6 Days Galapagos Alya Southern Route Cruise - C
Day 1 - Friday
DEPARTURE - Ecuador, Quito | Guayaquil
Your trip starts, when your flight departs for Ecuador. On arrival, at Quito or Guayaquil airport you will be met by tour representative, who will arrange transfer from airport to hotel for pre-night stay in (Quito or Guayaquil).
Day 2 - Saturday
BALTRA AIRPORT – NORTH SEYMOUR
Good morning! After breakfast, check out from hotel and a transfer to local airport will be arranged to board flight for Galapagos. Up on arrival at Baltra Airport, you will be met by a cruise representative and transfer to Cruise Alya Catamaran. Welcome a board! Settle down and relax, a lunch will be served.
After relaxed aftrnoon, you will visit to Seymour Isalnd. 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. In evening, you will return to Alya catamaran, where you will be serviced delicious dinner.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Sunday
SOUTH PLAZAS, SANTA FE
After having on board breakfast, you will be visiting South plaza. There 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. Depending on the season, the Sesuvium ground vegetation changes its colour from green, in the rainy season to orange and purple in the dry season.
After delicious lunch, you will be going in Panga ride to visit Santa Fe Island. Activities on this day are hiking, swimming and snorkeling. With 24 km² and 60 m above sea level. This central island is a unique place to visit, It has an incredible bay with turquoise water, protected by a natural barrier of rocks. You will see colonies of seals, while hawks fly overhead. This island is home to one of two species of land iguanas found in the Galapagos. Their main food source is the leaves and fruit, thick cacti found here. Crabs, nocturnal herons, marine iguanas, mockingbirds and land doves are frequently seen. The bay is an excellent place to swim and snorkel with marine tortoises, rays, sea lions and tropical fish are an amazing attraction! Snacks and refreshing beverages are waiting for you aboard the ship.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Monday
SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND: INTERPRETATION CENTER | KICKER ROCK
After breakfast, first visit of the day is Interpretation Center. This center is location in the main port 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. Afterwards, return to Alya Catamaran for short break and lunch.
In evening, you will visit Lobo Island by boarding Panga ride. 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.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Tuesday
ESPAÑOLA : GARDNER BAY, SUAREZ POINT
After early morning breakfast, your first visit to Gardner Bay via Panga Ride. Some activities to do during this visit like short walk, swimming, snorkeling and observation of seal colony. The sea lion is one of the animals that receives a lot of attention from visitors in the Galapagos. They are curious, playful, loving but at times aggressive and lazy. We are going to find, many of them relaxing on the beach and enjoying the sun in Gardner Bay. After taking some pictures and observing these fascinating animals, we will be able to swim with sea lions, sea turtles, a diversity of tropical fish, marine iguanas, etc. We will return to the ship for lunch and short break.
In evening, you will visit Suarez Point. You will be doing activities like Hiking, sight-seeing as well as taking pictures. We recommend athletic shoes, hat or cap, and sunscreen. There is no such color more amazing in this outstanding tropical desert island than 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 boobies can be seen on several islands, as nesting grounds and food are located along several coastal locations. The albatross, an aristocratic bird weighing up to 4Kgs, can be observed here. This is one of the largest birds of the islands, with approximately 12,000 couples nesting on Espanola Island and a smaller number nesting 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, Española mockingbirds, and seagulls endemic to the islands. Our walk also will be along lava rock, where we will be able to see lava tubes. Red mangroves are found here. After visit, delicious snacks and fresh beverages are waiting for you on the ship.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Wednesday
FLOREANA: CORMORANT POINT | CERRO ALIERI
After morning breakfast, you will be visint Cormorant Point. It is a wet landing place so, you can do 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. After wards next excursion trip to Devil's Crown. Here you can have small panga ride around 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 to Alya relax and lunch will be served.
After lunch, your next visit to Cerro Alieri. It 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 to Alya and dinner will be served.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Thursday
SANTA CRUZ: HIGHLANDS
After very early breakfast, Luggage and belongings should be ready for checkout. Here 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.
After this visit, it is now time for you to wrap this tour full of good memories of your beautiful vacation. It will be our pleasure, to plan your next tour for any of our world wide tours.
End of services!
Meal: Breakfast
Price Includes:
- Airport assistance
- 1 Night Hotel Stay at (Guayaquil Sheraton or Similar) + 1 Transfer from hotel to Airport + Return Flight To/From Galapagos/Quito
- Transfers in Galapagos
- Accommodation in double cabin (Alya Catamaran)
- All meals during the cruise (Breakfast and lunch buffet style, Dinner with 2 menu options.)
- Vegan and vegetarian options available.
- Naturalist Bilingual Guide (English/Spanish)
- All visits & excursions according to the itinerary
- Snorkel Gear (mask, tube and fins)
- Kayaks
- Unlimited purified water, coffee and tea
- Soft drinks (Juices)
- Wetsuits
- Paddle boards
- Beach towels
Price does not Includes:
- Transfer from Airport to Hotel
- Mandatory Galapagos National Park Entrance fee US $100.00
- Mandatory Galapagos Transit card US $20.00
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips
- Local Taxes
- Travel Insurance
- Services which are not indicated in itinerary