Luxurious Southern Galapagos

Luxurious Southern Galapagos
Route A
Year Round 2020 -2021

Overview:

Expedition Easy invites you to experience the Galapagos like never before! A cruise to the Enchanted Isles is a once in a lifetime, wildlife mecca for adventure travelers. Highlights on this southern Galapagos “A” route with the M/V Origin & M/V Theory include:

• Viewing all 3 Nazca, blue and red footed boobies
• Snorkeling, kayaking and swimming with sea lions
• Observing small marine and large land iguanas
• Distinguishing great and magnificent frigatebirds
• Lumbering giant tortoises in the highlands
• Experiencing the antics of the waived albatross
• Snorkeling opportunities with Galapagos penguins
• Seeing the Galapagos’ iconic Pinnacle Rock

Choose either our Comprehensive Package which includes pre- and post-cruise transfers and hotel nights in Guayaquil or simply Cruise Only in the Galapagos. Either way, you will be onboard a vessel that was custom-designed to minimize environmental impact yet raise the bar for comfort and amenities – resulting in sustainable cruising AND superior luxury in one of the planet’s most magical places.

You can also increase your coverage of the islands by combining this southern Galapagos “A” route with the northern Galapagos “B” route on the Origin or Theory and save 5% on both routes! Please see our Luxurious Northern Galapagos program for details regarding its itinerary.

Brief Itinerary:
Day 1 (Saturday): Arrive Guayaquil Airport (GYE), Transfer to Hotel & Overnight Hotel Oro Verde
Day 2 (Sunday):Transfer to Guayaquil Airport (GYE) & Fly to San Cristobal Island (SCY)
Transfer to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno & Embark the Origin or Theory
Bus & Hike to Cerro Tijeretas, San Cristobal Island
Day 3 (Monday):Snorkel/Zodiac at Punta Pitt, San Cristobal Island
Snorkel/Kayak/Zodiac at Cerro Brujo, San Cristobal Island
Day 4 (Tuesday):Hike at Punta Suarez, Espanola Island
Snorkel/Kayak/Zodiac at Gardner Bay, Espanola Island
Day 5 (Wednesday):Zodiac at Punta Cormorant & Snorkel at Champion Islet, Floreana Island
Snorkel at Post Office Bay & Zodiac at Baroness Point at Floreana Island
Day 6 (Thursday):Bus & Hike in the Highlands of Santa Cruz Island
Visit Breeding Center at Charles Darwin Research Station, Santa Cruz Island
Day 7 (Friday):Snorkel/Zodiac at Bartolome, Santa Cruz Island
Hike/Snorkel at Sombrero Chino, Santiago
Day 8 (Saturday):Hike around South Plaza Island
Snorkel/Zodiac at North Seymour Island
Day 9 (Sunday):Disembark the Origin & Visit Interpretation Center on San Cristobal Island
Transfer to San Cristobal Airport (SCY) & Fly to Guayaquil (GYE)
Transfer from Airport to Hotel & Overnight Hotel Oro Verde
Day 10 (Monday):Transfer to Guayaquil Airport (GYE)

The Origin alternates two different full week 7-night itineraries as required by the Galapagos National Park in an effort to better reduce usage on heavily visited sites.

Interested in more information? Please contact Expedition Easy by telephone at 1-800-617-2319 or e-mail [email protected].

Luxurious Southern Galapagos
Route A
Year Round 2020 -2021

Day-By-Day Itinerary:

DAY 1 (SATURDAY): ARRIVE GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR
Fly to Guayaquil (GYE), the largest and most populous city in Ecuador. After clearing customs and immigration at the airport, a private transfer takes you to the Hotel Oro Verde. Check in to the hotel followed by your first overnight in Ecuador. All meals are on your own for this day.

DAY 2 (SUNDAY): GUAYAQUIL / SAN CRISTOBAL, GALAPAGOS
After breakfast and checking out of the hotel, a private transfer takes you back to the Guayaquil airport (GYE). Check in for your morning flight to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (SCY) on San Cristobal (aka Chatham) Island. Upon arrival at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, crew from the yacht is waiting at the airport to escort you by bus to the main dock and then by zodiac to your yacht anchored in the bay. After the welcome briefing and safety drill, a delicious buffet lunch is served.

Afterwards, travel by bus to Cerro Tijeretas or “Frigatebird Hill” situated on the edge of town. This is one of two sites where you can spot nesting colonies of both great and magnificent frigate birds. The trail leads to Punta Carola where there are beautiful vistas. Find lava lizards, medium ground finches and Chatham mockingbirds. Return to the yacht to join your fellow shipmates this evening for a briefing followed by the Captain’s welcome cocktail party and dinner prepared by culinary school-trained chefs

DAY 3 (MONDAY): CERRO BRUJO / PUNTA PITT, SAN CRISTOBAL
Enjoy your first shipboard breakfast before arriving at Cerro Brujo, a breathtaking white coral beach, considered one of the most spectacular in Galapagos and perfect for a peaceful walk with expansive views and good bird watching. You have an opportunity to kayak from the beach or swim with sea lions. A zodiac ride takes you through a cave called The Cathedral. During lunch, cruise toward the northeastern tip of San Cristobal to Punta Pitt, a tuff formation that serves as a nesting site for many sea birds including all three types of blue footed, Nazca and red-footed boobies, both frigate species, swallow-tailed gulls, storm petrels, shearwaters, brown pelicans and a colony of sea lions.

Punta Pitt is considered to be a first class site for birds and on par with Genovesa (aka Tower) Island. Here you can snorkel at Pitt Rock with sea lions and colorful fish such as the king angel and surgeon fish. Return to the yacht to cruise around Leon Dormido or “Kicker Rock”, a vertical tuff cone formation that rises abruptly almost 500 feet out of the ocean. On the cliffs, spot blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies and magnificent frigate birds. Return to the yacht for a briefing followed by dinner.

DAY 4 (TUESDAY): PUNTA SUAREZ / GARDNER BAY, ESPANOLA
After breakfast, disembark at Punta Suarez on Espanola (aka Hood) Island, where you can witness the highest rate of endemic species in the Galapagos. Sea lions noisily greet you while landing on their beach. Curious Hood mockingbirds peck at your shoelaces. From April to December, the waved albatross, found only on Espanola, perform their wild mating ritual. Colonies of blue-footed boobies engage in “sky-pointing” to show off for potential mates. Nazca boobies busily care for their young. Stunning swallow-tailed gulls are the only nocturnal gulls in the world and fish at night. Red-billed tropicbirds take shelter under the cliffs. You also find Darwin’s finches, Galapagos doves and Galapagos hawks. Observe a unique specie of marine iguana identified with traces of red and green colorings. Colorful sally light-foot crabs crawl along the shoreline near to the famous “blow hole”.

After lunch onboard your yacht, make a wet landing on Gardner Bay at Espanola (aka Hood) Island and walk along a seemingly endless stretch of this white sandy beach where you’ll find large colonies of sea lions. There is no trail to follow so this is a chance to explore or take a long walk. You may find a Galapagos hawk, Darwin’s finches or Hood mockingbird. Swim with sea lions right from the beach, explore the bay and islets by kayak or just relax on the beach. There’s an excellent snorkeling site off Gardner Islet with a colorful diversity of sea life near Tortuga Rock. Explore caves by zodiac covered with invertebrates. Return to the yacht for a briefing followed by dinner.

DAY 5 (WEDNESDAY): PUNTA CORMORANT / POST OFFICE BAY, FLOREANA
Breakfast onboard is followed by stepping ashore at Punta Cormorant on Floreana (Charles) Island, where the olive-sand beach is alive with the sounds of sea lions, lava herons, yellow-crowned night herons, blue-footed boobies, and penguins. Follow a trail to a brackish lagoon, home to Bahama ducks, common stilts, Galapagos flycatchers, yellow warblers and the greater flamingos. Wind your way past a rich variety of plants including the morning glory, cut-leaf daisies, mangroves (black, red and white), palo verde and scalesia. The trail leads to a beach where sea turtles lay their eggs in the powdery sand dunes and sting rays swim in the shallow water. After the walk, there is an opportunity to snorkel at Devil’s Crown, a shallow sunken crater colonized by a brilliant array of colorful fish and coral, white-tipped sharks, sea turtles, spotted eagle rays and sea stars. Lunch is served back on board the Origin on the sundeck, weather permitting.

Floreana is one of the few populated islands in Galapagos with a rich and intriguing human history. After lunch, visit one of the most famous sites in Galapagos, Post Office Bay, where a post barrel was erected in the late 18th Century for use by English whaling vessels. Visitors are invited to leave a post card and to pick up any mail destined for their home area. There is an opportunity to swim from the beach with sea lions. Late afternoon, take a Zodiac ride near Baroness Point to look for sea turtles and rays. Return to the yacht for a briefing followed by dinner.

DAY 6 (THURSDAY): PUERTO AYORA & HIGHLANDS, SANTA CRUZ
After breakfast, disembark at Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, the social hear of the Galapagos, with a population of 24,000. Travel by bus to the highlands, passing through all seven vegetation zones found in Galapagos. Visit a tortoise reserve, a private farm that protects giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Stop at the largest lava tubes in the archipelago, and visit Los Gemelos, (The Twins), a pair of large craters. Return to the yacht for lunch on board.

This afternoon is at the Centro de Crianza Fausto Llerena (formerly the Charles Darwin Research Station). Visit the tortoise corals and the breeding center with hatchlings and miniature tortoises that will be repatriated when grown. Scientists from all over the globe conduct biological research at the station from anatomy to zoology. Visit the new exhibit honoring Lonesome George, a worldwide icon of conservation as the last surviving tortoise from Pinta Island that tragically died of natural causes. Stroll through town to shop for souvenirs or stop at an internet café. Return to the yacht for dinner or, if you wish, remain ashore for dinner on your own. Zodiac shuttles to the dock will be offered throughout the evening.

DAY 7 (FRIDAY): SOMBRERO CHINO, SANTIAGO / BARTOLOME
This morning’s breakfast is followed by going ashore at Sombrero Chino (Chinese Hat), a small island off the southern tip of Santiago that owes its name to its shape. After landing on a beach with colonies of sea lions, follow the trail to a primeval landscape of volcanic rubble including cracked lava formations and tubes. Marine iguanas and pairs of oystercatchers are commonly seen. Snorkel at a site frequented by large numbers of Galapagos penguins.
After lunch, disembark at Bartolome, a young island inhospitable to most plants and animals. Climb the long wooden staircase to the summit of a dormant volcano, pausing along the way to marvel at lava bombs, spatter cones and cinder cones. It seems as if you are walking on the moon! The panoramic view from the top encompasses the entire island, including the distinctive eroded tuff cone known as Pinnacle Rock. The crystal clear water below beckons for snorkeling with schools of tropical fish, white-tipped reef sharks and Galapagos Penguins. Take a Zodiac ride along the rocky shoreline. Return to the yacht for the evening briefing and dinner.

DAY 8 (SATURDAY): SOUTH PLAZA / NORTH SEYMOUR
Breakfast onboard and then today’s visit is at South Plaza, a small geological uplift with tall cliffs where swallow-failed gulls, shearwaters, and red-billed tropicbirds build their bests. The trail leads us through Opuntia (prickly pear) and Sesuvium, and land iguanas are seen here feeding on cactus leaves. The island is also home to a colony of bachelor sea lions, with dominant bulls in various stages of recovery from battles over prime beach territory. Return to the Origin and snorkel between North and South Seymour in deeper water.
After lunch, go ashore at North Seymour, a small geological uplift to observe swallow-tailed gulls, blue-footed boobies and endemic land iguanas. Visit the largest colony of magnificent frigatebirds in the Galapagos, and watch for marine iguanas and sea lions body surfing the northern swells. Return to the yacht for the Captain’s farewell cocktail party and dinner, followed by a slide show presentation.

DAY 9 (SUNDAY): SAN CRISTOBAL / GUAYAQUIL
After breakfast, disembark the yatht and travel by bus to the San Cristobal Interpretation Center to learn more about the natural and human history of the Islands. Afterwards, spend time in port before heading to the Puerto Baquerizo Moreno airport (SCY) to check in for your flight back to Guayaquil (GYE). A private transfer from the airport returns you to the Hotel Oro Verde. Check in to the hotel followed by your final overnight in Ecuador. Lunch and dinner are on your own for this day.

DAY 10 (MONDAY): DEPART GUAYAQUIL
Check out of the hotel after breakfast and then a private transfer takes you back to the Guayaquil airport (GYE). Check in for your flight out of Ecuador.

*Please note: This itinerary is subject to change. Expedition highlights and wildlife listed here are possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed. Your Expedition Leader and Captain will work together to ensure opportunities for adventure and exploration are the best possible, taking into account the weather, wildlife activity and overall conditions.

ECO-SD2021

Luxurious Southern Galapagos
Route A
Year Round 2020 -2021

About the Ship

M/V Origin & M/V Theory

Custom-designed for sustainability and comfort, these yachts are the ultimate Galapagos cruise vessels, offering luxurious amenities while minimizing environmental impacts. Every element of this 20-passenger luxury yacht has been specially designed for comfort, safety and sustainability. The 10 staterooms are roomy and inviting, with large windows, private bathrooms, and plenty of storage space. An elegant dining room features marble table tops, with configurations from two to 10 guests for private or group dining. Lunch is generally served al fresco on a spacious sundeck, which is equipped with day beds, chaises lounges, tables, hammocks, a four-person Jacuzzi, outdoor shower and a wet bar. An intimate indoor bar is always open for hand-crafted cocktails, wine, beer, sodas, juices, coffee, and tea. Interior social areas include a comfortable lounge for evening gatherings and general relaxation, and a cozy library stocked with books on the Galapagos and Darwin. A public computer is provided for guest use. These yachts also have a boutique offering high-quality local handicrafts, sundries, and gift items, as well as a fitness center equipped with a treadmill, elliptical, free weights, yoga mats, and more. The experienced 14-member Ecuadorian crew includes a high-level captain, a full-time concierge, and two expert naturalist guides – one for every 10 guests, the lowest ratio in the Galapagos.

Technical Specifications
Type: Luxury class motor yacht
Year Built: 2016 specifically for Galapagos cruising
Capacity: 20 exclusive guests in ten double/twin cabins
Crew: 14 including Captain and two naturalist guides
Cruising Speed: 12 knots
Length: 142 feet / 43.5 meters
Beam: 27.5 feet / 8.5 meters
Certification: Passenger Ship Safety & Management Certificates (SOLAS)
Registry: Ecuador

Luxurious Southern Galapagos
Route A
Year Round 2020-2021

Rates:

COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE SATURDAY/MONDAY FOR 10 DAYS/9 NIGHTS PER PERSON:
These rates include 4 private transfers and 2 hotel overnights in Guayaquil as indicated in Itinerary.

2020 Rates
– Beagle Deck Cabin: $8390 in Double / $8190 in Triple / $15,015 in Single*

CRUISE ONLY SUNDAY/SUNDAY FOR 8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS PER PERSON:
These rates do NOT include private transfers or hotel overnights in Guayaquil as indicated in Itinerary.

2020 Rates
– Beagle Deck Cabin: $8050 in Double / $7850 in Triple / $14,500 in Single*

2021 Rates
– Beagle Deck Cabin: $8450 in Double / $8250 in Triple / $15,250 in Single*

*Single cabins are limited. Solo travelers are confirmed at the single rate. Those willing to share are not confirmed the double occupancy rate until matched with another solo traveler willing to share.

COMBO SAVINGS:
– Combine this southern “A” itinerary with a northern “B” itinerary and receive a 5% savings on both consecutive back-to-back itineraries! Please see our Luxurious Northern Galapagos program for itinerary details.
Available on select seasonal departures only.

GALAPAGOS PARK ENTRANCE FEE & TRANSIT CONTROL CARD PER PERSON:
The following government required taxes and fees are NOT included in any of the comprehensive package or cruise only rates above. Expedition Easy will add these to your invoice so that they will be prepaid for you upon arrival.
– Galapagos Entrance Fee: $100 for adults and $50 for children age 11 and younger
– Transit Control Card: $20 for each visitor to the Galapagos
The above costs are subject to change at any time until day of departure.
All rates are approximate until time of booking. Rates are quoted in USD and subject to change without prior notice due to circumstances beyond our control (ie fuel increases, currency fluctuations, etc).

Flights

International flights in and out of Guayaquil (GYE) are required and not included. Expedition Easy can book these flights for you upon request.
Domestic scheduled flights between Guayaquil (GYE) on mainland Ecuador and San Cristobal (SCY) in the Galapagos are also required and not included. Expedition Easy will book these flights for you and add them to your invoice as follows.

GUAYAQUIL (GYE)/SAN CRISTOBAL (SCY)/GUAYAQUIL (GYE) FLIGHTS PER PERSON:
January 1 to June 30 & September 1 to December 31 (Low Season)
– $443 for adults and $275 for children age 11 and younger

July 1 to August 31 (High Season)
– $488 for adults and $298 for children age 11 and younger

Above airfares include all airport taxes and airfare fuel surcharges. Airfares are subject to change at any time up until the day of departure and even after tickets have been paid in full.

Included:

Comprehensive Package:
– 4 Private airport transfers to/from hotel in Guayaquil
– 2 Overnights with breakfasts at Hotel Oro Verde in Guayaquil
– 2 Group airport transfers to/from yacht in the Galapagos
– 7 Overnight cruise accommodations in the Galapagos
– All meals, snacks, bottled water & non-alcoholic beverages during cruise
– Captain’s welcome and farewell cocktails during cruise
– Complimentary house wine and local beer served at dinners during cruise
– Guided shore excursions in the Galapagos
– Wet suits, snorkel equipment, sea kayaks and stand up paddle boards in the Galapagos

Cruise Only:
– 2 Group airport transfers to/from yacht in the Galapagos
– 7 Overnight cruise accommodations in the Galapagos
– All meals, snacks, bottled water & non-alcoholic beverages during cruise
– Captain’s welcome and farewell cocktails during cruise
– Complimentary house wine and local beer served at dinners during cruise
– Guided shore excursions in the Galapagos
– Wet suits, snorkel equipment, sea kayaks and stand up paddle boards in the Galapagos

Not Included:

Comprehensive Package:
– International, Regional & Domestic air (see Guayaquil/Galapagos/Guayaquil Flights under Rates)
– Galapagos National Park entrance fee (see Galapagos Park entrance fee under Rates)
– Transit control card (see Transit Control Card under Rates)
– Alcoholic beverages
– All gratuities and tipping
– All destination arrival and departure taxes
– Travel and health insurance
– Passport and visa fees
– Travel medications and vaccinations
– Personal items and services such as souvenirs, drinks, laundry, phone calls, etc
– All other items not indicated as included or in the itinerary

Cruise Only:
– Airport transfers to/from hotel in Guayaquil as indicated in Itinerary
– Hotel overnights with breakfasts in Guayaquil as indicated in Itinerary
– International, Regional & Domestic air (see Guayaquil/Galapagos/Guayaquil Flights under Rates)
– Galapagos National Park entrance fee (see Galapagos Park entrance fee under Rates)
– Transit control card (see Transit Control Card under Rates)
– Alcoholic beverages
– All gratuities and tipping
– All destination arrival and departure taxes
– Travel and health insurance
– Passport and visa fees
– Travel medications and vaccinations
– Personal items and services such as souvenirs, drinks, laundry, phone calls, etc
– All other items not indicated as included or in the itinerary

Deposit & Payments

This itinerary is subject to the availability of all services at the time of making a reservation. No space is being held at this time. Please contact Expedition Easy for the full terms and conditions that apply. We are happy to answer questions and discuss your trip.

Reservations

To reserve space on a trip on the Expedition Easy website, please contact Expedition Easy by telephone at 1-800-617-2319 or e-mail [email protected].