Day 1: Morning Flight to San Cristobal - Lobos Island
PM: After arriving at San Cristobal airport, we will be greeted by our naturalist guide to then board the M/C Analí and have lunch. Following our meal, we will navigate a short distance to Lobos Island. This visitor site has a trail of 850 meters that crossed almost all of the island. There is a small population of blue-footed boobies and common frigate birds nesting at this site, that is also inhabited by the two species of sea lions present in the archipelago. This is also a great site for snorkeling, as the waters are calm and not so deep.
• Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling – panga ride
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Landing Type: Dry
• Wildlife: Sea lions, manta rays, and sea turtles, blue-footed boobies, frigate birds
Day 2: South Plazas & Santa Fe
AM: After a dry landing on one of the oldest docks of the archipelago on colorful South Plazas, we will explore the home to vibrant green prickly pears, deep red Sesuvium, and coppery‐orange land iguanas. Impressive seaward cliffs make the perfect perching spot for a variety of coastal birds. This is also a great place to observe the adult and pup sea lions swimming along the shores.
• Possible Activities: Hiking
• Difficulty:Moderate
• Landing Type: Dry
• Wildlife: Land iguanas,finches,sea lions,swallow-tailed gulls, and red-billed tropicbirds
PM: After a wet landing on Santa Fe, we will explore a white sand beach where sea lions are usually resting. We will be looking for the endemic species of land iguana, larger and more yellow than land iguanas on other islands. The largest prickly pear cacti in the Galapagos are also found here.
• PossibleActivities: Hiking – snorkeling – panga ride - Kayaking
• Difficulty:Easy
• Landing Type: Wet
• Wildlife: Galapagos hawks, Santa Fe land iguanas,sea lions, green sea turtles, and lava lizards
Day 3: Chinese Hat & Dragon Hill
AM: Less than a quarter of one square kilometer in size, this island gets its name from being shaped like a Chinese hat. The shape is best appreciated from the north side. Lava formations can be seen on the western side of the island, formed under the sea and later raised upward, making it possible to observe coral heads on the lava.
Be amazed by the landscapes covered by sea lion colonies, marine iguanas, and Galapagos penguins.
• Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling – panga ride - kayaking
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Landing Type: Wet
• Wildlife: White-cheeked pintail ducks, colorful fish, sea lions, penguins, Galapagos hawks, white-tipped reef sharks,
lava lizards ,sea lions, and marine iguanas
PM: We head across to Cerro Dragon on Santa Cruz’s northwest shore (dry landing) to visit a saltwater lagoon, home to Greater Flamingos, black‐necked stilts, and white‐cheeked pintails. Further inland we can observe a fantastic land iguana nesting site.
• Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Landing Type: Dry
• Wildlife: Flamingos, Darwin's finches, white‐cheeked pintail ducks, and land iguanas
Day 4: Charles Darwin Station (Santa Cruz Island) - Departure
AM: We will visit Charles Darwin Research Station to observe giant tortoises from different islands. They are found in large semi natural pens for their protection, but also to ensure easy viewing for the visitors.
After this visit, we will continue our way to the Baltra airport for the departing flight to mainland Ecuador.
• Possible Activities: Hiking
• Difficulty: Easy
• Landing Type: Dry
• Wildlife: Galapagos tortoises
