Itinerary C


Day 1: Baltra Island & Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach

Travel by air for approximately 1.5 hours from Guayaquil to reach the Galápagos Islands. Baltra Island, which played a crucial role during World War II, is the primary airport for tourists and colonists. Upon arriving at Baltra Airport, an English-speaking naturalist guide will be available to assist you. Take a 5-minute bus ride to the dock to board the yacht, where you will receive a warm welcome and a briefing.

After lunch, make a wet landing at Bachas Beach located on the north shore of Santa Cruz. This is one of the main nesting sites for sea turtles, and the clear waters are perfect for swimming and relaxation. Return to the yacht for dinner and a briefing on the following day's activities.

Day 2: Genovesa Island: El Barranco & Darwin Bay

The Bird Island, also known as Genovesa, is an important destination due to the various colonies of birds present there. Although the boat ride to Genovesa is lengthy, it is worthwhile because of the numerous natural attractions to be seen.

El Barranco

El Barranco, or Prince Phillip's Steps, features steep and rocky paths leading to a high cliff-face. The site is home to Palo Santo vegetation and a variety of birds such as Red-footed Boobies, Short-eared Lava Owls, Galapagos Swallows, storm-petrels, and Galapagos Doves. A 2km dry landing hike is available, followed by lunch on board.

Darwin Bay

Darwin Bay, a vast bay that dominates the island, is also home to large colonies of frigate birds and a variety of seabirds, much like Prince Philip's Steps. Briefings and dinners are provided on board.

Day 3: Bartolome Island & Santiago Island: Sullivan Bay

Bartolome Island

At Bartolome Island, visitors can witness the stunning lava formations and ash cones, and climb a wooden staircase for 30 to 40 minutes to reach the top for a beautiful view of the nearest bays. The climb up to the top of the volcano covers 114 meters and includes 375 wooden steps. This island is popular because of its unique and renowned Pinnacle Rock, an extinct volcano with diverse red, orange, black, and even green volcanic formations. Visitors can also snorkel and may spot the Galapagos Penguin. The hike covers 2 kilometers and involves both dry and wet landings.

Santiago Island: Sullivan Bay

On Santiago Island, Sullivan Bay offers the chance to swim and snorkel with seals and penguins on a beautiful white sand beach amidst lava formations. The landing involves a wet landing. The day ends with a briefing and dinner on board.
Day 4: South Plazas Island & Santa Fe Island

Plazas Island

Plazas Island, a small island with steep cliffs, was formed by rising lava and now boasts a landscape covered with Opuntia cacti. It is a natural habitat to one of the largest colonies of sea lions and is home to colorful land iguanas in yellow and red shades. The cliffs are also a resting place for various birds including the tropicbirds and fork-tailed seagulls. The Sesuvium, a characteristic plant, appears greenish to yellowish during the rainy season and bright red during the dry season (end of June through January). A hike of 2 ½ km is involved with a dry landing, and lunch is served on board.

Santa Fe Island

Santa Fe Island is home to colonies of sea lions, land iguanas, fork-tailed seagulls, terns, and petrels. A trail through the island's heart leads to a forest of giant cactus and palo santo trees. Visitors can swim and snorkel after exploring the island. It is a wet landing, and a briefing and dinner are held on board.

Day 5: San Cristobal Island: Lobos Island & Cerro Brujo

Kicker Rock

At Kicker Rock, we will explore a massive rock formation that was created by a volcanic eruption. It features a narrow channel that allows small boats to pass through and is a popular spot for snorkeling and diving due to its abundance of sea birds.

Cerro Brujo

Cerro Brujo, situated on the northern coast of San Cristobal Island, boasts a coral sand beach that is home to sea turtles, rays, and various types of Booby Birds.

Lobos Island

Finally, Lobos Island is known for being home to the largest colony of sea lions and blue-footed boobies, making it a perfect destination for snorkeling. Meals and briefings will be provided on board the yacht.

Day 6: Española Island: Suarez Point & Gardner Bay

Suarez Point

At Suarez Point, visitors can observe various species of birds and marine life, such as blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, albatross, marine iguanas, sea lions, Galapagos doves, and Darwin finches. The area also features a natural attraction known as the lava blowhole, which shoots water high into the air. The hike covers a distance of 3km and is a dry landing.

Gardner Bay

Gardner Bay is located on the island's eastern side and serves as the breeding site for most of the world's 12,000 pairs of Waved Albatrosses. The white sand beach is home to a group of sea lions, and visitors can swim and snorkel in the area.

Gardner Islet & Osborn Islet

Gardner Islet is another location to spot sea lions, marine turtles, and finches, while Osborn Islet is a small island southeast of Española that is ideal for snorkeling and swimming. Dinner and briefing will be provided on board for the following day.
Day 7: Floreana Island: Cormorant Point, Devil’s Crown & Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Station

Floreana Island: Cormorant Point

At Cormorant Point on Floreana Island, visitors can see a large flamingo lagoon where other birds like common stilts and White-cheeked Pintails are also present. The beach here is named Green Beach due to the olivine crystals found in the sand. On the other side of the island, there is a fine white sand beach where marine turtles nest between December and May. The hike covers a distance of 2km, and visitors make a wet landing.

Devil's Crown

Devil's Crown, also on Floreana Island, is a volcanic crater that has been eroded by the waves, leaving the northern and southern sides poking out of the water. The coral formations in this area make it an impressive location for snorkelers to observe schools of multi-colored fish, sharks, and sea turtles. There is no landing at this site.

Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Station

Charles Darwin Station on Santa Cruz Island is part of the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands, which is an international non-profit organization dedicated to scientific research in the area since 1959. Visitors can learn about the origin and formation of the islands and observe Galapagos giant turtles breeding. Dinner and a briefing for the following day will be provided on board.
Day 8: North Seymour Island & Baltra Airport

This Island is recognized for its high population of blue-footed boobies, magnificent frigate birds, fork-tailed seagulls, marine iguanas, and sea lions. The vegetation in this area is dry, with palo santo trees being the most prominent. Visitors will arrive by a wet landing.

After this excursion, passengers will be transferred to Baltra Airport to catch their return flight to Guayaquil/Quito.

This concludes the journey.

Included

  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are on tour.
  • Naturalist Bilingual Guide (English-Spanish).
  • All the site detailed on the program (may chance due to force majeure)
  • Snacks after visiting every site.
  • Unlimited drinking water, tea & coffee.
  • Airport-Dock, Airport-Itabaca Shuttle Service and vice versa (included only during operational dates).

Not Included

  • Airfare to and from Galapagos
  • Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee USD $100, per person
  • Snorkeling Equipment 5 Days: USD $25, per person – 8 Days: USD $35, per person
  • Tips, Souvenirs or other expenses.