West & Central Islands

Departing from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island in a 2:30-hour flight.  Upon arrival in the Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by the knowledgeable guides and taken on a 10-minute bus ride to the pier to board the M/V Galapagos Legend.

Reach the north coast of Santa Cruz Island by boat to explore a mangrove-lined lagoon with four distinct species. Watch turtles surface for air as fish and rays swim below. Spot white-tipped reef sharks under the vessel and look for seabirds such as pelicans, herons, and egrets. This protected area serves as a designated turtle sanctuary.
Highlights: Giant tortoises, tree & ground Darwin finches.
Difficulty Level: Low
Type of terrain: None
Duration: 1 hour dinghy ride
Landing: None

See the diverse marine life sheltering in the cracks of the lava cliffs. Watch Red-billed Tropicbirds overhead and look for a small group of fur seals near the landing area. Step onto a steep rock stairway leading to a trail through a nesting colony of Nazca and Red-footed Boobies.
Difficulty Level: Medium
Type of terrain: Rocky - lava
Duration: 1 hour dinghy ride
Landing: Dry

Land on a sandy beach inside the flooded caldera of Tower Island. Spot swallow-tailed gulls along the shore and follow the trail to see nesting red-footed boobies and great frigatebirds.
Difficulty Level: Medium
Type of terrain: Sandy
Duration: 45 min kayaking, 1 hour 15 min hike, 45 min glass bottom boat or, 1 hour deep or beach snorkeling.
Landing: Wet

Sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, and land iguanas are all present at the landing site. The small island is covered with a carpet of a red succulent studded with Opuntia cacti. At the cliff edge, spend time watching birds like frigatebirds, flocks of Galapagos shearwaters, and of particular note, flights of displaying red-billed tropicbirds.
Difficulty Level: Medium
Type of terrain: Rocky
Duration: 2 hours hike
Landing: Dry

After a fabulous snorkel in the turquoise waters of the protected bay, you may have enjoyed time with sea lions, turtles, reef sharks, and spotted eagle rays. Landing on a sandy beach, spend time watching the abundant sea lions there with you. Begin a walk past a forest of island-endemic giant Opuntia cacti, and you can watch the Santa Fe land Iguana.
Difficulty Level: Medium
Type of terrain: Rocky
Duration: 30 min kayaking, 1 hour 45 min hike, 1 hour deep snorkeling, 45 min glass-bottom boat.
Landing: Wet
 

In the central highlands of Santa Cruz Island, you have our best opportunity to interact at close quarters with totally wild Galapagos giant tortoises. A short walk among these huge, 600lb, reptiles will also offer the chance for more highland species, especially several species of the famed finches.

Charles Darwin Research Station
Visit the Station where the Galapagos giant tortoise breeding program takes place as part of our efforts to preserve the fragile Galapagos environment.
Difficulty level: Low
Type of terrain: flat & muddy (depending on the season)
Duration: 1 ½ hour walk, 1 hour visit 
Landing:  Dry

Named for some wrecked World War II barges whose ribs are still visible in the sand, this visitor site offers great swimming, a lovely walk along the shore, and a visit to a lagoon behind the high tide line with wading birds, marine iguanas, and sometimes even flamingoes. The two beaches are also favorite nesting sites for green turtles, which often leave tractor-like tracks in the sand.
Landing: Wet

Walk along Egas Port’s black volcanic sand, shaped by the island’s rugged shoreline. Look for wildlife that lives between land and sea, including a small colony of Galapagos fur seals near the end of the trail.
Difficulty Level: Medium
Type of terrain: Flat / Semi-rocky
Duration: 1 ½ hour walk or 1 hour snorkeling
Landing: Wet

On Rabida Island, step onto a distinctive red-sand beach at the center of the archipelago. See sea lions along the shore and search for mockingbirds, finches, Galapagos doves, and vermilion flycatchers. Follow a path through palo santo trees and cactus stands to reach a viewpoint overlooking the bay.
Difficulty Level: Medium
Type of terrain: Flat / Semi-rocky
Duration: 1 ½ hour walk, 1 hour snorkeling, 30 min kayaking, or 30 min glass-bottom boat
Landing: Wet

At the far end of a long, level hike, you arrive at a strange phenomenon where large blocks of coral lie completely exposed after a dramatic geological uplift in 1954. Located at the western base of Alcedo Volcano, you hope to run into a few very impressive land iguanas as well as some of the volcano´s endemic Galapagos giant tortoises during the wet season.
Difficulty Level: Medium
Type of terrain: Flat / Semi-rocky
Duration: 1 ½ hour walk, 1 hour snorkeling
Landing: Wet

Tagus Cove, a historic pirate hideout and anchorage. Visited by Charles Darwin and the HMS Beagle in 1835. Hike past Darwin Lake and the stunning volcanic landscape, revealing Isabela Island's dramatic northern volcanoes. Snorkel along a submerged wall with turtles, fish, penguins, and flightless cormorants. Enjoy a panga ride or kayak for added excitement!
Difficulty Level: Medium, High
Type of terrain: Steep
Duration: 2-hour hike, 1 hour snorkeling, 30 min kayaking, or 30 min glass-bottom boat
Landing: Dry

Pristine Fernandina, the marine iguana capital. Its desolate volcanic backdrop hosts a massive concentration of these enigmatic reptiles. Surprisingly, Galapagos penguins share the same shoreline. Snorkeling offers an exciting opportunity to witness marine iguanas feeding underwater, alongside penguins, turtles, and unique flightless cormorants.
Difficulty Level: Medium
Type of terrain: Flat / Semi-rocky
Duration: 1 ½ hour hike, 1 hour snorkeling, 30 min glass-bottom boat
Landing: Dry

Spectacular site, surrounded by immense cliffs of an eroded volcano. Studded with resting seabirds like brown noddies and Nazca boobies. Superb snorkeling with unique fish species. Swim with penguins and green turtles.
Difficulty Level: Medium
Type of terrain: Flat / Semi-rocky
Duration: 1 hour snorkeling, 30 min Dinghy Ride
Landing: None

The Pit Craters, geologically speaking, were not directly formed by volcanic action. They were created as a result of the collapse or sinking of surface materials into cracks or manholes. It’s a great place to spot vermilion flycatchers as we walk inside an endemic Scalesia forest. Great opportunity to observe giant tortoises.
Difficulty Level: Low
Type of terrain: Flat & muddy (depending on the season)
Duration: 1 hour walk | 45 mins drive
Landing: Dry

After the visit, passengers will be transferred to Baltra Airport for their return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.