Eastern & Western Islands

Fly from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island in about two and a half hours. On arrival, meet experienced guides who take you on a brief bus ride to the pier to board the M/V Galapagos Legend.

This site takes its name from World War II barges that sank here, with their remains still visible in the sand. Swim in the clear water, walk along the shoreline, and explore the lagoon behind the high tide line, where you may see wading birds, marine iguanas, and occasionally flamingos. The two beaches also serve as important nesting grounds for green turtles, which often leave track-like marks across 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

In the central highlands of Santa Cruz Island, you have your 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 (Santa Cruz Island)
Visit the Station where the Galapagos giant tortoise breeding program takes place as part of your efforts to preserve the fragile Galapagos environment.
Difficulty Level: Low
Type of terrain: Flat & muddy (depending on the season)
Duration: 1 ½ hour walk
Landing: Dry

North Seymour Island
This flat, uplifting island is an important spot to see both magnificent and great frigatebird males courting the females, and you will also likely see courting blue-footed boobies too. Sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, crashing surf, and distant views of the Daphne Islands top off a great visit.
Difficulty level: Medium
Type of terrain: Rocky and Sandy
Duration: 1 hour 45 min hike, 1 hour glass-bottom, or 1 hour deep snorkeling
Landing: Dry

Considered the most iconic landscape of the entire archipelago, the view from the top of Bartolome Island, overlooking the famous Pinnacle Rock and the austere Santiago Island, may put you face to face with Galapagos penguins, whitetip reef sharks, and playful sea lions during our subsequent snorkel.
Difficulty level: Medium
Type of terrain: Wooden path of 372 stairs
Duration: 45 min hike, 45 min beach snorkeling, or 45 min glass-bottom boat  
Landing:  Dry

Visitors are always totally enthralled by the amazing beds of pahoehoe lava from the recent flow on the island. It is a landscape and macro photographer´s dream. The importance of pioneering plants such as the tiny Mollugo will be discussed as you hike over the lava.
Difficulty level: Medium
Type of terrain: Flat volcanic lava
Duration: 1 ½ hour walk, 1 hour snorkeling,  1 hour beach time, or glass-bottom boat   
Landing:  Dry

This is the only place on the islands where you will enjoy the chance to see all three of the booby species in the same place. The red-foots will be perched on the Cordia lutea and small trees, the Nazcas on the ground near the cliff edge, while the blue-foots will be a little further inland. Frigatebirds will be all around, and the views are breathtaking.
Difficulty level: Medium
Type of terrain: Rocky
Duration: 2-hour hike,  45 min kayaking, 45 min glass-bottom boat, 1 hour beach snorkeling    
Landing:  Wet

From your dinghy ride, as you head to shore, you are first humbled by the immensity of the stunning cliffs of ‘Sorcerer´s Hill’. You can enjoy simply sharing the beach with sea lions, snorkeling from shore, or taking a walk to a hidden lagoon where you might spot black-necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels and white-cheeked pintails.
Difficulty level: Low
Type of terrain: Sandy
Duration: 1 hour walk, 45 min glass-bottom boat, 45 min kayaking, 1 ½ hour beach snorkeling   
Landing:  Dry

In the moist highlands of San Cristobal, you will visit the giant tortoise breeding center “La Galapaguera” to witness the most iconic creature of the archipelago in its various life stages. The tortoises wander in a semi-natural habitat, which lends itself to good photographic opportunities. The aim of the reserve is to help restore populations of the threatened San Cristobal tortoise back into the wild. In town, there are shops to purchase local handicrafts and souvenirs.
Difficulty level: Medium
Type of terrain: Sandy
Duration: 1 hour 15 min visit, 1 ½ hour bus ride round-trip

After the visit, guests will be transferred to San Cristobal Airport for their return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.