Itinerary A 8 days
ITINERARY DAY BY DAY:
DAY 1: NORTH SEYMOUR
Meet the group and head to Bachas Beach to see Sally Lightfoot crabs, flamingos and marine iguanas.
Bachas Beach Visit
Bachas Beach (2h-3h)
Head to Bachas Beach where the sand is made of decomposed coral, making it soft and white, and a favourite
site for nesting sea turtles. Spot abundant Sally Lightfoot crabs on the lava rocks along the water’s edge — these
crabs will eat anything they can get their claws on! Trek to see a wide range of wildlife, including flamingos, hermit
crabs, black necked stilts, and marine iguanas. You will also have the opportunity to snorkel here.
DAY 2: GENOVESA ISLAND
Visit Darwin Bay and marvel at the sheer number of birds along the many trails. Head to El Barranco in the
afternoon to see the many types of boobies, including red-footed boobies.
Darwin Bay Visit
Genovesa Island
Walk along the white coral sands of Darwin Bay surrounded by bustling sea birds. Follow the trail and see nesting
frigatebirds, gulls, and boobies. Be sure to bring your camera to take some snaps of your new feathered friends.
Snorkelling (Darwin Bay)
Genovesa Island (45m-1h)
Visit this sunken caldera for a great snorkelling opportunity. See large schools of tropical fish swarming near the
vertical walls, and, if lucky, see manta rays, white-spotted eagle rays, sea lions, and hammerhead sharks.
El Barranco Visit
Genovesa Island
Visit “El Barranco” aka Prince Phillip’s Steps located on the southern tip of the island for an amazing wildlife
watching opportunity. Hike up the steps to see a sea bird colony that is full of life including the breeding grounds
for red-footed boobies and masked boobies.
DAY 3: BARTOLOMÉ ISLAND/SULLIVAN BAY
Visit Bartolomé for a guided tour to see the island’s dramatic volcanic features. Continue to Sullivan Bay on
Santiago Island to witness the giant lava formations contrasting the white-coral-sand beach.
Bartolomé Island Visit
Bartolomé Island
Hike to Bartolomé’s summit for a stronger perspective of the islands’ not-too-distant volcanic origins, and enjoy
a panoramic view – it’s one of the best among the islands! See other Galápagos Islands in the distance as well as
Pinnacle Rock, the island’s famous towering landmark.
Snorkelling (Bartolomé Island)
Bartolomé Island (45m-1h)
Take the opportunity to swim and snorkel along the shore, home to one of the most iconic volcanic rock
formations on the islands. Home to Galápagos penguins, friendly sea lions, sea turtles, and a huge variety of fish,
Bartolomé and its surrounding waters are a fantastic place to explore the natural wonders of the Galápagos.
Sullivan Bay Visit
Sullivan Bay
Visit Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island to see one of its star natural attractions – striking and fascinating giant lava
formations. Very few plants have managed to survive on this island due to its harsh environment and relatively
new lava flow. Enjoy a walk along the lava formations before coming to a white-coral sand beach, where abundant
Sally Lightfoot crabs and sea lions gather on shore.
Snorkelling (Sullivan Bay)
Sullivan Bay (45m-1h)
Enjoy a cool dip after exploring Sullivan Bay on foot. Grab a snorkel and discover many species of fish and other
marine life in the shallow waters. Keep an eye out for turtles, rays, and large schools of colourful fish.
DAY 4: ISABELA ISLAND
Early landing in the small town of Puerto Villamil before beginning the hike to the Sierra Negra Volcano, which has
the largest basaltic caldera in the Galápagos. In the afternoon, explore the tortoise breeding centre in the Puerto
Villamil area.
Sierra Negra Volcano Hike
Isabela Island(1h-2h)
Hike to the rim of the 10km (6 mi) wide crater of the Sierra Negra volcano, which has the largest basaltic caldera
in the Galápagos. Trek across the moon-like landscape of the lava fields and fumaroles, and enjoy spectacular
views looking north toward Fernandina and the rest of Isabela Island. The volcano last erupted in June 2018,
making it the most recent eruption of the Galápagos. This hike is 7km in total (3.5 km each way).
Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre Visit
Isabela Island (2h-3h)
Walk through the town’s wetlands to visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre. With the giant tortoise on its way to
extinction in the late 1950s, this program was established to protect these noble creatures.
DAY 5: ELIZABETH BAY/URBINA BAY
Pay a morning visit to Elizabeth Bay which offers amazing bird and marine life viewing opportunities. Head out on
the pangas and explore the shallows and mangroves to look for sea turtles and penguins. Visit Urbina Bay,
located at the base of the Alcedo Volcano. Hike the trail for a chance to see land tortoises in the wild, watching
for land iguanas along the way.
Elizabeth Bay Panga Ride
Elizabeth Bay
Head out by panga to explore, keeping an eye out for wildlife hiding among the mangroves. Search for marine
turtles, rays, and flightless cormorants in the sheltered waters. Also spot blue-footed boobies, penguins, and
pelicans feeding on the abundant marine life.
Urbina Bay Visit
Urbina Bay
Visit Urbina Bay for a unique walk among a massive marine reef that was raised out of the water in 1950 during an
uplift. See “sculptures” of dried coral and other ocean formations while touring the area on foot. Urbina Bay also
offers great opportunities to snorkel, as well as to see land iguanas that have astonishingly yellow skin, flightless
cormorants, land tortoises, marine turtles, and rays.
DAY 6: TAGUS COVE/PUNTA ESPINOZA
Stop for a visit at Tagus Cove and hike to a lookout to get a stunning view of the bay. Spot old graffiti on the cliffs
from whalers and pirates who once visited the the cove. Continue to Punta Espinoza on Fernandina, the youngest
of the Galápagos Islands. Witness the large colony of marine iguanas and a variety of bird life.
Tagus Cove Visit
Tagus Cove
Visit Tagus Cove, an Isabela Island anchorage site that was popular among whalers and pirates. Tour the area on
foot for spectacular views of Darwin Lake (a spherical saltwater crater), the bay, and Darwin and Wolf volcanoes.
Upon landing, take the wooden stairway to the trail entrance, and follow the trail through a dry vegetation zone.
Opt to continue on an ascent to a promontory made up of spatter cones (small volcanic cones) or explore the
area by dinghy.
Snorkelling (Tagus Cove)
Tagus Cove
Grab a mask and snorkel and witness schools of tropical fish as you navigate through the calm waters. If you’re
lucky, spot rockfish, sharks and seahorses.
Punta Espinoza Visit
Punta Espinoza
Tour a number of different trails at this not-to-be-missed landing site that’s home to some of the largest
colonies of marine iguanas and sea birds. Follow the path along the beach and across lava flows for a unique
opportunity to explore one of the least-visited areas of the Galápagos. Here, you will also have a chance to
snorkel.
Snorkelling (Punta Espinoza)
Punta Espinoza
One of the best snorkelling sites in the islands, here get a glimpse of marine iguanas grazing underwater, sea
lions, sea turtles, rays, puffer fish and dolphins.
DAY 7: RÁBIDA ISLAND/SANTIAGO ISLAND
Enjoy a morning panga ride in Buccaneer Cove, watch for sea lions, shorebirds, and interesting lava formations.
Take an afternoon excursion to the red sand beaches of Rábida to see a lagoon and sea lion colony. Enjoy
snorkelling nearby with schools of tropical fish and sea lions.
Buccaneer Cove Visit
Santiago Island
Jump into the panga and cruise alongside high cliffs and rock formations on this visit to Bucaneer Cove, which
was a favourite hideout for pirates looking to stock up their boats with food and water. Spot sea lions relaxing on
the beach and sea birds nesting in the cove – there’s lots to see at this site.
Snorkelling (Buccaneer Cove)
Santiago Island
Get up close and personal with the local marine life, sea lions and many marine birds, during this snorkel
excursion through the beautiful waters of Buccaneer Cove.
Rábida Island Visit
Rábida Island
Arrive at a red sand beach at Rábida to explore its trails. A short trail leads to a saltwater lagoon; another trail
goes past the lagoon to the interior, where the revered palo santo trees grow. (When burned, the branches of this
tree give off a pleasing aroma and ward off mosquitoes.)
Snorkelling (Rábida Island)
Rábida Island
Grab a snorkel and discover many species of fish and other marine life. Keep an eye out for white-tip sharks and
sea lions.
DAY 8: ISLAS DAPHNE
View Daphne from the boat, the tiny conical island is home to nesting blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and
Darwin’s finches.
Daphne Island Visit
Islas Daphne
Travel to Daphne, a tiny conical island, home to nesting blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, Darwin’s finches, and a
variety of marine life. Observe from the boat as this island is dedicated to scientific research. This island was
where Dr. Peter Grant conducted a long-term study of Darwin’s finches.
After this visit transfer to Baltra Airport by bus for your return flight to Guayaquil/Quito
This is the end of the trip.
Important: Itineraries are unlikely to change significantly but are subject to change. Weather, wildlife breeding, safety concerns, instructions from the Galapagos National Park, specific abilities and interests of passengers as well as operational matters may cause your guide or captain to change the time or nature of visits. Your guide and captain will always endeavor to select the best itinerary within these limits.
Itinerary B 5 days
| Day 1 | Sunday | AM: Arrive to Baltra Airport
PM: North Seymour Island: North Seymour Island |
| Day 2 | Monday | AM: San Cristobal Island: Cerro Brujo
PM: Isla lobos: Isla Lobos |
| Day 3 | Tuesday | AM: Española Island: Gardner Bay
PM: Española Island: Punta Suarez |
| Day 4 | Wednesday | AM: Santa Fe Island: Santa Fe Island
PM: South Plaza Island: South Plaza Island |
| Day 5 | Thursday | AM: Santa Cruz Island: Fausto Llerena Breeding Center & Charles Darwin Station
Baltra Airport |
ITINERARY DAY BY DAY:
DAY 1: NORTH SEYMOUR
Meet the group in the afternoon and visit North Seymour Island to look out for blue-footed boobies.
North Seymour Island Visit
North Seymour
Have an amazing wildlife experience visiting North Seymour Island – this island is teeming with life! Follow trails to
see all the action (you may need to give way to a passing sea lion or marine iguana while walking). Depending on
the season, see blue-footed booby nests where mating pairs perform their courtship dance. Head to a rocky
shore to see flocks of pelicans having lunch in a dive bomb feeding frenzy, then turn inland to a large nesting site
of magnificent frigatebirds. These huge, dark acrobats have two-metre (6.5 ft) wingspans, and males, with their
puffed-up scarlet throat sacks, sit precariously perched in low bushes to watch over their equally large chicks.
DAY 2: CERRO BRUJO/KICKER ROCK
Travel to the dramatic Kicker Rock in the morning to witness the steep vertical stone walls rising from the ocean.
Continue to Cerro Brujo on San Cristóbal to observe sea lions, marine iguanas, and seabirds along the beach. In
the afternoon, head to Isla Lobos known for its friendly sea lions. Here, there will be an opportunity to snorkel if
you choose.
Cerro Brujo Visit
Cerro Brujo (1h-3h)
Visit Cerro Brujo to explore its coastline, and look for wildlife on the beach, in the water, and in the air. Learn
about the human and natural history of the area from the Galápagos CEO/Naturalist Guide.
Snorkelling (Isla Lobos)
Isla Lobos
Snorkel the waters of peaceful Isla Lobos, amid the families of sea lions and their inquisitive pups looking to play.
Spot nesting frigatebirds and the famous blue-footed boobies resting on the shore. Be sure to bring your camera
to catch some snaps at this prime wildlife watching haven.
Isla Lobos Visit
Isla Lobos
Explore this tiny island for great wildlife encounters. Either by foot or by panga, view the sea and shore birds
nesting and feeding. Spot a small colony of blue-footed boobies as well as two species of sea lions.
DAY 3: BAHÍA GARDNER/PUNTA SUÁREZ
Sail in to Gardner Bay, an excellent swimming and snorkelling site. Head to Punta Suarez on Española Island. The
southernmost island in the Galápagos archipelago is home to several wildlife species, including nazca and
blue-footed boobies. A hike to the top of the cliff makes for spectacular photo opportunities.
Punta Suarez on the western side of Española Island (also called Hood) is spectacular.
Follow the trail through a rookery and learn the geological history of the island from the naturalist, including its
dramatic volcanic features, climate, flora, and fauna.
Gardner Bay Visit
Bahía Gardner (1h-3h)
Visit Gardner Bay’s magnificent white sandy beach and spectacular landscapes. This incredible place is home to
sea lions, hood mockingbirds, Nazca boobies, waved albatross, red-billed tropic birds, lava lizards, Galapagos
hawks, and blue-footed boobies. Be sure to explore the beautiful turquoise water and its incredible sea life.
Snorkelling (Gardner Bay)
Española Island (45m-1h)
Strap on your snorkel and if conditions allow, see an abundance of sea life including; young sea lions and large
schools of surprisingly big tropical fish, including yellow-tailed surgeonfish, king angelfish, and bump-head parrot
fish.
Punta Suarez Excursion
Punta Suárez
Head to Punta Suárez on Española Island, the southernmost island in the Galápagos archipelago and home to
several wildlife species. Hike to the top of the cliff for spectacular photo opportunities, and explore the island’s
untamed natural beauty.
DAY 4: SANTA FÉ ISLAND/SOUTH PLAZA
Visit Santa Fe island for a chance to mingle with the iguanas. Continue to South Plaza for some great bird
watching opportunities. Here, you will also have the opportunity to snorkel should you choose.
Santa Fe Island Visit
Santa Fé Island
Visit Santa Fé for amazing wildlife watching and snorkelling opportunities. Hike towards the cliffs along the
island’s northern shore to view the forest of giant prickly pear cactus (Opuntia), which is home to endemic land
iguanas. It is also one of the best locations to see sea turtles, sea lions, and maybe even get a glimpse of a
whitetip reef shark from the panga.
South Plaza Island Visit
South Plaza
Visit South Plaza, one of the smallest islands in the Galápagos, which has one of the largest populations of land
iguanas. Walk along a path through a cactus forest and view a combination of dry and coastal vegetation on this
lively island, home to a wide range of fauna, including incredible birdlife. Spot red-billed tropicbirds and
indigenous swallow-tailed gulls resting on the cliffs, and sea lions playing in the waters.
DAY 5: PUERTO AYORA
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Center and spend some time wandering through town.
Fausto Llerena Breeding Center & Charles Darwin Research Station Visit
Puerto Ayora (45m)
Visit Fausto Llerena Breeding Center a great place to observe many species of tortoises. Brought back from the
brink of extinction, see the famous Galápagos tortoise up close – a corral houses adult tortoises, and a nursery
cares for the young until around age three when their shells have hardened.
This area also houses the Charles Darwin Research Station, a scientific organization initiated in 1964, which works
to preserve the Galápagos’ ecosystem through the conservation efforts of scientists, researchers, and
volunteers. While the offices themselves are not open to visitors, the research station provides a study location
for international scientists and environmental education for the local community.
After this visit transfer to Baltra Airport by bus for your return flight to Guayaquil / Quito.
This is the end of the trip.
Important: Itineraries are unlikely to change significantly but are subject to change. Weather, wildlife breeding, safety concerns, instructions from the Galapagos National Park, specific abilities and interests of passengers as well as operational matters may cause your guide or captain to change the time or nature of visits. Your guide and captain will always endeavor to select the best itinerary within these limits.
Itinerary B 4 days
| Day 1 | Thursday | AM: Baltra Airport
PM: Santa Cruz Island: Highlands Giant Tortoises |
| Day 2 | Friday | AM: Floreana Island: Devil`s Crown PM: Floreana Island: Post Office Bay |
| Day 3 | Saturday | AM: Chinese Hat Islet: Chinese Hat
PM: Santa Cruz Island: Gragon Hill |
| Day 4 | Sunday | AM: Santa Cruz Island: Black Turtle Cove
PM: Baltra Airport |
ITINERARY DAY BY DAY:
DAY 1: PUERTO AYORA
Meet the group in the afternoon and visit a tortoise reserve in the Santa Cruz highlands.
Highlands Giant Tortoises Visit
Santa Cruz Island
Head to Santa Cruz’s verdant highlands. This is a perfect place to hike through the grounds and see giant
tortoises in their natural environment, before savouring an included lunch.
DAY 2: PUNTA CORMORANT/FLOREANA ISLAND
This morning, snorkel at Devil’s Crown, a coral reef surrounded by an eroded volcanic crater, the perfect home for
marine life. Look out for small sharks, rays and schools of tropical fish. In the afternoon, make sure you have a
postcard to leave behind on a visit to Post Office Bay.
Snorkelling (Corona del Diablo)
Punta Cormorant (45m-1h)
Enjoy an amazing snorkelling experience at the ‘Devil’s Crown’, an old underwater volcanic cone just north of the
Punta Cormorant. Spot large schools of tropical fish, rays, reef sharks, and sea turtles that make their home
among the coral reef. Be sure you’re a strong swimmer; the currents can be intense.
Post Office Bay Visit
Floreana Island
Visit Post Office Bay and learn about its unique history. In the late 18th century, English whaling vessels placed a
barrel here to be used as a post office. Today, the box is used mainly by tourists, who may drop off and pick up
unstamped letters to be carried to far destinations. Continue the tradition – leave a letter and take one to deliver
(be sure it makes it to the correct location)!
DAY 3: CHINESE HAT/CERRO DRAGÓN
Visit the white sand beach at Chinese Hat in the morning, before an afternoon at Cerro Dragón for an opportunity
to break out the binoculars and do some excellent birdwatching.
Chinese Hat Visit
Chinese Hat (1h-2h)
Explore Chinese Hat’s beautiful landscape and view many geological formations such as lava tubes and lava
flows. Don’t forget to bring your snorkel gear!
Cerro Dragón Visit
Cerro Dragón (1h-3h)
Visit Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill) for some prime birdwatching. Take a short walk from the beach to a hypersalinic
(saltier than the ocean) lagoon frequented by pink flamingos, common stilts, pintail ducks, and other species of
birds. Pass through a Palo Santo tree forest; endemic to the area, there are only 400 specimens of Scalesia trees
left in the world.
DAY 4: BLACK TURTLE COVE
In the early morning, explore the mangrove lagoon at Black Turtle Cove
Black Turtle Cove Excursion
Black Turtle Cove
Explore the mangroves by panga to find rich marine wildlife between the fresh and salt waters. Keep any eye out
for sting rays and sea turtles in this tranquil ecosystem. Whitetip reef sharks can also be seen gliding by.
After this visit transfer to Baltra Airport by bus for your return flight to Guayaquil/Quito
This is the end of the trip.
Important: Itineraries are unlikely to change significantly but are subject to change. Weather, wildlife breeding, safety concerns, instructions from the Galapagos National Park, specific abilities and interests of passengers as well as operational matters may cause your guide or captain to change the time or nature of visits. Your guide and captain will always endeavor to select the best itinerary within these limits.
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