Itinerary B 5 Days

Santa Cruz Island: Highlands

Our naturalist guide will greet us at the Baltra Airport and then take us to the Santa Cruz Island highlands. The area is lush and humid, with a climate similar to a cloud-forest. Visit El Chato Ranch to observe giant tortoises. These animals are constantly migrating from the coast to the mountains and vice versa. The vermilion and ground flycatchers can also be observed here.

• Possible Activities: Hiking
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Landing Type: N/A
• Wildlife: Galapagos hawks, yellow warblers and giant tortoises

Champion Islet

Floreana is the legendary estate of the infamous baroness Eloise von Wagner de Bousquet.

Cormorant Point

We will snorkel near Champion Islet and then disembark on the Punta Cormorant olivine beach where we can observe greater flamingos swimming in the brackish water. Then we'll continue to another beach that has the best sand of the island, a nesting site for sea turtles where sharks are also frequent visitors.

• Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling – panga ride
• Difficulty: Easy
• Landing Type: Wet
• Wildlife: Flamingos, white-tipped sharks, Galapagos sharks, rays and tropical fish

Baroness Lookout

We will then hike to Baroness Lookout, where we can enjoy a panoramic view. You can see Palo Santo, mangroves and coastline from Enderby Island, Post Office Bay to Cerro Straw and Punta Cormorant.

Post Office Bay

We will then disembark from the ship at Post Office Bay, where you may choose cards for hand delivery when you get home. This is the same place that whalers used to leave their postcards.

• Possible Activities: Hiking – kayaking - snorkeling
• Difficulty: Easy
• Landing Type: Wet
• Wildlife: N/A

Gardner Bay

The morning will be spent in the beautiful Gardner Bay on Espanola Island (wet landing). This white-sanded beach is home to sea lions and marine iguanas as well as the adventurous Espanola Mockingbird. Gardner Islet is popular snorkeling spot near Espanola. There is a high chance that playful sea lions may join you while snorkeling. Osborn Islet is a wonderful place for snorkeling and observing marine life.

• Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling – panga ride
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Landing Type: Wet
• Wildlife: Española mockingbirds, three species of Darwin’sfinches, a large colony ofsea lions, occasional green sea turtles, coral fish and other marine life

Suarez Point

The afternoon will be spent at Suarez Point. This is one of the more popular landing spots in Galapagos. Highlights include the presence of sea lions at the landing area, including large males in breeding season. Other species to be seen are Nazca and blue-footed boobies as well as Galapagos Hawks and Galapagos Doves. El Soplador is a 25-meter (75-foot) high blowhole.

• 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

Pitt Point

Pitt Point, located at the northern tip of San Cristobal Island is the only location in the archipelago that allows you to observe the three species of boobies - blue-footed boobies, red-footed boobies and masked - as well as two frigate species in one area. A trail leads from the site up to a cliff, through a ravine and into an area rich in birdlife. The site is known as one of San Cristobal Island's best spots for snorkeling.

• Possible Activities: Hiking – kayaking – panga ride - snorkeling
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Landing Type: Wet
• Wildlife: Sea lions and three species of boobies

Witch Hill

We will go to Witch Hill in the afternoon. The eroded cone is surrounded by white powdery beach and a variety of marine life including sea turtles. Clear water makes swimming and snorkeling a great experience. Charles Darwin visited this area on his voyage aboard the M/S Beagle.

Kicker Rock

We will then head over to Kicker rock, which is also called Leon Dormido in Spanish (the sleeping lion). The many frigates, boobies and tropicbirds perched on the rocks have made this natural landmark a popular cruise site. In the almost crystal clear waters, you can see a variety of tropical invertebrates and fish. Landings are impossible due to the vertical rock faces.

• 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

In 1998, the interpretation center in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno was established to inform visitors of the geography and origins of the Galapagos Islands. Different areas of the center allow visitors to learn about the history and natural beauty of the Galapagos Islands, as well as current conservation efforts.

We will then transfer back to San Cristobal Airport for our flight to mainland.

• Possible Activities: Hiking
• Difficulty: Easy
• Landing Type: Dry
• Wildlife: N/A