Galapagos West Cruise B (Galapagos Legend)

Description

A short trip through the Galapagos islands for those of you with limited time this is a great cruise for you.

The youngest of the islands, Fernandina has beautiful volcanic landscapes. It is probably the only island in the world that is free of introduced species. Large colony of marine iguanas, sea lions, Galapagos penguin and the unique flightless cormorant.

Trip Name

Galapagos West Cruise B (Galapagos Legend)

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Expedition Cruise Ship Length: 301 ft, 92 m Passenger Capacity: 100 Built/Refurbished: 2002/2017 This magnificent vessel, with a capacity for 100 guests, has the charm of The Enchanted Islands; it is still small enough for a more intimate experience with friends and family. With her three different decks, the Galapagos Legend offers a great variety of comfortable and spacious social areas without losing its sense of intimacy. Its fantastic open decks allow you to admire the islands’ flora and fauna, enjoy a BBQ at night, or take some sun at the pool and bar areas. Take advantage of its spacious inside auditorium for important conferences. Our philosophy is based on an environment without any formalisms or strict etiquette. The M/V Galapagos Legend has 52 ocean view, air-conditioned cabins plus 3 interior ones, each cabin counts with lower beds and private facilities in which a matrimonial, double, triple or quadruple options are available. We have suited a new cabin configuration to assure enjoyment for families and friends traveling together. Each cabin includes: hair dryer, special bedding, and updated furniture. Internal, local and international satellite telephone service is offered, Internet is accessible when anchoring in main islands. Voltage is set for 110-220 volts/60 Hz. The Balcony suites have private balconies and panoramic windows to immerse yourself within the vast landscape that you are about to witness and enjoy it privately. The Junior suites have three meters of panoramic windows to enjoy the scenery.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1 Baltra Airport & Mosquera Islet

Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island (2 1/2 hours flight). Arriving in Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by our natural guides and taken (ten-minute bus drive) to the pier to board the M/V Galapagos Legend.Wet Landing. This tiny, low lying islet, covered in coral sand, is set between North and South Seymour Islands. It is home to a group of sea lions that come to laze on the soft white sand. It is a good spot to observe shorebirds as well as herons, lava gulls and boobies. Snorkeling or diving here one can often see sharks, rays and barracudas.

Day 2 - Day 2 Egas Port (Santiago Island) & Rabida Island

Wet landing. The black volcanic sand sets this landing apart from most. It is best known for the dramatic shoreline where we meet a host of species that chose to live between land and sea. Particular among these are the endemic Galapagos fur seals which maintain a small colony at the end of our walk. Other species of note include American oystercatchers, sea lions, waders, herons, lava lizards and even Galapagos hawks. An optional visit takes us to an abandoned salt mine famous in its day for supplying salt to mainland Ecuador.Wet landing. Lying at the heart of the archipelago this dramatic island, with its distinctive red-sand beach, is home to sea lions, mockingbirds, finches, endemic Galapagos doves and vermillion flycatchers. A walk takes us through a forest of palo santo and cacti to a beautiful overview of the bay. Snorkeling here can be excellent, often with large schools of black-striped salemas, sea lions and theubiquitous turtles.

Day 3 - Day 3 Urbina Bay & Tagus Cove (Isabela Island)

Wet landing. At the far end of a long, level hike we arrive at a strange phenomenon where large blocks of coral lie completely exposed after a dramatic geological uplift in 1954. Located at the western base of Alcedo Volcano we hope to run into a few very impressive land iguanas as well as some of the volcano’s endemic Galapagos giant tortoises during the wet season.Dry landing. A well-known hideout and deep water anchorage in the days of pirates, Tagus Cove was also one of the few sites visited by Charles Darwin and the HMS Beagle in 1835. A beautiful hike leads us past an overview of Darwin Lake and on to a stunning volcanic landscape revealing Isabela island’s dramatic northern volcanoes. Once back at sea level the perfect activity is to snorkel along a submerged wall with turtles, lots of fish, penguins and potentially flightless cormorants. You might even be tempted by a panga ride or kayak!

Day 4 - Day 4 Espinosa Point (Fernandina Island) & Vicente Roca Point (Isabela Island)

Dry landing. The youngest island of Galapagos and one of the most pristine in the world. Fernandina is simply the “marine iguana capital of the world”. This desolate volcanic backdrop is home to a huge concentration of these enigmatic reptiles. Incongruously, sharing the same shoreline, we can find the diminutive Galapagos penguins. Here we also have the exciting opportunity to snorkel with marine iguanas feeding underwater, penguins, turtles and the bizarre, endemic, flightless cormorants.Great deep-water snorkeling at one of the richest marine havens on Earth, the Bolivar Channel. Accessible by water, we take a dinghy ride along the coast to observe a great diversity of sea and coastal birds; Nazca and blue-footed boobies, noddies, brown pelicans, penguins, flightless cormorants. The upwelling of cold water currents in this part of the Galapagos gives rise to an abundance of marine life, a perfect place for deep snorkeling.

Day 5 - Day 5 Highlands Tortoise Reserve (Santa Cruz Island) & Baltra Island Airport

Dry landing. In the central highlands of Santa Cruz Island we have our best opportunity to interact at close quarters with totally wild, Galapagos giant tortoises. A short walk among these huge, 600lb reptiles will also offer the chance for more highland species, especially several species of the famed finches.After the visit, passengers will be transferred to the airport for their return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.

Day 6 - Please Note:

We reserve the right to change itineraries without prior notice if considered appropriate due to National Park rules, force majeure or any consideration at Captain’s discretion, without being liable for refunds of any kind.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Enjoy full board, two daily guided excursions with optional activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, dinghy rides and our new feature daily diving tours for license-holding divers
Enjoy landscapes comprised of tuff cone (volcanic ash) and lava flows
Encounter Land iguanas, giant tortoises, sea birds, cormorants & blue-footed boobies