Best of the Galapagos East

Day 1: Baltra Island | North Seymour Island

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed and transferred to the Galapagos Explorer.

AFTERNOON: Begin your journey traversing North Seymour on foot in search of blue-footed boobies, colonies of frigatebirds, fork-tailed gulls, sea lion and land iguana. Palo santo trees can also be found on the island.

Day 2: San Cristóbal Island

MORNING: Sail to Punta Pitt, located on the east coast of San Cristóbal, to explore a cluster of eroded volcanoes sparsely populated by endemic vegetation.

AFTERNOON: Discover Kicker Rock, which showcases the remains of eroded lava flows as well as two vertical rocks rising 152 m (500 ft) from the ocean. This natural monument is great for spotting various tropicbirds, frigatebirds and boobies. You’ll also visit Lobos Island, a small flat islet located 10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. This is a fantastic spot to observe nesting frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies as well as snorkel with friendly sea lion.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 3: Española Island

MORNING: Today you will travel to Osborn Islet, Gardner Bay and Gardner Island. Bask in the sunshine on the pristine sandy white beaches with sea lion and discover the vibrant underwater world by snorkelling with sharks and other sea life along its rocky shores.

Gardner Bay is probably most well-known as the sole breeding site for the entire world population of waved albatross, numbering around 12,000 pairs. This species has attained a critical endangered status, prompting ongoing vigilance through regular population monitoring. The Galapagos Islands are actively engaged in safeguarding their natural habitat, implementing measures aimed at preserving this unique and threatened species.

AFTERNOON: Explore Punta Suarez. This rocky land sustains one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galapagos. Along its southern shore, high cliffs rise up from the sea boasting spectacular views of soaring birds as well as of a unique blowhole where ocean water is known to spout up to 15 – 23 m (50 – 75 ft) into the air depending on the surf intensity.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 4: Floreana Island

MORNING: This morning you will explore Champion Island and Punta Cormorant on Floreana Island. Floreana Island also boasts one of the largest lagoons in the Galapagos. Situated between two volcanoes, the lagoon is home to an array of birds, including flamingo, common stilt and white-checked pintail duck. In addition, the island hosts a high percentage of endemic plant species. Its two distinct beaches, the Green Beach (due to the olivine crystals in the sand) and Flour Sand Beach (which is made up of coral) also make for an interesting sight.

AFTERNOON: In the 18th century, navigators passing through the islands placed a wooden barrel on Floreana Island to use as an unofficial mailbox. Known as Post Office Bay today, the tradition continues as travellers leave addressed postcards in the barrel and sort through left mail to deliver at home.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 5: Santa Cruz Island

MORNING: Begin your day with a visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the important conservation work taking place in the Galapagos. Next, visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center which was established to protect and preserve the Galapagos’ tortoise population. Strolling through the park not only showcases the various tortoises but also the land iguana that are bred and nurtured at the centre.

AFTERNOON: After lunch, discover the highlands of Santa Cruz. Explore a pair of volcanic sinkholes called ‘The Twins’ (or Los Gemelos) formed by land collapsing beneath the surface before spending time at the Tortoise Reserve El Chato where several subspecies of giant tortoises roam free.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 6: Santa Cruz Island | Bartolomé Island

MORNING: The rocky, low-lying hill, Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) is home to an impressive population of Galapagos land iguana. These miniature dragons roam around the sun-scorched, boulder-strewn island, enjoying the fruits and flowers of their favourite food, the prickly pear.

AFTERNOON: Next, head to the famous Pinnacle Rock on Bartolomé Island. A walking trail leads to the summit of an extinct volcano boasting some of the best views in the Galapagos. Pinnacle Rock beach is also ideal for snorkelling and spotting Galapagos penguin.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 7: Genovesa Island

Today you will explore the only northern island of the archipelago open to guests, Genovesa.

MORNING: The 14 km2 (8.7 mi2) island of Genovesa is the tip of a submerged shield volcano that rises 76 m (249 ft) above sea level. Its central crater is filled with salt water while ocean erosion over time created Darwin Bay located on its southern slope. The island is known for its great swimming, snorkelling and panga excursions.

AFTERNOON: While Genovesa doesn’t have too many land animals, it’s a paradise for sea birds including large colonies of the red-footed boobies and frigatebirds. The island’s Prince Phillip’s Steps (El Barranco) is also the breeding ground for the tree-loving red-footed booby and ground-nesting masked booby as well as is also home to four species of Darwin finches: the large ground finch, the sharp-beaked ground finch, the large cactus finch, and the warbler finch. Natural history enthusiasts will recall that Charles Darwin’s observation of the adaptation of the finches’ beaks served as a pivotal inspiration for his theories on natural selection. In addition, keep an eye out for the Galapagos mockingbird and Galapagos dove. If time permits, you can snorkel at El Barranco on the west side of Darwin Bay.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 8: The Daphnes | Baltra

MORNING: The Daphnes include two islands, Daphne Major and Daphne Minor, just north of Santa Cruz. Both are tuff cones eroded by the sea with no trees. Spend some time exploring Daphne Major. Nazca boobies, red-billed tropicbirds and blue-footed boobies can be found nesting here. Daphne Major is also the primary site of Peter and Rosemary Grant’s iconic 40-year study of evolution in Darwin’s finches that demonstrates evolution occurring over short periods of time. Nearly all of the finches on the island are banded for observation.

Thereafter, it is time to wave a fond farewell to the Galapagos as you head to Baltra Airport on Baltra Island for your flight onward.

Breakfast included.