Day 1: Saturday / Baltra Island -- Embark Cruise

M/S LILI MARLEEN

Embark M/S Lili Marleen in time for lunch. Afterwards, there is a briefing regarding the ship's facilities, National Park regulations and a safety drill practice prior to departure. Cruise to Bartolome Island, a place not dissimilar to the surface of the moon. The volcanic formations of this island include lava bombs, spatter cones and cinder cones. There is a steep hike to the summit aided by wooden steps from where you have an impressive view of the islands including Pinnacle Rock, an eroded tuff cone. During the hike, admire a large colony of marine iguanas and lava lizards, along with interesting flora like Red mangroves, tiquilla and cacti. Later on there is time for some snorkeling and you can see Galapagos penguins, marine tortoises (January-March) and white-tipped sharks. This evening is the Captain's Welcome Dinner. (BLD)

Day 2: Sunday / Galapagos Cruise

M/S LILI MARLEEN

After cruising through the Bolivar channel for possible observation of whales and dolphins, disembark to visit Urbina Bay and Isabela Island (wet landing). Take a medium-length walk in search of giant tortoises and orange-yellow land iguanas with large spines along their backs. There is another opportunity for swimming and snorkeling where you can spot marine iguanas, sea turtles, manta rays, hammerhead sharks, white tipped sharks, Galapagos sharks, eels, groupers and snappers. Return to the yacht for lunch. In the afternoon visit Tagus Cove on Isabela Island, the largest island in the Galapagos. It was created by the eruption of five volcanoes that flowed together. Graffiti dating back to the 1800's is written on the rocky cliff and is believed to be from pirates and buccaneers. Take a trail leading to Darwin's saltwater lagoon for an excellent view of the lava fields, volcanic formations and the ocean. Along the way visit the largest population of giant tortoises, along with Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks and frigate birds. (BLD)

Day 3: Monday / Galapagos Cruise

M/S LILI MARLEEN

Morning disembarkation (dry landing) at Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island. See the largest colony of marine iguanas sharing space with sally-light foot crabs. You also find the nesting places of the flightless cormorant, as well as Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks and sea lions. It is not hard to spot the resident bulls. Among the flora and lava formations there are brachycereus cactus, pa hoe hoe & aa lava formations and mangroves extending into the sea. Recent lava flows formed by an active volvano are also evident. In the afternoon cruise to Point Vincente Roca, on Isabela Island for a dry landing. Hike to the top of Volcano Ecuador where the reward is a superb view. Observe boobies, gulls and sea lions. (BLD)

Day 4: Tuesday / Galapagos Cruise

M/S LILI MARLEEN

Start today with a wet landing on the dark sand beach at Puerto Egas on San Salvador Island. Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows. This is an excellent place to observe hunting herons, great blue herons, lava herons, oyster catchers and the yellow crowned night heron. Enjoy the sight of marine iguanas grazing on algae beds at low tide sharing space with red sally light-foot crabs. There is a colony of fur-sea lions swimming in deep pools of cool water called grottos. This is an excellent spot for swimming and snorkeling in search of octopuses, sea horses, star fish and other sea life caught in the small pools as the tide subsides. You will find yourself among moray eels, hammerhead sharks, white tip and Galapagos sharks, Darwin finches, doves, Galapagos hawks, golden and white spotted eagle rays, jacks, wahoos, tuna fish, groupers, red-tailed and dog snappers, black and yellow-back Galapagos coral reefs, sea fans, sea lions and sea turtles. In the afternoon visit Rabida located off San Salvador Island. There is a dry landing on the volcanic dark red beach frequented by sea lions. This is often considered the geographic center of the Galapagos because it has the most diversified volcanic rocks of all the islands. Here a short trail leads to a saltwater lagoon where you find small colonies of flamingoes feeding. The brown pelican nests in the mangroves found at the far side of the lagoon. Also to be found are boobies and nine species of Darwin's finches. Finish the day with a dinghy ride by the reefs with excellent opportunity for snorkeling. (BLD)

Day 5: Wednesday / Galapagos Cruise

M/S LILI MARLEEN

Morning visit to Charles Darwin Station staffed by international scientists conducting biological research and conservation projects. Here you can see giant tortoises and their one-year old offspring, part of the breeding program. Admire the impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. There is time to walk around the small town for shopping and perhaps to mail a few postcards. Cross the highlands of Santa Cruz to observe the twin pit craters, Los Gemelos and Cerro Chato. See the famous giant tortoises that gave the name to these islands. Lunch is taken at a local ranch. Return to your yacht for dinner and overnight. (BLD)

Day 6: Thursday / Galapagos Cruise

M/S LILI MARLEEN

Dry landing disembarkation at Punta Suarez. The stark lava terrain is home to sea lion colonies and one of the most important sites for bird watching ­ especially hood mocking and red billed tropic birds. You also see marine iguanas with traces of green and red along with lava lizards and colorful sally light foot crabs. Take a short trek to see masked and blue footed boobies and their nesting grounds, many alongside the path you are walking. There are also Galapagos doves, hawks and swallow-tailed gulls. After crossing the nesting grounds, reach the world's largest colony of waved albatross (approx 15,000) which come to the Galapagos for their mating rituals. Your morning ends at the blowhole where water shoots nearly 75 feet into the air. After lunch aboard the yacht, disembark via wet landing on a white coral beach in the middle of a large colony of sea lions. In this open area you can spot Galapagos hawks, American oyster catchers, Galapagos doves, hood mockingbirds, three species of Darwin finches, yellow warblers, lava lizards and marine iguanas. This is a great place for snorkeling and swimming and you can see many of the Galapagos marine species such as King Angelfish, Creole fish, damsel fish, parrot fish, manta rays, white tipped reef sharks and many more. (BLD)

Day 7: Friday / Galapagos Cruise

M/S LILI MARLEEN

Visit Ochoa Beach at Isla Lobos. After a short walk guests can swim and practice snorkeling with sea lions. Next is a dry landing at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Here, at the Interpretation Center, learn about the natural and human history of the island through display presentations. There is a short time for wandering and shopping. After lunch aboard your yacht, disembark at Punta Pitt on San Cristobal Island. Hike to the top of Pitt Point for excellent views of important nesting sites for many sea birds including blue-footed boobies, masked and red-footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls and storm petrels. Cruise through Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock), a vertical tuff cone formation rising almost 500 feet from the ocean floor. Many guests see a resemblance to a sleeping lion or shoe in mid-ocean. Aside from the beauty of the tuff cone itself, you can see blue-footed and masked boobies, frigate birds along the cliff, and sea lions along the shore. This evening is your farewell cocktail reception (BLD)

Day 8: Saturday / Baltra - Disembark Cruise

En Route

Dry landing disembarkation at Seymour Norte to see swallow tailed gulls and bodysurfing sea lions! This is also another major nesting site for blue-footed boobies and the largest colony of magnificent frigate birds. There are also marine and land iguanas. Your Galapagos cruise ends as you disembark for the final time at Baltra Island. (B)

INCLUDED IN YOUR PROGRAM

• 7-night/8-day Galapagos Islands cruise aboard M/S Lili Marleen including full board and all shore excursions.
• Meals as indicated above by (B), (B,L), (B,L,D); B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner.
• Resident naturalist aboard ship.

SORRY, NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR PROGRAM

• Cost of visas or departure taxes as required.
• Air tickets to/from the Galapagos Islands.
• Galapagos National Park entrance fee.
• Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, incidental expenses aboard ship, etc.
• Gratuities for luggage handling and guides. These are at the clients' discretion.