Day 1: Arrive in Baltra - Bartolome Island
Upon arrival, reception and assistance at the airport, transfer from Baltra Airport to the M/C Endemic. After lunch, 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: dinghy ride, snorkeling & hiking (1.2 mi/2km)
Type of landing: Wet landing
Difficulty: Easy
Day 2: Punta Cormorant, Devil's Crown, Post Office Bay & Baroness' Overlook, Floreana Island
In the morning, after breakfast, the first spot to be visited is Devil ́s Crown that is an underwater volcanic crater, almost covered completely by Galapagos waters. Just a small portion of the rock formation can be seen from above and it looks like a crown. The underwater world is very rich in coral reefs, abundant marine species. Birds are also part of this visitor point due to its location in open waters. Or visit Cormorant Point where you will land on a green olivine sand beach. Following a 100 meters long path you will soon reach a lagoon with flamingos.
Activities: Dinghy ride, snorkeling & walk
Type of landing: Wet landing
Difficulty: Easy/ moderate
In the afternoon, you will visit the Baroness’ Lookout (Mirador de la Baronesa). This viewpoint is located on the north of Floreana Island. The way up and trail is very easy, steps are placed in this area for security. Your naturalist guide will tell the murder and mystery legend of the Baroness. Or you will go to the Post Office Bay, which keeps the legendary post barrel that whalers historically used to post their mail in.
Activities: Short hike (less than 0.6mi/ 1km) & snorkeling
Type of landing: Wet landing
Difficulty: Easy
Day 3: Chinese Hat, Santiago Island - North Seymour Island
In the morning, after breakfast you will visit Chinese Hat, which is a small islet off the south coast of Santiago, with a maximum elevation of 160 feet (52 meters). Though within easy reach of Santa Cruz, Chinese Hat is typically only visited by those aboard a Galapagos Cruise.
Activities: hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, dinghy ride
Type of landing: Wet landing
Difficulty: Easy
In the afternoon, North Seymour island will be discovered. It is located slightly to the north of Baltra. It is a low, flat island, formed by submarine lava formation uplift. Covered with low, bushy vegetation, it contains the largest colony of magnificent frigate birds in the Galapagos. There is also a large population of blue-footed boobies that perform an amusing courtship dance when nesting conditions are right.
Activities: Short hike, snorkeling, kayaking, dinghy ride
Type of landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Moderate/ difficult
Day 4: Black Turtle Cove - Las Bachas Beach
After breakfast, enjoy the visit to Black Turtle Cove, which is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz. It is a living illustration of how mangroves alter the marine environment to create a rich and unique habitat. Three mangrove species crowd the area from the shore out into the lagoon, which reaches almost a mile inland. As you drift through quiet waters in the zodiac, you are likely to see spotted eagle rays and diamond shaped mustard rays, which swim in a diamond formation. White-tipped reef sharks slip beneath the boat and Pacific green sea turtles come to the surface for air and to mate. Waterfowl, including pelicans, herons and egret, all feed in the cove. This is a peaceful place that will make you feel calm.
Activities: dinghy ride, snorkeling
Type of landing: No landing
Difficulty: Easy
In the afternoon, visit to Las Bachas, which is a beautiful white-sand beach, located on the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. There you can go for a stroll or do some easy snorkeling in the gentle surf. Sea turtles lay their eggs at the edge of the vegetation. You can also look for a rusted pontoon, a relic of the Second World War. In fact, “bachas” is a poor pronunciation of “barges,” two of which were wrecked offshore at that time: the locals is pronounced the name and it stuck.
Activities: Swimming
Type of landing: Wet landing
Difficulty: Easy
Day 5: Darwin Bay & Prince Philip's Steps, Genovesa Island
In the morning, 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: Hiking (0.9 mi/ 1. 5 km), snorkeling, kayaking & dinghy ride
Type of landing: Wet landing
Difficulty: Easy/ Moderate
In the afternoon, 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: Hiking (0.9 mi/ 2 km)
Type of landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Moderate
Day 6: Twin Craters - Depart Baltra
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we will visit the Twin Craters. Located in the highlands of Santa Cruz, these scenic craters are approximately 30 meters deep. These two huge land depressions are surrounded by a Scalesia forest with abundant birds such as the yellow warbler and the Vermilion Flycatcher. Gorgeous views of the leafy green highlands forest are also part of the excursion.
Activities: Short hiking
Type of landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Moderate
After this last visit, transfer to Baltra airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador. Assistance and farewell at the airport.
