Upon arrival at San Cristobal Airport, you pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands, as well as to pay the park entrance fee of $100 (unless it has been prepaid). A guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbor.

In the afternoon, you visit Cerro Colorado Tortoises Protection and Growing Center, about a 40-minutes bus ride to the southeast of the island. This center was built to improve the status of the population of the island tortoises. The center includes a large corral, a visitors’ center, breeding center and an interpretative trail. Along this trail it is possible to see different species of native and endemic plants, as well birds including the San Cristobal mockingbird, Yellow warblers, and many species of finches and the Galapagos flycatcher. (Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 2 (Wednesday): Española Island

AM: Española Island, Punta Suarez
The morning is spent at Punta Suarez, a rocky coastal feature that sustains one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galapagos. Along its southern shore, high cliffs rise from the sea affording spectacular views of soaring birds and of the blow hole where water spouts up to 75 feet depending on the intensity of the surf.

PM: Española Island, Gardner Bay
A great afternoon of activity takes place at Gardner Bay, which has an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and the opportunity to observe sea lions. Here you can also observe sharks in the crystal clear ocean waters. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 3 (Thursday): Floreana

AM: Punta Cormorant, Floreana
Today is spent on Floreana Island, beginning at Punta Cormorant, probably the best flamingo lagoon in the Galapagos. Situated between two tuff lava cones, it is also one of the largest in the islands. In addition to the flamingoes, there are various species of shorebirds to observe, such as common stilts, White-checked pintail ducks and other migratory birds. The two distinct beaches at this location are sights to behold. The Green Beach is of a green color due to a high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand and the Flour Sand Beach is soft and white due to its make up of coral.

PM: Post Office Bay & Baroness Lookout, Floreana
For the afternoon, you spend time at Post Office Bay & Baroness Lookout. Historically, Post Office Bay is the location of a wooden barrel that was placed in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. Since this time it has been used by mariners and tourists as a post office. More of a novelty than functional service, travelers drop mail into the barrel and hope the mail will one day arrive at its intended destination thanks to the kindness of a traveler who lives nearby the address and can hand-deliver the mail. Apart from being the Post Office Barrel, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists. From here you continue to the north of the island and ascend to an elevated slope to enjoy a beautiful view from the Baroness Lookout. It is said that Baroness Eloisa von Wagner loved this place and spent several hours watching the horizon. Nearby are the ruins of what is known as her house. From Baroness Lookout, the landscape covers the coastline from the Enderby islet to Post Office Bay, as well as Cerro Pajas, the pool of flamingos and wide forest of Palo Santo. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 4 (Friday): Santa Fe & South Plazas Island

AM: Santa Fe Island
Santa Fe has one of the most beautiful coves of all the visitor sites in the region, a turquoise lagoon protected by a peninsula of rocks and small islands that extends from the shore. The species of iguana are a brighter yellow color and have uncommonly large spikes on their spine. The opuntia cactus, a favorite food of the land iguana, grows unusually tall here, up to 33 feet high and are the largest of their kind in Galapagos. Manta rays and sea turtles may be seen against the sandy bottom of Santa Fe’s beautiful anchorage. Today you will have a few opportunities to snorkel, hopefully swimming with sea lions and colorful fish.

PM: South Plaza Island
These are two small islets that were formed a short distance from the East Coast of Santa Cruz. Despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the archipelago occur here. The principal attractions of Plazas are the land iguanas, sea lions and Swallow–tailed gulls. It is possible to observe land iguanas relaxing in the shade of cactus plants and the gulls nesting on the rugged southern cliffs (which are seen along with various other sea birds). And that’s not all as the protected rocky seashore is a prime habitat for a large colony of noisy sea lions. Also you will be able to see Yellow-tailed mullets, Audubon’s shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigatebirds and brown pelicans gliding past the cliffs. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 5 (Saturday): North Seymour Island & Bachas Beach

A.M. North Seymour Island
A fantastic place to see wildlife, North Seymour is an uplifted island, not volcanic, and so is generally flat and strewn with boulders. A large population of Magnificent frigate birds take advantage of the area for its good nesting sites. Blue-footed boobies perform their courtship dance in the more open areas and Swallow-tailed gulls perch on the cliff edges. Despite the tremendous surf that can pound the outer shore, sea lions haul onto the beach and can be found bodysurfing.

Watch your step, as the boobies don’t worry much about where they nest, and you might just step on one. The trees are dotted with male frigate birds inflating their bright-red skin flaps, some taking flight to draw attention. In this seasonal courtship ritual, they’re trying hard to attract the attention of the ladies. There’s a circular path that takes you through the island to a beautiful, rocky shore where the waves crash with a silvery-blue color.

PM: Bachas Beach, Santa Cruz Island
The sand at Las Bachas Beach is made of decomposed coral, resulting in a white, soft composition, making it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. In fact, the name “Las Bachas” in Spanish means “notches,” referring to the indentations left in the sand by both laying turtles and their departing hatchlings. Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish water lagoon, where occasionally it is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. In the vicinity is another longer beach that has resting on its shores two old barges that were abandoned during WWII when the United States used Baltra Island as a strategic point to protect the Panama Canal. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 6 (Sunday): Mosquera Islet & Baltra Airport

AM Mosquera: This is a small, sandy Island where you can wander around on shore and explore on your own. The beach is nice for sitting and swimming, or you can choose to wander onland looking for sea lions or blue-footed bobbies.

Depart the Galapagos: After this visit, you will be dropped off at the Baltra airport. Your guide will explain the check-in process and you will board your flight back to mainland Ecuador (either Guayaquil or Quito). (Breakfast)

In the morning you will fly from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos (Quito or Guayquil to Baltra). Upon arrival at the Baltra airport, expedition leaders from the Odyssey will meet you, collect your luggage and then assist you with your transfer to the M/V Galapagos Odyssey. The transfer entails a short bus ride to the docks, your point of embarkation for the Galapagos Odyssey cruise. The friendly crew will welcome you on board and show you to your cabin before a delicious lunch is served.

The north shore of Santa Cruz hosts Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill). A dinghy ride among mangrove-lined islets allows the observation of the dramatic landscape and coastline, an area of amazing past volcanic activity. While exploring the nearby waters, various types of birds can be seen, such as boobies, frigates, and pelicans. Quite commonly, the black lava will reveal the presence of marine iguanas. The navigation in shallow turquoise-colored water gives the chance to see marine turtles, rays and sharks. Make a dry landing for a walk that includes a brackish water lagoon frequented by greater flamingos, common stilts, pintail ducks and a variety of shore and lagoon birds. (Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 2 (Monday): La Rabida & Sombrero Chino

AM: Rábida
Rábida Island is unique because the red color of the rocks and sand. The volcanic material in this island is very porous and external factors as rain, salt water and sea breeze have acted as an oxidizing agent. A short walk along a trail lead us to a coastal lagoon behind the beach permits the observation of land birds as finches, doves, yellow warblers and mocking birds. At the lagoon there is a colony of flamingos.

PM: Sombrero Chino aka Chinese Hat
Chinese Hat is a small islet is located just off the southeastern tip of Santiago Island. The volcanic cone is shaped like a Chinese hat when viewed from north side. On the west are lava formations, which were formed under the sea and raised upward, exposing coral heads on the hardened lava. An excellent visit for interpretation of geological features such as lava tubes and lava flows, it is also frequented by sea lions, marine iguanas and Galapagos penguins. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 3 (Tuesday): Genovesa Island

AM: Darwin Bay, Genovesa Island
Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island originated when the island’s volcanic crater collapsed. After your wet landing on a beautiful white coral-sand beach, get ready to see birds — lots of birds. A favorite island for birdwatchers, you’ll see the Red-footed-booby, Masked booby, Wandering tattler, Lava gull, whimbrel, at least three species of heron, and Yellow warblers. Continuing on the trail, you ascend gradually to the edge of a cliff to see Red-foots nesting in the mangrove trees below. From this vantage you get sightings of Sharp-Beaked, Large Cactus and Ground finches, Galapagos doves and Swallow-Tailed gulls. The cliff also offers an incredible view of the island as well as the many birds living there.

PM: El Barranco, Genovesa Island
Also known as Prince Philip’s Steps, El Barranco is located in the southern part of Darwin Bay. After a climb to a plateau surrounding Darwin Bay, you observe a large population of Masked and Red-Footed boobies. Also, Storm petrels and Short-eared owls find the Genovesa lava flows an ideal place for nesting. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 4 (Wednesday): Bartolome & Sullivan Bay

AM: Bartolome Island
Bartolome is a small barren island is located across from Sullivan Bay off James Island. The first of its two visitor sites offer the possibility to climb to the summit of the island, from where visitors can observe a variety of volcanic formations including lava bombs spatter and cinder cones, lava flows and lava tubes. The moon like landscape provides one of the most scenic panoramas in the archipelago. At the second site, visitors have the chance to relax on a beautiful beach, which offers great snorkeling opportunities. Multi-colored fish and occasionally penguins and sea turtles have been seen at the base of the tall pinnacle rock, which dominates Bartolome’s landscape. A short walk across to Bartolome´s second beach and swimming is strictly prohibited. Here visitors can see white-tipped reef sharks at a safe distance swimming along the shoreline.

PM: Sullivan Bay, Santiago Island
This visitor site provides a unique opportunity to view lava flow that is approximately 100 years old. The Sullivan Bay Lava is known a Pāhoehoe (Hawaiian for “rope”) due to the lava flow having solidified in a mostly rope appearance; it is rare to the rest of the world but is common to the volcanoes of Hawaii and Galapagos. Only a few plants have managed to take root in this harsh environment. The low-lying Mollugo is commonly the first plant to emerge from a bare lava field. Together with the Lava Cactus (Brachycereus) found here, these plants are evidence of life returning to Sullivan Bay. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 5 (Thursday): Santa Cruz Highlands & Depart Galapagos

AM: Highlands of Santa Cruz
The trail to the Santa Cruz Highlands leaves from Bellavista and passes through an agricultural zone near the national park boundary before entering the Fern and Sedge zone. With clear weather, this area affords beautiful scenes of rolling hills and extinct volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery all year round.

Depart the Galapagos
After visiting these interesting zones, you are transferred to Baltra Airport for your flights home. Your guide will explain the check-in process and you will board your flight back to mainland Ecuador (Guayaquil or Quito). (Breakfast)

In the morning you will fly from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos (Quito or Guayquil to Baltra). Upon arrival at the Baltra airport, expedition leaders from the Odyssey will meet you, collect your luggage and then assist you with your transfer to your first Galapagos excursion.

PM: Charles Darwin Station, Santa Cruz Island
To learn about the protection and conservation of the Galapagos Islands, your afternoon is spent at the Charles Darwin Research Station. The main attractions for this visit are the national park information center, the Van Staelen Exhibition Hall, the Breeding and Rearing Center for tortoises. (Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 2 (Friday): Isabela Island: Tintoreras & Sierra Negra

AM: White Tipped Reef Shark Canal, Isabela Island
A delightful place off Isabela Island reached by a nice morning zodiac ride, Tintoreras is a group of small islands off the Puerto Villamil coast. Tintorera, which is the Spanish name for the White-tipped reef shark, is commonly seen resting in the shallows. You’re also likely to see herons perched on mangrove branches and Galapagos penguins and sea lions frolicking along the shoreline.

PM: Sierra Negra Volcano, Isabela Island
Isabela Island is the largest and one of the youngest islands in the Galapagos archipelago. You land in Puerto Villamil, which has the second smallest population in Galapagos. On shore, you head up to the highlands from Puerto Villamil to the slope of Sierra Negra Volcano, from where you ascend to the rim. From this viewpoint, you have fantastic view of the second widest crater in the world, and Perry Isthmus, a lava field with a width of seven miles. From here you can hike to Chico Volcano for views of striking lava formations, many exemplifying the geological occurrences that have created the Galapagos Islands. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 3 (Saturday): Isabela Island: Punta Moreno & Elizabeth Bay

AM: Punta Moreno, Isabela Island
Punta Moreno is located on the north coast of Isabela Island between the volcano Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcano. The trail runs along a Pāhoehoe lava flow (solidified lava in the corrugated form of an accordion) into a complex of coastal lagoons, where you view several species of birds around the lakes and mangroves.

PM: Elizabeth Bay, Isabela Island
This afternoon you head out to view marine life by zodiac, as there is no landing point. Your zodiac ride starts with a visit to the Marielas islets to observe the largest and most important penguin colony in the Galapagos Islands. The excursion continues into a cove surrounded by red mangroves where you observe sea turtles, flightless cormorants, Spotted Eagle and Golden rays, Brown pelicans and sea lions. You might even see Galapagos hawks soaring overhead schools of Pompano and Dorado fish. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 4 (Sunday): Fernandina Island/Punta Espinoza & Isabela Island/Tagus Cove

AM: Espinoza Point, Fernandina
Fernandina is the third largest island in the archipelago. At Punta Espinoza, located at the northeastern tip of the island, Marine iguanas congregate in the largest groups of any other island. They bask in the sand and swim near the shore where they’ve been known to block the landing dock. Another unique species found here is the Flightless cormorant, a bird evolved for swimming, not flying. To see these birds is to witness evolution happening right in front of you.

PM: Tagus Cove, Isabela
A short hop in a zodiac across to Isabela Island and you’re touring the cliffs of Tagus Cove to see the Galapagos penguin, the flightless cormorant and other sea birds. From the landing dock it is about a 30-minute trail hike to cliff top where you can view Darwin Lake, a lake saltier than the sea. You can also see several volcanoes from this spot. The graffiti on the surrounding cliffs of the cove was written by pirates, whalers and buccaneers of past centuries. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 5 (Monday): Santiago Island

AM: Espumilla Beach, Santiago Island
Espumilla Beach is located in northern coast of Santiago Island in James Bay. During the last presence the El Niño phenomenon, one of the two lagoons filled with sediment, causing the disappearance of a colony of flamingos. The main attractions today are the Palo Santo forest and the marvelous beach, which is an important site for nesting marine turtles.

PM: Puerto Egas, Santiago Island
The black beach of Puerto Egas is located at the west side of the island and is the main attraction of the island. Volcanic tuff deposits built this black sand beach. Puerto Egas got its name from Hector Egas, a company that began an operation to mine the area for its salt but, because the price of salt was so low, the effort failed. The project was abandoned but left its infrastructure. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 6 (Tuesday): San Cristobal Island & Depart Galapagos

AM: Isla Lobos, San Cristobal
The small island of Isla Lobos is reached at by panga from Port Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of San Cristobal. The trail leads across a dry vegetation zone, volcanic rocks and sandy areas to a site with a small population of blue-footed boobies and frigate birds, which nest here. At the beach you will see a large colony of sea lions and shorebirds.

At an appropriate time, you are transferred to San Cristobal Airport for your flight back to Quito or Guayaquil. (Breakfast)

Upon arrival at San Cristobal Airport, travelers pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands, as well as to pay the park entrance fee of $100 (unless it has been prepaid). A guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbor where you will settle into the yacht.

In the afternoon, you take an approximately 40-minute bus ride to visit Cerro Colorado Tortoises Protection and Growing Center, located at the south east of the island. This center was built to improve the status of the island’s tortoises. The center includes a large corral, a visitors’ center, tortoise breeding center and an interpretative trail. Along the trail you can see a variety of species of native and endemic plants as well birds such as the San Cristobal mockingbird, Yellow warbler, the Galapagos flycatcher and many species of finches. (Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 2 (Wednesday): Espanola Island

Located on the north-east coast of Espanola Island, Gardner Bay provides an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and the opportunity to observe sea lions. On this morning excursion, you can also observe sharks in the crystal-clear ocean waters.

For the afternoon you head to Punta Suarez, a rocky spot that sustains one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galapagos. Along its southern shore, high cliffs rise from the sea affording spectacular views of soaring birds and of the blow hole where water spouts up to 75 feet depending on the intensity of the surf. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 3 (Thursday): Floreana Island

Punta Cormorant has the largest and probably the best flamingo lagoon in the Galapagos. Located between two tuff lava cones that give the area a special atmosphere, arious species of shorebirds are observed here in addition to the flamingos. The most frequent sightings are common stilts, White-cheeked pintail ducks and other migratory birds. Two distinct beaches are of interest in this area. The Green Beach indeed appears the color green due to its high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand. The Flour Sand Beach is flour-white, as it is made up of coral.
In the afternoon you visit Post Office Bay, which is the location of a wooden barrel that was placed in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. Since this time it has been used by mariners and tourists as a post office. More of a novelty than functional service, travelers drop mail into the barrel and hope the mail will one day arrive at its intended destination thanks to the kindness of a traveler who lives nearby the address and can hand-deliver the mail. Apart from being the Post Office Barrel, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists. From here you continue to the north of the island and ascend to an elevated slope to enjoy a beautiful view from the Baroness Lookout. It is said that Baroness Eloisa von Wagner loved this place and spent several hours watching the horizon. Nearby are the ruins of what is known as her house. From Baroness Lookout, the landscape covers the coastline from the Enderby islet to Post Office Bay, as well as Cerro Pajas, the pool of flamingos and wide forest of Palo Santo. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 4 (Friday): Santa Fe & Plazas Island

Located in the southeastern part of the Galapagos, Santa Fe Island was formed from by a tectonic uplift rather than volcanic activity, which is how it became mostly flat. Some theories suggest Santa Fe could be the oldest island in the Archipelago. Santa Fe is home to a variety of endemic wildlife species like the Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, Galapagos mockingbird, rice rats and one of the two species of lands Iguanas of the islands. The beautiful and clear waters is also home to one of many sea lion colonies. Along the trail you will see a variety of flora, including salt bush and giant prickly pear cactus. This is great place to go snorkeling with playful sea lions and tropical fishes.

Plazas Island is located on the east side of Santa Cruz Island, and forms part of two islands known as Islas Plazas. Despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding wildlife species of the Galapagos are found here. The Plazas land iguanas are smaller than its relatives found on other islands, and there are several hybrid iguanas, a result of crossing a male marine iguana and a female land iguana. Recognizable at first glance by their black-gray color, the hybrids have a land iguana’s crest but the face and tail of the marine iguana. The island’s large population of iguanas is due to the tuna, their favorite food which is found here in great abundance. Swallow-tailed gulls nesting in the rugged cliffs are among a variety of other sea birds found here, such as Audubon shearwaters, Red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds and Brown pelicans. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 5 (Saturday): North Seymour Island & Bachas Beach

North Seymour is also an uplifted (not volcanic) island and is generally flat and strewn with boulders. Magnificent frigate birds nest in the rocks, Swallow-tailed gulls perch on the cliffs and Blue-footed boobies perform their courtship dance in the open areas. Watch your step, as the boobies nest where most convenient for them and you might just step on one. Despite the tremendous surf that can pound the outer shore, sea lions haul onto the beach and can be found bodysurfing. The trees are dotted with male frigate birds attempting to attract the attention of the ladies by inflating their bright red skin flaps, sometimes taking to the air to call more attention to themselves. A circular path takes you across the island to a beautiful, rocky shore where the waves crash a silvery-blue.

You head to Santa Cruz Island for the afternoon, where you observe more wildlife and visit historic sites. The activity is focused on two small beaches found to the west of Turtle Cove. The sand at each is made of decomposed coral, which is white and soft and favored by sea turtles for nesting. Behind one of the beaches is a small brackish lagoon, where you can observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as Black-necked stilts and whimbrels. The other beach is longer, with two old barges that were abandoned during WWII, when the United States used Baltra Island as a strategically point to protect the Panama Channel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 6 (Sunday): Mosquera Islet & Dragon Hill

The morning is spent in Mosquera Islet, located between Baltra and North Seymour. This is a small islet formed by a geological uplift, with a reef of rocks and coral and a great white sand beach favored by a large population of sea lions. You can also observe several species of shorebirds. This site offers great snorkeling and swimming. Red Lava and Sally light-foot crabs scurry among the rocks and are fun to watch.

The visitor site at Dragon Hill has been open since 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 repopulated 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. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 7 (Monday): Black Turtle Cove & Chinese Hat

Black Turtle Cove is small cove is located at the northern side of Santa Cruz Island. The red mangrove lagoon punctuating the cove is calm and quiet, an ideal nursery for sharks and rays. The crystal waters provide splendid viewing of the large groups of White-tipped, Black-tipped reef and hammer head sharks, and schools of Golden and Spotted Eagle rays. With no landing sites you visit the lagoon by panga or kayak. Sea turtles also use the lagoon and occasionally they are seen mating in the mangrove-lined waters. Pelicans and herons are also seen in this area.

Chinese Hat is a small islet is located just off the southeastern tip of Santiago Island. The volcanic cone is shaped like a Chinese hat when viewed from north side. On the west are lava formations, which were formed under the sea and raised upward, exposing coral heads on the hardened lava. An excellent visit for interpretation of geological features such as lava tubes and lava flows, it is also frequented by sea lions, marine iguanas and Galapagos penguins. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) 

DAY 8 (Tuesday): Genovesa Island

Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island originated when the island’s volcanic crater collapsed. After your wet landing on a beautiful white coral-sand beach, get ready to see birds — lots of birds. A favorite island for birdwatchers, you’ll see the Red-footed-booby, Masked booby, Wandering tattler, Lava gull, whimbrel, at least three species of heron, and Yellow warblers. Continuing on the trail, you ascend gradually to the edge of a cliff to see Red-foots nesting in the mangrove trees below. From this vantage you get sightings of Sharp-Beaked, Large Cactus and Ground finches, Galapagos doves and Swallow-Tailed gulls. The cliff also offers an incredible view of the island as well as the many birds living there.

Also known as Prince Philip’s Steps, El Barranco is located in the southern part of Darwin Bay. After a climb to a plateau surrounding Darwin Bay, you observe a large population of Masked and Red-Footed boobies. Also, Storm petrels and Short-eared owls find the Genovesa lava flows an ideal place for nesting. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 9 (Wednesday): Bartolome & Santiago Islands

Bartolomé Island, located across from Sullivan Bay, has one of the most beautiful landscapes of the Galapagos Islands, with volcanic cones, lunar-like craters, lava fields, and the famous Toba-formed pinnacle. While there is very little vegetation on this island, it has two breathtaking beaches where marine turtles frequent, as well as a small colony of Galapagos penguins.

Santiago, also called James, or San Salvador Island, is located in the west-central part of the Galapagos archipelago. The fourth largest island in the archipelago, Santiago is volcanically active with many young flows and cones to see along the south, west, and east coasts. A number of historic eruptions have been reported over the past two centuries. Santiago actually consists of two coalesced volcanoes: a typical shield volcano on the northwest end and a low, linear fissure volcano on the southeast end. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 10 (Thursday): Santa Cruz Highlands & Depart Galapagos

The trail to the Santa Cruz Highlands leaves from Bellavista and passes through an agricultural zone near the national park boundary before entering the Fern and Sedge zone. With clear weather, this area affords beautiful scenes of rolling hills and extinct volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery all year round.

After visiting these interesting zones, you are transferred to Baltra Airport for your flights to mainland Ecuador (Guayaquil or Quito). (Breakfast)

In the morning you will fly from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos (Quito or Guayquil to Baltra). Upon arrival at the Baltra airport, expedition leaders from the Odyssey will meet you, collect your luggage and then assist you with your transfer to the M/V Galapagos Odyssey. The transfer entails a short bus ride to the docks, your point of embarkation for the Galapagos Odyssey cruise. The friendly crew will welcome you on board and show you to your cabin before a delicious lunch is served.

The north shore of Santa Cruz hosts Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill). A dinghy ride among mangrove-lined islets allows the observation of the dramatic landscape and coastline, an area of amazing past volcanic activity. While exploring the nearby waters, various types of birds can be seen, such as boobies, frigates, and pelicans. Quite commonly, the black lava will reveal the presence of marine iguanas. The navigation in shallow turquoise-colored water gives the chance to see marine turtles, rays and sharks. Make a dry landing for a walk that includes a brackish water lagoon frequented by greater flamingos, common stilts, pintail ducks and a variety of shore and lagoon birds. (Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 2 (Monday): Black Turtle Cove, La Rabida, Sombrero Chino

Early this morning, you will have a dinghy ride in Black Turtle Cove, a mangrove lagoon on Santa Cruz Island. Here you have the opportunity to see stingrays, sharks, the night heron and several species of Darwin’s finches.

Later in the morning, you will visit La Rabida, another small but fascinating Island. Right away you’ll notice La Rabida’s unique red cliffs and beaches. While walking on this Island, we’re likely to spot sea lions, pelicans, Galapagos hawks, Darwin finches, marine iguanas, flamingos and blue-footed boobies. We will also have time to go for a snorkel in the waters just off La Rabida, where we will hopefully swim with sea lions and tropical fish.

CChinese Hat is a small islet is located just off the southeastern tip of Santiago Island. The volcanic cone is shaped like a Chinese hat when viewed from north side. On the west are lava formations, which were formed under the sea and raised upward, exposing coral heads on the hardened lava. An excellent visit for interpretation of geological features such as lava tubes and lava flows, it is also frequented by sea lions, marine iguanas and Galapagos penguins. There are some excellent snorkeling opportunities in the cove. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 3 (Tuesday): Genovesa Island

Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island originated when the island’s volcanic crater collapsed. After your wet landing on a beautiful white coral-sand beach, get ready to see birds — lots of birds. A favorite island for birdwatchers, you’ll see the Red-footed-booby, Masked booby, Wandering tattler, Lava gull, whimbrel, at least three species of heron, and Yellow warblers. Continuing on the trail, you ascend gradually to the edge of a cliff to see Red-foots nesting in the mangrove trees below. From this vantage you get sightings of Sharp-Beaked, Large Cactus and Ground finches, Galapagos doves and Swallow-Tailed gulls. The cliff also offers an incredible view of the island as well as the many birds living there.

Also known as Prince Philip’s Steps, El Barranco is located in the southern part of Darwin Bay. After a climb to a plateau surrounding Darwin Bay, you observe a large population of Masked and Red-Footed boobies. Also, Storm petrels and Short-eared owls find the Genovesa lava flows an ideal place for nesting. During the panga rides along the cliffs fur sea lions can be seen and several species of seabirds. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 4 (Wednesday): Bartolome & Sullivan Bay

Bartolome Island: A small barren island that is located across from Sullivan Bay off James Island, Bartolome has two main visitors’ sites. The first site offers the possibility to climb to the summit of the island, from where visitors can observe a variety of volcanic formations including lava bombs spatter and cinder cones, lava flows and lava tubes. The moon like landscape provides one of the most scenic panoramas in the archipelago. At the second site, visitors have the chance to relax on a beautiful beach, which offers great snorkeling opportunities. Multi-colored fish and occasionally penguins and sea turtles have been seen at the base of the tall pinnacle rock, which dominates Bartolome’s landscape. A short walk across to Bartolome´s second beach and swimming is strictly prohibited. Here visitors can see white-tipped reef sharks at a safe distance swimming along the shoreline.

PM: Sullivan Bay, Santiago Island
This visitor site provides a unique opportunity to view lava flow that is approximately 100 years old. The Sullivan Bay lava is known a Pāhoehoe (Hawaiian for “rope”) due to the lava flow having solidified in a mostly rope appearance; it is rare to the rest of the world but is common to the volcanoes of Hawaii and Galapagos. Only a few plants have managed to take root in this harsh environment. The low-lying Mollugo is commonly the first plant to emerge from a bare lava field. Together with the Lava Cactus (Brachycereus) found here, these plants are evidence of life returning to Sullivan Bay. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 5 (Thursday): Santa Cruz Highlands, Charles Darwin Research Station

Highlands of Santa Cruz: The route from Puerto Baquerizo follows the signs marked for El Progresso. This small town was established as a penal colony in 1888 by Manuel Cobos. The prisoners were treated as slaves and developed a sugar cane and coffee plantation. The steep road narrows as it climbs the sides of the extinct volcano. At the summit visitors are treated to a spectacular view of the El Junco Lagoon. Rainwater and condensation have collected in the caldera for hundreds of years creating this haven for frigatebirds. The lake supplies water both for the people of the island and for many of the tourist boats. Hiking around the lake offers
views of practically the entire island including San Joaquin Hill the island’s highest point.

Charles Darwin Research Station: Although the great majority of Galapagos visitors come here to observe and appreciate natural wonders, it is also interesting to learn how the protection and conservation of the islands are carried out. The main attractions for this visit are the national park information center, the Van Staelen Exhibition Hall, the Breeding and Rearing Center for tortoises. Afterwards, you will be transferred back to the dock where you will board the Odyssey. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 6 (Friday): Isabela Island: Tintereras & Sierra Negra (yacht)

Tintoreras: A delightful place off Isabela Island reached by a nice morning zodiac ride, Tintoreras is a group of small islands off the Puerto Villamil coast. Tintorera is Spanish for the White-tipped reef shark, which are commonly seen resting in the shallows. You’re also likely to see herons perched on mangrove branches and Galapagos penguins and sea lions frolicking along the shoreline.

Wall of Tears: The Wall of Tears is a historic site in Isabela. Between 1946 and 1959 Isabela was a penal colony, where prisoners built a wall with huge blocks of lava as
punishment. The wall is 100 meters long and 7 meters high. Due to the arduous labor and harsh conditions in which the prisoners lived, this site is known as the wall of tears. A set of stairs provides a bird’s eye view of the wall and the surrounding landscape. You can still see the cement foundations of the USA base dating back to the Second World War.

Isabela Island is the largest and one of the youngest islands in the Galapagos archipelago. You land in Puerto Villamil, which has the second smallest population in Galapagos. On shore, you head up to the highlands from Puerto Villamil to the slope of Sierra Negra Volcano, from where you ascend to the rim. From this viewpoint, you have fantastic view of the second widest crater in the world, and Perry Isthmus, a lava field with a width of seven miles. From here you can hike to Chico Volcano for views of striking lava formations, many exemplifying the geological occurrences that have created the Galapagos Islands. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 7 (Saturday): Isabela Island: Punta Morena & Elizabeth Bay

Punta Moreno is located on the north coast of Isabela Island between the volcano Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcano. The trail runs along a pahohoe lava flow (solidified lava in the corrugated form of an accordion) into a complex of coastal lagoons, where you view several species of birds around the lakes and mangroves.

Elizabeth Bay: This afternoon you head out view marine life by zodiac, as there is no landing point. Your zodiac ride starts with a visit to the Marielas islets to observe the largest and most important penguin colony in the Galapagos Islands. The excursion continues into a cove surrounded by red mangroves where you observe sea turtles, flightless cormorants, Spotted Eagle and Golden rays, Brown pelicans and sea lions. You might even see Galapagos hawks soaring overhead schools of Pompano and Dorado fish. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 8 (Sunday): Fernandina Island/Punta Espinoza & Isabela/Tagus Cove

Fernandina is the third largest island in the archipelago. At Punta Espinoza, located at the northeastern tip of the island, Marine iguanas congregate in the largest groups of any other island. They bask in the sand and swim near the shore where they’ve been known to block the landing dock. Another unique species found here is the Flightless cormorant, a bird evolved for swimming, not flying. To see these birds is to witness evolution happening right in front of you.

A short hop in a zodiac across to Isabela Island and you’re touring the cliffs of Tagus Cove to see the Galapagos penguin, the flightless cormorant and other sea birds. From the landing dock it is about a 30-minute trail hike to cliff top where you can view Darwin Lake, a lake saltier than the sea. You can also see several volcanoes from this spot. The graffiti on the surrounding cliffs of the cove was written by pirates, whalers and buccaneers of past centuries. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 9 (Monday): Santiago Island

Espumilla Beach is located in northern coast of Santiago Island in James Bay. During the last presence the El Niño phenomenon, one of the two lagoons filled with sediment, causing the disappearance of a colony of flamingos. The main attractions today are the Palo Santo forest and the marvelous beach, which is an important site for nesting marine turtles.

The black beach of Puerto Egas is located at the west side of the island and is the main attraction of the island. Volcanic tuff deposits built this black sand beach. Puerto Egas got its name from Hector Egas, a company that began an operation to mine the area for its salt but, because the price of salt was so low, the effort failed. The project was abandoned but left its infrastructure. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 10 (Tuesday): Isla Lobos, Depart Galapagos

The small island of Isla Lobos is reached by panga from Port Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of San Cristobal. The trail leads across a dry vegetation zone, volcanic rocks and sandy areas to a site with a small population of blue-footed boobies and frigate birds, which nest here. At the beach you will see a large colony of sea lions and shorebirds.

After your visit to Isla Lobos, you will transfer to the airport in San Cristobal for your flight back to Quito or Guayaquil. (Breakfast)