Grand Galapagos

Day 1: Quito - Arrival day

On arrival at Quito's Mariscal Sucre International Airport you are met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. There is a pre-departure meeting in the evening at 6pm when you meet others traveling on your cruise to the Galapagos Islands. Note: Quito is located at 2850 metres above sea level. At this altitude you may experience some of the milder effects of altitude sickness, such as dizziness, insomnia and a shortness of breath. If so, we recommend you avoid any strenuous activity.

Day 2: Fly Quito to Baltra - Visit Las Bachas

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 by our National Park Guide, and transferred to the 'San Jose'. Once settled on board, our cruise departs for Las Bachas, which was so named after the barges abandoned by the American Navy here in the 1940’s. The sandy, white beaches of Las Bachas 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 sand here is particularly white and soft as it is made of decomposed coral. The rocks provide great snorkelling and are the perfect habitat for the Sally Lightfoot crabs, which are plentiful on the island. A saltwater lagoon near to the beach is home to flamingo and whimbrel, and look out too for great blue herons.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 3: Isabela Island: Tintoreras, Giant Tortoise Breeding Center and the Wall of tears

Today we wake up on the South Coast of Isabela Island, the largest of the Galapagos Archipelago. Isabela was formed by five giant volcanic craters, all of which are still considered active. The island is located in one of the youngest geological areas in the world, having been formed less than 1 million years ago. This southern coast of turquoise blue waters has the largest area of beaches in the Galapagos. We visit Las Tintoreras, where from the viewing walkway you can look down into this narrow channel to see a colony of white-tipped reef sharks swimming and sleeping, and the occasional playful sea lion among them! Blue-footed boobies and penguins, marine iguanas and crabs also make their home here, and the waters provide further opportunities to swim with turtles. Here we also visit the Giant Tortoise breeding centre and the Wall of Tears, constructed from lava by prisoners of the penal colony here between 1946 and 1959 as punishment.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 4: Isabela Island: Punta Moreno, Punta Mangle and Tagus Cove

Sailing along Isabela’s west coast is an exploration of Galapagos history, both natural and man-made. The shoreline has long provided a safe harbour for ships and was also the site of an astonishing geological uplift in the 1950s, when Volcan Alcedo erupted, the coastline rising as much as 1km out of the sea. This morning we visit Punta Moreno and Elizabeth Bay. On the South- Western side of Isabela, Punta Moreno has an impressive landscape of Black lava flows and brackish lagoons which are magnet for wildlife. Here amongst the unusual vegetation we are likely to spot Darwin’s finches, Galapagos Doves, blue-footed boobies, mockingbirds and flightless cormorants. From here we have spectacular views of the Alcedo, Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul Volcanoes The jagged, rocky islets of Elizabeth Bay make for classic Galapagos exploration, with an abundance of life on land and underwater. In the sheltered passages and coves fringed with mangrove forests, rays and many turtles are often seen, as well as sea lions resting on fallen trees. Elsewhere, trails through the sharp lava terrain get you among penguins and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Elizabeth Bay is also the finest place in the Galapagos for seeing shearwaters Further north, Tagus Cove is a beautiful spot – a sheltered anchorage protected by two volcanoes. The name of this small cave originated from a British warship which sailed through the islands in 1814 looking for the Galapagos Tortoise for use as food; the walls of the cave display maritime inscriptions left by the sailors of this era. The waters are alive with marine life here – look out for dolphins and penguins, and perhaps even sunfish. A hike uphill takes us past a saltwater lagoon and through palo santo forest to Punta Tortuga, where the views back down to the cove and lagoon are breathtaking. The trail is also a great opportunity to see Galapagos hawks.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 5: Fernandina & Isabela Islands: Punta Espinosa and Punta Vincente Roca

This morning we visit nearby Fernandina Island, the youngest of the Galapagos Islands. The northeast tip, Punta Espinosa is a narrow ledge of lava and sand extending from the base of La Cumbre volcano. Here we walk on Pahoehoe lava and can see lava Cactus, Iit is also a great place for encounters with marine iguanas and flightless cormorants, drying their atrophied wings among the stark volcanic landscape. In the afternoon we visit Isabela’s northwest tip, Punta Vicente Roca, it is a stunning spot. Here, exploration in panga boats gets us close to volcanic sea cliffs where penguins and flightless cormorants can be spotted, while a snorkel in the waters reveals one of the archipelago’s greatest places for swimming among green sea turtles, as well a huge number of fish. We might just get to swim with marine iguanas and penguins as well!

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 6: Santiago Island: Espumilla beach, Bucanero Cove and Puerto Egas

Today we visit some wonderful places. Espumilla Beach, on the northern coast of Santiago Island in James Bay, is one of the most idyllic locations in the Galapagos Islands and is an important nesting site for marine turtles. Espumilla beach is also well known for it’s Palo Santo Forest and some extraordinary lava formations. This morning we also visit Caleta Bucanero (Buccaneer Cove), a natural monument of rocks caused by sea erosion. This cove was used by pirates to careen their ships. It is a place of local legends and stories! Port Egas is a black sand beach located on the west side of James Bay and northwest of Santiago Island. South of the beach is Sugarloaf Volcano, which has deposits of volcanic tuff. This site is named Puerto Egas, after Hector Egas who last attempted to mine salt here. The walk along the beach offers hundreds of marine iguanas, California sea lions and Galapagos fur sea lions.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 7: Rabida Island and Sombrero Chino

Rabida, also known as ‘Jervis’ is a tiny island sitting roughly 5 kilometres south of Santiago and is one of the most striking of the archipelago. Introduced species were eradicated in 1971, meaning that the indigenous wildlife has now been returned to a state of splendid isolation. Additionally, volcanic activity here has produced vivid, fantastical colours, not least the beaches of red sand and cliffs of scarlet. From the shore, the trail leads through to what is one of the finest lagoons in the Galapagos for viewing flamingos. Rabida is also a wonderful place to spot nesting pelicans. Elsewhere, pintail ducks, marine iguanas and sea lions are all present. Sombrero Chino is a small islet located near the south-east coast of Santiago. It's shaped like a Chinese hat (Sombrero Chino) when seen from afar and is geologically fascinating, with many lava tubes leading from the cone to the coast.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 8: Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Research Station and the Highlands

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, and home to the Charles Darwin Research Station. As well as undertaking vital conservation work, the station also makes for interesting exploration and offers the best opportunities for close encounters with giant tortoises, including the famous ‘Lonesome George’, the last tortoise of his sub-species (one of 11 sub-species native to the islands). We also observe baby tortoises and land iguanas. Afterward we head up into the highlands for a total change of scenery. Beginning at the coast we travel across Santa Cruz through the agricultural region and into the misty forests. Here it is a lush humid zone containing miconia bushes, scalesia and inactive volcanic cones. Santa Cruz has more endemic plants than any of the other islands and we are likely to see Galapagos giant tortoises in their natural habitat and perhaps even the bright red feathers of a vermillion flycatcher!

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 9: Black Turtle Cove and Mosquera

Today we take and early morning excursion to Caleta Tortuga Negra (Black Turtle Cove) - a red mangrove wetland on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. We paddle among the cove’s peaceful waters, for our first taste of the underwater riches of these waters – it’s a wonderful place to see green turtle and is a nursery for rays and Galapagos sharks. There is also abundant birdlife, such as the yellow warbler and lava heron. This is also a breeding area for turtles, so it is not uncommon to see them mating. After lunch we visit the small sandy island of Mosquera, it’s a relaxing, picturesque stop. Along the rocks and in the tide pool, sally lightfoot crabs (red lava crabs) scamper back and forth, skipping across small pools of water in search of food. These crabs with their bright red shell tops and blue under shells are stunning against the black lava. Ever aware of movement around them, the sally lightfoot is quick to escape from any approaching movement, a natural defence that helps protecting them from their natural predators, herons, moray eels and hawkfish. This quick escape technique seems in stark contrast to the unabashed way the crabs climb over the sedentary marine iguanas.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 10: Genovesa Island and Darwin Bay

The archipelago’s northeast outpost, it takes an overnight sail to reach Genovesa, but it’s undeniably worth the voyage. Dolphins are often spotted in the waters around Genovesa, while the island itself is one of abundant beauty, with varying landscapes and wonderful wildlife. It’s also a twitcher’s paradise, with all three kinds of boobies – including the rare red-footed booby – and numerous other species, such as tropic birds and frigatebirds. Walking the steep path known as Prince Philip’s Steps gets us into the heart of the seabird rookeries, with birds overhead and nesting among the cliffs. On the island’s rocky plains, we look out for storm petrels – Genovesa is the only place in the world where they can be seen on the wing during daytime. Elsewhere, Darwin Bay is another superb site – with large breeding colonies of seabirds and frigates, while the island’s magnificent marine life makes for spectacular snorkelling – the chance of encountering manta rays and sharks, turtles and moray eels, along with many fish make Genovesa one of the archipelago’s most exciting spots to take the plunge.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 11: Plaza Sur and Santa Fe Islands

A small island, Plaza Sur is nonetheless a place of great beauty, where we get close to sea lions and onto trails past one of the Galapagos’ largest land iguana populations, resting amid cacti and volcanic landscapes coloured bright red and green by sesuvium. The island’s rugged southern cliffs are an excellent place to spot tropicbirds and swallow-tailed gulls, as well as ‘the gentlemen’s club’, a gathering of male sea lions either too young or too old to be ‘beachmasters’! Santa Fe is home to more sea lions, and these ones are very eager for swimming partners! It’s a lovely place to take a dip, and the landscape on the inland trails is also beautiful, with cacti forests home to a unique sub-species of land iguanas.Hiking towards the cliffs on Santa Fe leads us to a forest of prickly pear cactus. A member of the cactus family, their name comes from the pear shaped fruit the plant produces. Santa Fe is home to endemic land iguanas. Once back at the beach we have free time to snorkel back in the lagoon. Playful sea lions pups and florescent fish make for fascinating company.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 12: San Cristobal Island: Leon Dormido, Cerro Brujo and Red Hill

This morning we pass through Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock), which is a magnificent rock in the middle of the sea, the shape resembles a sleeping lion. The rock rises 150 metres above the surface and is divided into two parts by a narrow channel. We also visit Cerro Brujo, where there is a chance to go hiking, swimming and snorkelling. The sandy beach is home to Sally Lightfoot crabs, brown pelicans and blue-footed boobies. After lunch we travel into the interior of the island to visit the highlands site of ‘Galapaguera of Cerro Colorado’ (Red Hill) where the national park has established a breeding program and information centreer for tTortoises . Here, we will be able to see gGiant Ttortoises in their natural habitat and learn all about their origin, evolution and their threatened future.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 13: Española Island: Bahia Gardner and Punta Suarez

Today we cruise to the island of Española Espanola - the southernmost island of the Galapagos and one of the most spectacular. Because of its remote location this island place has a large population of endemic fauna. It is the breeding site for nearly all of the world's 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses and also home to colonies of blue-footed and masked boobies. Trails from the golden beaches, where sea lions bathe and marine iguanas make their way towards the water, lead us right through the middle of booby colonies, and Galapagos doves and mockingbirds are also often seen. We also visit the beautiful white sandy beaches at Bahia Gardner, which are great places for swimming and relaxing. The rocks off the coast provide excellent snorkelling opportunities, with reef sharks, turtles and many species of tropical fish, including surgeon and angelfish, often seen. The small white-tipped reef sharks are also often spotted resting under the rocks. We also pay a visit to Punta Suarez, one of the most attractive locations in the Galapagos and home to large and varied wildlife population - a walk along its trails takes us to a clifftop viewpoint, where we gain a magical panorama. Boobies line the rocky shoreline beneath us, while frigatebirds may be seen overhead; nearby enormous male sea lions can be seen lounging and albatross use the cliffs as their ‘runway’, helping become airborne by the southeast winds that blow across this part of the island. If we’re lucky we’ll see the elaborate courtship rituals performed by albatrosses before the female chooses her lifelong mate!

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 14: Floreana Island: Punta Cormorant, Devil's Crown and Post Office Bay

The island of Floreana is a highlight of any Galapagos cruise, rich in natural wonders and wildlife. We go ashore at Punta Cormorant where the sand is made up of fine olivine crystals, a glassy volcanic mineral, giving the beach an olive-green colour. It is the best place to see Galapagos sea lions. Today is also one of our finest opportunities to see pink flamingos and other water birds wading in the lagoons, including pintails and stilts. Just offshore, the Devil’s Crown is an old eroded volcanic cone and a popular roosting site for seabirds such as boobies, pelicans and frigates. Red-billed tropicbirds can also be seen nesting in the rocky crevices. The centre of the cone is an outstanding snorkelling spot, perhaps the most remarkable in the entire archipelago, full of sea lions and colourful fish. Floreana is also home to Post Office Bay, where 18th century whalers used a barrel as an unofficial mail drop. This custom continues to this day with visitors to the Galapagos – post one of your own, or see if there are any you could deliver back home!

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 15: Bartolome Island and Sullivan Bay

Bartolome is a relatively new island in the archipelago and traces of its volcanic past can be seen everywhere, as evidenced by the amazing lunar-like landscape. The Pinnacle Rock is one of the most photographed sites in the Galapagos – an abrupt jag of rock protruding from the earth like a tooth, while nearby two golden bays back onto each other. Here we can hike to the top of a once-active volcano and enjoy superb views across to Sullivan Bay, on nearby Santiago Island.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 16: North Seymour Island - Fly Baltra to Quito

Today we take an early morning excursion to North Seymour.The trail on North Seymour crosses the inland through the island and then explores the rocky coast. Along the way the trail passes colonies of blue footed boobies and frigatebirds. The magnificent frigatebird, a large black bird with a long wingspan, and a hooked beak, is extremely fast and has excellent vision. Frigatebirds are known for the large red pouch on their necks. During mating season the males thrown back their heads, inflate the pouch (sometimes to the size of a soccer ball), and shake trying to capture the attention of female frigates. Boobies and frigates have an interesting relationship. Sharing the same nesting area on North Seymour, blue-footed boobies nest on the ground making their nests from the twigs of the palo santos trees, while the frigate birds nests just above them in the saltbushes. This is our final excursion before we return to the airport in Baltra for our flight back to Quito. 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$10 per day for your guide. You can leave tips in envelopes that are placed in your cabin on this last day of your journey. Upon arrival in Quito Airport you are transferred back to our hotel for an overnight stay.

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 17: Quito

Your 'Galapagos in Depth' voyage comes to an end today after breakfast.

Meals included: 1 breakfast