Day 1: Arrive in Baltra - Charles Darwin Research Centre
Arrive in baltra today and transfer to the Cormorant. You'll be shown to your cabin and served lunch on-board before your first visit to the Charles Darwin Research Centre.
The Charles Darwin Research Station is 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.
Day 2: Tintoreras Islet, Sierra Negra Volcano, Wetlands & Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Centre, Isabela Island
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.
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 2005.
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.
Next you will visit Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Centre 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.
Day 3: Moreno Point & Elizabeth Bay, Isabela Island
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.
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 snorkelling and viewing schools of colourful fish, sea lions, and perhaps even sharks.
Day 4: Espinoza Point & Vicente Roca Point
Crossing the Bolivar Channel that divides Isabela and Fernandina Islands, you will land at Espinoza 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.
Comprised of two separate coves, Vicente Roca Point 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) while you snorkel.
Day 5: Egas Port, Espumilla Beach & Buccaneer Cove
Egas Port, also known as James Bay, on Santiago Island 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 snorkelling site.
In Espumilla Beach 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.
Buccaneer Cove is a testament to the fact that Santiago Island was once a refuge for British buccaneers. These pirates would
anchor in the protected bay to make repairs and stock up on tortoise meat among other things. The steep cliffs, where hundreds of
seabirds perch in front of the dark red sand beach, are a magnificent site.
Day 6: Bartholomew Island & Sullivan Bay
You will head to Bartholomew Island where the famous Pinnacle Rock is found. Bartholomew consists of an extinct volcano with a
variety of red, orange, black and even green volcanic formations. We will take a trail of stairs to the summit of the volcano (about 30
or 40 minutes) where you will enjoy one of the best views of the islands! You will also visit a small, beautiful beach surrounded by
the only vegetation found on this barren island. The beach is perfect for snorkeling where you may even see and swim with
Galapagos penguins.
You will visit Sullivan Bay located on the southeast part of Santiago. This place is interesting for its geology because the area is
covered by lava flows. This place has elevations in the form of small volcanoes formed by the lava flows.
Day 7: Chinese Hat Islet & Dragon Hill
Chinese Hat is a small islet is located near the southeast coast of Santiago Island. Its name comes from the distinct shape of the islet’s summit. This small islet is a great location to view many geological formations such as lava tunnels and lava flows. Some of the lava flows were formed underwater and subsequently raised above sea level. The presence of coral heads on the lava flow indicates this
phenomenon.
The visitors’ site at Dragon Hill is located in northwestern Santa Cruz Island and consists of a 1,600 m long trail that runs through
three different environments. The beach is very rocky. At high tide it’s a nice place for snorkeling. At this visiting site you can find
vegetation of the typical intertidal zone and dry zone.
Day 8: North Seymour Island - Depart Baltra
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 characterised by its arid vegetation zone.
After this final visit, you will be transferred to Baltra airport in time to catch your flight back to the mainland.
