Galapagos Voyage on the Galapagos Legend

Legend Experience
Program Code: EGIC14
4 days / 3 nights - Monday thru Thursday

About the Ship

Baltra - Santiago - Santa Cruz - Floreana - Espanola - San Cristobal - North Seymour

Galapagos

ITINERARY

Day 1 - Monday
AM / PM - QUITO or GUAYAQUIL / BALTRA ISLAND
Our services will begin upon your arrival at the airport of Baltra island (Galapagos) from Quito or Guayaquil after a flight of approximately 2 and a half hours.

The guides of the Galapagos Legend will greet you outside the customs area of the airport and provide the transfer to the pier from where you will board a dinghy to join the ship, anchored nearby. After a warm welcome on board check into your suite or cabin in preparation for the first excursion of the cruise itinerary.

PM - SANTIAGO (JAMES / SAN SALVADOR) ISLAND - Sombrero Chino (Chinese Hat)
Disembark the Galapagos Legend for a wet landing at Sombrero Chino near Santiago island. Here we will encounter a small colony of sea lions on the our landing spot. The Naturalist guides will take us from here on a one hour hike across the island during which we will probably be able to observe a group of Flamingos. As they will do during the entire cruise program, our guides will explain and teach us about the history of the islands and show the different points of interest on each island that we will visit over the next week. On the other side of the island we will be picked up by a dinghy for the return on board the ship.

EVE - The crew and your Naturalist guides on board the Galapagos Legend will give a briefing on security procedures and an outline of the program to follow over the next 5 days. Dinner and evening at leisure. Overnight on board. (L, D.)

Day 2 - Tuesday
AM - SANTA CRUZ (INDEFATIGABLE / CHAVEZ) ISLAND - Dragon Hill or Venice
After a great breakfast leave the ship for a wet landing on Santa Cruz island. We will start out on a trail that leads us to a hyper-saline lagoon behind the beach where observers report that at times they observe a high number of Flamingos. From here we follow the trail up to Dragon Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay. The area is a nesting site for a big number of reintroduced Land Iguanas, thanks to the Charles Darwin Research Station. There is also a bizarre Scalesia tree forest. Before returning to the ship we will have the option to make a dinghy ride in Venice islet to observe the vegetation and marine animals. Spotted Eagle Rays and Golden Rays, Mullets, Sharks and Sea Turtles which rest in calm waters of the coves and channels. Land Iguanas are often been observed from the dinghy.

PM - FLOREANA (SANTA MARIA / CHARLES) ISLAND - Punta Cormorant
PM - FLOREANA (SANTA MARIA / CHARLES) ISLAND - Punta Cormorant Lunch on board while the ship sails to our next anchoring spot near Floreana island. We disembark at Punta Cormorant for a wet landing on a greenish colored sand beach. The guides will lead us on a well-marked trail, beginning in the Black Mangrove beds, heading towards the back of the lagoon. This large brackish lagoon holds one of the biggest populations of Flamingos in the Galapagos. The island is best known for its endemic plant life, such as: the Galapagos millwork, Passion flower, and unique Button Mangrove. Later, novice snorkelers can practice back near the main beach where Sea Lions are playful while experienced snorkelers can roam the waters around Devils Crown. We kindly remind you this activity is an open water experience; it means there is no place to step on to rest.

EVE - Dinner and evening at leisure. Overnight on board. (B, L, D.)

Day 3 - Wednesday
AM - ESPANOLA (HOOD) ISLAND - Punta Suarez
In the morning hours we will visit Punta Suarez on Espanola (Hood) island where we will arrive on a dry landing. Here we will learn more about the lava terrain of the island while crossing the inactive lava fields. Aside from the sea lion colony Punta Suarez is one of the most important sites for bird watching in the Galapagos. As soon as we set foot on this island many species can be spotted and observed from up close. Among the many species we find the Hooded Mocking bird and Red Billed Tropic bird. Visitors will also spot a large colony of Marine Iguanas, Lava Lizards, and colorful Sally Light Foot Crabs. A short trek will take us to colonies of Masked and Blue-Footed Boobies where the nesting grounds sometimes overlap the trail. We will also find Galapagos Doves, Hawks and Swallow-Tailed Gulls. After crossing the nesting grounds we will reach the world’s largest colony of Waved Albatross (15,000 approximately). From May thru December the mating rituals of the Albatross are a highlight of the visit. By the end of this excursion we will visit the famous blowhole, where water shoots almost 23 meters (75 feet) into the air.

PM - SAN CRISTOBAL (CHATHAM) ISLAND - La Galapaguera
After lunch on board the ship we will visit the village of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal island. Here we will visit the San Cristóbal breeding center for about an hour. Here we have the opportunity to learn more about the Giant Tortoises breeding efforts of the Galapagos National Park, especially of the endemic specie "Geochelone Elephantopus Chatamensis". We can also observe some of these animals in their natural environment.

EVE - Dinner and evening at leisure. Overnight on board. (B, L, D.)

Day 4 - Thursday
AM - NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND / BALTRA ISLAND
On this last morning of the cruise we will make a dry landing on North Seymour island where we will encounter Swallow Tailed Gulls and Sea Lions. This site is also known for being a major nesting colony of Blue Footed Boobies, and the largest colony of the magnificent Frigate Bird (a different species from the Great Frigate bird). We will also be able to spot both endemic species of Iguanas, the Marine Iguanas and Land Iguanas. Enjoy a relaxed hike around the nesting sites before returning to the ship for check out.

PM - Baltra Island / Guayaquil or Quito
We disembark at the docks of Baltra island from where we take a bus to the airport for the flight back to mainland Ecuador via Guayaquil to Quito.
(B, L.)

END OF SERVICES

RATES

Rates valid until December 31, 2010.
Rates are per person in US dollars.
Rates can NOT be guaranteed. Subject to change at any time.
Accommodations are based on double occupancy.

GALAPAGOS LEGEND    
2009 - 2010 LOW SEASON *2 HIGH SEASON *1
CABIN Double Single *3 Double Single *3
Superior Interior (Earth Deck)
 $ 1230 $ 2214 $ 1290 $ 2322
Superior Exterior (Sea Deck)
 $ 1490 $ 2682 $ 1590 $ 2862
Junior Suite (Earth Deck)
 $ 1790 $ 3222 $ 1890 $ 3402
Legend Suite (Earth Deck)
 $ 2030 $ 3654 $ 2090 $ 3762
Galapagos Balcony Suite (Moon Deck)
 $ 2290 $ 4122 $ 2390 $ 4302
See Galapagos Legend Deck Plans

*1 HIGH SEASON - January 01 to 07, January 22 to February 29, March 13 to April 30, July 01 to September 02, October 01 to November 25, December 17 to 31.

*2 LOW SEASON - January 08 to 21, March 01 to 12, May 01 to June 30, September 03 - 30, November 26 to December 16.

*3 SINGLE supplement 80% over DOUBLE rates. NOTE: If traveling alone you have the option to share a twin cabin with a passenger of the same sex. If you do not wish to share, a single supplement will apply.

Triple Occupancy: Third person sharing cabin will receive a 20% discount - Passengers 1 & 2 in cabin full fare.

Children under 12 years of age are discounted 25% when sharing a cabin with 2 adults. Children under 7 years of age are not permitted on board.

Rates do not include:
About the Ship