Galapagos Cruise - Lammer Law

The Galapagos Islands are considered one of the most spectacular and pristine National Parks in the world. Visitors delight in the abundant, unusual, and surprisingly approachable wildlife--from Galapagos giant tortoises to playful sea lions to the fascinating Blue-footed Boobies.

This vessel offers Diving, Active, and Naturalist programs. See end of page for details. Contact ExpeditionTrips.com for specific program dates.

This trip may be booked as a package, as seen below, or cruise only starting on Day 3 and ending on Day 10.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Quito

Hotel Patio Andaluz
Arrive in Quito, Ecuador and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Quito at the Hotel Patio Andaluz, or similar hotel.

Day 2: Quito

Hotel Patio Andaluz
Today is at your leisure. A variety of day tours are available for purchase. Overnight at the Hotel Patio Andaluz, or similar hotel.

Day 3: San Cristobal Island / Embark / Lobos Island - Cruise Only Starts

Upon to San Cristobal airport, your guides meet and escort you to the Galapagos National Park Visitor Center. Opened to the Public in 1998, the Galapagos National Park Visitor Center presents a complete and documented history of the Galapagos, its ecosystems, flora and fauna. Lobos means Sea Lion, and the name is certainly appropriate due to the racket made by them here. The island is also a nesting place for Blue-footed Boobies and a good place for snorkeling.

Day 4: Floreana Island

Besides Santa Cruz, Floreana, with its population of about 30 people, is the only other inhabited island to be visited on this Galapagos itinerary. Floreana has a colorful history of pirates, whalers, convicts, and colonists. In 1793 British whalers set up the Post Office barrel to send letters to and from England, and today, visitors can post their cards to anywhere in the world.

Visit Devil?s Crown, an old eroded volcanic cone and a popular roosting site for seabirds. The center of Devil's Crown is an outstanding snorkeling spot full of sea lions and colorful fish.

Punta Cormorant offers two highly contrasting beaches, one of a greenish tinge and the other of very fine white sand. Between these two beaches is a salt lagoon frequented by flamingoes, pintails, stilts, and other wading birds.

Day 5: Espanola Island

Espanola Island is the southernmost island of the archipelago and, due to its isolation, has a high proportion of endemic fauna. Punta Suarez is one of the most popular and attractive visits of the Galapagos. The quantity and variety of wildlife at this site is remarkable. Encounter young sea lions, iguanas, and further inland, Masked and Blue-foot Boobies. The trail continues toward the cliffs and the blowhole, a fissure in the lava where water spurts high in the air like a geyser. Gardner Bay offers some beach time with the extroverted mockingbirds.

Day 6: Santa Cruz Island

Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the Galapagos, and the small town of Puerto Ayora is the economic center of the archipelago. Six different zones of vegetation can be seen here. The Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park offices are based on the island. Scientists, park rangers and park managers make huge efforts to preserve and protect the Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Station is also a tortoise breeding and rearing center, where tortoises of different subspecies are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats.

The lush greenery of the Santa Cruz Highlands is a definite contrast with the arid scenery of the smaller, lower islands. A point of interest is the famed lava tunnels, followed by a visit to the Twin Craters.

Day 7: Genovesa Island

Genovesa is one of the most fantastic islands because of its animals, its landscape, its remoteness and its unspoiled nature. Darwin Bay Beach is filled with frigate birds and their bustling activity. Along the trail are pairs of Swallow-tailed Gulls, the only nocturnal gulls in the world and Red-footed Boobies, with their contrasting red feet and blue bills.

At Prince Philip?s Steps, climb to a plateau that is part of the stretch of land that surrounds Darwin Bay on its eastern side. Here, observe Masked boobies, Red-Footed boobies, and thousands of storm petrels. Snorkeling can be done at the beach or alongside the cliffs.

Day 8: Fernandina Island / Isabela Island

Fernandina is the youngest and westernmost island in the Galapagos. Punta Espinosa is a narrow stretch of land where some of the most unique Galapagos species can be seen. Here, you will likely see penguins, Sally Lightfoot crabs, herons, sandpipers, and very large groups of Marine iguanas. This is one of the few places where you can watch iguanas feed underwater.

Located at the ?mouth? of the head of the sea horse, which forms the northern part of the islands, is Punta Vicente Roca. Here, the remnants of an ancient volcano form two turquoise coves. Take a panga ride or explore a partially sunken cave at the water?s edge. Keep an eye out for Masked and Blue-footed Boobies and flightless cormorants.

Day 9: Santiago Island / Bartolome Island

On the northwestern side of Santiago Island is South James Bay (Puerto Egas). The trail crosses the dry interior, where the remains of a salt-mining enterprise can still be seen and then continues along the coast. Inter-tidal pools are home to a variety of invertebrate organisms.

Bartolome is famous for its Pinnacle Rock, which is the most representative landmark of the Galapagos. Galapagos penguins are usually found at the base of the rock. It is possible to climb to the highest point of Bartolome. Resembling the moon, the site is like a museum of volcanology, an eruption site left untouched after the explosion.

Day 10: San Cristobal Island / Disembark / Quito - Cruise Only Ends

Hotel Patio Andaluz
Kicker Rock is a magnificent rock in the middle of the sea. Rising 500 feet strait from the ocean, this giant uplifted rock has the shape of a sleeping lion. Return to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the mainland. This afternoon is at your leisure. Overnight at the Hotel Patio Andaluz, or similar hotel.

Day 11: Quito / Home

This morning, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.