NATURAL PARADISE

Dimensions

• Length: 111 feet / 34 meters
• Beam: 26 feet / 8 meters
• Draft: 4 feet / 1. 40 meters

Performance

• Cruising speed: 14 knots
• Engines: CUMMINS - 2 X 400 HP

Capacity

• 16 passengers

Crew

• 9 Crew members + 1 Cruise Director + 1 Bilingual Guide

Safety & Navigation

• FURUNO Radar
• GPS
• Depth sounders
• ACR radio
• VHF - DSS radio
• ABC Fire Extinguishers
• All required navigation equipment

  Social areas

• Dining room, bar, social área
• Al fresco dining
• Sundeck with Jacuzzi

Cabin Facilities All cabins with private bathrooms, hot water and air-conditioning

INCLUDED

• All meals throughout cruise
• All transfers in the islands
• All excursions
• Bilingual national park guide

 NOT INCLUDED

• Mainland-Galapagos-Mainland airfare
• Alcoholic drinks
• US$100 Galapagos National Park fee
• US$20 Transit Control Card
• Travel / medical insurance
• Tips
• Personal expenses

Please note: Itineraries are unlikely to change significantly but are subject to change. Weather, wildlife breeding, safety concerns, instructions from the Galapagos National Park, specific abilities and interests of passengers as well as operational matters may cause your guide or captain to change the time or nature of visits. Your guide and captain will always endeavor to select the best itinerary within these limits.

ITINERARY Day 1 - Saturday: Arrival to Baltra and Transfer to the boat. Santa Cruz Highlands / Fausto Llerena Breeding Center Day 2 - Sunday: Genovesa: El Barranco / Darwin Bay Day 3 – Monday: Santiago: Espumilla Beach / Buccaneer Cove / Egas Port Day 4 – Tuesday: Santa Cruz: Bachas Beach / Transfer to Baltra Airport   DETAILED ITINERARY   DAY 1 - SATURDAY: ARRIVAL TO BALTRA AND TRANSFER TO THE BOAT. SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS / FAUSTO LLERENA BREEDING CENTER   AM: BALTRA AIRPORT ARRIVAL Morning flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra, Galapagos Islands. You will arrive at Baltra Island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by a Natural Paradise staff member and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.   PM: HIGHLANDS Accessible by bus from Puerto Ayora, the highlands of Santa Cruz are a deep green which contrast beautifully with the dry, lower part of the islands. The predominant vegetation in the highlands are Scalesia trees which create a lush green forest. The lava tunnels, over half a mile long, are underground and walking through them is a unique, surreal experience. At this place you’ll have lunch. Afterwards, you will visit “Fausto Llerena” Giant Tortoises Creeding Center in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, where giant tortoises are bred in captivity; this is home to tortoises ranging from 3-inches (new hatchlings) to 4-feet long adults. Subspecies of the giant tortoises interact with one another, and many of the older tortoises are accustomed to humans stretching out their heads for a photo opportunity. The babies are kept until they are about four years-old and strong enough to survive on their own.   DAY 2 - SUNDAY: GENOVESA ISLAND AM: EL BARRANCO El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps, is a steep, rocky path that leads up a high cliff rock face. A marvelous view can be appreciated from here. This site is also home to Palo Santo vegetation as well as red-footed boobies, short-eared owls, Galapagos storm petrels, and Galapagos doves.   PM: DARWIN BAY Visit the white-sand coral beach of Darwin Bay which includes a half mile trail (0,75km) that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls, which can easily be spotted here. Further down the path we’ll find tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully. At the end is a spectacular view of a cliff.   DAY 3 – MONDAY: SANTIAGO: ESPUMILLA BEACH / BUCCANEER COVE / EGAS PORT AM: ESPUMILLA BEACH In Espumilla Beach marine iguanas lounge and the Sally Lightfoot crabs attract the hunting herons performing the dance of predator and prey right before your eyes. Snorkeling is highly recommended as you could come face to face with an octopus, moray eel, shark and a variety of other species of tropical fish.   Buccaneer Cove is a testament to the fact that Santiago Island was once a refuge for British buccaneers. These pirates would anchor in the protected bay to make repairs and stock up on tortoise meat among other things. The steep cliffs, where hundreds of seabirds perch in front of the dark red sand beach, are a magnificent site.   PM: EGAS PORT Egas Port, also known as James Bay, on Santiago Island is home to the curious Galapagos hawks and quick-footed Galapagos lava lizards. The trail leads to the coastline with gorgeous tide pools and grottos full of fauna. Here the Galapagos furseals bathe in the sun. This is also a great snorkeling site.   DAY 4 – TUESDAY: SANTA CRUZ: BACHAS BEACH / TRANSFER TO BALTRA AIRPORT AM: BACHAS BEACH Bachas Beach is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz and is a beach for swimming. One of the few remnants of the U.S. World War II presence in the Galapagos, a floating pier, can be seen here. You may see flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black-necked stilts, and whimbrels. Sea turtles also nest on the beach.   After this final visit, you will be transferred to the Baltra airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.

ITINERARY Day 1 – Tuesday: Arrival in San Cristobal Airport and Transfer to the boat / Kicker Rock Day 2 – Wednesday: North Seymour Island / South Plaza Island Day 3 – Thursday: Rabida Island / Bartholomew Island Day 4 – Friday: Sullivan Bay / Dragon Hill Day 5 – Saturday: Santa Cruz Twin Craters / Transfer to Baltra Airport   DETAILED ITINERARY DAY 1 – TUESDAY: ARRIVAL IN SAN CRISTOBAL AIRPORT AND TRANSFER TO THE BOAT / KICKER ROCK AM: SAN CRISTOBAL AIRPORT ARRIVAL You will arrive at San Cristobal Island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by a Natural Paradise staff member and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.   PM: KICKER ROCK This striking rock formation is located a couple hours off the western shore of San Cristobal. Jutting out of the water, the rocks stand vertically at hundreds of feet above the ocean divided by a small channel. Although there are no landing areas, kayaking and dinghy rides allow visitors to spot a variety of marine life.   DAY 2 – WEDNESDAY: NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND / SOUTH PLAZA ISLAND AM: NORTH SEYMOUR In North Seymour you may see Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and magnificent frigate birds which are abundant on this island. North Seymour was formed by a series of submarine lava flows containing layers of sediment that were uplifted by tectonic activity. The island is characterized by its arid vegetation zone.   PM: SOUTH PLAZA ISLAND This small island with steep cliffs was formed by rising lava and is now covered by Opuntia cacti. It is also home to one of the largest sea lion colonies as well as colorful yellow and red land iguanas. The most characteristic plant is the Sesuvium. During the rainy season its color is a greenish to yellowish tone and in the dry season (end of June through January) a bright red.   DAY 3 – THURSDAY: RABIDA ISLAND / BARTHOLOMEW ISLAND AM: Rabida You will visit Rabida Island (or Jervis) which is one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago as well as a great snorkeling site. We will start on Rabida’s famous maroon/red sand beach, and after an easy hike, you will arrive to a stunning lookout to enjoy the amazing landscapes. The island is a birdwatcher’s delight. Some species are abundant such as a few varieties of finches, Galapagos vermilion flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans.   PM: PINNACLE ROCK You will head to Bartholomew Island where the famous Pinnacle Rock is found. Bartholomew consists of an extinct volcano with a variety of red, orange, black and even green volcanic formations. We will take a trail of stairs to the summit of the volcano (about 30 or 40 minutes) where you will enjoy one of the best views of the islands! You will also visit a small, beautiful beach surrounded by the only vegetation found on this barren island. The beach is perfect for snorkeling where you may even see and swim with Galapagos penguins.   DAY 4 – FRIDAY: SULLIVAN BAY / DRAGON HILL AM: SULLIVAN BAY You will visit Sullivan Bay located on the southeast part of Santiago. This place is interesting for its geology because the area is covered by lava flows. This place has elevations in the form of small volcanoes formed by the lava flows.   PM: DRAGON HILL The visitors’ site at Dragon Hill is located in northwestern Santa Cruz Island and consists of a 1,600 m long trail that runs through three different environments. The beach is very rocky. At high tide it’s a nice place for snorkeling. At this visiting site you can find vegetation of the typical intertidal zone and dry zone.     DAY 5 – SATURDAY: SANTA CRUZ TWIN CRATERS / TRANSFER TO BALTRA AIRPORT AM: TWIN CRATERS You will visit the Twin Craters located opposite to each other on both sides of the road leading from Puerto Ayora to Baltra. The name is only figurative; not real craters, these formations were created by the collapse of surface material in underground fissures and chambers. The view is breathtaking.   After this final visit, you will be transferred to the Baltra airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.

ITINERARY NORTH-EAST Day 1 – Tuesday: Arrival in San Cristobal Airport and Transfer to the boat / Kicker Rock Day 2 – Wednesday: North Seymour Island / South Plaza Island Day 3 – Thursday: Rabida Island / Bartholomew Island Day 4 – Friday: Sullivan Bay / Dragon Hill Day 5 – Saturday: Santa Cruz Highlands / Fausto Llerena Breeding Center Day 6 - Sunday: Genovesa: El Barranco / Darwin Bay Day 7 – Monday: Santiago: Espumilla Beach / Buccaneer Cove / Egas Port Day 8 – Tuesday: Santa Cruz: Bachas Beach / Transfer to Baltra Airport   DETAILED ITINERARY DAY 1 – TUESDAY: ARRIVAL IN SAN CRISTOBAL AIRPORT AND TRANSFER TO THE BOAT / KICKER ROCK AM: SAN CRISTOBAL AIRPORT ARRIVAL You will arrive at San Cristobal Island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by a Natural Paradise staff member and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.   PM: KICKER ROCK This striking rock formation is located a couple hours off the western shore of San Cristobal. Jutting out of the water, the rocks stand vertically at hundreds of feet above the ocean divided by a small channel. Although there are no landing areas, kayaking and dinghy rides allow visitors to spot a variety of marine life.   DAY 2 – WEDNESDAY: NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND / SOUTH PLAZA ISLAND AM: NORTH SEYMOUR In North Seymour you may see Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and magnificent frigate birds which are abundant on this island. North Seymour was formed by a series of submarine lava flows containing layers of sediment that were uplifted by tectonic activity. The island is characterized by its arid vegetation zone.   PM: SOUTH PLAZA ISLAND This small island with steep cliffs was formed by rising lava and is now covered by Opuntia cacti. It is also home to one of the largest sea lion colonies as well as colorful yellow and red land iguanas. The most characteristic plant is the Sesuvium. During the rainy season its color is a greenish to yellowish tone and in the dry season (end of June through January) a bright red.   DAY 3 – THURSDAY: RABIDA ISLAND / BARTHOLOMEW ISLAND AM: Rabida You will visit Rabida Island (or Jervis) which is one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago as well as a great snorkeling site. We will start on Rabida’s famous maroon/red sand beach, and after an easy hike, you will arrive to a stunning lookout to enjoy the amazing landscapes. The island is a birdwatcher’s delight. Some species are abundant such as a few varieties of finches, Galapagos vermilion flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans.   PM: PINNACLE ROCK You will head to Bartholomew Island where the famous Pinnacle Rock is found. Bartholomew consists of an extinct volcano with a variety of red, orange, black and even green volcanic formations. We will take a trail of stairs to the summit of the volcano (about 30 or 40 minutes) where you will enjoy one of the best views of the islands! You will also visit a small, beautiful beach surrounded by the only vegetation found on this barren island. The beach is perfect for snorkeling where you may even see and swim with Galapagos penguins.   DAY 4 – FRIDAY: SULLIVAN BAY / DRAGON HILL AM: SULLIVAN BAY You will visit Sullivan Bay located on the southeast part of Santiago. This place is interesting for its geology because the area is covered by lava flows. This place has elevations in the form of small volcanoes formed by the lava flows.   PM: DRAGON HILL The visitors’ site at Dragon Hill is located in northwestern Santa Cruz Island and consists of a 1,600 m long trail that runs through three different environments. The beach is very rocky. At high tide it’s a nice place for snorkeling. At this visiting site you can find vegetation of the typical intertidal zone and dry zone.     DAY 5 – SATURDAY: SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS / FAUSTO LLERENA BREEDING CENTER AM: TWIN CRATERS You will visit the Twin Craters located opposite to each other on both sides of the road leading from Puerto Ayora to Baltra. The name is only figurative; not real craters, these formations were created by the collapse of surface material in underground fissures and chambers. The view is breathtaking.         PM: HIGHLANDS Accessible by bus from Puerto Ayora, the highlands of Santa Cruz are a deep green which contrast beautifully with the dry, lower part of the islands. The predominant vegetation in the highlands are Scalesia trees which create a lush green forest. The lava tunnels, over half a mile long, are underground and walking through them is a unique, surreal experience. At this place you’ll have lunch. Afterwards, you will visit “Fausto Llerena” Giant Tortoises Creeding Center in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, where giant tortoises are bred in captivity; this is home to tortoises ranging from 3-inches (new hatchlings) to 4-feet long adults. Subspecies of the giant tortoises interact with one another, and many of the older tortoises are accustomed to humans stretching out their heads for a photo opportunity. The babies are kept until they are about four years-old and strong enough to survive on their own.   DAY 6 - SUNDAY: GENOVESA ISLAND AM: EL BARRANCO El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps, is a steep, rocky path that leads up a high cliff rock face. A marvelous view can be appreciated from here. This site is also home to Palo Santo vegetation as well as red-footed boobies, short-eared owls, Galapagos storm petrels, and Galapagos doves.   PM: DARWIN BAY Visit the white-sand coral beach of Darwin Bay which includes a half mile trail (0,75km) that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls, which can easily be spotted here. Further down the path we’ll find tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully. At the end is a spectacular view of a cliff.   DAY 7 – MONDAY: SANTIAGO: ESPUMILLA BEACH / BUCCANEER COVE / EGAS PORT AM: ESPUMILLA BEACH In Espumilla Beach marine iguanas lounge and the Sally Lightfoot crabs attract the hunting herons performing the dance of predator and prey right before your eyes. Snorkeling is highly recommended as you could come face to face with an octopus, moray eel, shark and a variety of other species of tropical fish.   Buccaneer Cove is a testament to the fact that Santiago Island was once a refuge for British buccaneers. These pirates would anchor in the protected bay to make repairs and stock up on tortoise meat among other things. The steep cliffs, where hundreds of seabirds perch in front of the dark red sand beach, are a magnificent site.   PM: EGAS PORT Egas Port, also known as James Bay, on Santiago Island is home to the curious Galapagos hawks and quick-footed Galapagos lava lizards. The trail leads to the coastline with gorgeous tide pools and grottos full of fauna. Here the Galapagos furseals bathe in the sun. This is also a great snorkeling site.   DAY 8 – TUESDAY: SANTA CRUZ: BACHAS BEACH / TRANSFER TO BALTRA AIRPORT AM: BACHAS BEACH Bachas Beach is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz and is a beach for swimming. One of the few remnants of the U.S. World War II presence in the Galapagos, a floating pier, can be seen here. You may see flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black-necked stilts, and whimbrels. Sea turtles also nest on the beach.   After this final visit, you will be transferred to the Baltra airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.

ITINERARY NORTH-EAST Day 1 – Tuesday: Arrival to Baltra and Transfer to the boat / Eden Islet Day 2 – Wednesday: Vicente Roca Point / Espinosa Point Day 3 – Thursday: Isabela- Urbina Bay / Moreno Point Day 4 – Friday: Isabela- Sierra Negra Volcano / Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center Day 5 – Saturday: Chinese Hat Islet / Mosquera Islet Day 6 - Sunday: Floreana Island -Post Office Bay / Cormorant Point / Champion Islet Day 7 – Monday: Española Island- Suarez Point / Gardner Bay / Gardner Islet / Osborn Islet Day 8 – Tuesday: San Cristobal: Lobos Island /Transfer to San Cristobal Airport   DETAILED ITINERARY DAY 1 – TUESDAY: ARRIVAL TO BALTRA AND TRANSFER TO THE BOAT / EDEN ISLET AM: BALTRA AIRPORT ARRIVAL Morning flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra, Galapagos Islands. You will arrive at Baltra Island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by a Natural  Paradise staff member and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.   PM: EDEN ISLET Off the western coast of Santa Cruz Island, Eden Islet offers visitors a great chance to see a variety of Galapagos wildlife from the dinghy ride both on shore and under the water.   DAY 2 – WEDNESDAY: VICENTE ROCA POINT / ESPINOSA POINT AM: VICENTE ROCA POINT Comprised of two separate coves, Vicente Roca Point is a large bay with spectacular sea life. Keep an eye out for seahorses, sea turtles, and the strange yet fascinating Mola mola (or sun fish) while you snorkel.   PM: ESPINOZA POINT Crossing the Bolivar Channel that divides Isabela and Fernandina Islands, you will land at Espinoza Point, and after walking past a colony of marine iguanas and a group of sea lions, you will reach the island’s highlight: the flightless cormorant nesting site. This area also provides a great opportunity to see the Galapagos hawk.   DAY 3 – THURSDAY: ISABELA- URBINA BAY / MORENO POINT AM: URBINA BAY Urbina Bay is located at the base of Alcedo Volcano on the west coast between Tagus Cove and Elizabeth Bay. This area experienced a major uplift in 1954 causing the land to rise over 16 feet. The coast expanded half a mile out leaving marine life stranded on the new shore. This area is also a great place for snorkeling.   PM: MORENO POINT Moreno Point is located southwest of Elizabeth Bay. Here a dry landing onto what was once flowing lava is possible. The lava has left craters in its wake which formed crystal tide pools. By looking into the pools, you can peer into another world as the marine life drifts by your window. In the brackish pools of this area, you may see pink flamingos, white-cheeked pintails, and common gallinules. If you look carefully into the pools, you may see white-tip reef sharks and some sea turtles.   DAY 4 – FRIDAY: ISABELA- SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO / ARNALDO TUPIZA BREEDING CENTER AM: SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO Visit to the Sierra Negra Volcano, which is the largest basaltic caldera in the Galapagos with a diameter of 6.2 miles (10 km). The site offers impressive views and the opportunity to observe up to seven species of finches and a rich display of vegetation. The north side of the caldera provides evidence of its most recent volcanic activity in 2005.   PM: WETLANDS The Wetlands of Isabela Island are located just outside of Puerto Villamil. They consist of lagoons, swamps, and mangroves and are home to a variety of unique bird species such as common stilts, whimbrels, white-cheeked pintails, and gallinules. The Wetlands can be visited on foot via a path through the swamps.   Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center is located about one mile (1.5 km) from Puerto Villamil. Here, tortoise populations from South Isabela, Sierra Negra Volcano, Cerro Azul, Cazuela, Cinco Cerros, Roca Union, San Pedro, Tables and Cerro Paloma have been bred in captivity. In total there are 330 juvenile and adult tortoises.   DAY 5 – SATURDAY: CHINESE HAT ISLET / MOSQUERA ISLET AM: CHINESE HAT ISLET This small islet is located near the southeast coast of Santiago Island. Its name comes from the distinct shape of the islet’s summit. Chinese Islet is a great location to view many geological formations such as lava tunnels and lava flows. Some of the lava flows were formed underwater and subsequently raised above sea level. The presence of coral heads on the lava flow indicates this phenomenon.   PM: MOSQUERA ISLET Mosquera Islet is located between the islands of Baltra and North Seymour. This reef of rocks and coral (the result of an uprising) is only 160 meters across at its narrowest width. This island has one of the largest populations of sea lions and is home to many shorebirds. There have been occasional reports at this site of orcas feeding on sea lions.   DAY 6 - SUNDAY: FLOREANA ISLAND -POST OFFICE BAY / CORMORANT POINT / CHAMPION ISLET AM: POST OFFICE BAY You will land on a beach and head to a spot where 18th century whalers placed a wooden barrel used as an unofficial mail box. The custom continues to this day with Galapagos visitors. So, don’t forget your postcards, and don’t be surprised if the post card arrives to its destination before you even get home!   Cormorant Point hosts a large flamingo lagoon where other birds such as common stilts and white-cheeked pintails can also be seen. The beaches on this island are distinct: The Green Beach is named so due to its green color, which comes from a high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand, and the Flour Sand Beach is composed of white coral.   PM: CHAMPION ISLET Champion Islet, named after the whaler Andrew Champion, is a small island located just offshore Floreana Island in the southern part of the Archipelago. Considered as one of the most beautiful places on Galapagos for all snorkeling and diving fans and an excellent opportunity for dolphin watching   DAY 7 – MONDAY: ESPAÑOLA ISLAND- SUAREZ POINT / GARDNER BAY / GARDNER ISLET / OSBORN ISLET AM: SUAREZ POINT On the trail to Suarez Point you will have the chance to spot blue-footed boobies, albatrosses, and Nazca boobies. This island is the breeding site of nearly all of the world’s 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. You will also visit a beautiful site on the ocean front where there is a cliff that the large albatrosses use as a launching pad! You will have the chance to see the famous blowhole that spurts sea water into the air. The landscape is great for photography.   PM: GARDNER BAY, GARDNER ISLET & OSBORN ISLET This excursion takes you to the spectacular Gardner Bay. After landing, you can walk across a lovely white-sand beach amongst a busy sea lion colony or dive into the water to swim with sea lion pups. You may also see curious mockingbirds on the beach.   DAY 8 – TUESDAY: SAN CRISTOBAL: LOBOS ISLAND /TRANSFER TO SAN CRISTOBAL AIRPORT AM: LOBOS ISLAND You will take an excursion to Lobos Island which means “Sea Lion Island.” This appropriately named island is ripe with noisy, playful, jolly sea lions who will welcome you to their home with open, well, fins. This island also offers great snorkeling opportunities as well as the chance to see blue-footed and Nazca boobies. After this final visit, you will be transferred to the San Cristobal airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.