Beluga First Class Cruise

Saturday, 14 December 2024

Fly from the UK to Quito

Depart the UK on a daytime flight to Quito, arriving the same evening. You will be met by our representative and taken to your hotel, the first class Casona de la Ronda for 2 nights. Our guide will provide you with expert local advice, explain your programme and answer any questions you may have.

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Sunday, 15 December 2024

Guided Tour of Quito

Morning at leisure to rest and adjust to the high altitude. Enjoy an afternoon guided tour of Quito, including the historic old part of the city with its fabulous colonial architecture, many convents, churches and small streets to explore. We will visit the three main squares including impressive San Francisco square as well as the Presidential Palace and the Gold Museum.

Monday, 16 December 2024

Fly to the Galapagos & embark Beluga

Fly to Baltra Island in the Galapagos and transfer to the Beluga. The Beluga offers a choice of fabulous 7 night itineraries, the Fernandina route and the Tower itinerary. Here, we focus on the Fernandina itinerary. After embarking we visit the Highlands of Santa Cruz where Galapagos giant tortoises can be seen in the wild. After lunch, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and National Park Information centre. 

 

 

 

 

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Tuesday, 17 December 2024

Floreana and Post Office Bay

Morning visit to Floreana Island, best known for its colourful history of buccaneers, whalers, convicts and early colonists. We continue to Punta Cormorant which has two contrasting beaches and a large inland lagoon where pink flamingoes can be seen.

After lunch, enjoy Devils Crown, a fabulous snorkelling site located just off Punta Cormorant. The site is a completely submerged volcano that has eroded to create the appearance of a jagged crown. We also visit Post Office Bay, one of the few sites visited in the Galapagos for its human history. Here is the wooden mail barrel where letters can still be posted and the remains of a Norwegian fishing village can still be seen.

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Wednesday, 18 December 2024

Isabela Island and Sierra Negra

This morning we explore Isabela Island, the largest of the Galapagos Islands formed by five active volcanoes fused together. Wolf Volcano is the highest point in the entire Galapagos at 1707m. Puerto Villamil is a charming small town on a white sandy beach. Highlights include the Tortoise Breeding Station and the flamingo lagoon. Other visits (depending on conditions) are the Tintoreras or Los Humedales.

After lunch we visit the Sierra Negra volcano with a crater with a diameter of 10km. We view recent lava flows, moist highland vegetation and parasitic cones.

 

 

 

 

 

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Thursday, 19 December 2024

Punta Moreno and Elizabeth Bay

This morning we go ashore at Punta Moreno, located in the central southwestern coast of Isabela Island. The site has spectacular views of volcanoes Alcedo, Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul. Some highlights include impressive lava flows, desolate and pristine landscape, varied and unusual arid zone vegetation.

After lunch, we explore Elizabeth Bay by dinghy. It is possible to see penguins on the small islets in the bay. The end of the bay is long and narrow surrounded by three species of mangroves. Galapagos Sea Turtles and rays can usually be seen in the water.

 

 

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Friday, 20 December 2024

Urbina Bay and Tagus Cove

This morning we visit Urbina Bay, located at the central-west coast of Isabela Island at the foothills of Alcedo and Darwin volcanoes. Highlights include the colourful land iguanas, Galapagos Giant tortoises and the coral uplifting from 1954.

In the afternoon we explore Tagus Cove, a natural harbour where centuries ago whalers and pirates left their ship's names painted or carved on the rocks. A walk uphill to Darwin's Crater salt-water lake will provide an excellent view.

 

 

 

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Saturday, 21 December 2024

Fernandina Island and Punta Vicente Roca

Disembark at Fernandina Island and visit Punta Espinoza, famous for its large colonies of marine iguanas and as the habitat of unique species such as the flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguin, Galapagos hawk, and Galapagos snake.

After lunch, we visit Punta Vicente Roca by dinghy, exploring along the cliffs or the partially sunken cave at the water's edge. Nasca boobies, blue-footed boobies and flightless cormorants inhabit the shoreline.

 

 

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Sunday, 22 December 2024

Santiago and Bartolome Islands

This morning we visit Santiago Island with its wide variety of seabirds, marine iguanas and fur seals. We explore Puerto Egas and walk along the rocky coast line that will you show you a view of some of Galapagos' best tide pools. Some highlights include: Sugar loaf volcano, fur seals, oystercatchers, marine iguana colony and old salt mine.

In the afternoon, we visit Bartolome Island where we hike to the highest point on Bartolome for a spectacular view. Sea lions and penguins can be seen around Pinnacle Rock. There is a sandy beach with great swimming and snorkelling.

 

 

 

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Monday, 23 December 2024

North Seymour & return to the UK

Early morning visit to North Seymour Island, a flat piece of land originated after an uplifting event thousands of years ago. The island is home to endemic Palo Santo trees, colonies of blue-footed boobies, swallow tailed gulls and magnificent frigate birds. We continue to Baltra airport for return flight to the UK, via Guayaquil.

 

 

 

 

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Tuesday, 24 December 2024

Arrive in the UK