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The G.A.P Adventurer IV is a comfortable air-conditioned 72-foot motor yacht built to accommodate 16 passengers with 8 double occupancy cabins
With either a window or a porthole, air conditioning and private bath.
Our clean and comfy yacht is an Original Class boat, staffed with an exceptional crew, including a certified naturalist guide. The 2-level wrap-around deck is ideal for ocean views and relaxing in the sun, and there is both a bar and a dining room where all meals are provided.
|
DAY |
ISLAND | PLACES |
| SUN |
San Cristobal |
AM: San Cristobal Airport PM: Lobos Island |
| MON |
North Seymour Mosquera Islet |
AM: North Seymour Island PM: Mosquera Islet |
| TUE |
Santiago Bartolome |
AM: Sullivan Bay PM: Bartolome Island |
| WED | Santa Cruz |
AM: Charles Darwin Station PM: Highlands |
| THU |
Rabida Santa Cruz |
AM: Rabida Island PM: Bachas Beach |
| FRI |
Floreana |
AM: Cormorant Point - Devil´s Crown PM: Post Office Bay |
| SAT |
Española |
AM: Suarez Point PM: Gardner Bay |
| SUN | San Cristobal |
AM: Interpretation Center San Cristobal Airport |
SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND: LOBOS ISLAND
AM: Flight to Galapagos Transfer early to the airport for our flight to the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival in San Cristóbal, meet our naturalist guide, who will assist with the transfer to the Xavier Yacht or " G4".
PM: Lobos Island
In the afternoon visit Isla Lobos to see the sea lions and walk on the beach. San Cristóbal is the easternmost island of Galapagos and one of the oldest. The principal town is Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos.
The Galapagos Islands are located about 1000 km (620 miles) off the Pacific coast of South America. The archipelago is comprised of 13 major islands and scores of islets that served as a living laboratory for Charles Darwin, the renowned evolution theorist. Long before Darwin arrived in the Galapagos, seafarers knew these isolated islands as home to some of the strangest and most wonderful wildlife imaginable, including birds that could swim but no longer fly, aquatic iguanas, dragon-like lizards left over from prehistoric times, and the giant Galapagos tortoises for which the islands were named.
Covering nearly 5000 square km (3100 square miles), the Galapagos Islands are now a National Park. The Galapagos National Park is the institution that controls the preservation of this environment, assisted by the Charles Darwin Research Station. Inaugurated in 1964 and based in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, the Charles Darwin Research Station is the one place where visitors can easily see the famous Galapagos Tortoises, which may live up to two hundred years. This is also the training centre for naturalist guides who accompany all visitors landing at more than 40 approved sites on the islands, and members of the international scientific community often come to study at the station.
The National Park charges a visitor fee of $100 USD, payable on arrival, which funds Park maintenance and supervision in the Galapagos, as well as ecological study, conservation and infrastructure development in Ecuador's other National Parks. Entry fees and the funds they generate for the National Park System are among measures taken by the Ecuadorian government to protect its natural heritage.
NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND AND MOSQUERA ISLET
AM: North Seymour Island
Set sail for North Seymour, just north of Baltra, home to sea lions, marine iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, magnificent frigate birds and blue-footed boobies. Seymour Island is probably the most exciting island photographically. Bird life abounds, and close to the trail you will find many nesting pairs and young chicks. Seymour is also home to the Galapagos’s largest colony of Magnificent Frigate Birds. Their mating ritual is an ostentatious display: males expand the red sack at the base of their throat and perch atop a bush with wings fully extended, flapping furiously. Interested females circle overhead, and if so inclined, may join the male on terra firma. Further along the trail we can observe a colony of sea lions.
PM: Mosquera Islet
Afternoon excursion to Mosquera Island to stroll on the beach and see the vast sea lion colonies.
SANTIAGO ISLAND: SULLIVAN BAY AND BARTOLOME ISLAND
AM: Sullivan Bay
Visit Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island in the morning to witness the striking and fascinating giant lava formations. Very few plans have managed to survive on this island due to the harsh environment and relatively new lava floe. Enjoy a walk along the lava formations before coming to a white coral sand beach, where plentiful sally lightfoot crabs and sea lions can be seen.
PM: Bartolome Island
Bartolomé Island (also called Bartholomew) has 2 main areas of interest. A hike to the summit of the island provides a clearer perspective of the islands' not-too-distant volcanic origins, and the panoramic view is one of the best among the islands. From here are visible the double-sided beach of Bartolomé directly below, the volcanic tower rising out of the water next to it, and Santiago in the distance. After the summit hike, stop at the beach to relax in semi-tropical tranquility. There is great snorkelling among the submerged volcanic rock and around the base of the tower. A short hike to the beach on the opposite side is worth the minimal effort. It is not unusual to see sharks in these shallow waters, and marine turtles nest here from January through March.
SANTA CRUZ ISLAND: CHARLES DARWIN STATION AND HIGHLANDS
AM: Charles Darwin Station
In the morning we arrive in Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz Island. Santa Cruz is the second largest in the island group, and has the largest population, with Puerto Ayora as its main town. It also boasts the most varied of the islands’ vegetation zones: coastal, transition, scalesia, miconia and pampa. The Charles Darwin Research Station is a 10 minute walk from the centre of the town. Here, an exhibition centre displays photos of recent volcanic eruptions, charts outlining geological formations and drawings of the evolutionary development of endemic species. A corral houses adult Galapagos Tortoises, and a nursery cares for young tortoises until they are about three years old, when their shells have hardened enough to resist attack from feral dogs.
PM: Highlands
In the afternoon we may have the opportunity to visit the highlands and see giant land tortoises in the wild.
RABIDA ISLAND AND BACHAS BEACH
AM: Rabida Island
In the morning we will take an excursion to Rabida Island, where we will land on a red sand beach. From here a short trail leads to a salt water lagoon, often home to wading flamingos. Another trail goes past the lagoon to the interior, where the revered palo santo trees grow. When burned, the branches of this tree give off a pleasing aroma and ward off mosquitoes. Back on the beach among low-lying bushes nest the prehistoric-looking pelicans. This is the best area for close viewing of these nesting birds, and it's a rare treat to watch parent pelicans return with gullets full of fish for the squawking youngsters.
PM: Bachas Beach
Afternoon excursion to Bachas Beach to see the sea lions and plentiful bird life.
FLOREANA ISLAND: CORMORANT POINT - DEVIL´S CROWN AND POST OFFICE BAY
AM: Cormorant Point - Devil´s Crown
Make our way to Punta Cormorant on the northern part of Floreana. The landing is on a beach of green sand, coloured by olivine crystals, volcanic-derived silicates of magnesium and iron. The trail leads to a lake normally inhabited by flamingos and other shore birds and continues to a beach of fine white sand particles known as “Flour Beach”, an important nesting site for turtles. Around the point, Devil's Crown derives its name from the broken remains of a partially submerged volcanic cone. This is a perfect spot to go snorkelling from the boat, as the waters are home to a multitude of colourful fish and sea lions. Please make sure you are a comfortable swimmer, however, as despite the protection from the open sea provided by the "crown," the water here can be rough and the currents strong.
PM: Post Office Bay
Later in the afternoon we stop at Post Office Bay has an older history. A barrel was placed here in the late 18th century by English whaling vessels to be used as a post office. Passing ships would stop to leave mail for loved ones, collecting at the same time any mail destined for ports on their itineraries. Today the box is used mainly by tourists, who may drop off and pick up unstamped letters to be carried to far destinations. The remains of a Norwegian canning factory are the only evidence of the Island’s history prior to its designation as a protected area. A short hike up past the post barrel takes you to an interesting lava cave. With the aid of a flashlight, you can descend about 80 m (262 ft) to the point where the sea enters the cave.
The history of Floreana Island (also called Charles) has gradually evolved to reach near mythic proportions. The story begins when a baroness and her two lovers, a German doctor and his mistress, and a German couple and their young son all came to settle on this land. Their dalliances and disasters, shrouded in mystery, were chronicled in John Treherne’s book The Galapagos Affair. Descendants of the German family, the Wittmers, still live on the island in the small community of Puerto Velasco Ibarra. Mrs. Margaret Wittmer has also written a booked entitled "Floreana" and this can be purchased at the airport in Baltra or at a local bookstore.
ESPAÑOLA ISLAND: SUAREZ POINT AND GARDNER BAY
AM: Suarez Point
Head to Suarez Point on Española Island. The southernmost island in the Galapagos archipelago is home to several wildlife species, including masked and blue-footed boobies. A hike to the top of the cliff makes for spectacular photo opportunities.
Suarez Point on the western side of Española Island (also called Hood) is spectacular: gargantuan waves break on jagged cliffs and large bird colonies thickly populate the interior of the island; there is a distinct feel of desolate wilderness here. The Waved Albatross is seen here from April to December during its mating/nesting season. This bird leaves land between January and March each year to make its annual odyssey far out to sea. Amazingly, Española is the nesting site to virtually the entire world population of this species, with more than 12000 pairs residing here. Large numbers of Masked and Blue-footed Boobies are also found here, Red-billed Tropic Birds dash madly through the air, and both Marine Iguanas and sea lions are common. A huge blowhole, where the surf is forced through a natural rock formation spouting seawater 15 to 20 m (49 – 66 ft) into the air, adds to the island’s impression of untamed beauty.
PM: Gardner Bay
Follow the trail through a rookery and learn the geological history of the island from our naturalist, including its dramatic volcanic features, climate, flora and fauna. Sail in the afternoon to Garner Bay, an excellent swimming and snorkeling site.
SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND: INTERPRETATION CENTER
AM: Interpretation Center
Reach San Cristóbal in the morning. San Cristobal is the easternmost island of Galapagos and one of the oldest. Its principal town is Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos. Disembark after breakfast, visit the interpretation center and transfer to the airport for our flight to Quito.
Important: 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.
| Name | Xavier Yacht |
| Category | First Class |
| Construction Material | Naval Steel |
| Year | 1998 |
| Long | 25.50 meters |
| Wide | 7.40 meters |
| Prop | 3.60 meters |
| Power | 2 engines Detroit Diesel 8v71 (12nds) 2 32 kw John Deere Generators |
| Sailing Equipment | 24 milles radar, GPS, 80 mts Sonar |
| Com. Equipment | HF, VHF, Valiza Radio |
| Segurity | 2 motor boats for 15 people each. 2 lifeboat equipment fo 15 people each. |
| Comfort |
8 double cabins and 1 suite, each with: private bathroom, hotwater, air conditioner |
| Capacity | 16 pax 8 crew members |
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