MILLENIUM has been created with a special design that will make the journey around the Galapagos Islands the perfect trip to your passengers. Considering the experience that we have in the construction of more than 16 vessels, the Catamaran Millenium gathers all the details that your passengers will admire and will enjoy at the Enchanted Islands.
The Millenium is the most elegant and comfortable catamaran cruise in Galapagos Islands. It has a high standard security because it has two hulls, and was constructed with non flamable materials, that make of it a very stable vessel.
The wide spaces in cabins, living rooms and bathrooms fit the elegance and comfort required by passengers.
The power of the engines (800 HP) make the trip very quick providing good performance, and the atmosphere of a small group of 16 passengers, mixed with the features of a big vessel, turns it also into an unforgettable journey.
ITINERARY
THURSDAY / THURSDAY
Day 1 Thursday:
Departure from mainland on Aerogal airline, flight 2K030 at 09:45. The plane will make a short stop to pick passengers in Guayaquil. Landing at the airport of San Cristobal will be approximately at 12:00.
Upon arrival to the airport, passengers will be met by our staff and transferred to the MILLENNIUM CATAMARAN, docked at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, in San Cristobal Island.
The first visit is to La Galapaguera, at the highlands, in Cerro Colorado, where we can find Galapagos tortoises living in the wild; also we can enjoy a magnificent landscape.
Day 2 Friday:
Española, which is the southernmost island of the archipelago and because it is so isolated, has a high proportion of endemic fauna. Points to be visited on the Island are: Gardner Bay, offering a great possibility for the visitors to enjoy some beach time in the Galapagos. Here, the extroverted mockingbirds sit on top of visitor's hats, peck at their feet and investigate their belongings. Punta Suarez, is one of the most popular and attractive visits at the Galapagos. The quantity and variety of wildlife at this site are remarkable. When landing, young sea lions surf the breaking waves, while a few steps inland groups of the Española variety of iguanas bask in the sun. Further inland, masked and blue-footed boobies nest almost right on the trail, Galapagos doves peck around unaware of visitors and finches go about their business in the bushes. The trail continues toward the cliffs and the blowhole, a fissure in the lava where water spurts high in the air like a geyser. Also Swallow-tailed Gulls and Red-billed Tropicbirds can be seen. Further up the cliff, in an area of low-lying reefs, is the only place where the Waved Albatross nest.
Day 3 Saturday:
Floreana Island, an island with beautiful visitor’s sites and some strange stories. Here we visit Post Office Bay and its post box where sailors used to leave mail in the past, and is still in use today. Punta Cormorant is a greenish beach due of olivine crystals in the sand.
Day 4 Sunday:
Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the Galapagos. The small town of Puerto Ayora is the economic center of the archipelago, with the largest population of the 4 inhabited islands.
Riding to the Highlands, will visit Rancho Primicias for lunch. Its greenery lush is a welcome contrast with the arid scenery of the smaller, lower islands.
Back to Santa Cruz Island, in Puerto Ayora, passengers will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, which is also a tortoise breeding and rearing center, where tortoises of different subspecies are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats.
Day 5 Monday:
Santa Fé Island, the vegetation of the island is characterized by the presence of the largest species of the giant opuntia cactus. Visitors will have a panga ride and do snorkeling
Plazas Islands: two small islands just off east side of Santa Cruz Island. One on the main characteristics is its unusual vegetation comprised of Opuntia Cactuses and Sesuvium plants. This island is one of the best spots to see land iguanas and swallow tailed gulls. The cliffs of the southern shore are a magnificent observatory to see marine birds in their habitat.
Day 6 Tuesday:
Rabida, one of the special features of this island is its remarkable red color, which is a result of the high percentage of oxidized iron in the composition of the lava. Flamingoes and White-cheeked Pintail Ducks can be seen in a salt-water lagoon near the beach. In the saltbushes that encircle the lagoon, Brown Pelicans build their nests. It is rare to see the offspring of these birds elsewhere. Walking up to the southeastern part of the island, there is an observatory from which the startling red color of the beach and the rocks can be appreciated.
Puerto Egas, the landing is on a black beach with eroded rock formations in the background. The trail crosses the dry interior, where the remains of a salt-mining enterprise can still be seen and then continues along the coast. Intertidal pools are home to a variety of invertebrate organism. Land iguanas are scattered around feeding on exposed algae while Oyster Catchers try to capture Sally Lightfoot Crabs. The lava and the black sand seem to catch fire and the animals acquire a surreal quality.
Day 7 Wednesday:
Bartolome is famous for its Pinnacle Rock, which is the most representative landmark of the Galapagos. Precariously walking on the rocks at the base of the Pinnacle Rock are Galapagos Penguins, the smallest species of penguin and the only one found north of the Equator. At the beach on the southern side, there are nesting sea turtles (in season), wading in the shallow water near the shore. White -tipped Reef Sharks patrol close to shore. The site is like a volcanologist museum, an eruption site left untouched after the explosion. If it weren't for the small lava lizards scurrying around, the pioneer Mollugo plants, and the gravity, the visitor could be well walking on the surface of the moon.
North Seymour is also one of the islands uplifted by underground seismic activity. It is considered as one of the best places to see Blue-footed Boobies and admire their courtship dance. Magnificent frigate birds are also seen. At the interior of the island, one stumbles upon the biggest congregation of red pouches in Galapagos.
Transfer to the airport of Baltra for flight with Aerogal airlines 2K033 departing 12:00, landing on mainland (Guayaquil: 15:30 – Quito: 16:15)
Day 8 Thursday:
Isla Lobos, a small islet at the north of San Cristobal. Here it is possible to see sea lions resting on the lava shores. The site is also the nesting place for blue footed boobies and frigates. Good possibilities for snorkeling.
Transfer to the airport for return flight with Aerogal airline 2K031 departing at 12:45. The plane will land in Guayaquil around 15:30 to disembark passengers, continuing to Quito, arrival estimated at 16:45
LAST MINUTE SPECIALS!!!
4 days / 3 night cruise
From September 30 to October 03; 2010
STANDARD Rate per person US$ 1050 in double accommodation
5 days / 4 night cruise
From September 26 to 30; 2010
STANDARD Rate per person US$ 1400 in double accommodation
6 days / 5 night cruise
From September 28 to October 05; 2010
STANDARD Rate per person US$ 1500 in double accommodation
8 days / 7 night cruise
From September 26 to October 03 2010
From September 30 to October 07 2010
STANDARD Rate per person US$ 1750 in double accommodation
Our signature fleet of three identical Superior first-class 20-passenger motor yachts, M/Y Eric, Flamingo I, and Letty, were custom-designed for Galapagos excursions. These sister yachts offer tremendous value and superior comfort in spacious accommodations for small groups.
Built in 1991 and refurbished every year, each yacht features ten double outside facing cabins located on three decks with polished teak wood interiors, window view or portholes. They are fully air conditioned throughout, have private bath facilities with fresh, hot-and-cold-water showers, hair dryer, toiletries, roomy closet and drawers.
Overhead storage is also provided, as are separate climate controls, ionizer (iguana and booby deck only), intercom system, life vests, bottled water and fresh towels.
A seasoned Captain, eight dedicated crewmembers, and two experienced English speaking naturalist guides attend to the details of your Galapagos cruise.
Each naturalist takes a group of no more than 10 passengers on all shore excursions and shares extensive insights into the Islands ' diverse wildlife. Small wooden boats, locally called pangas, ferry passengers to shore for Island visit
