Day 1: Baltra Airport Arrival - Highlands (Santa Cruz Island)
AM: Baltra Airport Arrival
Upon arrival, you will be welcomed and assisted at the airport, then transferred from Baltra Airport to the M/C Monique.
PM: Highlands (Santa Cruz Island)
On the highlands of Santa Cruz, you’ll have the opportunity to see the famous giant tortoises in the wild. So renowned are these endemic animals that they gave the archipelago its name. Birdwatching is also one of the activities do to in the Santa Cruz highlands, since this area is home of finches and other Galapagos birds.
Activities: Walking
Difficulty: Moderate
Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 2: Champion Islet, Cormorant point and/or Devil’s Crown (Floreana Island) - Post Office Bay and/or Baroness’s Lookout (Floreana Island)
AM: Champion Islet, Cormorant point and/or Devil’s Crown (Floreana Island)
In the morning, explore Champion Islet, a small sanctuary near Floreana Island known for its crystal-clear waters and coral reefs. During a panga ride and snorkeling session, guests may encounter sea turtles, playful sea lions, and vibrant schools of fish. This islet also shelters one of the last populations of the Floreana mockingbird, a remarkable spot for wildlife and marine life preservation.
Cormorant Point features two contrasting beaches: one with olive-green sand due to the high content of olivine crystals, and another with pure white sand (commonly known as ‘Flour Beach’) derived from pulverized coral.
The saltwater pond is a must-see as it is frequented by one of the archipelago’s largest populations of Galapagos flamingos as well as other shorebirds such as stilts, white-cheeked pintails and large-billed flycatchers.
Afterwards, guests will take a dinghy ride to Devil´s Crown, an underwater volcanic crater that is almost completely submerged – in fact, just a small portion of the rock formation can be seen from above, and it looks like a crown. Snorkelers will discover a vast underwater world full of coral reefs and a myriad of marine species. Birds are also part of this visitor point due to its location in open waters.
Activities and Excursions: Walk, snorkeling, dinghy ride, kayaking / paddleboarding
Difficulty: Moderate
PM: Post Office Bay and/or Baroness’s Lookout (Floreana Island)
Post Office Bay is a man-made site that offers an insight into a remarkable mailing tradition developed by British whalers in the 18th century that visitors can still take part in today.
The beach here provides for good snorkeling and kayaking and it is also possible to descend into and walk through a lava tube.
Next, take a dinghy ride to the Baroness’ Lookout, a volcanic rock formation named after an Australian baroness, who visited the island in the 1930’s and is believed to have mysteriously disappeared.
A short trail leads to a brilliant vantage point with panoramic views of the surrounding mangroves and coastline.
Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling, dinghy ride, kayaking / paddleboarding.
Difficulty: Easy
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 3: Suarez Point (Española Island) - Gardner Bay
AM: Suarez Point (Española Island)
Suarez Point is packed with wildlife and is best explored by following the circular walking trail. This memorable walk will take you past nesting sites of large colonies of Nazca and blue-footed boobies and mockingbirds.
Unique to Española Island is also the beautiful waved albatross, that can be seen majestically launching themselves out across the ocean from the cliffs and the red and green marine iguanas.
A geological highlight are several blow holes, capable of shooting water 25m into the air, that make for a spectacular photo.
Activities and Excursions: Walking
Difficulty: Moderate
PM: Gardner Bay
Spend the afternoon on the soft white sands of Gardner Bay, a pristine beach where sea lions lounge and the ocean invite you in. Whether you choose to swim, snorkel, kayak, or paddleboard, the surrounding turquoise waters offer a perfect opportunity to observe marine life. Just offshore, Gardner and Osborn Islets are home to coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, rays, and playful juvenile sea lions — ideal for a vibrant snorkeling adventure.
Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling, Dinghy ride, Kayaking/paddleboarding
Difficulty: Moderate
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 4: Interpretation Center (San Cristobal Island) - Witch Hill & Kicker Rock (San Cristobal Island)
AM: Interpretation Center (San Cristobal Island)
In the morning, broaden your understanding of the archipelago at the San Cristobal Interpretation Center. This modern facility offers engaging exhibits that trace the Galapagos’ geological beginnings, ecological richness, and complex human history over time. Learn about the unique species that call these islands home and the ongoing conservation initiatives working to protect their fragile ecosystems for generations to come.
Activities and Excursions: Walking
Difficulty: Easy
PM: Witch Hill & Kicker Rock (San Cristobal Island)
In the afternoon, head to Witch Hill, a secluded bay with fine white sand and crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming or snorkeling. Its shallow saltwater lagoon offers a peaceful setting ideal for spotting marine life and enjoying views of Kicker Rock from a unique vantage point.
During a circumnavigation, you will enjoy breathtaking views of Kicker Rock — a towering, twin-peaked volcanic formation rising from the sea. This iconic landmark is a haven for seabirds such as blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds, often seen perched on its narrow ledges
Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling, Dinghy ride, Kayaking/paddleboarding (Kicker Rock circumnavigation)
Difficulty: Easy
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 5: Santa Fe Island - South Plaza Island
AM: Santa Fe Island
Begin your morning by landing on Santa Fe, one of the oldest islands in the Galapagos, known for its towering forests of Opuntia cacti and distinctive pale-yellow land iguanas. Hike along scenic trails that lead you across the island’s arid landscape or into the highlands where these endemic iguanas bask under the sun. After your walk, cool off in the calm, crystal-clear waters of the bay — ideal for swimming or snorkeling alongside playful sea lions, rays, and colorful reef fish.
Activities: Walking, Snorkeling, Dinghy ride, Kayaking/paddleboarding
Difficulty: Moderate
PM: South Plaza Island
In the afternoon, explore the compact yet incredibly diverse South Plaza Island. Its vivid red and green Sesuvium ground cover contrasts dramatically with the island’s black lava and towering prickly pear cacti. Here, you can often see swallow-tailed gulls, tropicbirds, and other seabirds nesting or riding the thermals above the crashing waves.
Activities: Walking, Dinghy ride, Kayaking/paddleboarding
Difficulty: Easy
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 6: Bartolomew Island - Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island)
AM: Bartolomew Island
In the morning, you will discover Bartholomew Island. Once here, you will ascend to admire the spectacular panorama of the Sullivan Bay and the famous Pinnacle Rock. The beaches at the foot of the Pinnacle Rock are excellent for snorkeling from which you can discover the marvelous underwater world, and with a little luck, you’ll get to snorkel with penguins.
Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling, Dinghy Ride
Difficulty: Easy
PM: Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island)
In the afternoon, you will visit Sullivan Bay, located on the east coast of Santiago Island. We land on a white coral sand beach and begin our walk over lava that flowed less than 100 years ago. This is the perfect place to see and feel the volcanic origin of Galapagos. Also, in this area you will admire flora that grows in lava fields.
Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling, Dinghy ride
Difficulty: Easy
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 7: Prince Philip´s Steps (Genovesa Island) - Darwin Bay (Genovesa Island)
AM: Prince Philip´s Steps (Genovesa Island)
In the morning, you will go to El Barranco (Prince Philip’s Steps), a carved out of stone stair. This will lead you to a wide plateau, where you can observe large colonies of masked boobies, frigate birds, storm petrels and ducks. During this easy stroll you will cross a small Scalesia forest, habitat of the short-eared owl. The same path will lead you back to your boat.
Activities: Walking, Snorkeling, Dinghy Ride, Kayaking / Paddleboarding
Difficulty: Moderate
PM: Darwin Bay (Genovesa Island)
In the visit to Darwin Bay, which is the only sandy beach found in the caldera on Genovesa. Colonies of the Great Frigates are found along the beach. Male exhibit their red balloon pouch to females for hope of a match.
Red-footed boobies nest in the trees in contrast to the other two booby species which do so on the ground.
Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling, Dinghy Ride, Kayaking / Paddleboarding
Difficulty: Moderate
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 8: Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz Island) - Transfer to Baltra Airport
AM: Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz Island)
In the morning, you'll explore Black Turtle Cove, located along the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. This site vividly demonstrates how mangroves shape the marine ecosystem, forming a vibrant and unique habitat. Three different species of mangroves extend from the shore deep into the water, stretching nearly a mile inland.
While gliding silently through the calm waters aboard a dinghy, you may spot spotted eagle rays and mustard rays gracefully swimming in formation. Keep an eye out for white-tipped reef sharks gliding beneath the surface and Pacific green sea turtles surfacing to breathe or mate. The area is also a haven for waterfowl, such as pelicans, herons, and egrets, all drawn by the cove’s rich feeding grounds.
Activities and Excursions: Dinghy ride
Difficulty: Easy
After this last visit, transfer to Baltra airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.
Assistance and farewell at the airport.
Breakfast included.