Introduction Itinerary
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GALAPAGOS ISLANDS - ALYA | 6 DAY WESTERN ISLANDS TRIP CODE ECGSA6 DEPARTURE Select Mondays DURATION 6 Days LOCATIONS Galapagos Islands: Santa Cruz, Isabela, Fernandina and Santiago Islands INTRODUCTION GREAT CHIMU SALE EXCLUSIVE: Book and Save up to 33%* off select Departures Explore the Western islands of the Galapagos on this 6 Day Cruise. On board the luxury Alya catamaran you will find a unique blend of high service and comfortable modernity that makes cruising through the Galapagos an unbeatable experience. Within 6 Days you will explore 4 unique islands and smaller islets each extremely different from the last. On the shores of Bachas beach you will find the remnants of WWII US ships, in the highlands of Santa Cruz you may encounter roaming giant tortoises, at Urbina Bay you will witness large colonies of marine iguanas. Each experience in the Galapagos is entirely unique. The Alya Experience The Alya is designed to get the most out of your experience. Launched in 2017, this superior first-class motor catamaran offers comfort and luxury. This is the wonderful vessel to cruise the Galapagos. The ship offers 9 comfortable cabins, all tastefully decorated and featuring private facilities. The catamaran sails with a crew of 8 plus a bilingual, certified naturalist guide ensuring you get the most out of your time onboard the Alya and in the Galapagos. You have the opportunity to explore the Galapagos archipelago with activities such as hiking, snorkelling and kayaking. The cruise can provide you with a comfortable retreat after adventure-packed days of exploration. While sailing the pristine waters you can relax onboard and enjoy the panoramic views from the comfort of the ship. The Alya also offers a 6 day cruise and a 5 day cruise. ITINERARY Copyright Chimu Adventures. All rights reserved 2020. Chimu Adventures PTY LTD GALAPAGOS ISLANDS - ALYA | 6 DAY WESTERN ISLANDS TRIP CODE ECGSA6 DAY 1: Arrival and Highlands DEPARTURE In the morning you will take an arrival flight from Select Mondays Quito/Guayaquil to Baltra Island, Galapagos. here you will be met at the airport by our representative who will transfer you to your vessel DURATION for a welcome drink and lunch. In the afternoon you will transfer to the highlands of Santa Cruz. 6 Days Here we will hike and encounter giant tortoises in their natural habitat, a natural wonder. For this LOCATIONS visit we recommend to use sport shoes, long pants, raincoat, hat and sun block. Galapagos Islands: Santa Cruz, Isabela, Fernandina and Santiago Islands DAY 2: Moreno Point and Elizabeth Bay In the morning you will arrive at Moreno Point. Moreno is located on the north coast of Isabela Island between Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul Volcanoes. The main attractions at Punta Moreno are coastal lagoons amid black lava flows where there are several species of birds. It has a panoramic view of the three most active volcanoes in the Galapagos: The Sierra Negra, the Cerro Azul (Isabela Island) and La Cumbre (Fernandina Island). In the afternoon you will head for Elizabeth Bay. This is one of the island’s breeding sites for penguins. Located on the west coast of Isabela, Elizabeth Point is a marine visitor site. Visit Red Mangrove Cove: Brown pelicans, flightless cormorants, spotted eagle rays, golden rays and sea lions are often seen. DAY 3: Urbina Bay, Dernandina and Espinoza Point In the morning you will make your way to Urbina Bay. Urbina bay is located at the base of Alcedo Volcano between Elizabeth Bay and Tagus Cove. Wet landing. Trail length is around 3.20 Km; during this we can observe land iguanas, hawks, and tortoises. It is also possible to see red and blue lobsters. In the afternoon you will make your way to Espinoza Point. Espinoza Point, famous for the large colonies of marine iguanas and the home of the flightless cormorant, the Galapagos penguin, snakes, and more. From Espinoza Point, we can admire the beauty of Fernandina Island and its volcano which last erupted in May of 2005. Fernandina is the only island that doesn’t have mammals and the open areas are extremely fragile. From January to June, the nesting period of the marine iguana, we take great care when walking. Copyright Chimu Adventures. All rights reserved 2020. Chimu Adventures PTY LTD GALAPAGOS ISLANDS - ALYA | 6 DAY WESTERN ISLANDS TRIP CODE ECGSA6 DAY 4: Tagus Point and Vicente Roca Point DEPARTURE In the morning you will make your way to Tagus Select Mondays Cove. Located to the west of Darwin Volcano on Isabela Island. While walking, we will find several inscriptions (names of pirates) dating back to the DURATION 1800’s. From here, we can see Darwin Lake, a salt water lake with a depth of approximately 9 m. In 6 Days the afternoon you will make your way to Vicente Roca Point. is comprised of two separate coves, LOCATIONS this site is a large bay with spectacular sea life. Keep an eye out for seahorses, sea turtles, and Galapagos Islands: Santa Cruz, the strange yet fascinating Mola-mola (sunfish). Isabela, Fernandina and Santiago Islands DAY 5: Espumilla Beach and Egas Port In the morning you will arrive at Espumilla Beach. The main attractions include Palo Santo Wood, the beach, and the stunning landscape; the beach is a very important site for tortoises as it is an important nesting zone. In the afternoon you will visit Egas Port. Here we find a beautiful black sand beach; to the south of the beach is the Pan de Azucar Volcano, whose volcanic deposits have contributed to the formation of the black sand beach. The crater of this volcano contains a saltwater lake that dries up during hot weather. Between 1928 and 1930, explorations to develop a salt mine were carried out, but it was decided that a mine was not feasible. DAY 6: Bachas Beach and Departure In the morning you will arrive at Bachas Beach. This beautiful beach is located in the north of Santa Cruz Island; the beach is one km long. The site was named during WWII (World War II) when the American army left two barges on the beach. The early colonists couldn’t pronounce barges correctly, so they called the area “Bachas”. Afterward you will be transferred to the airport where you will board your departure flight from the Galapagos. INCLUSIONS & DETAILS Accommodation Standard Copyright Chimu Adventures. All rights reserved 2020. Chimu Adventures PTY LTD GALAPAGOS ISLANDS - ALYA | 6 DAY WESTERN ISLANDS TRIP CODE ECGSA6 Cabin accommodation on board vessel DEPARTURE All meals whilst on board Guiding and lectures by experienced naturalist guides Select Mondays Transfers in the islands Use of snorkelling gear (mask, tubes and fins) DURATION Kayaks Drinks including water, coffee and tea. 6 Days Exclusions Inclusions Roundtrip airfare to/from the Galapagos LOCATIONS Galapagos National Park entrance fee (US$100pp subject to change) Galapagos Islands: Santa Cruz, Galapagos Transit Control Card (US$20pp subject to Isabela, Fernandina and change) Santiago Islands Travel Insurance Personal expenses Gratuities for staff and crew Difficulty Rating 2 (light adventure) Single Surcharge Available upon request, contact us for more details. Please note park entrance fees may be subject to change Notes without prior notice. Price Dependent upon Departure date, seasonality and availability. SUSTAINABILITY Being environmentally accountable is a crucial part of our organisation. Chimu is currently striving towards using less paper, taking several initiatives to do so and tracking our progress along the way. Our goal: A paperless organisation. For this reason, all information given to you will be sent electronically. We encourage those who choose to travel with us to support our aspirations and actions and ask that you reconsider printing out documentation. To view these documents, you can download them to your iPad or portable computer before and during your trip. Chimu is passionate and dedicated to sustainability measures and understands the crucial part sustainability plays within the tourism industry. We use local guides and office staff to both maximise local employment opportunities and minimise carbon footprint. Local guides also ensure you benefit from the intimate knowledge, passion and culture of the country you’re visiting. Our guides are all highly qualified (most with university degrees) or equip with many years of experience and are paid above the standard wage. Whether it be our knowledgeable local guides, locally produced meals or the transport on tour, we do not use imported goods when local products are available. We aim to minimise our impact on the environment and give as much back as possible to the communities we work in. Alya cruise contributes to a number of sustainability initiatives in line with Galapagos park policy and their own unique contribution philosophy. Plastic is elimitated throughout the Copyright Chimu Adventures. All rights reserved 2020. Chimu Adventures PTY LTD GALAPAGOS ISLANDS - ALYA | 6 DAY WESTERN ISLANDS TRIP CODE ECGSA6 Galapagos, naturalist guides provide in depth education and respect for ecosystems when DEPARTURE undertaking tours, and suppliers are chose from locally-owned organisations and operators to ensure economic sustainability within the region. While visiting the many Select Mondays national parks, heritage sites, museums and landmarks our travellers are encouraged to explore whilst remaining culturally aware and sensitive. We further encourage you to buy DURATION appropriate souvenirs and discourage the buying of anything wrongfully made or taken from the environment i.e. shells and endangered species products. Information on how 6 Days you can be environmentally conscious, and travel responsibly will be made available in our Travellers Guides and provided during your travels by guides and staff. LOCATIONS For more information on our sustainability policies, including how we are striving towards Galapagos Islands: Santa Cruz, being a paperless organisation, click HERE Isabela, Fernandina and Santiago Islands Copyright Chimu Adventures.