(Thursday – Monday ) 5 days / 4 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.
ROUTE
DAY BY DAY
DAY 1: THURSDAY
AM: Arrival in San Cristobal Airport and Transfer to the boat
PM: 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 beach
DAY 2: FRIDAY
AM: Bartholomew Island
Home of the famous Pinnacle Rock, Bartholomew consists of an extinct volcano with a variety of red, orange, black and even green volcanic formations. A trail of stairs leads to the summit of the volcano, boasting one of the best views of the islands. The beach is perfect for snorkeling and possible sightings of the Galapagos penguin.
Highlights: Pinnacle rock, panoramic view, moonlike landscape, penguins, pioneer plants, lava cactus; snorkeling: penguins, reef sharks, rays, and great colorful fish.
Possible Activities: Dinghy ride, snorkeling & hiking (1.2 miles/ 2 km)
Type of Landing: Dry and wet landings
Difficulty: Moderate/difficult. Walk up to the top of volcano 114 meters, 375 wooden steps
PM: Chinese Hat Islet
This small islet is located near the southeast coast of Santiago Island. Its name comes from the distinct shape of the islet's summit. This small islet is a great location to view many geological formations such as lava tubes and lava flows.
Possible Activities: Hike & snorkeling (1,9 miles / 3 km)
Type of Landing: Wet landing
Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
DAY 3: SATURDAY
AM: Espinoza Point
No foreign species have ever invaded Fernandina Island, and therefore it is one of the world's most pristine island ecosystems. The volcano “La Cumbre” dominates the landspace with lava fields reaching the ocean. The island's highlight features the flightless cormorant nesting site. This area provides a great opportunity to see the Galapagos hawk.
Highlights: Flightless cormorant, marine iguanas, 'a'a lava, sea lions, penguins, active volcano “La Cumbre”
Possible Activities: Hike (1.2 miles/2 km)
Type of Landing: Dry and slippery at low tide
Difficulty: Moderate
PM: Tagus Cove
Tagus Cove 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. Punta Tortuga, just north of Tagus Cove, is another lovely beach surrounded by mangroves.
Highlights: Penguins, flightless cormorants, Darwin Volcano & Lake Darwin
Possible Activities: Long hike, snorkeling, dinghy ride
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Moderate / difficult
DAY 4: SUNDAY
AM: 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.
Highlights: Land iguanas (the biggest in the Galapagos), hawks, coral reef, giant tortoises; snorkeling: turtles, rays, tropical fish
Possible Activities: Snorkeling, dinghy ride & hike, 2 trails: short (0.6miles/1 km), long (1.9miles/3km)
Type of Landing: Wet landing
Difficulty: Easy / moderate
PM: 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.
Highlights: Flamingos, gallinules, pintail ducks, turtles, white-tip reef sharks.
Possible Activities: Snorkeling, dinghy ride & hike (1.2miles/2km)
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Moderate / difficult
DAY 5: MONDAY
AM: North Seymour Island
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.
Highlights: Land & marine iguanas, frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, sea lions; snorkeling: rays, reef shark, fish, garden eels.
Possible Activities: Dinghy ride & hiking (1.5 miles / 2.5 km)
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Moderate / difficult
Transfer to the Baltra Airport.
