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Valkiria Sail Tour

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Level of difficulty:
Easy to Moderate

Capacity: 10 passengers

Introduction:

Valkiria is a charming catamaran sailboat, built for cruising around the Galapagos in style.  This beautiful yacht accommodates up to 10 guests in 5 large double cabins with full size beds each equipped with toilets and showers, indoor and outdoor dining areas, full navigational equipment which features all US and EU communication and safety required electronics, a solar panel which makes it completely ecological with all instruments and systems working on battery. The S/C Valkiria is the perfect choice for stylish trip in the Galapagos. Whichever activities your personal itinerary includes, surfing, sailing, or just relaxing, the Valkiria is the perfect choice for your vacation.

You will be able to experience first hand the natural wildlife of the Galapagos Islands such as swimming with sea lions, observing blue-footed boobies or frigate birds nesting areas, and viewing incredible underwater life while snorkelling. Plus you will be able to visit the top of active volcanoes that helped form these islands, which is not available on any regular cruise.   All of these activities are avialable on this amazing cruise and in addition you will be able have the unique experience of learning how the human population on these islands live and interact with nature in harmony.  You will learn how people arrived, how they survive, and what locals do in Galapagos. Our operational days are flexible and we are able adjust to your vacation time requirements.

Itinerary:

DAY 1:
This starts with a flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island, where our guide will pick you up and take you to the yacht. After a quick stop in Puerto Ayora and lunch on board, we will move on to Punta Estrada and Divine Bay, a calm shallow area of water where rays, mullets and sharks can be seen along the rocky coast line. Blue-footed boobies and frigates are also found on the cliffs.  The day also includes snorkeling. Back on board the boat, we will have dinner while the boat heads towards San Cristóbal Island.

DAY 2:
After breakfast we will drive to the highlands and walk to El Junco lagoon (the only natural source of fresh water in the islands.) Frigate birds feed on the fish in the lagoon, and there are many land birds such as Darwin finches and mocking birds. A box lunch will be provided and we will continue on to visit to La Galapaguera, which is a part of the Galapagos National Park.  Here we will be able to find a great number of giant tortoises in their natural habitat, a highlight of our journey. After exploring the surroundings, we will walk to Puerto Chino, a beautiful and pristine beach that is the perfect spot for a laid back afternoon where you can snorkel, swim or simply relax. We will finish the day with dinner.

DAY 3:
The day starts with breakfast on the way sightseeing visit to Kicker Rock and León Dormido, an old tuff cone (a type of landform from volcanic eruptions) eroded by the ocean that now serves as nesting place for frigate birds, blue-footed boobies and masked nazca boobies, tropic birds, and of course, the magnificent volcanic formation. There will be a box lunch and visit to Puerto Grande for snorkeling. After dinner, we sail to Floreana.

DAY 4:
After having breakfast on board the boat, we will go by car to the highlands of Floreana where pirates and whalers used volcanic caves as hiding places. We will have a box lunch, and back in town, we will visit Puerto Velasco Ibarra, the smallest town in the Galapagos with a population of around only 100 people. We will have dinner on board and then head to Isabela.

DAY 5:
Isabela Island is the largest island and one of the youngest in the Galapagos as well as one of the most beautiful islands. After breakfast and approximately an hour bus ride, we will arrive at the Sierra Negra volcano, which is still active and in October 2005 gave us the most recent volcanic eruption in Galapagos. From here, we begin our journey on horse back along the crater of the volcano—an experience that will fulfill every expectation. Normally, we also find giant tortoises on the way. We continue on with a trek on a trail of lava to the volcano Chico, where we can walk on a large lava flow and may be fortunate to see fumaroles (volcanic gases and vapours that come out of the earth), as well as an incredible landscape from the top. We will also have a box lunch, and during the afternoon, you are free to enjoy the beach.

DAY 6:
As Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island has the second smallest population in the Galapagos, with around 1,800 inhabitants, it is still pristine and untouched. After breakfast, there is a zodiac (a type of boat) ride to the Tintoreras, or the white-tip sharks grotto. Swimming along the sandy bottoms of the small shallow channels between lava flows, we usually find white-tipped reef sharks. There are also penguins on Isabela and normally they will join us for a swim.  After the visit, we will head back to the boat and have lunch.  In the afternoon, we will visit the Muro de las Lágrimas, a wall of lava rocks made by inmates from an old penal colony established on the island. To finish our day, we can relax on the white sand beach right in town, where we can see many shore birds and other marine life.

DAY 7:
After breakfast, during our morning on Puerto Ayora, we will go to the highest part of the island for a bike ride.  Along the ride we will be able to observe tortoises in their natural habitat. After lunch, we will visit the world famous Charles Darwin Research Centre, where the efforts to protect and preserve the native and endemic animals are developed; we will also find giant tortoise rearing programs, and of course, Lonesome George, the very last giant tortoise of his species.

DAY 8:
The day will begin with breakfast.  On our way to the airport, we will stop at Los Gemelos, a pair of craters (sink holes) in the middle of the Scalesia zone. Scalesias are endemic trees found only in the Galapagos.  They create a great nesting area for Darwin’s finches as well as many other land birds such as fly catchers, doves, and more.  After the visit to the Gemelos, we will drive straight to the airport on Baltra where you will catch your flight back to Quito or Guayaquil.

Prices per person: $2225 per person; Charter $22250 (10 pax)

• Single supplement 80%
• Child discount less than 12 years 20%

The price does not include:

• Airfare to/from Galapagos (subject to change)
• Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee (subject to change)
• Alcoholic or extra drinks on board
• Guide tips and personal expenses.