(A UNIT OF NOVA GROUP OF COMPANIES)
NOVA TRAVEL
Galapagos Islands: Silver Galapagos Cruise-13 Days
Itinerary-13 Days
Day 1: Fly to Quito via Bogotá
Overnight flight to Quito via Bogotá.
Day 2: Quito
Late morning arrival. Transfer to the Hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon and evening at leisure. (N)
Day 3: Quito
Optional tour of Quito's historic centre and the Middle of the World equatorial line monument. (B)
Day 4: Galapagos islands
Fly to the Galapagos islands and board Silver Galapagos for a 7-night cruise. The remainder of the day will be spent circumnavigating Daphne Major, a volcanic tuff crater island. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Genovesa
Enjoy a full-day excursion to Genovesa (Tower Island), considered to be one of the most spectacular islands in the Galapagos for bird species. This morning visit Darwin Bay, a coral sand beach, and visit a forest of opuntia cactus and mangroves. Here you can swim and snorkel from the beach with sea lions. The afternoon is spent at El Barranco (Prince Philip's Steps). Follow a gentle hiking trail to the other side of the island to observe red-footed and Nazca boobies. (B, L, D)
Day 6: North Seymour • Santiago
This morning disembark on North Seymour, a small geological uplift, and follow a trail that leads to swallow-tailed gulls, blue-footed boobies and endemic land iguanas. Visit the largest colony of frigatebirds to be found in the Galapagos. In the afternoon, take a panga ride to Sullivan Bay on the volcanic Santiago island. Enjoy a hike over the lava flows. After the walk there may be a chance to swim or snorkel from the beach (B, L, D)
Day 7: Rabida • Eden islet
This morning disembark on the red-coloured beach of Rabida island. A stroll along the beach of this small island allows you to observe a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin's finches. In the afternoon, sail to Eden islet for snorkelling and Zodiac trips. Along the way, dolphins may be spotted. (B, L, D)
Day 8: San Cristobal
Morning visit to La Galapaguera Cerro Colorado, a roaming area where semi-captive giant Galapagos tortoises can be observed in their natural habitat. The afternoon is spent visiting Punta Pitt on the north-eastern tip of the island, home to spectacular volcanic land formations. Enjoy stunning views of the shoreline along a walking trail. After the walk, if conditions are favourable, there is a chance to swim from the beach or take a ride in a glass-bottomed boat. (B, L, D)
Day 9: Española
Today, visit Española, the southernmost island of the archipelago. Due to its isolated location it has a large population of indigenous wildlife. Disembark in the morning at Bahia Gardner (Gardner Bay) for a short walk along a white coral beach where you will find large colonies of sea lions. Snorkel or swim from the beach. The afternoon is spent exploring Punta Suarez, where you will look for sea lions and groups of iguanas. You can hike a trail on lava / boulder terrain towards the cliffs to the blowhole. (B, L, D)
Day 10: Santa Cruz • South Plaza
This morning you will visit the Charles Darwin station on Santa Cruz island. The Galapagos tortoise breeding and rearing centre is a Unesco world heritage site and offers the opportunity to learn about the research conducted on the island. Afterwards, stroll through Puerto Ayora, the most populous town in the archipelago. The afternoon is spent enjoying the natural beauty on South Plaza island. (B, L, D)
Day 11: Fly to London
This morning disembark from Silver Galapagos at San Cristobal and fly to Guayaquil. Transfer to the Hotel for 1 night. (B)
Day 12: Fly to London via Bogotá
Morning at leisure. Evening flight tback home, via Bogotá.
Day 13: Back Home
Afternoon arrival. (N)