Day 1 Baltra Island | Embark | North Seymour
Your private adventure begins with a morning flight to Baltra Island and an immediate transfer to the dock to board La Pinta. There’s an introductory welcome briefing, boat drill, and cabin assignment followed by lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a walk on North Seymour along the coast and the interior of this beautiful flat island, observing numerous bird colonies as well as sea lions and land iguanas. There are opportunities for coastal exploration by dinghy. Embark for an evening briefing, welcome cocktail and dinner.
Day 2 Isabela | Fernandina
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Since there is no landing site at the Vicente Roca Point, explore the coast by panga, while the naturalist guide explains the dramatic geology of the area, with remains of lava flows and tuff stone layers. There is abundant wildlife and, depending on the conditions of the ocean, you may snorkel along the cliffs, hopefully in the company of green sea turtles. In the afternoon, visit the youngest and most pristine island of the archipelago, Fernandina, one of many visitors' all-time favorites. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness and abundant wildlife. Highlights include hawks, penguins, flightless cormorants, and astounding views of the surrounding volcanic landscapes.
Day 3 Isabela
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After breakfast, explore Urbina Bay, on the western side of Isabela Island, which is the result of an uplifting of the ocean floor. Here you can see corals, shells, and large, very colorful Galapagos land iguanas, as well as (occasionally) giant tortoises. Navigating the Bolívar Channel, there is a good chance of spotting several species of whales. On the northwest of Isabela, secluded Tagus Cove provides a favorite anchorage for pirates and whalers over the centuries. An uphill hike takes you to the back of Darwin Crater, which is filled with salt water. Snorkel or ride kayaks amid the dramatic landscape before going on your hike.
Day 4 Rabida | Santa Cruz Island
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
In the morning, visit Rabida Island’s red-colored beach. A stroll along the beach allows you to observe marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers, and several species of Darwin’s finches. This is a great place to snorkel on the beach. For non-snorkelers, you can ride a glass-bottom boat for an exploration of life underneath the waves. The north shore of Santa Cruz hosts the fascinating landscapes of Dragon Hill. Your walk includes circling a brackish water lagoon frequented by lagoon birds, while further inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western islands of the archipelago, as well as the chance to observe land iguanas.
Day 5 Santa Cruz Island
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The morning visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest. These are the Galapagos' headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation, and the National Park administration. A delicious lunch is served at the poolside of the Finch Bay Eco Hotel. After lunch, head up to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island by vehicle. This is a great place to look for the emblematic Darwin’s finches and the endemic Scalesia trees. The highlands are also great for exploring the exuberant vegetation where giant tortoises roam in the wild. This surely is one of the most remembered visits of the whole voyage.
Day 6 Floreana
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After breakfast, land at Post Office Bay and visit the historic barrel that has served as a post office in the archipelago for over two centuries. Panga rides along the maze of channels on Floreana’s north shore can also be enjoyed. Views from La Lobería and the Baroness Viewpoint are quite rewarding. There's great kayaking and swimming from the beach as well. Before reaching Punta Cormorant, snorkel or ride your glass-bottom boat along the coast of an extinct cone called "Champion Islet". Later in the afternoon, a visit to Punta Cormorant takes in an olivine-crystal beach for an easy walk by a brackish water lagoon where bird species like greater flamingos may be observed. On the other side of the island, come to a white-sand beach where sea turtles come out at night to nest.
Day 7 Baltra | Disembark
Your journey ends at Baltra Island. Be transferred to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland. Baltra's flat substrate (due to its uplifted origin) is the reason why the island was chosen back in the 1940s as the location for building an airport.
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