Itinerary D 8 Days


Day 1: Baltra Airport & Santa Cruz Island: Highlands
You will be transferred to the airport this morning for your flight to Galapagos Islands. The airport is approximately a one-hour drive from the hotel so you should allow for delays. This time will be confirmed by your tour leader at the pre-departure meeting.

On departure from Quito Airport, a US$20 per-person transit card and a US$100 national park entry fee are payable. These transactions can be complicated and time-consuming so please have cash available.
A National Park Guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the catamaran "M.Y Grand queen Beatriz". Lunch will be served on board.

Santa Cruz Island: Highlands

Today you will be visiting Santa Cruz, the second-largest island in the Galapagos. Here you'll see the highlands.
Day 2: North Seymour Island & Mosquera Islet

North Seymour Island

Today's morning excursion will take you to North Seymour. North Seymour's trail traverses the inland and through the island before reaching the coast. The trail takes you past colonies of blue-footed boobies as well as frigate birds. The majestic frigate bird is a large, black bird that has a very long wingspan and a hooked beak. It is fast and excellent at seeing. The large, red pouch at the neck of Frigate birds is a hallmark. The red pouch is a sign of male dominance.

The relationship between frigates and boobies is interesting. Blue-footed blueboobies and frigate birds share the same nesting area at North Seymour. They nest on the ground, using the twigs from the palo Santas trees to make their nests, while the frigate bird nests in the saltbushes just above them.

Mosquera Islet

You will be visiting the small, sandy island of Mosquera after lunch. It's a peaceful, picturesque place. Sally lightfoot crabs, also known as red lava crabs, can be seen hopping around the rocks and in the tide pools, skipping over small bodies of water to find food. The brightly colored shell tops and blue undershells of these crabs contrast beautifully with the black lava.
Day 3: Santa Cruz Island: Black Turtle Cove & Dragon Hill

Black Turtle Cove

Today's excursion will take you to Caleta Tortuga Negra, a mangrove swamp on Santa Cruz Island's north shore. For your first glimpse of the underwater treasures of this area, you will kayak among its tranquil waters. It is also a nursery for Galapagos sharks and rays.

You will also find a lot of birdlife here, including the yellow warblers and lava herons. It is also a nesting area for turtles so you may see them mating.

Dragon Hill

Take a stroll on Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill), this afternoon. This is one of the best spots to see land Iguanas in the Islands. The trail runs from the beach to the ocean. Other sightings include flamingos, marine iguanas and Sally Lightfoot Crabs.
Day 4: Rabida Island & Chinese Hat Islet

Rabida Island

Rabida, also known by the name "Jervis", is a small island located approximately five kilometers south from Santiago. It is one of most impressive archipelago islands. In 1971, introduced species were eliminated. The indigenous wildlife is now in a remarkable state of isolation. Volcanic activity has also produced spectacular colors here, including beaches of red sand, and scarlet cliffs.

The trail takes you to the best place in Galapagos to view flamingos. Rabida is also an excellent place to see nesting pelicans. Pintail ducks, sea lions, and marine iguanas can be found elsewhere.

Chinese Hat Islet

Sombrero Chino, a small island located close to the south-east coast Santiago. It looks like a Chinese hat (Sombrero Chino), when seen from far.
Day 5: Santa Cruz Island: Carrion Point

Carrion Point

Punta Carrion can be found in Santa Cruz's north-eastern region. This cove is shallow and protected, making it ideal for your first snorkel or swim in the Galapagos.

There is plenty of wildlife; keep an eye out for Galapagos herons, Galapagos herons and great blue herons. You can also find underwater swim among the rays and white tipped reef sharks.
Day 6: Isabela Island: Tintoreras, Giant Tortoise Breeding Center & Wall of Tears
Today, you will be waking up on the South Coast Isabela Island. This is the largest Galapagos Archipelago island. Isabela was created by five large volcanic craters that are all still active. It is situated in one of the most youthful geological areas on the planet, and was formed less than 1,000,000 years ago.
The largest number of beaches on the Galapagos' southern coast is found in turquoise waters.

Tintoreras

Las Tintoreras is where you will be visiting. From the viewing platform, you can see the narrow channel and a collection of white-tipped reef sharks sleeping and swimming. There may also be a playful sea lion!

Here, blue-footed boobies, penguins, marine Iguanas, and crabs make their homes. The waters also offer opportunities to swim alongside turtles.

Giant Tortoise Breeding Center & Wall of Tears

You will also see the Giant Tortoise breeding centre and the Wall of Tears. These were constructed out of lava by prisoners of this penal colony between 1946 and 1959 as a punishment. You will need to pay a US$20 entry fee for Isabela Island.
Day 7: Floreana Island: Cormorant Point, Devil´s Crown & Post Office Bay

Floreana, rich in wildlife and natural wonders, is the highlight of any Galapagos cruise.

Cormorant Point

Punta Cormorant is where you will be able to see the fine olivine crystals. This glassy volcanic mineral gives the beach its olive-green color. This is where you can see Galapagos sea-lions.

This is also a great opportunity to see pink Flamingos and other waterbirds wading in the lagoons.

Devil's Crown

The Devil's Crown, an old, eroded volcanic cone, is located just offshore. It's a popular site for seabirds like boobies and pelicans. The rocky crevices are also home to red-billed tropicbirds.
The cone's center is a great spot for snorkeling, and one of the most beautiful in the archipelago. It is full of colorful fish and sea lions.

Post Office Bay

Floreana also houses the Post Office Bay. This is where 18th-century whalers used a barrel to drop off their mail. Visitors to the Galapagos continue to use this custom to this day - you can post your own or check if any are available to deliver home.
Day 8: Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Station & Transfer out
Galapagos flights to the mainland depart in the morning, so it's a good time to get up early for our last day on the islands. The time we spend on our final excursion will depend on when our flight departs. Puerto Ayora, the small town that is the economic heart of the archipelago, is also home of the Charles Darwin Research Station. The museum and visitor center at the station offer great insights for those interested in the archipelago’s natural and historical history and are keen to learn about conservation efforts to preserve the Galapagos' unique ecosystems. We can also see giant tortoises in their natural habitat.

This is your last excursion before you head back to Baltra airport for your return flight to Quito. Please remember to tip your guide and crew if you enjoyed their services. We recommend that each passenger tip US$15 per person for the crew, and US$10 per person for their guide. Tips can be left in envelopes and placed in your cabin at the end of your journey.

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