Ecuador

Starting Price:	$3,700.00
Trip Length:	6 days

Panga Excursion

Sally Lightfoot Crab

Nazca Boobies

Santa Cruz: 6 days / 5 nights Wednesday to Monday - Option B

Description Pricing Itinerary

The 90-passenger M/V Santa Cruz, built exclusively for cruising the Galápagos Islands was completely renovated in 2011, having been redesigned and refurbished inside and out. The Santa Cruz has gained worldwide recognition for its excellent standards, including superb service, expert crew, the most knowledgeable multilingual naturalist/guides and menus that feature the very best international cuisine and celebrated Ecuadorian dishes.

M/V Santa Cruz and the comfort it affords gives you a most rewarding chance to explore unique environs at the pace of your choice, supported by knowledgeable guidance and enjoyable company. The natural wonders of Galapagos within your reach in a most delightful way. M/V Santa Cruz, an opportunity to observe, experience, explore, learn all about the rugged beauty of the Galapagos in a most comfortable and enchanting option.

A dinghy ride among mangrove-lined islets allows the observation of the dramatic landscape and coastline, an area of amazing past volcanic activity. While exploring the nearby waters, various types of birds can be seen, such as boobies, frigates, pelicans. Quite commonly, the black lava will reveal the presence of marine iguanas. The navigation in shallow turquoise colored water gives the chance to see marine turtles, rays and sharks.

These ship itineraries alternate every two weeks due to Galapagos National Park regulations, Galapagos cruises are not permitted to visit the same island within a two week period. This itinerary is available every two weeks; please check with your Yampu travel consultant for applicable travel dates.

Additional information on this trip:

Days of Week the Trip can Start:
Wednesday

Go Back To Santa Cruz

Day 1

Wednesday
Today we will take flight from Ecuador's mainland to Baltra. Upon arrival we will be greeted for airport reception and transferred to the M/v Santa Cruz to begin our Galapagos adventure.

North Seymour Island
After a dry landing enjoy a walk along the coast and the interior of North Seymour Island. This island was not formed by volcanic activity but rather uplifted boulders that can be seen across the primarily flat terrain. The site is a well known nesting site for colonies of blue-footed boobies that perform a fascinating courtship dance in more open areas. North Seymour is also home to the largest colony of the magnificent frigate bird, a member of the frigate family that is known for the male’s vibrant display of red pouches in hopes of attracting a mate. On the island we will also see both endemic species of iguanas, the marine and land iguanas.

Day 2

Thursday
Vicente Roca Point, Isabela Island
Vicente Roca Point is made up of two separate coves and located on the north-western coast of Isabela. Today we will be able to explore the large bay that is home to seahorses, sea turtles, and the Mola-mola (sunfish). There will be an opportunity to snorkel and swim.

Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island
Today we visit the archipelago’s youngest island, Fernandina. This island has the most active volcano in the Galapagos with eruptions occurring every few years. Punta Espinoza has a fascinating combination of barrenness and abundance of wildlife that we will observe during a brief one-mile walk. The island has no introduced animals and therefore has a very unique environment with a high density of marine iguanas, sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins, and Galapagos hawks. The lava terrain on the island calls for good walking shoes.

Day 3

Friday
Tagus Cove, Isabela Island
On the northwest of Isabela is the secluded Tagus Cove that was in past centuries a preferred anchor for pirates and whalers. Old graffiti is still found on its walls as evidence of its earlier visitors. Here the uphill trail leads to a high point with an impressive view of Darwin Crater Lake and the lava flows of Darwin Volcano. The vegetation in the area includes the Palo Santo trees which remain leafless until the short wet season occurring in March or April.

Urbina Bay, Isabela Island
Urbina Bay is located on the central-west coast of Isabela Island at the foothills of Volcanoes Alcedo and Darwin. After a wet landing on the dark, volcanic sand beach we will walk further inland with a good possibility of seeing giant tortoises in their natural habitat. The inland is also an excellent nesting ground for the large and colorful land iguanas while flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies, and penguins can all be seen along the rocky shoreline. Afterward we have the opportunity to swim or snorkel.

Day 4

Saturday
Charles Darwin Research Center, Santa Cruz Island
We make a dry landing to visit the Charles Darwin Station and its interpretive center. Here we witness the efforts and results of the ongoing field work conducted in the name of science. While on the island we have the chance to stroll the main street of Puerto Ayora and browse the many local handicraft shops.

Highlands, Santa Cruz Island
We disembark to board a bus taking us to the Highlands of Santa Cruz. Here we visit the native forest and the twin craters. The island is a good place to view the giant tortoise in their natural habitat and we have the opportunity to visit one of the island’s lava tunnels.

Day 5

Sunday
Post Office Bay, Floreana Island
We make a wet landing on Post Office Bay to visit the oldest postal system in the world. From this remote archipelago send letters to friends and family around the world.

Punta Cormorant, Floreana Island We make a wet landing on the greenish colored beach of Punta Cormorant. Here we take a brief walk through the black mangroves to Flamingo Lagoon which holds one of the largest populations of flamingos in the Galapagos. We continue our walk to La Picona to see the marine turtles and their spawning grounds on the beach. We return to Punta Cormorant where novice snorkelers can practice from the beach and more experience snorkelers can explore Devil’s Crown. Please be advised Devil’s Crown is an open water experience and there is no place to stand.

Day 6

Monday
Today we will transfer to Baltra airport for our flight back to Ecuador's mainland to connect with another Yampu add-on of your choice.

6 days , from $3700

Occupancy Type	Main Deck	Boat Deck Standard	Boat Deck Superior	Master Suite
Double	$3700	$4240	$4378	$5063
Single	$5145	$5629	$6162	$7189

Prices shown above are per person, in US Dollars ($).

Yampu only offers the Santa Cruz as an add-on to our highlight programs. If booking alone, booking fee may apply. Prices include air transportation from Quito or Guayaquil to Galapagos return, 5 nights accommodation on the Santa Cruz including all meals, transfers, bilingual naturalist guide, and all planned tours. Also included are the $100 Galapagos Park fee and $10 Transit Control Card fee.

Gratuities, fuel surcharges and local airport taxes that are payable in the country of destination are not included. Taxes and security fees that can be paid at time of ticketing are already included in the quote.

All cruise itineraries are subject to change.

By traveling to the Galapagos with Yampu Tours, you will be making the choice to travel responsibly. As members of IGTOA (International Galapagos Tour Operators Association), Yampu donates $7 for every traveler that travels to the Galapagos with us. We are dedicated to helping preserve the islands while supporting sustainable Eco-tourism. As an IGTOA member, we are informed, involved, and concerned.

There will also be an optional Galapagos Conservation contribution of $50 per passenger added to your final proposal.

The contribution will go towards:

Creating benefits and educational opportunities for local people.
Strengthening responsible tourism management.
Building strong financial support for conservation among the travel industry and travelers.

Promoting high professional standards for the tourist industry.

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