Since 1980
|
Since 1980
|
|
Evolution Lammer Law Mistral,Alta Parranda
|
FULL ITINERARY (Friday to Friday or Monday to Monday) QUEEN OF GALAPAGOS CATAMARAN DAY 01 FRI: GUAYAQUIL-GALAPAGOS Arrive in San Cristobal Island and transfer to your catamaran “Queen of Galapagos” After briefing on do'd and dont's in the Islands and aboard the cruise you will depart for your afternoon excursion. Puerto Ayora: Charles Darwin Station Today, travelers have the chance to investigate the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, staffed with international scientists conducting biological research and conservation projects. Here you can also admire Giant Tortoises, that are part of the breeding program. Travelers can also admire the impressive Giant Prickly-Pear Cactus forest and many land birds. After this visit passengers have some free time to walk around town and shop for souvenirs DAY 02 SAT: North Seymour – Bachas Morning: North Seymour A small flat island. Rocks then a long sandy stretch where sea lions and marine iguanas hang out next to a surf wave. The interior has a Palo Santo small Opuntia cactus forest with Bluefooted boobies and magnificent Frigate bird colonies. An hour and a half visit. Dry landing. Afternoon: Highlands & Lava Tunnels You and your family will board a bus for a 45-minute ride through changing vegetation zones to the Santa Cruz Highlands. Here, about 40 giant tortoises live in the wild. By approaching quietly, you can find and observe a turtle on your own. You also hike to tunnels made by cooling lava. (B,L,D) DAY 03 SUN: Sullivan Bay – Bartolomé Bartolomé (Sullivan) This is probably the most photographed island in the Galapagos due to its 350 feet high summit and fabulous 360° views, which is reached after a 60 meter hike Subject to weather conditions, the following islands may be seen from here: Santiago, Santa Cruz, Baltra, North Seymour and Rábida. The best view is from the PINNACLE ROCK, rising 70 meters from the cove below where your yacht is probably anchored. The main attractions are a small colony of the indigenous Galapagos penguin and a colony of sea lions, both found in the cove where you will make a wet landing. Behind the beach it can be found the red and white mangrove, salt bushes, morning glory and the prickly pear cactuses. Other animals that may be seen here are the Great Blue Heron and possibly sea turtles as they lay their eggs from January to March. DAY 04 MON: San Cristobal – Islas Lobos Interpretacion Center Morning visit the Interpretation Center -donated by the Spanish Government in 1998, this state of the art facility offers both tourist and the inhabitants a complete education on the Islands. Your visit to the Archipelago is taken to a new level, since its inauguration. Afternoon visit Islas Lobos. The besalt island oucroppping, lives up to its name "Sea Lion Island". It has a large and noisy population of frolickling and barking beast. It is also a nesting place for blue footed boobies and excellent place for snorkling. DAY 05 TUE: Plazas – Santa Fe Plazas-Located directly east of Santa Cruz Island this is the smallest of the large islands at 1 km by 130 meters. After a dry landing your hike will take you from the shore, which is usually covered in sea lions, to the other side of the island to see the Land Iguanas. On your return, you may see various Sea Iguanas. Santa Fe (Barrington) This may well be the oldest island in the Galapagos. You will anchor at one of the most beautiful and most sheltered bays in the archipelago. Some of the best snorkeling is here due to crystal clear and shallow waters. Certainly one of the best locations for swimming with sea lions and for a glimpse of the Galapagos White-tipped Shark and a sea turtle. After a wet landing you will walk up to a nearby cliff to see the land iguanas through an area of Opuntia Cactus. Other animals present are the Galapagos Hawk, owls, Frigates, Pelicans, Manta Rays and mockingbirds. DAY 06 WED: Espanola: Gardner Bay – Española Island (Suarez Point) Travelers enjoy a dry landing at Suarez Point. Upon landing visitors will learn more about the lava terrain while crossing the inactive lava fields. Aside from the Sea Lion colonies, this is one of the most important sites for bird watching. As soon as visitors put foot on this island many species can be spotted and observed closely. Among the many species, the Hooded Mocking bird and Red Billed Tropic After crossing the nesting grounds you will reach the world's largest colony of Waved Albatross (15000 approx.) Their mating rituals are a highlight of the visit. Nearing the end of this excursion passengers will visit the famous blowhole, where water shoots into the air at almost 23 mts. ( 75 ft .) Española Island (Gardner Bay) In the afternoon the passengers visit Gardner Bay . This is a wet landing on a white coral beach amidst a large colony of Sea Lions. This site has no trails, therefore hiking, is not possible. But it is considered as open area where you can spot Galapagos Hawks, American Oyster Catchers, Galapagos Doves, Hood Mockingbirds, 3 species of Darwin Finches and Yellow Warblers, Lava Lizards, Marine Iguanas and a great place for swimming and snorkeling, the best place for this spot is by the rock outcropping that looks like a turtle. Often snorkelers see many of the Galapagos marine species such as King Angelfish, Creole Fish, Damsel Fish, Parrot Fish, Manta Rays, White Tipped Reef Sharks, and many more. Cocktail of the day on the Sun Deck. Briefing by guides on next days activities. DAY 07 THU: Floreana: Point Cormorant – Post Office Bay Floreana Island (Cormorant Point) Wet landing on a greenish colored sand beach. Passengers will hike a well marked trail beginning in the Black Mangrove beds heading towards the back of the lagoon. The large, brackish lagoon holds one of the biggest populations of flamingos in the Galápagos. This island is best known for its endemic plant life, such as the Galápagos millwork, Passion flower, and unique button mangrove. Novice snorkelers can practice back on the main beach where the sea lions are playful, while experienced snorkelers can roam the waters around Devils Crown. Floreana (Post office) Located on the north side of Floreana Island, the bay is so-named because it's probable that in 1793, Captain James Colnett installed an empty barrel of rum which works as an informal post box for the sailors who periodically passed through the Galapagos, taking with them letters for their next ports of call or final destinations. Today, our visitors continue the tradition by placing postcards without stamps inside the barrels which reach their destinations free of charge. Sometimes it takes weeks, sometimes months, and sometimes the cards never get there at all! A short walk from the famous barrel, across typical vegetation of the island,we come to a tunnel formed by lava flows. It's quite a tricky way down to a path where we can observe land birds such as mocking bird of Galapagos, some species of Darwin's finches, yellow wardle and lava lizards. After a short hop in the panga, we'll make a further dry landing to visit the Lookout Point where we can enjoy great views swooped by marine birds. DAY 08 FRI. GALAPAGOS-GUAYAQUIL Transfer to the airport for flight to Guayaquil. Including:
-All shore excursions
-Ground transportation on the islands.
Not included
-Galapagos National Park Tax of $100 |
|
For further information about these programs have your Travel Agent call Tara Tours 1-800-327-0080 or send mail to: tara@taratours.com For more programs to Central & South America visit www.taratours.com
Copyright © 1980- 2008 Tara Tours Inc. Last modified: March 13, 2008 |
