Day 1: Baltra Island and Mosquera

Baltra Island

This Island was a strategic point during the Second World War. In this beautiful Island is located the main airport of the Galapagos Islands where tourists and colonists arrive and depart. When arriving at Baltra Airport, our naturalist English speaking guide will assist you.

Mosquera

After lunch, we'll land at Mosquera Island located between North Seymour and Baltra. The island consists of a long narrow stretch of white sand, rocks, and tide pools. It was formed by geological uplift. For this reason, the island has a flat look, rather than the conical shape of the volcanically formed islands. Additionally, it is a great place for snorkeling, strolling on the beach, and enjoying the natural life without the crowds commonly seen at many other popular islands. This island is not only home of a huge population of sea lions, but also home of many shorebirds.

Day 2: Isabela Island and Fernandina Island

Isabella Island - Vicente Roca Point

After breakfast, panga ride visit to Vicente Roca Point. Comprised of two separate coves, this site is a large bay with spectacular sea life, observing seahorses, sea turtles, rays, puffer fish, the strange yet fascinating Mola-mola (or sunfish), we see also penguins, blue-footed boobies and nazca boobies. Lunch on board.

Fernandina Island - Espinosa Point

In the afternoon disembarkation (dry landing). Walk (600m. round trip, 1½h, flat, sandy and rocky path) to see lava flows, a colony of marine iguanas (nesting time: January to June), penguins, pelicans and colonies of cormorants, lava cactus. Time for snorkeling. Briefing and dinner on board.

Day 3: Isabella Island

Urbina Bay

After breakfast, we'll land at Urbina Bay (wet landing), located west of Isabela Island, at the foothills of the Alcedo volcano. Minutes later, we'll walk on a sandy and rocky defined path (1 km. round trip. 2h, flat), observing calcareous organisms such as shells and corals exposed above water. In this area, you'll also have the opportunity to see a large colony of land iguanas, Darwin's finches, giant tortoises (between June – September), and flightless cormorants. After hiking, we may have time for snorkeling along the shoreline where guests may observe penguins and flightless cormorants.

Tagus Cove

After lunch visit to Tagus Cove that was a port where whaling ships arrived and left their ships’ names in a cave in 1800. In the high part is the Darwin Lake, a round salt water crater. Disembark (dry landing). Walk begins from the shore by a wooden stairway that rises to the dusty trail passing through Palo Santo Forest to reach the Darwin Lake. Continue on the trail around the lake through the dry vegetation zone. Panoramic views to the Darwin and Wolf volcanoes. (2kms round trip, 2h / starts at 0m, ascending to 50mts). Later, panga ride through the cliffs to observe the historical graffiti, penguins, flightless cormorants, boobies, pelicans and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Snorkeling time in the cove. Briefing and dinner on board.

Day 4: Santiago Island

Egas Point

Breakfast. The visit to Puerto Egas begins with a wet landing on the dark sand beach of James Bay. Walk along a rocky trail to the salt crater (1.7km. round trip, 1½ h, start at 0m, ascend 30m), observing Darwin Finches, the endemic Galapagos hawks, marine iguanas, sally light root crabs and fur seals and sea lions. Time for swimming and snorkeling.

Sombrero Chino

After lunch, disembark (wet landing) for a short walk of 200m. (30mins. round trip, flat and rocky), observing lava tunnels, lava cactus, Galápagos Sesuvium. Time to swim and snorkel. Return to the yacht. Dinner and briefing for next day.

Day 5: San Cristobal Island and Baltra Island

Santa Cruz Island - Charles Darwin Research Station

After breakfast, walk for about 20 minutes to the Charles Darwin Station, to observe the Galapagos turtles breading. The Darwin Station is part of the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galápagos Islands, an international non-profit organization dedicated to scientific research in the Galápagos Islands since 1959.

Hacienda Primicias

After lunch, you'll have the chance to visit Hacienda Primicias, and seeing the giant tortoises in their natural habitat. The tortoises are easy to find, they're always eating in the exuberant green grass. Furthermore, you'll also have the opportunity to see some cattle egrets, mockingbirds, and finches. After the hiking, we'll bring you back to the yacht, you'll have dinner and you'll get ready for a new adventure.

Day 6: Isabella Island

Tintoreras

After breakfast, Las Tintoreras is located south of Puerto Villamil. It has a small bay of completely calm turquoise waters, where you can appreciate sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, rays, etc. The bay is connected to a crevice of crystal clear water, that's shallow and when the tide is low, the entrance closes. In this crevice, you can see how reef sharks swim along with other small fish and sea lions. Lunch on board.

Breeding Center Arnaldo Tupiza

This center has a captive breeding program for tortoises from the populations of southern Isabela.​

Humedales

Disembark (dry landing), walk for about 30 mins. This area is characterized by sandy beaches, rocky shores, and mangroves. The area has a number of trails where you can see all four species of mangroves found in Galapagos and also migratory birds: whimbrel, short-billed dowitcher, wilson’s phalarope, common tern, blue-winged teal, osprey, black-bellied and semipalmated plovers, greater and lesser yellowlegs to name a few.​
 

Wall of Tears

By bus to Wall of tears a sad reminder of the history of Isabela. The wall was constructed between 1946 and 1959 while Isabela was a penal colony. As punishment the prisoners were forced to build the wall from huge blocks of lava. The wall is named for the many convicts that died while building the wall. Dinner and briefing for next day.

Day 7: Floreana Island and Santa Cruz Island

Rabida

After breakfast disembark (wet landing) in one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago as well as a great snorkeling site. We will start on Rabida's famous maroon sandy beach and after an easy hike (1 km aprox) will arrive to a stunning lookout to enjoy the amazing landscapes. The island is a birdwatcher's delight. Some of the rarest species are in abundance, such as nine varieties of finches, Large-billed Flycatchers, Galapagos Hawks and Brown Pelicans.

Cerro Dragon

After lunch, dry landing at a dock, the walk takes you to a hypersalinic (saltier than the ocean) lagoon behind the beach, often frequented by flamingos, common stilts, pintail ducks and other species of birds. There is a short walk to the hill, which rewards with a great view of the bay and a nesting site of land iguanas. Many of the Iguanas that nest here have been repatriated by the Charles Darwin Research Station. Dinner and briefing for next day.

Day 8: Seymour Island and Baltra Airport

Black Turtle Cove

After breakfast, you'll carried by dinghy (panga) to Black Turtle Bay (Caleta Tortuga Negra), located near to Baltra. This place is characterized by its lovely beach that houses incredible animals such as the sea lions in the Galapagos' crystalline waters. Nevertheless, it can also be seen some species of birds feeding around the beautiful lagoons hidden in the mangroves. After this visit, you'll be transported to Baltra Airport for your return to Guayaquil / Quito.

This is the end of the trip.