Itinerary C - Alya Catamaran - Galapagos Cruise

Itinerary C - Alya Catamaran | Alya | Galapagos Tours Itinerary C - Alya Catamaran | Alya | Galapagos Tours
This is a great opportunity to experience the unique ecology of the Galapagos Islands and to learn about the history and culture of this special place. The cruise includes a variety of activities, such as hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, and visiting the Interpretation Center. You will also have the opportunity to learn about the conservation efforts that are being made to protect the Galapagos Islands.

Day by day

Day 1: Baltra Airport & North Seymour Island
Baltra airport. Reception at airport. Transfer in. Welcome on board Alya Catamaran. Welcome drink. Lunch

North Seymour Island

Dry landing. Seymour was formed by the lifting of volcanic marine lava. Marine fossils dating back to the Pleistocene period were found on this island.

In 1932, Captain Alan Hancock and his crew took 72 malnourished land iguanas from Baltra Island to North Seymour Island so that the iguanas could live in better conditions.  In 1934, colonists verified that the iguanas were in good condition.

The vegetation of North Seymour is bushy and is host to nesting Real Frigates of the Galapagos.

  • Return to Alya.
  • Dinner.
Day 2: South Plazas Island & Santa Fe Island

South Plazas Island

Are two small islands, created by an uplifting of the land.  The land iguanas are smaller here; they nest during the warm season. The hike goes along an extraordinary cliff where sea birds nest. There are approximately 1000 sea lions (Zalophus Wollebaeki) located on the south side of the Plazas.

Santa Fe Island

Wet landing, activities for this day: hiking, swimming and snorkeling. With 24 km2 and 60 m of height above sea level, this central island is a unique place to visit.  It has an incredible bay of turquoise water, protected by a natural barrier of rocks.  You will see colonies of seals as hawks fly overhead.  This island is home to one of the two species of land iguanas found in the Galapagos. Their main food source is the leaves and fruit of the large, thick cactus found here. 

Crabs, nocturnal herons, marine iguanas, cucuves and land doves are seen frequently. The Bay is excellent place to swim and to do snorkel. Marine tortoises, rays, sea lions and tropical fish are an amazing attraction! Snacks and refreshing beverages are waiting for you on board. Dinner.

Day 3: San Cristobal Island: Interpretation Center & Lobos island

Interpretation Center

Dry landing. This center is location in the main port.  After breakfast, our first visit is to the Interpretation Center of San Cristobal.  This modern and sophisticated architectural space was designed for the natural interpretation of the Galapagos.  You will learn about the volcanic formation of the islands, the evolution of the species, the history of human settlement, and complex systems and management models.

  • Return Alya
  • Lunch

Lobos Island

Panga Riding, swimming and snorkeling. Here, we can walk, swim and snorkel among the seals, frigates, marine iguanas, lava lizards, and the small endemic Galapagos snake. Here, we can swim and snorkeling in the same place it.

  • Return Alya
  • Dinner
Day 4: Española Island: Gardner Bay & Suarez Point

Gardner Bay

Wet landing, activities for this visit: short walk, swimming, snorkeling, and observation of seal colony.  The sea lion is one of the animals in Galapagos which gets the total attention of the visitors in the Galapagos: they are curious and playful, but at times aggressive; they are nice and loving, but also lazy. In Gardner Bay, we are going to find many of them relaxing on the beach enjoying the sun.  In addition to observing these fascinating animals, while snorkeling, we will be able to swim with sea lions, sea turtles, a diversity of tropical fish, marine iguanas, etc.

  • Return Alya
  • Dinner.

Suarez Point

Dry landing.  Activities:  Walking, sight-seeing.  We recommend sports shoes, hat or cap, and sunscreen.  There is no color more amazing and outstanding in this tropical desert island, than that of the blue-foot boobies.  These birds have an impressive form of “greeting” and it is a real thrill to see their mating dance.  The blue-footed booby can be seen on several of the islands as nesting grounds and feed are located in several coastal locations.  The albatross, an aristocratic bird weighing up to four kilograms, can be observed here.  One of the largest birds of the islands, approximately 12,000 couples nest on Espanola Island and a smaller number nest on Silver Island, near mainland Ecuador.  This species is considered endemic to this island; during our walk, we will observe these fantastic birds while taking in the beautiful landscapes offered by this island.  It is important to note that albatrosses will not be seen between January and March (non-breeding) season.  We will also see colonies of marine iguanas, zayapas, masked boobies, finches, Espanola cucuves, and seagulls unique to the islands.  Our walk will be on lava rock where we will be able to see lava tubes.  Red mangroves are found here.  Delicious snacks and fresh beverages are waiting for you on the ship.

  • Dinner
Day 5: Floreana Island: Cormorant Point & Devil’s Crown

Cormorant Point

wet landing, snorkeling and short trekking. This point is located at west of Floreana Island and it is famous for its dark green beach (due to the great quantity of olivine crystals).You can see many marine invertebrates, as well as sea lions, sea iguanas, the frigates and pelicans.

Devil’s Crown

Second visit: DEVIL´S CROWN: Activities in this place: panga ride and optional swimming. Enjoy a panga ride around a small island, a satellite islet of Floreana Island. Here, we will find a group of rocks that resemble a Crown due to the constant erosion caused by the sea. It is one of the better places to snorkel (shallow diving) in the interior and around the crown.  Excellent visibility allows guests to admire a great variety of fish and sea animals.

  • Return Alya
  • Lunch

Cerro Alieri

Is located east of Port Velasco Ibarra. Hiking. This place may be muddy and it may rain. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for this type of weather. There are trees and shrubs characteristic of the place, the 56% of vegetation is native such as: Lippia salicifolia, Linum cratericola, Lecocarpus pinnatifidus, Scalesia Pedunculata. In this place there are a plant that is critically endangered: The Catericola Linum there are 40 individuals found.

  • Return Alya.
  • Dinner.
Day 6: Santa Cruz Island: Highlands & Transfer out

Where we have a trekking and we will find the giant tortoises in their natural habitat, this is a natural spectacular. For this visit, we recommend good walking shoes, long pants, a raincoat, a hat, and sunblock. Transfer Out

Itinerary Map

Click on the map to navigate the itinerary
Itinerary C - Alya Catamaran | Galapagos Map

Includes

  • Airport assistance
  • Transfers in Galapagos
  • Accommodation in double cabin
  • All meals during the cruise
  • Naturalist Bilingual Guide
  • All visits & excursions according to the itinerary
  • Snorkel Gear (mask, tube and fins)
  • Kayaks, paddle boards
  • Unlimited purified water, coffee and tea
  • Wetsuits, soft drinks, beach towels

Does not Include

  • Local flight to/from Galapagos
  • Galapagos National Park Entrance fee
  • Galapagos Transit card
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Tips
  • Local Taxes
  • Travel Insurance
  • Service do not specified

Highlights

  • Galapagos land iguanas, sea lions, tropicbirds, pelicans, boobies, Galapagos shearwaters, swallow-tailed gulls.
  • Giant cactus, Santa Fe bay, Galapagos sea lions, Santa Fe land iguanas, Galapagos hawks, Galapagos doves, reef sharks
  • Galapagos sea lions, marine Iguanas, magnificent & great frigatebirds, blue-footed Boobies, San Cristobal Lava Lizards.

Meals Included

  • Breakfast Served Daily
  • 5 Dinners
  • 6 Lunches
Bahia Gardner | Sea Lions | Galapagos Islands
Estación Científica Charles Darwin | Giant tortoise | Galapagos Islands
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Bahía de Correos | Galapagos Islands

Reviews

Excellent comunication
- Amber Gough
Each detail of the Alya cruise was scheduled, communicated, and delivered just the way it was promised to us. Francisco was a great planner and communicator. To top it off, our adventure experiences were memorable and super exciting.
Problems with solutions
- Graeme White
Our luggage didn’t arrive with our international flight, and next day we had the flight to Galapagos. The crew helped us to buy some stuff, it was nothing short of great. We could enjoy the trip, the different activities in the itinerary, including hiking, kayaking, and snorkeling. Even better, after the days’ voyages, I would relax at the library enjoying a movie from a vast DVD collection. Our luggage arrived the last day of the cruise, but we had the necessary to enjoy every moment there.
More information about the Galapagos Islands you visit in this itinerary:
Itinerary C - Alya Catamaran
6 Days (C)
From $4,700.00 per person
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