Your Travel Experience with Galapagos PRO
Day 1
Arrival on Baltra island
After your arrival on the island Baltra, the guide will wait for you and leads you to the habour after just a short bus trip. The tender will bring you to the yacht.
Highlands, 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.
Here you can also visit the twin 'craters' Los Gemelos. While they are not craters in the technical sense, these 70-meter vertical gullies with a carpet of lush vegetation are an impressive sight to behold.
Day 2
North Seymour Island
Morning: 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.
Islet Mosquera
Afternoon: 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 much 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.
Day 3
Darwin Bay, Genovesa Island
Morning: This bay was created by the collapse of the crater below sea level. The wet landing is on a beautiful white coral sandy beach. The island is adored by birdwatchers: red footed-boobies, masked boobies, wandering tattlers, lava gulls, whimbrels Yellow-crowned, black-crowned and lava herons, as well as yellow warblers can be seen in the area. Continuing on the trail, visitors climb gradually to the cliffs edge to see Red-Foots nesting in the Mangrove trees below. Bird watching includes sightings of Sharp-Beaked Finches, Large Cactus and Ground Finches, Galapagos Doves and Swallow-Tailed Gulls. Reaching the end of the trail, at the cliffs edge, offers an incredible view of the island and the many birds living there.
Prince Philip's Steps, Genovesa Island
Afternoon: El Barranco is located at the southern part of Darwin Bay and it is also known as Prince Philip’s Steps. Passengers will climb to a plateau that is part of the stretch of land that surrounds Darwin Bay on its eastern side. There is a big population of Masked boobies and Red-Footed boobies in the trees; Storm petrels and Short-eared Owls have found the ideal place for nesting in the lava flows.
Day 4
Plaza Sur Island
Morning: South Plazas is located at the east of the Santa Cruz island, and forms part of two islands known as Islas Plazas. Despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the Galapagos islands are found here. The Plazas land iguanas are smaller than its relatives found on other islands. Throughout the island there are several hybrid iguanas, a result of crossing a male marine iguana and a female land iguana, they are unique, recognizable at first glance by their black/gray color, with a land iguana's crest, but face and tail of the marine iguana. The big population of iguanas is due to the presence of tunas, their favorite food. Swallow Tailed Gulls nesting in the rugged cliffs are seen along with other sea birds as: Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds and brown pelicans.
Santa Fé Island
Afternoon: Located in the southeastern part of the Galapagos islands, it was formed with an uplift, which is the reason for it being mostly flat. There are some theories which suggest this could be the oldest island in the Archipelago. Santa Fé is home to a number of endemic species like the Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos snake, Galapagos mockingbird, rice rats and one of the two species of lands Iguanas of the islands. After disembarkation in the beautiful and clear waters, you will be in contact with one of the many sea lion colonies. Along the trail, many salt bushes can be seen as well as giant prickly pear cactus. There are great possibilities to snorkeling with playful sea lions and tropical fish.
Please Note: The Galapagos National Park has placed a temporary ban on swimming, snorkeling or diving in the waters around Santa Fé.
Day 5
Leon Dormindo, San Cristóbal Island
Morning: The famous Kicker Rock is one of the most famous features of the Galapagos Islands. This small island shape was formed from two large lava rocks that look like a sleeping lion when viewed from the south. Hence the Spanish name "León Dormido" literally the sleeping lion. As you cruise around the islands onboard, the naturalist guides will point out the various birds that inhabit the island. Among them are Nazca boobies, frigate birds or even swallow-tailed gulls. And if conditions permit, you will experience one of the most magnificent sunsets in the archipelago.
The end of the cruise on San Cristóbal
Afterwards you will be transferred to the airport of San Cristóbal for your flight back to Guayaquil or Quito. Otherwise you have the option to continue your individual program from the San Cristóbal marina.