Your Travel Experience with Galapagos PRO
Day 1
Transfer from Baltra Airport to the boat
After arriving in Baltra airport, transfer to the harbour to board the Cormorant.
Las Bachas, Santa Cruz Island
Afternoon: On the north side of Santa Cruz, you will land on Las Bachas 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
El Barranco, Genovesa island
Morning: El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip's Steps, is a steep, rocky path that leads up a high cliff face. From here you can enjoy a wonderful view. This site is also home to Palo Santo vegetation as well as Red-footed Boobies, Short-eared Owls, Galapagos petrels and Galapagos doves.
Darwin Bay, Genovesa Island
Afternoon: Visit the white coral beach of Darwin Bay, with a 0.75 km trail that winds through mangrove forests that are home to numerous birds. Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls are easy to spot here. Further down the trail are tide pools where sea lions playfully swim. At the end, there is a spectacular view of a cliff.
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 color 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 Fe 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 color and distinct dorsal spines. Snorkeling and swimming on the beach, kayaking or a tour with the glass bottom boat make this trip unforgettable.
Please Note: The Galapagos National Park has placed a temporary ban on swimming, snorkeling or diving in the waters around Santa Fé.
Day 4
Punta Pitt, San Cristóbal Island
Afternoon: Punta Pitt is considered one of the most beautiful and impressive sites of the whole archipelago of Galapagos. The erosion of the high cliffs and the almost constantly foggy morning give Punta Pitt an eerie atmosphere. The point's location has also made it a favourite nesting site for many sea birds. Here you can observe the three different species of boobies and great frigate birds nesting in the same area. The walking trail covers 1400m and takes roughly 2 hours, including an olivine beach approximately 90 meters long, and a trail that ascends to the top of a volcanic tuff hill passing through several natural viewpoints. This is the only site in the Galapagos Islands, where you can watch the three species of boobies and 2 species of frigates nesting in the same area. There are also plenty of curious sea lions in the area.
Cerro Brujo, San Cristobal
Morning: Cerro Brujo is a volcanic cone that looks over a beautiful white sandy beach which has plenty of sea lions, pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and marine iguanas. From atop the hill you also have a great view over to Leon Dormido. After the hike, cool off with a dip in the perfect aquamarine waters.
Day 5
La Galapaguera
Morning: Breeding Center David Rodriguez - "La Galapaguera", in Cerro Colorado, is a new visitor site in the southeastern part of San Cristobal Island and can now be reached in about an hour by road from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. On the trees and shrubs around the site you can observe land birds such as warblers, finches and mockingbirds. Giant tortoises can be observed on the trails. They live there in the wild, but in a protected area to ensure their survival by shielding them from introduced predators such as pigs and goats.
Conclude in San Cristóbal
The cruise will conclude in the harbor of San Cristóbal. From there, transfer to the airport in time for your return flight to the mainland, or continue with your planned route through the Galapagos.