The remarkable Galapagos Islands Whether your clients are after a comfortable journey on a luxury vessel around the Galapagos, an active land journey discovering the islands or a cultural expedition visiting local communities, PEAK DMC offers low-risk, low-effort access to these trips. Creativity, flexibility and attention to detail are essential in creating successful itineraries, whether they involve adventure or relaxation. Our extensive local networks ensure ground services, accommodation, whether luxury or budget, and all experiences are second to none. Tell us about your ideas and our experienced team will deliver. Our office in Quito and Galapagos has 15 staff and more than 15 leaders and guides to run our tours. We have leaders with more than 15 years experience operating locally in the Galapagos Islands and it is this depth of knowledge that sets us apart. At the moment, we operate three of our own boats in the Galapagos, but can also access a large number of different vessels at competitive prices. This enables PEAK to offer a full range of sailing adventures, from budget voyages to luxury cruises.
Welcome to PEAK DMC
Fausto Sarango GENERAL MANAGER With more than two decades spent in the travel industry, Fausto has lead successful adventure businesses and contracted and managed PEAK’s operations in the Galapagos. He is widely respected locally and focuses on delivering consistently high-quality, trusted products for our DMC partners. CONTACT: Email: fausto.sarango@peakdmc.com Address: Lizardo García E7-81 and Diego de Almagro, third floor “B”, Building El Cacique Metropolitan District of Quito, Province of Pichincha - Ecuador
Daphne Galapagos classification: Tourist superior class Daphne was built in 1997 and completely refurbished In January 2015. There is accommodation on board for 16 passengers in four lower-deck double-occupancy cabins with portholes and four upper-deck double occupancy cabins with ocean views and bunks. Each cabin has air-conditioning and a private bathroom with hot water. The vessel’s other features include a sun deck on the upper level with lounge chairs and other ample seating, and a dining room and bar on the main deck. Snorkelling equipment is available, and wetsuits can be rented.
Departures: Wednesday to Wednesday 8 days Itinerary B: Wednesday to Saturday 4 days ITINERARY A
Saturday to Wednesday 5 days ITINERARY B
WESTERN ISLANDS STOPS
NORTHERN & SOUTHERN ISLANDS STOPS
WEDNESDAY: Baltra / Bachas Beach
WEDNESDAY: Baltra / Santa Cruz
THURSDAY:
North Seymour / Bartolome
THURSDAY:
Floreana Island
FRIDAY:
Santiago Island
FRIDAY:
Española Island
SATURDAY:
Isabela & Fernandina Islands
SATURDAY:
San Cristobal-Kicker Rock and Breeding Center
SUNDAY:
Isabela – Elizabeth Bay and Punta Moreno
SUNDAY:
Santa Fe / Plazas
MONDAY:
Isabela – Tintoreras and Humedales
MONDAY:
Genovesa Island
TUESDAY:
Dragon Hill and Punta Carrión
TUESDAY:
Santiago Island / Rabida Island
WEDNESDAY: Black Turtle Cove / Baltra
WEDNESDAY: Charles Darwin Station
(Map Itinerary B)
Santiago
Fernandina
Genovesa
Bartolome To mainland Seymour Norte
Rabida
Baltra
Santa Cruz
Plazas
Santa Fe
Isabela
Kicker Rock
*
San Cristobal
Floreana
Española
Nemo III Galapagos classification: First class Enjoy every moment of your voyage on this motorised catamaran, with its four-person jacuzzi, spacious sun deck and dining room. Built in 1990 and refurbished In May 2014, Nemo III can accommodate 16 passengers in eight double occupancy cabins, each with porthole, air-conditioning and private bathroom. All snorkelling equipment, including wetsuits, is available on board.
ITINERARY A
ISLAND STOPS
SUNDAY:
Baltra / Bachas Beach
MONDAY:
Prince Philip Steps / Darwin Bay
TUESDAY:
Sullivan Bay / Dragon Hill
WEDNESDAY: Charles Darwin Station / Highlands THURSDAY:
Moreno Point / Urbina Bay
FRIDAY:
Espinoza point / Tagus cove
SATURDAY:
Egas Port / Buccaneer Cove
SUNDAY:
Daphne Island / Baltra
ITINERARY B
ISLAND STOPS
SUNDAY:
Baltra / North Seymour
MONDAY:
Lobos Island, Kicker Rock / Witch Hill
TUESDAY:
Gardner Bay / Suarez Point
WEDNESDAY: Cormorant, Champion Point / Post Office Bay THURSDAY:
Charles Darwin Station / Highlands
FRIDAY:
Plazas South / Santa Fe Island
SATURDAY:
Bartolome Island / Chinese hat
SUNDAY:
Mosquera Islet / Baltra
Departures: Sunday to Sunday 8 days, Itinerary B: Sunday to Thursday 5 days
Thursday to Sunday 4 days Genovesa
(Map Itinerary B)
Santiago
Bartolome To mainland Seymour Norte
Rabida
Fernandina
Baltra
Santa Cruz
Plazas
Santa Fe
Isabela
Kicker Rock
San Cristobal
Floreana
Espa単ola
Queen Beatriz Galapagos classification: Luxury class The pride of our fleet, Queen Beatriz, is a 16-passenger motor catamaran built in 2009. Its eight air-conditioned cabins all boast ocean views and private bathrooms. There are four spacious deluxe cabins with private balconies, one suite cabin and three standard cabins. Elsewhere on the ship, passengers can enjoy the four-person jacuzzi, dining room and bar. Snorkelling equipment and wetsuits are provided on board.
Genovesa
(Map Itinerary A)
Departures: Sunday to Sunday 8 days Itinerary A: Sunday to Wednesday 4 days
Santiago Rabida
Fernandina
Wednesday to Sunday 5 days
ITINERARY A
ISLAND STOPS
ITINERARY B
ISLAND STOPS
SUNDAY:
Baltra / Carrión Point
SUNDAY:
San Cristóbal / Interpretation Center
MONDAY:
Tintoreras / Giant Tortoise breeding center
MONDAY:
Bartolome Island / Sullivan Bay
TUESDAY:
Floreana Island
TUESDAY:
Espumilla Beach / Egas Port
WEDNESDAY: Charles Darwin / Highlands
WEDNESDAY: Charles Darwin Station / Highlands
THURSDAY:
Santa Fe Island / South Plazas
THURSDAY:
North Seymour / Mosquera Islet
FRIDAY:
Española Island
FRIDAY:
Black Turtle Cove / Dragon Hill
SATURDAY:
Pitt Point and Kicker Rock / Lobos Islands
SATURDAY:
Chinese Hat / Rábida Island
SUNDAY:
Galapaguera / San Cristobal
SUNDAY:
Bachas Beach / Baltra
Bartolome To mainland Seymour Norte Baltra
Santa Cruz
Plazas
Santa Fe
Isabela
Kicker Rock
San Cristobal
Floreana
Española
Galapagos Land Adventure Day 1: Arrive in Quito any time and check in to your hotel. This evenyng you will be met by a PEAK representative for a briefing about your upcoming adventure and an opportunity to get to know your new travel mates before your first dinner together. Day 2: Fly to San Cristobal, Downhill Bike Ride, Visit La Loberia. This morning we’ll take a short flight to the one of the oldest islands in the Galapagos archipelago, San Cristobal. In the afternoon we we’ll head up into the highlands for a scenic downhill bike ride, we start at a panoramic viewpoint called La Soledad, we’ll bike through the tiny town of El Progresso and five different vegetation zones until we reach a beach called La Loberia. There we’ll be able to watch sea lions sun bathing, playing and vying for our attention. If you can’t wait to get in the water, this is your first opportunity. Day 3: Snorkel at Isla Lobos and Kicker Rock, Visit Interpretation Center. Today we will be able to see some shore birds like the Great Frigate and famous Blue-Footed Booby. Then we’ll anchor in a channel near Isla Lobos where we’ll get our fins wet in search of damselfish, puffer fish, and, hopefully, curious sea lion pups.
From there we continue to Kicker Rock to explore the final remains of a tuff cone rising over 143 meters out of the ocean. Puerto Grande, a beautiful beach accessible only by boat, is our final stop for the day. After lunch on board, feel free to spend your time swimming in the turquoise water or snapping photos of Kicker Rock in the distance. We’ll head back to town late afternoon to visit the Interpretation Center.
Day 4: Visit Floreana Island, Snorkel and learn about the island After breakfast, we’ll depart by boat for the least inhabited of the main islands, Floreana. In route, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, whales and the waved albatross. We’ll have a pre-lunch snorkel before going ashore to a black sand beach at the home of the Witmer’s, one of the islands first settlers. In the afternoon we’ll say god bay to Floreana and will take our speed boat to go to Isabela. Once we arrive in Puerto Vilamil, we’ll take a short walk to a nearby wetland that is home to pink flamingos and pintail ducks. Day 5 Hike Sierra Negra Volcano, Visit Volcan Chico Lava Fields Lace up your hiking boots, we’re heading up a volcano! Sierra Negra Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in Galapagos; its last eruption was in October 2005. As we hike to the perimeter of the caldera, we’ll be on the look out for bird species found only in the highlands like the bright red Vermillion Flycatcher and the elusive short-eared owl. Once we reach the rim, we’ll be met with a nine kilometer view that stretches across one the most active calderas in the world.
Day 6: Visit Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, Wall Of Tears and Visit the Tintoreras We’ll start the morning with a leisurely walk through a coastal lagoon. This mangrove-lined path will lead us to Isabela’s Giant Tortoise Breeding Center where we’ll see giant tortoises in all stages of development. Next, we’ll take a step back in time to visit the Wall of Tears. In the afterenoon we’ll board small boat for Tintoreras or Shark Alley. We’ll hop off for a short walk on this isolated islet and popular iguana nesting site that’s home to hundreds of marine iguanas. Next we’ll test the waters for a snorkel in a calm inlet that’s home to a variety of colorful fish and winding underground lava tubes.
Day 7: Kayak in Isabela before we take our speed boat to Santa Cruz We’ll start the morning with a kayak in a protected bay in search of the Galapagos Penguin – the only Penguin found close the equator. Along the way, keep an eye out for Eagle Rays, Sea Turtles and Blue Footed Boobies. And then, finally, we’ll have a couple of hours to enjoy the beach before lunch! Afterwards, we’ll stroll Isabela’s sandy streets one last time as we head back in route to Santa Cruz Island, the tourist capital of Galapagos.
Day 9: Meet the EX Lonesome George home then fly back to Quito This morning we’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Foundation where Lonesome George use to live –We’ll learn about the foundations successes in repopulating the islands with the once endangered land iguana and several species of Giant Tortoise then you’ll fly back to Quito early afternoon where the PEAK rep will be waiting to take you to the Hotel for the last night of the trip.
Day 8: Visit Highlands of Santa Cruz to see the Wild Tortoises and relax in the Tortuga bay In the morning we start with the visit to the Highlands of Santa Cruz. We’ll explore an underground lava tunnel and visit a private farm known to be eating grounds for the Giant Tortoise. For the first time we’ll be able to see Giant Tortoises in their natural habitat cooling off in a watering hole or munching away. In the afternoon we take a short walk to Tortuga Bay, a gorgeous beach accessible only by foot and laden with choices: swimming, sunbathing, bodysurfing or all of them! Finally make our way back to town for our farewell dinner to the Enchanted Islands.
Day 10: Final Day, Depart For Home Or Arrange A Day Tour Of The City Today is the last day of the tour and we’ll be sure to get you to the airport if you have a flight out before noon or arrange a day tour in and around Quito for some additional exploring.
PEAK - Ecuador Lizardo Garcia E7-81 and Diego de Almagro fourth floor “B” Quito - Ecuador Ph: +593 (2) 2560419 E-mail: fausto.sarango@peakdmc.com W: www.peakdmc.com