Athala

Código:

Day 1 / Galapagos

• Arrival at the airport & transfer to the dock
• Check-in to your cabin
• Introductory briefing & safety drill
• Lunch
• Panga ride to Sombrero Chino Island
• Sombrero Chino is a small islet near the southeastern coast of Santiago Island. Its name translated to English means ‘Chinese Hat’; a name that makes perfect sense as soon as you take a look at its unique shape. There are various interesting geological formations which make this island a great visit for scenic photos, but there are also various marine species to observe such as very colorful sally lightfoot crabs and sea lions. Keep an eye out for different species of Darwin’s finches as well. Difficulty level: Easy
• Back on board
• Briefing next day program
• Welcome cocktail
• Dinner

Day 2 / Santa Cruz & Rabida Islands

• Breakfast
• Dry landing at Cerro Dragon and swimming from beach, Santa Cruz Island
• The The name Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) stems from the fact that it was one of the few sites on Santa Cruz Island where a healthy population of land iguanas were found in 1975. After landing at a pier, a hike takes to you to a salt water lagoon behind the beach, frequented by common stilts, pintail ducks and occasionally flamingos. A short walk up the hill leads you to a land iguana nesting site, with breathtaking views of the bay. You will have the chance to go swimming after the walk. Difficulty level: Moderate.
• Back on board
• Lunch
• Wet landing on Rabida Island for beach activities, deep water snorkeling, kayaking and excursion
• Rábida is a small island with red volcanic rocks surrounding a beautiful red sand beach, where there is a colony of sea lions and a pelican nesting site. The trail leads to a salt water lagoon where shore birds can be seen. Rábida is considered to be one of the best snorkeling sites in the Galapagos Islands, and you will also have the opportunity to go kayaking or on a panga ride. Difficulty level: Moderate.
• Back on board
• Briefing next day program
• Dinner

Day 3 / Isabela Islands

• Breakfast
• Dry landing at Port Villamil, Isabela Island
• Various activity choices including excursion to the wetlands, snorkeling, kayaking, visit to the tortoise rearing center and “Wall of Tears” and relaxing at the beach. Lunch is served between activities, midday, on board the ship.
• Isabela, the archipelago’s largest island, formed by five volcanoes, is also one of the youngest and a marvelous world within itself. It is home to a small, laid-back island town called Puerto Villamil. This quaint, friendly port is your home-base during a diverse and exciting day where choices for adventure and relaxation abound. The Tortoise Breeding Center was created to protect animals in their first years of life from the threats of foreign species such as pigs and donkeys as well as to educate visitors and locals about the importance of the Galapagos giant tortoise. Difficulty level: Easy.
• The Wetlands of Isabela Island are located just outside of Puerto Villamil. They consist of lagoons, swamps, and mangroves and are home to a variety of unique bird species such as common stilts, whimbrels, white-cheeked pintail ducks, gallinules and other shore birds. The Wetlands can easily be reached by foot via beautiful trails that wind through the swamps. Difficulty level: Easy
• The Wall of Tears: A penal colony existed in Isabela between 1945 and 1959. Prisoners were forced to build this wall, stone by stone, in isolation, only to be asked to tear it down again and start over. This now historical site towering at 65 feet (25m) took the lives of thousands during its construction and remains as a vivid reminder of the past. Difficulty level: Easy.
• Back on board
• Briefing next day program
• Dinner

Day 4 / Floreana Islands

• Breakfast
• Dry landing and excursion on Floreana Island, visits to the Baroness’s outlook point and Post Office followed by snorkeling or kayak
• Back on board and lunch
• Cormorant Point & Champion Islet with snorkeling or panga ride
• Floreana is one of the Galapagos most famous, or shall we say, “Infamous” of islands due to many strange stories regarding past settlers. There are many wonderful and diverse sites to visit including Post Office Bay and the “Baroness’s Viewing Point”. Marine life also abounds in Floreana’s coastal regions making it a fantastic site for snorkeling. Flamingos also populate the island and may be seen during your visit. The The Baroness’s Viewing Point is the perfect place to take in the special environment that defines Floreana, and a great spot to talk and ponder regarding the intriguing history of the Baroness and her three lovers! Difficulty level: Easy. In the 18th century whalers passing through the islands placed a wooden barrel on Floreana Island for use as an unofficial mail box. The tradition continues today as visitors leave addressed postcards in the barrel and sort through left mail to deliver at home. This is one of the archipelago’s most famous spots. Don’t forget to look in your logbook for your postcards! For the adventurous a visit to a lava tunnel is included. This tunnel has been kept untouched and completely natural, so please, watch your step! Difficulty level: Easy to difficult (lava tunnel) A great site for bird-watching, Cormorant Point has a large lagoon where everything from Flamingos to stilts and pintail ducks can be observed. The beach nearby is also quite special and known as: The “Green Beach” named so due to its green color, which comes from a high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand. Difficulty level: Easy.
• Back on board
• Briefing next day program
• Dinner

Day 5 / San Cristobal Islands

• Breakfast
• Disembark at Cerro Brujo for excursion, beach activities, snorkeling and panga ride
• Located on the north coast of San Cristobal Island, this eroding tough cone offers a fantastic landscape as well as wonderful swimming and snorkeling experiences. Cerro Brujo’s gorgeous beach is home to many sea lions and it’s also the coast where Charles Darwin first stepped on in the Archipelago! Difficulty level: Easy to moderate.
• Back on board and lunch
• Disembark at Isla Lobos for excursion, on the way sail by Kicker Rock Islet
• Isla Lobos is named after its large colony of sea lions (also called “lobos”, or wolves in Spanish). Usually visitors may have close encounters with sea lion pups, especially while snorkeling. However, this small islet offers much more including blue footed boobies, frigates and even a glimpse at the second type of sea lion species found in Galapagos: the Fur Sea Lion. Difficulty level: Easy.
• Back on board
• Briefing next day program
• Dinner

Day 6 / Charles Darwin Station & Departures

• Breakfast
• Disembark. Then transfer to Charles Darwin Research Station accompanied by a guide. After a quick yet informative visit to the CDRS, escorted transfer to Baltra airport for departure back to the mainland