Galapagos Cruise - Mandalay - Western - Oct 2011-2012
Trip Details
- Duration: 6 days days
- Visited Areas: South America , Ecuador
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 cruise only (6 days, departs Mon) or package (9 days, departs Sat). See end of page for package itinerary.
Itinerary
Day 1: Baltra Island / Santa Cruz Island
Arrival at Baltra airport and bus transfer to Puerto Ayora. After getting acquainted with the Mary Anne, you will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz): home of Lonesome George, the most famous tortoise of Galapagos, last survivor of the Pinta Island tortoise population. Learn about the conservation efforts to restore giant tortoise populations to their original islands. Afterwards, stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora, the largest settlement in the Galapagos.
Day 2: Isabela Island
Punta Moreno (Isabela), there will be a dry landing onto a superb pahoehoe lava flow, surrounded by giant shield volcanoes Âsome still active! Later in the day at Elizabeth Bay, enjoy a panga ride in a salt-water mangrove lagoon, where the largest red mangrove trees in Galapagos grow. Green sea turtles heads will pop up here and there, and Galapagos penguins will Âfly right next to you chasing fish.
Day 3: Isabela Island / Fernandina Island
There will be a wet landing at Urbina Bay onto a dark sandy beach often used by green sea turtles as a nesting site. You will walk over different terrains observing large land iguanas, a variety of native and endemic plants, and sometimes giant tortoises in their natural habitat. There are also the remains of a 50-year old uplift, exposing coral heads and other marine fossils. One of the most unspoiled islands in the world is Punta Espinosa on Fernandina Island. ItÂs a true highlight. There will be a dry landing to stroll the shoreline where you have to decide whether you are looking at lava or marine iguanas flightless cormorants, Galapagos sea lions, and colorful Sally Lightfoot crabs will keep you company during your walk.
Day 4: Isabela Island
Enjoy a long walk through a beautiful Galapagos landscape near Tagus Cove on Isabela Island. There will be a dry landing next to a cove where early visitors carved graffiti of their boats names. View Darwin Lake, a salt-water crater lake, surrounded by tuff stone. At the end of the trail, observe the vast lava flows that connect the volcanoes of Northern Isabela. Punta Albemarle is one of the most pristine visitor sites within the Galapagos National Park. Make a dry landing onto a pahoehoe lava flow, where huge marine iguanas and flightless cormorants wait to greet you.
Day 5: Santiago Island
At Espumilla on Santiago Island, you will make a wet landing onto golden-colored sand, where green sea turtles nest. A trail will take you through a Palo Santo forest containing the largest specimens in the islands. Marvel at the land birds, such as yellow warblers, DarwinÂs finches and Galapagos flycatchers. Make a wet landing onto a dark sandy volcanic beach. Once inhabited, Puerto Egas offers you a magnificent stretch of coastline. Lava flows carved by the ocean have produced grottos and arches that shelter the shy Galapagos fur seal.
Day 6: North Seymour Island / Baltra Island
Prior to leaving for the airport at Baltra, you will visit the small uplifted island called North Seymour. North Seymour hosts the largest colony of magnificent frigatebirds, one of the two species that nest in Galapagos. Male frigatebirds display their large red throat pouch to attract a female, while on the ground, blue-footed boobies step out in their courtship dance.