Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra (2 ½ hours flight). Arriving in Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by our naturalist guides and taken on a ten minute bus drive to the pier to board the M/Y Coral I or M/Y Coral II.

Fausto Llerena Breeding Center – Charles Darwin Station (Santa Cruz Island)
We visit the Station where the Galapagos giant tortoise breeding program takes place as part of our efforts to preserve the fragile Galapagos environment and where the famous Lonesome George (the last surviving specimen of his species) lived for decades.

The program is conducted by GNP staff with the collaboration of scientists from the CDRS. Eggs are brought from the Galapagos Islands of Pinzon, Santiago and Santa Cruz to the station. The eggs are incubated artificially; the “galapaguitos” (little Galapagos) are born and reared until the age of 5 years; they are released in their native areas when they are capable of surviving the effects of introduced predators (rats, pigs and dogs).

Since 1970, more than 2000 “galapaguitos” have returned to the native areas. Moreover, admire a prickly-pear cactus forest and variety Darwin Finches and other land birds. In addition, the Darwin Station works in providing environmental education to communities, schools within the Islands and tourists who are visiting the Galapagos Islands. If there is enough time, you can visit the town and shop for souvenirs.

(Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 2 (Monday): Santa Cruz: Dragon Hill & Bartolome Island

Santa Cruz: Dragon Hill
We walk by a brackish lagoon where feeding flamingoes can be occasionally found. The trail leads across typical dry zone vegetation* up to Dragon Hill, an important nesting ground for endemic land iguanas*, offering lovely views of the anchorage and neighboring islands. The forest is home to mockingbirds, Darwin’s finches, Yellow Warblers, and Galapagos Doves.

Bartolomé
Dry or wet landing. We discover a fascinating moonscape* formed by different volcanic parasitic cones —lava bombs, spatter, cinder cones —as we hike to the summit for impressive views of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone Pinnacle Rock*. We also encounter marine iguanas, lava lizards, and blue-footed boobies*.

Beach time is a great opportunity to snorkel and see (perhaps swim with) Galapagos Penguins, sea turtles and White-tipped Reef Sharks among a great variety of colorful fish. For many visitors, this may turn out to be the best of snorkeling experiences*; the water here is generally clear, without too much surf and full of marine life.

Due to its geographical location, the lack of vegetation is immediately noticeable. Pioneer plants are observed, so called because they are the first to establish roots on new ground. They include Tiquilia nesiotica (which is endemic to the island) and Chamaesyce (known as sand mat or spurge in English), lava cactus, and Scalesia bushes. Behind the beach, we have dunes covered by mangroves.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 3 (Tuesday): Rábida Island & Santiago Island: Buccaneer Cove & Espumilla Beach

Rabida Island
Dark-red sand covers these unique beaches with the incredible landscape; Rábida is considered the epicenter of the Galapagos Islands due to the diversity of its volcanic geology. Nesting Brown Pelicans are found from July through September and nine species of the famous Darwin’s finches can be seen. We will also take a dinghy ride along cliffs to observe nesting seabirds, and snorkel off the coast, where marine life is particularly active.

Santiago Island: Buccaneer Cove & Espumilla Beach
This is an amazing location, featuring the remains of an eroded shoreline that is home to seabirds, fur seals and the playful sea lions. Its different shapes have been made throughout a process caused by erosion of the waves and the wind. Espumilla Beach is a white-sandy beach in James Bay and is a popular place among visitors. There are mangroves and a small palo santo forest that lead to salty-water lagoons that are home to wading birds like flamingos. In the upper dunes are a nesting site for sea turtles. A good place to snorkel to see rays.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 4 (Wednesday): Santa Cruz: Black Turtle Cove & Depart Galapagos

On the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, accessible only by sea where four species of mangrove crowd from the shore out into the lagoon, turtle enjoy swimming in the calm waters, peaking their heads above the surface while fish, rays and small sharks circle below. White-tipped reef sharks can be seen beneath the boat, sea birds, including pelicans, herons and egrets, all feed in the cove. This cove has been declared as a “Turtle Sanctuary”.

After the visit, passengers will be transferred to Baltra airport for return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.

(Breakfast)

DAY 1 (Wednesday): Arrive in Galapagos, Santa Cruz: Highlands Tortoise Reserve

AM: Arrive in Galapagos

You will fly this morning from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra (2 ½ hours flight). Upon arrival in the Galapagos, you are picked up at the airport by our naturalist guides and taken on a 10-minute bus drive to the pier to board the M/Y Corals. You will drop off your luggage before embarking on your first Galapagos visit.

PM: Highlands Tortoise Reserve (Santa Cruz Island)

Dry landing. In the mountains of Galapagos is possible to admire different kinds of birds, such as tree and ground finches, vermillion flycatchers, paint-billed crakes, yellow warblers, and cattle egrets (usually standing on the tortoises’ shell). The journey to the reserve offers great opportunities to see the contrasts that the island offers in reference to the variety of ecosystems.

The road goes from the coast through the agricultural zone and straight up to the dense humid forests. Often, Galapagos Giant Tortoises are also seen on the way, wandering through pastures in the paddocks. This spot is a birdwatchers’ haven since almost every land bird present on the island lives or migrates here.

(Lunch, Dinner).

DAY 2 (Thursday): Isabela Island: Vicente Roca Point & Fernandina Island: Espinosa Point

AM: Vicente Roca Point (Isabela Island)

Vicente Roca point is a high peak of land created out of remains of a tuff cone, with two protected turquoise coves on both sides. One of them, the Bolivar Channel is one of the richest marine ecosystems on Earth. This place is only accessible by water, with great opportunities for deep-water snorkeling. In this part of the Galapagos, the upwelling of cold water currents from the west, offer an abundant plankton supply for marine species like red-lipped batfish, seahorses, frogfish, nudibranchs, octopus, and the mola-mola or sunfish.

It is common to observe dolphin pods, sea lions rafts, and tuna banks. The dinghy ride along the coast will allow observing a great diversity of seabirds like noddies, brown pelicans, Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, Nazca and Blue-footed boobies are often seen feeding all at once during the cold season (May – December). Whale watching is also common while navigating.

PM: Espinosa Point (Fernandina Island)

Dry landing. From Espinosa Point, is possible to admire a wide view of Isabela Island across the Bolivar Channel, an area that hosts some of the highest diversity of endemic sea fauna in the Galapagos. Here, the largest most primitive-looking marine iguanas are found mingling with sea lions and sally Lightfoot Crabs.

Fernandina island displays a wonderful opportunity to encounter flightless cormorants at their nesting sites. The Galapagos penguins and the “King” of predators on the islands, the Galapagos Hawk, can also be spotted. Pa-hoe-hoe and AA lava formations cover the majority of Fernandina terrain. Vegetation is scarce inland, with the exception of a few brachycereus cacti. In the shore, mangrove can be found.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

DAY 3 (Friday): Isabela Island: Urbina Bay & Tagus Cove

AM: Urbina Bay (Isabela Island)

Wet landing. Volcanic black beach, depending on the season, it is possible to find giant tortoises, land iguanas, and the unusual flightless cormorant. After a short walk inland it´s snorkeling time, a chance to swim with sea turtles, sea lions, and countless tropical fish. Urbina Bay features a wide variety of plants with the different range of colors in flowers, attracting different insects, birds, and reptiles.

One of the highlights of the island is the uplifted coral reef that resulted from the 1954 seismic activity; here the views of Alcedo Volcano are remarkable. When navigating from Urbina to Tagus Cove whale watching is usual in May – December.

PM: Tagus Cove (Isabela Island)

Dry landing on Galapagos’ largest island where we will learn about the eruption of the five volcanoes that form it. The trail leads to Darwin’s salt-water crater lake and excellent views of lava fields and volcanic formations.We will return by the same path for a dinghy ride along a shoreline full of marine wildlife, where we will admire a variety of seabirds, such as Blue-footed Booby, Brown Noddy, terns, Flightless Cormorant and depending on the season, a large number of Galapagos Penguins which are only 35 cm tall; the only penguin species in the world to live in the tropics.

The population of penguins on the islands is about 2,000 individuals, most of which live on this western portion of Isabela; others are scattered further south. We will have an opportunity to snorkel in deep water. Graffiti believed to have been left by 19th-century pirates is a curious reminder of an intriguing past.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

DAY 4 (Saturday): Santiago Island: Egas Port & Sullivan Bay

AM: Egas Port (Santiago Island)

Wet landing. Egas Port is a black volcanic sand beach, visited by Darwin in 1835. The first section of the trail is formed of volcanic ash (eroded tuff) and the other half is an uneven terrain of volcanic basaltic rock. The unique, truly striking layered terrain of Santiago shore is home to a variety of animals including the bizarre yellow-crowned night heron and marine wildlife including lobster, starfish and marine iguanas grazing on algae beds alongside Sally light-foot crabs. It is easy to see colonies of endemic fur seals swimming in cool water volcanic rock pools.

PM: Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island)

Wet landing. This site located at the southeastern portion of Santiago Island is of important geologic interest. It features extensive relative young pa-hoe-hoe lava flows formed during the last quarter of the 19th century. In the middle of the lava flow, older reddish-yellow-colored tuff cones appear.

Mollugo plants with their yellow-to-orange whorled leaves usually grow out of the fissures. Walking on the solidified lava gives the impression of been in another planet. Tree molds are found, indicating that in that position large size plants grew in small crevices, until the lava flow of past eruptions burned down the flora of the island.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 5 (Sunday): Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach & Depart Galapagos

AM: Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz Island)

Wet landing. On the north side of Santa Cruz; behind the beach lies two small flamingo ponds were iguanas sunbathe, see coastal birds, Darwin finches, mockingbirds, and gulls, as well as interesting native vegetation like red and black mangrove, salt bushes. This beach is one of the main sea turtles nesting sites in the Galapagos.

A turtle can lay eggs 3 or 4 times per season with an average of 70 eggs each time. At this paradisiacal site, we will also find the remains of barges that sank a long time ago, when the United States Navy operated a base during World War II on Baltra Island. Local people modified the word barges to “Bachas”.

Afterwards, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.

(Breakfast)

AM: You will fly this morning from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra (2 ½ hours flight). Upon arrival in the Galapagos, you are picked up at the airport by our naturalist guides and taken on a ten minute bus drive to the pier to board the M/Y Corals. You will drop off your luggage before embarking on your first Galapagos visit.

PM: You visit the Station where the Galapagos giant tortoise breeding program takes place. It is an excellent place for visitors to be photographed with them. Admire a prickly-pear cactus forest and a variety Darwin’s finches and other land birds. The Darwin Station also works providing environmental education to communities and schools within the islands, and to tourists visiting the Galapagos Islands. You will also have some free time to visit the town and shop for souvenirs.

(Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 2 (Monday): Mosquera Islet

Wet Landing, Mosquera Islet is located between North Seymour and Baltra Island. This flat, sandy island has a large colony of Sea Lions. It is also an excellent site to observe shorebirds such as Herons and Lava Gulls. There is no trail on Mosquera Island, so any visitor can enjoy the open area. Most of the islet is covered with sand and barren lava rock. Very little Sesuviumportulacastrum grows on the sand.

North Seymour Island
Dry landing. Off the Baltra Island (where one of the airports is located) and not far from Santa Cruz, we find North Seymour. This island was formed by a series of underwater volcanic lava which was deposited in layers on the ocean floor.

An approximately two hour walk amidst large nesting colonies of Blue-footed boobies, Magnificent and Great frigate birds, and Swallow-tailed gulls for an in depth encounter with sea bird breeding cycles. You will also encounter Sea Lions, Land Iguanas, and on a lucky day, you might even come across a Galapagos Snake.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 3 (Tuesday): Sante Fe Island & Plaza Island

Wet landing on a white sand beach surrounded by a Sea Lion colony; we continue walking through an endemic cactus forest as we search for the endemic Santa Fe land iguana (the largest in the islands), and the distinctively paler. This island is home to a number of endemic species including Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos Snake, rice rats, a variety of finches and one of the four mockingbird species of the Galapagos.

South Plaza (Plaza Island)
There are two Plaza Islands located east of Santa Cruz Island, though visitors only land on the South Plaza. This is a dry landing on the Northern part of the Islet. The walk begins with an impressive cactus forest surrounded by the colorful yellow and red Land Iguanas and Marine Iguanas; as we reach its highest point, be on the lookout for Tropicbirds, it is also home to one of the largest Sea Lion colonies.

In South Plaza, there is a large colony of the smaller sized Land Iguanas. The population is approximately 300 individuals. They feed on all kinds of vegetation, but during the dry season, they survive on fruits and flowers of the Opuntia cacti. We will encounter the one and only Galapagos Hybrid Iguana. Stumble upon a bright red landscape which is a characteristic of the Island during the dry season (June – January) when the succulent plant Sesuviumedmonstonei turns red (it is regularly greenish to yellowish). The Portulacaoleracea is also common in South Plaza; it is the favorite source of food of the land iguanas.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 4 (Wednesday): San Cristobal: Kicker Rock & Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve. Depart Galapagos

AM: Kicker Rock Circumnavigation & Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve (San Cristobal Island)

Kicker Rock can be seen directly from the vessel. In the sea northeast of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is this ancient and eroded volcanic tuff lava named Leon Dormido or Kicker Rock it is formed by two rocks approximately 148 m, named for its resemblance of a sleeping lion.

It serves as home to many of the typical Galapagos sea animals, such as birds, sea lions, blue and Nazca boobies and frigate. With rare sightings of swallow turtle gulls, tropic birds, and pelicans.

Cerro Colorado is a dry landing in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Passengers visit the San Cristobal Giant Tortoise Breeding Center to learn about the National Park’s conservation programs. Enjoy a beautiful landscape on the way to the Reserve. Passengers will also have the opportunity to visit the village’s port, have a drink or shop for arts and crafts and other souvenirs.

Afterwards, you will go straight to the airport for return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.

(Breakfast)

PM: Interpretation Center & Tijeretas Hill (San Cristobal Island)

Dry landing in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos Islands. Passengers visit the Interpretation Center, an excellent place to learn about islands’ history in The Museum of Natural History which displays information about the volcanic origins of the islands, their remoteness from the continent, ocean currents, climate, the arrival of the different species and their colonization, among other points of interest. The human history is also showcased, chronologically narrating the most significant events related to the discovery and the island’s colonization.

(Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 2 (Thursday): San Cristobal Island: Punta Pitt & Cerro Brujo

Cerro Brujo (San Cristóbal)

Cerro Brujo is an eroding tuff cone that at several locations is composed of aa lava formations, and a beautiful white sand beach, great for snorkeling and sunbathing. You visit a lagoon where migratory bird species can be seen: Black-necked Stilts, Ruddy Turnstones, Whimbrels, other sandpiper species and White-cheeked Pintails.

Cerro Brujo offers beautiful views of Kicker Rock, the southern part of San Cristobal and the adjacent coast.

Pitt Point & Pitt Islet (San Cristóbal)

Wet landing followed by a high intensity hike on rocky terrain. The trail includes an olivine beach of 90 meters long and 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: Nazca, Blue-footed, and Red-footed; as well as two species of frigatebirds and a sea lion colony; it is also excellent for dinghy rides and snorkeling, where a good range of sea birds can be observed.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

DAY 3 (Friday): Española island: Suarez Point & Gardner Bay

AM: Suarez Point (Española Island)

An island of geological interest being one of the oldest in Galapagos, it has a high percentage of endemism because it is also one of the most isolated in the archipelago. This, and the great variety of wildlife found makes this site one of the most attractive in the Galapagos.

We explore volcanic formations and a riveting wildlife: large colonies of Sea Lion and seabirds including Española mockingbird, Nazca boobies, and the spectacular Red Billed tropic bird. You will also encounter singular Marine  iguanas that have a turquoise color with red in the breeding season, Lava lizards, and the colorful Sally Light Foot crabs.

A somewhat lengthy hike will bring you among Nazca and Blue-footed boobies, right up to nesting grounds that sometimes overlap the trail. Other birding favorites include Galapagos Dove, Galapagos Hawk, Swallow-tailed gulls and the world’s largest colony of Waved Albatross, an unequivocal highlight during mating season (April-December). Admire the island’s dramatic backdrop, featuring the famous “Soplador”, a seaward blowhole that shoots water at some 23 m. (75 ft.) in the air.

PM: Gardner Bay (Espanola Island)

Wet landing in Gardner Bay, on a beautiful white coral sand beach guarded by a colony of Sea Lions.  There are no trails, so we stay along the shore where we can spot Galapagos Hawk, American  Oystercatcher, Galapagos  Dove,  Hood  Mockingbird, Yellow  Warbler,  Lava lizards, Marine iguanas, and three species of Darwin Finches: a subspecies (Geospizafuliginosa) of the Large Cactus Finch, which is similar to the large ground finch, the Small Ground  Finch  (Geospizafuliginosa)  and  the  Warbler  Finch  (Certhideaolivacea) which  is  another endemic subspecies. Swimming and snorkeling offer a great variety of Galapagos marine wildlife: King Angelfish, Creole fish, Damsel fish and Parrot fish.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 4: Floreana Island: Cormorant Point, Devil’s Crown, Champion Islet, & Post Office Bay

AM: Cormorant Point, Devil’s Crown, & Champion (Floreana Island)

Wet landing, on an olivine green, sanded beach. We hike from the black mangrove beds to a brackish lagoon, which usually holds one of the largest flamingo populations in the Galapagos. This island features some endemic plants such as Scalesia villosa, white and black mangrove, and holy stick. The trail continues to a beautiful white sandy beach, one of the most important nesting sites of Green Pacific Sea Turtles.

It is important to avoid walking in the water due to the Sting Rays that may be hiding in the sand, which can be dangerous if accidentally stepped on. From the beach, one can spot sea turtles, blue-footed boobies plunging into the water, and small reef sharks floating along the shoreline in the search for food.

This coral-sand beach marks the end of our trail, and we head back to the olivine beach we landed on, to swim or snorkel amongst sea turtles, reef fish, sea lions and, on a good day, white-tipped reef sharks. A small colony of penguins resides on Floreana and can sometimes be observed as well.

PM: Post Office (Floreana Island)

Wet landing. Located on the north side of Floreana, the bay was named because in 1793 Captain James Colnett installed a wooden barrel which served as an informal post office for sailors passing through, who would take letters with them back to their destinations. Today, visitors continue the tradition by placing unstamped postcards inside the barrel, hoping that some other traveler, going to the letter destination, will take it back for free. The chances are that the letter posted can take a long time to arrive at its destination. However, there have been cases where it has arrived before the sender.

We may also encounter Darwin’s finches, Yellow Warbler and Lava Lizards. Great snorkeling opportunities with Green Pacific Sea Turtles. As well, the island is best known for its endemic vegetation: Scalesia villosa, Lecocarpus Pinnatifidus, and the Galapagos Milkwort. Snorkelers can practice on the main beach among playful sea lions.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 5: Santa Cruz Highlands & Depart Galapagos

AM – Highlands Tortoise Reserve (Santa Cruz Island)

Dry landing. In the mountains of Galapagos is possible to admire different kind of birds, such as: tree and ground finches, vermillion flycatchers, paint-billed crakes, yellow warblers, and cattle egrets (usually standing on the tortoises’ shell). The journey to the reserve offers great opportunities to see the contrasts that the island offers in reference to the variety of ecosystems.

The road goes from the coast through the agricultural zone and straight up to the dense humid forests. Often, Galapagos Giant Tortoises are also seen on the way, wandering through pastures in the paddocks. This spot is a birdwatchers’ haven, since almost every land bird present on the island lives or migrates here.

After this visit, you will be transferred to the Baltra airport for their flight back to mainland via Guayaquil to Quito.

(Breakfast)

Or, if you are extending your itinerary, you have the option to go to Pit Ctraters instead. The Pit Craters, geologically speaking, were not directly formed by volcanic action. They were created as a result of the collapse or sinking of surface materials into cracks or manholes. It’s a great place to spot vermilion fly catchers as we walk inside an endemic Scalesia forest. Great opportunity to observe giant tortoises