Day 1: Arrival to Baltra Island Airport - Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz Island
Arrival to Baltra Island Airport.
Visit Dragon Hill will take place, which is located in the north-western part of Santa Cruz island. Here you will have the opportunity to walk into the island and view the land iguana. Be among these magnificent reptiles, that just a few decades ago were on the brink of extinction. Moreover, at Dragon Hill you will see a flamingos’ lagoon, pintail ducks and other endemic birds including flycatchers and warblers. After a short trek, amazing view awaits us up the hill. Offshore snorkeling before returning to the yacht.
Day 2: San Cristobal Island: Kicker Rock / Witch Hill - Lobos Island
In the morning, the first spot to be visited is Kicker Rock, an impressive geological formation due to erosion. This is a nesting place of sea birds and a nice spot to take pictures while the vessels circumnavigate around the rock.
The next attraction to see is Witch Hill, a tuff cone hill located south west from San Cristobal. This name comes from the Spanish name of the bird known in English as Vermilion Flycatcher. A zodiac ride will take passengers into amazing rock formations along the island shore. A white sand beach and crystal – clear waters are part of this enchanted location. Fantastic opportunity for snorkeling.
In the afternoon, you will be taken to Lobos Island, where a small population of blue – footed boobies, frigates, marine iguanas, and great frigate birds nesting can be observed. Snorkeling with sea lions in this calm bay is also part of the excursion.
Day 3: Española Island: Gardner Bay / Gardner and Osborn Islets - Suarez Point
Gardner Bay is a pristine white sandy beach (one of the longest in the Galapagos), that is home to colonies of sea lions and inquisitive mockingbirds. It is also one of the world’s most important breeding sites for the waved albatross. A short dinghy ride will take you to the Osborn and Gardner Islets, which are superb locations for snorkeling with young sea lions and a greater variety of tropical fish and corals.
Suarez Point is an area with an outstanding variety of wildlife. The walking trail will take you past nesting sites of Nazca and blue-footed boobies, whilst Galapagos doves, mockingbirds and finches can be seen foraging nearby. You will also pass a geyser which can spray water up to 25m into the air; a spectacular feat of nature. Finally, when you reach the top of the breaktaking cliffs, you can enjoy watching waved albatrosses launching themselves out across the ocean.
Day 4: Santa Fe Island - Fausto Llerena Breeding Center / Highlands of Santa Cruz Island
This island was formed as a result of a volcanic uplift millions of years ago and is inhabited by the endemic yellow-green Santa Fe iguana, Galapagos snake and rice rat. There are two main trails on the island, one that leads to a beach through a forest of tall Opuntia (prickly pear) trees; another that takes you into the highlands and culminates in a stunning clifftop viewpoint where Galapagos hawks can be sighted. It is also possible to snorkel along the shoreline with the highly entertaining sea lions.
Visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, which is also known as Charles Darwin Research Station. This place has an information center, a museum, a library and a tortoise breeding station. In the tortoise breeding station, you can encounter tortoises of different subspecies, which are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. The most popular inhabitant of this Station is probably the Lonesome George turtle, that already died in 2012.
As part of your day, we will head towards the Highlands of Santa Cruz to admire the famous giant tortoises in the wild. It is impressive to see these endemic animals that give the name to the archipelago, Galapagos. Birdwatching is also one of the activities in the highlands, since this area is home of finches and other Galapagos birds. Finally we walk into lava caves to see the enormous lava flows that formed the islands before continuing back to the M/C Endemic.
Day 5: South Plaza Island - Bartolomew Island
It has unique Sesuvium plants and Opuntia cactuses scattered across the landscape which provide some of the most interesting wildlife observations available in Galapagos. Land iguanas are easily seen from the trail, frequently under the shade of cactuses, waiting for a prickly pear to fall.
At this site you will be able to savor the best view of Pinnacle Rock, a jagged spear like formation that has become an iconic feature of the Galapagos. A series of steps leads you past a variety of coloured lava rocks to the summit of the now extinct volcano, where you will be rewarded with a picture perfect panorama. The island’s sandy cove is also a good area for snorkeling, with possible sightings of penguins, reef sharks and rays.
Day 6: Devil's Crown / Cormorant Point, Floreana Island - The Baroness’ Overlook / Post Office Bay, Floreana Island
Cormorant Point features two distinctly beautiful beaches, one tinted a glistening green by a high content of olivine crystals; the other pure white and aptly referred to as ‘flour beach’. The saltwater lagoon here is frequented by one of the largest populations of flamingos in the Galapagos as well as common stilts and white-cheeked pintails. Devil’s Crown is a stunning jagged volcanic crater, which has become mostly submerged beneath the water. It boasts a plethora of marine life making it an enthralling site for diving and snorkeling.
Post Office Bay provides a fascinating insight into the human history of the island as you will discover the postal system developed by British whalers in the 18th century and can take part in the tradition that has continued to this day. The Baroness’ Viewpoint is named after an Australian baroness, who visited the island in the 1930’s and sparked a number of speculations about her mysterious disappearance. This vantage point is ideal for surveying the surrounding mangroves and other points of interest from above.
Day 7: Chinese Hat - North Seymour Island
This small island off the coast of Santiago Island is a result of erupted lava, and the remaining cone curiously resembles the shape of a Chinese hat. The short trail around the cove will guide you through a sea lion colony and provide opportunities to see eagles, oystercatchers and lava lizards. Furthermore, the channel of aquamarine water that runs between Santiago Island is very appealing to those who wish to enjoy some snorkeling, where you may be joined by sharks, rays and even a rare Galapagos penguin.
This island was formed by the uplifting of lava from underneath the ocean resulting in a relatively flat landscape. As well as land iguanas, sea lions and turtles along the coast, inland you will see colonies of blue-footed boobies who you may be lucky enough to catch performing their delightful courtship dance. Most notably though, the island is the largest nesting site for magnificent frigate birds, the male variety of which possess distinctive red gular pouches that they inflate during the mating season.
Day 8: Black Turtle Cove - Departure from Baltra Island Airport
This small, sandy islet, located between Baltra and North Seymour, is known for its untouched beauty. Bird watchers can delight in seeing a plentitude of shore birds such as lava gulls herons, and you will be sure to see a number of sea lions lounging on the beach and Sally Lightfoot crabs clinging to the rocks. With no fixed trail on the island you can do a bit of exploring or jump into the water for a snorkel for a chance to lay eyes on some sharks, turtles and rays.
Departure from Baltra Island Airport.
