Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise East Islands - Fri to Thu

The Expedition style MV Santa Cruz II boasts five spacious decks, with modern interiors designed by renowned ship designer, Richard Nilsson. Created with the ethos of stylish simplicity at its heart, the boat ensures sumptuous surroundings from which to take in the vistas of the enchanted islands. She sleeps ninety guests in fifty, decorated in a contemporary design spanning three decks. Guests can choose from luxuriously appointed single, double, and triple cabins, or opt for one of the three even more exclusive Darwin Suites, an exceptional standard of accommodation on the Panorama Deck, where guests will receive elevated service and carefully refined extras such as a take-home Galápagos coffee table book, a tablet loan for each cabin, complimentary drinks and VIP lounge access at the Galapagos Islands airport.

EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS: From Baltra, a quick jump by ship brings us to Mosquera Islet where we check out the sea lions before sailing towards San Cristobal. A stop at the Cerro Colorado Tortoise Breeding Centre will open our eyes to the beauty of the Galapagos giant tortoise and to the important scientific work that continues to be performed on the islands. In the afternoon, we travel to the most eastern tip of the archipelago, Punta Pitt, the only stop on this journey where we can see red-footed boobies. From here, it’s on to the central islands, starting with Santa Fe, with its beautiful tranquil bay, before continuing to the wild cliffs of South Plaza with their lofty cacti, land iguanas and stunning marine birds. The following day we visit the world-famous Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island. Española Island, voted the #1 island by guides and expedition leaders, awaits us with its remarkable visitor site of Punta Suarez, home to hundreds of marine iguanas, sea lions, marine birds, and even albatross (between April and December) – a truly stunning site! In the afternoon, we enjoy the water in Gardner Bay. The following morning we will wake up at Eden Islet and finish the day at North Seymour, famous for its land iguanas and sea lions as well as bird colonies of blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, and Nazca boobies. We finish at Baltra after a moving and memorable experience.

Day by Day Itinerary: Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise East Islands

DAY 1 | FRIDAY | Welcome to  the Galapagos / Baltra Island Airport / Mosquera Islet | L.D.

Upon arrival in Baltra Island Airport, transfer to the M/V Santa Cruz II for a 6-night cruise in the cabin of your choice: Horizon Deck Explorer Cabin or Expedition Deck Explorer Cabin with daily explorations of the eastern islands. Once on board the M/V Santa Cruz II the cabins will be assigned, followed by an introductory briefing and lunch.

Mosquera: After lunch and your introductory briefing on board, Santa Cruz II will relocate only four nautical miles from Baltra, next to Mosquera Islet, a small volcanic uplift between Baltra and North Seymour. The island is a long and narrow sand bank surrounded by lava reefs. Our groups will approach the island from its western shore, a long shallow reef, the perfect rookery for young sea lions. After a wet landing, our guides will lead you past the sea lion colonies, where you will learn more about the fragile marine and terrestrial ecosystems of Galapagos. The walk is easy as it is restricted to a few hundred meters of flat sandy dunes. This will also be a great opportunity for an introduction to snorkeling.

DAY 2 | SATURDAY | Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristobal Island) | B.L.D.

After breakfast, we disembark (dry landing) at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the island’s capital, and drive 40 minutes to the island’s southern shore. At Cerro Colorado, we visit the breeding center for highly endangered giant tortoises in the midst of a fantastic deciduous forest, home to dozens of bird species, including the San Cristobal mockingbird, and the San Cristobal lava lizard, both island endemics.

Punta Pitt (San Cristobal Island): In the afternoon, we disembark (wet landing) on the eastern tip of the island at Punta Pitt, an eroded tuff cone, whose trail provides spectacular views of the shoreline. This is the only site in the Galapagos where the three species of boobies can be found together. We can walk or enjoy a panga ride along the coast. Opportunity for snorkeling, swimming and kayaking.

DAY 3 | SUNDAY | B.L.D.

Santa Fe Island: After breakfast, we take the dinghy over to this idyllic sandy-white beach populated by many sea lions. The endemic land iguana, unique to this island, may be spotted during the morning walk amid the giant prickly pear cactus. Snorkeling and swimming from the panga rounds off our rewarding experience, or if guests prefer, the glass bottom boat for non-snorkelers.

South Plaza Island: In the afternoon, we disembark in the South Plaza Channel, whose turquoise waters contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline. Beyond, a carpet of scarlet sesuvium succulents serves as groundcover for a grove of luminescent green prickly-pear cactus. Yellow-grey land iguanas sit beneath these, waiting patiently for pears to drop. Along the coastline you will find sea lion colonies, while frigates, swallow-tailed gulls and shearwaters glide, playing with the thermals.

DAY 4 | MONDAY | B.L.D.

Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island) In the morning, we disembark (dry landing) for our visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station’s giant tortoise Breeding Center within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest home to many land birds. These are the headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation and the National Park administration. Following our visit, we board our transport to enjoy lunch in the cooler highlands of Santa Cruz Island, a completely different ecosystem.

Santa Cruz Island: We have several options available for the afternoon, which can be discussed in advance with your Expedition Leader.  At the end of the afternoon’s activities, we return to Puerto Ayora and embark on the Santa Cruz II.

DAY 5 | TUESDAY | B.L.D.

Punta Suarez (Espanola Island) An exciting walk waits at this site, where we enjoy its unique sea bird colonies, including waved albatrosses (April-December), Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tail gulls as well as a view of the Galapagos famous blow-hole. Also, look out for red-green-black marine iguanas. Back on board for lunch.

Gardner Bay (Espanola Island) In the afternoon, the picture-postcard white coral beach of Gardner Bay provides a beautiful setting for observing sea lions, mockingbirds, finches as we relax. We can expect great snorkeling in this area.

DAY 6 | WEDNESDAY | B.L.D.

Eden Islet (Santa Cruz Island) After breakfast, a panga ride takes us to Eden Islet, a small islet located off the coast of Santa Cruz, where we can observe blue-footed boobies diving into the water, reef sharks and frigates. There’s a chance to snorkel and, if weather condition permits, ride in the glass-bottom boat and kayak.

North Seymour Island: North Seymour was lifted from the ocean floor by a volcanic event, and its origins as a seabed give the island its low, flat profile. A tiny forest of silver-grey Palo Santo trees stands just above the landing (dry landing), usually without leaves, waiting for the rains to burst into bloom. This is a great introductory site to the islands and their wildlife, full of bird colonies of blue footed boobies, two species of frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls, as well as sea lions and marine iguanas.

DAY 7 | THURSDAY | Baltra Island / Home / Next Destination | B.

On our last day, we disembark at Baltra Island for a transfer to the Baltra airport.

PRICES PER PERSON IN US$ – NO MINIMUM GUESTS REQUIRED

AVAILABLE FOR FRIDAY ARRIVALS IN BALTRA UNTIL DEC 25, 2020

¹ Triple Occupancy share existing beds in a family cabin on Horizon Deck

² Child rate applies to one child 6 to 11 yrs. old sharing accommodations with two adults and using existing beds. Minimum age 6 yrs. Child rates doesn’t apply during certain dates.

** December 28 sailing has a surcharge of $167.00 adults and $123.00 children.

            

In Galapagos Islands: M/V Santa Cruz II. The Santa Cruz II has five spacious decks, with modern interiors designed by renowned ship designer, Richard Nilsson. Created with stylish simplicity at its heart, while ensuring for sumptuous surroundings from which to take in the magnificent vistas of the enchanted islands.

The boat will sleep 90 guests in 50 contemporary designed cabins across three decks. Guests can choose from luxuriously appointed single, double and triple cabins, or opt for one of the three even more exclusive Darwin Suites, an exceptional standard of accommodation on the Panorama Deck, where guests will receive elevated service and carefully refined extras such as a take-home Galápagos coffee table book, a tablet loan for each cabin.

While aboard the new Santa Cruz II, guests can relax in the beautifully designed communal areas and viewing platforms, including indoor and outdoor dining options, two lounge bars, a well-stocked library, two indulgent ocean view hot tubs and a state of the art gym.

M/V Santa Cruz II Plans

• Prices are subject to change without previous notice.
• The itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions, safety, and local regulations.
• Deposit: A $900.00 per person deposit is required to activate the booking process. Due to the popularity of the destination and the high demand for space, early reservations are strongly encouraged. Additional deposits may be required by suppliers, if so you will be notified.
• None of the services have been requested nor confirmed at this time (unless otherwise indicated). If the selected hotels are not available, we will make our best effort to obtain the next best available hotel in the same city/region. We should have confirmation of the suggested services and facilities and/or suitable alternatives within 48 hours after receiving your deposit, which will be applied to the final payment.
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• The price does not include: personal expenses, additional activities, international and local airfares as well as airports departure taxes (unless otherwise indicated), gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, bell and wait staff, and any other service not listed. The Galapagos National Park Fee ($100.00 per person) and the Galapagos Immigration Card ($20.00 per person), as well as Fuel Surcharges (if any) are not included.
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• Meal Codes: B = Breakfast. L = Lunch. D = Dinner.
• All tour services are SIB shared basis (unless otherwise indicated).
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EcoAmerica Tours, LLC. and/or any of its agents will not claim any responsibility for injury, damage, loss, additional expenses, accidental delay or other irregularities which may be caused either through willful or negligent acts or omissions on the part of companies or individuals providing or engaged in transportation, accommodations or other services related to the execution of the tour, or through natural calamities and other factors beyond its control. Prices are subject to adjustment in the event of any change, without notice. EcoAmerica Tours, LLC reserves the right to change any tour if considered necessary in order to render better service to its clients. Travelers choosing to participate in these vacation programs do so at their own risk. EcoAmerica Tours is not to be held responsible for injuries, damage expenses, and/or costs resulting from accidents or accidental death while participating in these vacation programs. Travelers have been directed to read these disclaimers. EcoAmerica Tours, LLC