| Day | Visitor Site |
|---|---|
| Friday | AM - Flight to San Cristobal |
| PM - Interpretation Center & Tijeretas (San Cristobal) | |
| Saturday | AM - Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal) |
| PM - Punta Pitt (San Cristobal) | |
| Sunday | AM - Santa Fe |
| PM - South Plaza | |
| Monday | AM - Puerto Ayora & Charles Darwin Station (Santa Cruz) |
| PM - Twin Craters (Santa Cruz) | |
| Tuesday | AM - Punta Suarez (Espanola) |
| PM - Gardner Bay (Espanola) | |
| Wednesday | Tour Ends - Transfer to Baltra Aiport |
FRIDAY
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristóbal [Chatham] Island)
Arrival by plane to San Cristóbal Island and transfer to the M/V Santa Cruz, anchored at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the provincial capital of the Galápagos Islands. Cabin assignment and lunch. After lunch, introductory talk.
Interpretation Centre and Cerro Tijeretas (San Cristóbal Island)
In the afternoon, disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (dry landing) and visit the Interpretation Centre where visitors will acquire a greater understanding of Galápagos’ uniqueness throughout informative visual aids. From the Interpretation Centre, we stroll along an easy boardwalk to the north shore of San Cristóbal, to the site considered as the spot where Darwin set foot for first time on Galápagos in 1835. A bust of the naturalist was placed there to commemorate this event. This area is teeming with life: Darwin finches, San Cristóbal mockingbirds, marine iguanas, sea lions, etc. Hills frame this turquoise bay, home to two species of frigates. A staircase leads to the top of Cerro Tijeretas, from where a good portion of northern San Cristóbal is visible: Wreck Bay, Lobos Islet, Punta Carola and the impressive Kicker Rock. Return on board. Welcome cocktail, expedition plan for Saturday and dinner.
SATURDAY
Cerro Brujo (San Cristóbal Island)
A dinghy ride along the shores of tuff-stone layers takes guests to Cerro Brujo’s white coralline beach (wet landing). The beach is a large expanse, great for walking, with rewarding bird watching with good views of seabirds like blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans, herons, frigate birds, and more shore birds. Also, look out for Galápagos sea lions. Highlights ashore include the Chatham (San Cristóbal) mockingbird, Chatham lava lizard; both species are endemic to this island, and seen nowhere else in the Galápagos. Cerro Brujo is an excellent site for acquainting oneself with snorkelling gear and techniques. Back on board for lunch.
Punta Pitt (San Cristóbal Island)
In the afternoon, disembark (wet landing) on the eastern tip of the island. Pitt Point is an eroded tuff cone; the trail that ascends from the beach provides spectacular views of the shoreline. This is the only site in the Galápagos where the three species of boobies can be found together, as well as the two frigate species, plus a colony of bachelor sea lions along the beach. After the walk, if conditions are favourable, there is a chance to swim from the beach or snorkel at the nearby islets. Expedition plan for Sunday and dinner.
SUNDAY
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 and swimming from the beach rounds off the rewarding experience, or if guests prefer, the glass bottom boat for non-snorkellers. 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. Expedition plan for Monday and dinner.
MONDAY
Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)
Morning disembarkation (dry landing) 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. Lunch at the poolside of the Finch Bay Eco Hotel.
Highlands of Santa CruzIsland
After lunch, visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, with their impressive Scalesia forest and the geological formation of the twin pit craters known as Los Gemelos. From December to mid-April a visit to see the giant tortoises in the wild may be included, if weather conditions are good. Return to Puerto Ayora and embark on the M/V Santa Cruz. Tuesday’s expedition plan and dinner.
TUESDAY
Punta Suárez (Española (Hood) Island)
Morning outing at Punta Suárez (dry landing) for an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including waved albatrosses (April – December), Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tail gulls as well as a view of the Galápagos famous “blow-hole”. Among its land birds, the Hood island mockingbird, Galápagos hawks, Galápagos doves and three species of Darwin’s finches are common highlights. Also, look for red-green-black marine iguanas. Back on board for lunch.
Gardner Bay (Española Island)
In the afternoon, disembark (wet landing) at a white coral beach for a short walk to observe the sea lions, mockingbirds, finches or enjoy the beach. There is great snorkelling in this area, or a ride aboard the glass-bottom boat. Departure briefing, Farewell Cocktail and dinner.
WEDNESDAY
Baltra Island
Disembark at Baltra Island. Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the continent.
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 24th of May 2024 | Wednesday 29th of May 2024 | [request availability] |
| Friday 7th of June 2024 | Wednesday 12th of June 2024 | [request availability] |
| Friday 21st of June 2024 | Wednesday 26th of June 2024 | [request availability] |
| Friday 5th of July 2024 | Wednesday 10th of July 2024 | [request availability] |
| Friday 19th of July 2024 | Wednesday 24th of July 2024 | [request availability] |
| Friday 2nd of August 2024 | Wednesday 7th of August 2024 | [request availability] |
| Friday 16th of August 2024 | Wednesday 21st of August 2024 | [request availability] |
| Friday 30th of August 2024 | Wednesday 4th of September 2024 | [request availability] |
| Friday 13th of September 2024 | Wednesday 18th of September 2024 | [request availability] |
| Friday 27th of September 2024 | Wednesday 2nd of October 2024 | [request availability] |
| Friday 11th of October 2024 | Wednesday 16th of October 2024 | [request availability] |
| Friday 25th of October 2024 | Wednesday 30th of October 2024 | [request availability] |
| Friday 8th of November 2024 | Wednesday 13th of November 2024 | [request availability] |
| Friday 22nd of November 2024 | Wednesday 27th of November 2024 | [request availability] |
| Friday 6th of December 2024 | Wednesday 11th of December 2024 | [request availability] |
| Friday 20th of December 2024 | Wednesday 25th of December 2024 | [request availability] |
| Friday 3rd of January 2025 | Wednesday 8th of January 2025 | [request availability] |
| Friday 17th of January 2025 | Wednesday 22nd of January 2025 | [request availability] |
| Friday 31st of January 2025 | Wednesday 5th of February 2025 | [request availability] |
| Friday 14th of February 2025 | Wednesday 19th of February 2025 | [request availability] |
| Friday 28th of February 2025 | Wednesday 5th of March 2025 | [request availability] |
| Friday 14th of March 2025 | Wednesday 19th of March 2025 | [request availability] |
| Friday 28th of March 2025 | Wednesday 2nd of April 2025 | [request availability] |
| Friday 11th of April 2025 | Wednesday 16th of April 2025 | [request availability] |
| Friday 25th of April 2025 | Wednesday 30th of April 2025 | [request availability] |
| Friday 9th of May 2025 | Wednesday 14th of May 2025 | [request availability] |
| Friday 23rd of May 2025 | Wednesday 28th of May 2025 | [request availability] |
| Friday 6th of June 2025 | Wednesday 11th of June 2025 | [request availability] |
| Friday 20th of June 2025 | Wednesday 25th of June 2025 | [request availability] |
| Friday 4th of July 2025 | Wednesday 9th of July 2025 | [request availability] |
| Friday 18th of July 2025 | Wednesday 23rd of July 2025 | [request availability] |
| Friday 1st of August 2025 | Wednesday 6th of August 2025 | [request availability] |