Day 1 Embark in San Cristobal
San Cristobal is the easternmost island in the Galapagos archipelago and, geologically, one of the oldest. Spot nesting colonies of frigatebirds and cruise around Kicker Rock, a cone formation which rises nearly 500 feet out of the sea.
Day 2 San Cristobal
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Arrive at Cerro Brujo, a breathtaking white coral beach. Cerro Brujo is considered to be one of the most pristine in the Galapagos Islands and is ideal for birders and short walks. Snorkel or swim with sea lions or take a Zodiac ride.
Day 3 Espanola
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Punta Suarez, Espanola, offers the highest range of endemic species in Galapagos. Land on the beach as sea lions greet and observe your movements. Colonies of blue-footed boobies are found engaging in sky-pointing, a technique used to show off for future mates. Snorkel and swim with sea lions in the shallows or sit on the beach and observe Sally Light-foot crabs skirt across the lava rocks.
Day 4 Floreana
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Step ashore at Punta Cormorant, one of the only populated islands in the Galapagos archipelago. This island is intriguing, presenting a rich human history with that of the animals. Hike along a trail towards a lagoon, home to several species of birds including the greater flamingo. Sea turtles lay their eggs in sand dunes and rays swim and occasionally jump in the shallow water. Snorkel at Devil’s Crown or Champion, shallow sunken craters known for their fish and coral inhabitants.
Day 5 Santa Cruz Island
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Travel by bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. Watch as the scenery changes, eventually covering each of the seven vegetation zones represented in the Galapagos. Visit Las Primicias, a private farm where you can encounter giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Stop at the tunnels, the largest lava tubes found in Galapagos, then visit the Charles Darwin Research Station.
Day 6 Santa Cruz Island | Bartolome | Chinese Hat
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Stop at Bartolome, an island which is largely inhospitable to most plants and wildlife. Hike a 30-minute-trail to the summit of a dormant volcano. Admire lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones caused by old eruptions. Snorkel in the clear water with schools of tropical fish and Galapagos penguins or take a ride on the zodiac.
Travel to Sombrero Chino (Chinese Hat) which owes its name to its unique hat-like shape. Explore a sea lion colony and take a seaside trail through the island's volcanic landscape.
Day 7 South Plaza Island | North Seymour
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Visit South Plaza, a small geological uplift with tall cliffs, featuring spectacular views. Take a trail through prickly pear or Opuntia and Sesuvium forests, often finding Galapagos land iguanas feeding on cactus leaves. Encounter a colony of bachelor sea lions and observe their rights of power. These dominant bulls are in various stages of recovery from battles lost over prime beach territory.
Day 8 Disembark in San Cristobal
Visit the Interpretation Center and gain a more complete understanding of the natural and human history of the Islands.
In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your connecting flight to the mainland.
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