Galapagos 6
 

5 night northwest Galapagos cruise

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Day 1

SATURDAY- ARRIVAL IN GALAPAGOS

Arrive at the airport in Baltra & be transferred to the dock. Check-in to your cabin before attending an introductory briefing & saftey drill. In the afternoon take a Panga ride to Mosquera Islet. Mosquera Islet is a tiny islet, home to a huge population of sea lions and also home to many shorebirds. While at Mosquera, keep your eyes peeled as there are occasional reports of dolphins and orcas. Return to the boat for a welcome cocktail and dinner.

Overnight: Athala II

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Day 2

SUNDAY - SANTIAGO & BARTOLOME ISLANDS

This morning disembark at Sullivan Bay for a hike and snorkel. Sullivan Bay is known for its spectacular volcanic formations, relatively young pahoehoe lava flows, and unique geological scenery. Visit Bartolome Island for an excursion. Bartolome is a small island that has two visitor sites. At the first, you can snorkel around Pinnacle Rock, where penguins are usually seen. Then, it's back on board for a quick change of clothes followed by a short dinghy ride for a climb to the highest point on the island or a panga ride if you prefer. On the way up, you will encounter different volcanic formations, including spatter and tuff cones, lava flow and lava tubes.

Overnight: Athala II

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Day 3

MONDAY - ISABELA ISLAND

Disembark at Urbina Bay, located at the foot of Alcedo volcano where you may be able to observe sea turtles nesting. This area is also known for penguin and flightless cormorant sightings and is one of the best places to see Darwin's finches as well as large land iguanas. Be on the lookout for wild Galapagos tortoises which like to feed within the site's dense vegetation. After lunch visit Tagus Cove, historically used as an anchoring place for pirates, bucanneers and whalers. While exploring the channel between Fernandina and Isabela Islands, we sometimes encounter dolphins and whalers.

Overnight: Athala II

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Day 4

TUESDAY - FERNANDINA & ISABELA ISLANDS

Visit Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island where you can see one of the most pristine and dynamic ecosystems in the world. Punta Espinoza is a narrow piece of land where some of the most unique Galapagos species can be seen, including the flightless cormorant, Galapagos snakes, marine iguanas, penguins and the Galapagos hawk. After lunch take a panga ride along Punta Vicente Roca or deep water snorkel. Punta Vicente Roca is a great snorkelling site, where you can usually see turtles as well as all kinds of fish and a panga ride will give you the opportunity to study some of the Galapagos' spectacular geological rock formations.

Overnight: Athala II

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Day 5

WEDNESDAY - SANTIAGO ISLAND

Start the day at Puerto Egas, Santiago Island. Puerto Egas has tidal pools which are home to organisms, including sea urchins, octopus and starfish. YThe trail leads to the Fur Sea Lion Grottos, one of the only places in the islands where these unique animals can be seen. After lunch visit Espumilla Beach for hike, panga ride, swimming or snorkelling before dinner.  The Palo Santo forest at Espumilla has some of the tallest specimens of plant species in the entire archipelago. Also look out for the Galapagos Hawk as well as Darwin's finches. The beach is an important site for nesting marine turtles.

Overnight: Athala II

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Day 6

THURSDAY - CHARLES DARWIN STATION & DEPARTURE


After breakfast transfer to Charles Darwin Research Station accompanied by a guide. After a quick yet informative visit to the CDRS, you will be escorted to Baltra airport for departure back to the mainland.


Overnight: Depart the Galapagos