Private Charter - Western Islands

You arrive at Baltra Airport, where your guide welcomes you and escorts you to a bus heading to the canal. A ferry carries you across to Santa Cruz Island. You then board a bus for a scenic drive to Los Gemelos, sunken craters offering breathtaking views. Next, you visit a Tortoise Reserve to observe these incredible creatures in their natural habitat and enjoy a delicious lunch.

Afterwards, you explore the Charles Darwin Station, learning about the tortoise breeding program and seeing tortoises at various stages of life. If time allows, you take a leisurely stroll through the charming streets of Puerto Ayora. You then board a dinghy to your yacht, where the friendly crew welcomes you aboard. You enjoy a delightful dinner and settle into your cabin for the night as the yacht begins motoring to its first destination.

Sights: Los Gemelos, Tortoise Reserve, town of Puerto Ayora, Charles Darwin Station, beautiful landscape of the highlands
Activity level: Easy
Activities: Walking at the Tortoise Reserve & Charles Darwin Station
Wildlife you may see: Tortoises, endemic birds, sea lions, marine iguanas, lava lizards, and various marine life off the docks

You start your day with breathtaking views of Sombrero Chino (“Chinese Hat”), a small volcanic island near the southeastern tip of Santiago. After a wet landing on its pristine white sand beach, you encounter the island’s unique wildlife on a guided 1.5-hour walk. Back on Cachalote Explorer, you gear up for your first snorkeling adventure in the canal, swimming alongside sea lions, reef sharks, penguins, rays, and a vibrant array of tropical fish.

You savor a delightful lunch onboard as Cachalote Explorer cruises to Rábida Island, famous for its striking red beaches. Here, you take a 1.5-hour guided walk, spotting flamingos, nesting pelicans, marine iguanas, and a bachelor colony of sea lions. You cap off the afternoon with an invigorating snorkeling session along Rábida’s colorful coast. Back aboard, you unwind with a delicious dinner while your guide recaps the day’s highlights and shares plans for your next adventure. The yacht motors overnight to your next destination.

Sights: Beautiful landscapes of Sombrero Chino and Rabida, various wildlife
Activity level: Easy - moderate
Activities: Walking, hiking, snorkeling
Wildlife you may see: Sea lions, endemic birds, marine iguanas, lava lizards, sharks, rays, sea turtles, penguins, flamingos

Awake to the stunning vistas of Isabela Island’s southern tip, where the charming town of Puerto Villamil awaits. After breakfast, a dinghy ride takes you
to Isabela’s main dock, followed by a scenic bus journey to a trailhead where you will begin your hike to the sulfur mines, which are a part of a network of Sierra
Negra, one of Galapagos’s most active volcanoes. The landscape gradually transforms, where steaming fumaroles release sulfur-rich gases from deep
within the Earth, offering a fascinating glimpse into the island’s volcanic heart.

After, return to Cachalote for lunch before heading back to Villamil. Spend the afternoon visiting the tortoise breeding center, strolling around the flamingo lagoon, and enjoying free time to explore this coastal town at your leisure. After, savor a delicious dinner onboard while your guide recaps the day’s highlights and previews tomorrow's adventures.

Sights: Amazing sights of the sulphur mines, the quaint town of Puerto Villamil, tortoises at the breeding center, and the flamingo lagoon
Activity level: Moderate
Activities: Walking, hiking, snorkeling, kayaking (opt.)
Wildlife you may see: Sea lions, various endemic birds, marine iguanas, vermilion flycatcher, flamingos, penguins, rays, reef sharks, tropical fish

Start your morning with a hearty breakfast before embarking on a scenic dinghy ride around rocks and islets of Western Isabela, home to an array of wildlife, including cormorants, playful sea lions, and Galápagos penguins. Next, explore Punta Moreno with a 1.5-hour guided walk across striking black lava fields, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding volcanoes and unique geological features. Return to Cachalote Explorer to gear up for your first snorkel of the day, where you might encounter sea turtles, seahorses, rays, sharks, and colorful tropical fish.

After a refreshing lunch onboard, continue to Elizabeth Bay. A peaceful dinghy ride takes you through a lush lagoon, where mangroves create a serene sanctuary for sea turtles, rays, penguins, and other marine life. Conclude your day with a delicious dinner and a recap on the day’s highlights. Motor through the night to your next destination.

Sights: Stunning landscapes of Western Isabela, rock and islets teaming with life, Punta Moreno, and Elizabeth Bay
Activity level: Easy - moderate
Activities: Walking, hiking, snorkeling
Wildlife you may see: Tortoises, sea lions, endemic birds, marine iguanas, lava lizards, sea turtles, penguins, rays, reef sharks

Awaken to the sights of Urbina Bay, a fascinating location that emerged from the ocean floor in 1954, leaving remnants of the seabed visible to this day. Embark
on a guided walk along the trail, where you’ll encounter giant tortoises and vibrant land iguanas in their natural habitat. Afterward, enjoy a snorkel directly from the beach. Return to Cachalote Explorer for a delicious lunch before continuing your journey.

In the afternoon, arrive at Tagus Cove, a historic harbor once favored by whalers and pirates, who left their marks by carving names into the cliffs and rocks. Here, take a hike to Darwin’s Crater, a striking saltwater lake surrounded by breathtaking views of the island's volcanic landscapes (approximately a 1-hour walk). Afterward, prepare for an exhilarating dinghy ride or snorkeling session in the cove’s tranquil waters, teeming with marine life. Conclude the day with a satisfying dinner aboard the yacht, followed by a debrief on the day's discoveries.

Sights: Unique sights and remnants of the seabed on Urbina Bay, the historic harbor of Tagus Cove
Activity level: Easy - moderate
Activities: Walking, hiking, snorkeling
Wildlife you may see: Sea lions, tortoises, land and marine iguanas, various endemic birds, various marine life

During the night, motor to Fernandina Island, the youngest and most westerly of the Galapagos Islands, renowned for its active volcanoes. After breakfast, take a dinghy to Punta Espinoza, home to large colonies of marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, Galapagos hawks, and the non-venomous Galapagos snake. Enjoy a leisurely guided walk along flat trails. Return to the yacht to gear up for an exciting snorkel in the bay.

After lunch onboard, the journey continues back to Isabela Island, arriving at Punta Vicente Roca. Known for its towering cliffs, breathtaking vistas, and a hidden cave, this location offers an unforgettable snorkeling experience. Glide along the cliffs and mouth of the cave towards a calm bay where you may encounter resting sea turtles, flightless cormorants, and a variety of marine life. Back on board, change for a scenic circumnavigation of the cliffs, providing up-close views of the dramatic coastline. End the day with a special celebration of crossing the Equator, followed by a delightful dinner.

Sights: Fernandina and its beautiful landscape and marine iguana colonies, Punta Vincente Roca, crossing the equator
Activity level: Easy - moderate
Activities: Walking, hiking, snorkeling
Wildlife you may see: Sea lions, Galapagos Hawk, marine iguanas, Galapagos Snake, Sea turtles, flightless cormorant, penguins

Wake up to the stunning views of Santiago Island. After breakfast, take a dinghy to Playa Espumilla, where golden sands meet lush green mangroves. This serene spot is home to pintail ducks, flamingos, sea turtle nests, and Galapagos hawks. Enjoy a swim or snorkel before heading to Buccaneer’s Cove for a scenic circumnavigation. Once a pirate hideout and a temporary home for Charles Darwin, the cove is teeming with wildlife, including swallow-tailed gulls, fur seals, brown noddies, and pelicans.

Return to the boat for lunch, then journey to Bartolomé Island, renowned for its iconic Pinnacle Rock and breathtaking views. Ascend the stairs to marvel at the panorama. Snorkel around Pinnacle Rock, where you might encounter penguins, rays, sharks, and vibrant tropical fish. End your day with dinner and a debrief on board, enjoying the spectacular scenery as you sail overnight to North Seymour.

Sights: Beautiful landscapes, Pinnacle Rock and 360 views
Activity level: Moderate
Activities: Walking, hiking, stairs, snorkeling
Wildlife you may see: Penguins, sea lions, fur seals, endemic birds: pintail ducks, swallow-tailed gulls, tropical fish, rays, sea turtles

On your final day, before breakfast, take a dinghy ride to North Seymour, a flat island uplifted thousands of years ago that offers a fascinating glimpse into the
Galápagos’ geological history. Set out on a 1.5-hour guided walk among thriving wildlife, including colonies of blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, magnificent and great frigatebirds, and playful sea lions, with the chance to spot reef sharks along the shoreline.

Return to the yacht for breakfast as you cruise toward Baltra Island, where your itinerary comes to an end. Upon arrival, you and your luggage will be transferred to the airport for your departing flight or onward travels.

Sights: Endemic bird colonies and sea life
Activity level: Easy
Activities: dinghy ride
Wildlife you may see: Sea turtles, rays, sharks, endemic birds, great and magnificent frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, various marine life