East Galapagos Islands (C)

Day 1: Baltra Airport - North Seymour Island

Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island (2 1/2-hour flight). Arriving in the Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by our natural guides and taken to a ten-minute bus drive to the pier to board the M/V Galapagos Legend.

This flat, uplifted, island is an important spot to see both magnificent and great frigatebird males courting the females by clicking, bill-clapping, shuddering and flapping their wings, all while showing off their grossly inflated, bright red, gular pouch. We will also likely see courting blue-footed boobies displaying their unique feet while édancingi to a prospective mate. Sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, crashing surf and distant views of the Daphne Islands top off a great visit.

Day 2: Bartolome Island - Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island)

Considered the most iconic landscape of the entire archipelago the view from the top of Bartolome Island, overlooking the famous Pinnacle Rock and the austere Santiago Island beyond, is well worth the climb up the wooden boardwalk. This volcanic scene has often been likened to a lunar landscape. Our subsequent snorkel here might put us face to face with Galapagos penguins, white-tipped reef sharks and playful sea lions.

Wet landing. This site located at the southeastern portion of Santiago Island is of important geologic interest. It features extensive relative young pa-hoe-hoe lava flows formed during the last quarter of the 19th century. In the middle of the lava flow, older reddish-yellow-colored tuff cones appear. Mollugo plants with their yellow-to-orange whorled leaves usually grow out of the fissures. Walking on the solidified lava gives the impression of been in another planet. Tree molds are found, indicating that in that position large size plants grew in small crevices, until the lava flow of past eruptions burned down the flora of the island.

Day 3: San Cristobal Island: Punta Pitt - Cerro Brujo

Sea lions will greet us as we land on the beach and prepare for our climb to a high point on the steep eroded tuff cone. This is the only place in the islands where we will enjoy the chance to see all three of the booby species in the same place. The red-foots will be
perched on the Cordia lutea and small trees, the Nazcais on the ground near the cliff edge while the blue-foots will be a little further inland. Frigatebirds will be all around and the views are breathtaking.

From our pangas, as we head to shore, we are first humbled by the immensity of the stunning cliffs of @Sorcereris Hill. We can enjoy simply sharing the beach with sea lions, snorkeling from shore or take a walk to a hidden lagoon where we might spot black-necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels and white-cheeked pintails.

Day 4: Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve (San Cristobal Island) - San Cristobal Airport

In the moist highlands of San Cristobal we will visit the giant tortoise breeding center La Galapaguera to witness the most iconic creature of the archipelago in its various life stages. The tortoises wander in a semi-natural habitat which lends itself to good photographic opportunities. The aim of the reserve is to help restore populations of the threatened San Cristobal tortoise back into the wild. In town, there are shops to purchase local handicrafts and souvenirs.ons of the threatened San Cristobal tortoise back inte the wild. In town, there are shops to purchase local handicrafts and souvenirs.

After the visit you will go to San Cristobal Airport for their return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.

• On-board accommodation 
• All meals during the voyage 
• Activities/shore excursions as specified 
• Bilingual naturalist guides 
• Transfers

• International and internal airfares 
• Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable 
• Travel insurance 
• Galápagos National Park fee: US$200 per person
• Transit control card: US$20 per person
• Kayaking, and wetsuit equipment
• Possible fuel surcharges
• Gratuities
• Any items not mentioned as included