One World Trips - Galapagos - 8 days cruising  aboard Stella Maris Itinerary A
One World Trips - Galapagos - 8 days cruising  aboard Stella Maris Itinerary A

Galapagos Islands

Galapagos - 8 days cruising aboard Stella Maris Itinerary A

The Stella Maris is the only super luxury Yacht based in the Galapagos Islands. The Yacht accommodates up to 14 guests in style as they explore the unique ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands. The 125-Feet-long yacht is specially designed and r efitted to be as ecologically-friendly as possible so that it does not disrupt the delicate balance of the islands.

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Travel Style: Marine

The Stella Maris is the only super luxury Yacht based in the Galapagos Islands. The Yacht accommodates up to 14 guests in style as they explore the unique ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands. The 125-Feet-long yacht is specially designed and r efitted to be as ecologically-friendly as possible so that it does not disrupt the delicate balance of the islands.

Service Level: Luxury

Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other G Adventures tours, like meals, private transport, and activities.

Physical Rating: 3 - Average

Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 14.

Galapagos - 8 days cruising aboard Stella Maris Itinerary A
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Itinerary

East, South, Central & North Islands Itinerary

DAY 1

Monday: San Cristóbal Island - Lobos Island. Arrival in San Cristóbal, transfer to the yacht. Lobos Island: It is a small flat island, located 10 kilometers northeast of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, on the coast of San Cristóbal Island. Isla Lobos gets its name because it is home to several sea lions that frolic on the beach. It is also the ideal place to observe the nests of frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies. It has a protected channel where you can snorkel with sea lions.

DAY 2

Tuesday: Sombrero Chino / Rabida Island Chinese Hat: This small islet is located nears the south-east of Santiago. It's shaped like a Chinese hat when seen from afar. It is an island consisting of a cone type "Splash" (lava ejected as droplets and falling close to where it came out, which forms a cone angle) that forms the top, and lava tubes that run down to the coast. In the west you can see lava formations, which are an indicator that the flows were formed under the sea and have been raised towards the exterior, reason why coral heads on lava can be seen. This visit provides an excellent opportunity for the interpretation of geologic features such as lava tubes and lava flows. Rabida Island: Also known by the name of Jervis in honor of a British Admiral John Jervis, Earl of St. Vincent. Rabida is located 5 km south of Santiago Island and is commonly regarded as the geographical center of the Galapagos Islands. It has an area of 4.9 km² and a maximum altitude of 367 meters. It has a high iron content, which causes that this place has a distinctive reddish color. Its main attraction is the salt lagoon with flamingoes, pelicans and boobies place where they build their nests.

DAY 3

Wednesday: Española Island / Gardner Bay / Osborn Islet / Gardner Islet / Suarez Point Española Island - Gardner Bay: It is located on the north-eastern coast of Hood, Gardner Bay provides an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming and the opportunity to observe sea lions. Here we can also observe sharks and other sea life in the crystalline ocean waters. Española Island – Suarez Point: This rocky land sustains one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galapagos. Along its southern shore, high cliffs rise up from the sea affording the visitor spectacular views of soaring birds, and of the blow whole where water spouts up to 50-75 feet into the air according to the intensity of the surf.

DAY 4

Thursday: Floreana Island Punta Cormorant / Devil's Crown / Post Office Bay Baronesa view point. Florenana - Punta Cormorant: This site offers probably the best Flamingo lagoon in the Galapagos; it is also one of the largest in the islands. It is situated between two volcanoes that give the area a special atmosphere. There are various species of shorebirds to be seen besides flamingos; the most frequent are common stilts, white-checked pintail ducks and other migratory birds. This is a unique zone due to the high percentage of endemic plant species. It is also very interesting to see the two distinct beaches: “The Green Beach” (due to its high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand) and the “Flour Sand Beach” which is made up of coral. Floreana - Post office bay: Historically, this site is the location of a wooden barrel that was placed in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. It has been used since this time by mariners and tourists as a post office. The idea is to carry letters or postcards to their destination by hand. Apart from being the Post Office Barrel, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonist.

DAY 5

Friday: North Seymour Island / Bartholomew Island North Seymour (Dry landing): After breakfast in the morning on this island you can see blue-footed boobies, colonies of frigates, fork-tailed gulls, terns, sea lions, lava lizards and land iguanas. Palo Santo trees can also be observed. Bartolomé (Wet Landing): After lunch visit to the Pinnacle Rock beach for swimming and snorkeling. In the afternoon dry landing to reach the viewpoint of Bartolome. On this island, you can see interesting formations of lava and cinder cones. After a 30 to 40 minutes hike, a wooden staircase leads to the top of the island where there are beautiful views of the nearby beaches. This island is one of the most visited and photographed because of Pinnacle Rock.

DAY 6

Saturday: Genovesa Island / El Barranco / Darwin´s Bay Prince Phillip's Steps (El Barranco): This is the breeding ground for the tree-loving Red-footed Booby and the ground-nesting Masked Booby. This is also home to four species of Darwin Finches: the Large Ground Finch, Sharp-beaked Ground Finch, Large Cactus Finch and Warbler Finch. Natural history enthusiasts will recall that Charles Darwin's observation of varied adaptations of finches’ beaks helped inspire his theories on natural selection. Genovesa is also home to the indigenous Galapagos Mockingbird and the Galapagos Dove. If time permits, you can snorkel at El Barranco on the west side of Darwin Bay. Genovesa: It is the only northern island of the Archipelago open to visitors. This 14km. island is the tip of a submerged shield volcano that rises 76 meters above the sea level. Its central crater is filled with salt water. Ocean erosion created the Darwin Bay on the southern slope. Genovesa lacks on reptiles, except for the Marine Iguanas. It is a paradise for sea birds, including large colonies of the Red-footed Boobies and Great Frigate birds. Swimming, snorkeling and dingy rides are available.

DAY 7

Sunday: South Plazas Island / Santa Fe Island One of a pair of small uplifted islands a short distance from the east coast of Santa Cruz, South Plaza has unique Sesuvium plants and Opuntia cactuses scattered across the landscape which provide some of the most interesting wildlife observations available in Galapagos. Land iguanas are easily seen from the trail under the shade of cactuses waiting for a prickly pear to fall. Swallow-tailed gulls, along with various other sea birds, use the rising air to glide effortlessly over the escarpment and the protected rocky seashore is prime habitat for a large colony of noisy sea lions. Santa Fe (Wet Landing): Snorkeling along the rocky coast of the island you can see a variety of fish and sea turtles. On land you can see colonies of sea lions, land iguanas, frigate birds, Galapagos doves and lava lizards. The island flora is unique as you can see a forest of giant cacti and Palo Santo trees.

DAY 8

Monday: Santa Cruz Island / El Chato / Twin Craters / Baltra Airport We will travel by bus up into the gently sloping and forested highlands. The scenery changes continuously as we ascend through all seven vegetation zones found in the Galapagos. We will visit a private reserve where giant tortoises lounge around a quiet pond grazing on vegetation "El Chato". After plenty of time to explore the reserve, we will drive to a pair of large sinkholes called “The Twins” (Los Gemelos) where we will explore some ancient lava tubes. These tunnels are the largest lava tubes found in Galapagos and as we walk through them our feet will trace the path of the once-molten rock that flowed millions of years ago. This may also be an opportunity to observe Darwin finches, yellow warblers, bright red vermillion flycatchers and Giant Tortoises that gave the name to these islands. Then transfer to the airport.

Galapagos - 8 days cruising  aboard Stella Maris Itinerary A map

Galapagos - 8 days cruising aboard Stella Maris Itinerary A
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Introduction

The Stella Maris is a 38-meter, charter only, luxury yacht specially designed to explore the Galapagos Islands sustainably and ecologically, aiding in the purpose to keep the delicate balance of the islands in pristine condition. The stylish and accommodating yacht was built by the Italian Yacht builder, Picchiotti. The Stella Maris was once before known as the M/Y Talon, as well as M/Y Alta. After a major refurbishment, the yacht is now ready once more. Available as only a charter, the Stella Maris has 8 suites in total. The Master Suite, better known as the Crown Jewel, has spectacular views of the surrounding Galapagos, and in addition, there are two VIP suites, four other suites on the lower deck, and another suite located on the front main deck. Other features of the yacht include an Al Fresco dining area, bar, spacious sun decks, Jacuzzi, sun loungers, and much more outdoor space to take in the breathtaking views of the Galapagos. In addition to the lavish suites, the Stella Maris offers its passengers an Al Fresco dining area, a Jacuzzi on a spacious sundeck, bar, and many more outdoor deck spaces to enjoy the refreshing elements of the surrounding Galapagos Islands. Amenities Include iPhone dock stations, snorkeling gear, 4 kayaks, 2 SUP boards, TV/DVD in all accommodations and public spaces, and extra beach equipment.

Highlights

  • Year of construction - 2006
  • Type - Luxury Motor Yacht
  • Category - Luxury
  • Length - 125 ft (38 m)
  • Beam - 25 ft (7 m)
  • Draft - 5,6 ft (1.70 m)
  • Speed - 14 knots
  • Crew - 10 members + 1 bilingual guide
  • Capacity - 14 passengers

Itinerary Disclaimer

Itinerary is subject to be modified without previous notice due to weather conditions. Policies of the Galápagos National Park, or due to operational reasons.

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Galapagos - 8 days cruising aboard Stella Maris Itinerary A
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