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.
Interpretation Center on San Cristóbal
Afternoon: It is an interpretation center with exuberant gardens and stunning ocean views in contrast with the 1960s buildings Charles Darwin Center. Visitor to the interpretation facts and natural history. This is the oldest museum of the natural history of the Galapagos Islands that is trying to preserve the nature of the island.
Day 2
Punta Pitt on San Cristóbal
Morning: Punta Pitt is located on the east end of San Cristóbal Island. It is a group of volcanic cones eroded and scarcely populated by endemic and indigenous vegetation of the Islands. Punta Pitt is an ideal place where a variety of marine birds, such as, blue-footed boobies, masked, red-footed boobies, frigates among others nest.
Lobos Island on San Cristóbal
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 3
Gardner Bay on Española Island
Morning: Located on the north-eastern coast of Hood, Gardner Bay provides an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and the opportunity to observe sea lions (Zalophus wollebaki),. Here we can also observe sharks in the crystal clear ocean waters. Here you will find three species of Darwin Finches: Geospiza fuliginosa, Geospiza fuliginosa and Certhidea Olivacea), these are endemic subspecies . Alos, here it is possible to observe resident and migratory bird species. This zone is really important for marine tortoises nesting, specially the (Chelonia mydas).
Punta Suarez on Española Island
Afternoon: This area is great for spotting blue-footed boobies, albatrosses and Nazca boobies. A beautiful site on the ocean front, the large waved albatrosses use the cliff as a launching pad. The famous attraction is the magnificent blowhole, spurting water high into the air at least from 50 to 75 meters high. This site presents wonderful photograph opportunities.
Day 4
Punta Cormorant on Floreana Island
Morning: This site offers probably the best flamingo lagoon in the Galapagos; it is also one of the largest in the islands. It’s situated between two tuff lava cones that give the area a special atmosphere. There are various species of shorebirds to observe besides flamingos; the most frequent are common stilts, white-checked pintail ducks, and other migratory birds. It is very interesting to see the two distinct beaches: “The Green Beach” (due to its high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand) and the “Flour Sand Beach” which is made up of coral.
Post Office Bay on Floreana Island
Afternoon: Historically, this site is the location of a wooden barrel that wasplaced in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. It has been used since this time by mariners and tourists as a post office. The idea is to carry letters or postcards to their destination by hand. Apart from being the Post Office Barrel, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists. We will continue to the north of the island and will ascent to an elevated slope to enjoy a beautiful vista at the Baroness lookout.
Day 5
Charles Darwin Station on Santa Cruz Island
Morning: 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 carried out. One of the main attractions are the National Park information center, the Van Straelen Exhibition Hall, the Breeding and Rearing Center for young tortoises, Lonesome George (turtle from Pinta), and adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity.
Highlands of Santa Cruz
Afternoon: Journeying across Santa Cruz into the highlands visitors are delighted by the island’s variety of life and geology. Beginning at the coast and traveling across Santa Cruz the road departs from Puerto Ayora climbing through the agricultural lands and into the mist covered forests. Santa Cruz possesses all of the various life zones present in the archipelago.
Day 6
Punta Moreno on Isabela Island
Morning: Punta Moreno is located on the north coast of Isabela Island between the volcano Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcano. The trail runs along a lava flow Pahohoe (solidified lava in the form of corrugated or an accordion) into a complex of coastal lagoons, its main attraction are several species of birds which can be found around this lakes and mangroves.
Mangle Point on Fernandina Island
Afternoon: Off the eastern coast of Fernandina is Mangle Point a superior snorkeling site and a beautiful location for riding in a panga or zodiac through a grove of mangrove trees. A hike of about 1/2 miles is possible. Whether you hike, snorkel, or stay in your panga for a ride through the red mangrove trees, this second site of Fernandina Island is equally memorable. While you are on your ride, you are likely to see sea lions, tortoises, pelicans, rays and birds too numerous to name them all.
Day 7
Urbina Bay on Isabela Island
Morning: This area experienced a mojor uplift in 1954, causing the land to rise over 16 feet. The coast expanded half a mile out, leaving marine life stranded on the new shore. This area is also great place for snorkeling. Urbina Bay is a path that starts at the each where a landing is made wet, the course is approximately 3200m, and substrates throug the sand, pumice, lava, coral and vegetation in a coastal area suffered an uprising and the listener can appreciate iguana burrows. It is an ideal place to see red and blue lobster.
Tagus Cove on Isabela Island
Afternoon: Tagus Cove is located west of Darwin Volcano on Isabela Island. This was a favorite spot for pirates and whalers, a tradition is still observed that has continued since that time: the inscription of the names of boats. At the start of the walk, going up and passing the staircase, is a small cave where you will find inscriptions dating to the 1800s.
Day 8
Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island
Morning: Espinoza Point is a place famous for its large colonies of marine iguanas and as the habitat of unique species like the flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguin, Galapagos hawk, and Galapagos snake.
Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island
Afternoon: One of the most impressive and spectacular places of the enchanted Galapagos Islands; with high cliffs and tuffstone, ash and lava formations give this area a majestic touch. Located in the north-western coast of the island; comprises two distinct inlets. This large bay has a spectacular marine life. Here, you can see seahorses, sea turtles and the strange yet fascinating Mola-mola or sunfish. This bay is a great place to practice Panga Ride and Snorkeling.
Day 9
Espumilla Beach/ Bucanero Cove on Santiago Island
Morning: During the last presence the El Niño phenomenon, one of the two lagoons in this site, underwent a process of sedimentation, thus causing the disappearance of a representative colony of flamingos. The main attractions are the palosanto forest and the marvelous. The beach is an important site for nesting marine turtles.
Puerto Egas on Santiago Island
Afternoon: Its black beach is located at the west side of the island and is the main attraction of the island. Their volcanic tuff deposits have favored the formation of this special black sand beach. This site is called Puerto Egas, because there was an attempt of company of Hector Egas, to start the exploitation of salt, which failed because the price of salt in the continent was very cheap, and did not justify its exploitation in Galapagos. The project was abandoned and they left their infrastructure.
Day 10
Rábida Island
Morning: The volcanic material in this island is very porous and external factors as rain, salt water, and sea breeze have acted as an oxidizing agent. A short walk along a trail lead you to a coastal lagoon behind the beach which permits you to observe the land birds such as finches, doves, yellow warblers, and mocking birds. At the lagoon there is a colony of flamingos.
Chinese Hat Islet
Afternoon: This is a small islet (1 sq km) located just off the southeastern tip of Santiago Island. It is a recent volcanic cone, shaped like a Chinese hat when seen from north side. On the west you can see lava formations, formed under the sea and raised upward, this is why coral heads are found on the lava. This is an excellent visit for interpretation of geological features such as lava tubes and lava flows. The landscape is covered by sea lions colonies, marine iguanas, and Galapagos penguins.
Day 11
Black Turtle Cove, Santa Cruz Island
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.
Return to the harbour of Baltra
You will return to the harbour of Baltra. From there transfer to Baltra Airport by bus for your return flight to the mainland or you continue with your individual Galapagos program.