M/C Archipel II Galapagos Catamaran

Overview

DAY 1, MON, DECEMBER 23

FLY TO GALAPAGOS & BOARD THE M/C ARCHIPELL II        

AM: Transfer to the Quito airport in time for the Aerogal Airlines flight # 32, departing Quito at 07:50 AM and arriving in Baltra Island at 09:50AM. Transfer to the first class catamaran M/C ARCHIPELL II

Begin your 7-night cruise through Darwin’s “Enchanted Islands”. Accommodations will be in eight cabins (double occupation). All cabins are spacious and feature a private balcony, bath/shower and air-conditioning. All meals, lectures and shore excursions are included.

The excursions and cultural programs are led by category “3” naturalist with years of experience in guiding in the Galapagos Islands.

PM: North Seymour Island.  

North Seymour island is a small but popular island. It is the most important fishing site for Marine Birds as well as a site for many travelers and ornithologists to observe the diverse amount of birds in the archipelago. North Seymour is also an excellent place to witness the mating dance of the Blue Footed Boobies and to see the nesting area of Magnificent and Great Frigate birds. In addition, North Seymour is home to one of the largest sea lion colonies in the Galapagos making it another great spot to snorkel with these fun animals amongst other colorful fish, reef sharks, sea turtles, manta rays, eels, and sometimes even hammerhead sharks

(B, L, D)

DAY 2, TUE, DECEMBER 24

CRUISING THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

AM: Bartolome Island

Bartolomé Island is the most visited and popular island in the archipelago. It is home to Pinnacle Rock, a volcanic cone, that was formed when magma was expelled from an underwater volcano; the sea cooled the hot lava, which then exploded, only to come together and form this huge rock made up of many thin layers of basalt. Visitors have access to two sites: a dry and wet landing. The dry landing contains a trail to the volcano’s summit where you will find an incredible viewpoint and a fantastic landscape. The wet landing includes a boat ride to the south beach area through mangroves and dune vegetation. Here you will be able to spot various turtles and sharks. On the north beach area, you will be able to enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the crystal clear waters. In this area many penguins and giant mantas are often present, so keep an eye out for this amazing animal of the Islands

PM: Santiago Island

Santiago Island is one of the most beautiful, interesting and diverse islands on the archipelago due to its stunning volcanic formations and unbelievable basaltic lava flows. It is the perfect island to fully appreciate the volcanic origin of the Galapgos islands. On Sullivan Bay, you will be able to admire this world of lava and walk across the expansive, ominous black lava field that coooled in mesmerizing patterns. Furthermore, Santiago is rich in history and wildlife, which varies on land and ocean. It is important to note the absence of the thousands of land iguanas that Charles Darwin mentioned on his diary; these disappeared due to the presence of introduced species such as goats and rodents. However, these introduced animals have been completely eradicated which gave native tortoises the chance to repopulate the island, and can now be seen more often with each visit.

(B, L, D)

DAY 3, WED, DECEMBER 25

CRUISING THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

AM: Santiago Island – Puerto Egas

Puerto Egas, which is the post popular visitor site by the cruise vessels, also provides one of the best opportunities to spot the Galapagos fur seal lazing in the sun or diving and swimming in the turquoise waters of this island.

PM: Rabida Island

Rabida Island is a unique island that lies at the very heart of the archipelago’s volcanic origin. The lava that poured out during the eruptions that formed the island was rich in iron and magnesiun and when it was exposed to air the iron minerals rusted and created an unearthly red color, making the island shine with this red hue. Not only is Rabida a spectacular place for landscape photography, but it is also filled with a variety of activities and wildlife. Upon arrival on the island, visitors are greeted by a colony of sea lions and marine iguanas that like to lounge on the red beach. Rabida is also a great place for bird watchers as it is full of different species of land and sea birds; Rabida is one of the best places for visitors to see pelicans nesting up close. Flamingos are also spotted in a saltwater lagoon, which is a feeding and breeding area, that lays behind the beach.

DAY 4, THU, DECEMBER 26

CRUISING THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

AM: Charles Darwin Station and Puerto Ayora – Santa Cruz Island.

Although the great majority of Galapagos visitors come here to observe and appreciate natural wonders, it is also interesting to learn about how the protection and conservation of the islands are carried out. The main attractions are the National Park information center, the Van Staelen Exhibition Hall, the Breeding and Rearing Centre for young tortoises, and adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity.

PM: The Highlands of Santa Cruz Island.

Santa Cruz has all the vegetation zones. Here you can see the contrast, from the arid coastal zone to the remarkably refreshing highlands. The humid zones provided some of the drinking water consumed in town. The highlands house unusual trees and ferns, colorful land birds, and healthy population of giant tortoises. Sudden rains are common so bring a light jacket and a plastic bag for your camera.

(B, L, D)

DAY 5, FRI, DECEMBER 27

CRUISING THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

AM: Floreana Island – Cormorant Point.

Cormorant Point on the archipelago’s southern Floreana Island, features a golden-greenish beach rich in olivine. It`s a collection of volcanic crystals originating in the Earth’s mantle and composed of aluminum, silica, magnesium and iron, as well as eroded tuff remains, all of which are responsible for the sand’s unique color.

Not far inland, a brackish lake home to a variety of migratory and coastal birds, is also ideal for flamingo-watching. Here, there’s quite a large percentage of flamingos living in one single pond considering that the entire population of Galapagos Flamingos amounts to only about 1,200 to 1,500 individuals scattered across the archipelago.

Flamingos tend to migrate from island to island searching for food but never attempting to fly toward mainland Ecuador. Their ancestors come from the Caribbean.

The trail continues to a beautiful white-sand beach, one of the most important nesting sites of Green Pacific Sea Turtles. It is important to avoid walking in the water due to the Sting Rays that may be hiding in the sand, which can be dangerous if accidentally stepped on. From the beach, one can spot sea turtles, blue-footed boobies plunging into the water, and small reef sharks floating along the shoreline in search of food.

PM: Floreana Island – Post Office Bay

In the north side of Floreana, there is the Post Office Bay. Its name gets in 1793, by the Captain James Colnett, who installed a wooden barrel that will serve sailors’ as a post office. Seamen will drop-off letters there, in other for another sailor, who would be headed back home, to take the letter with him and deliver it to the recipient. Nowadays, the tradition is still alive and tourist will leave behind letters and postcards, with the hope that other tourists will take them, for free, back to their country. The delivery time can take days, weeks or even up to years! However, there has been cases where the letter arrives back home before the sender does!

Here, it is possible to see Darwin finches, yellow warblers and lava lizards. There are great snorkeling opportunities to see green pacific sea turtles and playful sea lions on main beaches. Moreover, this island is best known for its endemic vegetation: Scalesiavillosa, Leococarpuspinnati dus and the Galapagos millwork.

(B, L, D)

DAY 6, SAT, DECEMBER 28

CRUISING THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

AM: Espanola Island – Gardner Bay

Located on Española Island, Gardner Bay consists of an extensive beach of whitish coralline sand with several colonies of Galapagos sea lions.

Here, we can also observe the endemic mockingbird of Española, usually in small groups defending their territories.

Snorkeling is recommended, especially around the small semi submerged tuff cone located in front of the beach. Where we could see reef white-tipped sharks, rays, sea lions and a variety of colorful reef fish.

It’s basically a day of sun and beach, along snorkeling and kayaking activities. At certain rocky points of the shoreline, we can also see marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies plunging in the water, Sally light-foot crabs, and small coastal birds and wandering tattlers.

PM: Espanola Island – Suarez Point

At the southeastern tip of Galapagos lies, Española, the Archipelago’s oldest island, which is without a doubt a prime sanctuary of birds where you can observe blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, red-billed tropic birds, swallow- tailed gulls, the Española mockingbird, and from April to December around 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses come to nest.

Passengers will observe sea lion colonies, the most colored marine iguanas, lava lizards, and the beautiful scenery of the blowhole where water shoots 75 ft (23 m) up into the air.

The dramatic setting among the black cliffs, the never-ending rolling and crashing of the waves below; the elaborate courtship rituals of the albatross (birds that mate for life) make Española a highlight of your trip.

(B, L, D)

DAY 7, SUN, DECEMBER 29

CRUISING THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

AM: San Cristobal Island – Pitt Point

Pitt Point (Punta Pitt)  is located at the east end of San Cristobal Island. The trail includes an olivine beach of 295 ft (90 m) long and a path that climbs to the top of a volcanic tuff, through several magnificent viewpoints.

This is probably the only site where the three booby species of the Galapagos can be seen together, as well as two species of frigatebirds and a sea lion colony; it is also excellent for dinghy rides and snorkeling, where a good range of sea birds can be observed such as the blue-footed booby, red- footed booby and the Nazca bobby.

The hike is also very interesting for its geographical features, consisting of a completely arid to transitional zone of vegetation with predominantly thorny plants.(vagabundos) and turnstones (vuelvepiedras).

PM: San Cristobal Island – Witch Hill

Located on the northern coast of San Cristobal Island, this eroded hill and its surroundings present one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos. The white powdery sand and the abundance of animals in this area make it especially idyllic. Animals around Witch Hill and its beach include sea turtles, rays, and various types of Booby birds. The clear water provides an excellent opportunity for enjoying swimming and snorkeling.

(B, L, D)

DAY 8, MON, DECEMBER 30

CRUISING THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

AM: San Cristóbal Island – Interpretation Center

The Interpretation Center is an excellent place to learn about Natural History in the Galapagos and to learn about the San Cristobal History too. The Museum of Natural History displays information on the volcanic origins of the islands, their remoteness from the continent, ocean currents, climate, the arrival of the different species and their colonization, among other points of interest. Human history is also showcased, chronologically narrated by the most significant events related to the discovery and colonization of the islands.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Quito.

(B)

End of our services.

 The Peru and Galapagos schedule and the all touring arrangements herein are subject to change without notice and can be altered by the Galapagos National Park who is the maximum authority in the Galapagos Islands, if so your cruise / tour will be operated in a different sequence, depending on operational considerations. All hotels are subject to availability and can be substituted for similar hotels.

All payments for custom-designed itineraries are non-refundable in the event of cancelation by passengers. Travel insurance is highly recommended.

MAIN DECK

The boat has all eight cabins on the main deck, two of them are matrimonial and six of them are twin bed cabins. The dining room and social areas are also located on this deck as it is the embarkation platform.

SUN DECK

The sun deck offers a great space for sunbathing and for admiring the beautiful landscape of the Galapagos islands while navigating. At night guests enjoy going to the sun deck for stargazing.

• At Night: cruise-casual attire for dining; no shorts, swimwear or tank tops.
• On Shore: shorts or fast-drying slacks, T-shirts, or long sleeved cotton shirts.
• Walking shoes
• Thongs or sandals
• Wind-breaker
• Hat with a brim
• Bathing suits
• Bandana to cover the back of your neck from the sun’s rays
• Sunglasses (with holding strap)
• Extra set of glasses or contact lenses + lens solution
• Sun block (SPF30 or higher)
• Insect repellent (Mosquitoes are NOT malaria carrying)
• Grooming kit
• Personal medication
• Multi-purpose Zip-lock bags.
• Camera gear, extra memory and charger (or extra batteries)
• Lip balm (SPF30 or higher)