| Day | Visitor Site |
|---|---|
| Monday | AM - Baltra Island Airport: Arrival and Transfer to the boat |
| PM - El Chato (Santa Cruz Island) | |
| Tuesday | AM - Bahía Ballena – Whale Bay (Santa Cruz Island) |
| PM - Sombrero Chino Islet | |
| Wednesday | AM - Bartolomé Island |
| PM - Sullivan Bay (James Island) | |
| Thursday | AM - Darwin Bay (Tower/Genovesa Island) |
| PM - Prince Philip's Steps (Tower/Genovesa Island) | |
| Friday | AM - Baltra Island (Airport) |
Monday
Baltra Airport
Morning arrival at Baltra Airport, transfer to the Itabaca Channel. A small ferry will take us across the Channel to the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. We board our bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, where guests will learn about the unique montane ecosystems and biodiversity. Lunch at a local restaurant.
El Chato (Santa Cruz Island)
After lunch, travel by bus to El Chato Reserve, one of the best places in the archipelago to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. The tortoises are easy to spot, lumbering around, eating grass and leaves and wallowing in the small pools that are common in the reserve. You may also spot some highland birds, like cattle egrets, mockingbirds, finches or flycatchers. There are several lava tunnels in the reserve, a great place to spot the barn owl. There is also a small lagoon covered in red algae where gallinules and Galápagos pintails can be found. Bus ride to Puerto Ayora to board Yacht La Pinta. Introductory Briefing including the expedition plan for Tuesday, welcome Cocktail and dinner.
Tuesday
Bahía Ballena – Whale Bay (Santa Cruz Island)
After breakfast disembark (wet landing) at a beautiful olivine beach (a volcanic crystal that forms in fast-cooling lava). The area has historical relevance since a small community lived in this area in the late 1900s, collecting lichen (Rosella Tictoria), used in the textile industry. The trail leads guests to an old water hole used by the former settlers. There are also boobies, land birds and beautiful views of the northwest side of Santa Cruz Island to enjoy. Several activities are possible after the walk, such as snorkelling or a panga ride along the shoreline. Back on board for lunch.
Sombrero Chino Islet
Less than a quarter-of-a-square-kilometre in size, the tiny island of Sombrero Chino gets its name from its appearance: a Chinese hat. Lying just off the southeastern tip of San Salvador Island (James), this islet, only formed fairly recently, makes a beautiful visit as one explores along its 400-metre long trail, which begins at a crescent-shaped white sandy beach. Several species of shore birds can be spotted, along with marine iguanas, lava lizards, Galápagos penguins and sally lightfoot crabs. The cove offers excellent swimming and snorkelling opportunities with white-tipped reef sharks and tropical fish. Briefing and dinner.
Wednesday
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 ride to the landing site at Sullivan Bay on the east coast of Santiago. Wet landing on a white coral sand beach and a walk over lava that flowed here less than 100 years ago. This is the perfect place to see and feel the volcanic origin of Galápagos.
The last major eruption on Santiago was probably in the early 1900’s. One observer aboard a sailing vessel reported that the ship approached the lava flow so closely that the pine tar used to seal the hull of the ship began to soften, and the captain had to hurry the ship away from the bay. Briefing and dinner.
Thursday
Darwin Bay (Tower/Genovesa Island)
In the morning, a wet landing for an easy stroll observing thousands of birds, mainly frigate birds, red footed and masked boobies, 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. The more adventurous can snorkel along the cliffs or paddle sea kayaks. Lunch on board.
Prince Philip’s Steps (Tower/Genovesa Island)
The afternoon 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 masked boobies, frigate birds and storm petrels. Those not wishing to disembark can enjoy a longer panga ride along the cliffs (depending on weather conditions). Farewell Cocktail, departure briefing and dinner.
Friday
Baltra Island
Disembark on Baltra Island. Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.
| Departure | Arrival | |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 6th of May 2024 | Friday 10th of May 2024 | [request availability] |
| 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] |