| Day | Visitor Site |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | AM - Arrival in San Cristobal and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno |
| PM - Galapaguera Cerro Colorado (San Cristobal) | |
| Wednesday | AM - Prince Phillip Steps (Genovesa) |
| PM - Darwin Bay (Genovesa) | |
| Thursday | AM - Buccaneer Cove (Santiago) |
| PM - Puerto Egas (Santiago) | |
| Friday | AM - Punta Espinoza (Fernandina) |
| PM - Tagus Cove (Isabela) | |
| Saturday | AM - Urbina Bay (Isabela) |
| PM - Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela) | |
| Sunday | AM - Rabida |
| PM - Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz) | |
| Monday | Tour Ends. Transfer to Baltra airport |
Tuesday
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristóbal Island)
Landing at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno´s airport. Transfer to the dock and Isabela II. Check in, introductory briefing and lunch on board.
Galapaguera Cerro Colorado (San Cristóbal Island)
After lunch, dry landing at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, and a 40-minute bus ride to the south shore of the island, passing the historical highlands of San Cristobal island. At Cerro Colorado, visit the breeding centre of the highly endangered giant tortoises in the midst of a fantastic deciduous forest, home to dozens of bird species and the endemic San Cristóbal lava lizard. Back on board late afternoon for a welcome cocktail, briefing and dinner.
Wednesday
Prince Philip’s Steps (Tower/Genovesa Island)
Overnight navigation northbound to the incredible bird island, Genovesa, crossing the equator on the way. The morning starts with a very interesting panga ride along the cliffs and then disembark (dry landing) on rocks for a steep climb (90 feet) up some stairs. Once at the top of the stairs, the land is flat, allowing for a stimulating walk of about a mile to the other side of this small island, observing large colonies of Nazca boobies, red footed boobies, great frigate birds and storm petrels. Those not wishing to disembark can enjoy a longer panga ride along the cliffs. Snorkelling is possible, paddling kayaks, or riding the glass bottom boat. Lunch on board.
Darwin Bay (Tower/Genovesa Island)
In the afternoon, a wet landing for an easy stroll observing several species of birds, mainly frigate birds, red footed boobies, Nazca boobies, lava gulls, swallow-tailed gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds. Optional walk over sharp lava and uneven terrain for dramatic views, or else return to the beach to enjoy swimming and snorkelling at this beautiful natural harbour. Expedition plan for Thursday and dinner.
Thursday
Buccaneer Cove (James/Santiago Island)
After breakfast, enjoy a coastal exploration along the impressive cliffs of Buccaneer Cove. Learn about the history of Santiago Island, its relevance for the whalers, pirates and early researchers, including Darwin’s epic voyage in 1835, and the conservation projects aimed at eradicating feral species (a fence stretched along the rocky outcrop is visible to save native plants from the once existing enormous goat population). Today the island is free of feral goats, and the cove is home to a large number of marine birds, sea lions and inter-tidal organisms. Enjoy fantastic natural formations such as the “Elephant Rock”, “The Bishop” and an impressive natural cave. This is a great site for snorkelling too! Lunch on board.
Puerto Egas (James/Santiago Island)
Puerto Egas was only briefly inhabited in the 20th century in an attempt to commercialize salt from a deposit inside a tuff cone. Today, Puerto Egas is one of the most impressive coastal walks in Galápagos (wet landing). Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows. This is a great opportunity to see land and marine birds. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds and there is also a colony of fur-sea lions which can be observed up-close. Opportunity for snorkelling and swimming from the beach after the walk. Expedition plan for Friday and dinner.
Friday
Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)
During the night the yacht sails over to the north shore of Isabela Island, crossing the equator twice in the process. The morning brings us to the youngest island of the archipelago, Fernandina. Disembark (dry landing) for a one-mile walk. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness with lots of wildlife. Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing their space with sea lions, sally light-foot crabs, hawks, penguins and the flightless cormorant. Snorkelling is a refreshing reward near the lava shores of Fernandina. Lunch on board.
Tagus Cove (Isabela Island)
Across the narrow Bolívar Channel, on the northwest of Isabela, lies secluded Tagus Cove. The deep cove provided a favourite anchorage for pirates and whalers over the centuries. Old graffiti is still found carved on its walls. The vegetation in the area includes the fragrant palo santo (torchwood) trees. These white-barked trees are leafless and look dead most of the year. They leaf and spring back to life in the wet season.
An optional uphill hike takes guests to the back of Darwin Crater, filled with salt water. The view at the end of the trail is worth the climb. Darwin is one of Isabela’s six volcanoes, a remarkable contrast to the lower islands to the east of the archipelago. All guests will enjoy a panga ride along the volcanic cliffs of Tagus Cove, teeming with life (boobies, flightless cormorants, penguins, martins, terns, iguanas and sea lions) Possibilities to swim, snorkel or ride kayaks. There is no beach in the area, so pangas are employed. Expedition plan for Saturday and dinner.
Saturday
Urbina Bay (Isabela Island)
After breakfast (wet landing) disembark at Urbina Bay, located at the foot of volcanoes Alcedo and Darwin, western Isabela Island, the result of an uplifting of the ocean in 1954. Here you can find corals, shells, and many other calcareous organisms exposed above water. This area is also home to large and very colourful Galápagos land iguanas, giant tortoises (occasionally); a good spot to observe Darwin’s finches. Along the shoreline, after the hike, guests may encounter flightless cormorants and see penguins while snorkelling in this beautiful cove. Lunch on board.
Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island)
Depending on the conditions of the ocean, it will be possible to schedule a snorkelling outing along the cliffs of partly-sunken Ecuador Volcano, on the northern tip of Isabela Island. Since there is no landing site at this location, the coastal exploration is by dinghy, while the naturalist guide explains the dramatic geology of the area with remains of lava flows and tuff stone layers. This is the nesting place for flightless cormorants, the only existing marine birds in the world other than penguins that have changed their condition of flying birds to diving birds. Wildlife here also includes sea lions, Galápagos fur seals, Galápagos penguins, blue-footed and Nazca boobies and noddy terns. This area boasts an impressively-rich marine life, and is seasonally visited by green sea turtles and oceanic sun fish (Mola mola). If conditions are good, snorkelling can be done at the cliffs of a tuff cone. Expedition plan for Sunday and dinner.
Sunday
Rábida Island (Jervis)
Disembark at Rábida Island (wet landing) on a red-coloured beach, due to the unusually high content of iron in the volcanic material. A gratifying stroll along the beach of this small island (1.9 sq. mi.) allows the observation of a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin’s finches. Very close to the beach, hidden behind a strip of green saltbush, is a salt pond where at times greater flamingos migrate. This is a great place to snorkel from the beach, both for beginners as well as for experienced snorkelers, due to the unique combination of underwater species and submarine landscapes. Non snorkelers will enjoy the glass bottom boat, a panga ride along the coast or paddle out on a sea kayak. During navigation to our next island, dolphins and/or whales are often spotted. Lunch on board.
Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) (Santa Cruz Island)
The north shore of Santa Cruz hosts Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill). Dry landing and a walk that includes a brackish water lagoon frequented by lagoon birds, including stilts, pintail ducks, sandpipers, sanderlings, and more. Further inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western islands of the archipelago. This area is a natural nesting site for land iguanas, constantly monitored and assisted by the Charles Darwin Research Station. The arid-zone vegetation can be a rewarding location for bird watching, where Darwin’s finches, Galápagos mockingbirds, the endemic Galápagos flycatcher, and yellow warblers are regular sightings. Snorkelling or swimming is possible out of the beach near the landing site. Farewell cocktail and departure briefing before dinner.
Monday
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 28th of May 2024 | Monday 3rd of June 2024 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 11th of June 2024 | Monday 17th of June 2024 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 25th of June 2024 | Monday 1st of July 2024 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 9th of July 2024 | Monday 15th of July 2024 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 23rd of July 2024 | Monday 29th of July 2024 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 6th of August 2024 | Monday 12th of August 2024 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 20th of August 2024 | Monday 26th of August 2024 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 3rd of September 2024 | Monday 9th of September 2024 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 17th of September 2024 | Monday 23rd of September 2024 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 1st of October 2024 | Monday 7th of October 2024 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 15th of October 2024 | Monday 21st of October 2024 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 29th of October 2024 | Monday 4th of November 2024 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 12th of November 2024 | Monday 18th of November 2024 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 26th of November 2024 | Monday 2nd of December 2024 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 10th of December 2024 | Monday 16th of December 2024 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 24th of December 2024 | Monday 30th of December 2024 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 7th of January 2025 | Monday 13th of January 2025 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 21st of January 2025 | Monday 27th of January 2025 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 4th of February 2025 | Monday 10th of February 2025 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 18th of February 2025 | Monday 24th of February 2025 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 4th of March 2025 | Monday 10th of March 2025 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 18th of March 2025 | Monday 24th of March 2025 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 1st of April 2025 | Monday 7th of April 2025 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 15th of April 2025 | Monday 21st of April 2025 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 29th of April 2025 | Monday 5th of May 2025 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 13th of May 2025 | Monday 19th of May 2025 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 27th of May 2025 | Monday 2nd of June 2025 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 10th of June 2025 | Monday 16th of June 2025 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 24th of June 2025 | Monday 30th of June 2025 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 8th of July 2025 | Monday 14th of July 2025 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 22nd of July 2025 | Monday 28th of July 2025 | [request availability] |
| Tuesday 5th of August 2025 | Monday 11th of August 2025 | [request availability] |