Galapagos Legend – 4 Day Cruise East Galapagos

Overview:

The Galapagos Legend, with a capacity for 100 guests, but it is still small enough for a more intimate experience with friends and family. With her three different decks, the Galapagos Legend offers a great variety of comfortable and spacious social areas without losing its sense of intimacy. Its fantastic open decks allow you to admire the islands’ flora and fauna, enjoy a BBQ at night, or take some sun at the pool and bar areas.

This 4 day itinerary focuses on the Eastern islands and offers unforgettable experiences, with two daily guided excursions with optional activities such as snorkeling, kayaking and dinghy rides. 

Ships that operate this itinerary:

Galapagos Legend

Islands Visited:
- Santa Cruz
- Bartolome
- South Plaza
- North Seymour
- San Cristobal

Included:

• Accommodation onboard cruise
• All meals onboard cruise
• Coffee station available 24 hours
• Wi-Fi zones with internet service
• Pool, Jacuzzi and sun beds
• Use of Kayaks and snorkeling equipment and a Glass bottom boat for panga rides
• Galapagos National Park bilingual Guide

Exclusions:

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

Day 1: Arrival to Baltra and embark cruise

Arriving in the Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by our natural guides and taken to a ten-minute bus drive to the pier to board the M/V Galapagos Legend. The perfect vacation starts when you arrive on board the Galapagos Legend, exquisitely designed, the staff will be ready to receive all our guests with a refreshing cocktail. Then, there will be time to settle and accommodate all our guest in the 100-guest cruise vessel. 

PM – Bartolome Island 

On our first landing, we will discover a fascinating landscape formed by different volcanic parasitic cones —lava bombs, spatter, cinder cones — that resembles the moon. Going up to the summit there will be an impressive views of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone Pinnacle Rock. We also encounter marine iguanas, lava lizards, and blue-footed boobies. Beach time is a great opportunity to do snorkeling and see the famous Galapagos Penguins, sea turtles and White-tipped Reef Sharks among a great variety of colorful fish. For many visitors, this may turn out to be the best snorkeling experience. Crystal clear water is the perfect spot to appreciate the incredible marine life it has to offer. Due to its geographical location, the lack of vegetation is immediately noticeable however, there are pioneer plants including the endemic Tiquilia nesiotica and Chamaesyce (known as sand mat or spurge in English), lava cactus, and Scalesia bushes.

Note: Itineraries are subject to change due to many different elements such as weather, park authorities and regulations, airline operations, guide experience and safety concerns.

AM – South Plaza Islet 

There are two Plaza Islets (north and south) located east of Santa Cruz Island. On the northern part of the Islet, visitors begin the journey along an impressive cactus forest were colorful yellow and red land iguanas live, the population number is around 300 animals; during the dry season they survive on fruits and flowers of the opuntia cacti. A peculiar thing to see in South Plaza is the hybrid iguana (sea and land). When reaching the highest point, tropicbirds can be seen. During the dry season (June – January) the usually greenish and yellowish vegetation change of color creating a bright red landscape (sesuviumedmonstonei plant). 

PM–North Seymour Island 

Off Baltra Island and not far from Santa Cruz, is where North Seymour is located. This landmass was formed by a series of underwater volcanic eruptions, which deposited layers of lava on the ocean floor. An approximately two-hour walk amidst large nesting colonies of blue-footed boobies, magnificent and great frigate birds, and swallow-tailed gulls for an in depth encounter with sea bird breeding cycles and sea lions. You will also encounter land iguanas, and on a lucky day, you might even come across the endemic Galapagos Snake.

AM – Pitt Point & Islet (San Cristobal Island) 

Today will include a wet landing followed by a high-intensity hike on rocky terrain. The trail includes a 90 meters long, olivine beach and a path that climbs to the top of a volcanic tuff, through several magnificent viewpoints. This is probably the only site where the three booby species of the Galapagos can be seen together, as well as, two species of frigate birds and a sea lion colony. It is also excellent for dinghy rides and snorkeling, where a good range of sea birds can be observed. 

PM – Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal Island) 

Cerro Brujo is an eroding tuff cone that at several locations is composed of AA lava formations and a beautiful white sandy beach, great for snorkeling and sunbathing. There is a lagoon visit where migratory bird species can be seen: Black-necked Stilts, Ruddy Turnstones, Whimbrels, other sandpiper species and White-cheeked Pintails. Cerro Brujo offers beautiful views of Kicker Rock, the southern part of San Cristobal and the adjacent coast.

AM – Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve (San Cristobal Island) 

This morning there is a dry landing in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. you can visit the San Cristobal Giant Tortoise Breeding Center to learn about the National Park’s conservation programs. Enjoy a beautiful landscape on the way to the Reserve. Als take the opportunity to visit the village’s port, have a drink or shop for arts and crafts and other souvenirs.

PM – San Cristobal Airport 

In the afternoon, passengers will be transferred to the airport for their return flight to the mainland and onward flights.