Your Travel Experience with Galapagos PRO
Day 1
Transfer from the airport to the port Baltra
After your arrival at the airport of Baltra Island, transfer to the boat.
Highlands of Santa Cruz Island
Afternoon : As you venture into Santa Cruz's 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. Coffee plantations and fruit orchards line the streets. Here you can observe the famous Galapagos giant tortoises in the wild, using the new knowledge you gained at Charles Darwin Station in the morning.
The Scalesia forests in this area offer the opportunity to discover endemic species of the Galapagos Islands, as well as giant cacti and a variety of deciduous trees and edible fruits.
Day 2
Cerro Dragón, Santa Cruz Island
Morning: You won't find a more fitting place name than Cerro Dragón, "Dragon Hill", located behind a flamingo lagoon. Dragon-like land iguanas roam across the sun-scorched, boulder-strewn island, grazing freely on the fruits and flowers of their favourite food, the Opuntia Cacti. Cerro Dragón is a great opportunity to get out your camera and capture some of what makes the Galapagos Islands so unique.
Sombrero Chino, Chinese Hat
Afternoon: 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, which allows the visitor to look deep into the blue water. On the island, there is the possibility to walk a short path along the western coast and see the impressive landscape. You can see 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 a Galapagos hawk or two circling overhead. 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. Since not all boats have a permit to go to this island, it is worth it even more in any case.
Day 3
Rábida Island
Morning: 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.
Bartolomé Island
Afternoon: Discover a fascinating landscape formed by different volcanic parasitic cones —lava bombs, spatter, cinder cones — that resembles the moon. Going up to the summit there will be an impressive views of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone Pinnacle Rock. You may also encounter marine iguanas, lava lizards, and blue-footed boobies.
The time at the beach is a great opportunity to go snorkeling and see the famous Galapagos Penguins, sea turtles and White-tipped Reef Sharks among a great variety of colorful fish. For many visitors, this may turn out to be the best snorkeling experience. Crystal clear water is the perfect spot to appreciate the incredible marine life it has to offer.
Due to its geographical location, the lack of vegetation is immediately noticeable however, there are pioneer plants including the endemic Tiquilia nesiotica and Chamaesyce (known as sand mat or spurge in English), lava cactus, and Scalesia bushes.
Day 4
Black Turtle Cove on Santa Cruz
Morning: 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.
Las Bachas, Santa Cruz Island
Afternoon: On the north side of Santa Cruz, you will land on Bachas beach, one of the most important nesting sites for the Galapagos Island's sea turtle population.
Behind the beach, you will find two small flamingo ponds behind the bay. These ponds are 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 ponds edges.
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. Eventually, the local's changed the word Barges to "Bachas".
Day 5
Tagus Cove, Isabela Island
Morning: 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 and Wolf and Darwin Islands on the horizon. Punta Tortuga, just north of Tagus Cove, is another idyllic tropical beach surrounded by mangroves. Later, take a danghy 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.
Urbina Bay, Isabela Island
Afternoon: 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.
Day 6
Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island
Morning: At 700,000 years young, Fernandina is the youngest island in the archipelago. In the midst of a cactus and mangrove-covered lava landscape is the visitor's site Punta Espinoza. At Punta Espinoza, a colony of sea lions and hundreds of marine iguanas sunbathe on the black lava rocks and on the beach. Snorkeling in this area will get you close to the resident penguins, often seen whizzing through the water.
Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela Island
Afternoon: The largest in the archipelago, this seahorse-shaped island is also one of the most volcanically active. While there is no cleared landing site at Punta Vicente Roca, your guide will explain the impressive geology and wonderful wildlife diversity in the area from aboard the dinghy. 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 7
Puerto Egas, Santiago Island
Morning: After landing on the black sand beach of Puerto Egas, Santiago Island you hike along a 2 km 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.
Espumilla Beach/Buccaneer Cove, Santiago Island
Afternoon: This place is located on the northern part of Santiago Island, it is a pristine sandy beach where you can find trails that lead through some mangroves to a salty lagoon, if you are lucky, you can see some flamingos, pintail ducks, and other birds. There is a good place to do snorkeling and kayaking.
Day 8
North Seymour, Insel Santa Cruz
Morning: The small island of North Seymour is one of the most diverse islands in the Galapagos archipelago. It is only about two square kilometres in size and is best known for the intense mating rituals of many magnificent frigate birds. The island is also home to large land iguana, marine lizard and sea lion colonies.
Transfer to the Airport
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.