DAY 1: Fly to Galapagos & Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach

AM: Fly from Quito or Guayaquil (mainland Ecuador) to the Galapagos islands.

Flights are not included, but will be added to the trip pricing and booked through the cruise operator. You will arrive at Baltra Island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by a Cormorant staff member and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.

PM: The afternoon visit, Bachas Beach, is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz, and is a great swimming beach.

One of the few remnants of the U.S. World War II, a floating pier, presents its self here. You may see flamingos, Sally-Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, Black-Necked stilts, and whimbrels. Sea turtles also nest off the beach.

Highlights: World War II remnants
Animals: Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black necked stilts, whimbrels, sea turtles
Type of Landing: Wet

Overnight: On yacht
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

DAY 2: Genovesa Island: El Barranco & Darwin Bay

AM: The morning takes us to El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps.

These steep, rocky path will lead you up 25 meters (82 ft) to a cliff-face.  After marveling at the view you will have the opportunity to take a (0.9 mi / 2 km) trek through Palo Santo vegetation. Here you will be dazzled by all the birds.  Red-footed Boobies, Short-Eared Lava Owls, Galápagos Swallows, and Galápagos Doves are abundant.

PM: Our afternoon visit will take us to the beach at Darwin Bay.

This white-sand coral beach heads a (1/2 mi – 3/4 km) trail that winds down through mangroves that are filled with land birds. You may see Nazca Boobies, Red-Footed Boobies, and Swallow-Tailed Gulls. Further down the path, you may see sea lions playing in tidal pools. You will arrive to a cliff-side and as the spectacular views soak in, the Boobies and iguanas will keep you company.

Overnight: On yacht
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3: South Plazas Island & Santa Fe Island

AM: In the morning, you will head to South Plaza Island.

This small island with steep cliffs was formed by rising lava and is now covered by Opuntia cacti. It is also home to one of the largest sea lion colonies as well as colorful yellow and red land iguanas. The most characteristic plant is the Sesuvium. During the rainy season its color is a greenish to yellowish tone and in the dry season (end of June through January) a bright red.

Highlights: Land iguanas, sea lion colony, Audubon’s shearwaters, swallow-tailed gulls, Nazca boobies, amazing landscape with cliffs
Possible Activities: Hike (1.5 miles / 2 ½ km)
Type of Landing: Dry landing

PM: Our afternoon visit is to Santa Fe Island, formed by a volcanic uplift.

Santa Fe (Barrington) is home to the small picturesque bay and anchorage on the island northeast coast. The bay has two visitor trails, one leading to a scenic viewpoint atop a cliff and the other spanning from a small beach to a tall prickly pear cactus forest. The island is home to a colony of sea lions which would be more than happy to join you for a swim. Santa Fe also has its own sub-species of land iguana.

Highlights: Land iguanas, giant tunas
Possible Activities: Hiking
Type of Landing: Dry landing

Overnight: On yacht
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4: San Cristobal Island: Punta Pitt & Witch Hill

AM: In the afternoon we will visit Pitt Point.

Pitt Point holds its own as the northeastern most site on Isabela. After an easy hike, you will be rewarded with a unique treat. Herein lays the only nesting site which hosts all three species of Galápagos Boobies. Photographers will be thrilled with this intimate natural experience. The attractive volcanic tuff formations will have geologists and laymen alike imagining the forces of nature that possessed the earth to create this land.

Highlights: Wonderful landscape, sea lion colony, three possible species of boobies.
Possible Activities: Dinghy ride, snorkeling, kayaking & hike (1.5 miles / 2.5 km)
Type of Landing: Wet landing

PM: We will visit Witch Hill (Cerro Brujo) in the morning where you will explore one of the nicest beaches in the Galápagos.

You’ll be tantalized by the texture and sight of the powdered, soft, white sand. With a colony of sea lions and Blue-footed Boobies, this scenic place is bustling with life. Just beyond the beach is a lagoon, thriving with Egrets and Great Blue Herons. The turquoise water and abundant marine life will invite you to snorkel their midst.

Highlights: Beautiful rock formations, sea lions, shore birds, finches and mockingbirds; snorkeling: nice tropical fish, anemones, sponge coral
Possible Activities: Hike, dinghy ride, snorkeling & kayaking
Type of Landing: Wet landing

Overnight: On yacht
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5: San Cristobal Island: Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, Lobos Island, & Kicker Rock

AM: In the morning we will visit Lobos Island, a rocky bay just a 30 minutes’ walk from Puerto Baquerizo.

Note the beautifully colored plants in the area down by the beach and the enormous colony and nursery that Galapagos sea lions call home. Sea lions are normally here and dozens can be seen at any time as well as shore birds and marine iguanas.

Highlights: Snorkeling with sea lions, frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies
Possible Activities: Short hike (less than 0.6 miles/1 km), dinghy ride and / or snorkeling.
Type of Landing: Dry landing

AM: Jacinto Gordillo Breeding Center.

This is a new visitor site in the northeast part of San Cristobal Island and can now be reached in roughly one hour by road from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. In the Breeding Center, you will be able to admire the hatchling turtles from their birth until the are 120 days old when the grown turtles are taken to their natural habit.

Highlights: Giant tortoises, snorkeling with sea lions, land and sea birds, blue-footed boobies, hatchling turles.
Possible Activities: Short hike (0,6 mi / 1Km)
Type of Landing: Dry

PM: Kicker Rock is a striking rock formation located a couple hours off the western shore of San Cristobal. Jutting out of the water, the rocks stand vertically at hundreds of feet above the ocean divided by a small channel. Although there are no landing areas, kayaking and scuba diving allow visitors to spot a variety of marine life.

Highlights: Great snorkeling: sharks, tropical fish, turtles, manta rays (occ.), hammerhead sharks, spectacular rock formations; sea birds: blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies & frigatebirds.
Possible Activities: Snorkeling & dinghy ride
Type of Landing: No landing

Overnight: On yacht
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6: Española Island: Suarez Post, Gardner Bay, & Gardner Islet

AM: Suarez Point is great for spotting blue-footed boobies, albatrosses and Nazca boobies. A beautiful site on the ocean front, the large waved albatrosses use the cliff as a launching pad. The famous attraction is the magnificent blowhole, spurting water high into the air. This site presents wonderful photograph opportunities.

Highlights: Hood mockingbirds, Nazca boobies, waved albatrosses, red-billed tropicbirds, lava lizards, Galapagos hawks, blue-footed boobies, blowhole, amazing landscape
Possible Activities: Hike (1.9 miles/3 km)
Type of Landing: Dry landing

PM Gardner Bay

On the eastern side of the island, is the breeding site of nearly all of the world’s 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. It has an ample white sandy beach with a myriad of sea lions, perfect for relaxing. Its rocky shores make this site a great place for diving and snorkeling.

Highlights: White sandy beach, sea lions, mockingbirds; snorkeling: colorful fish, sea lion nursery
Possible Activities: Snorkeling, dinghy ride, kayaking, short hike of (0.6 miles/1 km)
Type of Landing: Wet landing

Overnight: On yacht
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7: Floreana Island: Post Office Bay, Baroness Viewing Point, Cormorant Point, & Champion Islet

AM: In the 18th century whalers passing through the islands placed a wooden barrel on Floreana Island for use as an unofficial mail box. The tradition continues today as visitors leave addressed postcards in the barrel and sort through left mail to deliver at home.

Highlights: Post office barrel, nice sandy beach
Possible Activities: Short hike (less than 0.6 miles/1 km) & snorkeling
Type of Landing: Wet landing

AM: Baroness Viewpoint is a fantastic place to absorb the environment of the Galapagos.

Once inhabited by an indulgent baroness and her three lovers, the history of this island is intriguing. The legends about this baroness are associated with a fascinating murder mystery. There are easy trails in this area for exploring the flora and fauna of Floreana.

Highlights: Great view, sea turtles, mysterious story about the first inhabitants of the islands
Possible Activities: Short hike (0.6 miles/1 km)
Type of Landing: Wet landing

PM: Cormorant Point hosts a large flamingo lagoon where other birds such as common stilts and white-cheeked pintails can also be seen. The beaches on this island are distinct: The “Green Beach” named so due to its green color, which comes from a high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand, and the “Four Sand Beach” composed of white coral.

Highlights: Flamingos, green-colored beach
Possible Activities: Dinghy ride & hike (1.2 miles /2 km)
Type of Landing: Wet landing

PM: The Champion Island

Named after the whaler Andrew Champion, is a small island located just offshore Floreana Island in the southern part of the Archipelago, considered as one of the most beautiful places on Galapagos for all snorkeling and diving fans and an excellent opportunity for dolphin watching.

Highlights: Sea lions, reef fish and Nasca boobies
Possible Activities: Snorkeling and dinghy ride
Type of Landing: Wet landing

Overnight: On yacht
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8: Santa Cruz Island: Highlands & Twin Craters. Depart Galapagos

AM: Twin Craters

You will visit the Twin Craters located opposite to each other on both sides of the road leading from Puerto Ayora to Baltra. The name is only figurative; not real craters, these formations were created by the collapse of surface material in underground fissures and chambers. The view is breathtaking.

Possible Activities: Walking and scape viewing
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Highlights & Animals: Pit craters, Scalesia Forest

PM: The Highlands

Next you will head to the highlands. Accessible by bus from Puerto Ayora, the highlands of Santa Cruz are a deep green which contrast beautifully with the dry, lower part of the islands. The predominant vegetation in the highlands are Scalesia trees which create a lush green forest. The lava tunnels, over half a mile long, are underground and walking through them is a unique, surreal experience. At this place you’ll have lunch.

Possible Activities: Hiking (1.5 miles / 2 ½ km)
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Highlights & Animals: Lava tunnels, Finches, wild tortoises, tortoise nesting site.

After this final visit, you will be transferred to the Baltra Airport to take your flight back to mainland Ecuador, either Quito or Guayaquil. Flights are not included, but will be added to your overall trip pricing and booked through the cruise operator.

Meals Included: Breakfast

IMPORTANT:

Itineraries and activities are subject to change without prior notice depending on weather conditions, water currents, and sea conditions.

The wildlife described above is not guaranteed to be seen during your visit. Please remember to respect your distance between any and all wildlife.

Please stay on marked trails and heed the directions of your Naturalist Guide.

DAY 1: Fly to Galapagos & Santa Cruz Island: Highlands

AM: Fly from Quito or Guayaquil (mainland Ecuador) to the Galapagos islands.

Flights are not included, but will be added to the trip pricing and booked through the cruise operator. You will arrive at Baltra Island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by your guide, and head out for your first excursion.

PM: The Charles Darwin Research Station

Home to turtles ranging from 3-inches (new hatchlings) to 4-feet long. Subspecies of turtles interact with one another and many of the older turtles are accustomed to humans stretching out their heads for a photo opportunity. The babies are kept until they are about four years old and strong enough to survive on their own.

Highlights: Giant tortoises from many different islands
Possible Activities: Walking
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Easy

Overnight: On yacht
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

DAY 2: Isabela Island: Tintoreras, Sierra Negra Volcano, Wetlands, & Giant Tortoise Breeding Center

AM: Tintoreras Islet

Located a short distance from Puerto Villamil, is home to a great variety of wildlife. Its turquoise crystalline waters are inhabited by white-tip reef sharks, Galapagos penguins, marine turtles and sea lions. One of its beaches surrounded by mangroves is one of the few sites where marine iguanas can reproduce successfully.

Possible Activities: Dinghy ride and hike
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Highlights: White-tip reef sharks, penguins, marine turtles, sea lions, marine iguanas

AM: The morning will consist also of a visit to the Sierra Negra Volcano which is the largest basaltic caldera in the Galapagos with a diameter of 6.2 miles (10 km). The site offers impressive views and the opportunity to observe up to seven species of finches and a rich display of vegetation. The north side of the caldera provides evidence of its most recent volcanic activity in 2018.

Possible Activities: Hiking, horseback riding, walking
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Highlights: Basaltic caldera, stunning views, finches

PM: In the afternoon you will head to the Wetlands of Isabela Island which are located just outside of Puerto Villamil The Wetlands consist of lagoons, swamps, and mangroves and are home to a variety of unique bird species such as common stilts, whimbrels, white-cheeked pintails, and gallinules. The Wetlands can be visited on foot via a path through the swamps.

Possible Activities: Hiking
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Highlights & Animals: Giant mangroves, shore birds, flamingos

PM: Next you will visit Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center of Isabela. It is located about one mile (1.5 km) from Puerto Villamil. In this breeding center, populations from South Isabela Sierra Negra Volcano, Cerro Azul, Cazuela, Cinco Cerros, Roca Union, San Pedro, Tables and Cerro Paloma have been bred in captivity. In total there are 330 juvenile and adult tortoises.

Possible Activities: Walking
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Highlights & Animals: Two of the five species of the giant tortoise

Overnight: On yacht
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3: Isabela Island: Moreno Point & Elizabeth Bay

AM: In the morning you will visit Moreno Point located southwest of Elizabeth Bay. Here a dry landing onto what was once owing lava is possible. The lava has left craters in its wake which formed crystal tide pools.

By looking into the pools, you can peer into another world as the marine life drifts by your window. In the brackish pools of this area, you may see pink flamingos, white-cheeked pintails, and common gallinules. If you look carefully into the pools, you may see white-tip reef sharks and some sea turtles.

Possible Activities: Snorkeling, panga ride & hike (1.2 miles / 2km)
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Highlights: Flamingos, gallinules, pintail ducks, turtles, white-tip reef sharks.

PM: In the afternoon, you will visit Elizabeth Bay, which is located on the east coast of Isabela Island. The bay contains many islets, which can be visited by dinghy. Penguins and blue-footed boobies can be spotted on the rocky islets. With an abundance of marine life and clear water, the area is perfect for snorkeling and viewing schools of colorful fish, sea lions, and perhaps even sharks.

Possible Activities: Hiking (1.5 miles / 2 km) and dinghy ride
Type of Landing: Wet landing
Highlights & Animals: Mangrove forest (unique in Galapagos), sea turtles, penguins, rays, herons and sea lions

Overnight: On yacht
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4: Fernandina Island: Espinoza Point & Isabela Island: Vicente Roca Point

AM: In the morning, crossing the Bolivar Channel that divides Isabela and Fernandina Islands, you will land at Espinosa Point, and after walking past a colony of marine iguanas and a group of sea lions, you will reach the island’s highlight: the flightless cormorant nesting site. This area also provides a great opportunity to see the Galapagos hawk.

Possible Activities: Hike (approximately 1.2 miles / 2 km)
Type of Landing: Dry and slippery at low tide
Highlights & Animals: Flightless cormorant, marine iguanas, ‘a‘ā lava, sea lions, penguins, active volcano “La Cumbre”.

PM: The afternoon visit is to Vicente Roca Point. Comprised of two separate coves, this site is a large bay with spectacular sea life. Keep an eye out for seahorses, sea turtles, and the strange yet fascinating Mola mola (or sun fish).

Possible Activities: Snorkeling, dinghy ride & hike, 2 trails: short (0.6mi/1 km), long (1.9mi/3km)
Type of Landing: No landing
Highlights & Animals: Penguins, blue-footed boobies, terns, Nazca boobies, two types of sea lions. Sea turtles, rays and puffer fish.

Overnight: On yacht
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5: Santiago Island: Egas Port, Espumilla Beach, & Buccaneer Cove

AM: In the morning, you will go to Egas Port, also known as James Bay, on Santiago Island which is home to the curious Galapagos hawks and quick-footed Galapagos lava lizards. The trail leads to the coastline with gorgeous tide pools and grottos full of fauna. Here the Galapagos furseals bathe in the sun. This is also a great snorkeling site.

Possible Activities: Snorkeling, hiking (1.2 miles/2 km)
Type of landing: Wet landing
Highlights & Animals: Furseals, Galapagos sea lions, tidal pools and grottos, Galapagos hawks, oyster catchers, marine iguanas, finches; snorkeling: reef sharks, turtles, rays, nice underwater formations.

PM: The afternoon visit is to Espumilla Beach where marine iguanas lounge and the Sally Lightfoot crabs attract the hunting herons performing the dance of predator and prey right before your eyes. Snorkeling is highly recommended as you could come face to face with an octopus, moray eel, shark and a variety of other species of tropical fish.

Possible Activities: Snorkeling and swimming
Type of landing: Wet landing
Highlights & Animals: Snorkeling

PM: Years ago Buccaneer Cove was a safe haven where pirates in the 1600 and 1700’s would stake out on the Northwestern side of Santiago Island. Sea turtles now take the pirates place and dig their nests for their eggs near the Mangrove trees. It is a great location for snorkeling and many marine birds and sea lions can be found here.

Overnight: On yacht
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6: Bartolome Island & Santiago Island: Sullivan Bay

AM: Bartolome Island is situated across Sullivan Bay. It has an altitude of 114 meters, from where we can observe one of the most beautiful sceneries of the Galapagos Islands such as: Volcanic cones, lunar-like craters, lava fields, and the famous Toba formed pinnacle eroded by the sea.

There is very little vegetation on this island. It has two breathtaking beaches where marine turtles exist and at the base of the pinnacle, as well as a very small colony of Galapagos penguins.

PM: Santiago, also called James, or San Salvador Island, is located in the west central part of the Galapagos archipelago. It is the fourth largest island in the archipelago (following Isabela, Fernandina and Santa Cruz).

Along with some of the large western volcanoes of Isabela and Fernandina, Santiago is also volcanically active, with many young flows and cones to be seen, particularly along the south, west, and east coasts.

These may even be seen from the summit of Darwin Volcano and from space. A number of historic eruptions have been reported over the last 2 centuries. Santiago actually consists of two coalesced volcanoes: a typical shield volcano on the northwest end and a low, linear fissure volcano at the southeast end.

Overnight: On yacht
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7: Sombrero Chino & Santa Cruz Island: Dragon Hill

AM: Chinese Hat is a small islet (1 sq. km) located just off the southeastern tip of Santiago Island. It is a recent volcanic cone, shaped like a Chinese hat when seen from north side. On the west side lava formations may be observed, formed under the sea and raised upward, this is why coral heads are found on the lava.

This is an excellent visit for interpretation of geological features such as lava tubes and lava flows. The landscape is covered by sea lion’s colonies, marine iguanas and Galapagos penguins.

PM: The visitor site at Dragon Hill has been open for visits on 1993. This site is located in northwestern Santa Cruz Island and consists of a trail that lead to a hyper-saline lagoon behind the beach, frequented by flamingos, pintail ducks and other species of birds.

This site has been re populated with land iguanas from Seymour, Isabela and Santa Cruz islands. There is a short walk to the Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay.

Overnight: On yacht
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8: North Seymour Island & Depart Galapagos

In North Seymour you may see Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and magnificent frigate birds which are abundant on this island. North Seymour was formed by a series of submarine lava flows containing layers of sediment that were uplifted by tectonic activity. The island is characterized by its arid vegetation zone.

Possible Activities: Dinghy ride & hiking (1.5 miles / 2.41 km)
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Highlights & Animals: Land & marine iguanas, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, sea lions; snorkeling: rays, reef sharks, fish, garden eels.

After this final visit, you will be transferred to the Baltra Airport to take your flight back to mainland Ecuador, either Quito or Guayaquil. Flights are not included, but will be added to your overall trip pricing and booked through the cruise operator.

Meals Included: Breakfast

IMPORTANT:

Itineraries and activities are subject to change without prior notice depending on weather conditions, water currents, and sea conditions.

The wildlife described above is not guaranteed to be seen during your visit. Please remember to respect your distance between any and all wildlife.

Please stay on marked trails and heed the directions of your Naturalist Guide.

DAY 1: Fly to Galapagos & Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach

AM: Fly from Quito or Guayaquil (mainland Ecuador) to the Galapagos islands. Flights are not included, but will be added to the trip pricing and booked through the cruise operator. You will arrive at Baltra Island in the morning.

After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by a Cormorant staff member and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.

PM: The afternoon visit, Bachas Beach, is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz, and is a great swimming beach. One of the few remnants of the U.S. World War II, a floating pier, presents its self here. You may see flamingos, Sally-Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, Black-Necked stilts, and whimbrels. Sea turtles also nest off the beach.

Highlights: World War II remnants
Animals: Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black necked stilts, whimbrels, sea turtles
Type of Landing: Wet

Overnight: On yacht
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

DAY 2: Genovesa Island: El Barranco & Darwin Bay

AM: The morning takes us to El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps, whose steep, rocky path will lead you up 25 meters (82 ft) to a cliff-face. After marveling at the view you will have the opportunity to take a (0.9 mi / 2 km) trek through Palo Santo vegetation.

Here you will be dazzled by all the birds.  Red-footed Boobies, Short-Eared Lava Owls, Galápagos Swallows, and Galápagos Doves are abundant.

PM: Our afternoon visit will take us to the beach at Darwin Bay. This white-sand coral beach heads a (1/2 mi – 3/4 km) trail that winds down through mangroves that are filled with land birds.

You may see Nazca Boobies, Red-Footed Boobies, and Swallow-Tailed Gulls. Further down the path, you may see sea lions playing in tidal pools. You will arrive to a cliff-side and as the spectacular views soak in, the Boobies and iguanas will keep you company.

Overnight: On yacht
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3: South Plazas Island & Santa Fe Island

AM: In the morning, you will head to South Plaza Island. This small island with steep cliffs was formed by rising lava and is now covered by Opuntia cacti. It is also home to one of the largest sea lion colonies as well as colorful yellow and red land iguanas.

The most characteristic plant is the Sesuvium. During the rainy season its color is a greenish to yellowish tone and in the dry season (end of June through January) a bright red.

Highlights: Land iguanas, sea lion colony, Audubon’s shearwaters, swallow-tailed gulls, Nazca boobies, amazing landscape with cliffs
Possible Activities: Hike (1.5 miles / 2 ½ km)
Type of Landing: Dry landing

PM: Our afternoon visit is to Santa Fe Island, formed by a volcanic uplift. Santa Fe (Barrington) is home to the small picturesque bay and anchorage on the island northeast coast. The bay has two visitor trails, one leading to a scenic viewpoint atop a cliff and the other spanning from a small beach to a tall prickly pear cactus forest.

The island is home to a colony of sea lions which would be more than happy to join you for a swim. Santa Fe also has its own sub-species of land iguana.

Highlights: Land iguanas, giant tunas
Possible Activities: Hiking
Type of Landing: Dry landing

Overnight: On yacht
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4: San Cristobal Island: Punta Pitt & Witch Hill

AM: In the afternoon we will visit Pitt Point. Pitt Point holds its own as the northeastern most site on Isabela. After an easy hike, you will be rewarded with a unique treat. Herein lays the only nesting site which hosts all three species of Galápagos Boobies.

Photographers will be thrilled with this intimate natural experience. The attractive volcanic tuff formations will have geologists and laymen alike imagining the forces of nature that possessed the earth to create this land.

Highlights: Wonderful landscape, sea lion colony, three possible species of boobies.
Possible Activities: Dinghy ride, snorkeling, kayaking & hike (1.5 miles / 2.5 km)
Type of Landing: Wet landing

PM: We will visit Witch Hill (Cerro Brujo) in the morning where you will explore one of the nicest beaches in the Galápagos. You’ll be tantalized by the texture and sight of the powdered, soft, white sand.

With a colony of sea lions and Blue-footed Boobies, this scenic place is bustling with life. Just beyond the beach is a lagoon, thriving with Egrets and Great Blue Herons. The turquoise water and abundant marine life will invite you to snorkel their midst.

Highlights: Beautiful rock formations, sea lions, shore birds, finches and mockingbirds; snorkeling: nice tropical fish, anemones, sponge coral
Possible Activities: Hike, dinghy ride, snorkeling & kayaking
Type of Landing: Wet landing

Overnight: On yacht
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5: San Cristobal Island: Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, Lobos Island, & Kicker Rock

AM: In the morning we will visit Lobos Island, a rocky bay just a 30 minutes’ walk from Puerto Baquerizo. Note the beautifully colored plants in the area down by the beach and the enormous colony and nursery that Galapagos sea lions call home. Sea lions are normally here and dozens can be seen at any time as well as shore birds and marine iguanas.

Highlights: Snorkeling with sea lions, frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies
Possible Activities: Short hike (less than 0.6 miles/1 km), dinghy ride and / or snorkeling.
Type of Landing: Dry landing

AM: Jacinto Gordillo Breeding Center is a new visitor site in the northeast part of San Cristobal Island and can now be reached in roughly one hour by road from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. In the Breeding Center, you will be able to admire the hatchling turtles from their birth until the are 120 days old when the grown turtles are taken to their natural habit.

Highlights: Giant tortoises, snorkeling with sea lions, land and sea birds, blue-footed boobies, hatchling turles.
Possible Activities: Short hike (0,6 mi / 1Km)
Type of Landing: Dry

After this final visit, you will be transferred to the San Cristobal Airport to take your flight back to mainland Ecuador, either Quito or Guayaquil. Flights are not included, but will be added to your overall trip pricing and booked through the cruise operator.

Meals Included: Breakfast

IMPORTANT:

Itineraries and activities are subject to change without prior notice depending on weather conditions, water currents, and sea conditions.

The wildlife described above is not guaranteed to be seen during your visit. Please remember to respect your distance between any and all wildlife.

Please stay on marked trails and heed the directions of your Naturalist Guide.

DAY 1: Fly to Galapagos & San Cristobal Island: Kicker Rock

AM: Fly from Quito or Guayaquil (mainland Ecuador) to the Galapagos islands. Flights are not included, but will be added to the trip pricing and booked through the cruise operator. You will arrive at San Cristobal Island in the morning.

After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by a Cormorant staff member and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.

PM: Kicker Rock is a striking rock formation located a couple hours off the western shore of San Cristobal. Jutting out of the water, the rocks stand vertically at hundreds of feet above the ocean divided by a small channel. Although there are no landing areas, kayaking and scuba diving allow visitors to spot a variety of marine life.

Highlights: Great snorkeling: sharks, tropical fish, turtles, manta rays (occ.), hammerhead sharks, spectacular rock formations; sea birds: blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies & frigatebirds.
Possible Activities: Snorkeling & dinghy ride
Type of Landing: No landing

Overnight: On yacht
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

DAY 2: Española Island: Suarez Post, Gardner Bay, & Gardner Islet

AM: Suarez Point is great for spotting blue-footed boobies, albatrosses and Nazca boobies. A beautiful site on the ocean front, the large waved albatrosses use the cliff as a launching pad. The famous attraction is the magnificent blowhole, spurting water high into the air. This site presents wonderful photograph opportunities.

Highlights: Hood mockingbirds, Nazca boobies, waved albatrosses, red-billed tropicbirds, lava lizards, Galapagos hawks, blue-footed boobies, blowhole, amazing landscape
Possible Activities: Hike (1.9 miles/3 km)
Type of Landing: Dry landing

PM: Gardner Bay, on the eastern side of the island, is the breeding site of nearly all of the world´s 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. It has an ample white sandy beach with a myriad of sea lions, perfect for relaxing. Its rocky shores make this site a great place for diving and snorkeling.

Highlights: White sandy beach, sea lions, mockingbirds; snorkeling: colorful fish, sea lion nursery
Possible Activities: Snorkeling, dinghy ride, kayaking, short hike of (0.6 miles/1 km)
Type of Landing: Wet landing

Overnight: On yacht
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3: Floreana Island: Post Office Bay, Baroness Viewing Point, Cormorant Point, & Champion Islet

AM: In the 18th century whalers passing through the islands placed a wooden barrel on Floreana Island for use as an unofficial mail box. The tradition continues today as visitors leave addressed postcards in the barrel and sort through left mail to deliver at home.

Highlights: Post office barrel, nice sandy beach
Possible Activities: Short hike (less than 0.6 miles/1 km) & snorkeling
Type of Landing: Wet landing

AM: Baroness Viewpoint is a fantastic place to absorb the environment of the Galapagos. Once inhabited by an indulgent baroness and her three lovers, the history of this island is intriguing. The legends about this baroness are associated with a fascinating murder mystery. There are easy trails in this area for exploring the flora and fauna of Floreana.

Highlights: Great view, sea turtles, mysterious story about the first inhabitants of the islands
Possible Activities: Short hike (0.6 miles/1 km)
Type of Landing: Wet landing

PM: Cormorant Point hosts a large flamingo lagoon where other birds such as common stilts and white-cheeked pintails can also be seen. The beaches on this island are distinct: The “Green Beach” named so due to its green color, which comes from a high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand, and the “Four Sand Beach” composed of white coral.

Highlights: Flamingos, green-colored beach
Possible Activities: Dinghy ride & hike (1.2 miles /2 km)
Type of Landing: Wet landing

PM: The Champion Island, named after the whaler Andrew Champion, is a small island located just offshore Floreana Island in the southern part of the Archipelago, considered as one of the most beautiful places on Galapagos for all snorkeling and diving fans and an excellent opportunity for dolphin watching.

Highlights: Sea lions, reef fish and Nasca boobies
Possible Activities: Snorkeling and dinghy ride
Type of Landing: Wet landing

Overnight: On yacht
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4: Santa Cruz Island: Highlands & Twin Craters. Depart Galapagos

AM: You will visit the Twin Craters located opposite to each other on both sides of the road leading from Puerto Ayora to Baltra. The name is only figurative; not real craters, these formations were created by the collapse of surface material in underground fissures and chambers. The view is breathtaking.

Possible Activities: Walking and scape viewing
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Highlights & Animals: Pit craters, Scalesia Forest

After this final visit, you will be transferred to the Baltra Airport to take your flight back to mainland Ecuador, either Quito or Guayaquil. Flights are not included, but will be added to your overall trip pricing and booked through the cruise operator.

Meals Included: Breakfast

IMPORTANT:

Itineraries and activities are subject to change without prior notice depending on weather conditions, water currents, and sea conditions.

The wildlife described above is not guaranteed to be seen during your visit. Please remember to respect your distance between any and all wildlife.

Please stay on marked trails and heed the directions of your Naturalist Guide.