M/V Santa Cruz

	Category: First Class Capacity: 90 passengers
	Itinerary
	Deck Plans
	Cabins
	Services
	Tecnical Specifications

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 - MONDAY - Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristobal Island)

Arrival by plane to San Cristobal Island and transfer to the MV SANTA CRUZ, which will be anchored at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galápagos Islands. Cabin assignment and lunch. After lunch, introductory welcome talk and boat drill.

Isla Lobos - Sea Lion Island (San Cristobal Island)

The ship navigates to a small islet whose shores are home to many sea birds, including frigate birds and blue-footed boobies . Great landscape photography. A sea lion colony is a great introduction to the most common seen mammals in Galápagos. These are the shores that Charles Darwin walked upon, back in September 1835, as San Cristóbal was the first island where he set foot in the Galápagos. Naturalist’s briefing on the next day’s activities followed by a welcome cocktail offered by the Captain and dinner.

Day 2 - TUESDAY - Bartholome Island

Disembark at Bartholome Island (dry landing) for a hike to the summit. Great way to start the day. This is a steep climb aided by a wooden staircase; the view from the top is worth the effort. Panga ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock, time to enjoy the beach (wet landing) and snorkeling. Chance to snorkel next to Galapagos Penguins. There is also the possibility to ride on the glass bottom boat for great views of the underwater world.. Scenic navigation to Puerto Egas. Lunch on board.

Puerto Egas (James Island)

Afternoon mid-length walk at Puerto Egas (wet landing). This is a great opportunity to see land and marine birds and to observe a fur-sea lion colony. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds. Outstanding snorkeling or swimming from the beach before or after the walk. Recaps and briefing before dinner. Weather permitting, stargazing on deck.

Day 3 - WEDNESDAY - Darwin Bay (Tower Island)

Early morning cruise into Darwin Bay before breakfast; optional wake-up call. Later, a wet landing for an easy stroll observing hundreds of birds, mainly Great frigate birds, red footed and Nazca (masked) boobies, gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds. If you wish you can continue walking over sharp lava and uneven terrain, or return to the beach to enjoy swimming and snorkeling at this beautiful natural harbor. Those more adventurous can snorkel along the cliffs and look for Hammerhead Sharks. Lunch on board. During navigation, spend some time on deck looking for dolphins or possibly whales.

North Seymour Island

North Seymour is an uplifted island. In previous times, this was the ocean’s bed. Afternoon outing at North Seymour (dry landing) for a walk along the coast and the interior of the island observing bird colonies of blue footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow tailed gulls and also sea lions and marine iguanas. A shorter walk is also available. Evening recaps, briefing, and dinner.

Day 4 - THURSDAY - Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island)

After breakfast, disembark (dry landing) to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens, an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. Santa Cruz Island alone has 8 species of Darwin’s Finches! Then, a stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora. Lunch at the Finch Bay Hotel. Afternoon in the lush highlands, visiting the Scalesia forest and the twin pit craters Los Gemelos. The vermilion flycatcher will delight all participants with its scarlet feathers against an emerald green forest. Naturalist’s briefing and dinner.

Day 5 - FRIDAY - Tagus Cove (Isabela Island)

Early cruise into the Bolivar Channel where the cool waters will give Galapagos a not-so-tropical landscape. This can be rewarded with the possibility of observing dolphins or whales. The colossal young volcanoes are just breath taking. Morning disembarkation at Tagus Cove, a protected natural harbor. A walk uphill takes you around Darwin’s salt-water crater lake for a superb view. There is also the possibility of a dinghy ride along the shoreline to see the unique fauna of the largest island in the Archipelago. Galápagos Penguins along the shore are always a highlight. Possibility for swimming and snorkeling. Lunch on board.

Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)

The afternoon brings us to the youngest island, Fernandina. First, a dinghy ride to observe penguins, as well as flightless cormorants and then disembark (dry landing) for a one-mile walk. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness with lots of wildlife. Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing their space with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, and hawks. Lava terrain calls for good walking shoes. There is a possibility for snorkeling. Recap and briefing before dinner.

Day 6 - SATURDAY - Urbina Bay (Isabela Island)

Before breakfast, scenic cruise along Bolívar Channel and possible observation of whales and/or dolphins. Breakfast and disembarkation (wet landing) for a medium-length walk at Urbina Bay to look for giant tortoises and land iguanas. This place went through a volcanic uplifting event back in 1954 leaving gaunt marine skeletons, which make the walk remarkably interesting. Those who wish may take either only a short walk along the beach, or a longer walk towards the interior of the island. Swimming and snorkeling depending on local conditions. Back on board for lunch.

Punta Moreno (Isabela Island)

The forces of the Galapagos volcanoes can be easily witnessed here. Afternoon outing (dry landing) for a medium length walk at Punta Moreno (west of Isabela Island) to observe unique lava flows and small lagoons with bird life. Those who do not wish to take the shore excursion may enjoy a panga ride along the shoreline to observe birds and marine iguanas. Evening conference and dinner. Weather permitting, stargazing on deck.

Day 7 - SUNDAY - Gardner Bay (Hood Island)

After breakfast, disembark at Gardner Bay (wet landing) for a short walk along the cleanest white coral beach you can imagine. You can either take a short walk and watch the sea lions, mockingbirds, finches, enjoy the beach, snorkel and swim from the beach, or ride the glass-bottom boat around Gardner and Tortuga islets. Great snorkeling at these locations.

Punta Suarez (Hood Island)

Afternoon excursion at Punta Suarez (dry landing) for an exciting walk on lava terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April - December) and the famous blowhole. Great hike for blue-footed boobies, swallowtail gulls, the Hood island mockingbird, red-green-black marine iguanas, and of course a rookery of sea lions right at the landing site. A shorter walk is also available. For those not planning to walk at all, there will be a dinghy ride along the coastline of Punta Suarez. Farewell dinner. Farewell cocktail and instructions for departure.

Day 8 - MONDAY - Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristobal Island)

Disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno for a short visit to the town and the Interpretation Center. The San Cristobal Interpretation Center, located in a natural setting, allows visitors to obtain information to help them understand the characteristics of the natural area they are visiting, such as the natural processes that have made Galápagos a unique place in the world, the human history and the efforts being made to protect and preserve the Galapagos Islands.

Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the continent.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

The M/V SANTA CRUZ offers 3, 4 and 7 night expeditions
Please read this Expedition Itinerary as a guide only. The route and program vary according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety reasons and wildlife encounters. Our crew is trained to deal with all the elements of the nature of this expedition.

Safety will be always part of the daily programming of activities. Kindly follow all suggestions. It is compulsory to wear a life vest during the rides in the dinghies between the ship and the shore.

Being the islands of volcanic origin, walks are usually over lava rocks. Guests should be in a good physical condition to thoroughly enjoy all the excursions. However, there is flexibility in the daily program with an offer of various alternatives such as shorter walks, dinghy rides, observation of the submarine life from the glass-bottom boat, swimming or snorkeling, according to the best interests of our guests
The Expedition Staff will provide you with snorkeling gear (mask and snorkel, fins, floating device and net bag). Please note that the operation does not carry prescription masks. A short wet suit is highly recommended from June to December. Cooperation of guests is a key point when complying with the rules of the National Park. This alone can guarantee a major success in the expedition.

Dry landing: guests step from the dinghy onto rocks or a dock.
Wet landing: as the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into knee-deep water and wade ashore.