Itinerary B 8 Days

Baltra Island

After arriving at the Baltra Airport, our guide will welcome us and we'll board the M/C Anali for lunch.

North Seymour Island

After that, we'll navigate to North Seymour - a small island with a sloping top - where we can observe nesting colonies of great frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies. We may also see spectacular mating rituals depending on the time of year.

• Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling – panga ride
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Landing Type: Dry
• Wildlife: Land and marine iguanas, frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, common noddies, sea lions, rays, reef sharks and hammerhead sharks

Pinnacle Rock

We can then climb up the steps at Bartolome to get a panoramic view. This includes the iconic Pinnacle Rock, the neighboring Santiago Island and several central islands. We will then visit the beach of white sand, which is used by sea turtles to nest. Bartolome's also an excellent place to see the Galapagos Penguin.

• Possible Activities: Hiking - snorkeling - panga ride
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Landing Type: Wet
• Wildlife: Galapagos penguins, sea lions, rays, sea turtles and white-tipped sharks

Buccaneer Cove

We will panga along the stunning coastline at Buccaneer cove. The name of this place comes from the fact that it was once a haven for British pirates, who used to anchor here in order to clean and collect supplies.
This cove offers a scenic view of the dark sandy beach and cliffs.

Espumilla Beach

Then we head over to Santiago Island, where the green sea turtles use a beach of golden sand as their nesting area. We will walk through a forest to see some of the biggest specimens of Palo Santo in the islands.

• Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling – panga ride - kayaking
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Landing Type: Wet
• Wildlife: Yellow warblers, Galapagos flycatchers, Darwin finches

Santiago Island: Port Egas

We disembark at Puerto Egas, a volcanic beach of dark sand with a fascinating history. The Galapagos Fur Seals sleep under the arches of the ocean-carved lava and dip in the crystal clear pools. The abundant marine life can be observed by taking a walk on the beach.

• Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Landing Type: Wet
• Wildlife: Fur seals, Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos hawks, oystercatchers, marine iguanas, finches, reef sharks, sea turtles, rays, and fish

Rabida Island

We will land on the deep red beach of Rabida and explore its fascinating interior, including the saltwater lagoon that is usually home to flamingos. Darwin's Finches, Galapagos Mockingbirds and Yellow Warblers all feed on the vegetation. If you're lucky, brown pelicans may nest on the salt bush near the beach.

• Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling – panga ride - kayaking
• Difficulty: Easy
• Landing Type: Wet
• Wildlife: Darwin’s finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, pelicans, and yellow warblers

Charles Darwin Station

This morning, we will visit one of Santa Cruz Island’s most popular attractions. We will dry land at the Puerto Ayora Passenger Pier and then head towards the Charles Darwin Research Station. We will be able to see tortoises that come from different islands. For their safety, as well as to make it easy for visitors to see the animals, they are kept in large semi-natural enclosures. These pens have been divided into four stages: the eggs, newborns, juveniles, and adults.

• Possible Activities: Hiking
• Difficulty: Easy
• Landing Type: Dry
• Wildlife: Giant tortoises and land iguanas

Highlands

We will explore the Santa Cruz Island highlands in the afternoon. 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

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

Champion Islet & 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

Post Office Bay & 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.

• 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 of sea 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 masked boobies - as well as both frigatebird 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, 3 species of footed-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, hammerhead sharks, blue-footed boobies, 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