Galapagos Cruise - Cachalote I

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 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

Deluxe Hotel or Premium Upgrade Hotel
Arrive in Quito, Ecuador and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Quito.

Day 2: Quito

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Today is at your leisure. A variety of day tours are available for purchase. Overnight in Quito.

Day 3: Baltra Island / South Plaza Island - Cruise Only Starts

The US army occupied Baltra Island during World War II and built the first landing strip for jets, which is presently used for daily flights to and from the islands. The main plants on this barren island are cacti, Palo Santo trees, and grasses. South Plaza was formed by uplifted lava and is covered by Opuntia cacti growing over patches of Sesusvium. Here, land iguanas, sea lions, Swallow-tailed gulls, red-billed tropic birds, Audubon?s shearwaters and more can be seen.

Day 4: Santa Cruz Island

The Charles Darwin Research Station and headquarters of the Galapagos National Park may be visited at Puerto Ayora, the Islands? most populated human settlement. The highlands offer the lush humid zone with its vegetation of Miconia bushes, Scalesia and inactive volcanic cones. Santa Cruz has more endemic plants than any other island in the Galapagos. You can see the Galapagos tortoises in their natural habitat here.

Day 5: Espanola Island

Gardner Bay (Off of Espanola Island) is a spectacular beach where you can swim with sea lions and is a great opportunity for snorkeling off the islets in the bay. Punta Suarez offers you quite a display of wildlife: marine iguanas with copper red patches, Swallow-tailed gulls, the endemic long-billed mocking bird, finches, masked and blue-footed boobies, oystercatchers, sea lions and lava lizards. This is the only island where the waved albatross is to be seen during the breeding season, April to December.

Day 6: Floreana Island

At Post Office Bay, one may leave letters like whalers did in the 18th century, in a wooden barrel mailbox. At Point Cormorant, you visit a flamingo lagoon where other species of shore birds may also be seen, and you snorkel at the Devil?s Crown, a submerged volcanic cone.

Day 7: Isabela Island

Punta Moreno (Western Isabela Island) is another sight of interest with lava fields and pioneer plants. Occasionally, you will find flamingos in oasis-like green lagoons as well as flightless cormorant and marine iguana. At Urbina Bay, observe Flightless Cormorants, Brown Pelicans, large marine iguanas, rays, marine turtles and remains of a coral reef.

Day 8: Fernandina Island / Isabela Island

At Punta Espinoza, flightless cormorants, pelicans, sea lions, Sally-light foot crabs and an abundance of marine iguanas can be seen along the shores of one of world?s most active volcanoes. This afternoon, visit Tagus Cove, a beautiful protected cove sheltered by the shoulders of two volcanic craters, which has served as an anchorage for centuries. Keep an eye out for flightless cormorants, hawks, blue-footed boobies, whales, dolphins, and penguins.

Day 9: Santiago Island / Bartolome Island

On the northwestern side of Santiago Island is 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. Explore the inter-tidal pools which 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 can usually be found here. It is possible to climb to the highest point of Bartolome, from where the most impressive volcanic scenery may be viewed. Nowhere else is the geological history of the archipelago better portrayed than here: varied lava formations, volcanic peaks and a moon-like landscape?an eruption site left untouched after the explosion.

Day 10: Baltra Island / Disembark / Quito - Cruise Only Ends

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Disembark at Baltra Island and transfer by bus to the airport for your flight back to the mainland. This afternoon is at your leisure. Overnight in Quito.

Day 11: Quito / Home

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