| Day | Visitor Site |
|---|---|
| Monday | AM - Baltra Island Airport: Arrival and Transfer to the boat |
| PM - Las Bachas (Santa Cruz) | |
| Tuesday | AM - Buccaneer Cove (Santiago) |
| PM - Puerto Egas (Santiago) | |
| Wednesday | AM - Rabida |
| PM - Bartolome | |
| Thursday | AM - Prince Philip's Steps (Genovesa) |
| PM - Darwin Bay (Genovesa) | |
| Friday | AM - Puerto Baquerizo Moreno & Cerro Colorado (San Cristobal) |
| Transfer to the Airport |
Monday
Baltra Island
Morning arrival to Baltra Island by plane and immediate transfer to the dock to board the M/V Santa Cruz. Welcome introductory briefing and lunch.
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 (wet landing), 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. This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with snorkelling gear and techniques. Welcome Cocktail, expedition plan for Tuesday and dinner.
Tuesday
Buccaneer Cove (James 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 Island)
Wet landing for a mid-length walk. 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 a colony of fur-sea lions. Opportunity for snorkelling and swimming from the beach after the walk. Expedition plan for Wednesday and dinner.
Wednesday
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 a ride on the glass bottom boat. During navigation to our next island, dolphins are often spotted. Lunch on board.
Bartolomé Island
Disembark at Bartolomé Island (dry landing) for a hike to the summit. This is a moderately steep climb aided by a wooden staircase resting platforms and handrails; the view from the top is worth the effort. Dinghy ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock, then time to enjoy the beach (wet landing) and some snorkelling, possibly with Galápagos penguins, or else a ride in the glass-bottom boat for great views of the underwater world. Expedition plan for Thursday and dinner.
Thursday
Prince Philip’s Steps (Tower/Genovesa Island)
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 (depending on weather conditions). Lunch on board.
Darwin Bay (Tower/Genovesa Island)
In the afternoon, a wet landing for an easy stroll observing hundreds of birds, mainly frigate birds, red footed and Nazca 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, or join us in a Glass Bottom boat ride. Farewell Cocktail, departure briefing and dinner.
Friday
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristóbal (Chatham) Island)
After breakfast, optional departure to see the breeding programme of giant tortoises at Cerro Colorado. Learn about his endangered species, and its promising recovery. This site is 45 minutes by bus, on the south shore of San Cristóbal Island. Return to town and transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
The itineraries and programme are subject to change without prior notice, due mainly to adjustments in the policies and regulations of the Galápagos National Park, weather conditions, seasonal changes and 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] |