January May 2019 CELEBRITY XPLORATION SM ITINERARIES

Transcription

1 January May 2019 CELEBRITY XPLORATION SM ITINERARIES

2 NORTHERN LOOP ITINERARY Day Ports of call Arrival Departure Saturday Baltra, Island 3:00pm Saturday Mosquera Islet 4:30am 6:00pm Sunday Sullivan Bay, Santiago 7:30am 10:30am Sunday Bartolomé Island 2:00pm 4:30pm Monday Urvina Bay, Isabela 8:00am 11:00am Monday Tagus Cove, Isabela 3:00pm 5:00pm Tuesday Espinoza Point, Fernandina 7:30am 11:30am Tuesday Vicente Roca Point, Isabela 3:30pm 6:00pm Wednesday Egas Port, Santiago 7:30am 11:00am Wednesday Espumilla Beach, Santiago 3:00pm 6:00pm Thursday Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz 8:00am 6:00pm Friday El Barranco, Genovesa 7:30am 11:45am Friday Darwin Bay, Genovesa 2:30pm 6:00pm Saturday North Seymour Island 6:00am 7:00am Saturday Baltra Island 8:00am Equator Vicente Roca Point Espumilla Beach Tagus Cove Sullivan Bay Espinoza Point Bartolomé Urvina Bay Island Puerto Egas PACIFIC OCEAN Darwin Bay Puerto Ayora El Barranco North Seymour Island Mosquera Island Baltra Island DAY 1 SATURDAY PM - Baltra Island - Embarkation During World War II, Baltra served as a U.S. military base protecting the Panama Canal from enemy attack. Now the cactus-strewn landscapes of Baltra are home to the region s main airport and where you will meet the ship. From the airport, it is just a short bus and Zodiac ride to the ship. DAY 1 SATURDAY PM - Mosquera Islet - This small, flat, sandy islet sits in the channel between Baltra and North Seymour. It is almost devoid of vegetation, but has one of the largest populations of sea lions in the islands. Its sandy expanse offers visitors the perfect opportunity to observe sea lion behavior. It is also a beautiful site to observe lava gulls, coastal birds, and Sally lightfoot crabs. Keep your eyes peeled for occasional sightings of dolphins and orcas. Excursion options: Walk. DAY 2 SUNDAY AM - Sullivan Bay, Santiago Island - During a volcanic eruption in the early 1900 s, this area of Santiago was covered with flowing lava. Today, the hardened fields of black rock create a geologic wonderland. We will take advantage of the cool of the early morning for a walk to view strange twisting hardened lava flows, collapse craters, and everyone s favorite the hornitos or lava ovens. Tall red scoria cones and pioneer plants also dot this unusual and very young landscape. Excursion options: Walk. DAY 2 SUNDAY PM - Bartolomé Island - Bartolomé Island hosts one of the region s most often photographed views, and a spectacular geologic setting. Its barren moon-like volcanic landscapes, spatter cones, and pinnacle rock make for a unique stop. It is also home to the endemic Galapagos penguin and provides an excellent opportunity for snorkeling. Excursion options include a hike up some 368 stairs To the Top of the volcano, a Zodiac ride, and an optional beach swim or snorkel. Excursion options: Hike, swim, beach and snorkel. DAY 3 MONDAY AM - Urvina Bay, Isabela Island - Composed of five coalesced volcanoes, Isabela is the largest island in the Galapagos and the most recently active, the latest eruption having occurred in Here we will see large land iguanas, finches, and if lucky, a giant tortoise or two. In 1954, the intrusion of magma below one of the island s volcanoes caused part of the bay to be uplifted some 6 meters, and today we can walk through the remains of what was once a thriving underwater reef. Excursion options: Walk, hike, snorkel, swim. DAY 3 MONDAY PM - Tagus Cove, Isabela Island - Historically an anchorage for pirates and whalers, this site offers a breathtaking view of Isabela, its volcanoes, and spectacular Darwin Lake. Along the shore, seabirds, penguins, sea lions, sea turtles, and nesting flightless cormorants can often be found. Excursion options: Zodiac, walk, snorkeling and kayak. DAY 4 TUESDAY AM - Espinoza Point, Fernandina Island - Fernandina is the youngest island in the Galapagos and, as Darwin wrote, it is covered with immense deluges of black naked lava. Along with its extraordinary black lava rocks, this point of land hosts the largest colony of marine iguanas in the Archipelago, along with sea lions and a nesting site for flightless cormorants. Excursion options: Walk, deep-water snorkel, hike.

3 NORTHERN LOOP ITINERARY DAY 4 TUESDAY PM - Vicente Roca Point, Isabela Island - The half-collapsed remains of an ancient volcano make for a spectacular setting at this site. Awe-inspiring cliffs, blue waters, and wildlife create a Zodiac ride to remember as we search for sea turtles, penguins, fur seals, the flightless cormorant, marine iguanas, marine mammals, and the oddly shaped form of the elusive sunfish. Excursion options: zodiac, deep water snorkel. DAY 5 WEDNESDAY AM - Egas Port, Santiago Island - With its black sand beach, coastal tide pools, and blue-water grottos, this stop offers a wonderful taste of the Galapagos and the opportunity to see shore birds, Galapagos Hawks, sea lions, marine iguanas, and Galapagos fur seals. Sea lions, colorful tropical fish, and sea turtles are often seen while snorkeling (conditions permitting). Excursion options: walk, swimming, snorkel. DAY 5 WEDNESDAY PM - Espumilla Beach, Santiago Island - Located on the northern coast of Santiago Island in James Bay, this beach is a sea turtle nesting site. The favored attractions here are the Palo Santo forest, beach, and the lovely landscape. The trail passes a small seasonal lagoon where flamingos and white-cheeked pintail ducks are sometimes seen. Continuing on, the trail loops through the arid zone, where some of the tallest Palo Santo trees of the entire archipelago are found. Also, look out for the Galapagos Hawk as well as Darwin s finches. Excursion options: Walk Buccaneer Cove, Santiago Island - Buccaneer Cove is a testament to the fact that Santiago Island was once a refuge for British buccaneers. These pirates would anchor in the protected bay to make repairs and stock up on tortoise meat among other things. The steep cliffs, where hundreds of seabirds perch in front of the dark red sand beach, are a magnificent site. Excursion options: Kayak, snorkel, zodiac. DAY 6 THURSDAY AM/PM - Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island - This is the main population center of the islands, and home to the National Park Service tortoise-breeding center and the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here you will have the opportunity to visit the tortoise-breeding center and walk through the Charles Darwin Research Station. In addition, you can also take a bus ride to the highlands to observe giant tortoises in the wild and walk through a lava tunnel. Optional time for shopping will be available. Excursion options: Tortoise-breeding Center/Charles Darwin Center, Highlands. DAY 7 FRIDAY AM - El Barranco, Genovesa Island - El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip s Steps, named for Prince Philip who visited Galapagos in 1965 and again in 1981, is a steep stairway that leads up through a seabird colony full of Nazca and Red-footed Boobies. Once visitors reach the plateau, the trail continues inland and passes more nesting booby colonies in the thin Palo Santo forest. You will see Nazca boobies, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds, and storm petrels. Lucky visitors with keen eyes may catch a glimpse of a shorteared lava owl stalking petrel along the island s eastern cliffs. Excursion options: Hike, zodiac, deep water snorkel. DAY 7 FRIDAY PM - Darwin Bay, Genovesa Island - Darwin Bay s soft white sand is only the beginning of a spectacular excursion. A trail from the beach takes you into lush mangroves where red-footed boobies nest. Other local wildlife includes sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, frigate birds and more. Snorkeling is a must here, as the nutrient-rich water attracts all types of marine life, including sharks, sea lions, sea turtles, and the occasional manta ray. Excursion options: Walk, swim, snorkel and kayak. DAY 8 SATURDAY AM - North Seymour Island - North Seymour is a small island just north of Baltra. It is home to the largest colony of frigate birds in the Galapagos. While keeping an eye out for male frigates trying to impress potential mates with an inflated red neck pouch, you may see blue-footed boobies dancing in a timeless courtship ritual. Sea lions and large land iguanas also roam about this rocky terrain. Excursion options: Walk. DAY 8 SATURDAY AM - Baltra Island - Disembarkation - Baltra is home to the region s main airport and where you will fly out. Zodiac and bus ride to the airport.

4 SOUTHERN LOOP ITINERARY Day Ports of call Arrival Departure Saturday Baltra, Island 2:00pm Saturday Chinese Hat Islet 4:00pm 6:00pm Sunday Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz 7:00am 11:30am Sunday Rabida Island 2:30pm 6:00pm Monday Puerto Villamil, Isabela 7:30am 11:45pm Monday Wall of Tears, Isabela 2:00pm 6:00pm Tuesday Post Office Bay, Floreana 8:00am 11:30am Tuesday Wednesday Cormorant Point/ Champion Bay, Floreana Warlock Hill (Cerro Brujo), San Cristobal 3:00pm 8:00am 6:00pm 11:00am Wednesday Kicker Rock 11:45am 12:15pm Wednesday Los Lobos, San Cristobal 3:00pm 5:30pm Thursday Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz 8:00am 6:00pm Friday Suarez Point, Española 8:00am 11:00am Friday Gardner Bay, Española 2:30pm 6:00pm Saturday Daphne Island 6:00am 7:00am Saturday Baltra Island 8:00am AN Daphne Island Chinese Hat Islet Rabida Island Puerto Ayora Puerto Villamil Wall of Tears Post Office Bay Equator Dragon Hill Cormorant Point Baltra Island Cerro Brujo Kicker Rock Los Lobos Gardner Bay Suarez Point DAY 1 SATURDAY PM - Baltra Island - Embarkation - During World War II, Baltra served as a U.S. military base protecting the Panama Canal from enemy attack. Now the cactus-strewn landscapes of Baltra are home to the region s main airport and where you will meet the ship. From the airport, it is just a short bus and Zodiac ride to the ship. DAY 1 SATURDAY PM - Chinese Hat Islet - This small volcanic islet near the southeastern coast of Santiago Island is shaped amazingly like a Chinese Hat, which in Spanish means Sombrero Chino. It is formed of hardened lava and spatter cones, which make for excellent scenic photos. Several species of Darwin s finches are found on the island and along the coast you will find the very colorful Sally light-foot crabs and sea lions. Excursion options: Walk and zodiac. DAY 2 SUNDAY AM - Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz Island - Dragon Hill, or Cerro Dragon, is named after its population of land iguanas. The site offers a beautiful view of the landscape and two small brackish lagoons where flamingos and other shore birds occasionally feed. Along the trail, we ll cross a beautiful white forest of Palo Santo (incense) trees and Galapagos cotton plants. Excursion options: Walk and swim. DAY 2 SUNDAY PM - Rabida Island - A small island south of Santiago, Rabida is best known for its amazingly red sand and eroded volcanic landscape. A nesting colony of pelicans makes its home here, along with sea lions, finches, mockingbirds, Galapagos Hawks, and some seabirds. With good conditions, the snorkeling can be excellent. Excursion options: Zodiac, walk, swim, kayak, and snorkel. DAY 3 MONDAY AM - Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island - Welcome to the small, laid-back island town of Puerto Villamil. An interpretive trail, approximately 1.5 km from town, takes you around secluded wetland lagoons to the Tortoise Center. The Center was created to protect baby tortoises from the threats of foreign species such as pigs and donkeys, as well as to educate visitors and locals about the importance of the Galapagos giant tortoise. Visitors can see both hatchling tortoises and the older breeding animals. The wetlands of Isabela Island are home to a variety of bird species such as common stilts, whimbrels, white-cheeked pintail ducks, gallinules, and flamingoes. Excursion options: Walk and swim. DAY 3 MONDAY PM - Wall of Tears, Isabela Island - The Wall is 15 to 20 feet (5-6m) high, 10 feet (3 m) wide, and approximately 300 feet (100 m) long. When jailed in a penal colony here between 1944 and 1959, prisoners were forced to build the wall, stone by stone, in isolation, only to be asked to tear it down again and start over. It is a lesson in history and a remnant of a cruel and intolerant time. Excursion options: Walk.

5 SOUTHERN LOOP ITINERARY DAY 4 TUESDAY AM - Post Office Bay, Floreana Island - Rich in history, this site is home to the post office barrel established in about 1793, where pirates, buccaneers, whalers and others could leave their mail to be picked up by outbound ships. The tradition continues today, as visitors leave addressed postcards in the barrel and sort through mail left behind to deliver at home. Baroness Outlook, Floreana Island - The Baroness Viewing Point is the ideal place to take in the unique scenery that defines Floreana, and to learn about the history of the island s early settlers. Once inhabited by an indulgent baroness and her three lovers, the history of this island is intriguing. During the Zodiac ride around La Loberia, you can observe several marine species such as golden eagle rays, sea turtles, sea lions, mullets and occasionally Galapagos penguins. Excursion options: zodiac, walk, swim, snorkel. DAY 4 TUESDAY PM - Cormorant Point, Floreana Island - Floreana was the first capital of the Galapagos, and where Charles Darwin met the islands Governor. Its small brackish lagoon is often home to flamingos, stilts, and white-cheeked pintail ducks, and one of its beaches is a popular nesting site for sea turtles. Check out the green-hued sand where you land! Excursion options: Walk and swim. Champion Bay, Floreana Island - Champion lies east of Floreana and provides a wonderful opportunity for snorkeling and a zodiac ride. When snorkeling, tropical fish abound with frequent sightings of sea turtles, rays, sharks, sea stars, and more. If we re lucky, the sea lions will be in a playful mood. During a zodiac ride along the rocky shoreline keep an eye out for seabirds such as boobies, pelicans, and frigate birds. Red-billed Tropicbirds nest in the crevices below the large prickly pear cacti and you may spy the very rare Charles Mockingbird. Excursion options: Snorkel, zodiac. DAY 5 WEDNESDAY AM - Warlock Hill (Cerro Brujo), San Cristobal Island - Located on the north coast of San Cristobal Island, Cerro Brujo is the eroded remains of a volcanic tuff cone. It is one of the first sites visited by Charles Darwin. Captain Fitzroy climbed to the top of the hill to scout out reefs. The favorite attraction here is the gorgeous white sand beach; a wonderful place to swim, snorkel or take a walk along the shoreline. Excursion options: Walk, swim, snorkel. Kicker Rock, San Cristobal Island - Kicker Rock or León Dormido, named for its characteristic shape like that of a boot or sleeping lion, is a dramatic sight with the remains of a volcanic tuff cone rising almost 148 m straight up out of the ocean. Erosion has split the rock into two parts, forming a narrow channel between. Circumnavigation provides the visitor with the best views of the rock. Blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, frigate birds, and sea lions line the shore. Excursion options: Circumnavigation. DAY 5 WEDNESDAY PM - Los Lobos, San Cristobal Island - Named after its large colony of sea lions, this island usually allows visitors to observe and potentially interact with sea lion pups, especially while snorkeling. In addition, we may see blue-footed boobies, frigates, and even a glimpse at the second type of sea lion species found in Galapagos: The Fur Sea Lion. It is a seasonal nesting location for the bluefooted boobies and frigate birds. Excursion options: Walk, zodiac, snorkel. DAY 6 THURSDAY AM/PM - Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island - This is the main population center of the islands, and home to the National Park Service tortoise-breeding center and the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here you will have the opportunity to visit the tortoise-breeding center and walk through the Charles Darwin Research Station. In addition, you can also take a bus ride to the highlands to observe giant tortoises in the wild and walk through a lava tunnel. Optional time for shopping will be available. Excursion options: Tortoise-breeding Center/Charles Darwin Center, Highlands. DAY 7 FRIDAY AM - Suarez Point, Española Island - Española is the oldest island in the Galapagos and home to an amazing variety and abundance of wildlife. Lazy sea lions often greet visitors at the rocky landing where bright red and green marine iguanas rest atop the sand and rocks. They are the only marine iguanas that remain brightly colored throughout the year. Suarez Point is also home to large populations of Nazca and blue-footed boobies, colorful Española Lava Lizards, Galapagos Hawks, Española Mockingbirds, three species of Darwin s finches, Galapagos Doves, Swallow-tailed Gulls and Red-billed Tropicbirds, which dash in and out of the cracks in the cliffs as well as the astounding waved albatross (between April and December). The 10,000 to 12,000 pairs of waved albatross on Espanola represent the vast majority of this species on the planet. They perform one of the most spectacular courtship rituals in the animal world. Excursion options: Hike. DAY 7 FRIDAY PM - Gardner Bay, Española Island - The beach at Gardner Bay, with its sparkling white sand, offers one of the best places to relax and swim in the Galapagos. It is home to one of the most important colonies of sea lions in the archipelago, and is also a nesting site for sea turtles. Three species of Darwin s finches and Española Mockingbirds may also be seen here. Excursion options: Swim, snorkel, and kayak. DAY 8 SATURDAY AM - Daphne Island - Daphne is a satellite volcanic cone located north of Santa Cruz Island. The crater floor is an important breeding site for blue-footed boobies. This island is famous for the scientific investigations, led by Drs. Peter and Rosemary Grant, of the finches population. Their field work has provided fundamental support to Charles Darwin s theories of adaptation and evolution. The cliff shore of the island is home to sea lions, pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and other seabirds. Excursion options: Ship circumnavigation. DAY 8 SATURDAY AM - Baltra Island - Disembarkation - Baltra is home to the region s main airport and where you will fly out. Zodiac and bus ride to the airport.