5 Day Galapagos Cruise B aboard Catamaran Eco Galaxy

Description

Embark on a fascinating 6-day Galapagos cruise, beginning with a visit to the renowned Charles Darwin Station on Santa Cruz. Immerse yourself in the world of conservation and learn about the groundbreaking research conducted there. On Sunday, explore the volcanic landscapes and diverse marine life of Moreno Point on Isabela Island, followed by a visit to the serene Elizabeth Bay in the afternoon. Marvel at the uplifted coral reef and encounter fascinating land iguanas and giant tortoises at Urbina Bay on Monday, then continue to the picturesque Tagus Cove, known for its historical significance. Tuesday brings an opportunity to witness the untouched beauty of Fernandina’s Espinoza Point, home to unique wildlife such as marine iguanas and flightless cormorants. In the afternoon, explore the volcanic formations and marine wonders of Vicente Roca Point on Isabela. Discover the dramatic coastline and fascinating marine life of Santiago’s Egas Port on Wednesday, followed by a visit to the vibrant shores of Rabida Island in the afternoon. Conclude your voyage on Thursday with a visit to Santa Cruz, where you can further explore the wonders of the Galapagos Islands.

Trip Name

5 Day Galapagos Cruise B aboard Catamaran Eco Galaxy

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Catamaran Length: 31 metres Passenger Capacity: 16 Built: 2014 The EcoGalaxy is a comfortable catamaran built in Guayaquil in 2014. It was built according to ecological parameters that reduce the negative environmental impact of tourism in the Galapagos Islands. With 8 double cabins (4 on the upper deck, 4 on the main deck accommodating up to 16 passengers), panoramic windows, room safes, air conditioning, private wc-showers, this catamaran is one of the most comfortable cruises in the Galapagos. Some of the boat characteristics that reduce the negative environmental impact of tourism: Operates on low fuel consumption. Continuous self-cleaning through purifiers that allow the fuel to be recirculated. Energy-efficient LED lights are used for the illumination of the ship. Uses biodegradable cleaning products. Air conditioning and cooling systems that automatically adjust according to weather conditions. Fresh water system. There is a system adjustable pressure tank which provides for the efficient saving of fresh water inside the boat. Salvage and Security Equipment - 2 survival rafts for 20 passengers each - 1 survival raft for 8 passengers - 30 life jackets, type A - 25 life jackets, type B - 6 lifebuoys with nylon rope - Fire axes and Fire hoses - CO2 extinguishers - flare light, hand lights, smoke signals and other visual signals - Firemen suits, smoke signals. - One tank with its autonomous breathing equipment - First aid kit Upper Deck 4 Cabins, 1 Captain Cabin, 1 Guide Cabin, Bridge Main Deck 4 Cabins, 2 Cabins (bow), 2 Cabins (stern), Briefing Area, Coffee Station, Bar, Living Room, Dining Room, Boarding area Lower Deck Kitchen, Crew Dining Room, Cruise Director’s Cabin, 2 Crew cabins, Machine Rooms, Laundry Bar & Restaurant Enjoy excellent food on board the EcoGalaxy Catamaran cruise. Our menu offers a variety of products from the Galapagos Islands. The menus are based on a balanced diet which includes carefully selected fruits, proteins and carbohydrates. Beverages included with the meals are soft drinks (not bottled) and juices. Meals are different every day and guests will enjoy a wide variety of foods. Breakfasts include fruits, sausages, cheese, and eggs prepared in a variety of ways. During the cruise, snacks will be served twice a day. When guests return from the excursions, special snacks and drinks are waiting that will surprise and delight them. We continually strive to satisfy our guests’ requests. For those with food restrictions such as allergies, food intolerances, etc., be sure to note any allergies or specific diet requirements at the time of booking. Contact us for more information. Social Area The social areas are the perfect place to witness the many wonderful and unforgettable landscapes. In the spacious dining room, enjoy the delicious meals prepared by our professional chefs. While sailing in the Galapagos Islands, relax, read a book in the lounge or soak in the sun’s rays on the sundeck. Activities Experience once-in-a-lifetime moments. Our guests will have the opportunity to enjoy the best of the Galapagos Islands during our adventure-filled excursions. We have available 4 double kayaks and 2 zodiacs, they are used to enjoy aquatic sports and for transportation. Our excursions include hiking, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, animal watching, photography and more. We provide free snorkel gear (mask, tube and fins) to complete your adventure in the islands.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1 AM: BALTRA AIRPORT PM: CHARLES DARWIN STATION

Departure to the Galapagos Islands, arrival at Baltra airport, where our naturalist guide of the National Park will be waiting for you. The Charles Darwin Station is a nonprofit organization which has been working for decades towith the Galapagos National Park to preserve the biodiversity of these unique islands. During thyou will learn about the projects that both institutions carry together to protect the native specieradicate the invasive ones which are threatening the Galapagos environment. One of theimportant and emblematic projects has been reproducing giant tortoises in captivity. The visit is outdoors in a beautiful dry native forest with giant cactus and many other interesting native plais also a fantastic place to find several endemic Darwin finches, as well as flycatchers and mockinHighlights: Galapagos giant tortoise & land iguanas breeding program, Darwin finches, Galamockingbirds, Galapagos flycatchers, yellow warblers.

Day 2 - Day 2 AM: MORENO POINT PM: ELIZABETH BAY

Moreno Point is a magical place with extensive lava fields which look lifeless at first sight. Once scattered brackish lagoons form oasis of life where you can find flamingoes, gallinules, ducherons. Along the shore we will look for penguins, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, blue -boobies, sea lions, oystercatchers and other shore birds. Snorkel: We will snorkel to see sea turtles, cormorants and many species of fish. Look carefullylong seaweeds and you might find a sea horse. Highlights: American flamingoes, ducks, gallinules, penguins, cormorants, marine iguanas, seaGalapagos m ockingbirds, Darwin finches. Elizabeth Bay is a beautiful sheltered bay surrounded by large mangroves and barren lava fieldsThere is no trail here so you will take a dinghy tour to explore many channels, pools and coves teeming with life. This is one of the best locations in the islands to see Galapagos penguins, but expect to see thousands of them, as the entire population of the islands is only about 3.000 of tFlightless cormorants also nest in the area and blue -footed boobies and pelicans often fish in thshallow and rich waters. Rays and sea turtles are also very abundant. Highlights: Galapagos hawks, sea turtles, rays, Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, hero

Day 3 - Day 3 AM: URBINA BAY PM: TAGUS COVE

This place is known for the dramatic uplifting that happened here during the 1950’s. A large porthe coast was pushed up, exposing many hectares of previously submerged land. Look carefullythe trail and you will find small shells and corals, a proof that the area was underwater more thayears ago. The trail will give the opportunity to see land iguanas and, during certain seasonstortoises. Galapagos hawks nest in the area and are often seen flying or perched on the trees. Snorkel: You can snorkel from the beach to see sea turtles, cormorants and penguins. Fish arabundant in the area. Highlights: Galapagos hawks, land iguanas, Galapagos hawks, Galapagos mockingbirds, Dfinches, flycatchers. Tagus cove is one of the places Charles Darwin visited during his exploration of the Galapagos isA trail will take you through a dry Palo Santo forests where you can see Darwin finchemockingbirds. You will get great views of Darwin’s lake and the large volcanos of northern IsabeA boat tour along the shore will give you chances to see penguins, cormorants, marine iguanasvery unique species: the Galapagos martin, a small endemic bird which is one of the most endanspecies on the island. Snorkel: The nutrient -rich waters around Tagus Cove attracts a lot of sea turtles and a great diof fish, but also penguins, who feast on large schools of anchovies. It is common to see cormunderwater as they chase fish through the reef. Highlights: Galapagos hawks, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, herons, penguins, sea turtlstars.

Day 4 - Day 4 AM: ESPINOZA POINT PM: VICENTE ROCA POINT

Located at the base of an imposing volcano (the most active in the Galapagos islands) this site is the jewels of the Galapagos National Park. As soon as you disembark you will be surroundhundreds of marine iguanas, as this is the largest colony for the species. Sea lions bask in the bewhile their pups play in tide pools. Along the shore you will see flightless cormorants, whirestricted to the western areas of the archipelago. Surrounded by cold plankton -rich waters,Espinosa is home for an array of species, including herons, pelicans, oystercatchers, sea tshorebird and many more. Look up in the mangroves as Galapagos hawks often perch to look foprey. Snorkel: The nutrient -rich waters around Punta Espinosa attracts great numbers and diversity and sea turtles. Seaweeds are also abundant, making this place the best for seeing marine igfeeding underwater. Following a cormorant underwater as it chases fish through the reef is one most amazing snorkel experiences you may have on your trip. Highlights: Galapagos hawks, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, penguins, sea turtles, seaherons, oystercatchers, shorebirds, sally light -foot crabs. Surrounded by some of the tallest cliffs in the Galapagos, Vicente Roca point is a great locatobserve spectacular landscapes and interesting volcanic features. There is no trail here but ytake a dinghy tour along the shore to get a closer view of pelicans, flightless cormorants, sea tboobies, Galapagos fur seal and marine iguanas. The area is also known to be a good location for wand dolphins. Snorkel: Snorkel in the cove to look for sea turtles, penguins, sea lions, cormorants, rays anddifferent species of fish. Look for fan corals, sponges and other invertebrates growing on the waHighlights: Marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, penguins, sea turtles, fur seals, Nazca & blue -fboobies

Day 5 - Day 5 AM: EGAS PORT PM: RABIDA

Despite its name, there is no “port” at Puerto Egas, but you might see a few remains of the last attto colonize the island during the 60’s. The trail goes along the coastline which is rich in wildlifemarine iguanas basking in the sun everywhere, Galapagos sea lions, herons, oystercatchers andshorebirds. At the end of the trail an area called “the grottos” is home for a small colony of the enGalapagos fur seal, much more difficult to see at close range than its cousin. As recently as 201iguanas where re -introduced to the area, so look around for these impressive reptiles which extinct from Santiago for over a century. Snorkel: You can snorkel from the beach and explore an area of rocky bottoms which is excellefish, turtles and reef sharks. Often, sea lions are also present and are happy to interact with diveHighlights: Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos fur seals, oystercatchers, marine & land iguanas, Galahawks, herons, shorebirds, Darwin finches, Galapagos doves. Rabida is a small island famous for its reddish lava rocks (rich in iron) which gives it a unique loobeach is also red and hosts a small colony of sea lions. There is a small salt water lagoon where wsee ducks and stilts and sometimes flamingoes. The trail will take you inland to get beautiful vithe beach and the lagoon. Look for Darwin finches, flycatchers and mockingbirds. In the cliffs alocoast you can find Nazca & blue -footed boobies, brown noddy, herons and the two species of seaGalapagos and fur seals. Snorkel: You can snorkel from the beach and explore a sheltered rocky area, which is excellent fosea lions and reef sharks. Look at the high diversity of small invertebrates attached to the verticaHighlights: Red -sand beach, Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos hawks, flycatchers, Darwin fiGalapagos mockingbirds, ducks, flamingoes.

Day 6 - Day 6 AM: BLACK TURTLE COVE

Black Turtle Cove gets its name from the abundance of green see turtles, locally known as: “tonegras”. There is no landing here so you will be doing a boat tour on the dinghies, exploring schannels and small coves surrounded by beautiful mangrove forests. Reef sharks, sea turtleseveral species rays inhabit this beautiful area which is considered an important mating area for and a nursery for several species of sharks. Herons, pelicans and boobies are also common here aprey in schools of anchovies. Highlights: White-tipped and black-tipped reef sharks, green see turtles, rays, herons, blue-fboobies, mangroves. Then, transfer to the airport to take your flight back to continental Ecuador.

Day 7 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Santa Cruz
Isabela
Fernandina
Santiago
Rabida