Archipel I – South & Western Galapagos Islands

• San Cristobal Island

  Upon arrival at San Cristóbal Airport, travellers pass throu- gh an airport inspection point to make sure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands, and to pay the park entrance fee of $100 (unless it has been prepaid). A guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbour.
  PM - Cerro Colorado (San Cristóbal)
  Cerro Colorado Tortoises Protection and Growing Centre, located approximately 40 minutes by bus from the southeast of the island, was built to improve the status of the population of the island tortoises.The centre includes a large corral, a Visitor Centre, breeding centre and an inter- pretative trail. Along this trail, it is possible to see different species of native and endemic plants as well as birds like the San Cristóbal mockingbird, yellow warblers, many species of finches and the Galapagos flycatcher. (L. D.) (Private Transfer) (Shared Guide)

• South Plaza Island - Santa Fe Island

  AM - South Plaza
  South Plaza is located at the east of Santa Cruz Island, and forms part of two islands known as Islas Plazas. Despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the Galapagos are found here.The Plazas land iguanas are smaller than their relatives found on other islands.There are several hybrid iguanas, a result of crossing a male marine iguana and a female land iguana; they are unique, recognisable at first glance by their black/grey color, with a land iguana's crest, but face and tail of the marine iguana.The large population of iguanas is due to the presen- ce of tuna, their favourite food. Swallow-tailed gulls nesting in the rugged cliffs are seen along with other seabirds such as Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds and brown pelicans.
  PM – Santa Fe
  Located in the southeastern part of the Galapagos, this island was formed from an uplift rather than being from a volcanic origin; which is why it is mostly flat.There are some theories claiming that this could be the oldest island in the archipelago. Santa Fe is home to a number of endemic species like the Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos snake, Galapagos mockingbird, rice rats and one of the two species of land iguanas on the islands. After disem- barking into the beautiful and clear waters, you will be in contact with one of the many sea lion colonies. Along the trail, many saltbushes can be seen, as well as giant Prickly pear cactus.There are great possibilities of snor- kelling with playful sea lions and tropical fish.(B. L. D.) (Shared Guide)

• Floreana Island

  AM – Champion Islet (Floreana)
  Bottlenose dolphins frequently escort our passage to Champion Islet and you can see them from nearby jumping the wakes! Underwater, Galapagos sea lions are playful acro- bats that become the number one attraction.There are also lots of reef fish, and perhaps a green Pacific turtle.
  An inflatable dinghy ride along the shoreline of this islet offers sightings of lots of seabirds that are endemic to the archipelago, including Galapagos penguins, blue-footed boobies, magnificent frigate birds and red-billed tropicbirds, swallow-tailed gulls and lava herons.
  A birdwatchers dream is to get a glimpse of the Charles mockingbird on top of prickly pear cacti.This mockingbird is a scientific and historic key species, because it put Darwin on track of his theory of ‘adaptive radiation’.
  PM – Loberia & Asylum of Peace (Floreana)
  The Asylum of Peace Island is of historical interest for guests. This hike goes past a mesmerising cave and visits a fascina- ting freshwater spring. La Loberia beach is an ideal spot to enjoy the ocean, as well as the playful sea lions that reside there. (B. L. D.) (Shared Guide)

• Santa Cruz Island

  AM – Charles Darwin Research Station
  Although the great majority of Galapagos visitors come here to observe and appreciate natural wonders, it is also interesting to learn how the protection and conservation of the islands are done.The main attractions are the National Park information centre, the Van Staelen Exhibition Hall, the Breeding and Rearing Centre for young tortoises, and adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity.
  PM – Highlands (Santa Cruz)
  The road to the highlands leaves from Bellavista, a small village located a 15-minute drive from Puerto Ayora and passes through the agricultural zone, near the National Park boundary, the Miconia Zone, and then goes to the Fern and Sedge zone. With clear weather, this area gives you beautiful scenes of rolling hills and extinct volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery all year round. Here you will visit the Twin Craters, which are two pit craters, as well as a local ranch where we can observe the Giant tortoise of Santa Cruz Island in its natural habitat. (B. L. D.) (Shared Guide)

• Tintoreras Islet

  AM - Tintoreras Islet
  “Tintoreras” are small islands in front of the Puerto Villamil coast.There are herons on the lookout on mangrove bran- ches, as well as Galapagos penguins and sea lions that often pop out on the shore.White-tipped reef sharks (in Spanish: Tintoreras) are common in the archipelago and are very commonly found resting in the shallow waters.
  AM - Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Centre
  In the Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Centre you can see hundreds of giant Galapagos tortoises of all sizes. Vulnerable hatchlings are not gigantic at all, even smaller than the size of your hand! This project just outside Puerto Villamil was created to rescue the endangered populations of Isabela’s both southernmost volcanoes. From the almost incredible estimations of 250,000 giant tortoises in the 16th century, by the 1970s there were only about 3,000 individuals remai- ning. One thing becomes clear on your visit: it’s hard work to save these creatures from extinction by reproduction in captivity and repopulation.The good news is that these programmes are successful and have already saved several species from extinction so far. By 2015 their number increa- sed to about 32,000 in all the archipelago. Don’t forget to visit the native botanical garden of this breeding centre. It also attracts colourful songbirds such as yellow warblers, Darwin’s finches, Galapagos and vermillion flycatchers. Finally there is no greater counterpart to the cumbersome tortoises than the graceful American flamingos which frequently filter the saline waters of the adjacent lagoon for shrimp and algae.They are joined by a handful of species of aquatic and shore birds, from which some even migrate from Canada and Alaska. (B. L. D.) (Shared Guide)

• Isabela Island

  AM - Moreno Point (Isabela)
  Moreno Point is located on the north coast of Isabela Island between the volcanos Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul.
  The trail runs along a solidified lava flow called “Pahohoe”, into a complex of coastal lagoons. Its main attraction are several species of birds, which are found around the lakes and mangroves.
  PM - Elizabeth Bay (Isabela)
  This is a marine visitor site, so the excursion has no landing point.Your zodiac ride starts with a visit to the Marielas islets, home to the largest and most important penguin colony on the Galapagos Islands.The excursion continues into the cove, surrounded by red mangrove, where you can admire their red roots and green leaves. Here, you are able to observe sea turtles, flightless cormorants, spotted eagle rays, golden rays, brown pelicans and sea lions. Frequent visitors have been able to see Galapagos hawks soaring overhead with schools of pompano and dorado fish swim- ming down below. (B. L. D.) (Shared Guide)

• Isabela Island - Fernandina Island

  AM - Tagus Cove (Isabela)
  A tour along the cliffs will give visitors a good chance to see the Galapagos penguin, the flightless cormorant and other seabirds. From the landing dock, it is about a 30-minute hike along the trail up to the top of the cliff from where you can view Darwin Lake, an uplifted lake saltier than the sea.You can also see several volcanoes from this location. Look carefully at the graffiti on the surrounding cliffs of the cove, done by pirates, whalers and buccaneers in past centuries!
  PM - Espinoza Point (Fernandina)
  Fernandina is the third largest island in the archipelago and has a single visitor site: Punta Espinoza, located at the northeastern tip of the island. Here, marine iguanas conglo- merate in larger groups than on any other island.They bask around in the sand, swim near the shore and sometimes block the way at the landing dock. Among the unique species found here, we can find the flightless cormorant. (B. L. D.) (Shared Guide)

• Santa Cruz Island - Depart Baltra Airport

  AM - Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz)
  These two small beaches are found to the west ofTurtle Cove.Their sand is made of decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft, and a favourite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there is a small blackish water lagoon, where it is occasionally possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels.The other beach is longer, but it has two old barges that were abandoned during World War II, when USA used Baltra Island as a strategic point to protect the Panama Channel.
  Transfer out to Baltra Airport (GPS)
  Assisted by the naturalist guide and some crewmembers, the dinghy will bring you and your luggage to Baltra Airport, where we will take the shuttle back to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil or Quito. (B.) (Shared Guide)

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• On-board accommodation
• All meals, water coffee and tea during the voyage
• Transfers within Galapagos
• Bilingual naturalist guides
• Activities as specified
• Use of kayak and snorkelling equipment

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

• International and internal airfares
• Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable
• Travel insurance
• Galapagos National Park fee US$100
• Transit control card US$20
• Gratuities
• Any items not mentioned as included

NOTE: Long itineraries are the combination of short ones; please let us know if you would like to book a long cruise.