Tip Top II Itinerary OPT. 1- 8 Days
ITINERARY WEST ( OPTION 1) - 8 DAYS
FRIDAY
AM: Baltra Arrival and Transfer to the boat
PM: Santa Cruz: Mosquera Islet (HK/SN/PR)
SATURDAY
AM: Santiago: Sullivan Bay (HK/SN)
PM: Rabida (HK/SN/KY/PR)
SUNDAY
AM: Fernandina: Espinosa Point (HK/SN)
PM: Isabela: Elizabeth Bay (PR)
MONDAY
AM: Isabela: Urbina Bay (HK/SN)
PM: Isabela: Tagus Cove (HK/SN/KY/PR)
TUESDAY
AM: Santiago: Egas Port (HK/SN)
PM: Bartolome (HK/SN/PR)
WEDNEDAY
AM: Chinese Hat (HK/SN/KY/PR)
PM: Santa Cruz: Dragon Hill (HK/SN)
THURSDAY
AM: Santa Cruz: Highlands (HK)
PM: Santa Cruz: Breeding Center Fausto Llerena (HK)
FRIDAY
AM: North Seymour (HK/PR)
Baltra: Transfer to the Airport
HK: HIKE / SN: SNORKEL / PR: PANGA RIDE / KY: KAYAK /
PB: PADDLE BOARD
DAY 1: FRIDAY
AM: BALTR ARRIVAL AND TRANSFER TO THE BOAT
The guide will then escort you to a bus for a brief 5-kilometer ride to the pier, where you'll promptly board the Yacht. As the crew prepares to set sail, we'll welcome you with an initial orientation and a light snack.
PM: MOSQUERA ISLET
After lunch, you'll make an early wet landing on Mosquera Islet, which features a reef of rocks and coral formed by an uprising, along with a beautiful white sand beach and tide pools. You'll have the chance to observe colonies of sea lions, brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and Sally Lightfoot crabs. The striking contrast between the
bright red tops and blue bottoms of the crabs against the black lava is truly stunning.
In the evening, we'll have an orientation about the Galapagos Islands, covering their origin and evolution. You'll enjoy a welcome cocktail with the entire crew, followed by dinner and your first nightly orientation.
Optional: your guide will inform you where there will be time for swimming and snorkeling
DAY 2: SATURDAY
AM: SANTIAGO: SULLIVAN BAY
Following breakfast, you'll make a wet landing on Sullivan Bay, an ideal spot to experience the volcanic origins of the islands. You'll then return to the boat for a delicious lunch.
PM: RABIDA
After your lunch break, you'll make another wet landing on Rabida Island, where you'll walk and observe marine iguanas, sea lions, pelicans, blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, and brown pelicans. A short walk will lead you to a small saltwater lagoon where you can see pink flamingos. Early in the afternoon, return to the Yacht for dinner and a nightly orientation.
Optional: your guide will inform you where there will be time for swimming and snorkeling
DAY 3: SUNDAY
AM: FERNANDINA: ESPINIOZA POINT
After breakfast, you'll embark on an adventure with a dry landing at Espinoza Point, where you'll encounter a bustling colony of sea lions, fascinating marine iguanas, and the unique flightless cormorants, all amidst striking clusters of lava cactus. You'll then return to the Yacht for a delicious lunch.
PM: ISABELA: ELIZABETH BAY
Followed by lunch, get ready for an exhilarating panga ride around the enchanting islets of Elizabeth Bay. Here, you'll marvel at the sight of marine iguanas, playful penguins, graceful marine turtles, and a variety of seabirds and shorebirds, including herons and the iconic blue-footed boobies. After this unforgettable experience, you'll return to the Yacht for a delightful dinner and the nightly orientation.
Optional: your guide will inform you where there will be time for swimming and snorkeling.
DAY 4: MONDAY
AM: ISABELA: URBINA BAY
Enjoy your breakfast and continue to embark on an exciting wet landing at Urbina Bay, where you'll trek through a fascinating coral area and encounter land iguanas, flightless cormorants, and giant tortoises. For those seeking more thrills, there's optional time for swimming or snorkeling.
You'll then return to the Yacht for a hearty lunch.
PM: ISABELA: TAGUS COVE
I In the afternoon, prepare for an exhilarating panga ride around Tagus Cove, a secluded inlet nestled between two volcanic craters, offering protection from the open sea. As you navigate the cove, you'll spot penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions, and a diverse array of birds, including flightless cormorants and blue-footed boobies. Following your dinner, you´ll receive the nightly orientation.
Optional: your guide will inform you where there will be time for swimming and snorkeling.
DAY 5: TUESDAY
AM: SANTIAGO: EGAS PORT
Once you've had breakfast, you'll make a wet landing on James Bay (Puerto Egas) for a walk to observe sponges, snails, hermit crabs, various shore birds, barnacles, and the endemic four-eyed blenny, along with marine iguanas and sea lions. You'll then return to the boat for a delicious lunch.
PM: BARTOLOME
Later in the day you'll make a dry landing on Bartolome Island to hike to the summit. During the hike, you'll observe colonies of marine iguanas and lava lizards. At the summit, you'll be rewarded with an impressive view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock. You'll return to the yacht for a delightful dinner and a nightly orientation.
Optional: your guide will inform you where there will be time for swimming and snorkeling.
DAY 6: WEDNESDAY
AM: CHINESE HAT
After a hearty breakfast, you'll embark on an adventure with a wet landing on Chinese Hat (Sombrero Chino), a charming island off the coast of Santiago Island. On the rocky shoreline, you'll be thrilled to spot Galapagos penguins, eagle rays, sea lions, and marine iguanas. You'll then return to the yacht for a well-deserved lunch.
PM: SANTA CRUZ: DRAGON HILL
For the afternoon, get ready for another exciting excursion with a dry landing on Dragon Hill. Here, you'll encounter fascinating land iguanas and take a walk to a hypersaline lagoon (saltier than the ocean), where you'll be captivated by the sight of flamingos, common stilts, pintail ducks, and a variety of other bird species. Return to the yacht for a warm dinner and the nightly orientation.
Optional: your guide will inform you where there will be time for swimming and snorkeling.
DAY 7: THURSDAY
AM: SANTA CRUZ: HIGHLANDS
Once you've had breakfast, you'll disembark and hop on a bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, where you'll explore the native forests and El Chato Reserve. Next, you'll venture to a farm to marvel at giant tortoises roaming freely in their natural habitat.
Lunch will be served on the farm, promising a delightful experience.
PM: SANTA CRUZ: BREEDING CENTER FAUSTO LLERENA
Following lunch, you'll return to Puerto Ayora to embark on a ascinating visit to the Interpretation Center Fausto Llerena within the Charles Darwin Research Station. After this enriching experience, you'll return to the Yacht for a delicious dinner and the nightly orientation.
DAY 8: FRIDAY
AM: NORTH SEYMOUR / TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT
Very early in the morning you'll embark on an early adventure with a dry landing for a walk along the stunning coast and interior of North Seymour Island. This low, flat island was dramatically uplifted from the sea by underground seismic activity. As you explore, you'll be thrilled to observe blue-footed boobies (nesting from May to November), marine iguanas, pelicans, frigate birds, shore birds, sea lions, and the unique endemic Palo Santo trees.
You'll then return to the Yacht, have a farewell breakfast. Your guide will accompany you to disembark at the pier at Baltra Island on after a short bus ride you reach the airport, just in time to board your flight back to the mainland.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE ITINERARIES MAY CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE DUE TO OPERATIONAL REASONS, WEATHER CONDITIONS, OR DIRECTIVES FROM THE GALAPAGOS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITIES
