Your Travel Experience with Galapagos PRO
Day 1
Arrival on San Cristóbal island
You will arrive on Baltra in the morning where your Crew will greet you and your guide will bring you to the boat. You will be informed about the coming days and get a chance to get to know the boat and your cabin.
Cerro Colorado, San Cristóbal
Afternoon: Opened in 2003, at the beginning the centre could only be reached on foot from the coast, but today it can be reached by road from the streets of the harbour town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The journey takes about 1 hour and takes you across the island. Also known as Cerro Colorado (coloured hill), it offers an informative visitor centre that explains more about the origin and development of the Galapagos giant tortoises. The breeding station also displays measures taken to protect the endangered species from habitat destruction and introduced species. The baby tortoises and young animals at the station are released back into their natural habitat when they are about 4 months old. The larger giant tortoises can then be observed from a short hiking trail.
Day 2
Gardner Bay, Española
Morning: Join the colony of sea lions on the beautiful white coral beach. From the shoreline, you can observe the Galapagos hawks, American oystercatchers, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds, gold-warblers, lava lizards, marine iguanas and three different types of Darwin finch!
When snorkelling or diving, you have the opportunity to see the diverse underwater world of Gardner Island. Californian angelfish, neon fish, parrotfish, manta rays and white-tip reef sharks all call these waters home.
Afterwards, visit Osborn Island for a stroll along a beautiful, white sand beach, again covered in sunbathing sea lions. If you choose not to sunbathe with the locals, you might prefer to swim or snorkel here.
Punta Suarez, Española
Afternoon: Española is a geologically interesting island where you can explore the volcanic formations and spot a lot more of the Galapagos's unique fauna. Regular sightings include large sea lion colonies and flocks of seabirds, such as the Española mockingbird, the Nazca booby and the spectacular red-beaked tropicbird. There are also marine iguanas, lizards and Sally lightfoot crabs.
A long hike will take you past the world's largest colony of Galapagos albatrosses! During mating season (May to December) you will have the opportunity to see the nesting area of the albatrosses and if you're lucky, you'll even get to witness their courting dance. The courting dance of the albatross is extra special as it is the start of a life-long bond for these birds who mate for life. Other interesting birds include Galapagos doves, Galapagos hawks, whip-tailed gulls.
Make a final stop to admire the dramatic topography of the famous Blow Hole, catapulting seawater an impressive 23 meters into the air.
Day 3
Post office Bay and Baroness Lookout, Floreana
Morning: 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.
The Mirador de la Baronesa is located north of Floreana Island, Galapagos. Site of a beautiful landscape and historical sight, a walk in panga allows to observe several marine species such as golden eagle rays, sea turtles, sea lions and eventually Galápagos penguins.
Champion Islet and Punta Cormorant, Floreana
Afternoon: Champion Island, located near Floreana, is one of the best places to observe sea lions on the beaches.
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 salt water lagoon that attracts vibrant flamingos and the adorable white cheeked pintails.
Day 4
Santa Fé Island
Morning: Santa Fé island 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.
Tortuga Bay, Santa Cruz
Afternoon: Dry Landing, interesting walk to the Turtle Bay beach, perhaps the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos, we can swim and snorkel observing colonies of marine iguanas, pelicans, Darwin's finches, sharks, sea turtles, the incredible forest Giant Cactus, Degree of difficulty: Moderate Duration: 3 Hours. Dinner in the evening.
Day 5
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!
Departure from Baltra island
After visiting los Gemelos, you will be directed to Baltra Airport for your return flight to Guayaquil or Quito, or continue your Galapagos program.