Your Travel Experience with chilepro
Day 1
Transfer from Baltra Airport to Harbour
You will arrive in Baltra in the morning where the crew will greet you. Your guide will accompany you to your cruise, and a briefing will be held regarding the following days onboard. Then, you will be brought to your cabin.
Santa Cruz Highland
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 and giant tortoises roam around at ease in their natural environment. The Scalesia forests in this area offer the opportunity to discover endemic species of the Galapagos Islands, as well as 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 2
Las Tintoreras, Isabela Island
Morning: Off the port of Puerto Villamil, on Isabela, a group of islets protrudes from the ocean. The jagged black formations littered with mangroves and candelabra cacti are the remains of a lava flow that flowed into the ocean millennia ago. Subjected to constant waves, the formations are hollowed out and today a collapsed lava tube forms a channel that fills up during the flood and closes the channel during low tide. Marine life remains in the canal, including the spectacular white tip reef sharks ( also known as "tintoreras" in Spanish). This species of shark is quite common in the archipelago and is mostly sighted during a snorkel on the ocean floor where they rest from their nightly hunts. This unique place allows you to observe the different marine creatures in the crystal clear, turquoise water from the shore. Turtles, elegant white-spotted eagle or golden rays can be seen gliding through the calm canal, as well as smaller fish and Galapagos sea lions. The rocky coast with its tidal habitat also attracts red cliff crabs, lava herons, and Galapagos penguins.
Wetlands and interpretation center, Isabela Island
Afternoon: It is one of the most important wetlands in the Galapagos Islands. With moors and lagoons, there are many things to marvel at here. Walk along the pledge on good ground or a wooden walkway and observe various birds, such as flamingos, Galapagos finches, Galapagos pigeons, Galapagos mockingbirds and also marine iguanas. 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 important for the inhabitants of the wetland but also protect the coast from the crashing waves of the sea.
Day 3
Punta Moreno, Isabela Island
Morning: 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 favorite 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!
Mangle Point, Fernandina Island
Afternoon: After lunch, head to Mangle Point on the pristine island of Fernandina, one of the most untouched and ecologically pure islands in the Galapagos. This location offers a spectacular mangrove ecosystem, a haven for wildlife. As your boat gently navigates through the clear waters, observe the intricate mangrove roots where marine turtles and rays often hide. The calm and shallow waters make this an ideal spot for snorkeling, offering a chance to swim alongside sea turtles, various species of rays, and abundant tropical fish. Mangle Point presents a unique opportunity to witness the symbiosis between the mangrove forests and the marine environment, offering a serene and intimate experience with nature.
Day 4
Punta Espinosa, Fernandina 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 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 conditions, Punta Vicente Roca is considered one of the best snorkeling sites in the Galapagos.
Tagus Cove, Isabela Island
Afternoon: The historical pirate hideaway of Tagus Cove has been frequented by sailors since the 1800s. The names of visiting ships were often painted and carved into the cliffs surrounding the cove. Trails wind their way around Lake Darwin up to a ridge, offering wonderful views of the landscape and the ocean, with Wolf and Darwin Islands dotting the horizon. Punta Tortuga, just north of Tagus Cove, is another idyllic tropical beach surrounded by mangroves. You can enjoy a panga ride through the cliffs, observing penguins, flightless cormorants, boobies, pelicans and Sally Lightfoot crabs or return to the cove to relax on the shore or snorkel.
Day 5
Puerto Egas, Santiago Island
Morning: After landing on the black sand beach of Puerto Egas in Santiago Island, there are two hiking trails for you to choose from. The one first one leads you along the coast to the "fur seal cave" where adorable fur seals can be found laying in the shade or resting on cool rocks by the coast. The cave and nearby areas are a favorite feeding location for marine iguanas as well. The second path leads you to the Azucar Volcano who we hold responsible for the unusually dark color of the beach. The crater of the volcano is filled with salt water, and when it is dried out during the warmer days, a gorgeous salt landscape reveals itself. Between 1928 and 1930, the place was once taken inconsiderate to be used as a salt mine. However, upon realizing that it is not realistic nor lucrative to do so, this plan has fortunately been abandoned. Do keep a lookout for the Galapagos Flamingos, Galapagos Falcon and other birds on the island. Sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs, lava lizards, Galapagos hawks and lava herons can also be found on this island!
Chinese Hat Island in front of Santiago Island
Afternoon: “Sombrero Chino”, as the island is called in Spanish, is a small volcanic island off the south-east coast of Santiago. The name comes from the shape of the island, which looks like a Chinese hat.
Day 6
Black Turtle Cove, Insel Santa Cruz
Morning: Black Turtle Cove is a red mangrove lagoon serving as a nursery for sharks and rays. Black Turtle Cove is a great location to observe mating sea turtles during nesting season. Travellers often see large groups of resting white-tip reef sharks, schools of golden rays and the incredibly beautiful spotted eagle rays. As the water is usually very calm, this area can be navigated using paddles instead of the loud panga engines, increasing your chances of wildlife encounters.
Departure from Baltra Island
Your cruise ends here and from the harbor at Baltra, you will transfer to the airport where you will travel back to Ecuador or continue with your planned program in the Galapagos Islands.