Your Travel Experience with chilepro
Day 1
Transfer to the yacht
At the Arrival at San Cristóbal Airport, a naturalist English speaking guide will assists you. Transfer to the yacht. Welcome and briefing.
Lobos Island
Afternoon: After lunch you will travel about an hour to Isla Lobos. A great introduction to the Galapagos Isla Lobo is the home to a small colony of sea lions and a great beach to walk along. The bay is clam and shallow, perfect for swimming and snorkelling with tropical fish and the sea lions.
Day 2
Punta Pitt on San Cristóbal Island
Morning: Here you will be able to observe a mixture of different types of lava floes as well as colourful vegetation. At this point it is possible to see the 3 species of boobies as well as frigate birds, all nesting in the same area - unique to this spot in the entire archipelago.
Kicker Rock on León Dormido
Afternoon: A short distance away and visible from shore is an island called Leon Dormido, or "Kicker Rock," which resembles a sleeping lion. It is quite striking and if conditions are right we may be able to sail through a narrow channel which splits Kicker Rock in half. An incredible snorkelling spot, Kicker Rock is home to an incredibly diverse set of marine life in the nutrient-rich water.
Day 3
Gardner Bay on Española Island
Morning: You start the day with a walk on the white sandy beach home to a large colony of sea lions and a great chance to see them up close. After getting your picture taken with them you head out into the bay to the islands of Osborn and Gardner, two amazing snorkelling spots. You will keep our eye out for many varieties of fish species, rays and of course sea turtles.
Punta Suarez on Española Island
Afternoon: Well known for its high jagged cliffs and being home to a multitude of bird species. Follow the trail through a rookery and learn the geological history of the island from our naturalist, including its dramatic volcanic features, climate, flora and fauna. If you are travelling between April to December you will be lucky to see the Waved Albatross, during its mating/nesting season. Española is the nesting site to virtually the entire world population of this species, with more than 12000 pairs residing here. Large numbers of Masked and Blue-footed Boobies are also found here, Red-billed Tropic Birds dash madly through the air, and both Marine Iguanas and sea lions are common. A huge blowhole, where the surf is forced through a natural rock formation spouting seawater 15 to 20 m (49 – 66 ft) into the air, adds to the island’s impression of untamed beauty.
Day 4
Post Office Bay on Floreana Island
Morning: A barrel was placed here in the late 18th century by English whaling vessels to be used as a post office. Passing ships would stop to leave mail for loved ones, collecting at the same time any mail destined for ports on their itineraries. Today the box is used mainly by tourists, who may drop off and pick up unstamped letters to be carried to far destinations. The remains of a Norwegian canning factory are the only evidence of the Island’s history prior to its designation as a protected area. A short hike up past the post barrel takes you to an interesting lava cave. With the aid of a flashlight, you can descend about 80 m (262 ft) to the point where the sea enters the cave.
Punta Cormorant on Floreana Island
Afternoon: The landing is on a beach of green sand, coloured by olivine crystals, volcanic-derived silicates of magnesium and iron. The trail leads to a lake normally inhabited by flamingos and other shore birds and continues to a beach of fine white sand particles known as “Flour Beach”, an important nesting site for turtles. Around the point, Devil's Crown derives its name from the broken remains of a partially submerged volcanic cone. This is a perfect spot to go snorkelling from the boat, as the waters are home to a multitude of colourful fish and sea lions. Please make sure you are a comfortable swimmer, however, as despite the protection from the open sea provided by the "crown," the water here can be rough and the currents strong.
Day 5
Seymour Island
Morning: Home to sea lions, marine iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, magnificent frigate birds and blue-footed boobies. Seymour Island is a exciting photographic island. Bird life abounds, and close to the trail you will find many nesting pairs and young chicks. Seymour is also home to the Galapagos’s largest colony of Magnificent Frigate Birds. Their mating ritual is an ostentatious display: males expand the red sack at the base of their throat and perch atop a bush with wings fully extended, flapping furiously. Interested females circle overhead, and if so inclined, may join the male on terra firma. Further along the trail we can observe a colony of sea lions.
Bartolomé Island
Afternoon: Arriving at Bartolomé Island in the mid afternoon you will hike to the summit of the island provides a clearer perspective of the islands' not-too-distant volcanic origins, and the panoramic view is one of the best among the islands. From here are visible the double-sided beach of Bartolomé directly below, the volcanic tower rising out of the water next to it, and Santiago in the distance. After the summit hike, stop at the beach to relax in semi-tropical tranquility. There is great snorkelling among the submerged volcanic rock and around the base of the tower. A short hike to the beach on the opposite side is worth the minimal effort. It is not unusual to see sharks in these shallow waters, and marine turtles nest here from January through March.
Day 6
Darwin Bay o Genovesa Island
Morning: Land at Genovesa Island, an old imploded volcano, to observe the massive colonies of Frigate Birds, Boobies and other seabirds as well as striking volcanic cliffs rising from the ocean. Well to the north of the main Galapagos Island group, Genovesa Island itself is the shape of a horseshoe given it's volcanic history. The first landing is at a place called Darwin Bay for some fantastic snorkelling opportunities within the a partially eroded crater on the south side of the island.
Prince Phillip´s Steps on the island of Genovesa
Afternoon: The El Barranco Cliff, also known as Prince Phillips' Trail, has a rocky path that lead up to the towering cliff walls. From there you have a wonderful view over the ocean. In the middle of the Palo Santo vegetation are red-footed boobies, Lava Short-eared Owl, Galapagos swallows as well as Galapagos pigeons.
Day 7
Las Bachas on Santa Cruz Island
Morning: Spend the morning on the north cost of Santa Cruz on the sandy Bachas Beach. Many bird specific feed on the shore lines and flamingos can usually be found in the pond behind the beach. Take a swim in the calm surf or go snorkelling off the beach keeping a looked out for the Galapagos Green Turtle that is known to nest here.
Santa Fé Island
Afternoon: Santa Fé Island is well-known as a great place for watching (and swimming with) sea lions as well as finding land iguanas in the wild. Along the island's northern shore you can view the forest of giant Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia). Santa Fé is also home to a number of endemic species which have bounced back from various threats to their survival. You may get a chance to see the Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, a variety of finches and the Galapagos mockingbird.
Day 8
Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre on Santa Cruz
Morning: You arrive in Puerta Ayora, on Santa Cruz Island where you Explore the Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre on Santa Cruz. A corral houses adult Galapagos Tortoises, and a nursery cares for young tortoises until they are about eight years old, when their shells have hardened enough.
Transfer to Baltra Airport
Transfer to Baltra Airport by bus for your return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.