Monday

Los Gemelos – Twin Craters (Santa Cruz Island)

Arrival at Baltra Airport and transfer to the Itabaca Channel to take a ferry across to Santa Cruz Island. A 30-minute bus ride to the impressive site known as Los Gemelos (The Twins). These are a series of geological sink holes. Be impressed by the Scalesia forest, consisting of endemic daisies that took the niche of trees, growing to spectacular sizes, and now home to several species of endemic birds, such as the rare woodpecker finch, one of the world´s few tool-using species. We visit the nearby Tortoise reserve, where most of the year we see the giant tortoises in the wild. Lunch at a local restaurant, and then continue to Puerto Ayora.

Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station

Afternoon visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens, including tortoise celebrities like “Lonesome George” within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest home to many land birds. These are the headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation and the National Park administration. Late afternoon stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora before embarking on Yacht Isabela II. Expedition plan for Tuesday, Captain’s welcome cocktail and dinner.

Tuesday

Santa Fe Island

After breakfast, a wet landing on a sandy white beach with many sea lion harems. Bulls vie for the right of “Beach Master”, while smaller males masquerading as females make stealthy mating moves. Galápagos hawks are often easily observed, perched atop salt bushes. The giant prickly pear cactus found here live up to their name with tree-sized trunks! The endemic land iguana, unique to this island, may be spotted during the afternoon walk. Snorkelling, kayaking and/or swimming from the beach rounds off the rewarding experience. Lunch on board.

South Plaza Island

Disembark (dry landing) in the channel between North and South Plaza Islands, where the island tilts toward the water, the approach makes for a lavishly colourful sight! The turquoise waters of the channel contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline. The rocks have grown thick with green seaweed in places, speckled with bright orange ‘Sally Lightfoot’ crabs. Further up the shore a carpet of scarlet sesuvium succulents serves as groundcover for a grove of luminescent green prickly-pear cactus. Yellow-grey land iguanas sit beneath these, waiting patiently for pears to drop. Along the coastline one finds sea lion colonies, while frigates, swallow-tailed gulls and shearwaters glide playing with the thermals that form along the cliffs of this small but amazing island. Wednesday’s expedition plan and dinner.

Wednesday

North Seymour Island

The morning starts with a dry landing for a view of the coast and the interior of North Seymour Island, one of the few uplifted islands in the Galápagos Archipelago. The trail leads guests to explore colonies of blue footed boobies, magnificent frigate birds, and swallowtail gulls. The sandy shore teems with Galápagos sea lions and marine iguanas. Vegetation is made up of cacti, palo santo (torchwood) trees and salt bushes. Advanced snorkelling near the cliffs is possible after the walk. Lunch on board.

Las Bachas (Santa Cruz Island)

After WWII, US military barges were beached and abandoned here. Locals referred to the beach as the barges beach, a name that morphed to “bachas”. Today it is an important nesting area for the east Pacific green sea turtle. Located on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, it is a glorious white beach, with several brackish lagoons only a few steps away from the sea. These lagoons are the feeding grounds of various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos. Swimming and/or snorkelling from the beach. Thursday’s expedition plan and dinner

Thursday

Bartolomé Island

Disembark at Bartolomé Island (dry landing) for a hike to the summit. A great way to start the day! This is a steep climb up a wooden staircase with handrails and several resting and observation stops; the view from the top is worth the effort. Following the walk, a dinghy ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock, is rewarding, followed by time to enjoy the beach (wet landing) and some snorkelling, with possible Galápagos penguin sightings. Guests can also ride on the glass-bottom boat for great views of the underwater world. Lunch on board.

Sullivan Bay (James Island)

After lunch, board the panga for the short trip to the landing site at Sullivan Bay on the east coast of Santiago. Wet landing on a white coral sand beach and begin the walk over lava that flowed less than 100 years ago. This is the perfect place to see and feel the volcanic origin of Galápagos and learn first-hand the initial steps of pioneering plants and animals over recently produced volcanic ground. Memorable scenes of the film Master and Commander where shot at these two locations.

Farewell cocktail and departure briefing before dinner.

Friday

Baltra Island

After breakfast, departure to the port and airport to take the flight back to the mainland.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Itineraries and programme are subject to change without previous notice due mainly to readjustment of the National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes or safety reasons.

Departure	Arrival
Monday 20th of May 2024	Friday 24th of May 2024	[request availability]
Monday 3rd of June 2024	Friday 7th of June 2024	[request availability]
Monday 17th of June 2024	Friday 21st of June 2024	[request availability]
Monday 1st of July 2024	Friday 5th of July 2024	[request availability]
Monday 15th of July 2024	Friday 19th of July 2024	[request availability]
Monday 29th of July 2024	Friday 2nd of August 2024	[request availability]
Monday 12th of August 2024	Friday 16th of August 2024	[request availability]
Monday 26th of August 2024	Friday 30th of August 2024	[request availability]
Monday 9th of September 2024	Friday 13th of September 2024	[request availability]
Monday 23rd of September 2024	Friday 27th of September 2024	[request availability]
Monday 7th of October 2024	Friday 11th of October 2024	[request availability]
Monday 21st of October 2024	Friday 25th of October 2024	[request availability]
Monday 4th of November 2024	Friday 8th of November 2024	[request availability]
Monday 18th of November 2024	Friday 22nd of November 2024	[request availability]
Monday 2nd of December 2024	Friday 6th of December 2024	[request availability]
Monday 16th of December 2024	Friday 20th of December 2024	[request availability]
Monday 30th of December 2024	Friday 3rd of January 2025	[request availability]
Monday 13th of January 2025	Friday 17th of January 2025	[request availability]
Monday 27th of January 2025	Friday 31st of January 2025	[request availability]
Monday 10th of February 2025	Friday 14th of February 2025	[request availability]
Monday 24th of February 2025	Friday 28th of February 2025	[request availability]
Monday 10th of March 2025	Friday 14th of March 2025	[request availability]
Monday 24th of March 2025	Friday 28th of March 2025	[request availability]
Monday 7th of April 2025	Friday 11th of April 2025	[request availability]
Monday 21st of April 2025	Friday 25th of April 2025	[request availability]
Monday 5th of May 2025	Friday 9th of May 2025	[request availability]
Monday 19th of May 2025	Friday 23rd of May 2025	[request availability]
Monday 2nd of June 2025	Friday 6th of June 2025	[request availability]
Monday 16th of June 2025	Friday 20th of June 2025	[request availability]
Monday 30th of June 2025	Friday 4th of July 2025	[request availability]
Monday 14th of July 2025	Friday 18th of July 2025	[request availability]
Monday 28th of July 2025	Friday 1st of August 2025	[request availability]