Day 1: Morning Flight to Baltra - Santa Cruz Highlands
PM: Upon arrival to the Baltra airport, we will be greeted by our naturalist guide to then visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. In contrast to the coastal region, the area has lush vegetation and occasionally a cloud forest-like climate due to the humidity. We will visit El Chato Ranch where it is possible to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. As these animals migrate from the coastal area to the highlands and back throughout the year. This is also a good place to observe the ground finch and vermilion flycatcher.
• Possible Activities: Hiking
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Landing Type: N/A
• Wildlife: Galapagos hawks, yellow warblers, and giant tortoises
Day 2: Champion Islet, Cormorant Point, Baroness Lookout & Post Office Bay (Floreana Island)
AM: We will spend the day on Floreana, legendary homestead of infamous Baroness Eloise Von Wagner de Bousquet. After snorkeling near Champion Islet, we will disembark onto the olivine beach of Punta Cormorant where we hope to observe the greater flamingos in the brackish lagoon on our way to another special beach with the finest sand in the islands - a sea turtle nesting ground where sharks and rays also visit regularly.
• Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling – panga ride
• Difficulty: Easy
• Landing Type: Wet
• Wildlife: Flamingos, white-tipped sharks, Galapagos sharks, rays, and tropical fish
PM: After lunch, we will hike up to Baroness Lookout for an incredible panoramic view. This is a great place to see Palo Santo trees, mangroves, and the coastline from the Enderby Island to Post Office Bay, Cerro Straw, and Punta Cormorant.
After this visit, we will disembark at Post Office Bay (wet landing), where you can leave postcards in the barrel just as the whalers did centuries ago and select cards to hand deliver when you return home.
• Possible Activities: Hiking – kayaking - snorkeling
• Difficulty: Easy
• Landing Type: Wet
• Wildlife: N/A
Day 3: Gardner Bay & Suarez Point (Española Island)
AM: We will spend the morning in beautiful Gardner Bay (wet landing) on Española Island, a white sand beach populated by sea lions, marine iguanas, and the intrepid Española mockingbird. Close to Española, there is a popular spot for snorkeling called Gardner Islet. While snorkeling, there is a good chance playful sea lions will join you. Get ready for more snorkeling at Osborn Islet, a great place to observe marine life.
• Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling – panga ride
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Landing Type: Wet
• Wildlife: Española mockingbirds, three species of Darwin’s finches, a large colony of sea lions, occasional
green sea turtles, coral fish, and other marine life
PM: In the afternoon we will head to Suarez Point, one of the most popular landing sites in Galapagos. The highlights include sea lions near the landing site, sometimes seen body‐surfing in the large breakers, large marine iguanas including red‐colored males during the breeding season, oystercatchers, blue-footed and Nazca boobies, Galapagos hawks, Galapagos doves, swallow‐tailed gulls, red-billed tropicbirds, and three species endemic to Española: the waved albatross (present only from April to December), the Española mockingbird, and the Española lava lizard. The trail ends in El Soplador, a blowhole that sprays water some 25 m (75 feet) into the air.
• Possible Activities: Hiking
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Landing Type: Dry
• Wildlife: Waved albatross(breeding site), Nazca boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, blue-footed boobies,
finches, Galapagos doves, and marine iguanas
Day 4: Pitt Point, Witch Hill & Kicker Rock (San Cristobal Island)
AM: Pitt Point is located on the northeastern tip of San Cristóbal Island and is the only place in the archipelago where is possible to see the three different species of boobies (blue-footed, red-footed and masked) as well as the two species of frigatebirds all in the same area. The site has a trail that leads up a cliff and through a ravine, to an area abundant with bird life. This site is also known for being one of the best snorkeling spots of San Cristóbal Island.
• Possible Activities: Hiking – kayaking – panga ride - snorkeling
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Landing Type: Wet
• Wildlife: Sea lions and three species of boobies
PM: In the afternoon, we will visit Witch Hill. This place is an eroded tuff cone surrounded by a beautiful white powdery sand beach with an abundance of wildlife including sea turtles, rays, pelicans, sea lions and various types of boobies. The clear water provides an excellent opportunity for swimming and snorkeling. This was also one of the first places visited by Charles Darwin during his trip on the M/S Beagle.
Afterwards, we will head to Kicker Rock, also known as León Dormido (‘sleeping lion’ in Spanish). This natural monument has become a favorite site for cruises due to the many tropicbirds, frigates, and boobies that perch on the rocks. Within the nearly crystal-clear waters enjoy the impressive variety of colorful tropical fish and invertebrates. Due to the sheer vertical pitch of the rock face, landings here are not possible.
• Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling – kayaking – panga ride
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Landing Type: Dry
• Wildlife: Galapagos sharks, tropical fish, manta rays, hammer head sharks, blue-footed boobies, and Nazca
boobies
Day 5: Interpretation Center (San Cristobal Island) - Departure
AM: The interpretation center, located in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, capital of the Galapagos province, was opened in 1998 with the purpose of informing visitors about the origins and geography of the islands. The center has different areas offer the opportunity to appreciate the natural and human history of the Galapagos Islands as well as the current conservation efforts to preserve them.
After this visit, we will transfer to the San Cristóbal airport for the flight back to the mainland.
• Possible Activities: Hiking
• Difficulty: Easy
• Landing Type: Dry
• Wildlife: N/
