Your Travel Experience with chilepro
Day 1
Arrival on 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 ship and your cabin.
Islet Mosquera
Afternoon: Like many islands in the archipelago, Mosquera was formed due to an eruption of a submarine volcano. Rocks and coral colonised the island and supported you against the current that flows between Baltra and Seymour to collect sand. Now it is home to one of the largest colonies of sea lions and offers them a large beach to rest, sunbathe and play. In addition, orcas (killer whales) can sometimes be seen from here, as sea lions are part of their diet, and there is many cavorting here. Mosquera can also surprise some rare species. The endemic and rare Lava Gull nests on this island but is one of the rarest gull species in the world with its few hundred pairs. With some luck, you may stalk a crabeater heron or catch a glimpse of a rare red-footed booby.
Day 2
Darwin Bay, Genovesa island
Morning: Genovesa Island is secluded from the other main islands north of the archipelago and is well-known as Bird Island. Emerging from the narrow entrance, you'll reach Darwin Bay, surrounded by protective cliffs. Frigatebirds regularly patrol the skies here, and petrels can be seen hunting coastal waters for smaller fish. The green water in the bay is evidence of a high plankton content which attracts fish and seabirds, making this wildlife-rich bay an excellent site for snorkelling. With some luck, you may also encounter peaceful hammerheads and black-spotted stingrays.
Prinz Philip Steps, Genovesa island
Afternoon: Prince Philip's Steps are a staircase sunken into the volcanic rock that leads to a plateau rich with vegetation and wildlife. True to the nickname of Bird Island, this area is home to nesting masked and blue-footed boobies, Bahama ducks, petrels and gulls, amongst a host of other local species. The Galápagos horned owls bask on the warm volcanic rocks here, paying no attention to the tourists around them.
Day 3
Punta Mejia, Marchena island
Morning: Here, the Galapagos National Park Service allows you to enjoy the magical shores of Marchena for snorkelling, dinghying and kayaking. The tranquil scenario of endless and pristine lava flows, where there is no fresh water and very little valuable soil, is only interrupted by the roar and surf of the Pacific Ocean and the musical strife of sea lions. Punta Mejía is one of the best places in the archipelago for snorkelling. The calm and clear, deep blue waters of the northwest coast and the dark, hostile topography of the place give the feeling of witnessing the beginning of our planet and its underwater world. Besides the great variety of fish, you will often see rays, reef sharks and sea turtles while snorkelling.
Playa Negra
Afternoon: The drive southwest to Playa Negra is always an exciting experience. Several times in the past, porpoises, other marine mammals or feeding frenzies have been seen. After an early afternoon snorkel in a recent lava grotto where marine iguanas feed, head towards your next destination.
Day 4
Punta Albemarle, Isabela island
Morning: Human history has left its mark on this small corner of the Galapagos. Punta Albemarle, the northernmost point of Isabela, was a critical US radar station to prevent any Japanese attempt to destroy the Panama Canal. A small, dilapidated building reminds of the boredom and routine to which the young naval officers were subjected. The soldiers were in charge of three-week shifts, during which they were never given anything to do. Nevertheless, the animal world is the best example of the constant struggle for survival, a struggle that only the strongest survive. The world's only flightless cormorant nests in the recent lava flow, and the most giant marine iguanas in Galapagos bask there. Since not many boats visit this place, the cormorants, timid birds, show complete indifference to the presence of humans as they build their massive nests of sea grass. During the morning, the iguanas show their adaptability as they come to the shore to feed on green and red algae. This great environment is a reminder that the only constant on the islands changes.
Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela island
Afternoon: 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 tuffstone giving this area a majestic feel.
While you explore the two coves and the large 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.
Day 5
Punta Espinosa, Fernandina island
Morning: 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 the beach. While snorkelling, you might come close to the resident penguins darting quickly through the water.
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, which 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 destroys the coral reef. After a wet landing in the bay, you will go on a 3.5-kilometre march into the island's interior. 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 6
Elisabeth 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 against the surrounding lava fields. The myriad 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. It 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 7
Post Office Bay, Floreana island
Morning: Floreana offers a wonderful testament to the fascinating human history of the Archipelago. Although paling compared to the geological history, 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.
Devil's Crown, Floreana island
Afternoon: 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 stronger currents, and there is no easy place to stand if you are tired. The boat remains nearby should you require it.
Day 8
Highland, Santa Curz island
Morning: 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.
Depature from Baltra island
You will return to the harbor of Baltra. From there, transfer to Baltra Airport in time for your return flight to the mainland or continue with your planned route through the Galapagos.