Galapagos Encounter

This morning we are transferred to the airport for our flight to the Galapagos Islands. Lunch is normally served on the flight. On arrival at Baltra Airport in the Galapagos you must pay the US$100 arrival tax for entry to Galapagos National Park. This is best done using cash, as using credit cards can be a time consuming process. We are met in the arrival hall of the airport and transferred to the 'San Jose'. Once settled on board, our cruise departs for Las Bachas. The sandy, white beaches on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island are a nesting site for the Pacific green turtle, and marine iguanas are also commonly seen. The rocks provide a great snorkelling experience and are the perfect habitat for the Sally Lightfoot crabs, which are plentiful on the island.

The volcanic rocks of Rabida are covered with palo santo trees, opuntia cacti and low, scrubby bushes. Sea lions abound on the red sand beach and there is a lagoon inhabited by flamingos. There are also several species of Darwin finches. The shoreline of Puerto Egas on Santiago is an ancient lava flow and the beach is a breeding ground for large numbers of marine iguanas. The beach provides a home to many shore birds including ruddy turnstone and American oystercatcher. Sugarloaf Mountain serves as a magical backdrop to the area and a natural bridge leads to the inlets where endemic fur seals are found on the rough lava shores.

Bartolome is a relatively new island in the chain and traces of its volcanic past can be seen everywhere, as evident by the amazing lunar-like landscape. The Pinnacle Rock is one of the most photographed sites in the Galapagos. Here we can hike to the top of a once-active volcano and enjoy superb views across to Sullivan Bay, on nearby Santiago Island. Later in the day we visit the bay, which will be of great interest to those keen on geology. We see much evidence of a violent volcanic past with pahoehoe lava, ropy lava and gigantic lava tubes seen everywhere.

Today we visit Santa Cruz, the second largest island in the Galapagos. The small town of Puerto Ayora is the economic centre of the archipelago, whilst the island is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station. After breakfast we have the opportunity to visit the station, but not before checking out of our cabins as we will be leaving the boat today. Apart from exploring the station and observing the tortoise research and breeding programs, we also head up into the highlands for a total change of scenery. Here it is a lush humid zone containing miconia bushes, scalesia and inactive volcanic cones. We can visit a pair of large pit craters called 'Los Gemelos' (if lucky, we may spot a vermilion flycatcher) and the largest lava tunnels found in the Galapagos. Santa Cruz has more endemic plants than any of the other islands and we may even see Galapagos giant tortoises in their natural habitat. As you will be leaving the boat this morning, please remember that if you have enjoyed the services provided by your guide and crew, a tip would be very much appreciated by them. As a guideline we recommend each passenger consider US$15 per day for the crew and US$7-10 per day for your guide. You can leave tips in envelopes that are placed in your cabin on this last morning of your cruise. For something a little different, this evening is spent in a comfortable hotel in Puerto Ayora where we can unwind in one of the many small restaurants and bars in this peaceful town.

Today we transfer by road and boat back to Baltra Airport for our flight back to Quito. On arrival at Quito's Mariscal Sucre International Airport, we are transferred back to our starting hotel for the final night of our tour.

Your 'Galapagos Encounter' adventure comes to an end today after breakfast.