Ecuador

Starting Price:	£3,509.00
Trip Length:	8 days

Outdoor Dining onboard the Alta

Land Iguana

The majestic sails of the Alta

Alta 7-night Cruise

Description Pricing Itinerary

Very few feelings compare to that of a ship sailing through the water, with engines turned off and nothing but the sound of the wind hitting the sails and the hull breaking the water. Alta is one of the few ships in Galapagos that can deliver this feeling. It is one of the most beautiful ships on the Islands, ideal for travelers seeking exclusivity, style and uniqueness. The ship is exceptionally stylish, with gorgeous detailing and furnishings and carries that grandeur and special charm that only sailing ships carry. When the conditions are appropriate, the sails will be hoisted, engines turned off and Alta will become one the most striking ships in the Galapagos.

Additional information on this trip:

Days of Week the Trip can Start:
Saturday

Day 1

Saturday
This morning we fly from the mainland (Quito or Guayaquil) to San Cristobal Island. Upon arrival to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, our crew is waiting at the airport to take the luggage to the Alta Yacht while we visit the Interpretation Center which opened in 1999.

Playa Ochoa, San Cristobal Island
This afternoon we will enjoy some relaxation on Playa Ochoa.

Day 2

Sunday
Prince Phillip’s Steps, Genovesa (Tower) Island
This morning we take a dingy ride and make a dry landing on Prince Phillip’s Steps (also known as Barranco), to walk and observe the interesting lives of the birds here.

Darwin Bay, Genovesa (Tower) Island
After lunch, we make a wet landing on Bahia Darwin to walk and observe colonies of birds. There is ample time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel.

Day 3

Monday
Tagus Cove, Isabela
On the northwest of Isabela, secluded Tagus Cove was in past centuries a favorite anchor for pirates and whalers. Old graffiti is still found on its walls. The vegetation in the area includes the unusual Palo Santo trees. These white-barked trees are leafless and look dead most of the year. They leaf out and spring back to life in the short wet season, which usually begins in March or April. An uphill hike through palo santo forest takes us to the back of Darwin Crater, filled with salt water.

Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island
This morning brings us to the youngest island, Fernandina disembark (dry landing) for a one-mile walk. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness with lots of wildlife. Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing their island habitat with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, and hawks. Lava terrain calls for good walking shoes.

Day 4

Tuesday
Urbina Bay, Isabela
This morning, after breakfast, we will have a wet landing for a walk to see giant tortoises and land iguanas. After this, depending on weather & water conditions, we may have an opportunity to snorkel or swim.

Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela Island
In the afternoon, we can enjoy a snorkeling outing along the cliffs of sunken Ecuador Volcano, in the northern tip of Isabela Island. Since there is no landing site at this location, we explore the coast by dinghy, where your naturalist-guides will explain the dramatic geology of the area; remains of lava flows and tuff stone layers. This is the nesting place for flightless cormorants, the only birds in the world that have changed their condition of flying birds to diving birds. We can also see sea lions, Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies, Galápagos Penguins and noddy terns.

Day 5

Wednesday
Bartolomé Island
This morning we make a dry landing and walk to the top of the island in order to see the most famous Galapagos vista; Pinnacle Rock & Santiago Island. This is a steep climb aided by a wooden staircase but the view from the top is worth the effort. After getting back on the dingy, we ride around Pinnacle Rock where will get our first glimpse of the small Galapagos penguins. There will be time for an optional swim or snorkel before we return to the Yacht.

Puerto Egas, Santiago (James) Island
We make a wet landing to visit Puerto Egas and walk to grottos where we can see colonies of Fur seals. This is a great location to see shore birds, while land birds can be observed a little more inland. At low tide, marine iguanas graze on the green algae beds. We will have an opportunity to snorkel and swim from the beach.

Day 6

Thursday
Highlands of Santa Cruz
We disembark and, board a bus, which takes us to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island for a visit to the native forests, and twin craters. We have the opportunity to view the islands’ most famous reptile: the giant tortoises in their wild habitat.

Charles Darwin Research Center, Santa Cruz Island
This afternoon we visit the Charles Darwin Station and its interpretive center. Here we witness the efforts and results of all the field work done in the name of science. Impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds can be also seen. Then, a stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora and browse in the many handcraft shops takes us back to the pier where we will board the Alta.

Day 7

Friday
Punta Suarez, Espańola (Hood) Island
This morning we make a dry landing and walk on lava and boulder terrain where we will observe unique colonies of marine birds, including Albatross (May - December), Nazca (masked boobies), blue-footed boobies, swallow-tail gulls, and the famous blowhole.

Gardner Bay, Espańola (Hood) Island
We make a wet landing in Gardner Bay; walk along seemingly endless stretches of sandy beach where you’ll find large colonies of sea lions. There is no trail to follow so this is a chance to explore and you may find a Galapagos Hawk, Darwin’s Finches or Hood Mockingbird. Swim with sea lions from the beach.

Day 8

Saturday
León Dormido (Kicker Rock)
This morning we will motor past this impressive, sheer-walled tuff cone which has, in time, eroded in half. There is no landing site here, but the view from the boat will make a lasting impression. We will continue back to San Cristobal where we will get our flight back to the mainland.

8 days , from £3509

Occupancy Type	Cabins 3-8	cabins 1 & 2
Double	£3509	£3633
Single	£5825	£6056

Prices shown above are per person, in Sterling (Ł).

Prices listed are per person. Prices include air transportation from Quito or Guayaquil to Galapagos return, 7 nights accommodation on the Alta including all meals, transfers, bilingual naturalist guide, and planned tours. It is included the $100 Galapagos Park fee and $10 Transit Control Card fee.

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 (if airfare has been included in the quote).

All cruise itineraries are subject to change.

Yampu only offers the Alta cruise as an add-on to our highlight programs. If booking alone, booking fee may apply.

By traveling to the Galapagos with Yampu Latin America 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 ecotourism. 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.

Yampu Tours is a trading name of Yampu Tours & Travel Ltd – Registered in England, Company No: 6054303 ATOL Number: 9522 VAT Number 919 1679 90 – 0800 011 2424 – Email Us

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