Ecuador

Starting Price:	£2,429.00
Trip Length:	8 days

Frigate Bird

Dining Room

Sun Deck

Monserrat: 8 days / 7 nights Sunday to Sunday Option B

Description Pricing Itinerary

The M/Y Monserrat is a new yacht combining comfort and adventure as it sails the waters of the Galapagos. Aboard the Monserrat you will explore the rich ecosystem of the Galapagos visiting a series of islands each with their own unique ecosystem and wildlife. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and learn about the ongoing research and field studies, visit Punta Cormorant and Flamingo Lagoon, home to one of the largest populations of flamingos in the Galapagos, or lounge on the pristine beaches with the sea lions.

The Monserrat is a first class vessel with 8 cabins sailing up to 16 passengers. All cabins have private bathrooms and the Monserrat has spacious social areas that include a dining room, lounge, bar and sundecks.

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:
Sunday

Go Back To Monserrat

Day 1

Sunday
Today we will take flight from Ecuador's mainland to San Cristobal. Upon arrival we will be greeted for airport reception and transferred to the M/Y Monserrat to begin our Galapagos adventure.

La Loberia, Floreana
This afternoon we will visit La Loberia beach, named after the large number of sea lions that are found resting on the rocks and sand. We will also be able to see the large Galapagos marine iguanas on the rocks and several species of flora including button and white mangrove, morning glory, and the cacho de chivo, the main source of food for the finches.

Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado, San Cristobal
Today we will visit the southeastern part of the island, which is a protected dry forest and the breeding grounds of wild tortoises.

Day 2

Monday
Kicker Rock
Kicker Rock is a magnificent rock that jets out 500 feet high from the middle of the ocean and is shaped similar to a sleeping lion. The rock is split with towering vertical walls on either side that forms a narrow channel through which small vessels can investigate. There is no landing site here but the view from the boat will make a lasting impression.

Ochoa Beach, San Cristobal
Here we will be able to snorkel the beautiful aqua waters as the Pelicans and other Galapagos sea birds fly up overhead. Here there is a small tidal lagoon behind the beach where we can see sea birds as well as the rare Chatham mockingbird.

Day 3

Tuesday
Gardner Bay, Espanola Island
Gardner bay is located on the eastern shore of Espanola Island. After a wet landing we will walk the seemingly endless stretch of white sandy beach that is home to large colonies of sea lions. There is no trail to follow on Gardner Bay so the afternoon is at your leisure to swim, snorkel, explore, or relax.

Punta Suarez, Espanola Island
Today we will visit this rocky point that is home to impressive and varied colonies of Galapagos seabirds. Along its southern shore, high cliffs rise up from the sea affording the visitor spectacular views of soaring birds and of the blow whole where water spouts up to 50-75 feet into the air according to the intensity of the surf.

Day 4

Wednesday
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 5

Thursday
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.

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.

Day 6

Friday
Sullivan Bay, Santiago Island
We make a dry landing on Sullivan Bay, an area that had the latest volcanic activity in 1897. This is a site that is popular for those interested in volcanoes and geology because of the numerous lava formations, lava bubbles, and pahoehoe lava.

Bartolome Island
This island is perhaps the most photographed location in the entire archipelago. As we arrive on the island we see volcanic formations including lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. 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 well worth the effort. After returning to the dingy we ride around Pinnacle Rock for our first chance to see the small Galapagos penguins. Before returning to our boat there is time for an optional swim or snorkel.

Day 7

Saturday
Bachas Beach, Santa Cruz Island
We make a wet landing on Play de las Bachas located on the northern coastline of Santa Cruz. Here we visit a flamingo lagoon, encounter marine iguanas, various sea birds, and sea turtles. After our exploration we have the opportunity to swim and snorkel from the white sandy beach.

Cerro Dragon, Santa Cruz Island
Cerro Dragon is on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. Here we make a dry landing and walk past a brackish water lagoon frequented by tropical birds. Further inland the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western region of the archipelago. This area is a natural nesting site for land iguanas and the arid-zone vegetation allows for regular sightings of Darwin’s finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, the endemic Galapagos flycatcher, and yellow warblers.

Day 8

Sunday
Black Turtle Cove, Santa Cruz Island
Enjoy a peaceful dingy ride through Black Turtle Cove, a tidal lagoon where you will see three different species of mangrove plants: red, white, and black. While passing through the cove we will be on the lookout for golden rays, sea turtles, white-tipped sharks, spotted rays, mustard rays, Pacific marine turtles, and possibly even seahorses clinging to the roots of the mangroves.

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.

8 days , from £2429

Occupancy Type	Main Deck
Double	£2429
Single	£3801

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

Yampu only offers the M/Y Monserrat 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, 7 nights accommodation on the M/Y Monserrat including all meals, bilingual naturalist guide, and all planned tours. Also included in rates is the $10 Transit Control Card.

Gratuities, fuel surcharges and local airport taxes that are payable in the country of destination are also not included. The $100 Galapagos entrance fee is not included in the rates and must be paid upon arrival as a contribution to the park. 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.

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