GALAPAGOS LEGEND ITINERARY CD – 8DAYS – Adwa International Corporation

GALAPAGOS LEGEND ITINERARY CD - 8DAYS

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DAY 1, MONDAY

FLY TO GALAPAGOS & BOARD THE DELUXE VESSEL M/V GALAPAGOS LEGEND

Shared transfer to the airport. Arriving in the Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by our natural guides and taken on a ten-minute bus drive to the pier to board the Galapagos Legend. Begin your 7-night cruise through Darwin’s “Enchanted Islands”. Accommodation will be in a Junior Suite. All cabins are spacious and feature a private bath/shower and air-conditioning. All meals, lectures and shore excursions are included. The excursions and cultural programs are led by category “3” naturalist with years of experience in guiding in the Galapagos Islands.

PM – NORTH SEYMOUR

This flat, uplifted, island is an important spot to see both magnificent and great frigate bird males courting the females by clicking, bill-clapping, shuddering, and flapping their wings, all while showing off their grossly inflated, bright red, gular pouch. We will also likely see courting blue-footed boobies displaying their unique feet while dancing to a prospective mate. Sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, crashing surf and distant views of the Daphne Islands top off a great visit.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: rocky
Duration: 2-hour walk, 30 minutes snorkeling
(L, D)

DAY 2, TUESDAY

AM – BARTOLOME

Considered the most iconic landscape of the entire archipelago, the view from the top of Bartolome Island, overlooking the famous Pinnacle Rock and the austere Santiago Island beyond, is well worth the climb up the wooden boardwalk. This volcanic scene has often been likened to a lunar landscape. Our subsequent snorkel here might put us face to face with Galapagos penguins, white-tipped reef sharks and playful sea lions.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: trail made of 372 steps.
Duration: 1 ½-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling

PM – SULLIVAN BAY

Wet landing. This site is located in the southeastern portion of Santiago Island is of important geologic interest. It features extensive relatively young pa-hoe-hoe lava flows formed during the last quarter of the 19th century. In the middle of the lava flow, older reddish-yellow-colored tuff cones appear. Walking on the solidified lava gives the impression of been in another planet.
Difficulty level: difficult
Type of terrain: flat volcanic lava
Duration: 1 ½-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling / beach time
(B, L, D)

DAY 3, WEDNESDAY

AM – PUNTA PITT (San Cristobal Island)

Sea lions will greet us as we land on the beach and prepare for our climb to a high point on the steep eroded tuff cone. This is the only place on the islands where we will enjoy the chance to see all three of the booby species in the same place. The red feet will be perched on the Cordia lutea and small trees, the Nazca’s on the ground near the cliff edge while the blue feet will be a little further inland. Frigate birds will be all around, and the views are breathtaking.
Difficulty level: difficult
Type of terrain: rocky
Duration: 2½-hour walk/ 40-minutes snorkeling or kayaking

PM – CERRO BRUJO

From our pan gas, as we head to shore, we are first humbled by the immensity of the stunning cliffs Cerro Brujo. We can enjoy simply sharing the beach with sea lions, snorkeling from shore or take a walk to a hidden lagoon where we might spot black necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, and white-cheeked pintails.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 1-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling
(B, L, D)

DAY 4, THURSDAY

CRUSING THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS AM – CERRO COLORADO

Dry landing in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Passengers visit the San Cristobal Giant Tortoise Breeding Center to learn about the National Park’s conservation programs. Enjoy the beautiful landscape on the way to the Reserve. Passengers will also have the opportunity to visit the village’s port, have a drink or shop for arts and crafts and other souvenirs.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of Terrain: sandy
Duration: 40-minute bus drive to the Reserve / 1-hour visit

PM: INTERPRETATION CENTER & FRIGATEBIRD HILL (SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND)

Dry landing in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos Islands. Passengers visit the Interpretation Center, an excellent place to learn about islands’ history in The Museum of Natural History which displays information about the volcanic origins of the islands, their remoteness from the continent, ocean currents, climate, the arrival of the different species and their colonization, among other points of interest. The human history is also showcased, chronologically narrating the most significant events related to the discovery and the island’s colonization.
Difficulty level: easy /intermediate
Type of terrain: flat/stairs
Duration: 1-hour visit / 1-hour walk
Frigate bird Hill involves a high intensity walk amidst beautiful landscapes and a magnificent view at the foot of a frigate bird nesting colony.
Difficulty level: Difficult
Type of terrain: Rocky
Duration: 1-hour visit
(B, L, D)

DAY 5, FRIDAY

CRUISING THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS AM: GARDNER BAY (ESPAÑOLA ISLAND)

Wet landing on a beautiful white coral sand beach guarded by a colony of sea lions. There are no trails, so we stay along the shore where we can spot Galapagos hawks, American Oystercatchers, Galapagos Ground Doves, Hood mockingbirds*, Yellow Warblers, lava lizards, marine iguanas, and three species of Darwin’s finches: a subspecies (Geospiza fuliginosa) of the Large Cactus Finch, which is similar to the large ground finch, the Small Ground Finch (Geospiza fuliginosa) and the Warbler Finch (Certhidea Olivacea), another endemic subspecies. Swimming and snorkeling* offer a great variety of Galapagos marine wildlife: king angelfish, Creole fish, damsel fish, parrotfish, manta rays, and white-tipped reef sharks.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 1-hour walk, 1-hour snorkeling

PM: PUNTA SUAREZ (ESPAÑOLA ISLAND)

Dry landing. An island of geological interest, we explore volcanic formations and a riveting wildlife: large sea lion colonies and seabirds including the Española mockingbird, Nazca Boobies and the spectacular, Red-billed Tropicbird. You will also encounter marine iguanas, lava lizards, and the colorful Sally Lightfoot Crabs. A somewhat lengthy hike will bring you among Nazca and Blue-footed Boobies, * right up to nesting grounds that sometimes overlap the trail. Other birding favorites include Galapagos Dove, Galapagos Hawk, Swallow-tailed Gulls, and the world’s largest colony of Waved Albatross, * an unequivocal highlight during mating season (May-December). Admire the island’s dramatic backdrop, featuring the famous Soplador, a seaward blowhole that shoots water up to 23 m. (75 ft.) in the air.
Difficulty level: difficult
Type of terrain: rocky
Duration: 2 ½-hour walk approx.
(B, L, D)

DAY 6, SATURDAY

CRUISING THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS AM: POST OFFICE (FLOREANA ISLAND)

Wet landing. Located on the north side of Floreana, the bay was named because in 1793 Captain James Colnett installed a wooden barrel which served as an informal post office for sailors passing through, who would take letters with them back to their destinations. Today, visitors continue the tradition by placing unstamped postcards inside the barrel, hoping that some other traveler, going to the letter destination, will take it back for free. The chances are that the letter posted can take a long time to arrive to its destination. However, there have been cases where it has arrived before the sender. We may also encounter Darwin’s finches, * Yellow Warbler and Lava Lizards. Great snorkeling opportunities with Green Pacific Sea Turtles. * As well, the island is best known for its endemic vegetation: Scalesia villosa, Lecocarpus Pinnatifidus, and the Galapagos Milkwort. Snorkelers can practice on the main beach among playful sea lions.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 30-minute walk, 1-hour snorkeling

PM: CORMORANT POINT AND DEVIL´S CROWN (FLOREANA ISLAND)

Wet landing, on an olivine green sandy beach. We hike from the black mangrove beds to a brackish lagoon, which usually holds one of the largest flamingo populations in the Galapagos. This island features some endemic plants such as Scalesia villosa, white and black mangrove, and holy stick. The trail continues to a beautiful white sandy beach, one of the most important nesting sites of Green Pacific Sea Turtles. It is important to avoid walking in the water due to the Sting Rays that may be hiding in the sand, which can be dangerous if accidentally stepped on. From the beach, one can spot sea turtles, blue-footed boobies plunging into the water, and small reef sharks floating along the shoreline in the search for food. This coral-sand beach marks the end of our trail, and we head back to the olivine beach we landed on, to swim or snorkel amongst sea turtles, reef fish, sea lions and, on a good day, white-tipped reef sharks. A small colony of penguins resides on Floreana and can sometimes be observed as well.
(B, L, D)

DAY 7, SUNDAY

CRUISING THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS AM: DRAGON HILL (SANTA CRUZ ISLAND)

Arriving at a small lava dock our first encounters are with marine iguanas that blend-in perfectly to the dark rock. As we walk past large prickly pear cacti we arrive at one end of a long sickle-shaped beach with Dragon Hill standing in the distance. Our walk takes us on a circular path, past a shallow lake where flamingoes frequently come to feed. Waders such as stilts, turnstones and sandpipers work the muddy edges frenetically looking for food as we continue inland to a dry, forested habitat where land iguanas’ nest and burrow.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: rocky
Duration: 2-hour walk

PM: PUNTA BOWDITCH

Feel the indescribable feeling of being where no one else has. Relax on a powdery beach, snorkel around turquoise water islets and hike beside salt pools and dried white corals. Be one of the first humans to visit Punta Bowditch.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: ½-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling
(B, L, D)

DAY 8, MONDAY

FLY BACK TO QUITO OR GUAYAQUIL AM: HIGHLANDS (SANTA CRUZ ISLAND)

Dry landing. A 45-minute bus ride will take us to the Santa Cruz highlands, located in 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 200 years. Additionally, travelers can walk inside surprising lava tubes.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: flat and muddy (depending on season)
Duration: 1½-hour walk
Transfer to Baltra’s airport to take your flight back to Quito or Guayaquil. Upon arrival, connect with your international flight home after 8 PM.
(B)

End of our services.

The Galapagos and Ecuador schedule and all touring arrangements herein are subject to change without notice and can be operated in a different sequence, depending on operational considerations. All hotels are subject to availability
and can be replaced with similar hotels.

All payments for custom-designed itineraries are non-refundable in the event of cancelation. We highly suggest TRIP INSURANCE

Price includes:

Accommodation (doble occupancy)
Wellcome and farewell cocktails
All meals as mentioned on the itinerary
Soft beverages like water, coffee and tea
Transfers in Galapagos (Airport – boat – airport )
Excursions daily
English speaking Naturalist Guide category III
The use of snorkeling gear

Price does not include:

International air tickets
Air tickets from Quito to Galapagos and back not include per person (subject to change)
Entrance fee To the National Park not include per person (subject to change)
INGALA immigration card not include per person (subject to change)
Other soft drinks
Wetsuit rental
Alcoholic beverages
Gratuities
Personal expenses
Medical or travel insurance

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