((Monday). Day 1. QUITO – SAN CRISTOBAL – LEON DORMIDO
Fight to the island of San Christobal from where you will start your cruise after a short transfer to the harbor. With a visit to the scattered tuff-rock of Leon Dormido..

(Tuesday). Day 2. ESPANOLA – GARDNER BAY – PUNTA SUAREZ
Española is the southernmost island of the archipelago, and being so isolated, a high percentage of its fauna is endemic. Gardner Bay is on the eastern shore has a magnificent beach, frequented by a transient colony of sea lions, along with being a major nesting site for marine turtles. Around the small islets nearby, snorkelers will find lots of fish and sometimes turtles and sharks. On a trail leading to the western tip of the island you will pass the only nesting sites in the Galapagos of the waved albatross, huge birds with a 6-foot wingspan. These huge birds nest here from April to December and represent the majority of the world's population.. Punta Suarez is one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago, with a long list of species found along its cliffs and sand or pebble beaches. In addition to five species of nesting seabirds there are the curious and bold Hood Island mockingbirds, Galapagos doves and Galapagos hawks. Several types of reptiles, including the brilliantly coloured marine iguana and the oversized lava lizard, are unique to this island. When heavy swells are running, Punta Suarez is also the site of a spectacular blowhole, with thundering spray shooting 30 yards into the air.

(Wednesday) Day 3. PUNTA CORMORANT – FLOREANA – POST OFFICE BAY
First stop is at Punta Cormorant, a small island with a large inland lagoon, home to many flamingos and other wading birds. The sandy beach cove has numerous turtles, rays and seabirds, whilst off the coast is Devil's Crown, a half submerged volcanic crater, which is a great site for snorkeling as you will see starfish, sea urchins and tropical fish in the shallow center as well as larger fish like sharks and rays outside the rocky area. A trip to Floreana, the sixth largest island, and a main settlement with a few hundred inhabitants. With one of the most interesting human histories of the islands, it was one of the earliest islands to be inhabited. In 1793, a post office barrel was erected on Floreana to facilitate delivery to the United States and Europe.

(Thursday) Day 4. SANTA CRUZ – CHARLES STATION - HIGHLANDS
A visit to the second largest island in the Galapagos, Santa Cruz. With six different zones of vegetation: Coastal, Arid, Transition, Scalesia, Miconia, and Pampa Zones. The Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park offices are also based here. The station is also a tortoise breeding centre, where tortoises of different species are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. The most famous inhabitant is probably Lonesome George, the only survivor of this specific turtle species. The lush green scenery of the Santa Cruz highlands is a welcome contrast to the aridity of the lower islands.

(Friday). Day 5. ISABELA ISLAND – PUNTA MORENO – ELIZABETH BAY
The Island of Isabela is so large that its surface covers almost half of the land of the Galapagos archipelago. Situated at this island is the Punta Morena, a young volcanic landscape with numerous fresh-water pools at which Flamingos, Bahama Ducks and other birds unite.
About 40 kms from Punta Morena you will find the mangrove bay Bahia Elisabeth with little islands off-shore. Here you can see dwarf penguins as well as schools of manta rays, turtles and as well as whale-sharks.
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(Saturday afternoon). Day 6. ISABELA ISLAND – URBINA BAY - FERNANDINA
This day will start with a visit to Urbina Bay, a coastline that has been uplifted by 4 metres after a volcanic eruption. It is a spectacular place to view coral reefs without needing to dive or snorkel. The flightless cormorant, oversized iguanas and the rare mangrove finch can be observed close by. The Island Fernandina, which is the most western island of the Galapagos, is a very interesting point to visit. The main attractions of this island are its Lava-Cactuses in addition to sea lion colonies, penguins, the flightless cormorant and the iguanas.

(Sunday afternoon). Day 7. BARTOLOME ISLAND – PUERTO EGAS – NORTH SEYMOUR
Before breakfast, we will disembark at Bartolome Island (dry landing) for a hike to the summit. This is a steep climb aided by a wooden staircase but the view from the top is worth the effort. Return to the catamaran for breakfast. Panga ride around the colossal Pinnacle Rock, with time to enjoy the beach (wet landing) and perhaps some snorkelling with the Galapagos Penguins.
Afternoon outing to North Seymour (dry landing) for a walk along the coast and the interior of the island observing bird colonies of blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow tailed gulls and also sea lions and marine iguanas.
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(Monday). Day 8. SAN CRISTOBAL - QUITO
Morning arrival to San Cristobal Island with a visit the Interpretation Centre at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Transfer to the airport for the flight back to the mainland.

SPECIFICATION