Itinerary B - Xavier III Yacht - Galapagos Cruise

Itinerary B - Xavier III Yacht | Xavier III | Galapagos Tours Itinerary B - Xavier III Yacht | Xavier III | Galapagos Tours

Day by day

Day 1: Baltra Airport & Santa Cruz Island: Highlands
Baltra

Early flight to Baltra. Meet the guide and transfer across Santa Cruz Island to Puerto Ayora to board the boat.

Highlands Giant Tortoises Visit

Head to Santa Cruz’s verdant highlands and the El Chato Reserve, a perfect place to see giant tortoises in their natural environment. Explore the reserve’s lagoon and lava tunnels, keeping an eye out for owls that often roost in the tunnels’ entrances.

 

Day 2: Rabida Island & Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach

Rabida Island Excursion

Arrive at a red sand beach at Rábida to explore its trails. A short trail leads to asalt water lagoon; another trail goes past the lagoon to the interior, where the revered palo santo trees grow. (When burned, the branches of this tree give off a pleasing aroma and ward off mosquitoes.) Head back to the beach to see prehistoric-looking pelicans nesting among low-lying bushes–it’s a rare treat to watch parent pelicans return with gullets full of fish for the squawking youngsters.

Bachas Beach Landing

Head to Bachas Beach where the sand is made of decomposed coral, making it soft and white, and a favourite site for nesting sea turtles. Spot abundant Sally Lightfoot crabs on the lava rocks along the water’s edge–these crabs will eat anything they can get their claws on! Trek to see a wide range of wildlife, including flamingos, hermit crabs, black necked stilts, and sea lions.

Day 3: Floreana Island: Cormorant Point, Post Office Bay & Champion Islet

Punta Cormorant Visit

Visit Punta Cormorant, the only landing site on Floreana Island, and discover two amazingly different beaches: one with green sand, coloured by olivine crystals, and another with white sand particles known as ‘Flour Beach’. Spend the afternoon observing flamingos and other shore birds feeding in the lagoon. Spot penguins and marine iguanas at the water’s edge.

Post Office Bay Visit

Visit Post Office Bay and learn about its unique history. In the late 18th century,English whaling vessels placed a barrel here to be used as a post office. Today, the box is used mainly by tourists, who may drop off and pick up unstamped letters to be carried to far destinations. Continue the tradition–leave a letter and take one to deliver(be sure it makes it to the correct location)!

Snorkelling (Champion Islet)

Jump on in and get up close and personal with the playful sea lion colony that reside in the waters off this tiny island. Keep an eye out for sea turtles, rays and colourful fish swimming by. There can be currents in this area, this activity should be done by strong swimmers only

Day 4: Española Island: Suarez Point & Gardner Bay

Punta Suarez Excursion

Head to Punta Suárez on Española Island, the southernmost island in the Galápagos archipelago and home to several wildlife species. Hike to the top of the cliff for spectacular photo opportunities, and explore the island’s untamed natural beauty.

Gardner Bay Visit

Visit Gardner Bay’s magnificent white sandy beach, home to sea lions and sea birds.Be sure to explore the beautiful turquoise water and its incredible sea life. Spot young sea lions and large schools of surprisingly big tropical fish, including yellow-tailed surgeon fish, king angelfish, and bump-head parrot fish.

Day 5: San Cristobal Island: Centro de crianza Jacinto Gordillo & Junco Lagoon

Jacinto Gordillo Breeding Center

Visit the giant tortoise breeding centre and see all of the different species of tortoises up close. See newborns as well as full-grown adult tortoises that can live well over 100 years. Learn how these gentle giants can grow so big!

Interpretation Center Visit

Learn about the history of the Galápagos Islands from the very beginning of their volcanic origins through to today’s conservation efforts. Tour the Human History exhibit to learn about the islands’ discovery and colonization, and discover the natural history and variety of flora and fauna that make the Galápagos so fascinating.

Laguna El Junco Visit

Keep an eye out for bird life on this visit to Laguna El Junco. Located in the San Cristóbal highland, it is the only freshwater lake in the Galápagos and home to many species of endemic birds. Explore the area and its thick vegetation, and enjoy the fresh air at the slightly higher altitude

Day 6: San Cristobal Island: Pitt Point & Kicker Rock

Punta Pitt Visit

Enjoy amazing wildlife watching and interesting geological formations on this fascinating expedition. Arrive at a quiet cove on the eastern tip of San Cristóbal to explore Punta Pitt. Made up of volcanic tuff substrate, it’s the only site in the Galápagos where it’s possible to see three species of boobies and two species of frigate birds.

Cerro Brujo Visit

Visit Cerro Brujo to explore its coastline, and look for wildlife on the beach, in the water,and in the air. Learn about the human and natural history of the area from the Galápagos CEO/Naturalist Guide. Take a refreshing dip in the turquoise water, and head out on a short walk to a freshwater lagoon–a great place to see flamingos.
 

Snorkelling (Kicker Rock)

Embark on a snorkelling adventure at Kicker Rock, one of the most stunning landmarks in the Galápagos Islands that’s home to an incredibly diverse range of marine life that inhabits the nutrient-rich water. Explore the rock which rises 150m (492ft) above the ocean’s surface, and is divided into two parts by a narrow channel. Seean array of sharks and fish that are drawn to the rock and provide for an exhilarating unique snorkelling experience.

Day 7: Santiago Island: Buccaneer Cove, Espumilla Beach & Egas Port

Buccaneer Cove Visit

Jump into the panga and cruise alongside high cliffs and rock formations on this visit to Bucaneer Cove, which was a favourite hideout for pirates looking to stock up their boats with food and water. Spot sea lions relaxing on the beach and sea birds nesting in the cove–there’s lots to see at this site..

Playa Espumilla Excursion

Head to Playa Espumilla, one of the most idyllic beaches in the Galápagos Islands,which has thick mangroves and sea turtle nesting sites.

Puerto Egas Visit

Explore the spectacular shoreline of Puerto Egas, also known as James Bay. Spot a great number of shore birds and reptiles–the beach area is home to a plethora ofwild life.

Day 8: Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Station & Baltra Airport

Baltra

Disembark in Puerto Ayora and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to see the giant Galápagos tortoises. Fly back to Quito

Charles Darwin Research Station Visit

Visit Fausto Llerena Breeding Center a great place to observe many species of tortoises and land iguanas in captivity. Brought back from the brink of extinction, seethe famous Galápagos tortoise up close–a corral houses adult tortoises, and a nursery cares for the young until around age three when their shells have hardened.This area also houses the Charles Darwin Research Station, a scientific organization initiated in 1964, which works to preserve the Galápagos’ ecosystem through the conservation efforts of scientists, researchers, and volunteers. While the offices themselves are not open to visitors, the research station provides a study location for international scientists and environmental education for the local community.

Itinerary Map

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Itinerary B - Xavier III Yacht | Galapagos Map

Includes

  • All programed visits as per itinerary with specialized naturalist bilingual guide;
  • Accommodation in twin/double cabin with private facilities (surcharge for suite)
  • All meals on board, drinking purified water, coffee and tea
  • Snorkeling equipment (fins, mask & snorkel) & sea-kayaks
  • Transfers within the islands on cruise dates as per itinerary
  • Personalized 24/7 assistance during tour

Does not Include

  • Airfare to/from Galapagos from/to Mainland Ecuador (to be added)
  • Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee US$100 per person (in cash only upon arrival)
  • Galapagos Migration Card US$20 in cash per person (at Mainland’s Airport)
  • Alcoholic/soft drinks, personal expenses, extras, and tips
  • All sizes wet-suits for rent on board (in cash)
  • Travel, medical & cancelation Insurance and any services on Mainland
  • Other services not specified in the program

Highlights

  • Look for three different species of Darwin’s Finches and the Albatrosses at Española.
  • Snorkel with playful and curious sea-lions.
  • Send a postcard to your friends and loved ones back home from Post Office Bay.
  • Witness the magnificence of the waved Albatrosses at Española.
  • Enjoy amazing views while sailing on board your Yacht from its ample sun-deck or the Jacuzzi.

Meals Included

  • Breakfast Served Daily
  • 7 Dinners
  • 8 Lunches
Bahía de Ballenas | Whale | Galapagos Islands
Lobos Island | Sea Lions | Galapagos Islands
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Cerro Dragón | Galapagos Islands

Reviews

I loved Xavier
- Amanda Claric
Every detail and slight hiccup was handled by the crew in a timely manner even with the time adjustments and add-ons we requested before and after the cruise. Our hotels were also comfy and centrally located.
More information about the Galapagos Islands you visit in this itinerary:
Itinerary B - Xavier III Yacht
8 Days
From $4,349.00 per person


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