Galapagos First Class Yachts

Eco Catamaran Archipel I & II - 8 Day Cruise

Characteristics:
The Archipel Eco Catamaran has space enough to host 16 passengers comfortably in the 9 Cabins with seaview. Private bathroom, hot water, 4 cabins with a double bed, 5 cabins with twin beds, bed-side table, closet, spacious dining room, bar, social area, library, TV, DVD, mobile phone, Email, safe, ice machine, stereo, machines for filtering water, sun deck with comfortable chairs and sunbeds, ecological ventilation system, observation deck and first aid equipment. This is the perfect Catamaran Yacht for group, family and individual travellers.

Eco Catamaran Archipel - Specifications
Type	Solar -Motor Catamarán built with Steel, Glass fibre and Teka wood in 2002
Length	27 m
Width	11m
Depth	1,45 m
Speed	11 knots
Main Engines	2 Cummins 240 hp (IMO)
Crew	8 + 1 Naturalist III guide
Electricity	6 KW Solarenergy and 2 emergency aggregatorsr /110 Volt und 220 Volt
Diving	Diving platform 3 x 11 m, has complete diving equipment, snorkelling and seakayaks

Intinerary:
01 Monday: Flight to Galapagos - San Christobal/ Leon Dormido
Flight to the Galapagos Island San Christobal from which you will start your cruise after a short transfer to the harbor. Afterwards you will visit Isla Lobos (Sea Lion Islet). This small islet, located only an hour by boat from Pto. Baquerizo Moreno is separated from the main Island by a narrow stretch of calm water. Upon its rocky shores blue-footed boobies nest and sea lions of the local colony rest when they are not hunting or playing on the surrounding sea. During a short hike (ca. 1 hour) you get to know the typical Galapagos flora.

02 Tuesday: Española - Gardner Bay - Punta Suarez
Española is the southernmost island of the archipelago, and being so isolated, a high percentage of its fauna is endemic. Gardner Bay is on the eastern shore and has a magnificent beach. This beach is frequented by a transient colony of sea lions, and is a major nesting site for marine turtles. Around the small islets nearby, snorkelers will find a great variety of fish; sometimes turtles and sharks. On a trail leading to the western tip of the island you'll pass the only nesting sites in the Galapagos of the waved albatross, huge birds with a 6-foot wingspan. These huge birds nest here from April to December representing the majority of the world's population of this species. Punta Suarez is one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago, with a long list of species found along its cliffs and sand or pebble beaches. In addition to five species of nesting seabirds there are the curious and bold Hood Island mockingbirds, Galapagos doves and Galapagos hawks. Several types of reptiles, including the brilliantly coloured marine iguana and the oversized lava lizard, are unique to this island. When heavy swells are running, Punta Suarez is also the site of a spectacular blowhole, with a thundering ocean spray shooting 30 yards into the air.

03 Wednesday: Floreana Island-Post Office Bay - Punta Cormorant
Floreana Island is perceived as one of the most exotic Islands of the archipelago. At Punta Cormorant you land on a green olivine sand beach. Following a 100 m long path you will soon reach a lagoon with flamingos, white-checked pintail ducks and many more shorebirds. The trail goes on to a white beach of ground coral. This is the green sea turtle's nesting place. North of Punta Cormorant and eroded volcano, Devil´s Crown, is a snorkellers delight. To the west, Post Office Bay keeps the legendary post barrel that whalers used to send post their mail in.

04 Thursday: Santa Cruz/Estacion Charles Darwin - Highlands
Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the Galapagos. The small town of Puerto Ayora is the economic centre of the archipelago, with the largest population of the 4 inhabited islands (approx 10.000). Santa Cruz is also the only island where six different zones of vegetation can be seen: Coastal, Arid, Transition, Scalesia, Miconia, and Pampa Zones. The Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park offices are based here. We will have an opportunity to visit some of the best scientists of their kind. Scientists, park rangers and park managers among others, who make huge efforts to preserve this Unesco World Heritage Site, conduct the conservation of the islands. The station is also a tortoise breeding and rearing centre, where tortoises of different subspecies are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. The most popular inhabitant of this island is probably Lonesome George. He is the only survivor of this specific turtle species. The lush landscape of the Santa Cruz highlands is a welcome contrast to the arid scenery of the smaller, lower islands. Points of interest are the famed lava tunnels, a fun and geologically informative visit. The trip to the highlands ends with a visit to the Twin Craters. The vegetation around these is very special and is renowned for its about 300 fern species and the many sunflowers.

Eco Catamaran Archipel I & II - 8 Day Cruise

05 Friday: Isabela Island - Punta Morena - Elisabeth Bay
The Island Isabela is very big; its surface almost covers half of the land mass of the Galapagos archipelago. Found on this island is Punta Morena, a young volcanic landscape with numerous fresh-water pools at which Flamingos, Bahama Ducks and other birds unite.
About 40 kms of Punta Morena you will find the mangrove area of Elisabeth Bay with little islands off-shore. Here you can see little dwarf penguins as well as schools of manta rays, turtles and other giants of the ocean such as whale-sharks and others.

06 Saturday: Isabela Island - Urbina Bay / Fernandina Island - Punta Espinoza
Today we start with a visit to Urbina Bay, a coastline that has been 4 metres uplifted by an volcanic eruption. It is a spectacular place to view coral reefs from land. The flightless cormorant, oversized iguanas and the rare mangrove finch can be observed close by. The Island Fernandina, which is the most western island of the Galapagos, is a very interesting point to visit. The main attractions of this island are its Lava-Cactuses and mangroves that grow on them.

07 Sunday: Bartolomé Island - Puerto Egas / Seymour North
Early, before breakfast, disembark at Bartolomé 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. Return to the boat for breakfast followed by a panga ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock, time to enjoy the beach (wet landing) and snorkelling. Chance to snorkel next to Galapagos Penguins.
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 as well as sea lions and marine iguanas. A shorter walk is also available.

08 Monday: San Cristobal Island - Fight Quito or Guayaquil
Morning arrival to San Cristobal Island. After breakfast we prepare to disembark but before we leave this wonderfull world, we visit the Interpretation Centre at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the continent.

Eco Catamaran Archipel I & II - 8 Day Cruise

Prices per person for 2008:
8 Day USD 2.750.- Per person
5 Day USD 1.750.- Per person
4 Day USD 1.400.- Per person

Charter 8 Day Cruise Price USD 40.000.-
Charter 5 Day Cruise Price USD 23.750.-

Included in the price:
Accommodation as booked, all meals on board, English-speaking guide, snorkel equipment.

Not included in the price:
International flight airport tax (USD 41.- per person), flights mainland to/from Galápagos USD 410.-, entrance fee to Galapagos National Park USD 100.-, alcoholic beverages, single room supplement, tips, personal expenses, travel insurance.

Important:
The operator has the right to change the itinerary without prior notice, in case this is necessary based on the weather conditions, regulations of the National Park or other circumstances beyond the operators control. One of the owners of the boat will always be present while doing a tour.