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Galapagos Cruise Itinerary

Start of Itinerary A for 8 Days and start of Itinerary C for 5 days


Day 1: Baltra , Bachas beach      

bachas beach galapagos islandsFly from the Ecuadorian mainland to the islands on an early morning 90-minute flight. As you prepare to land in Baltra, peer out the window. The landscape below will seem out of this world - and it is for you have come to a place like no other. The Galapagos Islands are unique to the world and you are about to see why. Your bilingual naturalist guide will greet you at the airport and assist you through customs. During lunch he/she will introduce you to the islands and specifically the flora and fauna you will encounter at our first destination, Las Bachas Beach. On the sandy white beaches of Las Bachas we will get a close look at a sea turtle nesting area and a lake frequented by leggy pink flamingos and other migratory birds. Afterward, we cool ourselves off with our first dip in the deliciously blue Pacific Ocean (snorkeling) . As this is our first evening together, the crew will invite us to a pre-dinner cocktail on the yacht before the welcome dinner. If the night is clear, as it usually is, the stars above will bedazzle; look for the Southern Cross, the Big Dipper (turned up-side down!) and Orion.


Day 2: Genovesa island , El Barranco & Darwin Bay

genovesa island galapagos islands Early in the morning you’ll have breakfast and then you’ll disembark at Genovesa or Tower Island, which is located in the northeastern part of the Galapagos (less than half a degree north of the equator).

At Tower Island you’ll anchor at Darwin Bay, which is located on the southern part of the island, and is actually the caldera of an extinct, partially eroded volcano, with the surrounding cliffs forming the inner lining of the rim. While the origin of the name Tower is not known, one can imagine it had something to do with these towering cliffs. The tour will be a long, fairly-easy walk, but it is usually hot and dry here, so you may want to carry some water. After a wet landing on a coral beach the trail begins in an area where there are several swallow-tailed gulls. As you walk back from the beach, you’ll see a variety of Opuntia cactus and mangroves, following the walk we have time for snorkeling .

Tower is an outpost for many sea birds (as Española is in the south). Interestingly, there are almost no land reptiles on Tower, only very small marine iguanas. This is attributed to the direction of the ocean currents, which wouldn’t have carried the terrestrial animals here.

     Visit El Barranco during the afternoon then return to the boat for dinner.


Day 3: Bartolome island  & Sullivan Bay

bartolome island galapagos

Bartolome Island, which at its highest point is 114 meters, is one of the most photographed vistas in the archipelago. This island is quite young and quite volcanic, therefore, it's relatively unpopulated; only a small handful of die-hard plant and animal species have survived long enough to call this lava-land home.

After the visit to Bartolome Island we can go snorkeling  from its golden sand beach where we can probably swim with penguins . In te afternoon you’ll visit nearby Sullivan Bay.  At the turn of the century a huge lava flow spilled right down to the sea and today you can stroll across this black volcanic expanse, admiring its time-frozen ripples, bubbles and ropes.


Day 4: Daphne , Black Turtle Cove & Cerro Dragon

caleta tortuga negra galapagos islands

Early in the morning you’ll arrive to Daphne Island, a cone formed by the accumulation of volcanic ash, which is home to thousands of birds such as blue footed boobies, frigate birds, tropic birds, and many more. We wont go ashore here, but we’ll navigate around this volcanic cone, so binoculars are recommended to get a good look at the birds. Daphne has been a great research site on which many scientists have spent years studying the behavior of Darwin’s finches.

After this visit you’ll move on to our next site, Black Turtle Cove, which is a red mangrove lagoon on Santa Cruz and is a nursery for many sharks and rays. It’s also a great location to observe mating sea turtles during nesting season . You’ll see large groups of resting White-Tip Reef Sharks, schools of Golden Rays and Spotted Eagle Rays, and a few marine bird like blue footed boobies and pelicans. The water very calm so we often used paddles instead of the loud panga engines to move around the area.

After lunch you’ll navigate for a couple of hours to Cerro Dragon, where as soon as we arrive weather permitting we can go snorkeling and shortly after that you’ll make a dry landing on lava rocks. Cerro Dragon is a small bay on the west coast of Santa Cruz and got its name from the many land iguanas that live in the area. Land iguanas are endemic to the Galapagos Islands where they have found good mating and nesting areas.

 

Day 5: Santa Cruz Island We will visit the Darwin station's Tortoise Rearing Center and the Highlands

End of itinerary C for 5 Days and start of Itinerary D for 4 days

santa cruz island galapagosSanta Cruz Island . After breakfast we will visit Puerto Ayora , where you’ll visit the world famous Charles Darwin Station as well as the giant tortoises rearing center "Fausto LLerena ". This is one of the best places to see giant tortoises, including the place where Lonesome George used to live in the Galapagos  national park center .

Here we can find baby, hand-sized tortoises, between the ages of one and five years old , and marvel at how they achieve such large sizes as adults (500 lbs. or more!). Galapagos tortoises are believed to have a lifespan of over 100 years, so the young ones have a long life ahead of them as long as they receive the protection they need.

Santa Cruz Island is home to the largest town and economic center of the Galapagos, Puerto Ayora. In this portside town you can buy souvenirs (postcards, t-shirts, books, etc.) of the islands. Check out the unique Galapagos handicrafts at the local  market .

After shopping in Puerto Ayora and lunch on the boat (guests may dine in town if they desire), you’ll explore the highlands or “ parte alta ” of the island, which is a moisture-rich area with fertile volcanic soils. You’ll learn about the vegetation and animal life of this zone, often strikingly different than that found at lower elevations.

Darwin’s Finches, Yellow Warblers, and Bright Red Vermillion Flycatchers will fly in and out of the   moss-covered trees.

From this high vantage point you’ll be treated to beautiful views of the surrounding archipelago.


Day 6: Folreana island , Punta Cormorant , Devils's crown  , Post Office Bay

floreana island galapagos When you wake up and look out your porthole on Day 6 you will see Floreana, one of the larger islands in the archipelago. Ask your guide to tell you about its mysterious and interesting human history of the island ,from its first human settlers to the actual population .

Your first stop is Punta Cormorant, where you’ll follow a footpath to a lagoon inhabited by flaming-pink flamingos. At the end of the road we will get to a white sand beach which is  a green Sea Turtle nesting area and a superb spot for watching sea birds and sea rays.

Back on the yacht, you’ll skirt the island’s coast until you arrive at La Corona del Diablo  or the Devil’s Crown , a sub-marine crater that offers some of the most spectacular snorkeling in the Galapagos. This is a great spot for seeing the wide array of tropical fish, many endemic to the islands, including purple sea stars and spiky sea urchins. The crater’s most thrilling undersea creatures, however, are the white-tipped sharks. As with most of the creatures in the Galapagos they are unperturbed by your presence, so you can swim in their company freely and fearlessly.

After returning to the boat for lunch we move on to Post Office Bay, where the islands original post office (really only a wooden barrel) was established around 1793. The current system still functions as it did three centuries ago: Visitors drop off unstamped letters and postcards AND pick-up whatever mail they can hand deliver themselves when they return home! (Try it, it actually works!).

 

Day 7: Espanola island , Punta Suarez  & Gardner Bay

espa;ola island galapagos

Espanola is one of the most magical of all the islands. It is a place where the animals reign supreme and we humans are merely guests.  As your dingy brings you to shore you’ll see Sea Lion pups sunbathing with Marine Iguanas and Blue Footed Boobies nesting in between, and nearby may be a Galapagos Hawk. If it is Booby mating season watch the bonded pairs do the infamous Booby dance (if it’s not mating season, ask your guide to demonstrate - after all it’s their job to teach you about the local fauna!).

As you follow the footpath around the island, you will pass hundreds of Blue Footed Booby nesting sites including one colony of masked boobies.

There is a good chance you’ll see the thief-like Frigate Bird (which has the habit of stealing other birds food), as well as the stunning Red-Billed Tropicbird and the nocturnal Swallow-Tailed Gull. If it is the right time of the year (mid-April to December) you’ll also encounter the giant Waved Albatross. Apart from a few pairs that breed on Isla de Plata, off the Ecuadorian mainland, all of the world’s 12,000 Waved Albatross breed on Espanola Island. At the end of the breeding season, the entire population leaves the island and heads out to sea, where they spend years without touching land; four or five years may pass before the fledglings return to Espanola.

As you make your way around the island you’ll pass by El Soplador , a giant blowhole that explodes to heights reaching 25 feet. In the nearby tide pools you can often find lounging sea lions enjoying the blowhole’s misty spray. Following lunch on board the yacht, you’ll visit Garner Bay, a great place for sunbathing, swimming and snorkeling. Lionfish, Flycatchers, and Galapagos Hawks will keep you company as you relax under the rays of the evening sun. Dinner on the yacht completes your day.


Day 8: San cristobal island , Kicker rock , Interpretation center & Isla lobos

Start of Itinerary B for 8 Days and end of itineraries A - C - D

san cristobal island galapagos

On your 8th day of visiting the Galapagos you’ll arrive early in the morning to San Cristobal, the capital of the Galapagos. The first site will be Kicker Rock or Leon Dormido , a volcanic tuff cone that has been eroded by the wind and marine currents giving it the shape from the distance of a sleeping sea lion. This site is now home to Blue Footed Boobies and Frigate Birds amongst many others, which have turned this area into their nesting site. After navigating around Kicker Rock you’ll continue on to the Interpretation Center in Puerto Baquerizo, the local branch of the Galapagos National Park Service, where your guide will explain the formation of the islands, how the flora and fauna arrived and were established in Galapagos, as well as visit the corrals where there are several species of giant tortoises under the care of the National Park Service. Before taking the flight back to the mainland you will have some time to visit the town on your own for last minute shopping or people watching in the Galapagos.

For those of you arriving on that day, you will go from the airport straight to the boat to show you to your accommodations. After lunch we’ll navigat to Isla Lobos , a very small islet made of volcanic rocks that gets its name from the colony of Sea Lions ( Lobo de Mar in Spanish ) that live there. Here you can observe the behavior and interaction of Sea Lions living in a small community, after this visit we have the chance to go snorkeling.

Night navigation to your next destination.


Day 9: Santa Fe  - South Plazas     

santa fe island galapagos After breakfast on the yacht, we will visit Santa Fe Island. Upon arrival to the island, you’ll be treated to a noisy welcome from the local Sea Lion colony. Following your naturalist guide on the island paths you’ll reach Santa Fe's main attraction, a towering forest of giant cacti. Scattered around the cacti trees you’ll see a number of the island's indigenous sun-seekers: marine and land iguanas, the rainbow-streaked lava lizards and,lots of land birds such as Darwins finches and galapagos doves. After the walk you’ll dive into the salty sea and snorkel in the company of Sea Lions, marine iguanas and Sea Turtles. Finally, you’ll return to the yacht for lunch.

After lunch we’ll navigate to Plazas Island, where a large colony of Sea Lions lounge daily in the equatorial sun. Plaza also boasts excellent examples of typical Galapagos native flora such as " sesuvium " a plant that changes colors depending on the season , also opuntia cactus that form the principal diet for both the Land Iguanas and the Darwin's Finches . Other birds that may flutter by include Lava Gulls, Yellow Warblers and Red-Billed Tropicbirds.

 

Day 10: Santa Cruz Island We will visit the Darwin station's Tortoise Rearing Center and the Highlands

Start of Itinerary F for 6 days

puerto ayora galapagos islands  Santa Cruz Island . After breakfast we will visit Puerto Ayora , where you’ll visit the world famous Charles Darwin Station as well as the giant tortoises rearing center "Fausto LLerena ". This is one of the best places to see giant tortoises, including the place where Lonesome George used to live in the Galapagos  national park center .

Here we can find baby, hand-sized tortoises, between the ages of one and five years old , and marvel at how they achieve such large sizes as adults (500 lbs. or more!). Galapagos tortoises are believed to have a lifespan of over 100 years, so the young ones have a long life ahead of them as long as they receive the protection they need.

Santa Cruz Island is home to the largest town and economic center of the Galapagos, Puerto Ayora. In this portside town you can buy souvenirs (postcards, t-shirts, books, etc.) of the islands. Check out the unique Galapagos handicrafts at the local  market .

After shopping in Puerto Ayora and lunch on the boat (guests may dine in town if they desire), you’ll explore the highlands or “ parte alta ” of the island, which is a moisture-rich area with fertile volcanic soils. You’ll learn about the vegetation and animal life of this zone, often strikingly different than that found at lower elevations.

Darwin’s Finches, Yellow Warblers, and Bright Red Vermillion Flycatchers will fly in and out of the   moss-covered trees.

From this high vantage point you’ll be treated to beautiful views of the surrounding archipelago.

 

Day 11: Isabela Island , Puerto Villamil , Humedales , Giant Tortoises rearing center

puerto villamil , isabela island galapagosYour first visit in the morning will take place in Puerto Villamil, one of the smallest towns in Galapagos, located right in front of a white sand beach. Puerto Villamil is one of the most beautiful spots in the islands. After a dry landing you will go to visit the humedales, which is a mangrove area with small brackish water lagoons that create the perfect environment for a small type of shrimp that serves as the food for the island’s flamingos.

Following this visit you will be transported to El Muro de las Lagrimas or “The Wall of Tears.” When the Ecuadorian government first took possession of the islands their main purpose was to harbor Ecuadorian prisoners; since there wasn’t much for them to do they were forced to carry rocks to a far location and build a wall. which nowadays is know as The Wall of Tears.

After this visit you’ll return to the beach for some relaxation and if you want , snorkeling ,before lunch on the boat. In the afternoon you’ll visit the local branch of the Galapagos Park Service whose main purpose is to take care of the many species of giant tortoises that inhabit Isabela Island so that you can see the efforts made by the National Park Service to protect and increase the declining population of giant tortoises on this island.

Back on board and navigation to your next site.


Day 12 : Punta Moreno - Elizabeth Bay    

punta moreno galapagos islandsAfter a long navigation you’ll arrive to Punta Moreno on the west coast of Isabela, a dry landing on a lava field. The vegetation found in this area is sparse and concentrated mainly in the mangrove area and around the lakes. It should be noted that the three kinds of cacti are found here.

The main attractions at Punta Moreno are the coastal lagoons amid black lava flows where there are several species of birds. Here you’ll have a panoramic view of three of the most active volcanoes in the Galapagos, which are Sierra Negra, Cerro Azul of Isabela Island and La Cumbre of Fernandina Island.

After lunch on board you’ll continue on your way to Elizabeth bay, located on Isabela Island's west shore, which is an excellent spot for observing marine life. You’ll motor past a few islands where you can usually see Galapagos Penguins , this is one of the best areas to take their photos. A colony of these magnificent birds inhabit a rocky islet at the entrance to Elizabeth Bay.

We’ll let our boat drift through a small passage lined with mangroves and eventually emerge into an enclosed cove. We’ll turn the motor off and look in the sheltered waters for Sea Turtles, Rays, Flightless Cormorants, Sea Lions, and, circling overhead, Galapagos Hawks.

 

Day 13 : Tagus Cove - Fernandina Island  

tagus cove galapagos islandsThe visitor’s site of Tagus Cove is located west of Darwin Volcano on Isabela Island. The entire distance of the trail is about 1800 meters. This was a favorite spot for pirates and whalers, and the tradition of inscribing the names of boats is a tradition still observed today. At the beginning of the walk, going up and passing the staircase, is a small cave where you’ll find inscriptions dating to the 1800s.

The trail, mostly gravel, leads into the interior, along Darwin Lake. During the walk, you can see various land birds and we’ll identify the characteristic vegetation of the arid zone. Finally, you’ll see the lava fields of Darwin Volcano.

Back on board for lunch and a short navigation to Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island .

Punta Espinoza is a narrow ledge of lava and sand that extends from the base of the volcano to the sea. There is a vivid description from Captain Benjamin Morrell who witnessed and recorded and eruption of Fernandina in the 1820’s that probably gave rise to the Point. In 1975, there was an uprising, about 90 cm, which is why the pier built for landing can only be used during high tide.

Before going ashore and if we have good weather conditions we will have the oportunity to go snorkeling , Punta Espinoza is a place famous for its large colonies of Marine Iguanas as well as being the habitat of unique species like the Flightless Cormorant, the Galapagos Penguin, the Galapagos Hawk, and the Galapagos Snake, among others. It’s an ideal place to observe the lava cactus ( Brachycerus Nesioticus ), which grow on young lava and survive with little water.

After visiting Fernandina you will start the navigation to the central part of the Galapagos and on the way you’ll see Punta Vicente Roca, a mostly eroded volcano which now is a great site for seeing Blue Footed Boobies, Frigate Birds and other marine birds from the boat.

 

Day 14 : James Bay - Rabida Island     

rabida island galapagos James Bay is a black sand beach located on the west side of James Bay and northwest of Santiago Island. South of the beach is Sugarloaf Volcano, which has deposits of volcanic tuff, the same that helped the formation of the black sand beach. El Cráter is just north of this site, it has a saltwater lagoon, which during the summer dry season becomes a salt mine. Between 1928 and 1930 was the first exploitation of salt; but the efforts did not last long. Then again in 1964 a new attempt was made that lasted for some time.During our walk we can see lots of shorebirds , galapagos hawks , and both species of sea lions , the galapagos sea lion and the galapagos fur seal.After the walk we return to a ablack sand beach were we can go snorkeling from.

After lunch on board we’ll navigate to our next destination, Rabida Island .

Rábida Island consists of a red sand beach, a coastal lagoon behind the beach, and a loop trail. The approximate distance of the trail is 1.1 kilometers.

The color of the rocks and sand on the beach is due to the very porous volcanic material, which with the help of environmental factors (rain, salt water and sea breeze), has acted as an oxidizing agent.

The main attraction of this spot is the red sand beach and scenery, aside from the vegetation of the arid zone and the presence of native and endemic species.

Snorkeling is a must after the visit to Rabida Island , along the rocky soastline we can find lots of fish , sea lions and with a bit of luck even white tip reef sharks.

 

Day 15 : North Seymour Island - Baltra Airport     

north seymour galapagos islandsAfter an early breakfast you’ll disembark at North Seymour Island.  Here you will see Frigate Birds, the clownish Blue-Footed Booby, and of course the ubiquitous Sea Lions.  With luck you’ll witness the striking courtship display of the male Frigate Bird, in which he inflates a red balloon-like sac below his throat and struts his stuff for all of the young females. Seymour North, Plaza Sur, Plaza Norte, Baltra, northeastern Santa Cruz, Santa Fe and part of Española, were all formed by uprisings of underwater volcanic lavas. They were part of a volcanic lava table deposited in sheet form along cracks located on the ocean floor. The uprisings occurred sporadically and lasted more than a million years to reach its current level.

All marine fossils found in the archipelago are found in these islands and the best example is the North Channel side of Baltra. The fossils date from the Pleistocene, and specifically in the case of Baltra, one can say that these volcanic tables were close to the surface about a million years ago.

Return to the boat & sail to Baltra Island to catch your plane back to the mainland.

End of Itineraries B and F

Please note that itineraries are always subject to change without previous notice due to operational purposes, policies of the Galapagos National Park authorities, weather conditions, and for comfort of our passengers.

 

 

 

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