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What an Adventure! Our goal was to see Machu Picchu, the "Lost city of the Incas" - and we did. We saw the mystical and spiritual citadel with our expert guide Ruben. We even climbed up to the drawbridge and Georgie, Josie and Greg climbed up Huayna Picchu. Everyone that met us, from Eduardo in ... more Joan and Joe Needham
Hopewell, NJ
Four Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the Galapagos Journey I
Day 1
Baltra/Highlands/Charles Darwin Research Station(Santa Cruz)
Day 2
Chinese Hat/Puerto Egas (Santiago)
Day 3
Santiago/Bartolome
Day 4
Bachas Beaches/Baltra
Save $100 plus Free Quito-Galapagos Airfare on the August 10, 17, and 31 Departures. Call for Availability.
Note: The route and program may vary according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety reasons and wildlife encounters.
IGTOA's Traveler Funding Program
South American Vacations is an active member of IGTOA (International Galapagos Tour Operators Association). In support of IGTOA's Traveler Funding Program, we contribute $50 for each passenger that we send to the Galapagos Islands. You'll travel knowing that you support the lasting protection of Galapagos Islands.
Sixty percent of the funding of this program goes directly to the Charles Darwin Foundation for science, conservation, and education. Their work, carried out through the Charles Darwin Research Station and Galapagos National Park, is vital to the preservation of the islands. You can visit their web site to learn more http://www.darwinfoundation.org. The remainder goes toward IGTOA's mission of creating a model of responsible and sustainable tourism.
Four Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the Galapagos Journey I
The M/C Galapagos Journey I is a 91 ft. power catamaran that was built in 2006. It accommodates 16 passengers in eight comfortable air conditioned cabins. Each cabin features ocean view picture windows, lower beds, private bathrooms, a locker and closet. On board, there are nine crew members, one naturalist guide, and a cruise director. Social areas include a dining room, outside bar, library, Jacuzzi, and sun deck. Wetsuits can be rented onboard ($20).
Activities: Wildlife viewing, hiking, snorkeling and sea kayaking.
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.
Day 1: Baltra/Highlands/Charles Darwin Research Station(Santa Cruz)
Upon arrival at Baltra, travelers pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands. Guides will meet you, collect your luggage and escort you on the short bus ride to the harbor. Motorized rafts, called 'Pangas' will transport you to the M/C Galapagos Journey I and our crew will welcome you onboard. After the safety briefing, departure and lunch, the first island visit is made.
The trail to the Highlands of Santa Cruz leaves from Bellavista and passes through the agricultural zone, near the National Park boundary, the Miconia Zone, and then goes to the Fern and Sedge zone. With clear weather (unpredictable), this area affords beautiful scenes of rolling hills and extinct volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery all year round.
Although the great majority of Galapagos visitors come to observe and appreciate natural wonders, it is also interesting to learn how the protection and conservation of the islands are carried out. You can learn more about this at the Charles Darwin Research Station. The Station also has an exhibition center that features photos of recent volcanic eruptions, charts outlining geological formations, and chronological displays of the evolutionary development of endemic species. A corral houses adult Galápagos tortoises, and a nursery provides care for young tortoises until they are about three years. (L,D)
Day 2: Chinese Hat/Puerto Egas (Santiago)
Chinese Hat is a tiny Island just off the southeastern tip of Santiago Island that is less than a quarter of 1 sq. km. in size. It is a fairly recent volcanic cone, which accounts for its descriptive name. It has the shape of a down-facing Chinese hat. The hat shape is best appreciated from the north side. Opposite Chinese Hat, on the rocky shoreline of nearby Santiago, Galapagos penguins are often seen. A 400 meter long trail goes around the cove and through a sea lion colony, and marine iguanas cover the landscape. The volcanic scenery is attractive, and there are good views of the cone. There are snorkeling and swimming opportunities in the cove.
James Bay (wet landing), at the western end of Puerto Egas, was the site of a small salt mining industry in the 1960s. A hike inland to the salt crater is an excellent opportunity to sight land birds such as finches, doves, and hawks. A walk down the rugged shoreline, especially at low tide, will turn up many marine species. Iguanas bask on the rocks and sea lions laze in the tide pools. At the end of the trail there is a series of grottoes or sea caves where fur seals and night herons are found resting on shady ledges. For many, this is the only opportunity to see the Galapagos fur seal, once thought to be on the verge of extinction. In addition to the fur seals, James Bay offers the best opportunity for tide-pooling in the Galapagos. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Santiago/Bartolome
This visitor site provides a unique opportunity to view a recent lava flow of approximately 100 years old. The East Side of Santiago Island is known to have barren volcanic landscapes, dominated by black pahoehoe (ropy) lava flows of very young age. On the surface of the lava it is possible to observe some trees that were carried down by the flow of the fresh lava. It is also interesting to see how some Mollugo plants are starting to colonize the small lava fissures.
A small barren island located across Sullivan Bay off Santiago Island, Bartolome has two visitors' sites. At one of them it is possible to climb to the summit of the island, from where visitors can observe a variety of volcanic formations, spatter and tuff cones, lava flows and lava tubes. The moon like landscape provides the most scenic panorama in the archipelago. At the other site, the visitor may swim and snorkel from a beautiful beach or walk across the isthmus to another beach that faces south, where swimming is prohibited. Multi-colored fish and occasionally penguins may be seen at the base of the tall pinnacle rock, which dominates Bartholomew's landscape. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Bachas Beaches/Baltra
Bachas Beaches are found to the West of Turtle Cove. Their sand is made of decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft, making it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish water lagoon, where occasionally it is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. The other beach is longer, but it has two old barges that were abandoned during the Second World War, when the USA used Baltra Island as a strategic point to protect the Panama Canal.
Transfer to the airport in Baltra for your flight back to Guayaquil or Quito. (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Four Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the Galapagos Journey I
Save $100 plus Free Quito-Galapagos Airfare on the August 10, 17, and 31 Departures. Call for Availability.
Single
Double
Triple
Standard Cabin
$3,159
$1,809
n/a
Suite
$3,639
$2,079
$2,079
All prices are in U.S. Dollars. Click here to see our prices in your currency.
The above prices are valid until December 31, 2010.
Four Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the Galapagos Journey I
The Price of This Tour Includes
South American Vacations' expert pre-departure planning services and documentation, accommodations.
Transfers in the islands between the airport and dock on the date of the cruise.
Accommodations on board the M/C Galapagos Journey I.
All meals and snacks scheduled on board.
Two daily excursions to the islands conducted by bi-lingual naturalist guides.
