Day 1 – Thursday

AM – Arrival at Baltra Airport (GPS)

Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, travelers pass through an airport inspection point to make sure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands and to pay the park entrance fee of $100. A guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbor.

PM – Highlands (Santa Cruz)

The road to the highlands leaves from Bellavista, a small village located a 15-minute drive from Puerto Ayora. It passes through the agricultural zone, near the National Park boundary, the Miconia Zone, before going to the Fern and Sedge zone. With clear weather, this area offers beautiful scenes of rolling hills and extinct volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery all year round. Here you will visit the Twin Craters, which are two pit craters, as well as a local ranch where we can observe the Giant Tortoise of Santa Cruz Island in its natural habitat.

Day 2 – Friday

AM – Tintoreras Islet

“Tintoreras” are small islands in front of the Puerto Villamil coast. There are herons on the lookout on mangrove branches, as well as Galapagos penguins and sea lions that often pop out on the shore. White-tipped reef sharks (in Spanish: Tintoreras) are common in the Archipelago and found resting in the shallow waters.

PM – Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Centre

In the Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Centre, you can see hundreds of giant Galapagos tortoises of all sizes. Vulnerable hatchlings are not gigantic at all, even smaller than the size of your hand! This project, just outside Puerto Villamil, was created to rescue the endangered populations of Isabela’s both southernmost volcanoes. From the almost incredible estimations of 250,000 giant tortoises in the 16th century, by the 1970s, there were only about 3,000 individuals remaining. One thing becomes clear on your visit: it’s hard work to save these creatures from extinction by reproduction in captivity and repopulation. The good news is that these programs are successful and have already saved several species from extinction so far. By 2015 their number increased to about 32,000 in all the Archipelago. Don’t forget to visit the native botanical garden of this breeding center. It also attracts colorful songbirds such as yellow warblers, Darwin’s finches, Galapagos, and vermillion flycatchers. Finally, there is no greater counterpart to the cumbersome tortoises than the graceful American flamingos, which frequently filter the saline waters of the adjacent lagoon for shrimp and algae. They are joined by a handful of aquatic species and some shorebirds that even migrate from Canada and Alaska.

Day 3 – Saturday

AM – Moreno Point (Isabela)

Moreno Point is on the north coast of Isabela Island between the volcanos of Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul, where we would take a trail that runs along a solid edge of lava flow called “Pahohoe,” into a complex of coastal lagoons. Its main attraction is several species of birds found around the lakes and mangroves.

PM – Elizabeth Bay (Isabela)

It is a marine navigation visitor site, so the excursion has no landing point. Your zodiac ride starts with a visit to Mariela’s islets where the largest and most important penguin colony resides in the Galapagos Islands. The excursion continues into the cove that is surrounded by red mangroves where you can admire their red roots and green leaves. Here, you can observe sea turtles, flightless cormorants, spotted eagle rays, golden rays, brown pelicans, and sea lions. Frequent visitors have been able to see Galapagos Hawks soaring overhead while schools of Pompano and Dorado are swimming down below.

Day 4 – Sunday

AM – Tagus Cove (Isabela)

Tagus Cove, a tour along the cliffs will give the visitors an excellent chance to see the Galapagos penguin, the flightless cormorant, and other seabirds. From the landing dock, it is about a 30-minute hike along the trail up to the top of the cliff from where you can view Darwin Lake, an uplifted lake saltier than the sea. You can also see several volcanoes from this location. Look carefully at the graffiti on the surrounding cliffs of the cove, done by pirates, whalers, and buccaneers in past centuries!

PM – Espinoza Point (Fernandina)

Fernandina is the third largest island in the Archipelago and has a single visitor site: Punta Espinoza, located at the northeastern tip of the island. Here, marine iguanas conglomerate in larger groups than on any other island. They bask around in the sand, swim near the shore, and sometimes block the way at the landing dock. Among the unique species found here, we can find the flightless cormorant.

Day 5 – Monday

Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz)

These two small beaches are found to the west of Turtle Cove. Their sand is made of decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft, and a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches, there is a small blackish water lagoon, where it is occasionally possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. The other beach is longer, but it has two old barges abandoned during World War II when the USA used Baltra Island as a strategic point to protect the Panama Channel.

Transfer out to Baltra Airport (GPS)

Assisted by the naturalist guide and some crew-members, the dinghy will bring you and your luggage to Baltra Airport, where we will take the shuttle back to the airport.

Day 1 – Monday

AM – Arrival at San Cristóbal Airport (SCY)

Upon arrival at San Cristóbal Airport, travelers pass through an airport inspection point to make sure that no foreign plants or animals get introduced to the islands and to pay the park entrance fee of $100. A guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbor.

PM – Cerro Colorado (San Cristóbal)

Cerro Colorado Tortoises Protection and Growing Centre, located approximately 40 minutes by bus from the southeast of the island, was built to improve the status of the population of the island tortoises. The center includes a large corral, a Visitor Centre, a breeding center, and an interpretative trail. Along this trail, it is possible to see different species of native and endemic plants as well as birds like the San Cristóbal mockingbird, yellow warblers, many species of finches and the Galapagos flycatcher.

Day 2 – Tuesday

AM – South Plaza

South Plaza is located at the east of Santa Cruz Island and forms part of two islands known as Islas Plazas. Despite its small size, some of the most exciting and outstanding species of the Galapagos are found here. The Plazas land iguanas are smaller than their relatives found on other islands. There are several hybrid iguanas, a result of crossing a male marine iguana and a female land iguana; they are unique, recognizable at first glance by their black/grey color, with a land iguana’s crest, but face and tail of the marine iguana. The large population of iguanas is due to the presence of tuna, their favorite food. Swallow-tailed gulls nesting in the rugged cliffs is seen along with other seabirds such as Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds, and brown pelicans.

PM – Santa Fe

In the southeastern part of the Galapagos, this island rose from an uplift rather than being from volcanic origin. Some theories are claiming that this could be the oldest island in the Archipelago. Santa Fe is home to several endemic species like the Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos snake, Galapagos mockingbird, rice rats, and one of the two species of land iguanas on the islands. After disembarking into the beautiful and clear waters, you will be in contact with one of the many sea lion colonies. Along the trail, many saltbushes can be seen, as well as giant Prickly pear cactus. There are high possibilities of snorkeling with playful sea lions and tropical fish.

Day 3 – Wednesday

AM – Champion Islet (Floreana)

Bottlenose dolphins frequently escort our passage to Champion Islet, and you can see them from nearby jumping the wakes! Underwater, Galapagos sea lions are playful acrobats that become the number one attraction. There are also lots of reef sh, and perhaps a green Pacific turtle.

An inflatable dinghy ride along the shoreline of this islet offers sightings of lots of seabirds that are endemic to the Archipelago, including Galapagos penguins, blue-footed boobies, magnificent frigate birds and red-billed tropicbirds, swallow-tailed gulls and lava herons.

A birdwatcher’s dream is to get a glimpse of the Charles mockingbird on top of prickly pear cacti. This mockingbird is a scientific and historic vital species because it put Darwin on track of his theory of ‘adaptive radiation.’

PM – Loberia & Asylum of Peace (Floreana)

The Asylum of Peace Island is of historical interest for guests. This hike goes past a mesmerizing cave and visits a fascinating freshwater spring. La Loberia beach is an ideal spot to enjoy the ocean, as well as the playful sea lions that reside there.

Day 4 – Thursday

AM – Charles Darwin Research Station

Although the vast 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 done. The main attractions are the National Park information center, the Van Staelens Exhibition Hall, the Breeding and Rearing Centre for young tortoises, and adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity.

PM – Highlands (Santa Cruz)

The road to the highlands leaves from Bellavista, a small village located a 15-minute drive from Puerto Ayora. It passes through the agricultural zone, near the National Park boundary, the Miconia Zone, and then goes to the Fern and Sedge zone. With clear weather, this area gives you beautiful scenes of rolling hills and extinct volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery all year round. Here you will visit the Twin Craters, which are two pit craters, as well as a local ranch where we can observe the Giant tortoise of Santa Cruz Island in its natural habitat.

Day 5- Friday

AM – Tintoreras Islet

“Tintoreras” are small islands in front of the Puerto Villamil coast. There are herons on the lookout on mangrove branches, as well as Galapagos penguins and sea lions that often pop out on the shore. White-tipped reef sharks (in Spanish: Tintoreras) are common in the Archipelago and are usually resting in the shallow waters.

AM – Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Centre

In the Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Centre, you can see hundreds of giant Galapagos tortoises of all sizes. Vulnerable hatchlings are not gigantic at all, even smaller than the size of your hand! This project, just outside Puerto Villamil, was created to rescue the endangered populations of Isabela’s both southernmost volcanoes. From the almost incredible estimations of 250,000 giant tortoises in the 16th century, by the 1970s, only about 3,000 individuals were remaining. One thing becomes evident on your visit: it’s hard work to save these creatures from extinction by reproduction in captivity and repopulation. The good news is that these programs are successful and have already saved several species from extinction so far. By 2015 their number increased to about 32,000 in all the Archipelago. Don’t forget to visit the native botanical garden of this breeding center. It also attracts colorful songbirds such as yellow warblers, Darwin’s finches, Galapagos, and vermillion flycatchers. Finally, there is no greater counterpart to the cumbersome tortoises than the graceful American flamingos, which frequently filter the saline waters of the adjacent lagoon for shrimp and algae. They are joined by a handful of aquatic species, and some shorebirds that even migrate from Canada and Alaska.

Day 6 – Saturday

AM – Moreno Point (Isabela)

Moreno Point is on the north coast of Isabela Island between the volcanos Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul, where we would take a trail that runs along solid edge lava flow called “Pahohoe,” into a complex of coastal lagoons. Its main attraction is several species of birds found around the lakes and mangroves.

PM – Elizabeth Bay (Isabela)

This is a marine visitor site, so the excursion has no landing point. Your zodiac ride starts with a visit to Mariela’s islets, home to the largest and most important penguin colony on the Galapagos Islands. The excursion continues into the cove, surrounded by red mangrove, where you can admire their red roots and green leaves. Here, you can observe sea turtles, flightless cormorants, spotted eagle rays, golden rays, brown pelicans, and sea lions. Frequent visitors have been able to see Galapagos hawks soaring overhead with schools of pompano and dorado sh swim-ming down below.

Day 7 – Sunday

AM – Tagus Cove (Isabela)

A tour along the cliffs will give visitors an excellent chance to see the Galapagos penguin, the flightless cormorant, and other seabirds. From the landing dock, it is about a 30-minute hike along the trail up to the top of the cliff from where you can view Darwin Lake, an uplifted lake saltier than the sea. You can also see several volcanoes from this location. Look carefully at the graffiti on the surrounding cliffs of the cove, done by pirates, whalers, and buccaneers in past centuries!

PM – Espinoza Point (Fernandina)

Fernandina is the third largest island in the Archipelago and has a single visitor site: Punta Espinoza, located at the northeastern tip of the island. Here, marine iguanas conglomerate in larger groups than on any other island. They bask around in the sand, swim near the shore, and sometimes block the way at the landing dock. Among the unique species found here, we can find the flightless cormorant.

Day 8 – Monday

AM – Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz)

Consist of two small beaches to the west of Turtle Cove. The sand is formed by decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft, and a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches, there is a small blackish water lagoon, where it is occasionally possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts
and whimbrels. The other beach is more extended, but it has two old barges abandoned during World War II when the USA used Baltra Island as a strategic point to protect the Panama Channel.
Transfer out to Baltra Airport (GPS) Assisted by the naturalist guide and some crew members. The dinghy will bring you and your luggage to Baltra Airport, where we will take the shuttle back to the airport.