Galapagos Islands - cruise | The Small Cruise Ship Collection

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                    Española Island is the oldest of the Galapagos Islands with an estimated age of over 3 million years. However this island is dying, slowly becoming a rocky, barren land with little or no vegetation. But this does give large bays, with sand and soft shingle which attracts a healthy number of Galapagos Sea Lions!

                    Highlights
                    Española Island is the oldest of the Galapagos Islands with an estimated age of over 3 million years. However this island is dying, slowly becoming a rocky, barren land with little or no vegetation. But this does give large bays, with sand and soft shingle which attracts a healthy number of Galapagos Sea Lions!

Ship Eclipse

Capacity: 48, Type: Luxury Expedition

The Galápagos Islands are an archipelago of volcanic islands distributed on either side of the Equator in the Pacific Ocean, 926 km west of continental Ecuador.
Combining the best of facilities and accommodation, the MV Eclipse retains the smaller boat atmosphere but has the space of a larger ship. With a great itinerary and superb guides she is one of our very favourite top-end choices.

Additional Charges are;

Flights to the islands, fuel surcharge - approx $260 pp, national park fees and tourist transit cards all per person.

Specialised Family departures available-
Discounts available when child under 12 shares with adults
Includes childrens learning materials, cabin decorations, activities on board with the Children's Co-ordinator.

During peak season Easter (March 28 - April 04), Christmas (December 19 - 26) and New Year (December 26 - January 02) a surcharge of $400.00 per person apply

Española Island is the oldest of the Galapagos Islands with an estimated age of over 3 million years. However this island is dying, slowly becoming a rocky, barren land with little or no vegetation. But this does give large bays, with sand and soft shingle which attracts a healthy number of Galapagos Sea Lions!

There are no future departures for this trip at this stage.

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Day 1: Baltra then North Seymour Island

After your flight from mainland Ecuador, arrive at the airport in Baltra & transfer to the dock, then on to North Seymour Island - Fauna abounds and you will soon find yourself surrounded by sea lions, blue footed boobies, marine iguanas, frigatebirds and more.

Day 2: South Plaza Islands & Sante Fe Islands

South Plaza Island, although quite small, is actually home to a large Opuntia cacti forest, land iguanas and one of the largest sea lion colonies in the central region of the archipelago. An endemic plant, Sesuvium, inhabits this island and is a great climate indicator as its color is a greenish-yellowish during the rainy season and a bright red during the dry season. You will also be able to see Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and other kinds of sea birds as well as different types of finches. Santa Fe was formed by uplifting, rather than by a volcano. Some of the island’s endemic species include the Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos Snake, rice rats, different types of finches, and the Galapagos Mockingbird. The visit includes a hike on a trail past salt bushes where Galapagos hawks as well as the Santa Fe land iguanas tend to roam. Playful sea lions may accompany you during your snorkeling activities.

Day 3: San Cristobal Is. - Pitt Point and San Cristobal Is. - Cerro Brujo

Punta Pitt is located on the eastern tip of San Cristobal Island. You will hike up to a plateau where the view and landscape are so spectacular it is definitely worth the effort. Watch out for the Red Footed Boobies nesting in the cliffs. The power hike is followed by kayaking, snorkeling and panga rides opportunities. Enjoy a fantastic landscape as well as wonderful swimming, snorkeling and panga ride experiences. Cerro Brujo’s gorgeous beach is also home to many sea lions and it’s also the first coast where Charles Darwin first stepped foot on in the Archipelago!

Day 4: Floreana Is. – Post Office Bay & The Baroness’ Viewing Point and Floreana Is. – Champion Islet & Cormorant Point

Floreana is one of the Galapagos most famous, or sh all we say, “infamous” of islands due to many strange stories regarding past settlers. There are many diverse sites to visit including Post Office Bay and the “Baroness’s Viewing Point”. Marine life also abounds in Floreana’s coastal regions mak ing it a fantastic site for snorkeling. Flamingos also populate the island and may be seen during your visit. The Baroness’s Viewing Point is the perfect place to take in the special scenery that defines Floreana, and a great spot to learn about the mysteries of Floreana’s early settlers. A great site for bird-watching, Cormorant Point has a large lagoon where everything from Flamingos to Stilts and Pintail Ducks tend to roam. Don’t forget your binoculars! Prior to the excurions, you will also have an opportunity to participate in a magnificent snorkel at Champion Islet.

Day 5: Isabela Is. – Elizabeth Bay and Isabela Is. – Moreno Point

Elizabeth Bay is one of the furthest points of the Galapagos that we will visit on our cruise. We will enter a sheltered cove accessible by panga only – a wonderful mangrove ecosystem that is a refuge for sea turtles, rays, blue-footed boobies, penguins, herons and more. Moreno Point is located just southwest of Elizabeth Bay on the west coast of Isabela Island. Observe and learn about different types of lava and pioneer plants while being surrounded by some of the most incredible scenery that Galapagos has to offer. In the tide pools green sea turtles or white-tip sharks ca n be spotted. Afterwards you will enjoy a panga ride along the striking rocky shores observing penguins, sea lions, blue footed boobies and marine iguanas.

Day 6: Santa Cruz Is. - Puerto Ayora: Charles Darwin Research Station & Highlands

On your visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station you will gain insight into the huge efforts being made by scientists, guides, rangers and park managers to preserve this UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will see the famous Galapagos tortoises that are the islands’ namesake. After the visit we drive to the green highlands of Santa Cruz, where you will visit a tortoise reserve to search for giant tortoises in their natural surroundings. The afternoon is at leisure.

Day 7: Española Is. – Gardner Bay and Española Is. – Punta Suarez

Gardner Bay offers the chance to enjoy a wonderful white sandy beach. It is home to one of the most important colonies of sea lions, and it is also a nesting site for sea turtles. Throughout the morning there are oppor tunities for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. Punta Suárez is one of the most popular and attract ive sites in the Galapagos. Due to its isolation from other islands, it has a high proportion of endemic fauna. A few steps inland from the landing site, groups of Española marine iguanas bask in the sun. Further inland, Nazca and blue-footed boobies nest near the trail, Galapagos doves peck around unaware of visitors and finches go about their day to day business. The trail continues towards a blowhole, which is a fissure in the lava where water spurts high into the air like a geyser. The cracks in the cliffs are home to swallow-tailed gulls and red-billed tropicbirds. Further up the cliff in an area of low-lying trees you will find waved albatrosses nesting. The 15,000 to 17,000 pairs of albatrosses on Española represent almost the entire population of this species on the planet. They perform one of the most spectacular courtship rituals of the animal world.

Day 8: Mosquera Islet & Departure

Mosquera Islet is a tiny islet, actually home to a huge population of sea lions and also home to many shorebirds. While at Mosquera, ke ep your eyes peeled as there are occasional reports of dolphins and orcas. Onward to your flight back to mainland Ecuador.

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Eclipse

Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition Length: 64 metres Passenger Capacity: 48 (in 26 cabins) Built: 1984 / refurbished 2003 The Eclipse has surpassed the other options available in the Galapagos Islands, …

Eclipse

Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition

Length: 64 metres

Passenger Capacity: 48 (in 26 cabins)

Built: 1984 / refurbished 2003

The Eclipse has surpassed the other options available in the Galapagos Islands, offering small excursion groups, unparalleled levels of personalized service and the amenities of a larger boat while still preserving the relaxed exclusivity of a smaller vessel.

This expedition Vessel was converted specifically for cruising in the islands, and was designed to meet the exacting demands of upscale travel. The Eclipse is the perfect base for any Galapagos experience, with the highest standards of quality caring of the environment. It is a generously proportioned ship with a small yacht atmosphere.

The Eclipse has 24 spacious, fully air-conditioned staterooms, with either a queen or twin bed configuration, plus 2 single cabins.

Every cabin boasts either picture windows or large portholes, providing a view of the surrounding waters. All the ship’s twin beds can be converted to king-size beds upon request, always looking for comfort based on the needs of our guests.

The Eclipse's features include a library, a boutique, a lounge and an infirmary, with a doctor on board at all times, seeking the welfare and safety of our passengers. One of the most popular areas on board is the observation/sun deck, ideal for stargazing, whale watching, or simply lazing in the Jacuzzi.In addition to the elegant indoor dining room, there is an al fresco dining area, where you can enjoy the islands spectacular scenery.

All meals are served as a buffet style with all soft drinks included.

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