Begin your Galapagos adventure on the island of Baltra, part of a pair known as the Seymour Islands. Baltra was created by geological uplift and has a variety of endemic species such as salt bushes, prickly pear cactus and palo santo trees. Bird life is also plentiful here, and very entertaining!

Cruise across the Itabaca Channel to Santa Cruz Island, home of the Charles Darwin Station. Here you will have the opportunity to learn about Galapagos protection and conservation efforts before exploring the archipelago. Visit the National Park information center, the Van Staelen Exhibition Hall, and the Breeding and Research Center for Galapagos tortoises.

This morning travel by zodiac to the Tintoreras, a group of small islands just off the coast of Isabela Island. These islands acquired their name from the white-tipped reef sharks that find respite in their shallow waters. Keep a lookout for Galapagos penguins and sea lions who often sun themselves on the Tintoreras' rocky shores.

In the afternoon, disembark in Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island. Venture up the highlands along Sierra Negra's volcanic slope. Arrive eventually at its impressive 5-mile-wide crater, the widest of its kind in the world. From here, admire the fantastic view of the surrounding volcanoes and the island below. Hike on to Chico Volcano for an up-close look at lava formations, the building blocks of the archipelago.

Today you will visit Punta Moreno on the north coast of Isabela Island. Take a trail along a lava flow into a maze of coastal lagoons that provide habitat for a number of mangrove-loving bird species.

This afternoon travel via zodiac to Elizabeth Bay. Boat around the Marielas islets, home of the largest penguin colony in the Galapagos. Admire the mangroves, observe sea turtles, flightless cormorants, schools of Dorado fish, among many others.

Venture to Punta Espinoza this morning, on the northeastern tip of Fernandina. This site is home to some of the more unique species in the Galapagos, including the iconic flightless cormorant. This special bird has adjusted to a predator-less life on the archipelago, adapting to their marine environment in order to find food in the ocean.

In the afternoon, take a zodiac tour of Tagus Cove. The cliffs of Tagus are ideal for spotting the Galapagos penguin and other entertaining sea birds. Embark on a 30 minute hike leading to the top of a cliff that overlooks picturesque Darwin Lake. From here, soak in spectacular views of the surrounding volcanoes and keep an eye out for historic graffiti left on the cliff walls by pirates and whalers.

Spend the morning at Espumilla beach on the northern coast of Santiago Island. This beach is an important sea turtle nesting site and gateway to the beautiful Palo Santo forest.

This afternoon head to the west side of the island for a visit to Puerto Egas. This site is known for its distinctive black sand beaches, formed by volcanic tuff deposits.

Begin the day with a trip to Isla Lobos. Home to a representative variety of native wildlife, Lobos is the perfect place to spot your favorite Galapagos creatures. Traverse the island's vegetative zones, explore volcanic rocks, and relax along the sandy shoreline.

Head to San Cristobal in the afternoon for a visit to Cerro Colorado Tortoise Protection and Growing Center. This is an excellent place to be introduced to the wildlife of the archipelago. Visit the corral, breeding and visitor centers, and take a walk on the interpretive trail, observing tortoises and native birds along the way.

This morning you will cruise to Gardner Bay on the northeastern coast of Española Island. Swim snorkel, kayak, and enjoy the crystal clear waters of the bay.

Move on to Punta Suarez in the afternoon, a rocky outcropping on Española's southern shore. This site provides habitat for the largest, most varied populations of sea birds in the Galapagos. Watch as birds soar along the cliffs, dodging the spectacular water spouts and pounding surf.

In the morning, travel to Punta Cormorant, home of the most impressive flamingo lagoon in the Galapagos. Set between two tuff lava cones, the lagoon provides habitat for a myriad of bird species, in addition to the large flamingo colony. While here, spend time enjoying Florena's two distinctive beaches: the Green Beach and the Flour Sand Beach.

This afternoon embark on a historic excursion to Post Office Bay. In the 18th century, whalers placed a wooden barrel at this site that has served as a post office for mariners and tourists ever since. Continue on to Baroness Lookout, hiking up a gentle slope for a rewarding view of the island below.

Spend the morning exploring Santa Fe, a flat, uplift island, theorized to be the oldest in the Galapagos. Santa Fe is home to many native species including the Galapagos hawk, snake, and mockingbird, as well as iguanas and sea lions. Enjoy a snorkel in Santa Fe's crystalline waters before heading to South Plaza Island.

Plaza, though small in stature, is home to some of the Galapagos' most interesting creatures. Notably, hybrid iguanas are found in abundance here. These species are a cross between marine and land iguanas. The rugged cliffs of the island are also home to a variety of entertaining sea birds.

Disembark on North Seymour this morning, a beautiful, uplifted island strewn with boulders and rich in birdlife. Observe the famous blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigate birds as they perform their fascinating courtship rituals and attend to their nests.

From North Seymour, journey to Bachas Beach in the afternoon. This stunning beach is located on Santa Cruz Island, just west of Turtle Cove. The white sand of Bachas, a product of decomposed coral, is a favorite nesting site for sea turtles.

Begin your day with a visit to Mosquera Islet, situated between Baltra and North Seymour. Its stunning white sand beach is home to a large population of sea lions, shore birds, and colorful crustaceans. This site is ideal for snorkeling and swimming.

Visit Dragon Hill in the afternoon. Located on the northwest side of Santa Cruz, this site features a trail leading to a hyper-saline lagoon, home to a variety of bird species. Take a short walk up the Hill and soak in the stunning view of the islands and bay below.

Today's adventures begin with a trip to Black Turtle Cove. Black Turtle is a unique and secluded destination; a quiet red mangrove lagoon that serves as a nursery for large schools of reef and hammer head sharks, as well as golden and spotted eagle rays. Paddle into the cove and enjoy viewing these fascinating creatures up-close.

Journey on to Chinese Hat in the afternoon. This island derived its name from its distinctly conical shape. Chinese Hat is an ideal destination for viewing volcanic formations, such as lava tubes and flows, and is also home to sea lions, marine iguanas, and Galapagos penguins.

This morning will find you in Darwin Bay, on lovely Genovesa Island. This island is a birdwatcher's paradise, home to an array of species. Enjoy the beautiful white coral beach and wander along a trail through nesting sites and mangrove forests. The trail's terminus is at cliff's edge, rewarding visitors with an incredible view of the island below.

The southern portion of Darwin Bay features El Barranco, a trail leading hikers up to a gorgeous plateau, perfect for admiring the picturesque beach.

Enjoy the morning on Bartolomé Island, touted as one of the most scenic in the archipelago. Reaching an altitude of 114 meters, Bartolomé offers stunning views of the Galapagos' volcanic features, including cones, lunar-like craters, lava fields, and the famous Toba pinnacle.

In the afternoon, travel on to Santiago, a volcanically active island located in the west-central area of the archipelago. Explore Santiago's lava flows, which can still be seen threading across the island, and are even visible from the far reaches of outerspace!

Spend your last morning in the Galapagos exploring the highlands of Santa Cruz. Take a trail through the island, enjoying its distinctive vegetation zones, rolling hills, and extinct volcanic cones.

Before departure, visit Baltra, an uplifted island rich in wildlife and unique in terrain. Enjoy the antics of the marine birds and the beauty of the rocky shoreline as you traverse the island.