M/V Santa Cruz Friday

General Info

The Santa Cruz has gained worldwide recognition for its excellent standards- including superb service, expert crew, the most knowledgeable multilingual naturalist/guides and menus that feature the very best international cuisine and celebrated Ecuadorian dishes. Its capacity is for ninety guests.

Itinerary

Day 1 San Cristobal

Arrival transfer airport to M/V Santa Cruz for cabin assignment, introductory talk and lunch. This afternoon we’ll have our first excursion, disembarking at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (dry landing) to visit the Interpretation Centre. Continue for a stroll along a boardwalk to the north shore of San Cristobal to the site where Darwin is said to have first set foot on the islands.

This area is teeming with life: Darwin finches, San Cristóbal mockingbirds, marine iguanas, sea lions, etc. Hills frame this turquoise bay, home to two species of frigates. A staircase leads to the top of Cerro Tijeretas, from where a good portion of northern San Cristóbal is visible: Wreck Bay, Lobos Islet, Punta Carola and the impressive Kicker Rock. We return to the vessel for welcome cocktail, dinner & the expedition plan for the following day (LD)

Day 2 San Cristobal

A dinghy ride along the shores of tuff-stone layers takes guests to Cerro Brujo’s white coralline beach (wet landing). The beach is great for walking, with rewarding bird watching and good views of seabirds like blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans, herons, frigate birds, and more shore birds. Also, look out for Galápagos sea lions. Highlights ashore include the Chatham (San Cristóbal) mockingbird, Chatham lava lizard; both species are endemic to this island and seen nowhere else in the Galápagos. Cerro Brujo is an excellent site for acquainting oneself with snorkelling gear and techniques. Back on board for lunch.

In the afternoon, disembark (wet landing) on the eastern tip of the island. Pitt Point is an eroded tuff cone; the trail that ascends from the beach provides spectacular views of the shoreline. This is the only site in the Galápagos where the three species of boobies can be found together, as well as the two frigate species, plus a colony of bachelor sea lions along the beach. After the walk, if conditions are favourable, there is a chance to swim from the beach or snorkel at the nearby islets. (BLD)

Day 3 Santa Fe (Barrington Island)/South Plaza

After breakfast, a wet landing on a sandy white beach with many sea lion harems. Bulls vie for the right of “Beach Master”, while smaller males masquerading as females make stealthy mating moves. Galapagos hawks are often easily observed, perched atop salt bushes. The giant prickly pear cactus found here live up to their name with tree-sized trunks! The endemic land iguana, unique to this island, may be spotted during the afternoon walk. Snorkelling and swimming from the beach rounds off the rewarding experience, or if guests prefer, the glass bottom boat for non-snorkellers.

This afternoon disembark (dry landing) in the channel between North and South Plaza Islands, where the island tilts toward the water, the approach makes for a lavishly colourful sight! The turquoise waters of the channel contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline. The rocks have grown thick with green seaweed in places, speckled with bright orange ‘Sally Lightfoot’ crabs. Further up the shore a carpet of scarlet sesuvium succulents serves as groundcover for a grove of luminescent green prickly-pear cactus. Yellow-grey land iguanas sit beneath these, waiting patiently for pears to drop. Along the coastline one finds sea lion colonies, while frigates, swallow-tailed gulls and shearwaters glide playing with the thermals that form along the cliffs of this small but amazing island. (BLD)

Day 4 Charles Darwin Research Station/Santa Cruz

Morning disembarkation (dry landing) visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens, including tortoise celebrities like “Lonesome George” within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest home to many land birds. These are the headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation and the National Park administration. Lunch at the poolside of the Finch Bay Eco Hotel.

After lunch, visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, with their impressive Scalesia forest and the geological formation of the twin pit craters known as Los Gemelos. From December to mid-April a visit to see the giant tortoises in the wild may be included, if weather conditions are good. Return to the vessel for dinner & tomorrow’s expedition plan. (BLD)

Day 5 Puerto Suarez/Espanola Island

Morning outing at Punta Suárez (dry landing) for an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including waved albatrosses (April – December), Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tail gulls as well as a view of the Galápagos famous “blow-hole”. Among its land birds, the Hood island mockingbird, Galapagos hawks, Galapagos doves and three species of Darwin’s finches are common highlights. Also, look for red-green-black marine iguanas. Back on board for lunch.

In the afternoon, disembark (wet landing) at a white coral beach for a short walk to observe the sea lions, mockingbirds, finches or enjoy the beach. There is great snorkelling in this area, or a ride aboard the glass-bottom boat. This evening enjoy a farewell cocktail & dinner on board. (BLD)

Day 6 Baltra

Disembark at Baltra Island. Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the continent. (B)

Prices

Deck-Cabin/ Season	Low Season	Peak Season
Main Deck Twin	$2835	$2960
Upper Deck Twin	$2970	$3100
Boat Deck Twin Plus	$3230	$3355
Boat Deck Plus Twin	$3360	$3490

Rates are per person, twin share
Twin / Double Cabins for single use have a surcharge of 50% of the price

High Season: Apr 4-9 / Dec 21-26 / Dec 26-Jan 04

Please note package prices do not include air tickets to/ from the mainland (from $400 per person),
Galapagos National Park entrance (USD$100 per person), Migration Control Card (US $ 10) these rates are subject to change without previous notice, Alcoholic and non alcoholic beverage, gratuities, gifts and additional items; Internet / Wi-Fi.

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