Galapagos Islands

DAY 2

SULLIVAN BAY / RABIDA

Located at the southeastern portion of Santiago Island, Sullivan Bay features extensive lava flows believed to have formed during the last quarter of the 19th century. Spend the morning exploring on foot, snorkeling, or swimming.

Rabida is considered the epicenter of the Galapagos Islands, due to the diversity of its volcanic geology. Dark red sand covers these unique beaches. As you explore on foot, see nesting brown pelicans—found here from July through September—and try to spot some of Darwin’s famous finch species, nine of which call Rabida home. Set off on a dinghy ride along cliffs to observe nesting seabirds, and snorkel off the coast, where marine life is particularly active.

DAY 3

URBINA BAY / TAGUS COVE

In the morning, make a wet landing on a volcanic “black” beach. Depending on the season, Urbina Bay is home to giant tortoises, land iguanas, and the unusual flightless cormorant. After a short walk inland, snorkeling time is allotted, giving you yet another chance to swim with sea turtles, sea lions, and countless tropical fish. The bay also boasts an ever-changing variety of flora depending on the season. Here, observe the beautiful colours of plants, many of which serve to attract different insects, birds, and reptiles. After, discover an uplifted coral reef which resulted from volcanic activity in 1954. This site also offers a spectacular view of Alcedo Volcano.

In the afternoon, sail to Isabela, the Galapagos’ largest island, where you’ll have the chance to learn about the five volcanoes that formed it. A trail leads to Darwin Lake, a small, salt water lagoon believed to have been formed by a tidal wave after the eruption of a volcano on nearby Fernandina Island. Here, take in views of lava fields and volcanic formations, returning by the same path for a dinghy ride along a shoreline full of marine wildlife.

You’ll also notice a variety of seabirds, perhaps including the blue-footed booby, the brown noddy, terns, flightless cormorants, and if the season is right, Galapagos penguins—the only penguin species to extend its range into the northern hemisphere. They are monogamous and lay their eggs in small cracks of lava on the lower parts of the island near the shoreline so as to protect them from the waves. There are a couple thousand penguins on the islands, most of which live on this western portion of Isabela, while others are scattered further south.

Later, you’ll have an opportunity to snorkel in deep water. Graffiti believed to have been left by 19th-century pirates serves as a curious reminder of the islands’ intriguing past.

DAY 4

ESPINOSA POINT / VINCENTE ROCA POINT

In the morning, make a dry landing on Fernandina, where from Espinosa Point you can see the island of Isabela across the Bolívar Channel, an area that boasts one of the widest varieties of endemic sea fauna in the Galapagos. The largest, most primitive-looking race of marine iguanas can be found mingling with sea lions and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Here, you may also encounter flightless cormorants at their nesting sites, Galapagos Penguins, and the islands’ “king” of predators—the Galapagos Hawk. Pa-hoe-hoe lava formations—also known as ‘a‘ā lava formations—cover the majority of the terrain. Vegetation is scarce inland, but we encounter Brachycereus cacti and extensive mangrove beds lining the shores.

To round off the day, do some deep-water snorkeling at one of the richest marine havens on Earth—the Bolívar Channel. After, take a dinghy ride along the coast to observe the amazing diversity of sea and coastal birds. The upwelling of cold water currents in this part of the Galapagos gives rise to an abundance of marine life.

DAY 5

HIGHLANDS / MOSQUERA ISLET

Today, a 45-minute bus ride will take you to the Santa Cruz highlands, located to the northwest of Puerto Ayora, where you’ll find a natural reserve with giant tortoises. These enormous and slow-moving reptiles are responsible for the island’s name and therefore approaching them in their humid and forested abode is always an inspiring adventure. They can weigh between 250 and 300 kilograms and can live an astounding 150-200 years.

(Package B Ends at Highlands and Package C Begins at Mosquera Islet)

Located between North Seymour and Baltra Islands, Mosquera Islet is a flat, sandy island which is inhabited by a large colony of sea lions. It’s also an excellent site for observing shorebirds such as herons and lava gulls. There are no trails on Mosquera Island, so visitors can enjoy the open air. Most of the islet is covered with sand and barren lava rock. Some Sesuvium portulacastrum, a sprawling perennial herb, grows on the sand.

DAY 6

SOUTH PLAZA / SANTA FE

Today’s walk begins with an impressive cactus forest surrounded by land and marine iguanas. As you reach the highest point, be on the lookout for tropic birds, Nazca and blue-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls.

In South Plaza, there is a large colony of the small land iguanas. They feed on all kinds of vegetation, but during the dry season survive on the fruits and flowers of Opuntia cacti. Due to their proximity with marine iguanas, this is the only place on the planet where you can find the Galapagos hybrid iguana.

In the afternoon, you’ll make a wet landing on a white sand beach surrounded by a sea lion colony. From here, you’ll continue walking through an endemic cactus forest as you search for the endemic Santa Fe land iguana, the largest in the islands and distinctively paler. This island is also home to a number of endemic species including the Galapagos Hawk, the Galapagos Snake, a variety of finches, and one of four total species of Galapagos mockingbirds. Later, enjoy some deep-water snorkeling.

DAY 7

PITT POINT / CERRO BRUJO

This morning, set off on a high-intensity hike on rocky terrain. Follow a 90-metre olivine beach, then a path that climbs to the top of a volcanic tuff through several magnificent viewpoints. This is probably the only site where the three booby species of the Galapagos can be seen together. You may also spot two species of frigatebirds and a sea lion colony on a dinghy ride, and observe even more wildlife as you snorkel.

Cerro Brujo is an eroding tuff cone that at several locations is composed of ‘a‘ā lava formations, and a beautiful white sand beach that’s great for snorkeling and sunbathing. We visit a lagoon where numerous migratory bird species can be seen, including black-necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, and white-cheeked pintails, among others. Cerro Brujo offers beautiful views of Kicker Rock, the southern part of San Cristobal and the adjacent coast.

DAY 8

CERRO COLORADO TORTOISE RESERVE / DISEMBARKATION

Dry landing in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Passengers visit the San Cristóbal giant tortoise breeding center to learn about the National Park’s conservation programs. Enjoy a beautiful landscape on the way to the reserve. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the port village, have a drink, or shop for arts, crafts, and other souvenirs on your final morning in this Pacific paradise.

(Package C Ends)