From $3,400.00
Book now!Northern Islands Galápagos Itinerary
Monday to Friday
Five Days / Four Nights
This cruise itinerary begins from the bay near Baltra airport, from where we’ll sail to the glorious white beach of Las Bachas with a pair of brackish lagoons only a few steps from the sea. These lagoons are the feeding grounds of various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos. On Tuesday, we explore two fascinating visitor sites on Santiago Island: Buccaneer Cove, home to a large number of marine birds, sea lions, and inter-tidal organisms, and Puerto Egas, with its great walk along pools full of life and good snorkeling and swimming possibilities. The next day we visit the red-sand beach of Rábida Island, a lovely trail around some cliffs and a popular spot for swimming, followed by the volcanic viewpoint of Bartolomé in the afternoon, combining a hike, a swim, a beach and coastal exploration – a top Galápagos day! From here we sail northeast to the sunken crater of Genovesa, a wild place home to thousands of marine birds, a world a million miles from our own. We finish in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galápagos Province. Wherever we sail, whatever we do, all the crew aboard the Santa Cruz II will do their utmost to ensure your Galápagos experience is truly, deeply moving and memorable.
ITINERARY
DAY 1: Monday – Start your Galapagos Islands Experience (L/D)
Baltra Island
We land at Baltra Island by plane in the morning and transfer to the dock to board the Santa Cruz, where we receive a welcome introductory briefing and lunch.
Las Bachas (Santa Cruz Island)
This beautiful visitor site is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, a glorious white beach with several brackish lagoons only a few steps away from the sea. These lagoons are the feeding grounds of various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos. This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with snorkeling gear and techniques. Welcome cocktail, expedition plan for Tuesday and dinner.
DAY 2: Tuesday – Galapagos Islands (B/L/D)
Buccaneer Cove (Santiago Island)
After breakfast, we explore the coastline along the impressive cliffs of Buccaneer Cove, learning about the area’s distant and recent history. The cove is home to a large number of marine birds, sea lions, and inter-tidal organisms. Enjoy fantastic natural formations such as the “Elephant Rock”, “The Bishop” and an impressive natural cave. This is a great site for snorkeling or “panga” ride.
Puerto Egas (Santiago Island)
Once we disembark at the beach, we can enjoy a swim or snorkel amid a rocky shoreline, usually in the company of marine turtles. From here, we head off to our walk, a great opportunity to see land and marine birds amid landscape of tuff-stone layers and lava flows. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds and we can also observe a colony of fur-sea lions. Non-snorkelers can enjoy a longer walk.
DAY 3: Wednesday – Galapagos Islands (B/L/D)
Rábida Island
After breakfast, we land on Rábida Island’s red-colored beach, caused by the unusually high content of iron in the volcanic material. Our walk brings us close to a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin’s finches. Very close to the beach, a salt pond hosts migrating greater flamingos at certain times of year. This is a great place to snorkel from the beach, both for beginners as well as for experienced snorkelers, due to the unique combination of underwater species and submarine landscapes. Non-snorkelers will enjoy a ride on the glass bottom boat or a “panga” ride. During navigation to our next island, dolphins are often spotted!
Bartolomé Island
We land at Bartolomé for a hike to the summit of this diminutive island that boasts fantastic views of the archipelago. This is a moderately steep climb aided by a wooden staircase, resting platforms and handrails – the view from the top is worth the effort! Following our walk, we take to the pangas and the glass bottom boat for a ride around the colossal Pinnacle Rock, and then land at the beach to enjoy some swimming, snorkeling or just relaxing (possibly with Galápagos penguins in attendance).
DAY 4: Thursday – Galapagos Islands
Prince Philip Steps (Genovesa Island)
The morning starts with a “panga” ride along the cliffs of this dramatic island, followed by landing with a steep climb (90 feet) up some stairs to reach a flat plateau. Along our walk, we can observe large colonies of Nazca boobies, red footed boobies, great frigate birds and storm petrels. Those not wishing to disembark can enjoy a longer “panga” ride along the cliffs (depending on weather conditions). After the walk, we can snorkel along the dramatic cliffs where there are chances of spotting lots of fish, including hammerhead sharks.
Darwin Bay (Genovesa Island)
In the afternoon, we land at this beautiful beach to enjoy some swimming and/or snorkeling. Following our dip, we take an easy stroll to observe hundreds of birds, mainly frigate birds, red footed and Nazca boobies, gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds. There’s an optional walk over sharp lava and uneven terrain for dramatic views, or else we can return to the beach or enjoy a “panga” ride.
DAY 5: Friday – Depart Galapagos Islands (B)
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno & Tortoise Breeding Centre (San Cristóbal Island)
After breakfast, there’s optional departure to see the breeding program of giant tortoises at Cerro Colorado. Here, we learn about this endangered species and its promising recovery. Following the visit, we return to town and transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.
RATES PER PERSON SINGLE OCCUPANCY
Horizon Deck Voyager Cabin Category: $3,910.00
Horizon Deck Explorer Cabin Category: $3,910.00 (*)
Expedition Deck Explorer Cabin Category: $4,071.00
Panorama Deck Explorer Cabin Category: $4,186.00
Panorama Deck Darwin Suite Category: $4,742.00
(*) Horizon Deck Explorer stateroom category – Double occupancy: From $3,400.00
RATE INCLUDES:
Five day Galapagos cruise program as per itinerary aboard the M/V Santa Cruz II. Fully escorted daily excursions by English speaking naturalist guides. Daily briefings. All meals during the cruise as per itinerary. All transfers in Galapagos between airport and cruise. Taxes and fees.
NOT INCLUDED:
Galapagos National Park entrance fees $120 per person and subject to change. Land services, tours not indicated in itinerary. Meals not indicated in itinerary. Gratuities and tips to guides. Expenses of personal nature.
© Images courtesy of Metropolitan Touring
