Day 1: Wednesday Santa Cruz
- AM – Baltra airport
Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra (2 ½ hours flight). Passengers are picked
up at the airport by our naturalist guides and taken on a ten minute bus drive to the
pier to board the Coral I or II
- PM – Highlands Santa Cruz-
Dry landing. A 45-minute bus ride will take us to the Santa Cruz highlands, located to the northwest of Puerto Ayora, where we will find a natural reserve with giant tortoises. These enormous and slow-moving reptiles are responsible for the island’s name and therefore approaching them in their humid and forested abode is always an inspiring adventure. They can weigh between 250 and 300 kg and can live up to 150- 200 years.
Difficulty level: easy     Type of terrain: flat & muddy sometimes (depending on season)   Duration: 45 minutes drive / 1h30 walk

Day 2: Thursday Fernandina Island
Dry landing. Espinosa Point is the only spot that we visit on Fernandina, and from it we can see the island of Isabela across the Bolívar Channel, an area that boasts some of the highest diversity of endemic sea fauna in the Galapagos. The largest, most primitive-looking race of marine iguanas* are found mingling with sea lions and Sally Lightfoot Crabs; a wonderful opportunity to encounter Flightless Cormorants at their nesting sites, Galapagos Penguins and the “King” of predators on the Islands, the Galapagos Hawk.
“Pa-hoe-hoe” and “AA” lava formations* cover the majority of the terrain. Vegetation is thus scarce inland, but we encounter Brachycereus cacti and extensive mangrove beds lining the shores.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: rocky
Duration: 2 hours walk / 1hour snorkeling
- PM – Vicente Roca Point (Isabela)
Great deep-water* snorkeling at one of the richest marine havens on Earth (Bolívar Channel). We take a dinghy ride along the coast to observe a great diversity of sea and coastal birds*; Nazca and blue-footed boobies, noddies, brown pelicans, penguins, flightless cormorants. The upwelling of coldwater currents in this part of the Galapagos gives rise to an abundance of marine life.
Duration: 1 hour snorkeling / 1 hour dinghy ride

Day 3 : Friday Urbina Bay (Isabela)
- AM – Urbina Bay (Isabela)
Wet landing on a volcanic “black” beach. Depending on the season, we may find giant tortoises*, land iguanas* and the unusual Flightless Cormorant. After a short walk inland, snorkeling time is allotted, giving you yet another chance to swim with sea turtles, sea lions and countless tropical fish. Urbina Bay features a wide variety of plant life that changes depending on the season. We can observe the beautiful colors of plants that attract different insects, birds and reptiles. We will explore the uplifted coral reef that resulted from 1954 volcanic activity, with a spectacular view of Alcedo Volcano.
Difficulty level: intermediate     Type of terrain: flat   Duration: 1h30 walk / 1 hour snorkeling
- PM – Tagus Cove (Isabela)
Dry landing on Galapagos’ largest island where we will learn about the eruption of the five volcanoes that form it. The trail leads to Darwin’s salt-water crater Lake and excellent views of lava fields and volcanic formations.
We will return by the same path for a dinghy ride along a shoreline full of marine wildlife, where we will admire a variety of seabirds*, such as Blue-footed Booby, Brown Noddy, terns, Flightless Cormorant and depending on the season, a large number of Galapagos Penguins* which are only 35 cm. tall; the only penguin species in the world to extend its range into the northern hemisphere along the equator. They are monogamous and lay their eggs in small cracks of lava, on the lower parts of the island near the shoreline not reached by the ocean waves.
The population of penguins on the islands is about 2,000 individuals, most of which live on this western portion of Isabela; others are scattered further south on the island. We will have an opportunity to snorkel in deep water. Graffiti believed to have been left by19th-century pirates is a curious reminder of an intriguing past.
Difficulty level: intermediate   Type of terrain: steep  Duration: 2 hour walk / 40 minutes dinghy ride / deep water
snorkeling 1 hour

Day 4: Saturday Santiago Island
- AM – Egas Port (Santiago Island)
Wet landing on a beach of black volcanic sand, visited by Darwin in 1835. The rest section of the trail is comprised of volcanic ash (eroded tu ) and the other half of partially uneven terrain is comprised of volcanic basaltic rock lounging the shoreline. The unique, truly striking layered terrain of Santiago’s shores is home to a variety of resident and migrant birds, including the bizarre Yellow-crowned Night Heron and astounding array of marine wildlife including lobster, star sh and marine iguanas grazing  on algae beds alongside Sally Light-foot Crabs. Colonies of endemic fur seals swimming in cool water pools formed by volcanic rocks are also a highlight.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: the rst part at and then semi rocky.
Duration: 1h30 walk / 1 hour snorkeling

- PM – Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island)
Wet landing. This visitor site located at the southeastern portion of Santiago Island, and of important geologic interest, features extensive lava flows believed to have been formed during the last quarter of the 19th century.
Difficulty level: dificult, 1.5 km path. Type of terrain: at volcanic lava Duration: 1h30 walk / 1 hour snorkeling/swimming

 Day 5: Sunday Santa Cruz
- AM – Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz)
Wet landing on the north side of Santa Cruz; behind the beach lie two small flamingo ponds with iguanas, coastal birds, Darwin nches, mockingbirds, and gulls, as
well as interesting native and endemic vegetation, red and black mangroves, salt bushes, and much more. This beach is one of the main nesting sites of sea turtles* in the Galapagos. A female can lay eggs 3 or 4 times with an average of 70 eggs each, but then spend 3 or 5 years without breeding.
At this paradisiacal site we will also nd the remains of barges that sank long ago, once property of the United States Navy when they operated an airbase on Baltra Island during World War II. That is why the beach is called “Bachas” because the word “barges” in English was hard to pronounce for the local people.
Difficulty level: easy    Type of terrain: sandy   Duration: 1 hour walk / 1 hour snorkeling/swimming
- Baltra airport
Transfer to the airport for return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.


Cruise C (Sun-Wed) - 4 days / 3 nights

DAY 1 - SUNDAY ARRIVE GALAPAGOS -Darwin Station
am – Baltra Airport
Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island (2 ½-hour flight). Arriving in the
Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by our natural guides and taken to a
ten-minute bus drive to the pier to board the M/Y Coral I or M/Y Coral II.

PM – North Seymour Island
Dry landing. We visit the Station where the Galapagos giant tortoise breeding program takes
place as part of our efforts to preserve the fragile Galapagos environment and where the
famous Lonesome George (the last surviving specimen of his species) lived for decades.
Admire a prickly-pear cactus forest and variety Darwin’s finches and other land birds. The
Darwin Station also works providing environmental education to the communities, schools,
and tourists visiting the Galapagos Islands. You will also have some free time to visit the town
and shop for souvenirs.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: flat
Duration: 1 ½-hour visit

DAY 2 MONDAY  AM DARWIN STATION PM MOSQUERA ISLET
AM Charles Darwin Research Station & Fausto Llerena Breeding Center (Santa Cruz Island)
Dry landing. This is perhaps one of the busiest tourist destinations on the archipelago. Off of
Baltra Island (where the airport is located) and not far from Santa Cruz, North Seymour is the most
accessible for day trips out of Santa Cruz’s main port, Puerto Ayora.
An approximately two hour walk amidst large nesting colonies of blue-footed boobies*,
magnificent and great frigatebirds,* and swallow-tailed gulls for an in depth encounter with sea
bird breeding cycles and as well as sea lions. You will also encounter sea lions, land iguanas, and
on a lucky day, you might even come across a Galapagos Snake.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: rocky ground
Duration: 2-hour walk / 30-minute snorkeling

PM MOSQUERA ISLET
Wet Landing, Mosquera Islet is located between North Seymour and Baltra Island. This flat,
sandy island has a large colony of sea lions. It is also an excellent site to observe shorebirds
such as herons and lava gulls. There is no trail on the islet, the visitor can enjoy the open
area. Most of the islet is covered with sand and barren lava rock. Very little sesuvium
portulacastrum plants grow on the sand.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 1 ½-hour walk & snorkeling


DAY 3 TUESDAY SOUTH PLAZA & SANTA FE ISLAND
AM SOUTH PLAZA
Dry landing. There are two Plaza Islets (north and south) located east of Santa Cruz Island.
On the northern part of the Islet, visitors begin the journey along an impressive cactus
forest were colorful yellow and red land iguanas live, the population number is around
300 animals; during the dry season they survive on fruits and flowers of the opuntia cacti.
A peculiar thing to see in South Plaza is the hybrid iguana (sea and land). When reaching
the highest point, tropicbirds can be seen. During the dry season (June – January) the
usually greenish and yellowish vegetation change of color creating a bright red landscape
(sesuviumedmonstonei plant).
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: rocky
Duration: 2-hour walk

PM SANTA FE Island
Wet landing. Santa Fe shows white sand beaches surrounded by sea lion colonies; through
the island path, an endemic cactus forest is passed, home the Santa Fe land iguanas
(the largest in the islands). This island is the habitat for a number of species, including the
Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snakes, rice rats (one of the few endemic Galapagos rodents), a
variety of finches and one of the four mockingbird species of the archipelago.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: rocky
Duration: 1 ½-hour walk / 1-hour deep-water snorkeling


DAY 4 WEDNESDAY AM LOBOS ISLAND PM SAN CRISTOBAL-DEPART GALAPAGOS
AM LOBOS ISLAND

Wet landing. Isla Lobos is approximately 20 minutes by boat from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The
length of the trail is 850 meters, and the estimated travel time is one hour. There is a small
population of blue-footed boobies and common frigatebirds nest at this site.
You can see the two species of sea lions present in the Archipelago. During the boat ride, you can
see brown pelicans several species of shorebirds.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of Terrain: water
Duration: 1:30 - hour walk

PM SAN CRISTOBAL AIRPORT
After the visit you will go to San Cristobal Airport for their return flight to Guayaquil or Quito


Cruise D -South (Wednesday to Sunday) - 5 days / 4 nights

Day 1: Wednesday
- AM – San Cristobal airport
Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to San Cristobal (2 ½ hours flight). Passengers are
picked up at the airport by our naturalist guides and taken on a ten minute bus drive
to the pier to board the M/V Galapagos Legend.
- PM – Interpretation Center & Tijeretas Hill (San Cristóbal)
Dry landing in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, capital of the Galapagos Islands. Passengers
visit the Interpretation Center, an excellent place to learn about Natural History
in the Galapagos*. The Museum of Natural History displays information on the
volcanic origins of the islands, their remoteness from the continent, ocean currents,
climate, the arrival of the different species and their colonization, among other points
of interest. The human history is also showcased, chronologically narrating the most
significant events related to the discovery and colonization of the islands.
Difficulty level: easy
Duration: 1 hour visit
Tijeretas Hill involves a high intensity walk amidst beautiful landscapes and a
magnificent view at the foot of a frigatebird nesting colony*.
Difficulty level: high
Duration: 1 hour visit

Day 2: Thursday

AM Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal)
Wet landing. Cerro Brujo is an eroding tuff cone that at several locations is composed of
AA lava formations and a beautiful white sandy beach, great for snorkeling and sunbathing.
There is a lagoon visit where migratory bird species can be seen: Black-necked Stilts, Ruddy
Turnstones, Whimbrels, other sandpiper species and White-cheeked Pintails. Cerro Brujo
offers beautiful views of Kicker Rock, the southern part of San Cristobal and the
vadjacent coast.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 1-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling

PM Pitt Point (San Cristobal)
Wet landing followed by a high-intensity hike on rocky terrain. The trail includes a 90 meters
long, olivine beach and a path that climbs to the top of a volcanic tuff, through several
magnificent viewpoints. This is probably the only site where the three booby species of
the Galapagos can be seen together, as well as, two species of frigate birds and a sea lion
colony. It is also excellent for dinghy rides and snorkeling, where a good range of sea birds
can be observed.
Difficulty level: difficult
Type of terrain: rocky
Duration: 2½-hour walk/ 40-minutes snorkeling or kayaking

Day 3: Friday

AM Suarez Point (Espanhola)

Dry landing. An island of geological interest, we explore volcanic formations and a
riveting wildlife: large sea lion colonies and seabirds including Española mockingbird,
Nazca Boobies and the spectacular Red-billed Tropicbird. You will also encounter
marine iguanas, lava lizards, and the colorful Sally Lightfoot Crabs.
A somewhat lengthy hike will bring you among Nazca and Blue-footed Boobies*,
right up to nesting grounds that sometimes overlap the trail. Other birding favorites
include Galapagos Dove, Galapagos Hawk, Swallow-tailed Gulls and the world’s
largest colony of Waved Albatross*, an unequivocal highlight during mating season
(May-December).
Admire the island’s dramatic backdrop, featuring the famous Soplador, a seaward
blowhole that shoots water some 23 m. (75 ft.) in the air.
Difficulty level: difficult
Type of terrain: rocky
Duration: 2h30 walk

PM Gardner Bay  (Espanhola)
Wet landing on a beautiful white coral sandy beach guarded by a colony of sea lions. There
are no trails, so we stay along the shore where we can spot Galapagos hawks, American
Oystercatchers, Galapagos Ground Doves, Hood mockingbirds, Yellow Warblers, lava lizards,
marine iguanas, and three species of Darwin’s finches: a subspecies of the Large Cactus
Finch, which is similar to the large ground finch, the Small Ground Finch (Geospiza fuliginosa)
and the Warbler Finch (Certhidea Olivacea), another endemic subspecies. Swimming and
snorkeling offer a great variety of the Galapagos’ marine wildlife: king angelfish, Creole fish,
damsel fish, parrotfish, manta rays, and white-tipped reef sharks.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 1-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling

Day 4: SATURDAY  AM Cormorant Point  PM Post Office (Floreana)
- AM –  Cormorant Point / Devil’s Crown / Champion (Floreana)
Wet landing, on an olivine green sand beach. We hike from the black mangrove beds
to a brackish lagoon, which usually holds one of the largest flamingo populations in the
Galapagos. This island features some endemic plants such as Scalesia villosa, white and
black mangrove, and holy stick. The trail continues to a beautiful white-sand beach, one
of the most important nesting sites of Green Pacific Sea Turtles. It is important to
avoid walking in the water due to the Sting Rays that may be hiding in the sand, which
can be dangerous if accidentally stepped on. From the beach one can spot sea turtles,
Blue-footed Boobies plunging into the water, and small reef sharks floating along the
shoreline in search of food.
This coral-sand beach marks the end of our trail, and we head back to the olivine
beach we landed on to swim or snorkel amongst sea turtles, reef fish, sea lions and, on
a good day, white-tipped reef sharks. A small colony of penguins resides on Floreana
and can sometimes be observed as well.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy and walk on a flat terrain
Duration: 1 hour walk / 1 hour snorkeling

- PM  Post Office (Floreana)
Wet landing. Located on the north side of Floreana, the bay is so-named because in
1793 Captain James Colnett installed a wooden barrel which served as an informal
post office for sailors passing through, who would take letters with them to their
destinations. Today, our visitors continue the tradition by placing unstamped postcards
inside the barrel that should reach their destinations for free. It can take weeks,
months, even years, not arrive at all, or even arrive before you!
We may also encounter Darwin’s finches*, Yellow Warbler and lava lizards. Great
snorkeling opportunities with Green Pacific Sea Turtles* as well, this island is best
known for its endemic vegetation: Scalesia villosa, Lecocarpus pinnatifidus, and Galapagos
milkwort. Snorkelers can practice on the main beach among playful sea lions.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 30 minutes walk / 1 hour snorkeling

Day 5: SUNDAY  AM HIGHLANDS SANTA CRUZ PM DEPART
- AM – Highlands Santa Cruz

Dry landing. In the mountains of Galapagos is possible to admire different kind of birds, such as: tree and ground finches, vermillion flycatchers, paint-billed crakes, yellow warblers, and cattle egrets (usually standing on the tortoises’ shell). The journey to the reserve offers great opportunities to see the contrasts that the island offers in reference to the variety of ecosystems. The road goes from the coast through the agricultural zone and straight up to the dense humid forests. Often, Galapagos Giant Tortoises are also seen on the way, wandering through pastures in the paddocks. This spot is a birdwatchers’ haven, since almost every land bird present on the island lives or migrates here. Difficulty level: easy Type of terrain: flat & muddy (depending on season) Duration: 45-minute drive / 1 ½-hour walk
Then transfer to Baltra airport for flight to Quito or Guayaquil