Day 1 Baltra | Embark | Santa Cruz
Land in Baltra and transfer to the EcoGalaxy. Enjoy a welcome drink and lunch before beginning your Galapagos adventure! Your first stop is the Charles Darwin Research Center on Santa Cruz, take a private bus to the entrance of the breeding center where you will see tortoises and land iguanas in captivity. This center is the main breeding site on the islands. Animals that were in danger of extinction on the various islands are maintained in captivity. Thanks to the dedicated work of several institutions, some species are being saved. Here lived Lonesome George, the famous last survivor of the giant tortoise species found on Pinta Island.
Day 2 Moreno Point | Elizabeth Bay
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
In the morning, we will disembark at Moreno Point, which is located near Elizabeth Bay on the west coast of Isabela Island. The plethora of birds seen during a dinghy ride along the striking rocky shores or a hike along a path through lava rocks leading to tide pools and mangroves, create a birdwatcher’s delight. In the tide pools, green sea turtles and white-tip sharks can be spotted.
In the afternoon visit Elizabeth Bay, one of the island’s breeding sites for penguins. Located along the west coast of Isabela, Elizabeth Point is a marine visitor site. Visit Red Mangrove Cove: Brown pelicans, flightless cormorants, spotted eagle rays, golden rays and sea lions are often seen. Dinner
Day 3 Urbina Bay | Tagus Cove, Isabela
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning discover Urbina Bay, this place is located at the base of Alcedo Volcano, between Elizabeth Bay and Tagus Cove. Wet landing. Trail length is around 3.20 Km; during this walk, we will observe land iguanas, hawks and tortoises. It is also possible to see red and blue lobsters.
In the afternoon visit Tagus Cove, located to the west of Darwin Volcano on Isabela Island. While walking, we will find several inscriptions (names of pirates) dating back to the 1800’s. From here, we can see Darwin Lake, a saltwater lake with a depth of approximately 9 m. It contains no fish. It is very common to see a variety of bird species.
Day 4 Fernandina, Espinoza Point | Isabela, Vicente Roca Point
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Begin today at Espinoza Point on Fernandina. Fernandina is the third biggest island in the Galapagos and has only one visiting site: Espinoza Point, famous for the large colonies of marine iguanas and the home of the flightless cormorant, the Galapagos penguin, snakes, and more. From Espinoza Point, you can admire the beauty of Fernandina Island and its volcano which last erupted in May of 2005. Fernandina is the only island that doesn’t have mammals and the open areas are extremely fragile. From January to June, the nesting period of the marine iguana, you take great care when walking.
After lunch, head to Vicente Roca Point is comprised of two separate coves, this site is a large bay with spectacular sea life. Keep an eye out for seahorses, sea turtles, and the strange yet fascinating Mola-mola (sunfish).
Day 5 Santiago, Puerto Egas | Rabida
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Start the day on the black sand beaches of Egas Port where you may find sea lions and marine iguanas sunbathing on the rocks. The unique color of the sand on this beach is due to volcanic tuff deposits.
The visitor site, located on the east coast of Rabida Island, consists of a red sand beach, a coastal lagoon behind the beach, and a loop trail of approximately 1.1 km length.
The red color of the rocks and sand on the beach is due to the interaction of the very porous volcanic material with environmental factors. Rain, salt water and the sea breeze act as oxidizing agents, creating the red color. The scenery, arid zone vegetation and the presence of native and endemic species add to the beauty of this island.
Day 6 Santa Cruz | Baltra
In the morning, visit Black Turtle Cove in northern Santa Cruz. Take a dinghy ride around a beautiful mangrove forest, then into the cove to look for a variety of marine life such as black-tip reef sharks, marine turtles, and a variety of rays.
In the afternoon, transfer to the airport and fly to mainland Ecuador.