M/Y Eric, Flamingo & Letty - An Ecological Adventure

This price includes:

• 7 nights cabin accommodation in Iguana Deck
• Shore excursions with guide service
• All meals

• FREE transfers in the islands between the airport and dock
• FREE wet suits, snorkeling equipment and sea kayaks
  


• BONUS snacks and non-alcoholic beverages
• BONUS captain's welcome and farewell cocktail

• UPGRADE to Booby Deck from US$2995*pp
• UPGRADE to Dolphin Deck from US$3250*pp

Description

Ecoventura’s fleet of identical expedition vessels - Eric, Flamingo & Letty - are superior first-class 20 passenger motor yachts. Built in 1991 and refurbished every year, each features ten double outside facing cabins over three decks with polished teak interiors. The vessels are comfortable and spacious and the crew strives for the highest levels of service and cuisine. Departures are every Sunday from San Cristobal on comprehensive 7 night itineraries including the outer, most popular islands in the archipelago. Special family departures are designated over school breaks and feature age-appropriate activities geared toward children and teens 7-17.

Enjoy outdoor activities including nature walks, snorkelling, kayaking and special interests such as photography, birdwatching, scuba diving and marine biology. Small guide-to-passenger ratios (one expert guide for every ten passengers) ensure intimate visits on shore.

Two new clear-bottom tandem kayaks are provided on each yacht. Ecoventura also supplies custom 3mm wet suits, masks, fins and snorkels, beach towel and mesh bag at no additional charge.

Flights to Galapagos from Ecuador are booked on Aerogal Airlines.

There are also other vessels and programs in the Galapagos Islands, to suit all budgets. We can arrange any other travel arrangements in Ecuador or South America to complement this tour. 

Itinerary

Day 1 (Sunday), QUITO - GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (Dinner)

Upon arrival to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island, your crew is waiting at the airport to escort you to your anchored yacht. After the welcome briefing and safety drill, set sail for Playa Ochoa, where you may try some snorkelling and swim with a small colony of sea lions. Behind the beach, there is a tidal lagoon where birds can be spotted including the rare Chatham mockingbird. At sunset, cruise around Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido), a vertical tuff cone formation that abruptly juts up almost 500 feet out of the ocean. On the cliffs, you may see blue-footed boobies, masked boobies and magnificent frigate birds.

Day 2 (Monday), GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Spend the entire day on Tower Island (Genovesa), considered to be one of the most spectacular Islands in Galapagos for bird species. This morning, make a dry landing at Prince Philip’s Steps. Red-footed boobies nest here in Palo Santo trees and Nazca (formerly masked) boobies nest near the trail. In an open lava field, storm petrels gather in large numbers. If you are lucky, you may see the elusive short-eared owl. After lunch, sea kayaks are available to paddle along the shoreline. Look for the beautiful red-billed tropic bird usually seen in a crevice. A snorkeling opportunity is offered along the inner rim of the volcanic crater. Land at Darwin Bay, a coral sand beach where swallow-tailed and lava gulls gather near the tide pools. Enter a forest of Optuntia cactus and mangroves where colonies of great frigate birds nest. The males inflate their red-throated pouches to attract females as they fly overhead. The trail leads through a rich inter tidal zone with a wide diversity of animal life. Swim from the beach with sea lions.

Day 3 (Tuesday), GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

This morning, visit Las Bachas, which is the Spanish translation for 'barges'. There is a long stretch of a soft white sand beach and interior lagoons where you may find the Greater Flamingo. There is also a wonderful chance to snorkel here from the beach. This afternoon, disembark on North Seymour, a small geological uplift. After a dry landing, follow a trail that leads to swallow-tailed gulls, blue-footed boobies and the endemic land iguanas. Visit the largest colony of magnificent frigate birds found in Galapagos. Stroll along the beach and watch sea lions body surfing the northern swells.

Day 4 (Wednesday), GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

This morning, visit Tagus Cove, located on the western island of Isabela. Six volcanoes flowed together and formed the largest Island in Galapagos. Discover a salt-water lagoon, a scenic outlook with a spectacular view of the ocean, lava fields and volcanic formations. Graffiti dating back to the 1800's is written on the rocky cliffs. Explore the Cove in pangas or sea kayaks in search of Galapagos penguins, boobies, pelicans and other seabirds. After lunch, cross the Bolivar Canal. Be on the look out for whales and dolphins riding the bow wave. This afternoon, de disembark at Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island, the youngest and most pristine Island in the Galapagos. Hundreds of marine iguanas, the largest colony in Galapagos, bask in the sun along the rugged shoreline. Observe sea lion harems with resident bulls carefully guarding their territory. Flightless Cormorants nest on the point and Galapagos Hawks fly overhead. Recent lava flows formed by an active volcano stretch their way around the coast.

Day 5 (Thursday), GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

This morning, stroll along the shore at Puerto Egas, Santiago island (James) looking for octopus, starfish and other sea life caught in the tide pools. At low tide, catch a glimpse of marine iguanas as they feed on exposed green algae. Watch for great blue herons, lava herons, American oystercatchers and yellow-crowned night herons. Your walk ends at the grottos, deep pools of clear water with fur sea lions, once on the verge of extinction. Before returning to the yacht, there is a snorkelling opportunity with loads of tropical fish. On Bartolome, it seems like you are walking on the moon. This young Island is inhospitable to most plants and animals. After a dry landing, climb 30 minutes up stairs leading to the summit of a once active volcano. Along the way, marvel at lava bombs, spatter cones and cinder cones. From the top of the wooden stairs, enjoy a panoramic view of the island and 'Pinnacle Rock', an eroded tuff cone. Down below, crystal clear water is an invitation to snorkel with schools of tropical fish and Galapagos Penguins. On the other side of the Island, encounter sea turtles and white-tipped sharks.

Day 6 (Friday), GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

This morning, travel by bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz. The scenery gradually changes as you wind your way through all seven vegetation zones found in Galapagos. From June to January, one can find giant tortoises on a private farm in the highlands. Visit Los Gemelos, a pair of large pit craters where you may find the bright red male vermilion flycatcher. Stop at 'the tunnels', the largest lava tubes found in Galapagos. After lunch on board, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Visit all three tortoise corrals and the breeding centre with new hatchlings and miniature tortoises not yet ready to be repatriated. Scientists from all over the globe work at the station and conduct biological research from anatomy to zoology. We also visit the Van Straelen Hall where there are exhibits and a short video presentation. Visitors can now see the pen of Lonesome George, the last surviving member of the Pinta Island subspecies. Stroll through the town of Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galapagos. Buy souvenirs, mail postcards or kick back at an internet cafe in the social heart of the Islands.

Day 7 (Saturday), GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

This morning, step onto Gardner Bay, Espanola (Hood). Walk along seemingly endless stretches of sandy beach where you’ll find large colonies of sea lions. There is no trail to follow so this is a chance to explore and you may find a Galapagos Hawk, Darwin’s Finches or Hood Mockingbird. Swim with sea lions from the beach. There’s an excellent snorkeling site off Gardner Islet with a colorful diversity of sea life near Gardner Islet and Tortuga Rock with caves covered with invertebrates. This afternoon, disembark at Punta Suarez, and witness the highest rate of endemic species in Galapagos. Sea lions noisily greet you as you land on their beach. Curious Hood mockingbirds peck at your shoelaces. From April to November, the waved albatross, found only on Espanola, perform their wild mating ritual. Colonies of blue-footed boobies engage in 'sky-pointing' to show off for potential mates. Nazca (formerly masked) boobies busily care for their young. Stunning swallow-tailed gulls are the only nocturnal gulls in the world. Red-billed tropicbirds take shelter under the cliffs. Darwin's Finches, Galapagos Doves and Galapagos Hawks are also present. Observe a unique species of marine iguana identified with traces of red and green colorings. Colorful sally light-foot crabs crawl along the shoreline near the famous blow hole. This is the scene most people envision when they decide to visit Galapagos and is a glorious finale to your Galapagos cruise.

Day 8 (Sunday), GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (Breakfast)

This morning, drop anchor in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal. Visit the Interpretation Centre opened in 1999 to gain a more complete understanding of the natural and human history of the Islands. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for your flight back to the mainland. 

*Conditions:

Prices are per person, based on twin share and US dollars. All rates and itineraries are subject to change. Departures on Sunday only. Seasonal surcharges may apply. Subject to availability.

Check with your Breakaway Travel agency for details.

 

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