Your Travel Experience with chilepro
Day 1
Arrival on the Baltra island
You will arrive on Baltra in the morning where your Crew will greet you and your guide will bring you to the boat. You will be informed about the coming days and get a chance to get to know the boat and your cabin.
Bahia Sullivan, Santiago island
Afternoon: To the east of Santiago Island, you will reach the white coral beach of Sullivan Bay. Although this beach deserves your full attention, the day will surprise you with another highlight: Santiago's cooled lava blanket. Almost 100 years ago, lava flowed across the island, leaving behind different ground shapes: braided and thread-like lava fields alternate with sharp-edged jagged formations. Feel the warm stones of the black, unreal lava landscape under your hands and transport yourself back to when volcanoes raged here and ultimately created a paradise.
Day 2
Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela island
Morning: The sea-horse-shaped island of Isabela is the largest of the archipelago and the most volcanically active. Punta Vicente Roca is considered one of the most impressive and spectacular places of the enchanted Galapagos Islands, with high cliffs and tuff stone giving this area a majestic feel.
While you explore the two coves and the giant bay with spectacular sea life, keep an eye out for seahorses, sea turtles, and the weird and wonderful mola-mola, also known as sunfish. In good condition, Punta Vicente Roca is considered one of the best snorkelling sites in the Galapagos.
Punta Espinosa, Fernandina island
Afternoon: Today you are heading towards Fernandina, the westernmost and, with just about 700,000 years, the youngest island in the archipelago. Surrounded by hills amidst a lava landscape covered with cacti and mangroves is the visitor location, Punta Espinoza. Meet sea lions and hundreds of marine iguanas basking on the black lava rocks and on the beach. While snorkelling, you might come close to the resident penguins darting quickly through the water.
Day 3
Tagus Cove, Isabela island
Morning: You will take an excursion to the infamous Tagus Cove - a favourite anchorage of pirates and whalers for centuries. The deep blue cove is home to breeding penguins, flightless cormorants, noddy terns, shearwaters and blue-footed boobies. A steep trail through dry balsam tree forests and cacti leads to a salty, green crater lake (Laguna Darwin). Sea turtles and marine lizards appreciate the food-rich bay, making it ideal for snorkelling despite the abundance of green algae.
Urbina Bay, Isabela island
Afternoon: On the east coast of Isabela Island lies Urbina Bay, one of the youngest bays in the Galapagos. Formed in 1954 by an upwelling of the beach and was pushed up 5 meters. This brought a variety of corals to the surface, which can now be admired. However, this view will not last long as the air is destroying the coral reef. After a wet landing in the bay, you will go on a 3.5-kilometer march into the interior of the island. Here you have a high probability of seeing giant tortoises and land iguanas, only found in the Galapagos Islands.
As the trail leads back to the coast, you will encounter flightless cormorant colonies. The bay offers a fantastic place to snorkel and see Galapagos sea lizards feeding underwater.
Day 4
Elizabeth Bay, Isabela island
Morning: The vast and sheltered Elizabeth Bay, on Isabela's east coast, hosts a bevvy of the archipelago's unique wildlife. The mangrove-lined shore contrasts starkly with the surrounding lava fields. The myriad of small islets and rocky reefs make this a vibrant area for wildlife.
The waters here are particularly clear, making Elizabeth Bay a great place to spot the rays, sharks, green sea turtles, Galapagos penguins, pelicans, and Galapagos sea lions known to gather here. Nearer to the shores and mangroves, you'll see Galapagos flightless cormorants and the sunbathing marine iguanas.
Punta Moreno, Isabela island
Afternoon: Punta Moreno is a rugged young lava bay. At first it appears to be a lifeless landscape, however as you walk over the cooled lava, you'll see new green areas and lagoons hosting a wide variety of birds. Marine iguanas and lava lizards are usually found in the lagoons you'll often meet flamingos foraging here for their favourite meal. While the sharp rocks make this hike a little tricky, its path itself is easy enough to be enjoyed by everyone and provides an unforgettable landscape set against a backdrop of the volcanoes Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul.
We recommend bringing plenty of water during this visit, as the lava field reflects the sun making the temperature higher than average. Don't forget to apply sunscreen!
Day 5
Charles Darwin Station, Santa Cruz island
Morning: Visit the Galapagos giant tortoises and land iguana breeding programme, where the famous Lonesome George (the last surviving specimen from Pinta Island) lived for decades. The centre is managed by Galapagos National Park (GNP) staff in collaboration with scientists from the Charles Darwin Station (CDS). Here, eggs from Pinzon, Santiago and Santa Cruz Islands hatch without the risk of introduced species. After artificial incubation, the "galapaguitos" (newborn turtles) are bred until they are five years old so that when they are released into their native habitats, they have enough skills to survive on their own. Since the 1970s, more than 2,000 specimens have returned to their native islands. In addition, Darwin Station works on several scientific projects and botanical research and provides environmental education for local communities, schools, and tourists. If there is still time, you can take a stroll through the town of Puerto Ayora, one of the most important wetlands in the Galapagos. With bogs and lagoons, there are many things to admire here. Walk along the path on good ground or a boardwalk and observe a variety of birds, such as flamingos, Galapagos finches, Galapagos doves, Galapagos mockingbirds and sea lizards. Those interested in the flora of the wetlands will not be disappointed here either. This is one of the few places where you can see all four mangrove species. These mangroves are not only crucial for the inhabitants of the wetland, but they also protect the coast from the crashing waves of the sea.
Highlands, Santa Cruz island
Afternoon: As you venture into Santa Cruz's higher altitude areas, you will notice the changes in the vegetation as the climate becomes wetter and warmer. The earth in the upper altitudes is rich in minerals. Coffee plantations and fruit orchards line the streets. Here you can observe the famous Galapagos giant tortoises in the wild, using the new knowledge you gained at Charles Darwin Station in the morning.
The Scalesia forests in this area offer the opportunity to discover endemic species of the Galapagos Islands, giant cacti and a variety of deciduous trees and edible fruits.
Here you can also visit the twin 'craters' Los Gemelos. While they are not craters in the technical sense, these 70-meter vertical gullies with a carpet of lush vegetation are an impressive sight to behold.
Day 6
Post Office Bay & Devil's Crown, Floreana island
Morning: Floreana offers a wonderful testament to the fascinating human history of the Archipelago. Although paling in comparison to the geological history, the human history extends far beyond the island's first residents.
Here at Post Office Bay, learn about the historic barrel that has served as a post office in the archipelago for over two centuries. Lonely sailors, away from home for years at a time, would stop at Floreana to restock their supplies of food and water. The homesick sailors devised a clever solution - they left letters in a makeshift 'post box' on Floreana, and when passing ships stopped on the way back to their home port, they would pick up all the letters destined for that place and deliver them. To this day, the system is alive and well - each year, thousands of visitors continue to leave notes for loved ones and search for letters to bring home and deliver. To keep the tradition alive, hunt for a letter destined for a town near you and hand deliver it. As well as Post Office Bay, Floreana is famous for its mysterious stories around its first inhabitants, Doctor Ritter, Dora Strauch and the Wittmer family. You should also be sure to visit the Cave of Pirates, located near a freshwater fountain that once served as the only source of fresh water for the families living there. The fountain was called the Asylum of Peace by the Wittmers.
The Devil's crown, a half-sunken volcano crater, offers a small snorkelling paradise. The sandy-sloping crater walls are a playground for starfish, sea turtles and tropical fish, while white-tip reef sharks prefer the rocky caves at the bottom of the crater. Schools of white-and-yellow Surgeonfish, large, colourful Parrotfish, and dazzling King Angelfish are a regular sight at the Devil's Crown. It is important to note that this site can get some stronger currents, and there is no easy place to stand if you are tired. The boat remains nearby should you require it.
Devil's Crown & Punta Cormorant, Floreana island
Afternoon: Punta Cormorant is home to two stunning natural beaches. You'll make a wet landing in the first bay, where you'll find a unique black sand beach that twinkles green in the sunlight. The shimmering sand is made of olivine crystals, remnants of a long-gone violent volcanic eruption. Following the short trail along the beach, you'll come to a second little bay. Visitors will be delighted by the soft, white powdery sand that feels like walking in fine baking flour. This gorgeous beach certainly earned the name "Flour Beach". In the bay, you will likely spot green sea turtles, and if you wander back from the sandy stretch, you can find a saltwater lagoon that attracts vibrant flamingos and adorable white-cheeked pintails.
Day 7
Santa Fé island
Morning: Upon arrival at the white sand beach, you will be greeted by a large colony of sea lions. A trail leads you from the beach into a forest of prickly pears and Palo Santo trees. It is not rare to spot Galapagos hawks and even owls in the salt bushes. Even harmless snakes and the endemic rice rat can be discovered with a bit of luck while exploring the island. Arguably the most special, however, is the Santa Fé iguana. This species differs from its peers due to its significantly lighter colour and distinct dorsal spines.
Lobos Island
Afternoon: Isla Lobos is sometimes known as Sea Lion Island, for the huge colony of resident sea lions. Fire engine red Sally lightfoot crabs strike a strong contrast against the black volcanic rocks during your hike on Isla Lobos. Other curious creatures living on the otherwise uninhabited island include land iguanas and pelicans. Bring your snorkeling gear and treat yourself to a refreshing dip.
Day 8
Interpretation center, San Cristóbal island
Morning: The National Park Interpretation Center, located on San Cristóbal, was built in collaboration with the Spanish Science Center. The tour offered by the Center for Interpretation's facilities offer a good overview of the Galapagos Islands. The tour takes us through the history of the islands in the context of nature, humankind, and conservation. It also tells the story of the first settlers on the islands.
Departure from San Cristóbal island
You will return to the harbor of San Cristóbal. From there, transfer to San Cristóbal Airport in time for your return flight to the mainland or continue with your planned route through the Galapagos.