Your Travel Experience with Galapagos PRO
Day 1
Transfer to the catamaran
Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, travelers pass through an airport inspection point to ensure that no foreign plants or animals are transferred to the islands. A representative of our Galapagos Seastar Journey will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a bus ride to the Itabaca Channel and the transfer to Puerto Ayora.
Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island
Afternoon: You will visit Sullivan Bay on the east coast of Santiago. We land on a white coral sand beach and begin our walk over lava that flowed less than 100 years ago. This is the perfect place to see and feel the volcanic origin of the Galapagos. The guide will point out the hardy ¨pioneer¨ plant specialized flora which is the first to colonize a lava field. After a hike you will enjoy a refreshing swim with the chance to do some snorkeling.
Day 2
Sierra Negra volcano – Humedales on Isabela Island
Morning: You will be able to see some lava flows and fumaroles due to the volcanic activity of the Sierra Negra Volcano, which was active in 2005. This visit includes the main volcanic caldera and several smaller craters at the Chico Volcano. In here there are no many faunas in the barren heights of the volcano that you can see, however you will be rewarded with unforgettable lesson in volcanic geology and a great view of Isabela and Fernandina Islands. Continuing the tour. You will visit Los Humedales (The Wetlands) of Isabela, this place is the home to abundant bird life including flamingos, stilts, whimbrels, gallinules, finches, pintail ducks, brown pelicans, and more. Marine iguanas and occasional giant tortoises can be found in here. Part of the trail goes to Orchilla lookout, which offers a nice view of Puerto Villamil town.
The Wall of Tears – Breeding Center Arnaldo Tupiza on Isabela
Afternoon: The Wall of Tears is a wide high stone wall built not far from Puerto Villamil. You will get a glimpse of the human history of Galapagos, Isabela Island was once the home to Ecuadorian penal colony, and the construction of the wall was a form of punishment. Some locals think that the place is haunted. After the visit to the Wall, you will continue to the Breeding Center Arnaldo Tupiza which is the Tortoise Breeding Center of Isabela and is located 1.5 km from Puerto Villamil. In this Breeding Center you will find populations of tortoises from South Isabela, they have been reproduced in captivity. In total there are 330 between juvenile and adult tortoises. The Breeding Center has beautiful gardens consisting of native plants, such as manchineel (poisonous apple tree), mesquite, prickly pear, holy stick, lime prickly-ash, thorn shrub, Galapagos croton and more.
Day 3
Elizabeth Bay on Isabela
Morning: During the morning you will go to Elizabeth bay. This place and the rocky islets that are found there, you will see many spectacular species of Galapagos bird life, including penguins, the Galapagos hawk, Nazca boobies, finches, flightless cormorants, warblers and more. In the clear see below you can see beautiful marine life such as school of fish, spotted eagle rays, sea lions and marine iguanas. You will not land at all, you will be able to see all of it while you do some panga ride.
Urbina Bay on Isabela
Afternoon The bay´s landscape change overnight due to the deep underground volcanic activity in the 1954. The bay gained five meters in height and a kilometer of soggy land that had previously been underwater. You will be able to see desiccated coral formations on the trail around part of the bay. It is the home to abundant wildlife including land iguanas, giant tortoises and lava lizards, finches, hawks and mockingbirds. After you can enjoy doing some snorkeling.
Day 4
Tagus Cove on Isabela
Morning: The visit to Tagus Cove includes a small hike to a scenic outlook and a panga ride along the coast line, you will be able to see penguins. After the hike and the panga ride, you can choose to do kayaking or snorkeling, while you doing this activity you can see some sea turtles.
Espinoza Point on Fernandina Island
Afternoon: This place is one of the most remarkable sites for visitations in all of Galapagos. While you are hiking, you will have breathtaking landscape for taking photos as well as watching some good wildlife, including a nesting colony of flightless cormorants, marine iguanas, lava lizards, Galapagos snakes, and Galapagos hawks.
Day 5
Espumilla Beach on Santiago Island
Morning; 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.
Rábida Island
Afternoon: In this beautiful place you can find not only stunning wildlife but human history. In the past whalers and pirates used to stop in Buccaneer Cove to repair their ships and capture tortoises for food, unfortunately there is nothing left of their presence, however you will enjoy a panga ride along the shore where you can see blue footed and Nazca boobies, fur seals, sea lions, and Galapagos hawks. Afterwards, you will visit Rabida Island, this visitor site will provide you with breathtaking views of cactus groves and scenic rock formations. The hike starts along a red sand beach where browns pelicans nest in mangroves can be found. On the back of the beach you will find a lagoon, where occasionally you can observe flamingos and different species of seabirds. You will be able to do some snorkeling near the beach and swim with sea turtles and different species of rays.
Day 6
Mosquera Islet
Morning: This place is a sandy, sparsely vegetated sand bar known for sea lions, lava gulls, shorebirds and sally lightfoot crabs. You will also see, with a bit of luck, the yellow crowned Herons. You will have a guided walk around the islet and the chance to snorkel offshore.
Return to Baltra
You will return to the harbour of Baltra. From there transfer to Baltra Airport by bus for your return flight to the mainland or you continue with your individual Galapagos program.