Yolita II – 5 Day Cruise East Galapagos

Overview:

The new YOLITA II is a beautiful and relaxing motor yacht that offers a delightful atmosphere in her 8 comfortable and spacious fully air conditioned cabins, all of them with lower beds, private bathrooms and hot/cold water. Other features include ample resting area in the sun deck & the social areas such as: dining room, comfy lounge area, bar, large screen TV, DVD player, library, and selection of table games.

A bilingual guide will help you discover the wildlife of the Galapagos Islands at the wonderful visitor sites. Yolita II is the ideal size for getting to know other passengers during your cruise and making the memories of a lifetime. Snorkelling equipment, wetsuits, and beach towels are included at no extra charge. Comprehensive breakfast and gourmet Ecuadorian and international cuisine is prepared fresh daily, and all meals on board are included.

This shorter 5 day itinerary focuses on the Eastern islands, some highlights include the Gardner Bay, Charles Darwin Research Station, South Plaza Island and some amazing wildlife sightings only available in the Galapagos. 

Ships that operate this itinerary:

Yolita II

Islands Visited:

- Santa Cruz
- North Seymour
- San Cristobal
- Española
- Santa Fé
- South Plaza

Included:

• Accommodation on board
• All Transfers in Galapagos
• All Meals as indicated in ititnery
• Drinking water, tea or coffee
• Briefings and lectures
• Visit to the Islands
• English speaking naturalist guide
• Fuel Surcharge
• Use of wetsuit
• Snorkeling Equipment

Exclusions:

• Airfares
• Travel Insurance
• Gratuities
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
• Any additional transportation and personal services
• Galapagos Conservation Tax – $100 USD pp payable in cash only upon arrival to the Galapagos

Day 1: Arrival to Baltra and embark cruise

You will land in Baltra Island by plane in the morning and then transfer to the dock to board the yacht. After an introductory briefing onboard, we will all partake in an emergency boat drill, be assigned to your cabin and then be invited to lunch. 

PM: North Seymour 

In the afternoon, you'll have your first navigation to North Seymour island. The island was named after English nobleman Lord Hugh Seymour. Formed by uplifted submarine lava, the island is home to a huge colony of about 2,500 land iguanas and large populations of sea lions, blue-footed boobies, common noddies, and frigatebirds. Along the coast, it is possible to see land and marine iguanas and the biggest colony of Magnificent Frigatebirds. 

Note: Itineraries are unlikely to change significantly but are subject to change. Weather, wildlife breeding, safety concerns, instructions from the Galapagos National Park, specific abilities and interests of passengers as well as operational matters may cause your guide or captain to change the time or nature of visits. Your guide and captain will always endeavor to select the best itinerary within these limits.

AM - Isla Lobos (San Cristobal) 

After breakfast, you first full day visit will be to Lobos Island for a nature walk and wildlife watching. Lobos Island, as its name suggests is famous for its population of sea lions and fur sea lions. You will also encounter nesting grounds for the great Frigatebird and a small number of blue footed boobies.  Breeding center, where will be explained, in a simple manner, the natural phenomena that created the Galapagos Islands. That is the geology and the series of natural processes, such as volcanic eruption and marine current locations that have led to the amazing islands that you are now visiting.

PM - Cerro Brujo & Kicker Rock (San Cristobal)

While you are enjoying lunch you'll navigate to Cerro Brujo for a Panga boat exploration rides and some deep water snorkeling. One of the first sites visited by Charles Darwin, Cerro Brujo is a beautiful white sand beach where Brown Pelicans, Blue‐Footed Boobies, sea lions, and marine iguanas are all found. An onshore version of nearby Kicker Rock, Cerro Brujo is a very striking, eroded tuff cone. 

There is no landing at Kicker Rock. Also known as León Dormido these rocks are located off the coast of San Cristobal. It is 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 favorite sight for cruises due to the many Tropicbirds, Frigates and Boobies that fill the surrounding air. Beneath the sea the nearly crystal waters offer a brilliant show of colorful tropical fish and invertebrates. 

AM - Gardner Bay (Española)

This morning, you'll make a wet landing in Gardner Bay for a walk on the beach and observe a colony of sea lions, which inhabit the beach in great quantity during the breeding season; this is also an important nesting area for sea turtles. Then we make a panga ride around the Osborn Islet and the islets of Gardner. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel.

PM - Punta Suarez (Española) 

This is a phenomenal site where you will get to see many of Española Island's endemic species. The trail will pass by the only Waved Albatross breeding site in all of Galapagos. If you are lucky you might see a young albatross take off for its first flight for up to five years at sea. Older birds stay at sea for months at a time, only coming back to breed. They have the same mate for life and will meet each other each year, only here to reproduce.

AM - Santa Fé

After breakfast, you hop aboard and ride a dinghy to disembark (wet landing) over at this idyllic white sand beach that’s home to plenty of sea lions. The endemic land iguana, which is exclusive to this island, may be spotted during the morning walk, typically sitting among the giant prickly pear cactus. Snorkeling and swimming from the dinghy rounds out this supremely rewarding experience. Alternatively, you can also opt to hop aboard the Santa Cruz II Galapagos cruise’s glass-bottom boat. Kayaking is also offered here.

PM: South Plaza Island
Following lunch and a break, we will disembark (dry landing) along the channel here, where turquoise waters contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline. Nearby, a carpet of scarlet sesuvium succulents serves as groundcover for a grove of luminescent-green prickly-pear cactus. Yellow-grey land iguanas sit beneath these, waiting patiently for their prickly-pears to drop. Along the coastline, we will have the chance to spot sea lion colonies, all while frigatebirds, swallow-tailed gulls and shearwaters glide around, playing with the currents.

AM - Puerto Ayora and Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz)

In the morning, we will disembark (dry landing) at Puerto Ayora to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. The Station consists of a giant tortoise Breeding Center and an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest that is home to many land birds. The Station also serves as the headquarters for scientific investigation, conservation and the National Park administration. Following this visit, we will board a private transport to head up and enjoy lunch in the cooler highlands of Santa Cruz Island, which is an entirely different ecosystem. 

PM - Tour Ends. Transfer to Baltra Airport 

Afterwards, you will disembark at Baltra Island, take the transfer to the airport and hop on your flight back to the mainland.