Galapagos Islands Cruise
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours
November 30 to December 08, 2008
November 30:
Fly from Quito to Guayaquil to Baltra
Board National Geographic Islander
Visit North Seymour Island after lunch
December 1:
Dry landing, climb to 359 foot summit of Bartolome Island before breakfast
Later in the morning hike to back side of island to view Pacific green sea-turtles, then snorkel (Joanne and Brad) from Bartolome Beach in Sullivan Bay
After lunch (Ecuadorian Feast) hike west side of Santiago Island at Puerto Egas (James Bay)
December 2:
Tour the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island, see Giant Tortoises
Walk from the Research Station to Puerto Ayora (largest settlement in Galapagos)
Board bus to drive to El Chato, an open-air restaurant located in the highlands
Visit the Giant Tortoise preserve and the volcanic pit craters (Los Gemelos) in the highlands
Shop in Puerto Ayora late in the afternoon
December 3:
Pre-breakfast sea-watch from the upper deck of the National Geographic Islander in the waters between Isabella and Roca Redonda
Post-breakfast crossing of the equator in the vicinity of Volcan Ecuador, a shield volcano on Isabela
"Shellback" activities on ship to commemorate our achievement (crossing the equator)
Panga (Zodiac) cruise near the island of Isabela at Punta Vicente Roca
Deep water snorkeling in the area of Punta Vicente Roca (Joanne)
Lunch
Late afternoon hike at Punta Espinosa on Fernandina, observed beautiful sunset
December 4:
Pre-breakfast hike at Urbina Bay area (wet-landing) on western coast of Isabela (largest island in the Galapagos archipelago)
Following breakfast bird watching from the upper deck as we cruised south through the Bolivar Channel between Isabella and Fernandina
Late afternoon hike at Punta Moreno on southern Isabela followed by a Panga cruise along a piece of lava coastline covered with mangrove trees
December 5:
Pre-breakfast landing via Panga to the Post Office Barrel on Floreana (wet landing)
Post-breakfast Panga ride for bird watching (looking for Floreana Mockingbird) in Champion Island area (no landings allowed)
Snorkeling (Joanne) from Pangas in the Champion Island area before lunch
Late afternoon landing (wet) at Punta Cormorant on Floreana
Barbecue buffet on the Sky Deck
December 6:
Last full day on board National Geographic Islander
Deep water snorkeling (Joanne) after breakfast in Gardner Islet area along the calm lee of its cliffs (sea lions, penguins and lots of fish)
Late afternoon dry landing at Punta Suarez on Espanola (Hood) with its boulder trail and bountiful and diverse fauna
Farwell dinner
December 7:
After breakfast disembark Islander and transfer to airport on Baltra, arrive at hotel in Guayaquil mid-afternoon
Post-trip to Cerro Blanco (2/3 of group went)
Final group dinner at the Hilton Colon
December 8:
Fly home
Galapagos Islands
