AM: Arrive Baltra:
You will arrive at Baltra Island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by the Natural Paradise staff and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.

PM: Fausto Llerena Breeding Center
You will visit “Fausto Llerena” Giant Tortoises Creeding Center in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, where giant tortoises are bred in captivity; this is home to tortoises ranging from 3-inches (new hatchlings) to 4-feet long adults. Subspecies of the giant tortoises interact with one another, and many of the older tortoises are accustomed to humans stretching out their heads for a photo opportunity. The babies are kept until they are about four years-old and strong enough to survive on their own.

Possible Activities: Walking

Difficulty: Easy

Type of Landing: Dry Landing

Highlights & Animals: Giant tortoises, finches, Galapagos rails

AM: El Barranco
El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps, is a steep, rocky path that leads up a high cliff rock face. A marvelous view can be appreciated from here. This site is also home to Palo Santo vegetation as well as red-footed boobies, short-eared owls, Galapagos storm petrels, and Galapagos doves.

Possible Activities: Hiking (0,9 miles / 2 Km)

Difficulty: Moderate

Type of Landing: Dry Landing

Highlights & Animals: Red-footed boobies, short-eared owls, storm-petrels, Galapagos doves

PM: Darwin Bay
Visit the white-sand coral beach of Darwin Bay which includes a half mile trail (0,75km) that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls, which can easily be spotted here. Further down the path we’ll find tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully. At the end is a spectacular view of a cliff.

Possible Activities: Hiking (0,9 miles / 1,5 Km), snorkeling, kayaking, and dinghy ride

Difficulty: Easy

Type of Landing: Wet Landing

Highlights & Animals: Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, swallow-tail gulls, mangroves, coral pebble beach, snorkeling: rays, colorful reef fish, and hammerhead sharks occasionally

AM: Rabida
You will visit Rabida Island (or Jervis) which is one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago as well as a great snorkeling site. We will start on Rabida’s famous maroon/red sand beach, and after an easy hike, you will arrive to a stunning lookout to enjoy the amazing landscapes. The island is a birdwatcher’s delight. Some species are abundant such as a few varieties of finches, Galapagos vermilion flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans.

Possible Activities: Snorkeling, panga ride & short hike (0,6 miles / 1km)

Difficulty: Easy / Moderate

Type of Landing: Wet Landing

Highlights & Animals: Snorkeling: white-cheeked pintail ducks, colourful fish, sea lions, brackish water lagoon, pelicans

PM: Chinese Hat Islet
This small islet is located near the southeast coast of Santiago Island. Its name comes from the distinct shape of the islet’s summit. This small islet is a great location to view many geological formations such as lava tunnels and lava flows. Some of the lava flows were formed underwater and subsequently raised above sea level. The presence of coral heads on the lava flow indicates this phenomenon.

Possible Activities: Hike (1,9 miles / 3 km)

Difficulty: Easy

Type of Landing: Wet Landing

Highlights & Animals: Lava formations, great site for snorkeling with an abundance of marine species such as sea lions, sharks, rays and penguins.

AM: Witch Hill
Located on the northern coast, this eroded hill and its surroundings present one of the most picturesque beaches in the Galapagos with its white powdery sand and the abundance of animals. Wildlife includes sea turtles, rays, and various types of booby birds. The clear water provides an excellent opportunity for enjoying swimming and snorkeling.

Possible Activities: Hike, dinghy ride, snorkeling & kayaking

Difficulty: Easy

Type of Landing: Wet Landing

Highlights & Animals: Beautiful rock formations, sea lions, shore birds, finches and mockingbirds; Snorkeling: nice tropical fish, anemones, sponges, coral

PM: Lobos Island
You will take an excursion to Lobos Island which means “Sea Lion Island.” This appropriately named island is ripe with noisy, playful, jolly sea lions who will welcome you to their home with open, well, fins. This island also offers great snorkeling opportunities as well as the chance to see blue-footed and Nazca boobies.

Possible Activities: Short hike (less that 0,6 miles / 1 km), dinhy ride

Difficulty: Easy / Moderate

Type of Landing: Dry Landing

Highlights & Animals: Sea lions, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies

AM: Gianni Arismendy Interpretation Center
This site is part of an environment project. The tour of this center will explore the natural history of the islands including human interaction and conservation efforts. The Museum of Natural History explains the volcanic origin of the archipelago, ocean currents, climate, and the arrival of endemic species. The Human History exhibit chronologically describes significant events such as discovery and colonization of the islands.

Possible Activities: Museum visit

Difficulty: Easy

Type of Landing: Dry Landing

Highlights & Animals: Great exhibits about the archipelago’s natural history

PM: Transfer to San Cristobal Airport:
Your cruise has officially come to an end. We hope you enjoyed your Galapagos Cruise! We will now transfer you to your scheduled departure from San Cristobal Airport to mainland Ecuador. Safe travels!