from NZ$10693
Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island for
a special opportunity to view the islands’ most famous reptile: the
giant tortoises in their wild habitat. What a privilege to see an
endangered species roving in this lush environment! The vegetation of
the area includes the Scalesia Forest (an endemic giant daisy tree) and
birds such as the vermilion flycatcher will delight everyone with its
scarlet feathers against an emerald green forest. Look for Darwin’s
finches (most of them from the tree-finch group), particularly the
famous Woodpecker Finch. 
You’ll land on a green,
olivine sand beach next to a large lagoon usually adorned with feeding
flamingos and other water birds. A short hike through one of the more
varied plant communities leads us to Flour Beach where sea turtles nest
and small rays frolic in the surf. Enjoy snorkeling at Champion Island
with curious, playful sea lions and hope to catch a glimpse of the rare
Floreana Mockingbird..jpg)
Walk onto this young lava flow at the base of Cero
Azul, past cacti and other early colonizing plants. This flow is dotted
with numerous “oases” of brackish lagoons containing a wide variety of
life, including flamingos, Paint-billed Crakes, White-cheeked Pintails,
and Common Gallinules.
This
site is very unique. In 1954, volcanic activity caused a 6 km stretch
of coastline to be uplifted 5 m in a matter of hours, stranding coral
heads, and all sea life that couldn’t escape, more than a km away from
the new shore. Walk among the skeletal coral garden, now home to
lizards and mockingbirds. Urbina Bay is also home to large, colorful
land iguanas. During certain times of the year you may encounter Alcedo
tortoises which come down from the highlands to nest in the warm sands
of Urbina Bay..jpg)
Pirates and whalers in the 19th Century using Tagus
Cove for anchorage left their marks on the cliffs of this sunken
caldera, a tradition of graffiti that continues to today. A short,
steep hike passes Darwin Lake, which sits within a tuff cone and is
filled with salt water. This site is an excellent place for viewing
land birds, including Ground and Tree Finches, Galapagos Hawks, Yellow
Warblers, Large-billed Flycatchers and even sometimes the Woodpecker
Finch. A rare sighting of land iguanas is a treat. A dinghy ride or
kayak along the cliffs provides views of geologic features, as well as
penguins and other bird species..jpg)
There are two separate trails here. The first
meanders along the coast to the fur seal grottoes, a safe haven for the
shy Galapagos Fur Seal amongst the crags and swimming inlets, and home
to American Oystercatchers, marine iguanas and ubiquitous sea lions. The second, less-used trail heads inland to a lagoon at the Salt Mine
Volcano where flamingos and other birds are found.
Enjoy a quiet and peaceful morning at Bachas’ fine,
white beach. Two small lagoons just over the dunes sometimes host
flamingos. “Bachas” comes from the remains of a barge which ran aground
decades ago, leaving just a few rusty spines visible today. In Caleta
Tortuga Negra enjoy a silent skiff ride to see sea turtles feed and mate
in the calm waters, and three species of sharks, Spotted rays, egrets,
and lava herons. Aboard we celebrate our last night together.
Single Stateroom
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