gmajestic
Grand Majestic
Grand Majestic
5-day Cruise "A"
Day 1: Thursday
In the morning:
Baltra Airport Arrival
Baltra Airport Arrival
Morning flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra, Galapagos Islands.
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You will arrive at Baltra Island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by a @boat@ staff member and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.
Baltra Airport Arrival |
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Difficulty: |
N/A |
Type of Landing: |
N/A |
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Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, Santa Cruz Island |
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Highlights & Animals: |
Giant tortoises, finches, Galapagos rails |
Difficulty: |
Easy |
Type of Landing: |
Dry Landing |
Possible Activities: | ca |
Day 2: Friday
In the morning:
El Barranco
El Barranco
El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps, is a steep, rocky path that leads up a high cliff rock face. A marvelous view can be appreciated from here. This site is also home to Palo Santo vegetation as well as red-footed boobies, short-eared owls, Galapagos storm petrels, and Galapagos doves.
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El Barranco, Genovesa Island |
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Highlights & Animals: |
Red-footed boobies, short-eared owls, storm-petrels, Galapagos doves |
Difficulty: |
Moderate |
Type of Landing: |
Dry Landing |
Possible Activities: | ca, sn, pr, ky |
In the afternoon:
Darwin Bay
Darwin Bay
Visit the white-sand coral beach of Darwin Bay which includes a half mile trail (0,75km) that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls, which can easily be spotted here. Further down the path we’ll find tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully. At the end is a spectacular view of a cliff.
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Darwin Bay, Genovesa Island |
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Highlights & Animals: |
Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, swallow-tail gulls, mangroves, coral pebble beach, snorkeling: rays, colorful reef fish, and hammerhead sharks occasionally |
Difficulty: |
Easy |
Type of Landing: |
Wet Landing |
Possible Activities: | ca, sn, pr, ky |
Day 3: Saturday
In the morning:
Rabida
Rabida
You will visit Rabida Island (or Jervis) which is one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago as well as a great snorkeling site. We will start on Rabida’s famous maroon/red sand beach, and after an easy hike, you will arrive to a stunning lookout to enjoy the amazing landscapes. The island is a birdwatcher’s delight. Some species are abundant such as a few varieties of finches, Galapagos vermilion flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans.
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Rabida, Rabida Island |
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Highlights & Animals: |
Snorkeling: white-cheeked pintail ducks, colourful fish, sea lions, brackish water lagoon, pelicans |
Difficulty: |
Easy/Moderate |
Type of Landing: |
Wet Landing |
Possible Activities: | ca, sn, pr, ky |
In the afternoon:
Chinese Hat Islet
Chinese Hat Islet
This small islet is located near the southeast coast of Santiago Island. Its name comes from the distinct shape of the islet’s summit. Chinese Islet is a great location to view many geological formations such as lava tunnels and lava flows. Some of the lava flows were formed underwater and subsequently raised above sea level. The presence of coral heads on the lava flow indicates this phenomenon.
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Chinese Hat Islet, Santiago Island |
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Highlights & Animals: |
Lava formations, great site for snorkeling with an abundance of marine species such as sea lions, sharks, rays and penguins. |
Difficulty: |
Easy |
Type of Landing: |
Wet Landing |
Possible Activities: | ca, sn, pr, ky |
Day 4: Sunday
In the morning:
Witch Hill
Witch Hill
Located on the northern coast, this eroded hill and its surroundings present one of the most picturesque beaches in the Galapagos with its white powdery sand and the abundance of animals. Wildlife includes sea turtles, rays, and various types of booby birds. The clear water provides an excellent opportunity for enjoying swimming and snorkeling.
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Witch Hill, San Cristobal Island |
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Highlights & Animals: |
Beautiful rock formations, sea lions, shore birds, finches and mockingbirds; Snorkeling: nice tropical fish, anemones, sponges, coral |
Difficulty: |
Easy |
Type of Landing: |
Wet Landing |
Possible Activities: | ca, sn, pr, ky |
In the afternoon:
Lobos Island
Lobos Island
You will take an excursion to Lobos Island which means “Sea Lion Island.” This appropriately named island is ripe with noisy, playful, jolly sea lions who will welcome you to their home with open, well, fins. This island also offers great snorkeling opportunities as well as the chance to see blue-footed and Nazca boobies.
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Lobos Island, San Cristobal Island |
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Highlights & Animals: |
Sea lions, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies |
Difficulty: |
Easy/Moderate |
Type of Landing: |
Dry Landing |
Possible Activities: | ca, sn, pr |
Day 5: Monday
In the morning:
Gianni Arismendy Interpretation Center
Gianni Arismendy Interpretation Center
This site is part of an environment project. The tour of this center will explore the natural history of the islands including human interaction and conservation efforts. The Museum of Natural History explains the volcanic origin of the archipelago, ocean currents, climate, and the arrival of endemic species. The Human History exhibit chronologically describes significant events such as discovery and colonization of the islands.
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Gianni Arismendy Interpretation Center, San Cristobal Island |
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Highlights & Animals: |
Great exhibits about the archipelago’s natural history |
Difficulty: |
Easy |
Type of Landing: |
Dry Landing |
Possible Activities: | ca |
Afterwards:
San Cristobal airport departure
San Cristobal airport departure
After this final visit, you will be transferred to the San Cristobal airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.
San Cristobal airport departure, San Cristobal Island |
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Difficulty: |
Easy |
Type of Landing: |
Dry Landing |
