Queen of Galapagos – 8 Days A

Day 1 – San Cristobal Island
AM: Arrival in airport and transfer to the boat. Briefing on board about the boat and the island.
PM: Isla Lobos is a small island named after the sea lions that rest and play on its rocky shores. It is also home to blue-footed boobies, great frigate-birds, brown pelicans, lava gulls, common noddies, yellow warblers and small and medium ground finches. There is good snorkeling in the clear waters of the channel and this is one of the best sites at which to swim with sea lions underwater.

Day 2 – South Plaza Island & North Seymour Island
AM:South Plaza has one of the largest populations of land iguanas in the Galápagos. It is also home to marine iguanas and a hybrid iguana whose fathers are marine iguanas and mothers are land iguanas. There are cliffs with spectacular views and a rocky trail circumnavigates the island displaying the combination of dry and coastal vegetation zone. The island is home to enormous prickly pear cactus and the endemic succulent sesuvian.
PM: The 2km trail crosses the inland of the island North Seymour and explores the rocky coast, passing colonies of blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigatebirds. Daphne Major and Minor can be spotted in the distance and body surfing sea lions play close to the shore. Along the shoreline marine iguanas, white coral and black lava rocks complete the visit to North Seymour.

Day 3 – Sombrero Chino Island & Santa Cruz Island
AM: Sombrero Chino is named after its shape formed by volcanic rock giving it the name, Chinese Hat.  Since it was given a maximum visiting capacity by the National Park Service it offers rare, up close viewing of Galapagos wildlife and well preserved remnants of fragile volcanic rock that can’t be found in such a unique condition anywhere else.  The islet is home to a colony of sea lions on the white coral sand beach.  Here you can see American Oystercatchers, Galapagos Penguins swimming along the shores, and Sally-Lightfoot Crabs in bright contrast to the dark volcanic rock. 
PM:Located on the north shore of Santa Cruz, Las Bachas is a swimming beach. One of the few remnants of the U.S. World War II presence in the Galápagos, a floating pier, can be seen here. You may see flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black necked stilts, and whimbrels. Sea turtles also nest off the beach.

Day 4 – Santa Cruz Island
AM:The Charles Darwin Research Station is an international not-for-profit organization that provides scientific research, technical information and assistance to ensure the proper preservation of the Galápagos Islands. Visitors can learn about natural history, issues concerning the islands, and see the tortoise breeding and rearing project at work.
PM: The highlands are located in the northern part of the island and can reach elevations up to 1500 meters. On a journey into the higher elevations of Santa Cruz you will experience all seven different vegetation zones. The vegetation here is abundant and lush and the weather moist.

Day 5 – Floreana Island
AM:Noted for the volcanic green olivine crystals found in the beach, Cormorant Point offers a trail overlooking a saltwater lagoon that is a favorite of flamingos. Beyond the lagoon the trail leads to a magnificent white-sand beach. Green sea turtles lay their eggs in the sands here during the night and their tracks leading to and from the sea mark the beach.
PM: The best known site on Floreana is Post Office Bay, a white-sand beach where in the past sailors used to leave and receive their letters in a barrel. The tradition continues – leave your postcard in the barrel and see how long it takes to be delivered, and at the same time if there is a postcard with an address close to your home, please take it with you. 

Day 6 – Española Island
AM: Suárez Point is one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago, with a long list of species found along its cliffs and sand or pebble beaches. In addition to five species of nesting seabirds there are the curious and bold Española Island mockingbirds, Galápagos doves and Galápagos hawks. Several types of reptiles, including the marine iguana and the oversized lava lizard, are unique to this island.
PM: Gardner Bay has a magnificent beach with turquoise waters. Around the small islets nearby, snorkellers will find lots of fish and sometimes turtles and sharks. The bay is also frequented by a transient colony of sea lions which like to swim with you. Birds, like the endemic Hood-mockingbird and different species of Darwin finches, are omnipresent.

Day 7 – San Cristobal Island
AM: One of the first sites visited by Charles Darwin, Cerro Brujo is a beautiful white-sand beach where brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies, sea lions, and marine iguanas can all be found. An onshore version of nearby Kicker Rocks, Cerro Brujo is a very striking, eroded tuff cone. There is also fantastic snorkeling in the turquoise waters.
PM: León Dormido is a small, distinctive island that comprises two rocks which jut out of the ocean and is home to a large colony of sea birds. Kicker Rock is an excellent dive site where you could see many reef fish as well as hammerhead and Galápagos sharks. Sightings of large rays and turtles are common but not guaranteed.

Day 8 – San Cristobal Island
AM: The Galápagos National Park Interpretation Centre has a series of interactive exhibits providing information about the history and biodiversity of the Galápagos Islands. The self-guided walking tour will take you through the history of the Islands in the context of nature, humankind and conservation.

Transfer to the Airport.

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