La Nina Catamaran
Detailed Itinerary
Saturday: San Cristóbal Island
This morning you will be transferred to the airport in Quito in time for your 600-mile flight over the Pacific Ocean to the majestic Galápagos Archipelago. Morning arrival at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno port, the small and cozy capital of Galapagos located on San Cristóbal Island. This small attractive port is the provincial capital of the Galápagos Islands (population ca 4,000), along a crescent-shaped bay. Transfer to board LA NINA. Welcome introductory briefing, and lunch. Boat Drill and other activities will be explained by the staff. After lunch, disembark and visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center, located in a natural setting, that allows visitors to obtain information for a better understanding of the natural history of the Galápagos, with a great emphasis on human history and conservation. Back on board, enjoy the expedition plan for the next day followed by dinner.
Sunday: Española Island (Hood)
Punta Suárez - Morning dry landing for an exciting walk on lava terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the Waved Albatrosses (May - December), colonies of Nazca- and blue footed boobies, swallow tailed gulls and the famous blowhole.
Gardner Bay - After lunch, disembark (wet landing) at a white coral beach where you can take a short walk and watch the sea lions, Hood mockingbirds, finches or enjoy the beach. There is great snorkeling in this area (snorkeling equipment is available for guests at no extra cost). Departure briefing and dinner.
Monday: Floreana Island
Disembark at Punta Cormorant (wet landing) for an easy walk to see the flamingos that inhabit a brackish-water lagoon, and other birds like ducks, stilts, sandpipers, etc. Return to the beach and possibility to swim; there is great snorkeling at this site or kayak from the beach. Possibility to snorkel from the zodiacs around Champion Islet, one of the best snorkeling sites in the Galapagos. A zodiac ride along Champion islet may show the rarest land bird in Galápagos: the Charles Mockingbird.
Wet landing at the historic barrel that served as a post office, to learn about the human side of the islands, its early inhabitants and the adventures of pirates and whalers. Next day’s expedition plan and dinner.
Tuesday: Santa Cruz Island - Plaza Island
Charles Darwin Research Station - The visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station allows you to learn about the giant tortoise breeding and repatriation program and the eradication of introduced species. You will be able to walk among the giant tortoises. The station is also home to the world´s rarest animal. There is only one Pinta Island giant tortoise remaining on this planet. He is known as Lonesome George. Afterwards you will have an opportunity to look around Puerto Ayora (souvenir shopping etc.)
Isla Plaza - This island is a very special place for the Galapagos; you will find a big colony of Sea Lions, land iguanas, several birds species, a beautiful view of the ocean from a cliff and a forest of Opuntia Cacti.
Wednesday: North Seymour Island - Bartolome Island
North Seymour is a very low-lying island and has a very large population of blue footed-boobies. It is also home to the largest colony of the magnificent frigate birds in Galapagos. The large red pouch of the males makes for quite a spectacle. The first half of the trail is sandy but the second half is rocky (be sure to bring good walking shoes).
A small satellite island of the neighboring Santiago Island, Bartolomé is a landmark of Galápagos. Broken volcanic material reveals some of the most striking volcanic landscapes: the Pinnacle rock. After a dry landing, the short, yet somewhat steep trail will unfold virtually every volcanic feature expected to be found in Galápagos. Lava flows, tuff, cinder and spatter cones. To reach the summit a wooden staircase was build to minimize erosion on the island´s slopes. The vista is the prize: The Pinnacle Rock next to golden beaches and turquoise waters. This is the introduction to the next activity: swimming and snorkeling along the north beach of Bartolomé.
Thursday: Isabela Island - Fernandina Island
Vicente Roca Point - The largest and one of the most volcanically active islands, Isabela provides habitat for five subspecies of giant tortoise - one for each of its five volcanoes. We will visit Punta Vicente Roca which has beautiful volcanic scenery, with amazing lava intrusions as well as a huge sea cliff.
The afternoon brings you to the jewel of the national Park, and youngest island, Fernandina. Disembark (dry landing) for a one-mile walk. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness with much wildlife. Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing their space with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, hawks, penguins and the flightless cormorant. Expedition plan and dinner.
Friday: Santiago Island - Rábida Island
Puerto Egas (also called South James Bay) is on the northwest side of Santiago Island. The lava and black sand beaches make for great photography. Puerto Egas is one of the few places in Galapagos where you can see Galapagos “Fur seals”. We start with an easy walk along the beach. The lava and black sand beaches make for great photography. Here you will also find good snorkeling off the beach with a broad array of marine life to be seen.
Playa Roja - Rabida Island (also called Jervis) is a bird-watcher's delight. Some of the rarest species are in abundance, such as 9 varieties of finches, large billed flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans. The trail starts along the red sand beach and then to the top of a hill where you will have a great view of the surrounding landscape.
Saturday: San Cristóbal Island: Lobos Island - Depart
Morning Visit to Isla Lobos. The name “Isla Lobos” means Sea Lion Island, which is certainly appropriate since many sea lions frolic, leap and make their homes here. This island is also a great place for snorkeling (and if we’re lucky with the sea lions as well). Transfer back to the airport for your flight to the main land. A light lunch is served on the plane. Upon arrival in Quito, you will be met by Andean Discovery staff and transferred to your hotel.