Calipso Itinerary Naturalist - 5 days
ITINERARY NATURALIST - 5 DAYS
THURSDAY
AM: San Cristobal: Arrival and Transfer to the boat
PM: San Cristobal: Witch Hill (HK/SN/KY/PR)
FRIDAY
AM: Bartolome Island (HK/SN/PR)
PM: Santiago: Egast Port (HK/SN/PR)
SATURDAY
AM: Fernandina: Espinosa Point (HK/SN)
PM: Isabela: Tagus Cove (HK/SN/KY/PR)
SUNDAY
AM: Isabela: Urbina Bay (HK/SN)
PM: Isabela: Moreno Point (HK/SN/PR)
MONDAY
AM: North Seymour (HK/SN/PR)
Baltra: Transfer to the airport
HK: HIKE / SN: SNORKEL / PR: PANGA RIDE / KY: KAYAK /
PB: PADDLE BOARD
DAY 1: THURSDAY
AM: SAN CRISTOBAL ARRIVAL AND TRANSFER TO THE BOAT.
You will arrive at San Cristobal 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: SAN CRISTOBAL: WITCH HILL
Located on the northern coast, this eroded hill and its surroundings present one of the most picturesque beaches in the Galapagos with its white powdery sand and the abundance of animals. Wildlife includes sea turtles, rays, and various types of booby birds. The clear water provides an excellent opportunity for enjoying swimming and snorkeling.
Highlights: Beautiful rock formations, sea lions, shore birds, finches and mockingbirds; snorkeling: nice tropical fish, anemones, sponge coral.
Possible Activities: Hike, dinghy ride, snorkeling & kayaking
Type of Landing: Wet landing
Difficulty: Easy walk along the beachsea leon santa cruz galapagos
DAY 2: FRIDAY
AM: SANTIAGO: BARTOLOME PINNACLE ROCK
You will head to Bartholomew Island where the famous Pinnacle Rock is found. Bartholomew consists of an extinct volcano with a variety of red, orange, black and even green volcanic formations. We will take a trail of stairs to the summit of the volcano (about 30 or 40 minutes) where you will enjoy one of the best views of the islands! You will also visit a small, beautiful beach surrounded by the only vegetation found on this barren island. The beach is perfect for snorkeling where you may even see and swim with Galapagos penguins.
PM: SANTIAGO: EGAS PORT
Egas Port, also known as James Bay, on Santiago Island is home to the curious Galapagos hawks and quick-footed Galapagos lava lizards. The trail leads to the coastline with gorgeous tide pools and grottos full of fauna. Here the Galapagos furseals bathe in the sun. This is also a great snorkeling site.
DAY 3: SATURDAY
AM: FERNANDINA: ESPINOZA POINT
Crossing the Bolivar Channel that divides Isabela and Fernandina Islands, you will land at Espinoza Point, and after walking past a colony of marine iguanas and a group of sea lions, you will reach the island’s highlight: the flightless cormorant nesting site. This area also provides a great opportunity to see the Galapagos hawk.agos hawk.
PM: ISABELA: TAGUS COVE
You will visit Tagus Cove on Isabela Island which is located across from Fernandina Island, near the Bolivar Channel dividing the two islands. This spot has been frequented by ships since the 1800s, using the area as an anchorage site. Trails winding by Lake Darwin up to a ridge display wonderful views.
DAY 4: SUNDAY
AM: ISABELA: URBINA BAY
Urbina Bay is located at the base of Alcedo Volcano on the west coast between Tagus Cove and Elizabeth Bay. This area experienced a major uplift in 1954 causing the land to rise over 16 feet. The coast expanded half a mile out leaving marine life stranded on the new shore. This area is also a great place for snorkeling.
PM: ISABELA: MORENO POINT
Moreno Point is located near Elizabeth Bay on the west coast of Isabela Island. The plethora of birds seen during a dinghy ride along the striking rocky shores or a hike along path through lava rock leading to tide pools and mangroves create a birdwatcher’s delight. In the tide pools, green sea turtles or white-tip sharks can be spotted.
DAY 5: MONDAY
AM: NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND - BALTRA
Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigatebirds are abundant on North Seymour Island. The island was formed by a series of submarine lava containing layers of sediment that were uplifted by tectonic activity. The island is characterized by its arid vegetation zone.
AM: TRANSFER TO THE BALTRA AIRPORT.
