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Eco-Hotel Finch Bay and Yacht
Galapagos Cruises
Hotel and Yacht
The charming Finch Bay Ecohotel - named after the famous Darwin's Finches abundant in the surroundings - is just steps from the beach on a private seaside location, surrounded by mangroves. Here guests can cherish the privacy, natural surroundings and superb service offered by the Finch Bay.
Located on Santa Cruz Island at Punta Estrada, across the bay from the town of Puerto Ayora, it is situated in a quiet location, with only pedestrian and bicycle circulation - there are no cars in the neighborhood.
Finch Bay accommodates 42 guests with 21 rooms (with twin or king-size beds), each with private facilities, air conditioning and unlimited water supply, as the hotel has its own desalinization plant. This ecologically oriented hotel also boasts innovative garbage processing and recycling programs. The entire infrastructures as well as the activities are totally oriented to a concept of true ecotourism in a pristine natural environment.
Delicious healthy international and Galapagos inspired menus are prepared daily by our chef, using the freshest ingredients.
Finch Bay is easily accessible. After a two-hour flight from Ecuador's mainland, guests arrive to the airport of Baltra in the Galapagos and then take overland transportation to Puerto Ayora and the Finch Bay.
HOTEL FINCH BAY - FACILITIES
- Finch Bay is the only full-service Galapagos Eco-Hotel situated directly on a beach.
- Eco-Hotel with International Service Standards
- 21 rooms with twin or king size beds (one cot for child)
- 17 rooms at ground level, 4 rooms on second floor
- Modern design incorporating Galapagos' natural elements
- Each room has wooden blinds, a black-out curtain, tile floors and a telephone.
- All rooms are nonsmoking
- Air conditioned rooms (via in-room remote control),
- Each room has a private bath with hot water, hair dryers and soap and shampoo dispensers.
- Beach towels available
- On-site desalinization and purification plan
- Ice machine
- Laundry service
- Private Outdoor Pool (open 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM)
- Mangrove-rich coastline
- Bar and Lounge
- Outdoor Jacuzzi
- Restaurant featuring International Cuisine (tastefully blended with local flavors). Buffet Breakfast. Both, fixed menus and a la carte menus for lunch and dinner
- Vegetarian and special dietary requirements can be accommodated
- Communications: telephone, fax, e-mail, Internet access.
- Beautiful grounds for strolling
- Beach-front access
- No motorized vehicles
- No paved roads
- Day trips to nearby islands, via yacht, as per itinerary
- Multisport Nature Active Options: Scuba Diving, Bird watching, Ocean (Sea) Kayaking, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Wildlife Observation, Bay Tours.
- Environmental Interpretation with Galapagos Naturalists
Finch Bay – Eco hotel - 4 days / 3 nights Itinerary
Sunday: Arrival to Galápagos by plane, to the airport at Baltra Island, and then cross the Itabaca Channel, which separates it from Santa Cruz Island. On the other side, a bus will take guests to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to visit the Giant Tortoises Reserve in their natural habitat, a unique experience! A stop is made at the Twin Pit Craters, great depressions of volcanic material, formed by a long process of slow sinking of the ground, where exceptional Scalesia trees, ferns, mosses and orchids can be seen in the surroundings. Box lunch is provided and then on to the Finch Bay Eco Hotel to enjoy its multiple attractions: pool, sea kayaks, the white coral beach in front of the hotel or rest in your hammock. In the evening, dinner includes the flavors of local and international gastronomy, one more attraction of the Finch Bay Eco Hotel.
Yacht Excursions to nearby islands:
Monday : NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND Yacht Excursion - A stroll on flat terrain allows the observation of Palo Santo trees and colonies of blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and magnificent frigate birds. Towards the other side of the island, the ocean crashes against the rocks and sea lions surf in the waves.
Tuesday: PLAZA ISLAND - This small island is full of fascinating wildlife, at sea side and along the cliffs: sea lions, land iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, Opuntia cacti and vegetation that changes colors with the seasons.
Wednesday: Leave the hotel early in the morning for a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, home to famous “Lonesome George” and many other giant tortoises. Then, overland transfer to the airport in Baltra to take the flight back to the continent.
Finch Bay – Eco hotel - 5 days / 4 nights Itinerary
Wednesday: Arrival to Galápagos by plane, to the airport at Baltra Island, and then cross the Itabaca Channel, which separates it from Santa Cruz Island. On the other side, a bus will take guests to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to visit the Giant Tortoises Reserve in their natural habitat, a unique experience! A stop is made at the Twin Pit Craters, great depressions of volcanic material, formed by a long process of slow sinking of the ground, where exceptional Scalesia trees, ferns, mosses and orchids can be seen in the surroundings. Box lunch is provided and then on to the Finch Bay Eco Hotel to enjoy its multiple attractions: pool, sea kayaks, the white coral beach in front of the hotel or rest in your hammock. In the evening, dinner includes the flavors of local and international gastronomy, one more attraction of the Finch Bay Eco Hotel.
Day excursions by yacht to nearby Islands
Before departure, a bountiful buffet breakfast is served, including a variety of fruit, cereals, eggs, Ecuadorian Tamales, milk, yogurt, fresh fruit juices, breads and more. For the excursions, please take solar protection, cap or hat, bathing suit, long-sleeved shirt, snorkeling gear, cameras and appropriate shoes for wet landing and hikes on lava terrain (sneakers or similar) with thick soles. Lunch is served on board.
Upon return, there will be time to relax in the hotel’s surroundings before dinner.
Yacht excursions to nearby islands
Thursday: SANTA FE ISLAND (Barrington) - A short trek leads through woods of Opuntia cacti and Palo Santo trees. Land iguanas (endemic to Santa Fe), lava lizards and colonies of sea lions can be observed. There is opportunity to swim and snorkel.
Friday: PLAZA ISLAND - This small island is full of fascinating wildlife, at sea side and along the cliffs: sea lions, land iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, Opuntia cacti and vegetation that changes colors with the seasons.
Saturday: BARTOLOME ISLAND - The trail is a fairly steep climb on wooden steps to the summit, worth the effort, as there is a spectacular view of the Galapagos scenery from above. Interesting lava formations and tuff cones can be observed. Sea lions and penguins swim in the vicinity of Pinnacle Rock. Enjoy snorkeling or swimming from the beach.
Sunday: Leave the hotel early in the morning for a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, home to famous “Lonesome George” and many other giant tortoises. Then, overland transfer to the airport in Baltra to take the flight back to the continent.
Sea Finch Yacht Specifications:
Built in 1988 by Hatteras ( United States)
Remodeling: Guayaquil, 2006
Capacity: 20 passengers
Weight: 30 tons
Length: 17.67 meters
Beam: 4.57 meters
Engines: 2 Detroit Diesel 8V71
Crew: 4 plus a Naturalist Guide
PACKAGES INCLUDE:
- Transfer in/out
- All Meals upon arrival
- Accommodation Finch Bay – Eco hotel
- Highlands Tour
- Charles Darwin Station tour
- *Day Yacht Excursions to Islands
- Visit to Twin Pit Craters
- Sea Kayak o Snorkeling
* 4D/ 3N (2 Day Yacht Excursion), 5D/4N (3 Day Hatch Excursion), 8D/ 7N (4 Day Yacht Excursion)
PACKAGES DO NOT INCLUDE:
- Galapagos National Park fee: USD 100 per person (in cash at Galapagos airport)
- Tickets Quito Galapagos Quito USD 407,46* (HS) 351,46* (LS)
- Transference costs for the payments
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Personal expenses & tips
* Prices may change slightly for 2008.
COMBINED TOURS HOTEL & YACHT
4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS
5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS
The new yacht is a Hatteras, built in New Bern, North Carolina in the United States, where the Hatteras company maintains a long tradition in construction of quality yachts. Yachts built by Hatteras are characteristic for their solid construction for navigation in all types of waters. All Hatteras yachts have a solid hull of fiberglass.
We have chosen this motor yacht for the satisfaction of our guests, as it can provide the comfort and style for the utmost enjoyment of their Galápagos Experience. The new yacht SEA FINCH has capacity for 20 guests, who can enjoy the air-conditioned interior with bar, lounge and dining room, or outdoors to bask in the sun during navigation.
This will be the fastest yacht in the Galapagos, with a speed of up to 15 knots. This allows for less navigation time and more time to enjoy the excursions in the islands. We have given maximum priority to security matters, to comply with international safety standards.
Sunshine Travel
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