isabela)

Fernandina is the third largest island in the archipelago and has a single visitor site: Punta Espinoza located at the nor theastern tip of the island. Marine iguanas conglomerate in larger groups than in any other island. They bask around in the sand, swim near the shore and sometime block the way at the landing dock. Among the unique species found here, is the Flightless Cormorant. This bird had to adjust its way of survival and perfection its skills of finding food in the ocean. Their wings, tails and feet progressively adapted for swimming. To see these birds, is to witness evolution happening right in front of you. PM - Tagus Cove (Isabela) A tour along the cliffs in a zodiac will give the visitors a good chance to see the Galapagos penguin, the flightless cormorant and other sea birds. From the landing dock it is about a 30 minute hike along the trail up to the top of the cliff from where you can view Darwin Lake, an uplifted ultra-saline lake saltier than the sea. You can also see several volcanoes from this location. Look carefully at the graffiti on the surrounding cliffs of the cove, it has been written by pirates, whalers and buccaneers in past centuries.

Day 6 - DAY 6 – THURSDAY AM - Puerto Egas (Santiago) & PM - Rabida

Puerto Egas is a black beach is located at the west side of Santiago Island. Volcanic tuff deposits have favored the formation of this special black sand beach and this is the main attraction of the Island. This site is called Puer to Egas, because there was an attempt of company of Hector Egas, to star t the exploitation of salt, which failed because the price of salt on the continent was very cheap, and did not justify its exploitation in Galapagos. The project was abandoned and they left their infrastructure. PM - Rabida After a wet landing on the remarkable red beach of Rábida, there are two short guided walks. Iron oxide particles give rocks and sand their reddish color. The beach wall has a shallow lagoon fringed with green; This oasis is the most fertile spot on the otherwise barren islet, which is covered in palo santo trees. The salty lagoon attracts all kinds of waterfowl, including pintails and sometimes red flamingos. Many species of songbirds hide and breed among the evergreen foliage of the surrounding mangroves. One of the most outstanding attractions is the important breeding colony of brown pelicans, the only pelicans in the world that dive.

Day 7 - DAY 7 – FRIDAY AM - Las Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz)

These two small beaches are located to the west of Black Turtle Cove, in Santa Cruz. Its sand consists of decomposed corals, which makes it white and soft. This makes it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there are small lagoons, where flamingos and other shore birds, such as Galapagos gulls and lapwings, can be seen from time to time. On the second beach, which is the widest, you can explore the remains of two abandoned warships. In World War II, these were left behind by the US, as the island of Baltra was used as a strategic point for the protection of the Panama Canal. The name Las Bachas originated at this time, since the word with which the North Americans called these two boats, “barges”, was difficult for the local inhabitants to pronounce and they ended up making it Spanish. Transfer out to Baltra Airport (GPS) Transfer to Baltra Airpor t (GPS) for your flight back to Guayaquil or Quito.

Day 8 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Virgin Fernandina & isolated west-coast of Isabela make you an eye-witness of evolution.
Fur seal groats & unique tidal channel with white-tip reef sharks & rays.
Flightless cormorants, large marine iguanas and penguins near the equator (!)
The archipelago’s largest concentration of American flamingo in bird-rich wetlands.