Odyssey Galapagos Cruise Itinerary A
Duration: 6 days
Islands visited: San Cristobal, Espanola, Floreana, Santa Fe, South Plaza, North Seymour, Santa Cruz, Mosquera (map below)
Activities: Wildlife/snorkeling/kayaking/bird watching/walking
Price Range: From $4000 – $5000 USD
Start & Finish: San Cristobal to Baltra, Ecuador
Tour Code: EGCOA
Pricing
- Double/twin cabin $4000 USD per person sharing
- Single cabin $5000 USD per person
Included
- 5 nights cabin accommodation with private facilities
- All meals, water, coffee and tea
- All shore excursions with an English speaking naturalist guide
- Snorkeling gear and use of kayaks at allowed sites
Not Included
- $100 Galapagos National Park entrance fee
- $20 Transit Control Card
- Airport transfers in Galapagos unless flights booked through us
- Wet suit rentals
- Bottled beverages, alcoholic drinks
- Gratuities
- Cancellation/medical insurance
- Visas
- Items of a personal nature
Itinerary A
Tuesday to Sunday 6 Days/5 nights
Day 1 – (Tuesday)
AM – San Cristobal Island: Assistance will be provided upon your arrival by an Odyssey Galapagos cruise representative after passing through immigration and baggage claim. When ready, you will be transferred to the yacht. You will then be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before the welcome briefing and lunch.
PM – Cerro Colorado, San Cristóbal: In the afternoon, we will visit Cerro Colorado Tortoise Protection and Growing Center, located approximately 40 minutes by bus to the south east of the island. This center was built to improve the status of the population of the island tortoises. The center includes a large corral, a visitor center, breeding center and an interpretative trail. Along this trail, it is possible to see different species of native and endemic plants as well as birds such as the San Cristobal Mockingbird, Yellow Warblers, many species of finches and the Galapagos flycatcher.
Day 2 – (Wednesday)
AM – Española Island, Punta Suarez: This rocky spot sustains one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galapagos. Along its southern shore, high cliffs rise up from the sea affording the visitor spectacular views of soaring birds. There is a blow hole where water spouts up to 50-75 feet into the air, according to the intensity of the surf.
PM – Española Island, Gardner Bay: Located on the north-eastern coast of Hood, Gardner Bay provides an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and the opportunity to observe sea lions. Here we can also observe sharks in the crystal clear ocean waters.
Day 3 – (Thursday)
AM – Punta Cormorant, Floreana: This site offers probably the best flamingo lagoon in the Galapagos. It’s situated between two tuff lava cones that give the area a special atmosphere. There are various species of shorebirds to observe besides flamingos; the most frequent are common stilts, white-checked pintail ducks and other migratory birds. The two beaches are distinctly different; “The Green Beach” (due to its high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand) and the “Flour Sand Beach” which is made up of coral.
PM – Post office bay & Baroness Lookout, Floreana: Historically, this site is the location of a wooden barrel that was placed in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. It has been used since this time by mariners and tourists as a post office. The idea is to carry letters or postcards to their destination by hand. Apart from being the Post Office Barrel, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists. We will continue to the north of the island and will ascend to an elevated slope to enjoy a beautiful vista at the Baroness Lookout. It is said that Baroness Eloisa von Wagner loved this place and spent several hours watching the horizon. Within walking distance are the ruins of what is known as her house. From this lookout, the landscape covers the coastline from the Enderby islet to Post Office Bay, as well as Cerro Pajas, the pool of flamingos and the wide forest of Palo Santo.
Day 4 – (Friday)
AM – Santa Fe: Located in the southeastern part of the Galapagos, this island was formed from an uplift, hence it is mostly flat. There are some theories which assure this could be the oldest island in the Archipelago. Santa Fe is the home of a number of 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 disembarkation in the beautiful and clear waters, you will be in contact with one of many sea lion colonies. Along the trail many salt bushes can be seen as well as giant Prickly pear cactus. There are great possibilities of snorkeling with playful sea lions and tropical fishes here.
PM – Plazas: It is located at the east of Santa Cruz Island, and forms part of two 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. Throughout the island are several hybrid iguanas, a result of crossing a male marine iguana and a female land iguana. They are unique, recognizable at first glance by their black/gray color, with a land iguana’s crest, but face and tail of the marine iguana. The big population of iguanas is due to the presence of tuna, their favorite food. Swallow Tailed Gulls nesting in the rugged cliffs are seen along with other sea birds such as Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds and brown pelicans.
Day 5 – (Saturday)
AM – North Seymour Island: It is an uplifted (as opposed to volcanic) island and so 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.
Watch your step, as the boobies don’t worry much about where they nest. The trees are dotted with male frigate birds trying to attract the attention of the females by inflating their bright red skin flaps. They sometimes fly in the air to call more attention to themselves. There is a circular path that takes you through the island to a beautiful, rocky shore where the waves crash a silvery-blue.
PM – Bachas Beach, Santa Cruz Island: These two small beaches are found to the west of Turtle Cove. Their sand is made of decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft, making it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches is a small brackish water lagoon, where occasionally it is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. The other beach is longer, and has two old barges that were abandoned during the Second World War, when the USA used Baltra Island as a strategic point to protect the Panama Canal.
Day 6 – (Sunday)
AM – Mosquera Islet: Mosquera Islet is located between Baltra and North Seymour islands. This is a small islet formed by a geological uplift, with a reef of rocks and coral and a great white sand beach, where lie a big population of sea lions. You can also observe several species of shorebirds. This site offers great snorkeling and swimming. Along the rocks are commonly running Red Lava Crabs or Sally light-foot crabs.
PM – Transfer to Baltra Airport: Your cruise officially ends. You will be transferred to your scheduled departure from Baltra Airport to the mainland. We hope you will take home fantastic memories of your Odyssey Galapagos Cruise.
Note – Itineraries and activities are subject to change without prior notice depending on weather conditions, water currents, and sea conditions.
