Itinerary A

Highlights

  • Exciting bird watching opportunities in Cerro Dragón and Darwin Bay where you can see a variety of different species of feathered wildlife found in the Galápagos.
  • Have snorkeling adventures with tropical fish, playful sea-lions, and other exciting creatures.
  • Experience the peaceful tranquility of the majestic mangrove forest.
  • Witness the magnificence of the waved Albatrosses at Española.
  • Take in and enjoy the amazing views while sailing on board your Yacht from the sundeck

Activity level: Moderate

Day 1: QUITO / SEYMOUR AIRPORT

Baltra

Take an early flight to the Galápagos Islands. Head to Bachas Beach to see Sally Lightfoot crabs, flamingos and sea lions.

Bachas Beach Landing

Head to Bachas Beach where the sand is made of decomposed coral, making it soft and white, and a favourite site for nesting sea turtles. Spot abundant Sally Lightfoot crabs on the lava rocks along the water’s edge – these crabs will eat anything they can get their claws on! Trek to see a wide range of wildlife, including flamingos, hermit crabs, black necked stilts, and sea lions.

Day 2: FLOREANA ISLAND / PUNTA CORMORANT

Snorkelling (Darwin Bay)

Visit this sunken caldera for a great snorkelling opportunity. See large schools of tropical fish swarming near the vertical walls, and, if lucky, see a manta ray or hammerhead.

Darwin Bay Visit

Genovesa Island Walk along the white coral sands of Darwin Bay surrounded by bustling sea birds. Follow the trail and see nesting frigatebirds, gulls, and boobies. Be sure to bring your camera to take some snaps of your new feathered friends. .

El Barranco Visit

Genovesa Island Visit “El Barranco” aka Prince Phillip’s Steps located on the southern tip of the island for an amazing wildlife watching opportunity. Hike up the steps to see a sea bird colony that is full of life including the breeding grounds for red-footed boobies and masked boobies.

Day 3: PUNTA SUÁREZ / BAHÍA GARDNER

Bartolomé Island Landing

Hike to Bartolomé’s summit for a stronger perspective of the islands’ not-too distant volcanic origins, and enjoy a panoramic view – it’s one of the best among the islands! See other Galápagos Islands in the distance as well as Pinnacle Rock, the island’s famous towering landmark.

Snorkelling (Bartolomé Island)

Take the opportunity to swim and snorkel around Pinnacle Rock, one of the most iconic volcanic rock formations on the islands. Home to Galápagos penguins, friendly sea lions, sea turtles, and a huge variety of fish, Bartolomé and its surrounding waters are a fantastic place to explore the natural wonders of the Galápagos.

Sullivan Bay Visit

Visit Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island to see one of its star natural attractions – striking and fascinating giant lava formations. Very few plants have managed to survive on this island due to its harsh environment and relatively new lava flow. Enjoy a walk along the lava formations before coming to a white-coral sand beach, where abundant Sally Lightfoot crabs and sea lions gather on shore.

Day 4: PUERTO BAQUERIZO MORENO / QUITO

Black Turtle Cove Excursion

Explore the mangroves by panga to find rich marine wildlife between the fresh and salt waters. Keep any eye out for manta rays and sea turtles in this tranquil ecosystem. White tip reef sharks can also be seen gliding by.

Cerro Dragón Visit

Visit Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill) for some prime bird watching. Take a short walk from the beach to a hyper salinic (saltier than the ocean) lagoon frequented by pink flamingos, common stilts, pintail ducks, and other species of birds. Pass through a Scalesia tree forest; endemic to the area, there are only 400 specimens of Scalesia trees left in the world.