Seabird Sanctuary Expedition

Day 1: Baltra Airport - El Chato - Highlands

After landing at Baltra Airport, we drive to the Itabaca Channel to take a ferry across to Santa Cruz Island. A 30-minute bus ride takes us up to the fascinating, more humid Highlands of the island where we’ll learn about its unique ecosystems and biodiversity. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

Note: Please dress with comfortable shoes and clothes, bring a small backpack with any medicine you might be taken, sunblock, insect repellent, and anything you need during the excursion. You’ll go onboard Yacht Isabela II at the end of the day.

After lunch, we drive to a nearby reserve that is one of the best places in the archipelago to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. The tortoises are easy to spot, lumbering around, munching on grass and leaves, and wallowing in small pools. There are several lava tunnels to explore in the reserve, too. A short bus ride takes us down to Puerto Ayora to board the Isabela II.

Day 2: Puerto Egas - Chinese Hat Islet

Following a wet landing on the black, sandy beach, our trail takes us to enjoy close-up encounters with recently reintroduced land iguanas, plus land and marine birds amid a landscape of tuff-stone layers, jagged rocks, and lava flows. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds. We can also observe a colony of fur seals, usually dozing in the shade of some rocks.

This islet, formed only relatively recently, makes a wonderful afternoon visit as we explore the wildlife along its 1,312 ft long (400 m long) trail, which begins at a crescent-shaped, white sandy beach. The cove offers excellent swimming and snorkeling opportunities amid white-tipped reef sharks and Galapagos penguins.

Day 3: Prince Philip's Steps - Darwin Bay

The day kicks off with a panga ride along the cliffs of “Bird Island” as Genovesa is affectionately nicknamed, followed by a landing at a steep staircase that connects us with a flat plateau. From here, the trail winds its way through large colonies of Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, great frigatebirds, and storm petrels. With luck, we’ll be able to spot the short-eared owl. Those who do not wish to disembark can enjoy a longer panga (inflatable dinghy) ride along the cliffs, weather conditions permitting. Snorkeling and kayaking activities are available.

We land after lunch at the beautiful white beach of Darwin Bay. Here we walk amid literally hundreds of birds, most of which are frigatebirds, red-footed and Nazca boobies, as well as gulls, herons, finches, and mockingbirds.

Day 4: Santa Fe Island - South Plaza

We take the dinghy over to this idyllic sandy-white beach populated by colonies of sea lions. Galapagos hawks are often easily observed, perched atop salt bushes. The Santa Fe land iguana may be spotted during our exploration. Following the walk, we can snorkel and swim along a natural wave barrier or ride the glass-bottom boat.

Following lunch and a rest, we disembark (dry landing) in this channel, whose turquoise waters contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline. Beyond, a carpet of scarlet sesuvium succulents serves as a groundcover for a grove of luminescent green prickly-pear cactus. Yellow-grey land iguanas sit beneath these, waiting patiently for pears to drop. Along the coastline we find sea lion colonies, while frigates, swallow-tailed gulls, and shearwaters glide, playing with the thermals.

Day 5: Baltra Airport

Our journey ends at Baltra Island where we transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.

• Accommodation
• All meals
• Activities
• Bilingual naturalist guides
• Conferences and lectures
• Visits to the islands mentioned in the itinerary
• Transportation to/from the airport in Galapagos on cruise arrival and departure dates
• Snorkeling equipment
• Internet (via Computer Station, low bandwidth)
• Onboard Medical Assistance
• Luggage handling

• Airline tickets to/from Galapagos*
• Galápagos National Park fee: US$200 per person
• Transit control card: US$20 per person
• Wetsuits (available for rent)
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages*** (you can also ask your destination expert to include a drinks package in your quote. Ask us about all the available options we have for you!)
• Tips
• Gifts and additional items
• Fuel surcharge
• Laundry
• Wi-Fi internet (Intermittent and low bandwidth. Available for an additional fee)

Special Notes

*Upon request, airline tickets can be included. Metropolitan Touring guarantees the availability of these flights. Airfare is subject to change.

**Upon request, we can include the Galapagos National Park and INGALA Transit Control Card fees (US$100 and US$20 respectively and subject to change without prior notice). However, due to logistical reasons, these fees can only be included when guests travel on the operational departure date and not before.

***Guests may bring their own wine or spirits; however, there is a corkage fee of $25 USD + tax.

Early Bird Promotion (2025)

• In 2025, soft drinks and wetsuits will be offered in our early bird promotion, excluding the peak season. Promotion ends August 31, 2024.
• The peak season dates are: Dec 22, 2025 to Jan 01, 2026