Galapagos Cruises & Ecuador Adventures
M/T Camila 4 Days Itinerary
Arrival/Departure
The Galapagos Islands are considered by many a paradise on Earth. The Ecuadorian Government and Galapagos National Park are making huge efforts to preserve and conserve this unique ecosystem. Therefore, many rules and restrictions are applied to cruises and tourists. Join these preservation efforts by following the Park’s rules and recommendations.
Foreign Species Control
In order to avoid the introduction of foreign plant and animal species into the fragile ecosystem of Galapagos, you will have your baggage checked through the SICGAL office before checking in your luggage at the Quito or Guayaquil airport.
(Animal and Plant Health Service and Quarantine and Inspection System for the Galapagos Islands)
Any non-native plant or animal can create catastrophic damage in the islands.
We ask you to please declare any produce or goods when entering the Galapagos.
When arriving to the Galapagos airport, you must first pass through the Galapagos National Park entrance and then onto baggage claim. Continuing through the airport with your baggage you will scan your belongings once more and then finally pass through.
Just outside the doors will be your Haugan Cruises Guide waiting with a sign to greet you.
Once all those who will be boarding are together, the guide will escort everyone to the vessel and be welcomed by the crew and Cruise Manager.
At the end of your cruise, your guide will transfer you and the rest of the group to the airport
specified in the itinerary with assistance at the check-in area.
Special Note : The following itinerary includes all necessary details on each day’s
activities. If you have further questions please contact your Account Manager or Travel Agent.
Here you can find useful terms and their definitions.
4 Days
FRIDAY - DAY 3
AM: Floreana - Post Office Bay
Ask the Cruise Manager for one of our complimentary postcards to write a message and address it home. Leave it in the barrel used before by pirates and sailors. While your there, see if there are any other postcards you can take home with you to send for fellow travelers who have already left their messages!
Activities: Post office barrel and leave a postcard, relaxing on the beach, swimming or snorkeling
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Landing: Wet landing
Possible Wildlife: frigatebirds, sea lions, sea turtles, various shorebirds and seabirds, marine life.
What to Bring: Bring your swimsuit and don’t forget your postcards.
PM: Floreana - Devil’s Crown / Cormorant Point
Just off of Floreana Island is a fantastic snorkeling site known as Devil’s Crown.
Various tropical fish species can be seen, even galapagos sharks or white-tipped sharks. Sea lions can be seen hunting for fish or playing through schools of hundreds of fish in circles, it is really quite the site to see. Cormorant point on Floreana Island is a great place to see one of the places where flamingos live in salt water lagoons.
Walking along the trail after the lagoon leads to a hidden beach great for walking in the soft sand. Watch your feet if wading in the water, stingrays love to hang out here as well.
Activities: Snorkeling and hiking
Difficulty: Snorkeling - Moderate to difficult / Hike - easy
Landing: Wet landing
Possible Wildlife: frigatebirds, sea lions, sea turtles, galapagos sharks, white-tipped sharks, tropical fish, various shorebirds and seabirds, marine life.
What to Bring: If you have an underwater camera, Devil’s Crown is one of the best places to bring it while snorkeling.
SATURDAY - DAY 4
AM: San Cristobal Island - Interpretation Center / Galapaguera
At the interpretation center you’ll find many different exhibits on information about the natural and geological history of the Galapagos Islands. It first opened in 1998 to help enforce the efforts of wildlife protection and the natural environment through means of population and tourist control.
Activities: Interactive Exhibits
Difficulty: Easy landing
Landing: Dry
Transfer to Airport
The only visit you will have on this day is to the Interpretation Center. Afterwards, you will have time to gather your belongings and then the guide and cruise manager will thank you for your time on board. Then, you will be transferred to the airport and your cruise will come to an end.
WEDNESDAY - DAY 1
AM: Arrival to Baltra Airport with transfer to M/T Camila
Welcome to the Galapagos Islands aboard the M/T Camila. The guide and crew will greet you and show you to your accommodations upon your arrival. Afterwards, the guide and cruise manager will hold a short briefing on all safety and emergency protocols, different areas of the vessel and the normal routine of the itinerary.
PM: Santa Cruz Island - Highlands
The highlands are located in the northern part of Santa Cruz and can reach elevations up to 1500 meters. This area is rich with hills, ferns, volcanoes and wildlife. A great contrast to the molten lava hardened beaches and rocky areas of other islands already seen. It is home to giant tortoises, mockingbirds, finches and many other species.
Activities: Hike
Difficulty: Moderate
Landing: Dry landing
Possible Wildlife: Galapagos tortoises, finches, mockingbirds, lava lizards, pintail ducks, other shorebirds.
THURSDAY - DAY 2
AM: Santa Fe Island
Santa Fe is home to the endemic Santa Fe iguana. The island was created by a volcanic uplift that now hosts a forest of Opuntia and Palo Santo trees. It is a picturesque island with two different trails, one leading to a scenic viewpoint and the other leading to a small beach.
Activities: Hike
Difficulty: Moderate
Landing: Dry landing
Possible Wildlife: Santa Fe land iguanas, frigatebirds, sally lightfoot crabs, sea lions, finches, various shorebirds.
What to Bring: Sturdy footwear for hiking and walking sticks.
PM: South Plazas Island
This small island with steep cliffs was formed by rising lava. It is home to one of the largest sea lion colonies, as well as colorful land iguanas. The most characteristic plant on the island is the Sesuvium that turns bright red during the dry season, creating a contrast on the island. The amazing colors of the turquoise waters against the black lava create a setting for amazing photography opportunities.
Activities: Hike
Difficulty: Moderate
Landing: Dry landing
Possible Wildlife: frigatebirds, sally lightfoot crabs, sea lions, land iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, various shorebirds and seabirds.
What to Bring: Sturdy footwear for hiking and walking sticks.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Itineraries are subject to change due to many different elements such as weather, park authorities and regulations, airline operations out of the yacht operations control, guide experience and safety concerns.
Possible Wildlife - We cannot guarantee a 100% chance of observing the wildlife listed in these sections. It is based on guide knowledge and what has been seen before. The animals in the Galapagos Islands are wild and come and go as they please. You may even see wildlife that is not listed.
Activities - Please take into consideration that each visitor site is allowed specific activities authorized by the Galapagos National Park Authorities. Your guide will explain the different activities available at each site and may even give provide two different options.
Use of Jacuzzi - The use of Jacuzzi is subject to weather conditions, itinerary and the sea conditions. Please talk to the Cruise Manager if you are interested in using the Jacuzzi during your stay on board.