Itinerary 5 Days B


Day 1: Santa Cruz Island : Highlands & Charles Darwin Station

On departure from Quito Airport, a US$20 per-person transit card and a US$100 national park entry fee are payable. These transactions can be complicated and time-consuming so please have cash available.

A National Park Guide will meet you at the airport's arrival hall and transfer you to the catamaran "M.Y." Grand Queen Beatriz. Lunch will be served aboard the boat

Charles Darwin Station

Today you'll visit Santa Cruz, which is the second-largest island in the Galapagos. Puerto Ayora, the small town at the archipelago's economic center, is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station. The station is responsible for vital conservation work and provides the best opportunity for close encounters to giant tortoises. Baby tortoises as well as land iguanas will be on display.
Day 2: North Seymour Island & Mosquera Islet

North Seymour Island

Today's morning excursion will take you to North Seymour. North Seymour's trail traverses the inland and through the island before reaching the coast. The trail takes you through colonies of blue-footed boobies as well as frigate birds. The majestic frigate bird is a large, black bird that has a wide wingspan and a hooked beak. It has great vision and excellent speed. The large, red pouch at the neck of Frigate birds is a hallmark. The red pouch is a sign of male dominance.

The relationship between frigates and boobies is interesting. Blue-footed blueboobies and frigate birds share the same nesting area at North Seymour. They nest on the ground, using the twigs from the palo Santas trees to make their nests, while the frigate bird nests in the saltbushes just above them.

Mosquera Islet

You will be visiting the small, sandy island of Mosquera after lunch. It's a peaceful, picturesque place. Sally lightfoot crabs, also known as red lava crabs, can be seen hopping around the rocks and in the tide pools, skipping over small bodies of water to find food. The brightly colored shells and blue undershells of these crabs contrast beautifully with the black lava.
Day 3: Santa Cruz Island: Black Turtle Cove & Dragon Hill

Black Turtle Cove

Today's excursion will take you to Caleta Tortuga Negra, a mangrove swamp on Santa Cruz Island's north shore. For your first glimpse of the underwater treasures of this area, you will kayak among its tranquil waters. It is also a nursery for Galapagos sharks and rays.

Dragon Hill

You will also find a lot of birdlife here, including the yellow warblers and lava herons. It is also a turtle breeding ground, so you might see them mating. You can take a walk up Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill), this is the best place to see the island's land iguanas. The trail runs from the beach to the ocean. Other sightings include flamingos, marine iguanas and Sally Lightfoot Crabs.
Day 4: Chinese Hat Islet & Rabida Island

Rabida Island

Rabida, also known by the name "Jervis", is a small island located approximately five kilometers south from Santiago. It is one of most impressive archipelago islands. In 1971, introduced species were eliminated. The indigenous wildlife is now in a remarkable state of isolation. Volcanic activity has also produced spectacular colors here, including beaches of red sand, and scarlet cliffs.

The trail takes you to the best place in Galapagos to view flamingos. Rabida is also an excellent place to see nesting pelicans.

Chinese Hat Islet

Pintail ducks, sea lions, and marine iguanas can be found elsewhere. Sombrero Chino, a small island located close to the south-east coast Santiago. It looks like a Chinese hat (Sombrero Chino), when seen from far.
Day 5: Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach & Transfer out
Galapagos flights to the mainland depart at mid-morning so it's a good time to get up early for our last day on the islands. This final excursion may take us less time depending on when we fly.

Today's excursion will take you to Las Bachas in the early morning. This is named after the abandoned barges that the American Navy left here in the 1940s. The beaches of Las Bachas, on Santa Cruz Island's north shore, are home to the Pacific green turtle nesting area. Marine iguanas can also be seen. Because it is made from decomposed coral, the sand is especially soft and white.

These rocks are great for snorkelling, and provide the ideal habitat for Sally Lightfoot crabs (which are abundant on the island). The beach has a saltwater lagoon that is home to whimbrel and flamingos. Keep an eye out for great blue herons. This is your last excursion before returning to Baltra airport for your return flight to Quito.

Please remember to tip your crew and guide if you enjoyed their services. We recommend that each passenger tip US$15 per person for the crew, and US$10 per person for their guide. Tips can be left in envelopes which are placed in your cabin at the end of your trip. You will be taken back to your hotel after you arrive at Quito Airport.

Included

  • Non-alcoholic beverages (coffee, tea and filtered water) available 24/7
  • The services of an expert English-speaking naturalist guide and a crew of nine on board the yacht.
  • Accommodation on board is in double bases unless you paid for s single supplement, all cabins has private bathroom.
  • Soap, shampoo, toilet paper, hand towels, body and beach.
  • All Zodiac and shore excursions during the voyage.
  • All meals and snacks on board the Queen Beatriz
  • Use of snorkeling equipment during the voyage.
  • Transfers to the airport and back in the Islands.
  • Jacuzzi on board.

Not Included

  • Flights to Galapagos.
  • For the naturalist guide and the crew members
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Souvenirs, laundry and other expenses not specified.
  • $100 USD Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee and USD10 Isabela municipal fee.
  • $20 USD IN-Gala transit control card and.