Monserrat Itinerary D - 4 Days
ITINERARY D - 4 DAYS
THURSDAY
AM: Baltra: Arrival and Transfer to the boat
PM: Santa Cruz: Highlands (HK)
FRIDAY
AM: Genovesa: Darwin Bay (HK/SN/PR/KY)
PM: Genovesa: El Barranco / Prince Philip Steps (HK/SN/PR)
SATURDAY
AM: Bartolome Island (HK/SN/PR)
PM: Santa Cruz: Bowditch Point (HK/SN/PR)
SUNDAY
AM: Santa Cruz: Bachas Beach (PR/SN)
Baltra: Transfer to the Airport
HK: HIKE / SN: SNORKEL / PR: PANGA RIDE / KY: KAYAK /
PB: PADDLE BOARD
DAY 1: THURSDAY
AM: BALTRA ARRIVAL AND TRANSFER TO THE BOAT.
Transfer to the boat to meet the guide and get on board. In the afternoon enjoy the highlands, visit a tortoise ranch and see some of the amazing volcanic formations on Santa Cruz.
PM: SANTA CRUZ: HIGHLANDS.
Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz and see the Galápagos giant tortoise in its natural surroundings. Explore the area and its incredible underground lava tunnels – some are more than 1km long! Wander along the volcanic tubes and keep an eye out for the (mainly) nocturnal barn owls that sometimes roost here.
DAY 2: FRIDAY
AM: GENOVESA: EL BARRANCO: PRINCE PHILIP'S STEPS.
Today we will be visiting the beautiful and remote Genovesa Island. This northern island, famous for its red-footed colony, is a paradise for bird lovers. It is estimated that about 200,00 Red-footed boobies live on this island.
Darwin bay was formed by the collapse of the flooded caldera of Tower Island, another name used for Genovesa. After landing at a small sand and coral beach, it easy to realize why this island is a bird lover paradise. Among the bird species found here, the most common are swallow-tailed and lava gulls, mockingbirds, yellow-crowned night herons, lava herons, Galapagos doves and yellow warblers. We will continue on a short and flat trail to encounter red- footed booby and great frigatebird nests.
We will visit a tidal lagoon where sea lions swim playfully ending our path on a cliff with magnificent views of this remote part of the Galapagos.
PM: GENOVESA: DARWIN BAY
Prince Phillips’s Steps Excursion (PM)
El Barranco or Prince Phillips’s Steps as otherwise known, was named after a visit by the British Monarch in 1964. El Barranco's steep 81-foot stairway leads up to a high cliff-face that opens out onto the plateau surrounding Darwin Bay.
Here an amazing view can be appreciated. Once at the top of the stairway we will meet Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, mockingbirds, and finches along the way of a palo santo trail. It will also be possible to see wedge-rumped storm petrels swarm and short- eared owls.
DAY 3: FRIDAY
AM: BARTOLOME ISLAND
Bartolomé Island Excursion (AM)
Hike to Bartolomé summit for a stronger perspective of the islands not-too-distant volcanic origins, and enjoy a panoramic view – it’s one of the best among the islands! See other Galápagos Islands in the distance as well as Pinnacle Rock, the island’s famous towering landmark.
Take the opportunity to swim and snorkel around Pinnacle Rock, one of the most iconic volcanic rock formations on the islands. Home to Galápagos penguins, friendly sea lions, sea turtles, and a huge variety of fish, Bartolomé and its surrounding waters are a fantastic place to explore the natural wonders of the Galápagos.
PM: SANTA CRUZ: BOWDITCH POINT
Bowditch Point Excursion (PM)
This is a unique place where almost nobody visits, on this amazing spot you can relax on a powdery beach, snorkel around turquoise water islets and hike beside salt pools and dried white corals.
In the afternoon, you will visit one of the last off-the-beaten-path sites in the Galapagos Islands. Only a couple of cruises visit Bowditch Point. This pristine site offers you a great snorkeling session with giant schools of black-striped salema, parrotfish, and Mexican hogfish, or you can enjoy kayaking or SUP if you prefer. Afterwards, you spend time on the beach relaxing or walking around it.
DAY 4: SUNDAY
AM: SANTA CRUZ: BACHAS BEACH / BALTRA ISLAND
Bachas Beach Excursion (AM)
Head to Bachas Beach where the sand is made of decomposed coral, making it soft and white, and a favorite site for nesting sea turtles.
Spot abundant Sally Lightfoot crabs on the lava rocks along the waters edge -- these crabs will eat anything they can get their claws on! Trek to see a wide range of wildlife, including flamingos, hermit crabs, black necked stilts, and sea lions.
Baltra
Disembark at Baltra for flight back to Ecuador mainland.
