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Detailed Galapagos Itinerary
DAY 3: BEGIN GALAPAGOS VOYAGE
Private transfer in the morning to the domestic airport for the 2 hour flight to the Galapagos. Upon arrival, meet your naturalist guide and transfer to the vessel. The ship's crew will greet you on board, take care of your luggage, and run through safety drills. Enjoy fresh fruit drinks as the yacht makes her way to the first site visit. As the sun sets, enjoy a typical Ecuadorian meal, the nightly briefing, and a formal presentation of the captain and crew. During the rest of this week, you will leisurely voyage through the stunning Galapagos Islands, among a varied landscape of diverse flora and fauna. Overnight on the Eric, Flamingo, or Letty. [BLD]
DAY 4: TOWER: PRINCE PHILLIPS STEPS/DARWIN BAY BEACH
Darwin Bay is the former caldera of a collapsed volcano with steep, soaring walls. Known as the bird island, Genovese features a wealth of avian species including great frigatebirds, herons, mockingbirds, boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, storm petrals, and Darwin's finches. This afternoon, you may kayak or ride the dinghy below the steep cliffs to view birds nesting in the narrow rock crevices. Red-billed Tropicbirds, as well as Masked and Red-Footed Boobies are usually seen on the hike up Prince Phillip's Steps to the high plateau. The path meanders through a Palo Santo forest before emerging on the other side of the island. Snorkeling in the submerged caldera is excellent, as the high nutrient content of the water attracts abundant sea life. Overnight on the Eric, Flamingo, or Letty. [BLD]
DAY 5: FERNANDINA: PUNTA ESPINOZA/ISABELA: TAGUS COVE
This morning we will arrive at Fernandina Island, which is the youngest and westernmost island in the Galapagos. Punta Espinoza is a narrow stretch of land where some of the most unique Galapagos species can be seen including sally lightfoot crabs, penguins, and marine iguanas. While the panga driver skillfully navigates the reef to reach the landing site near a small mangrove forest, watch penguins throw themselves off the rocks into the water. Marine iguanas are everywhere: basking in the sand, swimming near the shore, grazing on the exposed seaweed, and blocking the way at the landing dock. This is also one of the few places where you can watch them feed underwater. A short boat ride mid-day through Bolivar Channel will bring us to Tagus Cove. Whales and dolphins are often seen here. Tagus Cove was historically used as an anchoring site for pirates and whalers. The nature trail is an ascent through the typical dry vegetation zone and offers spectacular views of Darwin Lake, a saltwater crater lake connected to the sea by a narrow inlet. At the top of the trail it is possible to observe the different vegetation zones, catch a glimpse of Darwin and Wolf Volcanoes, and see Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, and pelicans. Fernandina is the youngest and westernmost island in the Galapagos. Stay overnight on the Eric, Flamingo, or Letty. [BLD]
DAY 6: SANTIAGO: PUERTO EGAS/SOMBRERO CHINO
Landing at the beautiful black sand beach of Puerto Egas, we will hike through the dry interior while observing land birds like hawks, doves, and finches before reaching the coastline. Deep blue-green grottos shelter sea lions and night herons, as well as invertebrate organisms like the sea urchin, octopus, and starfish. This is one of the only places in the Galapagos to spot fur seals, and marine iguanas basking on the black lava rocks. Before returning to the yacht, you may decide to snorkel with a wide array of tropical fish, or use the kayaks to explore the marine life without getting wet. During lunch the yacht will motor to the other side of the island passing by beautifully scenic landscapes. Located off the Southern tip (Santiago) is the Sombrero Chino, or "Chinese Hat." After a wet beach landing among the sea lion colonies, the trail gives way to a primeval landscape of volcanic rubble including cracked lava formations and lava tubes. Mingle with marine iguanas and watch pairs of oystercatchers hunt on the beach. Photographers will love this locations, as it is ripe with beautiful shots at every turn. Enjoy a delicious dinner aboard your yacht while anchored in a calm protected area. Overnight on the Eric, Flamingo, or Letty. [BLD]
DAY 7: SANTIAGO: BARTOLOME/NORTH SEYMOUR
In the morning, visit Pinnacle Rock on Bartolome Island where penguins are often spotted. Hike 30 minutes up to the summit of the once active volcano for spectacular views of pinnacle Rock, the white-sand beaches, lush mangrove swamps, and various volcanic formations. Watch for pelicans and Galapagos Hawks. In the afternoon, after arriving at North Seymous Island - a small geological uplift - we will follow a trail that leads us amongst swallow tailed gulls, blue-footed boobies, and the endemic land iguanas. Visit the largest colony of magnificent frigate birds found in Galapagos. As we stroll along the beach, we find marine iguanas and sea lions surfing on the northern swells. After the walk you may decide to take a short snorkeling excursion offered in deep water. Passengers who have purchased the optional dive package will do two dives in lieu of visiting North Seymour Island. Overnight on the Eric, Flamingo, or Letty. [BLD]
DAY 8: SANTA CRUZ: DARWIN STATION/HIGHLANDS
Visit the famous Charles Darwin Station on Santa Cruz Island and learn about current research and conservation initiatives taking place that include breeding programs to reintroduce specific tortoise species back onto the island of their origin. Meet Lonesome George, possibly the oldest resident of Galapagos and the last surviving individual giant tortoise of his Pinta Island sub-species. In the lush green highlands we will explore lava tubes and pit craters, and look for giant tortoises in the wild. Enjoy a typical Ecuadorian lunch at a local restauratn. Overnight on the Eric, Flamingo, or Letty. [BLD]
DAY 9: ESPANOLA: PUNTA SUAREZ/GARDNER BAY
Relax on the beach with the sea lions at Gardner Bay. Snorkeling from shore you will find plenty of beautiful fish as well as harmless nurse sharks and sea turtles. Due to its isolation, Espanola has a high number of endemic species found only on this island. We will visit the nesting site of 10-12,000 pairs of Waved albatross (April-December). At 1 meter height with a 2 meter wingspan, the albatross are one of the most impressive and comical aerial acrobats in the world. They are found nowhere else on Earth. Punta Suarez is an outstanding opportunity to see more wildlife including five species of nesting seabirds like the Hood Island mockingbirds, Galapagos doves, and Galapagos hawks. Prehistoric looking Marine iguanas and giant lava lizards roam the terrain. A short hike leads to the Blowhole, a fissure in the lava cliffs which blasts incoming breakers into geysers over 90 feet high. Overnight on the Eric, Flamingo, or Letty. [BLD]
