The Anahi Catamaran | The Galapagos Islands | Ecuador | South America
FROM: USD $7,965 pp

WILDLIFE TOUR: Encounter sea lion colonies basking on pristine beaches, giant tortoises, iguanas, blue footed boobies and more in the wildlife rich Galapagos islands, on this once in a lifetime 8 day cruise around the remote and beautiful volcanic islands which once inspired Darwin himself.

Inclusions
Itinerary
Prices & Dates
COVID SAFE GUIDE

Trip Highlights

The UNESCO listed colonial city of Quito - independently explore the city
Genovesa Island: Darwin Bay - home to an abundance of great frigate birds and the red-footed boobies. El Barranco - nesting place of storm petrels
Santa Fe Island - famous for its unique species of land iguana.
San Cristobal Island - Galapagos Tortoise Breeding Centre
Espanola Island: Punta Suarez, where the albatross is endemic and Gardner Bay, famous for its sea lion population
Snorkelling in the crystal clear waters
Santa Cruz Island - a favourite nesting site for sea turtles and home of the famous Charles Darwin Station with its turtle breeding centre
South Plazas Island - inhabited by around 1000 sea lions
San Cristobal Island: Punta Pitt - the only place in the Galapagos to see the three species of boobies and two species of frigates nesting together. El Junco Lagoon
Lobos Island - with its abundance of sea lions
Floreana Island - renowned for its flamingoes
Relaxing onboard the boat, admiring the spectacular views

Included

2 nights 3 star hotel in Quito, including breakfast. (Option to upgrade to a 4 star hotel upon request)
9 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners
Return flight between Quito and Baltra - Galapagos including airport and port transfers
The services of 9 crew members and an experienced English speaking Naturalist guide
Kayaking and snorkelling at the permitted points (wetsuits can be hired onboard for an additional fee)
8 day Galapagos Cruise - 7 nights onboard the M/C Anahi catamaran (First Class category) in a twin or double cabin, on the main deck with en suite and A/C. (Option to upgrade to a suite)
Quito airport arrival transfer on day 1 with an English speaking guide
Complementary soft drinks onboard (tea, coffee and water) plus welcome and farewell drinks
Two guided Galapagos excursions a day

Not Included

International flights and visas
Tips for the crew, your guide and drivers.
Airport departure transfer on day 10
Entrance Fees: USD$120pp Galapagos park fee & transit card, paid in USD

Itinerary

Day 1

Quito

Upon arrival at Quito airport you will be met by an English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel in the city. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, independently exploring.
Overnight: Quito

Day 2

Baltra Island & Santa Cruz

Quito - Galapagos. This morning, you'll be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport for the short flight to Baltra Airport in the Galapagos, where our guide will be waiting for you. Transfer to the M/C Anahi catamaran, your home for the next 8 days. Settle into your cabin and enjoy lunch onboard before touring of the world famous Galapagos Islands begins.

Our first port of call is the Bachas Beaches which are a favourite nesting site for sea turtles. These two small beaches are found to the West of Turtle Cove on Santa Cruz Island. Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish water lagoon, where occasionally it is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. This area is a great introduction to the Galapagos landscape, fauna and flora.
Overnight: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

Genovesa Island

This morning we visit Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island which has a shield volcano with a 600m wide crater. Following a trail which is part coral sand and part slabs of lava, we'll spot nesting colonies of the common frigate, the Nasca booby and the swallow-tailed gulls. We'll also see nests of red-footed booby, which is the largest nesting colony of pelagic birds in the Galapagos. The Great Frigate bird is also abundant here and one of the main attractions of the island.

This afternoon's port of call is El Barranco, in the southern part of Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island. The 1.5km trail is on volcanic rock and the cliffs located in the south are composed of very fragile lava. The natural erosion that has occurred in these lava flows has become the ideal place for nesting Storm Petrels. You can see two species of petrels that nest in cavities and holes in the lava. During the panga (dingy) rides along the cliffs fur seals can also be seen.
Overnight: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

South Plazas & Santa Fe

This morning's excursion takes us to South Plaza Island which is home to around 1000 sea lions and several hybrid iguanas, a result of crossing a male marine iguana and a female land iguana. These iguanas are unique, recognizable at first glance by their black or gray colour, with a land iguana's crest, but face and tail of the marine iguana.

We'll meet more unique species of iguanas when we explore Santa Fe Island this afternoon. The Galapagos is also home to six endemic species of rats, one of which can be found on Santa Fe and another attraction is the presence of giant tunas.
Overnight: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

San Cristobal Island

This morning we explore Punta Pitt at the east end of San Cristobal Island. The trail that we follow takes us to past an olivine beach before ascending to the top of a volcanic tuff hill passing several wonderful viewpoints en route. This is the only site in the Galapagos Islands, where you can see the three species of boobies and two species of frigates nesting in the same area. Another added attraction is the presence of sea lion.

After lunch we stop to see the Leon Dormido Rocks, which are the remains of a lava cone eroded by the sea. The two vertical rocks rising 500 feet from the ocean form a small channel that is navigable by small boats. This natural monument has become a favourite sight for cruises due to the many tropic birds, frigates and boobies that fill the surrounding air. Beneath the sea the nearly crystal-clear waters offer a brilliant show of colourful tropical fish and invertebrates. We continue on to explore Lobos Island which is home to a small population of blue-footed boobies, as well as two species of sea lions. In the pangas brown pelicans and several species of shorebirds can also be observed and if you opt to snorkel it's common to see juvenile sea lions, manta rays and sea turtles.
Overnight: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

Galapagos Tortoise Breeding Centre

Today's highlight is a visit to the Galapagos Tortoise Breeding Centre, in the southeast of San Cristobal Island. The natural population of tortoises from San Cristobal is seriously threatened by introduced animals (mainly wild goats, rats and cats), which to date has been impossible to eradicate despite continuing efforts. The San Cristobal tortoises are one of the 11 populations of Galapagos tortoises. At the visitors centre, we learn all about the natural history of the giant tortoises of this island.

After lunch we visit San Cristobal's Interpretation Centre which takes us through the history of the island in the context of nature, humankind and conservation. We finish today's touring with a scenic walk up Tijeretas Hill with its spectacular views of the island and an inlet where we can go snorkelling. It is also one of the only places where you can watch the two species of frigate birds nesting in the same colony.
Overnight: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

Espanola Island

Espanola is one of the most beautiful Galapagos Islands and is also one of the oldest, dating back an estimated 3.3 million years. Espanola has a high percentage of endemism because it is isolated from other islands. Endemic species include the Waved albatross, Darwin's finches and the mockingbird of Espanola, which is the largest species in the islands and has developed carnivorous behaviour. We explore Punta Suarez on the west of the island in the morning and Gardener Bay on the north coast in the afternoon. The main attraction here is the huge colony of sea lions, which inhabit the beach during the breeding season.
Overnight: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8

Floreana Island

Floreana Island is our port of call today. We enjoy a morning excursion to Punta Cormorant on the north Coast of Floreana Island, which has a beautiful lagoon that is home to a large population of flamingos and a fine sand beach which is a nesting area for sea turtles. Later this morning we cruise out in the panga to the "Devil's Crown" which is a great place to snorkel. Here we can find a variety of underwater characters: sea turtles, Galapagos Sharks, Moray Eels, and sea lions. Outside of the crown is a good place to see Hammerhead Sharks.

This afternoon we visit historic Post Office Bay. When whalers came for supplies of Galapagos tortoises in the 18th Century, it is said that the captains kept a barrel for those who passed through the bay to leave mail in and deliver any that they could. Today, this tradition is alive with tourists visiting the Galapagos, It's possible to send a letter or postcard from Post Office Bay a without stamp, all you have to do in return is pick up a letter that is directed to where you live.
Overnight: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9

Santa Cruz

We finish our Galapagos adventure in Santa Cruz this morning with a morning tour of Charles Darwin Station, which takes in the famous tortoise breeding centre. The Galapagos breeding program is conducted by the park staff with the collaboration of scientists from the Darwin Station. The eggs are brought from the Galapagos Islands of Pinzon, Santiago and Santa Cruz to the station where they are incubated artificially; the galapaguitos are born and reared until the age of 5 years, when they can survive the effects of introduced predators (rats, pigs and dogs), then they are returned to their native areas. There is also a breeding program for iguanas.

After this visit, you'll be transferred to the airport on Baltra Island for your flight back to Quito. Upon arrival you'll be met and transferred to your hotel in Quito for your final night.
Overnight: Quito  |  Breakfast

Day 10

Quito

Saturday. Arrangements end after breakfast and hotel check out today.
Breakfast

Prices & Dates

Departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 4 persons. 'Twin Share' prices are per person when there are 2 people sharing a room/cabin. 'Single Room' prices are applicable to those who don’t have anyone to share a room/cabin with or anyone wanting the privacy of a single room/cabin.

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Easter departure, book early!
Easter Departure
Available
Contact us to book
Not Available
2022
Twin Share
Single Room
USD $7,965
USD $12,235
USD $7,965
USD $12,235
USD $7,965
USD $12,235
14 Apr - 23 Apr Easter departure, book early!
Easter departure, book early!
USD $7,965
USD $12,235
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USD $12,235
USD $7,965
USD $12,235
USD $7,965
USD $12,235

In Brief

Range
Trip Type
Starts
Quito
Ends
Quito
Departs
Thursdays
Hotel Rating
3 star hotel & first class cruise
Tour Guide
Yes - naturalist guide in the Galapagos
Meals
Breakfast: 9, Lunch: 7, Dinner: 7
Visiting
Quito, Galapagos Islands
Countries
Marine iguana on a rock on the Galapagos Islands
Ecuador's capital city, Quito, surrounded by mountains
OTG001434Ultimate Galapagos - 10 daysSouth AmericaHandpickedSouth Americafalse0Galapagoshttps://www.onthegotours.com/Galapagos/Ultimate-Galapagos-10-dayshttps://www.onthegotours.com/repository/Anahi-Catamaran-South-Plazas-226861389703920_crop_flip_300_300_f2f2f2_center-center.jpgCruises