Motor Catamarans Archipel I: 4D/3N (Route - A4)
What your day looks like
Motor Catamarans Archipel I & II cruise around the great outdoors of the breathtaking Galapagos Archipelago, where you will keep discovering one surprise after another! Every day we anchor at two selected visitor’s sites and organize at least two excursions. You will observe nature from different perspectives with our balanced excursion program, or even during your spare time. Type, Class & Capacity Category: Tourist Superior Type: Motor catamaran Length: 27m / 88ft Beam: 11m / 36ft Capacity: 16 passengers Main Deck: 2 cabins with double beds, 6 cabins with twin beds Social areas & Amenities: Dining room, bar and conference area with television, DVD player, chart games, a library of books and DVDs
The experience, in brief
- Stay fit & refreshed and fully enjoy all activities (included in cruise price!)
- Have a more intimate nature experience
- An expert naturalist guide who brings nature even more to life
- Personal attention from our welcoming staff
Your day, step by step
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
Boating at San Cristobal Island (Galapagos). Day 1 - Monday AM - Arrival at San Cristobal airport Upon arrival at San Cristobal airport, you will pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands, as well as to pay the park entrance fee of $200 (unless it has been prepaid). A guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbour.
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
Eco Tour at San Cristobal Island (Galapagos). PM - Interpretation Centre and Frigatebird Hill (San Cristobal) The Interpretation Centre, just outside the provincial capital city of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, gives a perfect explanation of this unique archipelago. Its attractive exhibition is quite complete and helps you to get a clear overview and learn what makes this archipelago so unique. Information panels (in English and Spanish), pictures, documents, maquettes, and true-to-life dioramas tell various background and conservation stories about the islands in a different way.
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
Accommodation
Santa Fe Island
Eco Tour at Santa Fe (Island). Day 2 - Tuesday AM - Santa Fe Located in the southeastern part of the Galapagos, this island was formed from an uplift instead of a volcanic origin, which is why it is mostly flat. Some theories assure this could be the oldest island in the archipelago. Santa Fe is the home of several endemic species like the Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, Galapagos mockingbird, rice rats and one of the two species of land iguanas of the islands. After disembarking in the beautiful and clear waters, you will be in contact with one of the many sea lion colonies. Along the trail, many salt bushes can be seen as well as giant prickly pear cactus, gigantism is a characteristic of oceanic islands.
South Plaza Island
Eco Tour at South Plaza (Island). PM - South Plaza South Plaza is located to the east of Santa Cruz Island, and forms part of a pair of islands known as “Islas Plazas”. Despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the Galapagos are found here. The Plazas land iguanas are smaller than their relatives found on other islands. There are several hybrid iguanas throughout the island; a result of crossing a marine iguana with a land iguana. They are unique and recognizable at first glance by their black/grey colour, with a land iguana’s crest, but the face and tail of the marine iguana. The big population of iguanas is due to the presence of prickly pears, their favourite food. Swallow-tailed gulls nesting in the rugged cliffs are seen along with other sea birds as Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds and brown pelicans.
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
Accommodation
North Seymour Island
Eco Tour at North Seymour (Island). AM - North Seymour Seymour is an uplifted (as opposed to volcanic) island and therefore is generally flat and strewn with boulders. There are good nesting sites here for a large population of magnificent frigate birds. Blue-footed boobies perform their courtship dance in the more open areas and swallow-tailed gulls perch on the cliff edges. Despite the tremendous surf that can pound the outer shore, sea lions haul out onto the beach and can be found bodysurfing
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
Eco Tour at Chinese Hat Island Galapagos. PM - Chinese Hat Chinese Hat is a 52 m/170 ft high volcanic cone, forming another islet right off the rocky coast of Santiago, where a small colony of Galapagos penguins have settled. Approaching Chinese Hat from the north, you will understand the meaning of the name. This is an excellent place to learn more about volcanoes, lava bombs and lava tunnels.
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
Accommodation
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
Eco Tour at Santa Cruz Island (Galapagos). AM - Twin Craters and El Chato Reserve (Santa Cruz) The native scalesia forest of El Chato Tortoise Reserve is the bestplace to search for Galapagos giant tortoises in their most authentic setting! Despite the interesting breeding centres – where you are guaranteed to find tortoises in their corrals – there is nothing better than to observe them in their wild environment. Though it can be quite moist and muddy, your visit may turn into an adventurous quest when they have left their favorite pond silently. After this, assisted by the naturalist guide and some crew members, you will be taken to the airport for your flight to Quito or Guayaquil. It has been a pleasure accompanying you on this unique trip and we hope to see you again very soon!
What to know before booking
Included
Lodging on board in a cabin with private facilities All excursions as mentioned in the itinerary (itinerary subject to change) with English speaking naturalist guide Shared shuttle transfer to Quito or Guayaquil airport *only departure transfer (included only if the Galapagos flight has been booked through us on our scheduled departure cruise dates) All transfers in Galapagos (airport-yacht-airport transfers are only guaranteed if the flight has been booked through us) Snorkeling gear (masks, flippers, and snorkel) and use of kayaks at designated sites
Not Included
Roundtrip flight to Galapagos Islands Galapagos National Park entrance fee (USD 200 pp, subject to change) Transit Control Card (USD 20 pp, subject to change) Airport transfers in Galapagos (only included if the Galapagos flight has been booked through us on the scheduled cruise dates. * If your arrival/departure is different than our scheduled cruise flights, the shuttle service is not included) Wetsuit rental Soft and alcoholic drinks Tips Travel insurance
Meeting & Pickup
Pickup from San Cristobal.
Planning Notes
Hotel pickup offered: No Confirmation: Manual By Business