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The Coral I - Itinerary |
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Coral I - 32 guests enjoy
the
newly refurbished (2005)
Luxury
Motor Yacht
The 3-night - 4-day itinerary
The 4-night - 5-day itinerary
The two itineraries can be
combined to
make a 7-night cruise
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The 3-nights
- 4-day itinerary |
DAY
1 – WEDNESDAY
Baltra
Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra airport in
Galapagos (aprox. 2 and a half hours flight). Passengers are
received by guides at the airport and transferred to the Itabaca
canal, cross to the Island of Santa Cruz and travel to Puerto Ayora.
During this excursion visitors head for Dragon Hill.
Santa Cruz Island (Dragon Hill)
During this excursion visitors head for Dragon Hill. After a dry landing, passengers walk to a hypersalinic lagoon behind the beach.
Observers report a high number of Pink Flamingos. The trail then
leads up to Dragon Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay,.
This area is a nesting site for a big number of reintroduced Land
Iguanas, again thanks to the Charles Darwin Research Station. There
is also a bizarre Scalesia tree forest.
DAY 2 – THURSDAY
Rábida Island / Jervis
Wet landing at the dark red colored beach of volcanic origin,
frequented by sea lions. It is often considered the geographic
center of Galapagos because it has the most diversified volcanic
rocks of all the Islands . Here a short trail leads to a salt water
lagoon, where we find small colonies of Flamingos feeding. The brown
pelican nests in the mangrovesan be found at the far side of the
lagoon. Also to be observed are boobies and 9 species of Darwin 's
finches. Dinghie ride by the reefs with an excellent snorkeling
opportunity.
Santiago Island (Egas Port)
Visit the dark sand beach at Puerto Egas during a wet landing. Most
of the landscape are tuff-stone layers and lava flows, the
surrounding area is prime for spotting and observing Hunting Herons,
Great Blue Herons, Lava Herons, Oyster Catchers, and the Yellow
Crowned Night Heron.
Passengers enjoy the sight of Marine Iguanas grazing upon algae beds
at low tide and sharing space with Red Sally Light-Foot Crabs. There
is a colony of Fur-Seal swimming in deep pools of cool water called
“grottos”.
This is an excellent spot for swimming and snorkeling in search of
Octopuses, Sea Horses, Star Fish and other sea life caught in the
small tidal pools. From a safe distance travelers can admire Moray
Eels, Hammerhead Sharks, White Tip and Galapagos Sharks, Golden and
White Spotted Eagle Rays, Jacks, Wahoo, Tuna, Groupers, Red-Tailed
and Dog Snappers, Sea Lions, and Sea Turtles. All located in the
back drop of cold water and warm water corals, fans, and sponge.
DAY 3 – FRIDAY
Fernandina Island (Espinosa
Point)
After a dry landing at Espinosa Point, passengers will see the
largest colony of Marine Iguanas mingling with Sally-light Foot
Crabs. They also will enjoy the Flightless Cormorants nesting sites,
the Galapagos Penguins, Galapagos Hawks, and Sea lions. Among the
flora and volcanic formations observers will note Brachycereus
Cactus, “pa-hoe-hoe” lava, and other unusual lava formations.
Travelers will see recent lava flows from a safe distance. Also
numerous mangrove beds extend into the sea, depicting a healthy and
thriving eco-system.
Isabela Island (Point Vicente
Roca)
Another possible excursion is at Point Vicente Roca, on Isabela
Island . There are no landings for this excursion. Only open for
dinghy sightseeing, snorkeling, and scuba. Travelers will enjoy high
cliffs with tuff stone, ash, and other lava formations. Caves and
plenty of nesting sites for Brown Noddies and Blue Footed Boobies.
Up close encounters with the occasional Dolphin, followed by Sea
Cocktail of the day at the Sun Deck. Briefing by guides on next days
activities.
DAY 4 – SATURDAY
Bartolomé Island
Dry landing. Arriving on this island, passengers will see volcanic
formations including lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. After a
hike to the summit visitors will have an impressive view of the
surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle
Rock.
During the ascent travelers will often see a large colony of Marine
Iguanas and Lava Lizards. Red Mangroves, Tiquilla, and various cacti
all add to the experience. Visitors also enjoy a chance to cool off
while snorkeling. Here travelers often see the Galapagos Penguin,
Sea Turtles, and White Tipped Sharks from a safe distance.
Santa Cruz Island (Black
Turtle Cove)
Arrive at Black Turtle Cove located near Las Bachas beach in the
north of Santa Cruz Island . This excursion provides passengers with
a “panga” ride though the mangrove, during which the outboard motor
of the small ship is turned off. This allows the close observation
of Sea Turtles, White Tipped Reef Sharks, Spotted Eagle Rays, and
Yellow Rays.
DAY 5 – SUNDAY
Santa Cruz Island (Charles
Darwin station)
On another visit, travelers have the chance to investigate the
Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, staffed with
international scientists conducting biological research and
conservation projects. Here you can also admire Giant Tortoises,
that are part of the breeding program.
Travelers can also admire the impressive Giant Prickly-Pear Cactus
forest and many land birds. The visit to the station takes around 40
minutes. After this visit passengers have some free time to walk
around town and shop for souvenirs.
* Disembark at the docks (Isle of Baltra), passengers board a bus
that drives them to the airport for their flight back to mainland
via Guayaquil to Quito. |
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The two itineraries can
be combined to make a 7-night cruise |
DAY 1 – SUNDAY
Baltra Airport
Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra airport in Galapagos (aprox.
2 and a half hours flight). Passengers are greeted by guides at the
airport and transferred to the Itabaca canal, cross to the Island of
Santa Cruz and travel to Puerto Ayora
Santa Cruz Island (Highlands)
It is possible to Cross the Highlands of Santa Cruz. Passengers will
observe the twin pit craters, Los Gemelos and later visit Cerro
Chato. It's likely that another of the famous Giant Tortoises that
gave the name to these islands will appears. Additionally, travelers
can literally get into the Galapagos by walking in the dormant lava
tubes.
DAY 2 – MONDAY
Española Island
(Suarez Point)
Travelers enjoy a dry landing at Suarez Point. Upon landing
visitors will learn more about the lava terrain while crossing the
inactive lava fields. Aside from the Sea Lion colonies, this is one
of the most important sites for bird watching.
As soon as visitors put foot on this island many species can be
spotted and observed closely. Among the many species, the Hooded
Mocking bird and Red Billed Tropic After crossing the nesting
grounds you will reach the world's largest colony of Waved Albatross
(15000 approx.)
Their mating rituals are a highlight of the visit. Nearing the end
of this excursion passengers will visit the famous blowhole, where
water shoots into the air at almost 23 mts. ( 75 ft .)
Española Island (Gardner Bay)
In the afternoon the passengers visit Gardner Bay . This is a wet
landing on a white coral beach amidst a large colony of Sea Lions.
This site has no trails, therefore hiking, is not possible. But it
is considered as open area where you can spot Galapagos Hawks,
American Oyster Catchers, Galapagos Doves, Hood Mockingbirds, 3
species of Darwin Finches and Yellow Warblers, Lava Lizards, Marine
Iguanas and a great place for swimming and snorkeling, the best
place for this spot is by the rock outcropping that looks like a
turtle.
Often snorkelers see many of the Galapagos marine species such as
King Angelfish, Creole Fish, Damsel Fish, Parrot Fish, Manta Rays,
White Tipped Reef Sharks, and many more. Cocktail of the day on the
Sun Deck. Briefing by guides on next days activities.
DAY 3 – TUESDAY
Floreana
Island (Cormorant Point)
Wet landing on a greenish colored sand beach. Passengers
will hike a well marked trail beginning in the Black Mangrove beds
heading towards the back of the lagoon. The large, brackish lagoon
holds one of the biggest populations of flamingos in the Galápagos.
This island is best known for its endemic plant life, such as the
Galápagos millwork, Passion flower, and unique button mangrove.
Novice snorkelers can practice back on the main beach where the sea
lions are playful, while experienced snorkelers can roam the waters
around Devils Crown.
Santa Fe Island / Barrington
Santa Fe is located in the southeastern part of Galapagos, 2 1/2
hours from Santa Cruz , is home to a number of endemic species,
which have bounced back from the outside threat. They include the
Galapagos Hawk, Land Iguanas, a variety of Finches and the Galapagos
Mockingbird, Sea L Mockingbird, Sea L Mockingbird, Sea Lion, Marine Turtles.
Other attractive is one of the most beautiful coves in all the
Galapagos, Santa Fe was formed from an uplift (rather than a
volcano) giving the island a relatively flat surface rather than the
typical conical shape. The trail leads out along the coast into the
Opuntia Forest . Santa Fe 's trees are the largest in the Galapagos
DAY 4 – WEDNESDAY
North
Seymour Island
After a dry landing guests will encounter Swallow Tailed Gulls and
Sea Lions. This site is also known of being a major nesting colony
of Blue Footed Boobies, and the largest colony of the Magnificent
Frigate Bird. (a different species from the Great Frigate Bird).
Travelers will also spot both endemic species of iguanas, the Marine
Iguanas and Land Iguanas. Passengers will enjoy this relaxed hike
around the nesting sites. Disembark at the docks (Isle of Baltra),
passengers board a bus that drives them to the airport for their
flight back to mainland via Guayaquil to Quito. |
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