San Jose, Galapagos Explorer ex Quito Return

4 Night Cruise sailing from Santa Cruz roundtrip aboard San Jose. 1 night stay pre-cruise and post-cruise in Quito.

*** Note: Contains land arrangements - please check at time of enquiry/booking ***

The San Jose is a modern vessel. She has a comfortable lounge and dining area, as well as a sundeck where you can view the wildlife or just kick back and relax. She has eight well-appointed, air-conditioned, twin cabins and yet, at 34 metres, she is small enough for us to offer an individual level of service.

Day 1: Quito
On arrival at Quito the day is at your leisure. There is a pre-departure meeting in the evening where you meet others travelling on your cruise to the Galapagos Islands. Please look for a notice in the hotel reception confirming the time of the meeting.

Note: Quito is located at 2850 metres above sea level. At this altitude you may possibly experience some of the milder effects of altitude sickness, such as dizziness, insomnia and a shortness of breath. If this is the case we recommend that you avoid any strenuous activity.

Day 2: Galapagos (Santa Cruz - Puerto Ayora - Charles Darwin Station)
This morning we are transferred to the airport for our flight to the Galapagos. Lunch is normally served on the flight. On arrival at Baltra Airport in the Galapagos you must pay the US$100 arrival tax for entry to Galapagos National Park. This is best done using cash, as using credit cards can be a time consuming process. We are met in the arrival hall and transferred by boat and bus to the 'M.Y. San Jose' in Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz Island. Once our luggage has been stored on board we commence our exploration of Santa Cruz, the second largest island in the Galapagos. The small town of Puerto Ayora is the economic centre of the archipelago, whilst the island is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station. If you didn't take your lunch on the flight you can eat in one of the many excellent restaurants in town. In the afternoon we visit the Darwin station to observe the tortoise research and breeding program. It is here in the station that we have the opportunity to get up close to some Galapagos giant tortoises. In the late afternoon we board the 'Endeavour' and set sail for San Cristobal.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 3: Galapagos (San Cristobal Island)
The town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal is the capital and administrative centre of the Galapagos Islands. There is a good interpretation centre here that is well worth a visit. The centre focuses primarily on the history and geography of the archipelago, from its volcanic origins to the present-day ecosystem. We pass through Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock), which is a magnificent rock in the middle of the sea, set in a shape resembling a sleeping lion. The rock rises 150 metres above the surface and is divided into two parts by a narrow channel navigable by small vessels. We also visit Cerro Brujo, where there is a chance to go hiking, swimming and snorkelling. The sandy beach is home to Sally Lightfoot crabs, brown pelicans and blue-footed boobies.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 4: Galapagos (Espanola - Bahia Gardner - Punta Suarez)
Today we cruise to the island of Espanola - the southernmost island of the Galapagos. Because of its remote location this place has a large population of endemic fauna. It is the breeding site for nearly all of the world's 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses and also home to colonies of blue-footed and masked boobies. We also visit the beautiful white sandy beaches at Bahia Gardner, which are great places for swimming and relaxing. The rocks off the coast provide excellent snorkelling opportunities, with reef sharks, turtles and many species of tropical fish, including surgeon and angelfish, often seen. The small white-tipped reef sharks are also often spotted resting under the rocks. We also pay a visit to Punta Suarez, one of the most attractive locations in the Galapagos and home to large and varied wildlife population.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 5: Galapagos (Floreana - Post Office Bay - Punta Cormorant)
Our destination is the island of Floreana, where we go ashore at Punta Cormorant. Here, the sand is made up of fine olivine crystals, a glassy volcanic mineral, giving the beach its olive-green colour and it is the best place to we see Galapagos sea lions. Today is also our best opportunity to see pink flamingos and other water birds wading in the lagoons, including pintails and stilts. Devil's Crown is an old eroded volcanic cone and a popular roosting site for seabirds such as boobies, pelicans and frigates. Red-billed tropicbirds can also be seen nesting in the rocky crevices. The centre of the cone is an outstanding snorkelling spot, full of sea lions and colourful fish. Floreana is also home to Post Office Bay, where 18th Century whalers used a barrel as an unofficial mail drop. This custom continues to this day with visitors to the Galapagos!
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 6: Galapagos (Caleta Tortuga Negra - Baltra) - Quito
Today we take an early morning excursion to Caleta Tortuga Negra (Black Turtle Cove) - a mangrove swamp on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. In the smaller corners of the cove we paddle a dinghy for a wonderfully peaceful journey through this beautiful and unique area. This is often an excellent place to see green turtle, golden ray and Galapagos shark. There is also abundant birdlife, such as yellow warbler and lava heron. It is not uncommon to see turtles mating. This is our final excursion before we return to the airport in Baltra for our flight back to Quito.

Upon arrival in Quito Airport you are transferred back to our hotel for an overnight stay.
Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 7: Quito
Our 'Galapagos Explorer' adventure ends today after breakfast.
Meals included: 1 breakfast

Trip Itinerary Variation
The cruise outlined in this trip note is operated by a fully licensed, Ecuadorian shipping operator. The shipping operator will endeavour to follow the itinerary as outlined in this trip note; however, the Master of the vessel may, at his or her discretion, alter the itinerary without notice due to weather conditions, environmental concern, directions by the National Park authorities or to take best advantage of seasonal changes.

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