M/V GALAPAGOS LEGEND CRUISE B (THU) : WEST
( 5 Days and 4 Nights )
- Low season: Jan 06 – Mar 28 / Dec 01 – Dec 19
- High season: Mar 29 – Nov 30
- Holiday season: Jan 01 – Jan 05 / Dec 20 – Dec 31
NOTES
Children under 12 years old, 25% discount sharing the cabin with 2 adults.
Single supplement 50% except for Christmas, New Year and Easter Holidays.
80% supplement for Christmas, New Year and Easter Holidays.
| 5D /4N – WEST |
| (THU) |
| Feb- 12 | Feb-26 |
| Mar-12 | Mar-26 |
| Apr-09 | Apr-23 |
| May-07 | May-21 |
| Jun-04 | Jun-18 |
| Jul-02 | Jul-16 |
| Jul-30 | Aug-13 |
| Aug-27 | Sep-10 |
| Sep-24 | Oct-08 |
| Oct-22 | Nov-05 |
| Nov-19 | Dec-03 |
| Dec-17 | Dec-31 |
DAY 1: THURSDAY – BALTRA AIRPORT
Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra (2 hours flight). Passengers are picked up at the airport by our naturalist guides and taken on a ten minute
bus drive to the pier to board the M/V Galapagos Legend.
PM – BALLENA BAY / EDEN ISLET (SANTA CRUZ)
Wet landing. Ballena (Whale) Bay is a beautiful green sand cove at the base of Dragon Hill on the west coast of Santa Cruz Island. The beach contains a
large amount of olivine crystals of volcanic origin. The crystals were formed when the magma was still underground. The content is magnesium, iron and
silica. A small population of tortoises from Pinzón Island lived at the site, but were probably taken by whalers or previous inhabitants. Opportunity to see
marine iguanas and sea birds followed by snorkeling.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: rocky
Duration: 1 hour walk / 1 hour snorkeling
DAY 2: FRIDAY – MORENO POINT (ISABELA)
Dry landing. The main attractions at Punta Moreno are coastal lagoons amidst black lava flows where bird life is particularly interesting. It has a panoramic
view of three volcanoes, the mostactive of the Galapagos: Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul on Isabela Island and La Cumbre, on Fernandina
Island. Mangrove forest, lava formations, coastal and migratory birds, usually flamingos, can be seen, lava cactus, sea turtles, lagoons and tidal pools,
candelabra cactus are other highlights
Difficulty level: difficult
Type of terrain: rocky
Duration: 2 hours walk
PM – ELIZABETH BAY (ISABELA)
We take a dinghy ride along the coast surrounded by mangrove forest for an opportunity to admire Flightless Cormorants, Galapagos Penguins, and a
resting area for sea turtles.
Duration: 1 hour
DAY 3: SATURDAY – URBINA BAY (ISABELA)
Wet landing on a volcanic “black” beach. Depending on the season, we may find giant tortoises, land iguanas and the unusual Flightless Cormorant. After
a short walk inland, snorkeling time is allotted, giving you yet another chance to swim with sea turtles, sea lions and countless tropical fish. Urbina Bay
features a wide variety of plant life that changes depending on the season.
We can observe the beautiful colors of plants that attract different insects, birds and reptiles. We will explore the uplifted coral reef that resulted from
1954 volcanic activity, with a spectacular view of Alcedo Volcano.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: flat
Duration: 1h30 walk / 1 hour snorkeling
PM – TAGUS COVE (ISABELA)
Dry landing on Galapagos’ largest island, where we will learn about the eruption of the five volcanoes that form it. The trail leads to Darwin’s salt-
water crater lake and excellent views of lava fields and volcanic formations.
We will return by the same path for a dinghy ride along a shoreline full of marine wildlife, where we will admire a variety of seabirds, such as Blue-
footed Booby, Brown Noddy, terns, Flightless Cormorant and depending on the season, a large number of Galapagos Penguins which are only 35 cm.
tall; the only penguin species in the world to extend its range into the northern hemisphere along the equator. They are monogamous and lay their eggs in
small cracks of lava, on the lower parts of the island near the shoreline not reached by the ocean waves.
The population of penguins on the islands is about 2,000 individuals, most of which live on this western portion of Isabela; others are scattered further
south on the island. We will have an opportunity to snorkel in deep water.
Graffiti believed to have been left by19th-century pirates is a curious reminder of an intriguing past.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: steep
Duration: 1 hour walk / 40 minutes dinghy ride / deep water snorkeling 1 hour
DAY 4: SUNDAY – ESPINOSA POINT (FERNANDINA)
Dry landing. Espinosa Point is the only spot that we visit on Fernandina, and from it we can see the island of Isabela across the Bolívar Channel, an area
that boasts some of the highest diversity of endemic sea fauna in the Galapagos. The largest, most primitive-looking race of marine iguanas are
found mingling with sea lions and Sally Lightfoot Crabs; a wonderful opportunity to encounter Flightless Cormorants at their nesting sites, Galapagos Penguins and the “King” of predators on the Islands, the Galapagos Hawk. “Pa-hoe-hoe” and “AA” lava formations cover the majority of the terrain.
Vegetation is thus scarce inland, but we encounter Brachycereus cacti and extensive mangrove beds lining the shores.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: rocky
Duration: 2 hours walk / 1hour snorkeling
PM – VICENTE ROCA POINT (ISABELA)
Great deep-water snorkeling at one of the richest marine havens on Earth (Bolívar Channel). We take a dinghy ride along the coast to observe a great
diversity of sea and coastal birds. The upwelling of coldwater currents in this part of the Galapagos gives rise to an abundance of marine life.
Duration: 1 hour snorkeling / 1 hour dinghy ride
DAY 5: MONDAY – HIGHLANDS (SANTA CRUZ)
Dry landing. Dry landing. A 45-minute bus ride will take us to the Santa Cruz highlands, located to the northwest of Puerto Ayora, where we will find a
natural reserve with giant tortoises. These enormous and slow-moving reptiles are responsible for the island’s name and therefore approaching them in their
humid and forested abode is always an inspiring adventure. They can weigh between 250 and 300 kg and can live up to 150-200 years.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: flat & muddy sometimes (depending on season)
Duration: 45 minutes drive / 1h30 walk
After the visit passengers will be transferred to Baltra airport for return flight to Guayaquil or Quito
END OF SERVICES
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BOOK THIS CRUISE ? ASK FOR AVAILABILITY
RATES INCLUDE:
All-inclusive cruises sharing double accommodation in sea view cabins with air-conditioning & private facilities.
All meals, welcome & farewell cocktails, water, 24-hour coffee station.
Air Ticket Quito or Guayaquil to/from Galapagos
Two daily visits to different islands with multilingual naturalist guide (upon request).
Snorkeling and kayaking opportunities.
Activities on board, briefings, lectures
NOT INCLUDED:
$100 Galapagos National Park entrance fee
Galapagos Transit Control Card ($20)
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
Cancellation/medical insurance
Wet suits rental: US$ 25 net per person per each short cruise.
Fuel surcharge US$ 90 net per person for a 3 or 4-night cruise, US$ 180 for a 7
Wet suits rental: US$ 25 net per person for a 3 or 4-night cruise, US$ 50 for a 7
Internet available US$ 32 net per 10 min.
Tips & personal expenses.
