Enjoy the Galapagos Islands on a fantasctic vessel - The Santa Cruz is a small, 237 foot, 90 passenger deluxe cruise ship.  There are magnificently appointed  suites, double or single cabins. Fully carpeted and air conditioned, it is the right size cruise ship for a comfortable and relaxed vacation in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.

Friday: San Cristobal Island - Cerro Brujo:

Arrival by plane to San Cristobal Island and transfer to the MV SANTA CRUZ, which will be anchored at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the provincial capital of the Galápagos Islands. Cabin assignment and lunch. After lunch, introductory welcome talk and boat drill.

Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal Island)
A dinghy ride along the shores of tuff-stone layers will bring us to Cerro Brujo's white coraline beach .  Wet landing.  The area will show us good views of seabirds like blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, herons, frigate birds, and some shore birds . Also, look for Galapagos sea lions.  The beach is a great open walking area, with rewarding birdwatching.   Highlights ashore include the Chatham (San Cristobal) Mockingbird and the Chatham Lava Lizard.

Saturday: Punta Suarez (Española (Hood) Island)

Morning outing at Punta Suarez (dry landing) for an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April - December), Nazca (masked boobies), blue-footed boobies, swallow-tail gulls, and the famous blowhole. Among its landbirds, the Hood island mockingbird, and three species of Darwin’s finches are common highlights.  Also, look for red-green-black marine iguanas, and of course a rookery of sea lions right at the landing site. 

Sunday: Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)

This morning brings us to the youngest island, Fernandina. Disembark (dry landing) for a one-mile walk.  Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness with lots of wildlife.  Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing their island habitat with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, and hawks. Lava terrain calls for good walking shoes.  Back on board for lunch. As we sail along the Bolívar Channel, astonishing views of the Galápagos’ youngest volcanoes can be seen.  The nutrient-rich waters of the west can also bring surprises like encountering sea birds feeding, dolphins, and possibly whales.

Monday: Santa Cruz Island and Baltra Island

Visiting the famous Charles Darwin Research Station will be certainly a rewarding adventure for this morning's program. It will just require a different approach, in order to accomplish all our travel plans. This outing is an optional program and an early one.  We arrive at the Itabaca Channel, between the islands of Baltra and Santa Cruz and disembark at the public dock (dry landing) for a 30-minute bus ride along the highlands in route to Puerto Ayora where changes in vegetation can be witnessed. 

NOTES:

The route and program may vary according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety reasons and wildlife encounters.

For island visits, two types of landings are planned:

Dry landing: guests step from the dinghy directly onto rocks or a dock.
Wet landing: as the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into knee-deep water and wade ashore.

Includes

Accommodation
All meals
Island sightseeing
All guide and lecture services
Taxes and transfers in the island.
Glass - bottom boat outings

Doesn´t include

Air transportation to/from Galapagos
Galapagos National Park entrance fee (US $100 subject to change without notice)  Bar
Gifts and items of personal nature

Important facts

The M/V SANTA CRUZ offers 3, 4 and 7 night expeditions

Please read this Expedition Itinerary as a guide only.  The route and program vary according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety reasons and wildlife encounters.

Please note other surcharges may apply according to season, as well as fuel surcharges.