Private Thompson Charter

Arrive to the Galapagos and transfer to your ship, the Corals. In the afternoon cruise to Santa Cruz Island and visit the station where the Galapagos giant tortoise breeding program takes place as part of efforts to preserve the fragile Galapagos environment and where the famous Lonesome George (the last surviving specimen of his species) lived for decades. The center is conducted by the Galapagos National Park staff with the collaboration of scientists from the Charles Darwin Station. In addition, the Darwin Station works in several scientific projects, botanical research, providing environmental education to communities, schools within the Islands and tourists. Admire a prickly-pear cactus forest and a variety of Darwin finches and other land birds. If there is enough time visit the town and shop for souvenirs.

Land in Mosquera Islet, located between North Seymour and Baltra Island. This flat, sandy island has a large colony of sea lions. It is also an excellent site to observe shorebirds such as herons and lava gulls. There is no trail on Mosquera Island, so any visitor can enjoy the open area. Most of the islet is covered with sand and barren lava rock. Very little Sesuvium portulacastrum grows on the sand.

In the afternoon visit North Seymour, an island formed by a series of underwater volcanic lava which was deposited in layers on the ocean floor. Take an approximately two-hour walk amidst large nesting colonies of blue-footed boobies, magnificent and great frigate birds, and swallow-tailed gulls for an in-depth encounter with sea bird breeding cycles. Encounter sea lions, land Iguanas, and on a lucky day, you might even come across a Galapagos snake.

This morning enjoy Santa Fe´s white sand beach and find yourself surrounded by a sea lion colony. Continue walking through an endemic cactus forest and search for the endemic Santa Fe land iguana (the largest in the islands). This island is home to a number of endemic species including Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, rice rats, a variety of finches, and one of the four mockingbird species of the Galapagos.

In the afternoon walk through an impressive cactus forest surrounded by the colorful yellow and red land iguanas and marine iguanas and keep a look out for tropicbirds and one of the largest sea lion colonies. Encounter the one and only Galapagos hybrid iguana and stumble upon a bright red landscape which is a characteristic of the island during the dry season.

This morning sail through the northeast of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno to observe the ancient and eroded volcanic tuff lava named Leon Dormido or Kicker Rock it is formed by two rocks approximately 148 m, named for its resemblance of a sleeping lion. It serves as home to many of the typical Galapagos sea animals, such as birds, sea lions, blue and Nazca boobies and frigate. With rare sightings of swallow turtle gulls, tropic birds, and pelicans.
 
Afterwards, land at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and visit the San Cristobal Giant Tortoise Breeding Center to learn about the National Park’s conservation programs. Enjoy a beautiful landscape on the way to the Reserve. You also have the opportunity to visit the village’s port, have a drink or shop for arts and crafts and other souvenirs. 

In the afternoon visit the interpretation center, which is an excellent place to learn about the nature and history of the islands, displaying information of Galapagos volcanic origins, their remoteness from the continent, ocean currents, climate, arrival of the original species, among other points of interest. The human interaction is also showcased, chronologically narrating the most significant events about the colonization of the islands. Afterwards, stop at Tijeretas Hill and join a high-intensity walk amidst beautiful landscapes and a magnificent view at the foot of a frigate bird nesting colony. If there is enough time, plan a town visit. 

Visit Cerro Brujo, an eroding tuff cone that is composed, in several locations, by lava formations, and a beautiful white sand beach which is great for snorkeling and sunbathing. Discover a lagoon where migratory bird species can be seen: black-necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, other sandpiper species, and white-cheeked pintails. Cerro Brujo offers beautiful views of Kicker Rock, the southern part of San Cristobal, and the adjacent coast.

In the afternoon, take a high-intensity hike on rocky terrain. The trail goes through several magnificent viewpoints including an olivine beach of 90 meters long and a path that climbs to the top of a volcanic tuff. This is probably the only site where the three booby species of the Galapagos can be seen together: Nazca, blue-footed, and red-footed, as well as the two species of frigate birds and a sea lion colony. It is also excellent for dinghy rides and snorkeling, where a good range of sea birds can be observed.

This morning visit Española, an island of geological interest. Being one of the oldest in the Galapagos, it has a high percentage of endemism because it is also one of the most isolated in the archipelago. This, and the great variety of wildlife found here makes this site one of the most attractive in the Galapagos. Explore volcanic formations and riveting wildlife: large colonies of sea lion and seabirds including Española mockingbird, Nazca boobies, and the spectacular red-billed tropic bird. You can also encounter singular marine iguanas that have a turquoise color with red in the breeding season, lava lizards, and the colorful Sally Lightfoot crabs.

Hike among Nazca and blue-footed boobies, right up to nesting grounds that sometimes overlap the trail. Other birding favorites include Galapagos dove, Galapagos hawk, swallow-tailed gulls, and the world’s largest colony of waved albatross, an unequivocal highlight during mating season (April-December). Admire the island’s dramatic backdrop, featuring the famous “Soplador”, a seaward blowhole that shoots water at some 23 m (75 ft.) in the air.

In the afternoon land in Gardner Bay, a beautiful white coral sand beach guarded by a colony of sea lions. There are no trails, so you must stay along the shore where you can spot Galapagos hawk, American oystercatcher, Galapagos dove, hood mockingbird, yellow warbler, lava lizards, marine iguanas, and three species of Darwin finches. Swim and snorkel surrounded by a great variety of Galapagos marine wildlife.

This morning stop at Champion Islet and Devil's Crown where you can enjoy a hike from the black mangrove beds to a brackish lagoon, which usually holds one of the largest flamingo populations in the Galapagos. This island features some endemic plants such as Scalesia villosa, white and black mangrove, and holy stick. The trail continues to a beautiful white sandy beach, one of the most important nesting sites of green Pacific sea turtles. It is important to avoid walking in the water due to the sting rays that may be hiding in the sand, which can be dangerous if accidentally stepped on. From the beach, one can spot sea turtles, blue-footed boobies plunging into the water, and small reef sharks floating along the shoreline in the search for food. This coral-sand beach marks the end of your trail, and you must head back to the olivine beach you landed on, to swim or snorkel amongst sea turtles, reef fish, sea lions and, on a good day, white-tipped reef sharks. 

In the afternoon land on the north side of Floreana, and walk to the bay of Post Office, named like this because, in 1793, Captain James Colnett installed a wooden barrel which served as an informal post office for sailors passing through who would take letters with them to their destinations. Place unstamped postcards inside the barrel that should reach their destinations for free. It can take weeks, months, even years, not arrive at all, or even arrive before you! Encounter Darwin finches, yellow warbler, and lava lizards. Snorkel with green pacific sea turtles and on the main beach among playful sea lions.

This morning visit El Chato. In the mountains of Galapagos is possible to admire different kinds of birds, such as tree and ground finches, vermillion flycatchers, paint-billed crakes, yellow warblers, and cattle egrets (usually standing on the tortoises’ shell). The journey to the reserve offers great opportunities to see the contrasts that the island offers in reference to the variety of ecosystems. The road goes from the coast through the agricultural zone and straight up to the dense humid forests. Often, Galapagos Giant Tortoises are also seen on the way, wandering through pastures in the paddocks. This spot is a bird watchers’ haven since almost every land bird present on the island lives or migrates here.

In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador.