Your Travel Experience with Galapagos PRO
Day 1
Arrival and transfer at the airport
You will arrive at Baltra airport by flight and the crew from the cruise will welcome you at arrival. Your guide will accompany you to the ship and a briefing will be held.
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.
Day 2
Punta Cormorant, Floreana island
Morning: Punta Cormorant is home to two stunning natural beaches. You'll make a wet landing in the first bay, where you'll find a special black sand beach that twinkles green in the sunlight. The shimmering sand is made of olivine crystals, remnants of a long-gone violent volcanic eruption. Following the short trail along the beach, you'll come to a second little bay. Visitors will be delighted by the soft, white powdery sand that feels like walking in fine baking flour. This gorgeous beach certainly earned the name "Flour Beach". In the bay, you will likely spot green sea turtles, and if you wander back from the sandy stretch, you can find a saltwater lagoon that attracts vibrant flamingos and adorable white cheeked pintails.
Post Office Bay, Floreana island
Afternoon: Floreana offers wonderful testament to the fascinating human history of the Archipelago. Although paling in comparison to the geological history, the human history extends far beyond the island's first residents. Here at Post Office Bay, learn about the historic barrel that has served as a post office in the archipelago for over two centuries. Lonely sailors, away from home for years at a time, would stop at Floreana to restock their supplies of food and water. The homesick sailors devised a clever solution - they left letters in a makeshift 'post box' on Floreana, and when passing ships stopped on the way back to their home port, they would pick up all the letters destined for that place and deliver them. To this day, the system is alive and well - each year, thousands of visitors continue to leave letters for loved ones, and search for letters to bring home and deliver. To keep the tradition alive, hunt for a letter destined for a town near you and hand-deliver it. As well as Post Office Bay, Floreana is famous for its mysterious stories revolving around its first inhabitants, Doctor Ritter, Dora Strauch and the Wittmer family. You should also be sure to visit the Cave of Pirates, which is located near a freshwater fountain that once served as the only source of fresh water for the families living there. The fountain was called the Asylum of Peace by the Wittmers.
Day 3
Chinese Hat island
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 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 a variety of tropical fish. As not all boats have permission to go to this island, it is well worth it.
North Seymour island
Afternoon: 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 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 aromatic endemic balsa trees.
Day 4
Black Turtle Cove, Santa Cruz island
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.
Bachas Beach, 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 Islands’ 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 5
Darwin Bay, Genovesa island
Mornings: 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.
El Barranco, Genovesa island
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 to the tourists around them.
Day 6
Los Gemelos, Santa Cruz island
Morning: The Twin Craters are not craters at all; they were formed when underlying magma chambers collapsed and the earth caved in. This makes them no less impressive to see. They are easily accessible via a path from Puerto Ayora and offer a fantastic view. In addition to the avoidable craters, some of the endemic bird species also cavort here. The path leads you through the Scalesia forest, past Galapagos doves, Darwin's finches, Galapagos flycatchers, Galapagos owls and many other inhabitants of the air. And once you reach the crater rim, a view awaits you that you will never forget!
Sullivan Bay, 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 covered the island here, leaving behind diverse 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 a time when volcanoes raged here, ultimately creating a paradise.
Day 7
Sierra Negra, Isabela island
Morning: Sierra Negra is the third-highest volcano on Isabela Island and the fifth-highest in the Galapagos. (1124 m). It erupted a total of 7 times in the 20th century, most recently in October 2005. It is the only volcano on Isabela whose crater region is open to tourism. A half-day hike through the cloud forests brings you to a viewpoint on the rim of the crater and offers fantastic views into the caldera (clear weather required, although unpredictable; thanks to prevailing winds, most clouds dissipate at the viewpoint). The caldera measures about 7 x 9 km and is the largest in the archipelago. A somewhat muddy path along the rim takes you through an evergreen cloud forest that exists only in the highlands of the main islands. The dense and rich vegetation includes ferns, tree ferns and endemic scalesias, laden with epiphytes such as lichens, orchids, and bromeliads. The mist and drizzle - frequent in the cool Garúa season (June-December) - adds to the mysterious atmosphere. Along the way, you may also spot striking songbirds such as the vermilion finch, the golden warbler, and the woodpecker finch (among six other species of Darwin's finches); this species hammers branches like a woodpecker and uses twigs as tools to catch insects!
Tortoisebreedingcenter, Isabela island
Afternoon: After a short walk from the port town of Puerto Villamil, you will reach the Arnaldo Tupiza Interpretation and Breeding Center for Tortoises. A wooden walkway leads to the center and through the impressive surrounding wetlands, which are a wonder in themselves. At the center, you can see five different species of tortoises! They are all endemic to Isabela Island, but various influences, such as volcanic eruptions and imported animals, have destroyed their natural habitat. Here at the turtle breeding center, the eggs are protected and incubated in warmth, while the adult turtles spend their time outside on the huge property. This program was created to increase the turtle population again, as they are an important part of the island's ecology.
Day 8
Elizabeth Bay, Isabela island
Morning: 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.
Urbina Bay, Isabela island
Afternoon: On the east coast of Isabela Island lies Urbina Bay, one of the youngest bays in the Galapagos. Formed in 1954, by an upwelling of the coast and was pushed up 5 meters. This brought a variety of corals to the surface, which can now be admired. However, this view will not last long as the air is destroying the coral reef. After a wet landing in the bay, you will go on a 3.5-kilometre march into the interior of the island. Here, you have a high probability of seeing giant tortoises and land iguanas, which are only found in the Galapagos Islands. As the trail leads back to the coast, you will encounter flightless cormorant colonies. The bay offers a fantastic place to snorkel and see Galapagos sea lizards feeding underwater.
Day 9
Tagus Cove, Isabela island
Morning: You will take an excursion to the infamous Tagus Cove - a favourite anchorage of pirates and whalers for centuries. The deep blue cove is home to breeding penguins, flightless cormorants, noddy terns, shearwaters and blue-footed boobies. A steep trail through dry balsam tree forests and cacti leads to a salty, green crater lake (Laguna Darwin). Sea turtles and marine lizards appreciate the food-rich bay, making it ideal for snorkelling despite the abundance of green algae.
Punta Espinoza, Fernandina island
Afternoon: As one of the youngest islands, formed around 700,000 years ago, Fernandina is also the only island that has not been colonised by mammals or other species apart from endemic ones, making it one of the few untouched ecosystems in the world. The volcano “La Cumbre” last erupted in 2005 and dominates the landscape with lava fields stretching to the ocean. The highlight of the island is the nesting site of the unique flightless cormorant. In addition, here in the north of the island, you have the chance to see Galapagos sea lions, marine iguanas, and some Galapagos penguins. With a little luck, you may also see a Galapagos hawk circling above your head in the sky.
Day 10
Espumilla Beach, Santiago island
Morning: At the northernmost end of James Bay is Espumilla Beach. Next door, feeding sea lizards, the Green Galapagos Sea Turtles also visit this beach to lay their eggs here. In addition, the beach also offers a nice snorkelling experience, where sharks, rays and octopods have been observed in the clear water. Continue a trail that leads inland, passing a seasonal lagoon, some of which is quite green due to the algae in the water. Along the way, you might encounter Galapagos flamingos, Bahama ducks and many other species of Galapagos birds. If you are lucky, you might also spot a Galapagos hawk circling in the skies above you.
Rábida Island
Afternoon: The small island has only one access point for visitors, located on the east coast. The red beach, the lagoon near the coast and the 1.1-kilometre-long circular walk on the island are breathtaking. The red colour of the rock and beach is due to the porous ferruginous volcanic rock and various environmental factors such as rain, saltwater and the coastal winds. Along with the highest concentration of volcanic features and the environmental factors that act as oxidants, the red colour of the island is created. After a wet landing, you can see sea lions and marine lizards relaxing on the Galapagos red beach. Just past the beach is one of the nesting sites for pelicans, which use the island's plants for shelter. It is one of the best places to see pelicans and sometimes a flamingo or two is spotted. The path of the island leads through opuntias, and a variety of birds can be seen here, such as Darwin's finches, Galapagos doves or Galapagos mockingbirds. After the short walk, you can dive and swim in the bay; the clear water offers a good view of the underwater world.
Day 11
Mosquera Islet
Morning: 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 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.
End of cruise
The cruise concludes at Baltra. From there, you will transfer to the airport for your flight back to the mainland or continue with your scheduled itinerary in the Galapagos.