7-night Galapagos Islands Cruise

Kicker Rock, also know as the sleeping lion because of its resemblance, is located off the coast of San Cristobal. Kicker Rock is made up of two rocks  jutting out from the sea forming a small channel. Visitors come here to see  the many tropical birds and fish that make this area their home. Visitors can access the narrow channel by small boat or kayak.

This small, barren island offers guests the opportunity to observe firsthand its volcanic formations and moon-like landscape.

Destination Guide

Located at the ‘mouth’ of the head of the sea horse, which forms the northern part of the Galapagos islands, is Punta Vicente Roca, Here the remnants of an ancient volcano form two turquoise coves with a bay well protected from the ocean swells.

The spot is a popular anchorage from which to take panga rides along the cliff that are the remains of the volcano or explore a partially sunken cave at the water’s edge. Masked and blue-footed boobies sit perched along the point and the sheer cliffs, while flightless cormorants inhabit the shoreline.

The upwelling of coldwater currents in this part of the Galapagos, give rise to an abundance of marine life which, in combination with the protection of the coves, make Punta Vicente Roca one of the archipelago’s sough after dive spots.

One cove is only accessible from the sea by way of an underwater passage. The passage opens to calm waters of the hidden cove where sea lions like to laze on the beach having traveled along the underwater route. The entire area of Punta Vicente Roca lies on the flank of 2,600 foot Volcano Ecuador.This is the Galapagos island’s sixth largest volcano. Half of Volcano Ecuador slid into the ocean leaving a spectacular cutaway view of the volcanic caldera.

This historic port town was once named Angostura ("the Narrows") because the Orinoco River is only 0.5 mi/0.8 km wide there. It's the site of the Angostura Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges in South America and the only bridge crossing the entire river (all other crossings are made on barge-like ferries). The town is 370 mi/600 km southeast of Caracas.

Today, Ciudad Bolivar is mostly of interest to visitors for its history and handsomely restored colonial zone surrounding the Plaza Bolivar, two blocks north of the river. The four statues of women in each corner of the plaza symbolize Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru (the original states of the republic of Gran Colombia). To one side of the plaza is the city's colonial cathedral. On the opposite side is the Casa del Congreso de Angostura (now a museum), named for the Congress of 1819 at which Simon Bolivar proposed creating a centralized republic. As you explore the streets adjacent to Plaza Bolivar, note the enormous boulders used as foundations for houses and incorporated into walls.

Stop at the Museo de Ciudad Bolivar, where the government's official newspaper was printed in English and Spanish 1818-22. It contains the original press along with a large collection of art and artifacts. A little farther away (take a cab) are the Museo de Arte Moderno Jesus Soto, displaying works by the kinetic artist; the interesting Fortin Zamuro, built in 1901 atop a colonial battery; and the Quinta de San Isidro, where Bolivar wrote his famous Angostura discourse. In the late afternoon, be sure to watch the spectacular sunset from the riverfront boulevard, Paseo Orinoco. Shoppers may want to browse the city's jewelry shops to pick up gold nuggets (cochanos). The city is easy to get around: Ignore the tour guides who pounce on visitors around the hotels and cafes. Plan to stay there one night.

Destination Guide

Punta Espinoza is the visitor site on Isla Ferdinandina and is situated at the northeast coast of the island. The biggest colony of marine iguanas is situated here. Hundreds of them sunbathe on the rocks. Besides the iguanas, the island is home to flightless cormorants, Galápagos penguins and sea lions. Mangroves and cacti dominate the vegetation. There are also extraordinary lava formations.

On the island of Isabela is Caleta Tagus, a trail that surrounds a salt-lake crater. This beautiful region is also known as the "land of marine iguanas."

This side of Isla Isabella is a paradise for sea turtles. Endemic Flightless Cormorants and the marvelous Galapagos Penguins are in their prime habitat here. Nowhere else in the world do they find themselves more at home.

The Post Office Box on Post Office Bay was used in old days by whalers and others to stay in touch with their loved ones at home. Leaving the letters behind in the wooden barrel, other sailors returning home took it with them. Today tourists take the tradition over and leave post cards behind to be picked up later by others. A large lava tube is located behind the barrel. Visitors can enter the lava tunnels by stairs. The coastal vegetation is a dry tropical forest with low growing trees and shrubs. Frigate birds become frenzied when fisherman or cooks clean fish and throw away the scraps. Watch them playfully throw up the pieces and have aerial acrobatic frigates snatch them from the air. When free meals are not available frigates harass other sea birds in the air to drop their catch. Rays are seen around boats floating close to the water surface. The beautiful sunsets on the equator are fast and should not be missed.

Named not after the bird but a US ship, there is a wet landing onto a, literally, green beach - so coloured because it is made from olivine crystals (volcanic silicates of magnesium and iron). Pencil sea urchins may be found on the beach. A short walk inland and the trail comes to a brackish lagoon. This is home to one of the biggest populations of flamingos in the archipelago, these pink residents spend about 7 hours a day or more eating, and so take some binoculars to watch the ballet of necks as they gracefully move back and fourth, scouring the floor of the lagoon for little shrimp. Take your binoculars to enjoy the show up close. Also present are pintail ducks and stilts. The trail crosses a narrow neck of land and comes to a white beach on the eastern side of the island. Ghost crabs inhabit the beach, and rays and turtles can be seen in the sea. Sea turtles nest at Punta Cormorant (December to May) on the white sand beach, just a short walk away from the olive coloured beach where you land.

Puerto Ayora is located on the southern end of Isla Santa Cruz. Puerto Ayora is a charming port town where sea, sun, seabirds and sailboats coexist. On the town's outskirts are the headquarters to the world-renowned Charles Darwin Research Station. Many travelers just pass through on the way to see Lonesome George (a 150-year old tortoise; the last of his species) at Darwin Station. Puerto Ayora is a lively seaside town offering international cuisine, oceanfront hotels, outdoor bars, scuba diving schools and an avenue of boutiques with everything from tie-dyed sarongs to Panama hats. Relish the Islands' crescent slices of sand, spectacular diving, mountain top vistas, and tropical climate. Visit select islands and choose from an array of outdoor activities, such as kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, horseback riding and mountain biking. Puerto Ayora provides the most convenient base for island hopping. Three boats, the Delphin, Esmeraldas III and Santa Fe, offer day trips to Florena, Bartoleme, North Seymore and Plazas.

Cerro Dragon is a Galapagos Island with small lagoons with flamingos, Palo Santo trees, Opuntia cactus.

This historic port town was once named Angostura ("the Narrows") because the Orinoco River is only 0.5 mi/0.8 km wide there. It's the site of the Angostura Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges in South America and the only bridge crossing the entire river (all other crossings are made on barge-like ferries). The town is 370 mi/600 km southeast of Caracas.

Today, Ciudad Bolivar is mostly of interest to visitors for its history and handsomely restored colonial zone surrounding the Plaza Bolivar, two blocks north of the river. The four statues of women in each corner of the plaza symbolize Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru (the original states of the republic of Gran Colombia). To one side of the plaza is the city's colonial cathedral. On the opposite side is the Casa del Congreso de Angostura (now a museum), named for the Congress of 1819 at which Simon Bolivar proposed creating a centralized republic. As you explore the streets adjacent to Plaza Bolivar, note the enormous boulders used as foundations for houses and incorporated into walls.

Stop at the Museo de Ciudad Bolivar, where the government's official newspaper was printed in English and Spanish 1818-22. It contains the original press along with a large collection of art and artifacts. A little farther away (take a cab) are the Museo de Arte Moderno Jesus Soto, displaying works by the kinetic artist; the interesting Fortin Zamuro, built in 1901 atop a colonial battery; and the Quinta de San Isidro, where Bolivar wrote his famous Angostura discourse. In the late afternoon, be sure to watch the spectacular sunset from the riverfront boulevard, Paseo Orinoco. Shoppers may want to browse the city's jewelry shops to pick up gold nuggets (cochanos). The city is easy to get around: Ignore the tour guides who pounce on visitors around the hotels and cafes. Plan to stay there one night.

Destination Guide