DAY 1
AM: Baltra (South Seymour)
Baltra, also known as South Seymour, is located at the north of Santa Cruz Island. It is the home of the archipelago’s main airport and it is famous because it was built during the Second World War by the U.S navy.
The Starting Point of the Adventure
Baltra is a dry island, surrounded by reefs and some beaches. It has very interesting vegetation, such as Cactus Opuntia and other small trees. The island doesn’t have a big hotel infrastructure nor touristic locations. However, this is the place where touristic programs receive their local and foreign visitors to begin the adventure exploring the islands.
PM: Santa Cruz: Bachas Beach
Bachas is the most important beach to see sea turtles, flamingos and migratory birds. Aside from all that, it’s truly a gorgeous place, its clear blue waters will invite you to swim and relax under the sun.
DAY 2
AM: Isabela: Las Tintoreras Islets
Isabela Island has the biggest land territory of Galapagos Islands, and the best possibilities of finding almost many of the things you can find here and there in the other smaller islands.Las Tintoreras is one of these places in which you can see beautiful white-tipped reef sharks and iguana nests, it is a set of small islets with quiet turquoise waters.
Information tips about Las Tintoreras Islets
It is located from a short distance of Puerto Villamil (ten minutes by panga). There are two beaches, somecrevassesand a short trail.
Many kinds of exotic animals live there:white-tipped reef sharks, marine iguanas, marine turtles, herons, Galapagos penguins, sea lions, rays, starfishand more.
Its name comes from the local Spanishword for anabovementioned kind of shark: the white-tipped reef sharks.
Landing in Las Tintoreras is possible during high or low tide, but there is a panga ride around the islets.Swimming is not always allowed, because it alters certain animals that rest there during the day, escaping from nocturnal sharks. The behavior of sea lion colonies may be altered, too. Snorkeling is risky only in some places where the sharks meet in groups, ask your guide.
The second beach, which is full of button and white mangroves, is a favorite ground for marine iguanas to nest and reproduce, as well as some other parts of these islets.
Las Tintoreras is a must-go place. If your trip has to be full of stories, you will take many after you visit it. For example you will be amazed at how many iguanas nest there, ormaybe you will see sharks swimming around, just like "Jaws"!
PM: Isabela: Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Center
1.5 kilometers from Puerto Villamil connect you to Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Center. Many tortoise species from South Isabela have been reproduced from 1994 to preserve their lives from a near extinction. More than 300 tortoises live in captivity, but safe from hunters and other dangers such as food competitions or the attempts for surviving.
Information tips about "Arnaldo Tupiza" Breeding Center
From all the islands that form Galapagos, Isabela is the only one that has many tortoise species at the same place: the Breeding Center.
Surrounding it, you can find many plants and some animals such as marine iguanas or flamingoes. You can also find introduced wasps, so don’t wear bright colors such as yellow or orange.
There you will be able to see the stages a tortoise goes through: from becoming an egg, then a hatchling, a juvenile and finally growing up as an adult.
Tortoises stay in captivity here because they are vulnerable to many attacks from themselves for food, from other animals to save their own lives and from the not-so-sapiens human beings who hunt them, sometimes to have an exotic prize and other times to eat them or keep them captive in other places around the world. When they are independent enough, they are freed to live in the wild.
4 Galapagos males and 2 Galapagos females are the only survivors from Cerro Paloma tortoise population: one of these females is infertile; the other one had 9 breed saviors in 1998.
Tortoises in the Breeding Center are treated as kings and queens. They are prehistoric animals that live in peace, trying to survivelike most of us do. When coming here, remember they are endangered! Treat them with respect!
DAY 3
AM: Floreana: Cormorant Point
Cormorant Point’s visiting landing spot is located to the north coast of the Floreana Island. The Path is a walk of approximately 720 meters. The path passes through a lagoon, several watching spot from where you can take astonishing pictures of the landscape and a soft sand beach where you will be able to relax and enjoy a nice time in the island.
AM: Floreana: The Devil’s Crown
You may already know thatmost places in Galapagos Islands allow you to practice snorkeling. Well, La Corona del Diablo is, if not the best, one of the best places to do it! The Devil’s Crown is a volcanic crater which has suffered erosion from the waves. There is also a coral reef that attracts many marine species, and many sites to take a shot.
Information tips about The Devil’s Crown
The Devil’s Crown is located off the northern coast of Floreana Island. It has a set of rocks and a coral reef.
The coral reef hides underneath the waters a big variety of species: eagle rays, white-tipped sharks, several kinds of fish schools (balloon fish, King Angel fish, hawkfish…) turtles, hammerhead sharks, and more.Bring an underwater camera, you cannot miss this natural show!
The origin of its name comes from the round shape that its set of rocks has. It is also a little dangerous for amateur snorkelers, and the experimented ones may find it quite entertaining –but still dangerous-.
Landing is the red-light activity here, it is not allowed. But snorkeling is the green-light activity: if you are a good swimmer and snorkeling is your passion, get ready and bring the best gears with you. The waters are strong, be careful.
This place is founded on the remaining rocks of a volcano.
The Devil’s Crown is just the opposite to its name reference: you will feel not in hell, but in heaven, when you discover the underwater treasures. Remember to get ready: adventure in this place could have a high price if not!
PM: Floreana: Post Office Bay
Post Office Bay is a historic location that remind us of the whalers time, when they used to go to the Galapagos to get some fresh water and take turtle meat with them. The story goes that on this place, the captain of some whaling boat placed a barrel in the XVIII century so that those who passed through the island, left their mails and took with them the ones that had their destination.
DAY 4
AM: Española: Suarez Point
Suarez Point is located to the western coast of the Española Island, the oldest island in the archipelago which is approximately five million years old. It’s one of the Galapagos’ most attractive and popular places. Make sure to visit it while on your cruise trip.
AM: Española: Gardner Bay
Gardner Bay is located at the east of the Española Island in the Galapagos archipelago. It’s a white coral beach filled with sea wolves. It’s the ideal place to go swimming and for skin diving. This not only guaranty a fun and relaxing time in the white sand and clear water of the Bay, but it will also give you the chance to see several marine species up close.
This Bay is composed by two beaches that, because of their location in the Española Island are the perfect place to observe the albatrosses while they make their fantastic mating rituals and nest from April to December.
PM: Española: Osborn Islet
One of the oldest islands in Galapagos Archipelago is Española Island, which is also one of the best islands for birdwatching. Better known in English as “Hood Island”, Española Island has two main sites to visit: Gardner Bay and Suarez Point (Punta Suárez). But there is also a place that not so many know and is full of natural views and animal species: Osborn Islet. It is one of the least known places in Galapagos Islands, but if you love snorkeling you will have lots of fun!
Information tips about Osborn Islet
Osborn Islet is located to the southeast of Gardner Bay,nearbyEspañola Island. You will get there by panga (dinghy) and there are no trails or main attractions, only the panoramic views or the many species that inhabit the place.
The islet was named after Henry Fairfield Osborn, a true lover of nature and species. William Beebe worked for him and named the islet after traveling to discover Galapagos.
There are many different schools of fish and many sea species, such as parrot fish, sea lions, butterfly fish, corals, green pencil urchins and many other colorful fish.
You are not allowed to land, but you can swim and practice snorkeling due to the many species that live there. You must be an experimented open water diver to stay underwater.
Osborn Islet is a small place, but you can snorkel around many sea lionsthat want to meet you. Remember you must know very well swimming and diving to access these activities!
DAY 5
AM: Baltra (South Seymour)
Baltra, also known as South Seymour, is located at the north of Santa Cruz Island. It is the home of the archipelago’s main airport and it is famous because it was built during the Second World War by the U.S navy.
The Starting Point of the Adventure
Baltra is a dry island, surrounded by reefs and some beaches. It has very interesting vegetation, such as Cactus Opuntia and other small trees. The island doesn’t have a big hotel infrastructure nor touristic locations. However, this is the place where touristic programs receive their local and foreign visitors to begin the adventure exploring the islands.
PM: Santa Cruz: El Chato Tortoise Reserve
La Caseta and El Chato are the two ways to enter a wonderful place: El Chato Tortoise Reserve, in Santa Cruz Island. This site offers you the opportunity of viewing giant tortoises closely, apart from enjoying lots of vegetation. There are some private farms in which you may enjoy the traditional dishes from the area. You can arrive there by Salasaca Town, too.
PM: Isabela: Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Center
1.5 kilometers from Puerto Villamil connect you to Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Center. Many tortoise species from South Isabela have been reproduced from 1994 to preserve their lives from a near extinction. More than 300 tortoises live in captivity, but safe from hunters and other dangers such as food competitions or the attempts for surviving.
Information tips about "Arnaldo Tupiza" Breeding Center
From all the islands that form Galapagos, Isabela is the only one that has many tortoise species at the same place: the Breeding Center.
Surrounding it, you can find many plants and some animals such as marine iguanas or flamingoes. You can also find introduced wasps, so don’t wear bright colors such as yellow or orange.
There you will be able to see the stages a tortoise goes through: from becoming an egg, then a hatchling, a juvenile and finally growing up as an adult.
Tortoises stay in captivity here because they are vulnerable to many attacks from themselves for food, from other animals to save their own lives and from the not-so-sapiens human beings who hunt them, sometimes to have an exotic prize and other times to eat them or keep them captive in other places around the world. When they are independent enough, they are freed to live in the wild.
4 Galapagos males and 2 Galapagos females are the only survivors from Cerro Paloma tortoise population: one of these females is infertile; the other one had 9 breed saviors in 1998.
Tortoises in the Breeding Center are treated as kings and queens. They are prehistoric animals that live in peace, trying to survivelike most of us do. When coming here, remember they are endangered! Treat them with respect!
DAY 6
AM: San Cristóbal: Pitt Point
If you want to discover the only place in which two species of birds and their subspecies can be found simultaneously, you must visit Punta Pitt. Pitt Point, as it is known in English, is a place in San Cristobal Island made of volcanic tuff, and the species are protected by an experimented staff from non-native animals –such as cats and rats- that could endanger them.
Information tips about Pitt Point
Pitt Point is located on a far shore from San Cristóbal, to the eastern end. It has a trail and an islet, Pitt Islet.The trail has an olivine beach and a route that takes you to a volcanic hill.
Vegetation is very rich here: you can find some kinds of shrubs, saltbush, cacti,Palo Santo trees,and some more. The landscapes are pretty.
You will find the two existent types of frigatebirds: swallow-tailed gulls and storm petrels. This is the only site you can also find the three existent types of booby birds: red-footed, Nazca and blue-footed boobies. It is a sea lion colony, and you can find endemic species like the lava lizard.
You can dive here: if you know how to dive, you will find many schools of fish such as snappers, Galapago grunts, jacks and maybe some diving boobies or whale sharks.
Pitt Point is made of volcanic tuff and erosion has made a part due to the strong winds.
Pitt Point is a place full of beautiful species apart from the abovementioned. If you dive, you will find more beautifulness, but you will be doubtful whether the best views are on the surface or underwater.This is a must-go spot!
PM: San Cristóbal: Brujo Hill
Brujo Hill is a beautiful white coral beach where you can got to swim and observe birds and sea lions. Moreover, you will be also able to practice skin diving. The beach is located to the north coast of the San Cristóbal Island. Around the beach you can see sea birds like the blue footed booby, Nazca booby, heron, frigates and coast birds.
Brujo Hill is a tuff cone that has gone through erosion and it’s composed in several parts of lava. This is one of the most beautiful white coral beaches in San Cristóbal. This is particularly famous because it was the first coast Charles Darwin ever stood foot upon in 1835.
DAY 7
AM: Santa Fe
In the middle of the Galapagos archipelago, we find Santa Fe Island which is also called Barrington Island after Admiral Samuel Barrington. Even when it’s a small island (9m²) it is one of the oldest; volcanic rocks of about 4 million years old have been discovered. Therefore, visitors will have the chance to step on ancient ground while exploring its rich vegetation which is characterized by Palo Santo trees, brush, and a large variety of the cactus Opuntia echios.
PM: South Plaza
The east coast of Santa Cruz is home to a small island called South Plaza. It has an area of 0.13 km and a maximum altitude of 23 meters. In despite of its small terrain, it is known for its amazing flora and for its large number of species.
DAY 8
AM: Black Turtle Cove
To the northeast of the Santa Cruz Island there’s the Black Turtle Cove. It’s known for having a huge mangroves extension. This is one of the places where several marine species reproduce, such as the black and green sea turtles. Here you can see three different kinds of sharks: the black-tip shark, the Galapagos shark and the famous blue shark. In some occasion you can also see stingrays. Read along and find out more about this amazing place.
Speedboat Ride
You cannot land on Black Turtle Cove, to explore it, a speedboat ride will be necessary. From there, you will have the opportunity to take amazing pictures of exotic animals in their natural habitat. Those will be memories you will have with you forever to remember this amazing trip.
PM: Baltra (South Seymour)
Baltra, also known as South Seymour, is located at the north of Santa Cruz Island. It is the home of the archipelago’s main airport and it is famous because it was built during the Second World War by the U.S navy.
The Starting Point of the Adventure
Baltra is a dry island, surrounded by reefs and some beaches. It has very interesting vegetation, such as Cactus Opuntia and other small trees. The island doesn’t have a big hotel infrastructure nor touristic locations. However, this is the place where touristic programs receive their local and foreign visitors to begin the adventure exploring the islands.
