DAY 1 (Tuesday): Arrive in Galapagos, San Cristobal Island

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.

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): Espanola Island

You begin with a great morning of activity 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.

The afternoon 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. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 3 (Thursday): Floreana Island

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.

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

Located in the southeastern part of the Galapagos, Santa Fe Island was formed from an uplift, which explains why it is mostly flat. There are some theories which indicate this could be the oldest island in the Archipelago. Santa Fe is the home of a number of endemic species like the Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, Galapagos mockingbird, rice rats and one of the two species of lands iguanas of the islands. After disembarkation in the beautiful and clear waters you will be in contact with one of the many sea lion colonies. Along the trail many salt bushes can be seen as well as giant prickly pear cactus. There are great opportunities here for snorkeling with playful sea lions and tropical fishes.

The afternoon takes you to South Plazas Island, which is located at the east of Santa Cruz Island. The island is actually part of two islands known as Islas Plazas. Despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the Galapagos are found here. The Plazas land iguanas are smaller than its relatives found on other islands. Throughout the island there are several hybrid iguanas, a result of crossing a male marine iguana and a female land iguana. These iguanas are unique, recognizable at first glance by their black-gray color but with a land iguana’s crest and face and tail of the marine iguana. The big population of iguanas is due to the presence of tuna, their favorite food. Swallow-tailed gulls nesting in the rugged cliffs are seen along with other sea birds, such as Audubon shearwaters, Red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds and Brown pelicans. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

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

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.

For the afternoon you head to Bachas Beach, which is actually two small beaches found to the west of Turtle Cove. The beach sand is made of decomposed coral, so it’s white and soft, making it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches is a small brackish water lagoon, which is frequented by flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. The other beach is longer, but with two old barges that were abandoned during the 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

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. At the appropriate time you transfer to Baltra Airport for your flight home. (Breakfast)

DAY 1 (Sunday): Arrive Galapagos & Dragon Hill

Upon arrival at Baltra 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 and then on board M/Y Sea Star Journey.

You begin your adventure with a visit to Dragon Hill, which has been open for visits 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. (Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 2 (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 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. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 4 (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 5 (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 home. (Breakfast)

DAY 1 (Thursday): Arrive in Galapagos, Darwin Station

Upon arrival at Baltra 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 representative of M/Y Galápagos Sea Star Journey I will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort your bus ride to Puerto Ayora Village where you embark the yacht.

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

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.

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

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.

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 4 (Sunday): Fernandina Island/Punta Espinoza & Isabela Island/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 5 (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 6 (Tuesday): San Cristobal Island & 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.

At an appropriate time, you are transferred to Baltra Airport for your flights home. (Breakfast)