Northwestern Islands I

Upon arrival at Baltra airport, pass through an airport inspection point to ensure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands, and pay the park entrance fee of $200 (unless it has been prepaid). A guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbor.

At this site, you can observe tortoises that come from various islands of the archipelago. They comply with the captive breeding program and then return to repopulate the areas where their population has been affected. The land iguanas of Santa Cruz, Isabela, and North Seymour are also in a captive breeding program, as the populations in these areas suffer from feral dogs. One of the main attractions is the famous embalmed Lonesome George. Estimated to have died between 93 and 109 years of age, it is recognized as the last of its kind and a symbol of the efforts invested to conserve endangered species. The captive tortoises are used to the presence of visitors, so it's a great place to take photos with them.
Activities: Hiking
Difficulty: Easy

Moreno Point is located on the north coast of Isabela Island, between the volcanos Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul. The trail runs along a solidified pahoehoe lava flow into a complex of coastal lagoons. Its main attractions are several species of birds, which are found around the lakes and mangroves.
Activities: Hiking, Dinghy Ride, and Snorkeling
Difficulty: Moderate

Urbina Bay is located along the west coast of Isabela, between Elizabeth Bay and Tagus Cove. It is close to the base of the Alcedo Volcano. The coastline underwent a significant uplift in 1954, which caused the shore to expand three-quarters of a mile. Corals, shells, and many other calcareous organisms are exposed to water. Urbina Bay is home to large and colorful land iguanas and giant tortoises of the Alcedo Volcano population. A lot of Darwin finches can also be seen.
​Activities: Hiking and Snorkeling
Difficulty: Easy

Fernandina is the third-largest island in the archipelago and has a single visitor site, Punta Espinoza, located at the northeastern tip of the island. Marine iguanas conglomerate in larger groups than on any other island. They bask in the sand, swim near the shore, and sometimes block the way to the landing dock. Among the unique species found here is the flightless cormorant. This bird had to adjust its way of survival and perfect its skills of finding food in the ocean. Their wings, tails, and feet progressively adapted for swimming. To see these birds is to witness evolution right before you.
​Activities: Hiking and Snorkeling
Difficulty: Easy – Moderate

While having lunch, cross the Bolivar Channel for the last time to Vicente Roca Point, just at the mouth of Isabela’s seahorse shape. While entering a dark cave below a spectacular arch, roaring echoes of the waves will accompany you. Just around the corner, the collapsed amphitheater of Volcan Ecuador offers another impressive view. The calmer waters of the coves are well-protected against the ocean swell. They are a relatively cold but great place for snorkeling amongst various species of sharks, penguins, puffer fish, and even seahorses!
Activities: Dinghy Ride and Snorkeling
Difficulty: Easy – Moderated

Egas Port is a black beach located on the west side of Santiago Island. Volcanic tuff deposits have favored the formation of this special black sand beach, which is the main attraction of the Island. This site is called Puerto Egas because Hector Egas attempted to start the exploitation of salt, which failed. After all, the price of salt on the continent was very cheap and did not justify its exploitation in the Galapagos. The project was abandoned, and they left their infrastructure.
Activities: Hiking and Snorkeling
Difficulty: Moderate

Rabida Island is unique because of the red color of the rocks and sand. The volcanic material on this Island is very porous, and external factors such as rain, salt water, and sea breezes have acted as oxidizing agents. A short walk along a trail will lead you to a coastal lagoon behind the beach, which allows for the observation of land birds such as finches, doves, yellow warblers, and mockingbirds. There is also a colony of flamingos at the lagoon.
Activities: Hiking, Kayaking, Dinghy Ride, and Snorkeling
Difficulty: Easy – Moderate

Explore onboard the dinghy the green landscape of Black Turtle Cove, which is mainly composed of mangrove trees that host innumerable aerial and aquatic species. Observe how the quiet emerald lagoon and surrounding shallow bays enable the easy observation of sea turtles and groups of sharks.
Activities: Hiking, Kayaking, Dinghy Ride, and Snorkeling
Difficulty: Easy

Your first excursion will occur this afternoon after 14:00 at Bachas Beach. This is a lovely bay with soft, white coral sand frequently visited by sea turtles to lay their eggs, so please watch your step! After enjoying some leisure time at the beach, you could explore a small lagoon hidden behind some bushes, where occasionally it is possible to observe flamingos, black-necked stilts, and whimbrels. You might also observe some rusty barges abandoned here after WWII when the USA rented this island as a strategic point to protect the Panama Channel from Japan. After two hours on this visit, return onboard.
Activities: Hiking and Snorkeling
Difficulty: Easy

Before landing, take a dinghy ride along the eastern arm of the caldera. As you approach, the soaring 25 m/80 ft high walls become overwhelming. Sometimes, a Galapagos fur seal rests, or a seabird is nesting on one of the ledges at the base. Then, hike and overcome the steep stairs from the landing dock to a bush of palo santo shrubs on top. Red-footed boobies gratefully use these scarce nesting places; so that they don’t have to nest on the rocky ground. Upon arriving at the edge of the rim, the bushes open up, and you can enjoy panoramic views, a strong sea breeze, and the excellent flying skills of countless seabirds. Following the exposed rim, pass first the Nazca boobies and finally reach the extensive storm petrel nesting places, where, if you’re lucky, you can spot the well-camouflaged short-eared owl hunting for food!
Activities: Hiking, Kayaking, Dinghy Ride, and Snorkeling
Difficulty: Easy

Darwin Bay is inside the submerged caldera of Genovesa, with a diameter of more than 1.5 km/1 mi and almost 200 m/650 ft deep. The small area will surprise you repeatedly, walking along a coral sand beach, crossing barren lava formations and creeks, passing tidal pools and shrubs, and, further ahead, following the top of some cliffs. With these peaceful surroundings, every species has occupied its ecological niche (or habitat) without disturbing others.
Activities: Hiking, Kayaking, Dinghy Ride, and Snorkeling
​Difficulty: Easy

The beautiful volcanic islet of Bartholomew is among the youngest of the islands and, on a geological scale, was just recently born out of the fire. Although it looks lifeless at first sight, Bartholomew offers some of the wildest landscapes and best panoramas of the entire archipelago. To enjoy the postcard view of the idyllic “Pinnacle Bay,” you must climb the stairs to the viewpoint atop the island (114 m/375 ft). Enter a dramatic world of threatening (though extinguished) nearby spatter cones, craters, and lightweight lava droplets that fiery fountains have spewed out. The summit trail is also ideal for witnessing how scanty pioneer vegetation, such as lava cactus, struggles to take root in the bare virgin lava fields.
Activities: Hiking, Dinghy Ride, and Snorkeling
Difficulty: Easy

Arriving at Sullivan Bay is like a moon landing. The desolate, sprawling fields seem primarily lifeless, but this island, which is particularly popular among photographers, still offers much to see. There is even some life! Green sea turtles burrow in the small white sand beach, where crabs, blue herons, and oystercatchers can be found.
Activities: Hiking and Snorkeling
Difficulty: Easy

The native scalesia forest of El Chato Tortoise Reserve is the best place to search for Galapagos giant tortoises in their most authentic setting! Despite the exciting breeding centers – where you are guaranteed to find tortoises in their corrals – nothing is better than observing them in their wild environment. Though it can be pretty moist and muddy, your visit may become an adventurous quest when they have silently left their favorite pond. The Twin Craters are found on either side of the road leading to Puerto Ayora. These impressive formations are not volcanic craters and were formed by magma domes, which hardened on the outside while the lava continued flowing inside, leaving huge and empty magma chambers that eventually collapsed, leaving two large holes. The craters lie within a lush scalesia cloud forest, a high-altitude plant species endemic to the Galapagos. This area is also home to the carpenter finch, which uses tools to search for food. There may also be opportunities to see the vermillion flycatcher, a small red-breasted bird.
Activities: Hiking
Difficulty: Easy

After this, transfer to Baltra airport, assisted by the naturalist guide and some crew members.