Volcanic Wonder Western & Northern Route

Upon reaching Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (SCY) on San Cristobal Island, our guides will be ready to accompany you to the expedition yacht. After a brief bus ride to the dock, followed by a Zodiac transfer to the anchored yacht in the bay, you will be escorted to your cabin and treated to a delightful lunch. Following lunch, there will be a welcome briefing and a short safety demonstration. You will then have the opportunity to select your snorkeling equipment and wetsuit for the week. Take some time to settle in before the yacht sets sail from the harbor.

Within a few hours, we will reach Leon Dormido (Spanish for "sleeping lion"), a towering remnant of a vertical tuff cone rising 500 feet from the ocean. The rock's unique erosion patterns make it an ideal backdrop for capturing sunset photographs. As we sail around the formation, you'll have the chance to observe blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, and frigatebirds nesting on the cliffs. Following a briefing on the next day's activities, you are invited to join our Captain and crew for a cocktail reception. An elegant multi-course dinner, skillfully prepared by our chefs, will be served for your enjoyment.

In the morning, you will reach Prince Philip’s Steps on Genovesa (Tower) Island, renowned as one of the most impressive birdwatching spots in the Galapagos due to its diverse avian species. Throughout the day, be prepared with your camera as our guides will point out red-footed boobies nesting in palo santo trees, Nazca boobies along the trail, and storm petrels gathering in large numbers in an open lava field. With some luck, you may even catch a glimpse of the elusive short-eared owl. Weather permitting, lunch will be served on deck featuring grilled seafood, along with a cooking demonstration on how to prepare Ecuadorian ceviche. You'll have the option to explore the cliffs up close by kayak or stand-up paddleboard, or participate in a deep-water snorkeling excursion from the Zodiac. Keep an eye out for the red-billed tropic bird hiding in the rock crevices.