(Monday - Thursday) 4 days / 3 nights.
Our Galapagos itineraries offer unforgettable experiences, with our weekly departures that allow you to experience tours of 4, 5 and 7 that include: full board, two daily guided excursions with optional activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, boat trips which guarantees that your experience in the Galapagos Islands is complete.
DAY 1: MONDAY
AM: ARRIVAL IN BALTRA AIRPORT AND TRANSFER TO THE BOAT
Morning flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra, Galapagos Islands.
You will arrive at Baltra Island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by a Calipso staff member and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.
PM: SOUTH PLAZA ISLAND
In the morning, you will head to South Plaza Island. This small island with steep cliffs was formed by rising lava and is now covered by Opuntia cacti. It is also home to one of the largest sea lion colonies as well as colorful yellow and red land iguanas. The most characteristic plant is Sesuvium. During the rainy season its color is a greenish to yellowish tone and in the dry season (end of June through January) a bright red.
Highlights: Land iguanas, sea lion colony, Audubon's shearwaters, swallow-tailed gulls, Nazca boobies, amazing landscape with cliffs
Possible Activities: Hike (1.5 miles / 2 ½ km)
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Moderate
DAY 2: TUESDAY
FLOREANA
AM: POST OFFICE BAY
In the 18th century whalers passing through the islands placed a wooden barrel on Floreana Island for use as an unofficial mail box. The tradition continues today as visitors leave addressed postcards in the barrel and sort through left mail to deliver at home.
Highlights: Post office barrel, nice sandy beach
Possible Activities: Short hike (less than 0.6 miles/1 km) & snorkeling
Type of Landing: Wet landing
Difficulty: Easy
AM: BARONESS VIEWING POINT
Baroness Viewpoint is a fantastic place to absorb the environment of the Galapagos. Once inhabited by an indulgent baroness and her three lovers, the history of this island is intriguing. The legends about this baroness are associated with a fascinating murder mystery. There are easy trails in this area for exploring the flora and fauna of Floreana.
Highlights: Great view, sea turtles, mysterious story about the first inhabitants of the islands
Possible Activities: Short hike (0.6 miles/1 km), Snorkeling, Kayaking and Panga Ride
Type of Landing: Wet landing
Difficulty: Easy
PM: CORMORANT POINT
This site hosts a large flamingo lagoon where other birds such as common stilts and white-cheeked pintails can also be seen. The beaches on this island are distinct: The “Green Beach” named so due to its green color, which comes from a high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand, and the “Four Sand Beach” composed of white coral.
Highlights: Flamingos, green-colored beach
Possible Activities: Dinghy ride & hike (1.2 miles /2 km)
Type of Landing: Wet landing
Difficulty: Easy
DAY 3: WEDNESDAY
SANTA FE AND SANTA CRUZ ISLANDS
AM: SANTA FE ISLAND
Santa Fe (Barrington) is home to the small picturesque bay and anchorage on the island’s northeast coast. The bay has two visitor trails, one leading to a scenic viewpoint atop a cliff, and the other spanning from a small beach to a tall prickly pear cactus forest.
Highlights: Land iguanas, giant tunas
Possible Activities: Hiking
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Moderate
PM: CHARLES DARWIN STATION / FAUSTO LLERENA BREEDING CENTER
The Charles Darwin Research Station is home to turtles ranging from 3-inches (new hatchlings) to 4-feet long. Subspecies of turtles interact with one another and many of the older turtles are accustomed to humans stretching out their heads for a photo opportunity. The babies are kept until they are about four years old and strong enough to survive on their own.
Highlights: Giant tortoises in captivity
Possible Activities: Walking
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Easy
DAY 4: THURSDAY
SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND
AM: GIANNI ARISMENDY INTERPRETATION CENTER
This site is part of an environment project. The tour of this center will explore the natural history of the islands including human interaction and conservation efforts. The Museum of Natural History explains the volcanic origin of the archipelago, ocean currents, climate, and the arrival of endemic species. The Human History exhibit chronologically describes significant events such as
discovery and colonization of the islands.ng rooms.
Possible Activities: Museum visit
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights & Animals: Great exhibits about the archipelago’s natural history
AM: TRANSFER TO THE SAN CRISTOBAL AIRPORT.