Day 1: Baltra airport - Santa Cruz: Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island
Flight from Quito or Guayaquil to the Galápagos Islands.
Upon our arrival to Baltra Airport, our guide will greet us in the lobby, assist you with your luggage, and will accompany us on the short bus ride (15 minutes) to the Itabaca Channel. After crossing, we will travel for 45 minutes to 1 hour by bus towards the highlands of the island of Santa Cruz. Then we will enjoy a delicious lunch on a private ranch. Passengers who embark on the yacht in Puerto Ayora will have lunch aboard and will go to visit the highlands with the rest of the group later. Our guide will take us on a walk through a beautiful forest full of ferns, sedges, and miconias, while you might also observe some giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Later, we will head to one of the many lava tunnels in the area. Here we will enjoy a short walk through the tunnel, where we can admire the results of a powerful volcanic eruption that occurred millions of years ago. After our visit, we will head to Puerto Ayora and board the yacht, where we will have an official welcome drink, followed by dinner. After dinner, our guide will explain the following day’s activities as well as some general recommendations for visitors of the Galápagos Islands.
Day 2: Tintoreras - Interpretation Center and Wetlands
Isabela is the name of the largest and the youngest island within the Galápagos Archipelago. In the morning we will begin our first visit to the islets known as Las Tintoreras, located south of Puerto Villamil. This area has a small bay of calm turquoise water, where we can observe sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, stingrays, and many more aquatic species. Next, we will walk along a path and explore two different beaches. The first beach that we will encounter is a popular place for sea lions and marine iguanas that nest in the area, while the second beach is surrounded by button mangroves (Conocarpus erecta) and white mangroves (Laguncularia racemosa).
After the visit to "Las Tintoreras", we will disembark to Puerto Villamil to head to the Sierra Negra Volcano, found in the highlands of the island, as it rises to an altitude of 1124m. It is located between the Cerro Azul volcano to the west, and the Alcedo volcano to the north. Furthermore, it is one of the most active volcanoes of the Galápagos, with the latest eruption occurring in June 2018.
Day 3: Punta Moreno - Elizabeth Bay
Punta Moreno is located on the north coast of Isabela Island, between the Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcanoes. The distance of the trail is about 2100 meters, but this will grant us a panoramic view of the three most active volcanoes in the Galápagos: Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul on Isabela Island, and the summit of Fernandina Island. We will have the opportunity to do a surface dive in this area,
where, despite the cold waters, marine life is abundant. After this visit we will return to the yacht for lunch and a little rest before heading out for our afternoon activity.
In the afternoon we will visit Elizabeth Bay. The trip will begin in a cove surrounded by red mangroves. Here we will be able to observe sea turtles, flightless cormorants, spotted eagle rays, golden rays, brown pelicans and sea lions. Visitors have often been able to see Galápagos falcons fly over their heads, while Pompano and Mahi-mahi fish schools are seen swimming below. This is
an amazing site due to the large amount of marine and terrestrial fauna as well as due to the unique and beautiful landscape of the area. After this visit, we will return to the yacht for dinner and rest.
Day 4: Urbina Bay - Caleta Tagus
Urbina Bay is located at the east base of the Alcedo volcano, with an approximately 3200m path connecting it to the beach, where, after a beach landing, we will have to cross through the coastal zone, traversing sand, rocks, lava, corals, and plant formations. At this site, we will be able to see large sized land iguanas, as well as giant Galápagos tortoises, flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies,
Galápagos penguins, pelicans, and marine iguanas.
We will return to the yacht to enjoy a delicious lunch, followed by a short sailing towards Tagus Cove. Here we will have the opportunity to snorkel, surface dive, or to kayak. At around 4pm, we will hike to the top of the cliff that takes us to a viewpoint of Lake Darwin, a lake that has high saline concentrations. Finally, we will observe Lake Darwin. It doesn’t contain any fish, and only a few lifeforms due to its
high salinity. Supposedly, in the past there was an explosive volcanic eruption in the area, since there are large number of volcanic rocks of varying sizes that can be found here. Among the most common are small spherical balls, that are almost perfect in shape, referred to as “lapili” or petrified rain.
Day 5: Punta Espinoza - Vicente Roca Point
Fernandina is the third largest island in the archipelago and has only one point of interest. Punta Espinoza is located on the far northeast part of the island and is a narrow platform of lava and sand that extends from the base of the volcano to the sea.
Punta Espinoza is well known for its large colonies of marine iguanas, and its unique fauna full of species such as the flightless cormorant, the Galápagos penguin, the Galápagos falcon, and the Galápagos racer snake. After this visit, there will be a possibility to snorkel in the area, where we will be able to swim with marine iguanas, large colonies of sea turtles, and if we are lucky even with
beautiful seahorses.
Isabela Island is believed to have the shape of a seahorse, where Punta Vicente Roca would be considered the mouth. At this location you will find the remains of an ancient volcano that forms two coves with clear turquoise water, in conjunction with a bay protected from the waves of the ocean. From this point, we will have a snorkeling activity, followed by a panga ride along the cliffs to observe the remains of the volcano, or we may explore a cave that is partially found underwater. Nazca boobies and blue-footed boobies perch along the steep cliffs, while the flightless cormorants inhabit the coast.
At the end of our activity, we will begin navigating the ship, so that we will approach and cross the equator line. At this point, we will have a special cocktail to celebrate our crossing to the northern hemisphere.
Day 6: Puerto Egas - Rabida Island
Puerto Egas is a black sandy beach located on the west side of James Bay, northwest of Santiago Island. The site gets its name after Mr. Héctor Egas, who tried to exploit the salt found in this area, however failed due to the price of salt in other parts of the country.
The hike along the rugged coastline, especially during low tides, will allow us to observe many marine species, such as the iguanas relaxing on the rocks, and the sea lions resting in the tidal pools. We will have the opportunity to snorkel near the beach of Puerto Egas in order to enjoy the marine landscape that is relatively different from previously visited locations.
In the afternoon we will visit Rábida Island, said to be unique due to the red color of its rocks and sand. The volcanic material on this island is very porous and external factors such as rain, saltwater and sea breeze have acted as an oxidizing agent. When we arrive, we will enjoy a snorkeling activity, in order to learn about the marine life in this area, that is full of interesting aquatic species.
A short walk along a trail will take us to a lagoon to observe the beautiful terrestrial birds, such as finches, pigeons, yellow warblers and mocking birds. This lagoon is also home to a colony of flamingos. The red sand beach, along with the animals, lagoons, and vegetation make this place an excellent location to visit.
Day 7: Chinese Hat Island - Bartolomé Island
After a short night sailing, the sun will dawn on the beautiful “Sombrero Chino” channel. This small islet is located near the southeastern coast of Santiago Island. Our visit provides an excellent opportunity for the observation and understanding of geological characteristics such as lava tubes and lava flows. The landscape is covered by colonies of sea lions, marine iguanas, and occasionally
Galápagos penguins. The trail is 700 meters (there and back) and the minimum time that is required for this hike is one
hour at a moderate pace. We will take our time to swim in this beautiful bay area, where we will be amongst sharks, stingrays, unique species of fish, and occasionally penguins, before returning to the yacht to enjoy a barbecue on top deck. We can also spend time exploring the area with kayaks, visiting the magnificent geological formations from the surface.
Bartolomé Island is one of the most famous spots in the Galápagos, located in front of Sullivan Bay near the island of Santiago. When arriving at this unique location, we will have the opportunity to enter the water and swim around the famous Pinnacle Rock, and between the rocks that come out from below the surface of the water, forming an incredible labyrinth for the marine life.
Later we will visit the top of the island, where we will be able to observe a variety of volcanic formations, including volcanic bombs, ash cones, lava flows and lava tubes. This lunar scenery provides one of the most scenic landscapes of the archipelago.
At the second site that we will visit, we will have the opportunity to relax on a beautiful beach, which offers excellent opportunities for snorkeling. Multicolored fish, and occasionally penguins and sea turtles have been seen at the base of the Pinnacle Rock, which dominates the landscape of Bartolomé.
Day 8: Seymour Island - Bachas beach
North Seymour: it is a small island located north of Baltra, and which will be our last visit in the itinerary aboard the Anahí Catamaran Yacht, in this place we can observe Baltra land iguanas.
Bachas Beach: The sand of the beach is made of decomposed coral, making it white and soft, while it is also one of the favorite nesting places of sea turtles. Nearby, we can also find a small lagoon where we will be able to observe flamingos, black-necked stilts, thrushes, as well as two old ships that were abandoned during the Second World War. Furthermore, we will also find sea lions, marine iguanas, and seabirds resting on the beach. We will enjoy the tranquility of the beach as well as spend some time with the playful sea lions that like to swim with the visitors.
Day 9 : Bahía Darwin - El Barranco
Darwin Bay: A beautiful bay area due to the great diversity of seabirds that nest in the mangroves that dominate the area. These include red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, Galápagos petrels, seabirds, Darwin finches, mockingbirds, and Galápagos doves.
Prince Philip's Steps: We will climb 25 meters of stairs at one of the best bird nesting sites on the islands. We will have the opportunity to snorkel, kayak, hike, and take a ride in a panga.
Day 10: South Plazas Island - Santa Fe Island
Plaza Islands: These islands have an unusual vegetation, which creates an interesting landscape that helps to enhance the fauna and the flora of the Galápagos. It is also possible to observe land iguanas in the shade of cacti. The main attractions of the Plaza Islands include land iguanas, sea lions, and swallow-tailed gulls, as well as lizards, island insects, red-beaked sparrows, frigate birds, and pelicans that glide down the cliffs. Then we will return to the yacht for lunch and a deserved rest.
Santa Fe Island: An extremely scenic island, where we can visit two different trails, with one of them leading to a beautiful viewpoint on the top of a cliff, where you can find endemic land iguanas of the island. The other trail is a small circular path close to the beach, where we will be able to observe another colony of land iguana. Here we will also have the possibility to kayak, snorkel, panga ride, or walk, in order to observe and enjoy nature. Then we will return to the yacht for dinner and a time of relaxation.
Day 11: San Cristóbal: Punta Pitt - Kicker Rock and Isla Lobos
Punta Pitt: Considered as one of the most beautiful and impressive sites in the Galápagos, it has become one of the favorite nesting sites for seabirds. Here we will be able to see three species of frigate birds and their nesting sites in the same area. Then we will return to the yacht for lunch.
Kicker Rock: A gigantic and impressive rock formation known locally as “León Dormido”. On the cliffs we can see a number of blue-footed boobies, pelicans, and other seabirds. During our snorkeling activity we will be able to observe sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, and several species of colorful fish along with the impressive rock formation. Later on, we will take a walk on Lobos Island, a small islet separated from the main island by a narrow stretch of calm water. The atmosphere of the isle helps to enhance its tranquility and primitive beauty: an example which is typical of the Galápagos Islands.
Day 12: San Cristobal: Galapagos Tortoise Breeding Center in Cerro Colorado - Centro de Interpretación y Cerro Tijeretas
In the morning, our guide will take us to the top of San Cristóbal Island. Following, our tour has 2 options. The first option starts from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, and involves a visit to the El Junco Lagoon. For hundreds of years, rain water and condensation have caused an accumulation of water in the caldera of an extinct volcano, creating a paradise for frigate birds and turtles.
Alternatively, we will visit the “Cerro Colorado” turtle breeding center. There we will have a pleasant walk along a path that allows us to be in close contact with the turtles, that can vary from the smallest to the oldest of giants.
After our visit, we will depart for the airport for our return flight to Quito or Guayaquil.
Day 13: Española: Punta Suárez - Gardner Bay
Punta Suárez: A destination of great interest due to the abundance of birds. This island also has its own species of animals, like the Española Mockingbird, which has a distinctively longer and more curved beak than variations found on other islands; The Galápagos lava lizard; The marine iguana of the venustissimus subspecies, that has red marks on its back; among others. We can also observe
seagulls and other tropical birds that live on the rocky slopes. Among the more interesting attractions is the waved albatross, as almost the entire world population comes to breed here between March and December, and the mating dance of the blue-footed booby. There are hundreds of nazca boobies, colonies of sea lions, large colonies of marine iguanas and different species of birds.
Bahía Gardner: A beautiful beach that is excellent for swimming and snorkeling. Here we can find a large colony of playful sea lions and hopefully observe the Galápagos Peregrine Falcons and local species of snakes, while we will undoubtably see Darwin’s finches, mockingbirds and sea turtles.
Day 14: Floreana: Punta Cormorán and Devil’s Crown - Post Office Bay and Asilo de la Paz
Punta Cormorant: A site that has the best and the biggest flamingo lagoon of the Galápagos. It is located between two volcanic hills that gives the area a special atmosphere. There are varieties of sea birds that can be seen in addition to flamingos, the most frequent ones being stilts, white-tailed ducks and other migratory birds. This is a unique area due to the high percentage of endemic plants (unique to the island). Here we can see the “Green Beach” (due to the high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand) and the “Flour Sand Beach” mainly composed of coral reefs, making these the two most interesting beaches of the islands. Then we return to the yacht to begin our snorkeling activity at the location known as the Devil’s Crown. This is a sunken volcanic crater where the interior of the formation is ideal for the sustainability of a marvelous coral reef habitat, making it one of the most fascinating marine sites in
the Galápagos.
Bahía “Post Office”: Historically, it served as a letter exchange station in the 18th century when the crew of a whaling ship utilized a wooden barrel. Both sailors and tourists have used this system to communicate with people from all around the world. The idea is to bring letters or postcards to their destination by hand, creating a very special “postal service” This site was also the landing
place for some of the first settlers on the islands. Then we will visit the Asilo de la Paz, known for its strange history as one of the first occupied areas of the islands by the German Witmer family. We return to the yacht and head to Puerto Ayora, the largest city in the Galápagos.
If we are lucky, we may see a pod of dolphins during our trip, as well as manta rays and sea turtles.
Day 15: Visit Charles Darwin Station and transfer to Baltra airport
After breakfast, we will visit 2 interesting locations, before departing for the airport. We begin with a visit to the visitor center of the Galápagos National Park “Fausto Llerena” where the breeding of the turtles is carried out, and where we can learn about the work that is being done in order to protect this unique species. The famous Charles Darwin Research Station is also located here, where we can
contribute to the scientific investigations that are promoted by the station. Then we will be transported to the Itabaca channel, which we will cross with a local ferry, and then will take a bus to the Baltra Island Airport. Our trip ends here. We will say goodbye to our guide and to the Galápagos Islands, who will be waiting for your next visit.
