Day 1: San Cristobal
San Cristóbal is the fifth largest and easternmost Galapagos Island. It has the oldest permanent settlement and was the first place Darwin landed in 1835. Manuel Cobos and Jose Monroy founded the Orchillera Society, a penal colony; sugarcane was planted and a fishing enterprise thrived from 1952 to 1960. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is the provincial capital.
A.M. San Cristóbal Airport
At the beginning of this itinerary, full of activities and picturesque places, we will go to the island's interpretation centre. The Galapagos National Park Visitor Centre in San Cristóbal, opened in 1998, provides a comprehensive history of the archipelago, its ecosystems, vegetation, and animals. It has two interpretive panels describing the natural and cultural history of the archipelago. It also has a small auditorium, meeting rooms, and video equipment for community events
P.M. Interpretation Center - Cerro Colorado 14:00 - 18:00h
After this visit, we will travel to the "Galapaguera Islands"
This is an artificial turtle breeding program and a tourist information center, created by the National Park in 2003. Visitors can see giant tortoises in a natural setting. They can learn about how they came to be, evolved and were threatened by other creatures.
Day 2: Punta Pitt - Cerro Brujo - Kicker Rock
A.M. San Cristóbal Island - Punta Pitt 08:00 - 12:00h
After an enjoyable start to the day and breakfast,
we head to Punta Pitt, a bachelor colony of sea lions on the eastern edge of San Cristóbal. It is the only place in the Galapagos where all three species nest. Swallow-tailed gulls and storm petrels, two frigatebird species, are also present. The view of sea lions from the top of the cliff is spectacular , as is the outline of the island's sparse, wind-scoured peaks. The walk around the site provides a closer look at the resilient plants that survive in this volcanic wasteland.
P.M. Punta Pitt - Cerro Brujo 15:00-18:00h
From Punta Pitt, we continue to Cerro Brujo, where swimming and snorkeling are common activities on Cerro Brujo's coral-sand beach. Charles Darwin and Captain Fitzroy both visited a tuff cone's remains. The scenery is spectacular with sea lions, marine iguanas, and migratory birds. The lagoon can be completely dry at times and the bottom can contain salt deposits.
P.M. Kicker Rock
After lunch, we will head to Kicker Rock.
This coral-sand beach is about ten minutes from the airport. Sea lions sleep on the sand and rocks along this beach. Birds such as yellow warblers, frigatebirds, and various finches can be seen alongside the sea lions.
Day 3: Gardner Bay - Suarez Point
Española is one of the oldest Galapagos Islands, with an estimated age of four million years. It is a typical shield volcano, formed from a single caldera in the center. Over millennia, it gradually withdrew from the hot region where it developed. The Waved Albatross, the Española Lava Lizard, and the Española Mockingbird are just some of the endemic species here.
Gardner Bay 08:00 - 12:00h
We begin the day with an excellent start and after breakfast, we head to Gardner Bay. With a large stretch of white sand beach, three species of Darwin's finches, and Española mockingbirds, Gardner Bay is one of the most scenic beaches in the Galapagos. The only species of the carnivorous mockingbird is the Española mockingbird, which feeds on insects, turtle hatchlings, sea lion placentas, and newborn boobies. Green turtles can be seen gliding through the water or pulling themselves onto the beach. Visitors swim or snorkel along the rocks in the shallow sea.
P.M. Suarez Point
In the afternoon we will head to Punta Suárez, a famous site in the Galapagos. Here, animals such as sea lions, marine iguanas, Española lava lizards, Galapagos hawks, Española mockingbirds, three species of Darwin's finches, and Galapagos pigeons can be seen. The breeding colony of the Waved Albatross is the showpiece of the site, producing a single egg each year and sharing the responsibility of incubating it. In January, the entire colony leaves Española to fish for three months before returning to the island.
Day 4: Post Office Bay - Cormorant Point
The island of Floreana was the site of the first post office in the Galapagos Islands, colonized by Ecuadorians in 1832. It was also the site of several mysterious disappearances in the 1930s, including an Austrian baroness. Transport to and from Floreana is limited, with a fortnightly boat service from Santa Cruz Island.
The Baronesses' Lookout - Post Office Bay 08:00 - 12:00h
The north of Floreana Island is a basalt tuff formation between Post Office Bay and Punta Cormorant. It is an impressive viewpoint and a historical attraction. Ideal for mangrove interpretation and sightings of golden eagle rays, sea turtles, sea lions, mullets, and possibly Galapagos penguins. The Baronesses' Lookout is named after Baroness Eloisa Von Wagner. She lived on Floreana Island and appreciated this place, using it as a strategic point to observe ships approaching the island.
Post office Bay
Then, we journey to Post Office Bay to learn about human history in the Galapagos: Whalers left addressed letters in a wooden barrel they placed in the bay in 1793. Today, guests are welcome to leave postcards and browse the collection. In 1926 Norwegians tried unsuccessfully to colonize the area. There is a lava tube that visitors can enter by
climbing a ladder from the Post Office Barrel.
P.M. Cormorant Point 14:00-18:00h
It is a popular tourist destination, and has two beaches: a green sandy one with olivine crystals and a white sandy one with small broken corals. The main attraction is the Flamingo Lagoon. Here tourists can see Galapagos flamingos wading in brackish water. Green turtles and rays can be found at Flour Beach, and Floreana is famous for its strange disappearances in the 1930s. Floreana can only be reached by boat from Santa Cruz Island.
Day 5: North Seymour - Bartolomé
A.M. North Seymour 08:00 - 10:00h
North Seymour Island: was formed by submarine lava flows and is currently home to around 2,500 land iguanas, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, common noddies, and frigate birds. The Hancock expeditions relocated them in the early 1930s. The aim was to create better conditions for their survival. There are no land iguanas at North Seymour, but there are large numbers of blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, common noddies, and frigatebirds.
In the afternoon, the transfer to Baltra Island and the airport will occur.
P.M. Bartolomé 15:00 - 18:00h
This uninhabited island lies in Sullivan Bay, east of Santiago Island. The island is home to Pinnacle Rock, a volcanic cone that is the result of lava release from an underwater volcano. Bartolomé visitors may recognize the island and Pinnacle Rock from the 2003 blockbuster film Master and Commander. Today, tourists can choose between two locations: one that requires a trek to an excellent viewpoint, and another on the beach, where they can enjoy snorkeling and swimming. Birdwatchers will want to look out for Galapagos Penguins, Herons, and Galapagos Hawks.
Day 6: Genovesa - Darwin Bay - Prince Philip's Steps
It is a horseshoe-shaped island in the northeastern of the Galapagos archipelago. This island was formed by the eruption of a shield volcano and the subsequent collapse of one side of the caldera. There have been no recorded eruptions, but there is evidence of ongoing lava flows at the volcano's fringes. Genovesa is nicknamed 'The Bird Island' because of the large number and variety of bird species that nest there. These species include frigatebirds, Nazca and red-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, storm petrels, red-billed tropicbirds, finches, and mockingbirds. Visitors can visit two sites: one along the beach, where snorkeling and swimming are popular, and one at the point where the two sites meet.
A.M. Darwin Bay 08:00 - 12:00h
The star of the day is Darwin Bay. It is a tiny sand and coral beach that can be reached by walking. Visitors can see red-footed boobies, two plumage variants of the bird, and other bird species such as frigatebirds, Nazca birds, orange flocks, white-billed tropicbirds, finches, and mockingbirds. Genovesa is well known for its bird species, including frigatebirds, Nazca, red flocks, white-billed tropicbirds, finches, and mockingbirds. Visitors should look out for Galapagos penguins and herons.
P.M. Prince Philip's Steps 14:00 - 18:00h
After lunch, we head to El Barranco (Prince Philip's Steps): The Galapagos visitor attraction, Prince Philip's Steps, is named after Prince Philip, who visited the island in 1965 and 1981. Through the cracks in the lava cliffs, visitors can see marine life. The walk continues inland, passing more boobie nesting colonies in the Palo Santo forest. At the end, visitors can gaze out over a rocky lava plain with wedge-rumped storm petrels and short-eared owls.
Day 7: Plazas - Santa Fe
A.M. Plazas 08:00 - 12:00h
Off Santa Cruz's east coast, they consist of two tiny crescent-shaped islands: the North Plaza and the South Plaza. South Plaza is home to a wide variety of species and is known for its spectacular flora. Conservation issues include the decline of the cactus population, which is a vital food source for land iguanas. The long-term goal is to regenerate the cactus forest while maintaining a healthy land iguana population.
P.M. Santa Fe
Santa Fe: Santa Fe is a small island in the Galapagos archipelago that has no fresh water and has never had a human presence. It is home to many goats, which drink seawater. With two snorkeling sites in the landing bay and another in the next bay, it is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Day 8: El Chato Twin Craters - Charles Darwin
A.M. El Chato - Twin Craters 08:00 - 12:00h
It is located in Santa Rosa, 21.7 kilometers from Gus Angermeyer. It offers visitors the opportunity to observe giant tortoises, owls, Darwin's finches, and lava tunnels. Approximately 400 meters of formed lava have left a film tunnel nearby.
Then we'll enjoy Los Gemelos (Twin Craters): These two large pit craters on the road between Puerto Ayora and Baltra were formed by the collapse of bare magma chambers. Both craters are accessible by stopping at the side of the road and exploring them by walking around their edges. A circular trail leads to the larger crater through the picturesque Scalesia forest. This is a great place to see land birds such as the Galapagos Dove, Vermilion Flycatcher, Short-eared Owl, and many finch species.
In this renowned national park site, just northeast of Puerto Ayora, over 200 scientists and volunteers are involved in research and conservation efforts, the most well-known of which involves giant tortoise captive breeding programs. Through the arid zone vegetation, you can observe Galápagos giant tortoises in their enclosures. A nursery with incubators is also available (the baby tortoises are repatriated to their home islands once they reach 1.5kg or about four years old).
Day 9: Borrero Bay
Even though this is our last day, we're excited to have fun! We start the day at Borrero Bay: Green turtles visit Borrero Bay, a white coral beach. Yellow warblers and Darwin's finches are attracted to palo santo, leather leaf and salt-tolerant plants here. The elevation of the extinct volcano reveals many vegetation zones, from littoral to arid, humid, and dry pampas. It is a stunning landscape that can be enjoyed while swimming in the azure waters of the bay or strolling along the beach.
