Itinerary:
Saturday - The Enchanting Galapagos. First stop Bachas Beach
This afternoon we will take you on your first excursion to a beautiful white, sandy beach, where you will have your first contact with the Galapagos wildlife. Behind the beach there is a small brackish water lagoon, where it is possible to observe flamingoes and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. (L,D)
Sunday - James and Bartholomew
Puerto Egas is located on the northwest side of Santiago. The landing is on a black beach with eroded rock formations in the background. The trail crosses the dry interior, where the remains of a salt mining enterprise can still be seen, and then leads to the Fur Seals Grottos, one of the only places in the islands where they can be seen. After a 3-hour navigation, reach Bartholomew, a small island that has two visitor sites: At the first site, you can swim and snorkel around Pinnacle Rock, where penguins are usually seen. Back on board for a quick change of clothes and then it's a short dinghy ride to a dry landing for a climb to the highest point on the island. (B,L,D)
Monday - Genovesa Island
Genovesa is formed by the edges of a large ancient volcanic crater that is now mostly submerged. Along the trail from Darwin Bay, find pairs of swallow-tailed gulls, the only nocturnal gull in the world, along with scores of red-footed boobies, with their contrasting red feet and blue bills. At Prince Phillip's Steps, climb up to a plateau where you may stumble upon an incredible number of masked and red-footed boobies. With a bit of luck, you may even see one or two short-eared owls. (B,L,D)
Tuesday - Fernandina and Isabela
Punta Espinosa is a narrow piece of land where some of the most unique Galapagos species can be seen, including the flightless cormorant, Galapagos snakes, marine iguanas, penguins and the Galapagos hawk. Tagus Cove was historically used as an anchoring place for pirates, buccaneers and whalers. On the panga ride, you will have the opportunity to see a large number of blue-footed boobies perched on the ledges of the cliffs, as well as marine iguanas, penguins, brown pelicans, and swallow-tailed gulls. (B,L,D)
Wednesday - Isabela Island
Urbina Bay is noteworthy because it is an area that was ejected from the sea floor in the 1950's during the eruption of Alcedo Volcano. In the midst of this bizarre setting, massive marine iguanas wander around with flightless cormorants and, in the wet season, giant tortoises. Then continue to Elizabeth Bay, one of the farthest points of the Galapagos. After a dinghy ride around two islets called the Marielas, where penguins can be seen, enter a sheltered cove - a marvelous mangrove ecosystem that is a refuge for sea turtles and rays. (B,L,D)
Thursday - Santa Cruz
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and admire the famous Galapagos tortoises that are the islands' namesake. Then travel by bus to the highlands. The green landscape of this area is a welcome contrast to the more arid scenery of the lower parts of the island. (B,L,D)
Friday - Espanola
Due to its isolation from other islands, it has a high proportion of endemic fauna. A few steps inland, masked and blue-footed boobies nest almost on the trail. The trail continues towards a blowhole, which is a fissure in the lava where water spurts high into the air like a geyser. Further up the cliff in an area of low-lying trees you will find waved albatrosses nesting. The albatrosses on Espaņola represent the entire population of this species on the planet. (B,L,D)
Saturday - Back to the continent
Black Turtle Cove is one of the most beautiful marine sites in Galapagos. It is a complex maze of tranquil salt-water inlets, surrounded by three different species of mangrove. In the afternoon we are transferred back to Baltra in time for our departure flight (B)
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Details of the Tour
