Your Travel Experience with Galapagos PRO
Day 1
Transfer to the yacht
After arrival at the Baltra Airport, transfer to the harbour to board your ship.
Las Bachas on Santa Cruz Island
Afternoon: On the north side of Santa Cruz, you will land on Bachas’s beach - one of the most important nesting sites for the Galapagos Island’s Sea turtle population.
A hidden lagoon behind the bay reveals a treasure trove of animal sightings - sunbathing iguanas, curious shorebirds, and Darwin finches, mockingbirds, and seagulls frolic here. Native plant life is also interesting in this area. Red and black mangroves and salt bushes line the edges of the pond.
In this heavenly place you will also find the remains of barges that sank long ago when the US Navy operated a base on the island of Baltra during the Second World War. Local people changed the word Barges to "Bachas".
Day 2
Bartolomé Island
Morning: 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 a good 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 a bit of luck, you might even see a penguin or two swimming by.
Bahia Sullivan on Santiago Island
Afternoon: 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 here, 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 the time when volcanoes raged here and ultimately created a paradise.
Day 3
Plaza Sur Island
Morning: One of the smallest and most colourful islands in the archipelago, Plaza Sur, or 'South Plaza' in English, is just a short sail from Santa Cruz. Reaching dry land, you will come across some of the island’s friendly sea lions, one of the many types of animals in South Plaza for you to discover. Wander by the nesting places of swallow-tailed gulls, Audubon shearwaters, red-tailed tropicbirds, masked boobies and frigatebirds. The entire island is carpeted with dense sesuvium plants. From June to November, during the colder and drier season, the plants turn a deep red colour which gives the island a dramatic, fascinating atmosphere. Watch the iguanas searching high up in the opuntia trees for fruit - a sight you'll never see anywhere else in the world.
Santa Fé Island
Afternoon: Upon arrival at the white sand beach, you will be greeted by a large colony of sea lions. A trail leads you from the beach into a forest of prickly pears and Palo Santo trees. It is not rare to spot Galapagos hawks and even owls in the salt bushes. Even harmless snakes and the endemic rice rat can be discovered with a little luck while exploring the island. Arguably the most special, however, is the Santa Fé iguana. This species differs from its peers due to its significantly lighter colour and distinct dorsal spines.
Day 4
Cerro Brujo on San Cristóbal Island
Morning: The white beach of the bay in front of Witch Hill is one of the most beautiful in the archipelago. The hill itself is the remnant of a volcanic "tuff cone" - made of compacted volcanic ash and debris. It is also one of the first places Charles Darwin visited on his journey. Here, in addition to a great diversity of species on land, you can also see quite a bit below the water surface. During a walk, you can take it all in and see animals such as Galapagso sea lions, marine lizards, pelicans and blue-footed boobies. If you decide you should go snorkelling, you won't be disappointed here either. Besides Galapagos rays, sea turtles and a variety of tropical fish, you can also discover different corals in the water. And even if you don't want to go into the water, you can also discover a variety of underwater inhabitants from the speedboat through the clear water.
Punta Pitt on San Cristóbal Island
Afternoon: Punta Pitt is an eroded volcano, it is one of the few places in Galapagos where you can spot the three species of boobies, the blue-footed, red-footed and Nazca boobies.
The excursion in Punta Pitt is on rocky terrain, so be prepared for the two hours with comfortable shoes to avoid discomfort and enjoy this unique landscape. After the hike, snorkelling allows you to observe an amazing variety of fish and, if you are lucky, snorkel among sharks.
Day 5
Interpretation Center on San Cristóbal Island
Morning: The National Park Interpretation Center, located on San Cristóbal, was built in collaboration with the Spanish Science Center. The tour offered by the Center for Interpretation's facilities offer a good overview of the Galapagos Islands. The tour takes us through the history of the islands in the context of nature, humankind, and conservation. It also tells the story of the first settlers on the islands.
Return to the harbor of San Cristóbal
The cruise will conclude in the harbor of San Cristóbal. From there, transfer to San Cristóbal Airport in time for your return flight to the mainland, or continue with your planned route through the Galapagos.