Since 1980
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Since 1980
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BOATS
Evolution Grace
GALAPAGOS HOTEL PROGRAMS
Ariau Lodge, Eco-Park, Amazon ViIlage, Acajatuba, Guanavenas
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US$800 per person deduction for Cruise departing Jun. 01, 2013 Mary Anne First Class Sailing Vessel
Launched in 1997, this elegant barquetine was designed specifically with environmentally friendly operations in mind and is certified by Smart Voyager. The Mary Anne is the perfect ship for those who love to travel under sail; she has 1000m2 of canvas with which she majestically takes to the waves. She can accommodate up to 16 passengers in 12 double, tastefully furnished cabins. All cabins have private bathrooms with hot water and all are designed with one double lower berth and a single upper berth. Two double cabins.
US$800 deduction per person for Jun.01 departure (East itinerary) US$500 deduction per person for Aug.10 (East) & 17 departures (West itinerary) SEE ITINERARIES BELOW. All rates are in USA dollars. For Child rate please call us at 1-800-327-0080 or emails us at tara@taratours.com and advise date of departure.Rates include accommodation meals, excursions and naturalist guide. NOTE: • Rates per person
based on double occupancy
ITINERARIES (BRIEF DESCRIPTION)
ITINERARIES (FULL DESCRIPTION)
MARY ANNE, 8 DAYS, EAST
DAY 1 – SATURDAY
A first impression PM After arriving at Baltra airport we will be greeted by an Angermeyer Cruises representant to then board the Mary Anne and have lunch. After lunch, we will navigate a short distance to Black Turtle Cove, a large mangrove lagoon on the north coast of Santa Cruz Island. Pelicans and herons roost on the branches, while marine dwellers such as Green Sea Turtle or Golden Ray may cruise right next to the panga as it makes its way through the mangroves.
DAY 2 - SUNDAY Up north AM We travel to Genovesa Island and reach Darwin Bay (wet landing), a unique site lined with red mangrove and soft-haired prickly pear cacti where Red-footed Boobies and Great Frigatebirds perch tamely. PM At Prince Philip Steps (dry landing), we climb the edge of a cliff where Frigatebirds, Nazca Boobies, and Red-footed Boobies nest. We will be seeking out the impressive Red-billed Tropicbird amidst Galapagos Storm Petrels.
DAY 3 – MONDAY Contours of Sullivan Bay AM Dry landing at Bartholomew to climb up the wooden steps and reach the summit of this spatter cone for a most breathtaking panorama of the islands’ well photographed Pinnacle Rock, views of neighbouring Santiago and many other central islands in the distance.
PM We head across to Sullivan Bay (dry landing) in Santiago to walk over a recent lava flow, including very fresh pahoehoe lava formations, lava bubbles containing crystallized minerals, and pioneer plants. Along the shoreline, we may find Galapagos penguins and herons going after small fish.
DAY 4 - TUESDAY
Mars on Earth AM Wet landing onto Rábida’s deep-red beaches to explore the red island’s fascinating interior and saltwater lagoon. Darwin’s finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, and yellow warblers feed off the vegetation; given the right time of the year brown pelicans nesting on salt bushes that fringe the beach. PM We head across to Cerro Dragón on Santa Cruz’s north-west shore (dry landing); we visit a saltwater lagoon, home to Greater Flamingos, Black-necked Stilts, and White-cheeked Pintails. Further inland we find a fantastic land iguana nesting site.
DAY 5 – WEDNESDAY The islets AM We will step ashore (wet landing) onto a beautiful white coralline beach, on Mosquera Islet, home to one of the largest Galapagos sea lion colony in the archipelago. Here we will do a short hike to explore the surroundings before snorkelling around the beach. PM After a leisure lunch, we will hop on board our dinghy to do a panga ride around Punta Carrión to take in the beautiful landscape and observe the wildlife. We will then end the day with snorkelling in these shallow and colourful waters.
DAY 6 – THURSDAY
Heading Eastward AM Dry landing on one of the oldest docks of the Archipelago, colourful Plaza Sur is home to vibrant green prickly pears, deep red Sesuvium and coppery-orange land iguanas; impressive seaward cliffs are excellent for a variety of coastal birds. This is also a great place to observe the adult and pup sea lions swimming along the shores. PM After a wet landing onto a white beach where sea lions are usually resting, on Santa Fe, we will be looking for the endemic species of land iguana, larger and yellower than land iguanas on other islands. The largest prickly pear cacti in the Galapagos are also found here.
DAY 7 – FRIDAY
From albatrosses to blowholes AM Punta Suárez (dry landing) is a spectacular walk into the intimacies of life at sea, with nesting sites of Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies, as well as the fascinating breeding rituals (April to December) of Waved Albatross. Lined with neon-colored marine iguanas (January), and lazy Galapagos sea lions, we walk up to an amazing viewpoint of the famous blowhole. PM We will spend the day in fantastic Española, starting with Gardner Bay (wet landing), an outstanding beach with sea lions, marine iguanas, and the intrepid Española Mockingbird.
DAY 8 – SATURDAY
A last goodbye with the tortoises AM
We will visit the Fausto Llerena breeding station,
located at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here, we will see tortoises from
different islands. The animals are found in large semi natural pens for their
protection, but also to ensure an easy view for the tourists. The pens are
divided according to four different stages: eggs, neonates, juveniles (held here
until they are mature enough to be "repatriated"), and adults.
In addition to the land visits we offer a good balance of other activities such as snorkeling, panga rides and kayaking.
MARY ANNE, 8 DAYS, WEST
DAY 1 – SATURDAY
First encounters PM
After arriving at Baltra airport we will be greeted by an Angermeyer Cruises representant to then board a bus which will take us to the highlands of Santa Cruz, the first visit on the islands: the Twin Craters. The Gemelos (twins) are two deep craters located to the side of the road that leads to Puerto Ayora from the other side of the island. These huge holes were probably created in a volcanic explosion or by magma chambers underneath the island´s surface. This is also a good place to see the Galapagos hawk and barn owl of this island and the surrounding forests are filled of birds such as the vermilion flycatcher or the yellow warbler. Something worth mentioning is the contrast of the vegetation of the highlands with the arid coastal zones. From here we will continue to El Manzanillo Ranch to have lunch and then a short hike to a small lagoon where it is usually possible to see the Vermillion flycatcher or some species of Darwin’s Finch. This place also offers excellent opportunities for viewing the giant Galapagos Tortoises in their natural habitat.
DAY 2 – SUNDAY
The Baroness’ domain AM We spend the day on Floreana, legendary homestead of infamous Baroness Eloise Von Wagner de Bousquet. Wet landing onto the olivine beaches of Punta Cormorant; we will be seeking Greater Flamingos on our way to another special beach with the finest sand you’ll set your foot on, a sea turtle nesting ground where sharks and rays also visit regularly. We end the outing on a short panga ride to Devil’s Crown, a key snorkeling site.
PM DAY 3 MONDAY
Tortoises and a white sand beach Dry landing at Puerto Ayora in Santa Cruz Island. We will visit the Fausto Llerena breeding station, located at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here, we will see tortoises from different islands. The animals are found in large semi natural pens for their protection, but also to ensure an easy view for the tourists. The pens are divided according to four different stages: eggs, neonates, juveniles (held here until they are mature enough to be "repatriated"), and adults.
PM From Puerto Ayora we will walk approximately 45 minutes along a stone paved road which is surrounded by Galapagos coastal vegetation and its most eminent representants: the prickly pear cactus and the holy stick tree. This road, which also presents a very good opportunity to watch birds, especially Darwin finches, will take us to a beautiful, white sand beach known as Tortuga bay. From here it’s up to you to decide among the alternatives: swim or snorkel, watch the marine iguanas and other wildlife, explore the coves surrounded by mangrove trees or simply lay back and relax while enjoying the magical landscape.
DAY 4 – TUESDAY
An initiation to the western islands AM We arrive at Isabela, the largest island in the Galapagos. After breakfast, we step ashore at Punta Moreno (dry landing) onto a superb pahoehoe lava flow surrounded by giant shield volcanoes, some still active! From here we will do a short hike to a lagoon where flamingos are usually present. PM Panga ride in and around Elizabeth Bay, a salt-water lagoon surrounded by the largest red mangroves of the Galapagos. Here, it is usual to see sea turtles come near our zodiac to greet us. Flightless cormorants and Galapagos penguins are also more abundant in this part of the archipelago.
DAY 5 – WEDNESDAY Marine abundance AM We disembark at Urbina Bay (wet landing) onto a black sand beach, nesting site for Green Sea Turtle. We take a brief hike inland in search of land iguanas and giant tortoises (seasonal) that migrate to and from the highlands. At the beach, we will admire the remains of a geological uplift exposing coral heads and marine fossils; and if the sea conditions and time are on our side, we will also snorkel in these waters. PM We cross Bolivar Channel to Fernandina Island, one of the world’s most unspoilt sites, and disembark (dry landing) at Punta Espinosa. Strolling along the shoreline, we will be on the look out for Flightless Cormorants, Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos penguins and hawks, sooty-coloured marine iguanas and bright red-orange Sally Lightfoot Crabs.
DAY 6 - THURSDAY Pirate’s abode AM Dry landing near Tagus Cove, historic pirate hideaway where names of countless ships are recorded for posterity on the cliff face. Hike through beautiful Galapagos landscapes to Darwin Lake, a salt-water crater lagoon surrounded by tuff stone. PM At Punta Vicente Roca we will do a panga ride around the beautiful coast line before jumping into the water to enjoy one of the best snorkelling sites of the Galapagos. The underwater cliffs found here are filled with enough colors and life to amaze everyone looking at them for the first time.
DAY 7 – FRIDAY
Grottos and fur seals AM After three days exploring the fabulous western islands, we head to central Santiago to disembark at Espumilla (wet landing), onto a golden-coloured sand Green Sea Turtle nesting site. A forest trail will take us through some of the largest specimens of Palo Santo on the islands to observe Yellow Warblers, the unbelievably tame Galapagos Flycatcher and the ever-intriguing Darwin’s finches. PM At Puerto Egas (wet landing) we disembark on a dark sand volcanic beach with an interesting history of human settlement. Sleepy Galapagos fur seals lounge under arches of lava carved by the ocean and occasionally dip into the crystalline pools, also known as “grottos”. Walk along the shore and observe the abundant marine life.
DAY 8 – SATURDAY
The bird’s den AM We disembark on North Seymour (dry landing), a small uplifted island, where we will walk right up to bird nesting colonies of the two species of Frigatebirds, Blue-footed Boobies and Swallow-tailed Gulls, and experience, depending on season, spectacular displays. After this visit the ship will sail to Baltra where passengers ending their trip will disembark and passengers beginning their cruise will join us on board.
In addition to the land visits we offer a good balance of other activities such as snorkeling, panga rides and kayaking.
More information about Mary Anne
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