8 day Itinerary until June 7, 2011 (Wednesday to Wednesday):
Day 1 AM
Baltra Island – Arrival, PM North Seymour Island
Day 2 AM Santa
Cruz - Darwin Station, PM Santa Cruz - El Chato
Day 3 AM Espanola - Gardner Bay, PM Espanola - Punta Suarez
Day 4 AM Floreana - Punta Cormorant, PM Floreana - Post Office Bay
Day 5 Isabela - Punta Moreno, PM Isabela - Elizabeth Bay
Day 6 AM Isabela - Urvina Bay, PM Fernandina - Punta Espinoza
Day 7 AM Santiago - Puerto Egas, PM Bartolome
Day 8 AM Santa Cruz - Black Turtle Cove, PM Baltra Airport
* All itineraries are subject to change
at any time for any reason
| Itineraries (starting June 8,
2011) |
| ITINERARY “A” SOUTHERN ISLANDS (6
DAYS) |
Walk along
pristine beaches amidst Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies and
marine iguanas!
WEDNESDAY
Baltra Airport, Mosquera & Punta Carrion
PM: On arrival at Baltra
airport your guide will help you transfer to your yacht. Sagitta will set
course for Mosquera Islet, giving you the chance to become acquainted with
the vessel and have lunch. At Mosquera your first wet landing onto a
beautiful coralline white beach inhabited by the largest Galápagos sea lion
colony in the archipelago. Mosquera Islet is a small, flat, sandy islet
almost devoid of vegetation. Good area for lava gulls and coastal birds.
Afterwards we will visit Punta Carrion to enjoy some snorkeling.
THURSDAY
Plaza Sur & Santa Fe
AM: Plaza Sur: this tiny
island captivates visitors with its vibrant colours: the green prickly
pears, the reddish sesuvium, and the copper-orange Galapagos land iguanas.
Dry landing onto one of the oldest docks built by the Galapagos National
Park Service for at least 1 ½ hours on shore. The island is well known for
its Galapagos sea lion colony, swallow-tailed gulls, Audubon shearwaters and
red-billed tropicbirds.
PM: Santa Fe: wet landing
onto a white beach where Galapagos sea lions doze. Here we find the largest
specimens of prickly pear cactus in Galapagos. This island has its own
species of land iguana: the Santa Fe land iguana. Watch out for land birds
such as Darwin’s finches and yellow warblers.
FRIDAY
Cerro Brujo & Punta Pitt
AM: Cerro Brujo (San
Cristóbal): one of the most scenic beaches in Galapagos. A salt-water lagoon
right behind the beach reveals birds like the black-necked common stilt and
white-cheeked pintail duck. Wet landing onto a white sandy beach. An ideal
place to swim, snorkel, or stroll in the company of Galapagos sea lions.
Cerro Brujo is a contrasting landscape with its salt-water lagoon and
geological features that tell us about a time when San Cristóbal was an
active volcano.
PM: Punta Pitt (San Cristóbal):
wet landing onto a sandy beach. Long hike to a view point to watch seabirds
riding the thermals. Red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, great frigatebirds.
The north-easternmost point in Galapagos, Punta Pitt’s arid beauty is caused
by strong trade winds eroding the volcanic cones.
SATURDAY
Gardener Bay & Punta Suarez
AM: Gardner Bay (Española):
always a special visit! Gardner has one of the most beautiful beaches in the
Galapagos Islands. Galapagos sea lions, marine iguanas, Darwin’s finches,
and Española mockingbirds. Wet landing.
PM: Punta Suárez (Española):
dry landing at the start of a spectacular walk. Watch your step, because the
trail is dotted with unafraid marine iguanas, bluefooted boobies, and
Galapagos sea lions. Nesting site of the Galapagos albatross from April to
December. Good place to observe endemic land birds: Darwin’s finches,
Galapagos doves, and Galapagos hawks. Also we will get to watch an
impressive blowhole from our position high on the cliffs.
SUNDAY
Punta Cormorant & Post Office Bay
AM: Punta Cormorant
(Floreana): wet landing onto a sandy beach, locally called “Green Beach”
because of its volcanic olivine crystals. A salt-water lagoon with greater
flamingos and other waders. The trail ends at “Flour Beach”, an extremely
fine white-sand beach where sea turtles nest. This will be followed by a
short panga ride to Devil’s Crown for some snorkeling.
PM: Post Office Bay
(Floreana): short visit with a wet landing. A short walk to visit a
memorable site in Galapagos history, where centuries ago whalers used to
drop their mail in the barrel for other passing sailors to deliver back
home.
MONDAY
Highlands of Santa Cruz & Baltra Airport
AM: Highlands (Santa Cruz):
dry landing at the pier of Puerto Ayora plus a bus ride to Baltra airport
during which, along the way, vegetation changes as we drive through
different vegetation zones. Short stop in the highlands to see giant
tortoises. Santa Cruz Island is the home of the dome-shaped Galapagos giant
tortoises.
NOTE:
Passengers ending their trip on this day will be transported by bus to the
airport at Baltra. We offer additional touristic packages for passengers who
want to spend more time at Puerto Ayora. Passengers starting their trip on
this day will be transported from Baltra to Puerto Ayora also by bus. A
certified guide will accompany passengers at all times.
In addition to the land
visits we offer a good balance of other activities such as snorkeling, panga
rides and kayaking.
| ITINERARY “B” WEST AND BEYOND (6
DAYS) |
Mythical reptiles: Giant
Tortoises, Marine Iguanas, Land Iguanas against an outstanding
volcanic background
MONDAY
Baltra Airport & Charles Darwin Research Station
PM: Arrival at Baltra airport
and bus transfer to Puerto Ayora. After getting acquainted with the Sagitta,
you will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz): home of
Lonesome George, the most famous tortoise of Galapagos, last survivor of the
Pinta Island tortoise population. Learn about the conservation efforts to
restore giant tortoise populations to their original islands. Afterwards,
stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora, the largest settlement in the
Galapagos.
TUESDAY
Punta Moreno & Elizabeth Bay
AM: Punta Moreno (Isabela):
dry landing onto a superb pahoehoe lava flow, surrounded by giant shield
volcanoes –some still active! Flamingos, gallinules, and ducks in brackish
water ponds and lagoons, flanked by pioneer and endemic vegetation. Good
opportunity to spot our first cormorants and penguins. This will be followed
by a short panga ride or snorkelling at Punta Vicente Roca.
PM: Elizabeth Bay (Isabela):
enjoy a panga ride in a salt-water mangrove lagoon, where the largest red
mangrove trees in Galapagos grow. Green sea turtles’ heads will pop up here
and there, and Galapagos penguins will “fly” right next to you chasing fish.
WEDNESDAY
Urbina Bay & Punta Espinosa
AM: Urbina Bay (Isabela): wet
landing onto a dark sandy beach often used by green sea turtles as a nesting
site. We will walk over different terrains observing large land iguanas, a
variety of native and endemic plants, and sometimes giant tortoises in their
natural habitat. There are also the remains of a 50-year old uplift,
exposing coral heads and other marine fossils.
PM: Punta Espinosa
(Fernandina): one of the most unspoiled islands in the world! A true
highlight. Dry landing to stroll the shoreline where you have to decide
whether you are looking at lava or marine iguanas… flightless cormorants,
Galapagos sea lions, and colourful Sally Lightfoot crabs will keep you
company during your walk.
THURSDAY
Tagus Cove & Punta Albemarle
AM: Tagus Cove (Isabela):
long walk through a beautiful Galapagos landscape. Dry landing next to a
cove where early visitors carved graffiti of their boats’ names. Darwin
Lake, a salt-water crater lake, surrounded by tuff stone. At the end of the
trail, observe the vast lava flows that connect the volcanoes of Northern
Isabela.
PM: Punta Albemarle
(Isabela): one of the most pristine visitor sites within the Galapagos
National Park. Dry landing onto a pahoehoe lava flow, where huge marine
iguanas and flightless cormorants wait to greet you.
FRIDAY
Espumilla Bay & Sombrero Chino
AM: Espumilla (Santiago): wet
landing onto golden-coloured sand, where green sea turtles nest. A trail
will take you through a Palo Santo forest containing the largest specimens
in the islands. Lots of land birds: yellow warblers, Darwin’s finches,
Galapagos flycatchers…
PM: Sombrero Chino:
“Chinaman’s Hat” is the most scenic islet in the Galapagos! This volcanic
cone is separated from nearby Santiago Island by a turquoise water strait,
where Galapagos sea lions swim. Wet landing on a sandy coralline beach.
SATURDAY
North Seymour & Baltra Airport
AM: North Seymour: prior
leaving for the airport at Baltra, you will visit this small uplifted
island, which hosts the largest colony of magnificent frigatebirds, one of
the two species that nest in Galapagos. Male frigatebirds display their
large red throat pouch to attract a female, while on the ground, blue-footed
boobies step out in their courtship dance. Dry landing.
NOTE: On the
final day the yacht sails to the airport on Baltra to disembark passengers
ending their trip and to pick up new passengers.
In addition to the land
visits we offer a good balance of other activities such as snorkeling, panga
rides and kayaking.
| ITINERARY “C” CENTRAL AND NORTHERN
ISLANDS (5 DAYS) |
Sea lions, boobies and volcanic
features, while enjoying the most scenic islands in Galapagos!
SATURDAY
Baltra Airport & Black Turtle Cove (Caleta Tortuga Negra)
PM: Black Turtle Cove (Santa
Cruz): after leaving Baltra airport, the Mary Anne navigates the short
passage to Black Turtle Cove, a large mangrove lagoon on the north coast of
Santa Cruz, the second largest island in the Galapagos Archipelago. Pelicans
and herons roost on the mangrove branches, while green sea turtles cruise
right next to you as the panga smoothly make its way through the lagoon.
SUNDAY
Darwin Bay & Prince Phillips Steps
AM: Darwin Bay (Genovesa):
wet landing onto a coralline beach, one of the highlights of any trip in the
Galapagos Islands. Red mangroves and soft-haired prickly pear cacti used as
perching sites by red-footed boobies and great frigatebirds. And under the
salt bush, the elegant swallow-tailed gulls.
PM: Prince Philip Steps (Genovesa):
dry landing and cliff-climbing to reach a plateau where Nazca Boobies and
Great Frigatebirds nest. Red-footed Boobies perch at Palo Santos trees, and
hundreds of Galapagos Storm Petrels fly around effortlessly. Tower Island –
the birds’ island!
MONDAY
Bartolomew & Puerto Egas
AM: Bartholomew dry landing
to enjoy the most well-known, always breathtaking panorama in the Galapagos
Islands. After climbing some wooden steps, you reach the top of this spatter
cone to look out onto the Islands’ most famous icon: Pinnacle Rock, with
neighbouring Santiago Island and most of the central islands as well.
PM: Puerto Egas (Santiago):
wet landing onto a dark sandy volcanic beach. Once inhabited, Puerto Egas
offers you a magnificent stretch of coastline. Lava flows carved by the
ocean have produced grottos and arches that shelter the shy Galapagos fur
seal.
TUESDAY
Rabida & Cerro Dragon
AM: Rábida: the red island.
Wet landing to explore its fascinating maroon-tinted interior and saltwater
lagoon. Amazing scenery, lots of Darwin’s finches, Galapagos mockingbirds,
and yellow warblers. Given the right time of the year, brown pelicans nest
on the salt bush that fringes the beach.
PM: Cerro Dragón (Santa
Cruz): dry landing onto the north-west shore of Santa Cruz. White sand with
giant cacti and succulent sesuvium, and behind a saltwater lagoon inhabited
by greater flamingos, black-necked common stilts, and whitecheeked pintail
ducks. A walk inland leads to a nesting site of Galapagos land iguanas.
WEDNESDAY
Bachas Beach & Baltra Airport
AM: Bachas (Santa Cruz): wet
landing on a white sandy beach. After climbing a sand dune, where green sea
turtles nest, we will find a colourful salt water lagoon with greater
flamingos. Marine iguanas and Darwin’s finches will escort your way. And
then, to the airport.
NOTE:
Passengers ending their trip will disembark for the airport on Baltra and
passengers starting their trip will be welcomed on board.
In addition to the land
visits we offer a good balance of other activities such as snorkeling, panga
rides and kayaking.
Accommodation: Ten air conditioned double
cabins, double lower and single upper berths, en suite bathroom with hot
and cold fresh water showers. Deck salon, dining area, conference and
video salon, deck cockpit
Crew: Captain, First Mate, Engineer, Two
Sailors, Cook and Assistant, Cabin Attendant, and Naturalist Guide
Equipment: Two SCANIA main engines 185 HP
each, two 40 KW generators 120V & 240V A/C 60 HZ and 12V & 24V
D/C. Foruno radar, GPS, VHS & SSB radios. Two tenders with outboard
motors. Two color TVs with video equipment and one computer.
Safety Equipment: Two 20 passengers life
rafts with all safety equipment. Emergency Position Indicating Radio
Beacon (EPIRB), Smoke and fire detector, Overhead Sprinkler Fire System.
Specifications:
Speed: 8 knots
Range: 3.000 miles
Sails: Bark Rig
Water: 5,000 gallons and water maker with a capacity of 1,500 gallons per
day
Galapagos Reservations
Galapagos
Islands Boats, Cruises and Yacht Charters
