Itinerary A 8 Days


Day 1: San Cristobal Island: Lobos Island
We will then be welcomed by a naturalist guide at the airport and boarded for lunch on M/C Anali.

Lobos Island

After our lunch, we'll navigate to Lobos Island. The island is crossed by an 850-meter long trail at this visitor's site. This site is home to a few blue-footed boobies, common frigatebirds and the two sea lion species that inhabit the archipelago. The calm waters and shallow depths make this a perfect place for snorkeling.
  • Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling – panga ride
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Landing Type: Dry
  • Wildlife: Sea lions, manta rays and sea turtles, blue-footedboobies, frigate birds
Day 2: South Plaza Island & Santa Fe Island

South Plaza Island

We will visit the colorful South Plazas after a landing at one of the archipelago's oldest docks. Here, you can see the vibrant green land iguanas and the deep-red Sesuvium. The impressive seaward cliffs are the ideal perches for coastal birds. It is also an excellent place to see the sea lions, both adult and pups.
  • Possible Activities: Hiking
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Landing Type: Dry
  • Wildlife: Land iguanas,finches,sea lions,swallow-tailed gulls and red-billed tropicbirds

Santa Fe Island

We will visit a beach with white sand where the sea lions usually relax after a landing. The endemic land iguana is larger and yellower than the land iguanas found on other islands. Here you will also find the largest prickly-pear cacti of all Galapagos.
  • Possible Activities: 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: Santiago Island: Chinese Hat & Santa Cruz Island: Dragon Hill

Santiago Island: Chinese Hat

This island is less than one quarter square kilometer and gets its name because it resembles a Chinese Hat. From the north, you can best appreciate its shape. On the west side, you can see coral-head lava formations that were formed beneath the sea, and then raised up.
Enjoy the stunning landscapes covered with sea lions, marine iguanas and Galapagos Penguins.
  • Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling – panga ride - kayaking
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Landing Type: Wet
  • Wildlife: White-cheeked pintail ducks, colorfulfish, sea lions, penguins,Galapagos hawks, white-tipped reef sharks, lava lizards, sea lions and marine iguanas

Santa Cruz Island: Dragon Hill

On Santa Cruz’s northwestern shore, we head to Cerro dragon (dry landing), where we visit the saltwater lagoon that is home to Greater Flamingos and Black-necked Stilts. We also see White-cheeked Pintails. We can also see a land iguana's nesting area further inland.
  • Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Landing Type: Dry
  • Wildlife: Flamingos, Darwin's finches, white‐cheeked pintail ducks and land iguanas
Day 4: Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Station & Highlands

Charles Darwin Station

Visit Charles Darwin Research Station and observe the giant tortoises of different islands. The giant tortoises are kept in semi-natural pens to protect them, and also for easy viewing by visitors.
  • Possible Activities: Hiking
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Landing Type: Dry
  • Wildlife: Galapagos tortoises

Highlands

In contrast with the coast, the highlands have lush vegetation, and a climate that is often similar to a cloud-forest due to humidity.
Visit one of the local ranches to view giant tortoises. The ranch chosen will be determined by the location of these tortoises, as they migrate between the coast and the highlands. Then we will transfer to Anali.
  • Possible Activities: Hiking
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Landing Type: N/A
  • Wildlife: Galapagos hawks, yellow warblers, and giant tortoises
Day 5: Isabela Island: Tintoreras, Sierra Negra Volcano, Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center & Wetlands

Tintoreras

The area is home to a variety of marine species that are easily viewed from a kayak or dingy. Sea turtles and sea lions live in these calm waters, as do rays, blue footed boobies and other marine animals. The lava channels that were formed are also used by white-tipped coral reef sharks (known locally as Tintoreras) as resting areas.

Sierra Negra Volcano

We will then transfer to the Sierra Negra Volcano's entrance. The caldera of the Sierra Negra Volcano is the world's second-largest, measuring 9 kilometers east to west by 10 kilometers north to south. Visitors can hike to the edge of the caldera after leaving their vehicle for a spectacular view.
  • Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling – panga ride
  • Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
  • Landing Type: N/A
  • Wildlife: Sharks, seahorses and sea turtles

Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center & Wetlands

Arnaldo Tupiza's giant tortoise center is helping to replenish the island by bringing back young adults from the five species that are threatened on the mainland due to introduced animals like cats, rats, or goats.
The elevated walkway passes by Isabela's mangroves and wetlands. It is one of the most popular sites for viewing migratory bird species. You can see flamingos and whimbrels as well as common stilts and gallinules.
  • Possible Activities: Hiking
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Landing Type: N/A
  • Wildlife: Galapagos tortoises, shorebirds and seabirds
Day 6: Isabela Island: Moreno Point & Elizabeth Bay

Isabela, the largest of the Galapagos Islands is located in Isabela.

Moreno Point

We step onto the lava fields of Pahoehoe (dry landing), surrounded by shield volcanoes. Some are still in active.
We will then take a short walk to the lagoon, where you can usually see flamingos.
  • Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling – panga ride
  • Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
  • Landing Type: Dry
  • Wildlife: Flamingos, sea turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, pintail ducks, sea lions, tropical fish, paint-billed crakes and white-cheeked pintails

Elizabeth Bay

Afternoon: A panga trip takes us to the Elizabeth Bay islets where we can observe seabirds and shorebirds. We also see marine iguanas.
  • Possible Activities: Panga ride
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Landing Type: N/A
  • Wildlife: Marine iguanas, penguins, marine turtles, seabirds, shorebirds, herons and blue-footed boobies
Day 7: Isabela Island: Tagus Cove & Fernandina Island: Espinoza Point

Isabela Island: Tagus Cove

We will then visit the historic pirate hideaway near Tagus Cove where the names of many ships have been inscribed on the rock face for posterity. Darwin Lake is reached by hiking through the beautiful Galapagos landscapes. The crater lake is surrounded with tuff stones and salt water.
  • Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling – panga ride - kayaking
  • Difficulty: Easy to moderate
  • Landing Type: Wet
  • Wildlife: Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorant, finches, land iguanas, large-billed flycatchers, hawks, land birds, sea turtles,Galapagos sharks and hammerhead sharks

Fernandina Island: Espinoza Point

Crossing Bolivar Channel, we arrive at Fernandina, the most beautiful island in the world. We disembark from our boat (dry landing), and then continue to Punta Espinosa. We will walk along the coast, looking for Galapagos Sea Lions, Galapagos Hawks, Galapagos Penguins and Marine Iguanas.
  • Possible Activities: Hiking - snorkeling
  • Difficulty: Easy to moderate
  • Landing Type: Dry (slippery)
  • Wildlife: Furseals, Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos hawks, oyster catchers, marine iguanas, finches, reefsharks, sea turtles, rays and different species of tropical fish
Day 8: Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach
The long, beautiful beach is perfect for walking or swimming. This beach has a large nesting population of green sea turtles, which leave tracks on the sand when they bury their eggs. From November through February, this area is busier.

We will then transfer you to Baltra Airport for your flight to mainland.

  • Possible Activities: Hiking - snorkeling
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Landing Type: Wet
  • Wildlife: Green sea turtles

Included

  • Programmed visits tothe islands with a certified English-speaking naturalist guide
  • Snorkel gear (mask, snorkel and fins)
  • Kayaks
  • Long Wetsuits
  • All meals on board
  • Tea, coffee, water and natural juices

Not Included

  • Air tickets for Galapagos flights
  • Galapagos National Park entrance fee
  • Transit control card
  • Alcoholic and bottled beverages
  • Crew and guide tips, personal expenses

Highlights

  • Kayaking
  • Snorkeling
  • Panga ride
  • Hiking