Galapagos First Class Yachts

Galapagos Motor Catamaran Athala - 8 Day Cruise

General Description:
M/C Athala will go further, visit more islands in the Galapagos and cruise faster than any other boat of it's size. With an unparalelled stability you are guaranteed a calm and relaxing cruise.

Motor Catamaran Athala Facilities and Accommodation:
16 passengers accommodated in 8 nice double cabins (6 on the main deck and 2 on the upper deck) with outside views,air-condition (A/C), private bathroom, hot water, locker and closet, Jacuzzi, comfortable dining room, bar and lounge; library, TV, DVD, stereo , first aid, ice maker, water purifier, observation deck/sundeck with chairs to sleep or relax. sleep or relax in.

Motor Catamaran Athala Characteristics
Category:	First Class
Type:	Motor Catamaran
Year:	2006
Length :	90/ 27,60 m
Beam:	36.08 feet / 11 m
Draft:	4.75 feet / 1.45 m
Gross Tonnage:	260 tons
Capacity:	16 passengers
Authorization navigation :	16 passengers
Main Engines:	2 John Deere IMO 300hp
Electric System :	2 50 kw generators (IMO)
Speed :	12 knots
Water Capacity :	3000 gallons plus water maker with capacity of 1000 gl. / day
Diesel Capacity :	2000 gallons
Equipment :	Snorkel y sea kayaks
Material Construction :	Glass fiber
Interiors :	Wooden flooring
Exterior:	Teakwood flooring
Crew:	9 + 1 naturalist bilingual guide III

Galapagos Motor Catamaran Athala - 8 Day Cruise

Itinerary:
Thursday: San Cristobal – Isla Lobos
The flight from Quito (via Guayaquil) to the Galapagos is approximately 2 ½ hours on a Boeing 727. Upon arrival at San Cristobal travellers pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands and to pay the park entrance fee of $100 (unless prepaid). Guides will meet you, collect your luggage and escort you on the short bus ride to the harbour. There our crew will welcome you onboard. After departure and lunch, the first island visit is made. Later we visit the small island Lobos, which is situated outside San Cristobal. There you encounter a lot of sea lion colonies and numerous blue-footed boobies. -/L/D

Friday: 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 lots of fish and 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 and represent 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 thundering spray shooting 30 yards into the air. B/L/D

Saturday: Floreana – Punta Cormorant – Post Office Bay
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 flamingoes, white-checked pintail ducks and other shorebirds. The trail goes on to a white beach made of grinned coral, so it looks like flour. This is the green sea turtle’s nesting place. To the west, Post Office Bay keeps the legendary post barrel that whalers used to send their mail. B/L/D

Sunday: Santa Cruz/Charles Darwin Station – Highlands - Bachas
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 will probably be Lonesome George. He is the only survivor of the specific turtle species.

Galapagos Motor Catamaran Athala - 8 Day Cruise

The lush greenery of the Santa Cruz highlands is a welcome contrast with 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 renown for its about 300 fern species and the many sunflowers. The deserted, picturesque beach Las Bachas at the northern shore of Santa Cruz invites you for a swim in the crystal-clear water or to relax in the sun. Afterwards you will be visiting the bay Caleta Tortuga Negra which is close by. This bay is surrounded by mangroves where you can spot pelicans and herons. While snorkelling you can have a swim with the turtles, white-tip sharks and rays. B/L/D

Monday: Bartolomé - Rabida
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 Catamaran for breakfast. Panga ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock, time to enjoy the beach (wet landing) and snorkelling. Chance to snorkel next to Galapagos Penguins. Today you’ll do a trip to the beach of the small volcanic island Rabida. A small path leads to a small lagoon very popular with flamingos. On the way there you pass many pelicans nesting. The beach is also considered as one of the most beautiful snorkel places in Galápagos and also frequently visited by many sea lions due to its fish wealth. B/L/D

Tuesday: Fernandina / Punta Espinosa - Isabela / Tagus Cove
Fernandina is the youngest and most active volcano in the Galapagos with eruptions taking place every few years. The flat lava of Punta Espinosa offers a stark and barren landscape, but here flightless cormorants build their nests on the point, sea lions sprawl on the beach or play in the tide pools and marine iguanas dot the sand.
On the towering cliffs of Tagus Cove, 19th and early 20th century ships’ graffiti can be seen. After hiking beyond Darwin Lake, a saltwater lagoon above sea level, you will be rewarded with extraordinary views of Darwin and Wolf volcanoes. B/L/D

Wednesday : Plazas South - Santa Fe
Located on the east of Santa Cruz, the main characteristics on the small island South Plaza are the Opuntia cacti and the carpets of red sesuvium, a succulent plant that turns green in the rainy season. The cactus is the main food of land iguanas, which are usually found resting at the cactu's shade. The island contains one of the largest sea lion colony of Galapagos, swallow-tailed gulls and red-billed tropicbirds nesting, and boobies roosting on the south cliff of the island.

Santa Fe has one of the most beautiful coves of all the visitor sites in the archipelago. A turquoise lagoon with two small white sand beaches are protected by a peninsula where sea lions rest. A trail runs along side the coast and then crosses through an Opuntia Forest. These prickly pear cacti are the largest ones in Galapagos. The Santa Fe species of land iguanas are larger and of a paler yellow than on the other islands. After the hike you can swim or snorkel in the bay in company of sea lions. B/L/D

Galapagos Motor Catamaran Athala - 8 Day Cruise

Thursday: San Cristobal / Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido) – flight
At Puerto Baquerizo, the second largest port of the Galapagos Islands, we will visit the information center which provides the visitor with an excellent overview regarding the Galapagos’ history and nature.
After lunch you will have your transfer from the harbor Baquerizo Moreno to the airport and your flight back to Guayaquil or Quito. B/-/-

B: Breakfast / L: Lunch / D: Dinner

Prices 2008:
Price 8 Day Cruises USD 3.501.- Per Person
Price 5 Day Cruises USD 2.120.- Per Person
Price 4 Day Cruises USD 1.748.- Per Person
Charter 8 Day Cruise Price USD 52.010.-
Charter 5 Day Cruise Price USD 31.822.-

Included in the price:
All transfers, 8-day cruise on board of the Motor Catamaran Athala in double accommodation with all facilities, all meals during the cruise, multilingual naturalist guide, purified water free to drink, coffee or tea.

Not included:
Flights mainland to/from Galápagos USD 410.-, entrance fee to Galapagos National Park USD 100.- Beverages tips, personal items, transfers and meals in Quito, International flight airport tax (USD 41.- per person).