Travel aboard this unique luxury yacht, a perfect combination of classic beauty and exquisite style. The panoramic windows that the yacht offers will ensure you are part of the nature that surrounds you. With a capacity of 20-36 passengers, every single detail has been taken into consideration to make your stay on board a unique and unforgettable experience.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Galapagos - Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Centre
Welcome to the Galapagos! Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to cross the Itabaca channel to the island of Santa Cruz and to its capital, Puerto Ayora. Your first stop is to the famous Charles Darwin Research Centre. Here you will be able to observe the giant tortoises that are part of the reproduction program and the world’s most famous tortoise, Lonesome George, the last surviving specimen of his species. You can also admire the prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. Later on, you’ll have some free time to walk around the town and shop for souvenirs. [L,D]
Day 2 Española Island - Suarez Point - Gardner Bay
At Espanola Island you will learn more about the lava terrain and cross the inactive lava fields. Besides the sea lion colonies, this is a very important site for bird watching. Various bird species such as the mockingbird of Española, Nazca booby and tropic bird can be spotted and observed from very close. You will also see a large colony of marine iguanas, lava lizards, and rally light foot crabs. After a short trek you may encounter colonies of Nazca and blue-footed boobies. Also found here are Galapagos doves, hawks and swallow-tailed gulls as well as the world’s largest colony of waved albatross. A major highlight is their mating season, from May through December. You’ll also visit the famous blowhole, where water shoots into the air about 23 m (75 ft). Later visit Gardner Bay where you make a wet landing on a white coral beach amidst a large colony of sea lions. It’s an open area where you can spot Galapagos hawks, American oyster catchers, Galapagos doves, hood mockingbirds, 3 species of Darwin finches, yellow warblers, lava lizards, and marine iguanas. It’s great for swimming and snorkeling, and you can see many Galapagos marine species like king angelfish, creole fish, damsel fish, parrot fish, manta rays, white tipped reef sharks. [B,L,D]
Day 3 Floreana - Champions - Post Office Bay
After a wet landing on a greenish coloured sand beach, you hike from the black mangrove beds to a large, brackish lagoon, which holds one of the biggest flamingo populations in the Galapagos. This island features endemic plants such as Scalesia villosa, Galapagos daisies, white and black mangrove, and holy stick. Here you can snorkel on the main beach and play with the sea lions. Next visit Champions where you either have the option of taking a dinghy ride along the coast to observe blue footed boobies, sea lions, marine iguanas and swallow-tailed gulls or deep water snorkelling for an unforgettable experience discovery colourful fish, tame sharks and rays. Next, visit Post Office Bay, located on the north side of Floreana Island. The bay is so-named because in 1793, Captain James Colnett installed an empty barrel which served as an informal post box for sailors who passed through the Galapagos, taking with them the letters to their destinations. Today, you can continue the tradition by placing unstamped postcards inside the barrel which will reach your destination for free! However, it can take weeks, sometimes months, or sometimes the cards never arrive at all! [B,L,D]
Day 4 North Seymour - Santa Cruz (Dragon Hill)
At North Seymour you encounter swallow tailed gulls and sea lions. This site is a major nesting colony of blue footed boobies and has the largest colony of the magnificent frigate bird. You may also spot both iguana species, the marine iguanas and land iguanas, and then hike around the nesting sites. After a wet landing on the island of Santa Cruz you walk to a saltwater lagoon which is occasionally visited by pink flamingos. Then you’ll hike up to Dragon Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay, it is also a nesting site for numerous reintroduced land iguanas. [B,L,D]
Day 5 Rabida - Santiago Island
The volcano-formed beach of Rabida is dark red and frequented by sea lions. It’s considered the geographic center of the Galapagos because it has the most diverse volcanic rocks on the Islands. You’ll hike to a salt water lagoon, where a sea lion colony can sometimes be found. July through September is a good time to observe brown pelicans nesting in the salty bushes. Boobies and 9 species of Darwin’s finches can also be observed. You make a wet landing on the beach of dark sand (volcanic ash) on Santiago Isand. Most of the islands landscape is comprised of layers of rocks and lava flows. Here you can see great blue herons, striated herons, yellow-crowned night herons and American oystercatchers. You may also see marine iguanas grazing upon algae beds alongside red sally light-foot crabs. This is a place where you can swim, snorkel and look for squid, starfish and a variety of colorful tropical fish. [B,L,D]
Day 6 Fernandina - Isabela Island
At Fernandina you will see the biggest marine iguanas mingling with sally-light foot crabs, as well as flightless cormorants nesting sites, Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks, and sea lions. Among the flora and volcanic formations you will spot brachycereus cactus, and “pa-hoe-hoe” lava and “AA” lava formations. Next visit Isabela, the Galapagos’ largest island. Once here you will learn about the eruption of five volcanoes that formed this island. The trail leads to Darwin’s salt water lagoon and an excellent view of the lava fields and volcanic formations. You’ll take a dinghy to observe marine life, and with some luck, Galapagos penguins! Graffiti believed to have been made by 19th century pirates helps passengers better appreciate the relationship between the islands and tourism today. [B,L,D]
Day 7 Bartolome - Santa Cruz - Black Turtle Cove
At Bartolome you will see volcanic formations such as lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. After hiking to the summit you can enjoy a great view of the surrounding islands, including Pinnacle Rock’s eroded tuff cone. On the way to the summit, you’ll often see lava lizards, tiquilla and various cacti. You’ll be able to snorkel and see the Galapagos penguin, sea turtles, and white tipped sharks from a safe distance. Later on the island of Santa Cruz, visit Black Turtle Cove which is located near Las Bachas beach to the north of the island. Here you take a dinghy through the mangrove. The motor is turned off to allow close observation of marine turtles, white tipped reef sharks, spotted eagle rays, and yellow rays. [B,L,D]
Day 8 Depart Galapagos
Today you will be met and transferred to the airport for your onward flight. [B]
Inclusions
Accommodation & Meals
• Accommodation based on twin-share Standard cabin with private facilities
• All meals on board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Sightseeing
• A program of included shore excursions and sightseeing
Prices do not include:
• Airfares to the Galapagos Islands (approximately AUD $740pp)
• Galapagos Islands National Park entrance fee (US$100pp)
• Migration Card (US$10pp).
Prices are per person twin-share.
Upgrades are available to Moon Cabins or Junior Cabins, please call our office for further details.
8D Coral I & II Cruises depart every Sunday
Add-on available with these tours:
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