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Galapagos 5 Day Cruise Itinerary B (San Jose)

Galapagos 5 Day Cruise Itinerary B (San Jose)

From $2,695 USD

Description

Our 4 nights southern itinerary gives a quite complete overview of Galapagos. Moreover this route combines two of the most popular snorkel sites of Galapagos: Champion Islet and Bartolome, where you might swim with fishing penguins.

This intense cruise begins in San Cristobal (with lots of Galapagos sea lions in the harbour), where your visit will be concluded by an interesting visit of the Interpretation Center, where you can learn what makes Galapagos so unique, and which conservation challenges are confronted. Most elder islands of southeast Galapagos have azure bays and striking beaches of white coral sand, which are favourite place for large colonies of sea lions. This route passes also the albatross and booby colonies and marine iguanas on Española, and the flamingo lagoon of Floreana. During an impressive ‘moonwalk’ on the barren lava flow of Sulivan Bay and a short climb to the summit of Bartolome you will get impressed by the volcanic forces that have created the islands.

Please Note: Christmas net surcharges: Dec 18-21: USD 200 pp; Dec 21-25: USD 250 pp; Dec 18-25: USD 400 pp. New Year net surcharge: Dec 25-Jan 1: USD 400 pp.

Trip Name
Galapagos 5 Day Cruise Itinerary B (San Jose)
Days
5
Overview
Vessel Type: Motor Yacht Length: 34 m Passenger Capacity: 16 Built: 2004 Refurbished: 2016 The San José is 16-passenger yacht, designed for navigation in the Galapagos Archipelago. The yacht was carefully planned and built during 2004 in Guayaquil, Ecuador with the comfort of her guests in mind. Each of the eight double cabins has full air conditioning, a private bathroom, and is incredibly spacious. Additionally, the engine room is located below the living and dining room, to ensure minimal disturbance from engine noise during navigation. The social areas include a lovely dining room, lounge, bar, TV, DVD, and a small library. The San José also offers plenty of outside areas to relax and enjoy the natural sceneries of the Galapagos Islands. There are various carpeted deck areas with reclining chairs and an outdoor bar. On the top deck, there is a sun deck which is great for relaxation and panoramic views. San Jose is one of the larger 16 passenger yachts in Galapagos, and its design leaves ample room for sun and shaded decks with lounge chairs to privately enjoy, read a book, feel the sea breeze and dream away with the panoramic views. Even if we are fully booked, it won’t feel crowded. The outside decks are also excellent for wildlife observation, such as whales, dolphins and frigate birds. At the bar on the shaded outside deck you can order an exotic cocktail, or another drink of your choice.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 – Friday Arrival at San Cristobal Airport & Interpretation Centre, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
AM: Arrival at San Cristobal AirportUpon arrival at San Cristobal Airport, travelers 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). A guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbor.PM: Interpretation Centre, Puerto Baquerizo MorenoThe Galapagos National Park Visitor Center lies close to the port town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The center explains a series of natural circumstances such as the volcanic origins of the islands, their remoteness from the continent, its ocean currents, its special climate, the arrival of different species, and their establishment, among others.
Day 2 - Day 2 – Saturday Gardner Bay & Punta Suarez (Española)
AM: Gardner Bay (Española)Located on the north-eastern coast of Hood, Gardner Bay provides an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming and snorkeling, and the opportunity to observe sea lions. Here you may also observe sharks in the crystal clear ocean waters.PM: Punta Suarez (Española)This rocky land spot sustains one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galapagos. Along its southern shore, high cliffs rise up from the sea affording the visitor spectacular views of soaring birds and of the blow whole where water spouts up to 50-75 feet into the air according to the intensity of the surf.
Day 3 - Day 3 – Sunday Post Office Bay & Punta Cormorant, Champion Islet (Floreana)
AM: Post Office Bay (Floreana)Historically, Post Office Bay is the location of a wooden barrel that was placed in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. Since this time it has been used by mariners and tourists as a post office. The idea is to carry letters or postcards to their destination by hand. Apart from being the Post Office Barrel, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists. We will continue to the north of the island and ascend to an elevated slope to enjoy a beautiful view from the Baroness Lookout. It is said that Baroness Eloisa von Wagner loved this place and spent several hours watching the horizon. Within walking distance (30 m) are the ruins of what is known as her House. From this lookout, the landscape covers the coastline from the Enderby islet to Post Office Bay, as well as Cerro Pajas, the pool of flamingos and wide forest of Palo Santo.PM: Punta Cormorant, Champion Islet (Floreana)This site offers probably the best Flamingo lagoon in the Galapagos; it is also one of the largest in the islands. It’s situated between two tuff lava cones that give the area a special atmosphere. There are various species of shorebirds to observe besides flamingos; the most frequent are common stilts, white-checked pintail ducks and other migratory birds. It is very interesting to see the two distinct beaches: “The Green Beach” (due to its high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand) and the “Flour Sand Beach” which is made up of coral. After our visit of Cormorant Point we will continue with our yacht to the nearby islet known as Corona del Diablo (Devil’s Crown), where we can enjoy some great snorkeling.
Day 4 - Day 4 – Monday Sullivan Bay (Santiago) & Bartolome
AM: Sullivan Bay (Santiago)Santiago, also called James, or San Salvador Island, is located in the west central part of the Galapagos archipelago. It is the fourth largest island in the archipelago (following Isabela, Fernandina and Santa Cruz). Along with some of the large western volcanoes of Isabela and Fernandina, Santiago is also volcanically active, with many young flows and cones to be seen, particularly along the south, west, and east coasts. These may even be seen from the summit of Darwin Volcano and from space. A number of historic eruptions have been reported over the last 2 centuries. Santiago actually consists of two coalesced volcanoes: a typical shield volcano on the northwest end and a low, linear fissure volcano at the southeast end.PM: BartolomeBartolome Island is situated across Sullivan Bay. It has an altitude of 114 meters, from where we can observe one of the most beautiful sceneries of the Galapagos Islands such as: Volcanic cones, lunar-like craters, lava fields, and the famous Toba formed pinnacle eroded by the sea. There is very little vegetation on this island.It has two breathtaking beaches where marine turtles exist and at the base of the pinnacle, as well as a very small colony of Galapagos penguins.
Day 5 - Day 5 – Tuesday Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz)
AM: Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz)This little cove is located at the northern side of Santa Cruz Island, this is a red mangrove lagoon very calm and quiet which makes it an ideal place as nursery for many sharks and rays. Its crystal waters permits to observe large groups of white-tip reef, black tipped reef and hammer heads sharks, schools of golden rays and spotted eagle rays. There are no landing sites so the visit is done by zodiac. Sea turtles are frequently seen and sometimes they are seen mating in the mangrove-lined waters. Pelicans and Herons are also seen in this area.
Day 6 - Please Note:
Itinerary is subject to change in case of force majeure caused by exceptional and natural circumstances. Approximate departure and navigation times are just indicative and depend on the sea state and decisions of the captain. Although Galapagos seldom requires quests for wildlife, observation of specific species can never be guaranteed.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
20-07-201824-07-2018USD$2,695Standard Cabin
03-08-201807-08-2018USD$2,695Standard Cabin
17-08-201821-08-2018USD$2,695Standard Cabin
14-09-201818-09-2018USD$2,695Standard Cabin
12-10-201816-10-2018USD$2,695Standard Cabin
09-11-201813-11-2018USD$2,695Standard Cabin
23-11-201827-11-2018USD$2,695Standard Cabin
07-12-201811-12-2018USD$2,695Standard Cabin
21-12-201825-12-2018USD$2,695Standard Cabin
18-01-201922-01-2019USD$2,695Standard Cabin
01-02-201905-02-2019USD$2,695Standard Cabin
15-02-201919-02-2019USD$2,695Standard Cabin
15-03-201919-03-2019USD$2,695Standard Cabin
29-03-201902-04-2019USD$2,695Standard Cabin
12-04-201916-04-2019USD$2,695Standard Cabin
26-04-201930-04-2019USD$2,695Standard Cabin
10-05-201914-05-2019USD$2,695Standard Cabin
24-05-201928-05-2019USD$2,695Standard Cabin
07-06-201911-06-2019USD$2,695Standard Cabin
21-06-201925-06-2019USD$2,695Standard Cabin
02-08-201906-08-2019USD$2,695Standard Cabin
27-09-201901-10-2019USD$2,695Standard Cabin
08-11-201912-11-2019USD$2,695Standard Cabin
22-11-201926-11-2019USD$2,695Standard Cabin
06-12-201910-12-2019USD$2,695Standard Cabin
20-12-201924-12-2019USD$2,695Standard Cabin

Inclusions

    • Guided hikes during island visits
    • Dinghy-rides (in an inflatable dinghy, ‘Zodiac’ or ‘panga’)
    • Snorkelling & swimming
    • Scuba diving (optional)
    • Visit to a Galapagos giant tortoise breeding project, visitor’s centre & interpretative botanic trail
    • Time for relaxing and realizing on which unique place you have ended up

Map