Your Travel Experience with Galapagos PRO
Day 1
Boarding the Alya
You will arrive on Baltra in the morning where your Crew will greet you and your guide will bring you to the boat. You will be informed about the coming days and get a chance to get to know the boat and your cabin.
Black Turtle Cove, Santa Cruz
Afternoon: Black Turtle Cove is a red mangrove lagoon serving as a nursery for sharks and rays. Black Turtle Cove is a great location to observe mating sea turtles during nesting season. Travellers often see large groups of resting white-tip reef sharks, schools of golden rays and the incredibly beautiful spotted eagle rays. As the water is usually very calm, this area can be navigated using paddles instead of the loud panga engines, increasing your chances of wildlife encounters.
Day 2
Darwin Bay, Genovesa
Morning: Genovesa Island is secluded from the other main islands in the north of the archipelago and is well-known as the Bird Island. Emerging from the narrow entrance, you'll reach Darwin Bay, surrounded by protective cliffs. Frigatebirds regularly patrol the skies here and petrels can be seen hunting coastal waters for smaller fish. The green water in the bay is evidence of a high plankton content which attracts fish and seabirds, making this wildlife-rich bay a wonderful site for snorkeling. With some luck, you may also encounter peaceful hammerheads and black spotted stingrays.
Prince Phillip's Steps, Genovesa
Afternoon: Prince Philip's Steps are a staircase sunken into volcanic rock that leads to a plateau rich with vegetation and wildlife. True to the nickname of Bird Island, this area is home to nesting masked and blue-footed boobies, Bahama ducks, petrels and gulls amongst a host of other local species. The Galápagos horned owls bask on the warm volcanic rocks here, paying no attention the tourists around them.
Day 3
Sullivan Bay, Santiago
Morning: To the east of Santiago Island, you will reach the white coral beach of Sullivan Bay. Although this beach deserves your full attention, the day will surprise you with another highlight: Santiago's cooled lava blanket. Almost 100 years ago, lava flows flowed across the island, leaving behind different ground shapes: braided and thread-like lava fields alternate with sharp-edged jagged formations. Feel the warm stones of the black, unreal lava landscape under your hands and transport yourself back to when volcanoes raged here and ultimately created a paradise.
Bartolomé Island
Afternoon: One of the most popular destinations for visitors to the Galapagos Islands, Bartolomé is known for its double beach. The popular photo motif can be admired from a platform that can be reached via a path from the beach. The path leads upwards for just under a kilometre with many erected wooden steps, but rest assured that the climb is worth it. From here, you not only have a great view of the double beach but also of Pinnacle Rock, which rises 120 metres into the air. You can also see Sullivan Bay, the small island of Daphne Major and Daphne Minor. On your way back, observe the different rock formations formed by the lava, such as tufa cones or various rocks.
The island is also an excellent example of how the environment adapts to its circumstances. Look out for the plants that grow here, they may look like they have no leaves, but on closer inspection, you can see little white hairs that reflect the light so that the plant can store water. On the beach, you then have the opportunity to snorkel in underwater caves and meet sharks, rays and tropical fish. With some luck, you might even see a penguin or two swimming by.
Day 4
Sombrero Chino Islet
Morning: The small island gets its name from its shape because when you approach the island from the north, it looks like a traditional Chinese hat. The island is close to Santiago Island, and the sea between the islands is well protected, allowing visitors to look deep into the blue water. On the island, there is the possibility to walk along a short path along the western coast and see the impressive landscape. There are volcanic rocks and residues of lava that once flowed here. The atmosphere and rocks of the island are reminiscent of what the Galapagos Islands once were. Sea lions and Galapagos penguins bask on the island's shores or seek refuge from the sun and cool off in the shade. In the island's skies, you might see Galapagos hawks circling overheads. One of the main reasons to visit this island, however, is the sea that surrounds it. It is a fantastic place to snorkel and spot marine life such as sharks, rays, and various tropical fish. As not all boats have permission to go to this island, it is well worth it.
Mosquera Islet
Afternoon: Like many islands in the archipelago, Mosquera was formed due to an eruption of a submarine volcano. Rocks and coral colonised the island and supported you against the current that flows between Baltra and Seymour to collect sand. Now it is home to one of the largest colonies of sea lions and offers them a large beach to rest, sunbathe and play. In addition, orcas (killer whales) can sometimes be seen from here, as sea lions are part of their diet and there is many cavorting here. Mosquera can also surprise with some rare species. The endemic and rare Lava Gull nests on this island but is one of the rarest gull species in the world with its few hundred pairs. With a bit of luck, you may stalk a crabeater heron or catch a glimpse of a rare red-footed booby.
Day 5
Charles Darwin Station, Santa Cruz
Morning: Visit the Galapagos giant tortoises and land iguana breeding programme, where the famous Lonesome George (the last surviving specimen from Pinta Island) lived for decades. The centre is managed by Galapagos National Park (GNP) staff in collaboration with scientists from the Charles Darwin Station (CDS). Here, eggs from Pinzon, Santiago and Santa Cruz Islands hatch without the risk of introduced species. After artificial incubation, the "galapaguitos" (newborn turtles) are bred until they are 5 years old so that when they are released into their native habitats, they have enough skills to survive on their own. Since the 1970s, more than 2,000 specimens have returned to their native islands. In addition, Darwin Station works on several scientific projects and botanical research and provides environmental education for local communities, schools, and tourists. If there is still time, you can take a stroll through the town of Puerto Ayora, one of the most important wetlands in the Galapagos. With bogs and lagoons, there are many things to admire here. Walk along the path on good ground or a boardwalk and observe various birds such as flamingos, Galapagos finches, Galapagos doves, Galapagos mockingbirds and sea lizards. Those interested in the wetlands flora will not be disappointed here either. This is one of the few places where you can see all four mangrove species. These mangroves are not only crucial for the inhabitants of the wetland, but they also protect the coast from the crashing waves of the sea.
Return to Baltra
Your cruise ends here and from the harbor of Baltra, you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight back to the mainland, or continue with your planned program in the Galapagos Islands.