Your Travel Experience with Galapagos PRO
Day 1
Transfer from Baltra Airport
Your guide will collect you from the Baltra airport and take you to Puerto Ayora. From Puerto Ayora you will transfer to your yacht.
Highlands of Santa Cruz Island
Afternoon: After lunch, venture into the higher altitude areas. You will notice the changes in the vegetation as the climate becomes wetter and warmer. The earth in the upper altitudes is rich in minerals, and coffee plantations and fruit orchards line the streets. Here, you can observe the famous Galapagos giant tortoises in the wild.
The Scalesia zone between 250 and 600 meters altitude offers the opportunity to discover many endemic tree species not found in the Ecuadorean jungle. The twin craters, Los Gemelos, are also in this zone. Los Gemelos are not craters in the technical sense, rather 70 meter vertical gullies carpeted with lush vegetation.
Day 2
Las Tintoreras
Morning: Today you will experience the wildlife of Tintoreras, the small archipelago in front of the harbor of Puerto Villamil.
Take in the gorgeous scenery and unique wildlife on Las Tintoreras. On the sandy beach, the sea lions loll in the sun or laze in the shade of the mangroves and along the shores, the blue-footed boobie males show off their striking blue feet in an attempt to woo the females. Marine iguanas warm themselves up on the black lava rocks next to the Galapagos penguins and Galápagos sea lions, recovering after their dives. Even white tip reef sharks are not uncommon to find in the calm waters of the bay.
Sierra Negra Volcano, Santa Cruz
Afternoon: Spend the afternoon exploring the volcanic landscape of Isabela Island, created by five side by side shield volcanoes, whose lava flows have united to form a landmass.
Make your way into the highlands and ascend to the volcano Sierra Negra. Although this is not the highest volcano at 1,200 meters, it has the second largest volcanic cone on earth, with a diameter of about 9 kilometers. In total, you will hike through approximiately one hour of this interesting terrain. The fruit of your labour is a magnificent view out over the island of Isabela.
Note: Please remember to bring high SPF sunscreen. The Sun's harmful rays can be very strong here.
Day 3
Punta Moreno, Isabela
Morning: Punta Moreno is a rugged young lava bay. At first it appears to be a lifeless landscape, however as you walk over the cooled lava, you'll see new green areas and lagoons hosting a wide variety of birds. Marine iguanas and lava lizards are usually found in the lagoons you'll often meet flamingos foraging here for their favourite meal. While the sharp rocks make this hike a little tricky, its path itself is easy enough to be enjoyed by everyone and provides an unforgettable landscape set against a backdrop of the volcanoes Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul.
We recommend bringing plenty of water during this visit, as the lava field reflects the sun making the temperature higher than average. Don't forget to apply sunscreen!
Elizabeth Bay, Isabela
Afternoon: The wide and sheltered Elizabeth Bay, on Isabela's east coast, hosts a bevy of the archipelago's unique wildlife. The mangrove-lined shore contrasts starkly against the surrounding lava fields. The myriad of small islets and rocky reefs make this is a particularly rich area for wildlife.
The waters here are particularly clear, and this makes Elizabeth Bay a great place to spot the rays, sharks, green sea turtles, Galapagos penguins, pelicans, and Galapagos sea lions known to gather here. Nearer to the shores and mangroves you'll see Galapagos flightless cormorants and the sunbathing marine iguanas.
Day 4
Urbina Bay, Isabela
Morning: Urbina Bay graces the southeast flank of the Alcedo Volcano. After volcanic activity in 1954 caused a significant uplift, the coast expanded almost a kilometer out. Marine life found a way to thrive in this newly fertile area and many species chose to stay. Today, this area is a great place for snorkeling. During your hike, you may see a large colony of land iguanas, Darwin's finches, giant tortoises (from June to September) and flightless cormorants.
Several species of whale have been spotted in the waters you'll be navigating through today.
Tagus Cove, Isabela
Afternoon: The historical pirate hideaway of Tagus Cove has been frequented by sailors since the 1800s. The names of visiting ships were often painted and carved in to the cliffs surrounding the cove.
Trails wind their way around Lake Darwin up to a ridge, offering wonderful views of the landscape, the ocean, with Wolf and Darwin Islands dotting the horizon. Punta Tortuga, just north of Tagus Cove, is another idyllic tropical beach surrounded by mangroves. Later, take a panga ride through the cliffs, observing penguins, flightless cormorants, boobies, pelicans and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Return to the cove to relax on the shore or snorkel.
Day 5
Punta Espinoza, Fernandina
Morning: Today you are heading towards Fernandina, the westernmost and with just about 700,000 years, the youngest island in the archipelago. Surrounded by hills amidst a lava landscape covered with cacti and mangroves is the visitor location Punta Espinoza. Meet sea lions and hundreds of marine iguanas basking on the black lava rocks and on the beach. While snorkeling you might come close to the resident penguins darting quickly through the water.
Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela
Afternoon: The sea-horse-shaped island of Isabela is the largest of the archipelago and the most volcanically active. Punta Vicente Roca is considered one of the most impressive and spectacular places of the enchanted Galapagos Islands. High cliffs and tuffstone, ash and lava formations give this area a majestic touch.
While you explore the two coves and the large bay with spectacular sea life, keep an eye out for seahorses, sea turtles, and the weird and wonderful mola-mola, also known as sunfish. In good conditions, Punta Vicente Roca is considered one of the best snorkelling sites in the Galapagos.
Day 6
Puerto Egas, Santiago
Morning: After landing on the black sand beach of Puerto Egas, Santiago Island hike along a 2km long coastal area boasting sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs, lava lizards, Galapagos hawks and lava herons. The rugged lava coast with natural pools, where sea lions bathe and herons play marks the end of your hike.
An excursion to Santiago Island is also one of the rare chances to see Galápagos fur seals in the wild, though not in large numbers.
Rábida Island
Afternoon: On arrival at Rábida Island's red sand beach you will be greeted by the resident sea lions, basking in the sun. The island's otherworldy red colouring is a result of the high level of iron and magnesium left behind from previous volcanic activity.
A stroll along the beach reveals marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin’s finches. If you look carefully you may also spot the bright red Sally Lightfoot crabs, who have found possibly the only place on earth where they can effectively camouflage themselves.
Day 7
Chinese Hat Islet
Morning: Sombero Chino was named by locals for its shape, resembling the outline of a Chinese hat. Since the management of the National Park restricted the number of visitors, rare creatures of the Galapagos Islands can once again be seen up close here on Chinese Hat.
Sea lion colonies live on the white coral sand beach. Here you can also see the American oystercatcher and Galapagos penguins swimming along the shore, as well as the Sally Lightfoot crabs, which contrast starkly with the black volcanic stones.
Bartolomé Island
Afternoon: The island of Bartolomé in the northern part of the archipelago was nominated for the "World Travel Awards 2012" as the most beautiful beach in South America. Not only for its beautiful white sand beach, but also the Pinnacle Rock, a rock formation that is especially interesting for photographers. While you're here, we recommend seeing the black lava fields patrolled by resident lava iguanas, the million-year-old tuff formations and the view from the summit of the island. If you go snorkelling, you can meet penguins and sea turtles.
Day 8
North Seymour Island
Morning: The small island of North Seymour is one of the most diverse islands in the Galapagos archipelago. It is only about two square kilometers in size and above all known for of the intensive courtship rituals of many magnificent frigatebirds, taking place here during mating season. The island is also home to large colonies of land iguanas, marine iguanas and sea lions. The characteristic bush landscape features diverse species of animals amongst the endemic balsa trees.
Transfer to Baltra Airport
Transfer to Baltra Airport for you return flight to the mainland.