^M/V GALAPAGOS LEGEND

AB North-West 8days / 7nights

Monday – Day 1
AM –  Baltra Airport
Departing from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island in a 2:30 hour flight.  Upon arrival in the Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by our Natural Guides and taken to a 10-minute bus drive to the pier to board the ^M/V Galapagos Legend.

PM- Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz Island)

Here, we can find four species of mangrove in the extensive tidal lagoon system that stretches for almost a mile inland. During our dinghy ride through the labyrinth we will spot many turtles, herons of several species, sharks and rays. The experience is otherworldly and seems to transport us back to the beginning of time.

Highlights: Four species of mangrove, declared a “Turtle Sanctuary.”
Disembarking: –

Physical Condition: low 

Type of terrain: –

Activities: 1 hour 30 min dinghy ride

Tuesday — Day 2

AM –  El Barranco, Prince Philip’s Steps (Genovesa Island)

Riding our dinghy to the far side of the caldera, red-billed tropicbirds display vociferously overhead while Galapagos fur seals can be seen on the shoreline. Once at the top of the rocky stairway we are immediately met by Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, mockingbirds and finches that line our way through a palo santo forest until we arrive at an expansive open lava field. Wedge-rumped storm petrels swarm above the lava where we keep our eyes peeled for short-eared owls.
Highlights: Dried lava field, red-footed bobbies, short-eared ow, Nazca boobies’ nesting site.
Disembarking: dry landing

Physical Condition: medium

Type of terrain: rocky

Activities: 2-hour hike / 45-min dinghy ride

PM – Darwin Bay (Genovesa Island)

From within the flooded caldera of Tower Island we set foot onto a sandy beach to be greeted by swallow-tailed gulls often said to be the most beautiful gull in the world. Our short, flat, trail leads us past stands of mangroves and saltbush on which we have our best possible looks at nesting red-footed boobies and great frigatebirds. At the tidal lagoon we may also see the rarest gull in the world, our very own, endemic lava gull.

Highlights: Sandy coral beach, swallow-tailed and lava gulls, mockingbirds, yellow-crowned night herons.
Disembarking: wet landing

Physical Condition: low

Type of terrain: sandy

Activities:  45 min kayaking / 45 min glass-bottom boat or 1-hour deep or beach snorkeling /

1 hour 15 min hike

Wednesday — Day 3

AM – South Plaza Islet

Sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls and land iguanas are all present at the landing site.  The small island is covered with a carpet of a red succulent studded with Opuntia cacti. At the cliff edge, we spend time watching birds fly past at eye level in the up draught. These include, frigatebirds, flocks of Galapagos shearwaters and of particular note, flights of displaying red-billed tropicbirds. Back at sea level, we once again encounter land iguanas, some of which have hybridized with their resident marine cousins.

Highlights: Large colony of sea lions, endemic cactus forest, land & marine iguanas, Nazca & blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls.

Disembarking: dry landing

Physical Condition: medium

Type of terrain: rocky

Activities: 2 hour 15 min hike

PM – Santa Fe Island

After a fabulous snorkel in the turquoise waters of the protected bay we may have enjoyed time with sea lions, turtles, reef sharks and spotted eagle rays. Landing onto a sandy beach we are immediately distracted by the abundant sea lions there with us. We begin a walk past a forest of island-endemic giant Opuntia cacti. Here we search for another island-endemic the Santa Fe land iguana, paler than its cousins on other islands. Galapagos hawks and even endemic rice rats are also things to look out for.

Highlights: Endemic Santa Fe land iguana, Galapagos hawk, mockingbirds, sea lions.
Disembarking: wet landing

Physical Condition: medium

Type of terrain: rocky

Activities:  30 min glass-bottom boat ride / 45 min kayaking / 1-hour hike / 1-hour deep snorkeling

Thursday — Day 4

AM – Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz Island)  & Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)

Named for some wrecked World War II barges whose ribs are still visible in the sand this visitor site offers a lovely walk along the shore and a visit to a lagoon behind the high tide line with wading birds, marine iguanas and sometimes even flamingoes. The two beaches are also favorite nesting sites for green turtles which often leave tractor-like tracks in the sand.

Highlights: Giant tortoises, Darwin finches, pricky-pear cactus, Interpretation Center. / Giant tortoises, lava tubes, scalesia forest, Chato Reserve.

Disembarking: dry landing

Physical Condition: low

Type of terrain: flat

Activities: 2 hour bus ride round trip / 2 hour 30 min hike and visit

Charles Darwin Research Station

Once home to the famous Lonesome George, the last tortoise of the Pinta race, the breeding and relocation center is named in honor of his long-time guardian. The center is set in the Galapagos National Park Service where various interpretative buildings are available to visit. The grounds, with large stands of native vegetation, are one of the better places to spot some of the seldom seen Darwin’s finches such as the woodpecker, cactus and vegetarian finches.

Highlights: One of the main nesting sites of sea turtles, flamingoes, snorkeling to see sharks, rays.

Disembarking: wet landing

Physical condition: low

Type of terrain: sandy

Activities: 1-hour hike / beach time     

PM – Mosquera Islet

This tiny, low lying islet, covered in coral sand, is set between North and South Seymour Islands. It is home to a group of sea lions that come to laze on the soft white sand. It is a good spot to observe shorebirds as well as herons, lava gulls and boobies. Snorkeling or diving here one can often see sharks, rays and barracudas.

Highlights: White sandy beach, large colony of sea lions.

Disembarking: wet landing                             

Physical Condition: low

Type of terrain: sandy

Activities: 1-hour hike / 1-hour beach snorkeling

Friday – Day 5

AM – Egas Port (Santiago Island)

The black volcanic sand sets this landing apart from most. It is best known for the dramatic shoreline where we meet a host of species that chose to live between land and sea. Particular among these are the endemic Galapagos fur seals which maintain a small colony at the end of our walk. Other species of note include American oystercatchers, sea lions, waders, herons, lava lizards and even Galapagos hawks. An optional visit takes us to an abandoned salt mine famous in its day for supplying salt to mainland Ecuador.

Highlights: Landscape comprised of tuff cone, volcanic ash, and petrified lava flows, Galapagos fur seal.

Disembarking: wet landing

Physical Condition: medium

Type of terrain: flat & semi-rocky

Activities: 2 hour 15 min hike / 1 hour 30 min beach snorkeling

PM – Rabida Island

Lying at the heart of the archipelago this dramatic island, with its distinctive red-sand beach, is home to sea lions, mockingbirds, finches, endemic Galapagos doves and vermillion flycatchers. A walk takes us through a forest of palo santo and cacti to a beautiful overview of the bay. Snorkeling here can be excellent, often with large schools of black-striped salemas, sea lions and the ubiquitous turtles.

Highlights: Incredible landscape, Brown pelicans, nesting spots of seabirds, red sandy beach.

Disembarking: wet landing

Physical Condition: low

Type of terrain: sandy & grabble

Activities: 45 min kayaking / 1 hour bottom-glass boat or 1 hour deep or beach snorkeling / 1 hour 15 min hike

Saturday — Day 6

AM – Urbina Bay (Isabela Island)

At the far end of a long, level hike we arrive at a strange phenomenon where large blocks of coral lie completely exposed after a dramatic geological uplift in 1954. Located at the western base of Alcedo Volcano we hope to run into a few very impressive land iguanas as well as some of the volcano´s endemic Galapagos giant tortoises during the wet season.

Highlights: land iguanas, giant tortoises, seabirds, flightless cormorants.

Disembarking: wet landing

Physical Condition: low

Type of terrain: flat

Activities: 1 hour 45 min hike / 1 hour beach snorkeling

PM – Tagus Cove (Isabela Island)

A well-known hideout and deep-water anchorage in the days of pirates, Tagus Cove was also one of the few sites visited by Charles Darwin and the HMS Beagle in 1835. A beautiful hike leads us past an overview of Darwin Lake and on to a stunning volcanic landscape revealing Isabela island´s dramatic northern volcanoes. Once back at sea level the perfect activity is to snorkel along a submerged wall with turtles, lots of fish, penguins and potentially flightless cormorants. You might even be tempted by a dinghy ride or kayak!

Highlights: Pirates’ history, calm waters, seabirds, blue-footed boobies, Brown noddy-terns, flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguin (seasonal), marine iguanas.

Disembarking: dry landing

Physical Condition: medium

Type of terrain: steep & eroded tuff

Activities: 1 hour hike / 45 min dinghy ride / 45 min kayaking / 1 hour glass-bottom boat / 1 hour deep water snorkeling

Sunday – Day 7

AM – Punta Espinosa (Fernandina Island)
The youngest island of Galapagos and one of the most pristine in the world. Fernandina is simply the ‘marine iguana capital of the world´, This desolate volcanic backdrop is home to a huge concentration of these enigmatic reptiles. Incongruously, sharing the same shoreline, we can find the diminutive Galapagos penguins. Here we also have the exciting opportunity to snorkel with marine iguanas feeding underwater, penguins, turtles and the bizarre, endemic, flightless cormorants.

Highlights: Largest colony of marine iguanas, whales (seasonal), pahoehoe and AA lava formations, endemic lava cactus.

Disembarking: dry landing

Physical Condition: medium

Type of terrain: rocky & lava

Activities: 1 hour 45 min hike / 45 min glass-bottom boat or 45 min deep snorkeling

PM – Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island)

This is a spectacular visitor site, surrounded by immense cliffs of the eroded volcano. Studded with resting sea birds such as brown noddies and Nazca boobies, we will enjoy them in close proximity from our dinghies. Snorkeling here is superb, with certain species of fish only found in the west of the archipelago. We also have a very real chance of swimming with penguins and potentially a plethora of green turtles.

Highlights: one of the richest marine havens, marine turtles, sunfish, rays, landscapes, seabirds, blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, flightless cormorants.

Disembarking: –

Physical Condition: low / high

Type of terrain: –

Activities: 1 hour glass-bottom boat or 1 hour deep snorkeling / 1 hour 15 min dinghy ride

Monday — Day 8

AM –  Highlands Tortoise Reserve (Santa Cruz Island)

In the central highlands of Santa Cruz Island, we have our best opportunity to interact at close quarters with totally wild, Galapagos giant tortoises. A short walk among these huge, 600lb, reptiles will also offer the chance for more highland species, especially several species of the famed finches.

Highlights: Giant tortoises, tree & ground Darwin finches.

Disembarking: dry landing
Physical Condition: low

Baltra Island Airport

After the visit passengers will be transferred to the airport for their return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.

Galapagos Legend

BC West + East  8 days/7nights

Day 1: Thursday – Baltra Island airport
Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island (2,30 hours flight). Arriving in Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by our natural guides and taken (a ten-minute bus drive) to the pier to board the M/V Galapagos Legend.

PM – Mosquera Islet
This tiny, low-lying islet, covered in coral sand, is set between the North and South Seymour Islands. It is home to a group of sea lions that come to laze on the soft white sand. It is a good spot to observe shorebirds as well as herons, lava gulls, and boobies. Snorkeling or diving here one can often see sharks, rays, and barracudas.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 1,30 hours walk & snorkeling

Day 2: Friday – Egas Port (Santiago Island)
Black volcanic sand sets this landing apart from most. It is best known for the dramatic shoreline where we meet a host of species that chose to live between land and sea. Particular among these are the endemic Galapagos fur seals which maintain a small colony at the end of our walk. Other species of note include American oystercatchers, sea lions, waders, herons, lava lizards, and even Galapagos hawks. An optional visit takes us to an abandoned salt mine famous in its day for supplying salt to mainland Ecuador.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Types of terrain: flat & semi-rocky.
Duration: 1h30 walk / 1-hour snorkeling

PM – Rabida Island
Lying at the heart of the archipelago, this dramatic island with its distinctive red-sand beaches is home to sea lions, mockbirds, finches, endemic Galapagos doves, and vermilion flycatchers. A walk takes us through a forest of palo santo and cacti to a beautiful overview of the bay. Snorkeling here can be excellent, often with large schools of black-striped salemas, sea lions, and the ubiquitous turtles.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 1,30 hours walk /1 hourr snorkeling / 1-hour dinghy ride

Day 3: Saturday – Urbina Bay (Isabela Island)
At the far end of a long, level hike we arrive at a strange phenomenon where large blocks of coral lie completely exposed after a dramatic geological uplift in 1954. Located at the western base of Alcedo Volcano, we hope to run into a few very impressive land iguanas as well as some of the volcano´s endemic Galapagos giant tortoises during the wet season.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: flat/rocky
Duration: 1,30 hours walk /1 hourr snorkeling

PM – Tagus Cove (Isabela Island)
A well-known hideout and deep water anchorage in the days of pirates, Tagus Cove was also one of the few sites visited by Charles Darwin and the HMS Beagle in 1835. A beautiful hike leads us past an overview of Darwin Lake and onto a stunning volcanic landscape revealing Isabela island´s dramatic northern volcanoes. Once back at sea level, the perfect activity is to snorkel along a submerged wall with turtles, lots of fish, penguins, and potentially flightless cormorants. You might even be tempted by a dinghy ride or kayak!
Difficulty level: intermediate / difficult
Type of terrain: flat /steep
Duration: 2-hour walk / 40-minute dinghy ride / 1-hour deep water snorkeling

Day 4: Sunday – Punta Espinosa  (Fernandina Island)
The youngest island of Galapagos and one of the most pristine in the world. Fernandina is simply the. Marine iguana, capital of the world´, This desolate volcanic backdrop is home to a huge concentration of these enigmatic reptiles. Incongruously, sharing the same shoreline, we can find the diminutive Galapagos penguins. Here we also have the exciting opportunity to snorkel with marine iguanas feeding underwater, penguins, turtles, and the bizarre, endemic, flightless cormorants.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: flat/semi rocky
Duration: 1,3 hours walk /1-hour snorkeling

PM – Vicente Roca Point (Isabela Island)
It is a spectacular visitor site, surrounded by immense cliffs of the eroded volcano. Studded with resting sea birds such as brown noddies and Nazca boobies, we will enjoy them in close proximity to our dinghies. Snorkeling here is superb, with certain species of fish only found in the west of the archipelago. We also have a very real chance of swimming with penguins and potentially a plethora of green turtles.
Difficulty level: moderate / high
Type of terrain: none
Duration: 1-hour snorkeling / 1-hour dinghy ride

Day 5: Monday – Highlands Tortoise Reserve & Charles Darwin Station (Santa Cruz Island

Dry landing. In the mountains of Galapagos is possible to admire different kinds of birds, such as tree and ground finches, vermillion flycatchers, paint-billed crakes, yellow warblers, and cattle egrets (usually standing on the tortoise s shell)

Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: flat & muddy sometimes (depending on the season)
Duration: 45-minute drive / 1,30 hours walk

Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz 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.

Difficulty level: intermediate

Type of terrain: flat

Duration: 1 ½-hour visit

PM – North Seymour Island
This flat, uplifted island, is an important spot to see both magnificent and great frigatebird males courting the females by clicking, bill-clapping, shuddering, and flapping their wings, all while showing off their grossly inflated, bright red, gular pouch. We will also likely see courting blue-footed boobies displaying their unique feet while `dancing´ to a prospective mate. Sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, crashing surf, and distant views of the Daphne Islands top off a great visit.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: rocky ground
Duration: 2 hours walk / 30 minutes snorkeling

Day 6: Tuesday – Bartolome Island
Considered the most iconic landscape of the entire archipelago the view from the top of Bartolomé Island, overlooking the famous Pinnacle Rock and the austere Santiago Island beyond, is well worth climbing up the wooden boardwalk. This volcanic scene has often been likened to a lunar landscape. Our subsequent snorkel here might put us face to face with Galapagos penguins, white-tipped reef sharks, and playful sea lions.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: 372 steps trail
Duration: 1,30 hours walk / 1 hour snorkeling

PM – Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island)
Wet landing. Although, when viewed from the sea, the site does not look especially interesting visitors are always totally enthralled by the amazing beds of pahoehoe lava from the recent flow on the island. It is a landscape and macro photographer´s dream. The importance of pioneer plants such as the tiny Mollugo will be discussed as we hike over the lava. After our land visit, we can enjoy a refreshing snorkel in the company of sea lions, turtles, and rays.
Difficulty level: demanding
Type of terrain: flat volcanic lava
Duration: 1:30-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling/beach time

Day 7: Wednesday – Punta Pitt  (San Cristobal Island)
Sea lions will greet us as we land on the beach and prepare for our climb to a high point on the steep eroded tuff cone. This is the only place in the islands where we will enjoy the chance to see all three of the booby species in the same place. The red-foots will be perched on the Cordia lutea and small trees, the Nazca´s on the ground near the cliff edge while the blue-foots will be a little further inland. Frigatebirds will be all around and the views are breathtaking.
Difficulty level: demanding
Type of terrain: rocky & steep
Duration: 2,30 hours walk / 40 minutes snorkeling – kayaking

PM – Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal Island)
From our dinghy ride, as we head to shore, we are first humbled by the immensity of the stunning cliffs of `Sorcerer´s Hill´. We can enjoy simply sharing the beach with sea lions, snorkeling from shore, or take a walk to a hidden lagoon where we might spot black-necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, and white-cheeked pintails.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 1-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling

Day 8: Thursday – Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve (San Cristobal Island)
In the moist highlands of San Cristobal, we will visit the giant tortoise breeding center “La Galapaguera” to witness the most iconic creature of the archipelago in its various life stages. The tortoises wander in a semi-natural habitat which lends itself to good photographic opportunities. The aim of the reserve is to help restore populations of the threatened San Cristobal tortoise back into the wild. In town, there are shops to purchase local handicrafts and souvenirs.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 40 minutes bus drive to the Reserve / 1-hour visit

San Cristobal Airport (San Cristobal Island)
After the visit, you will go straight to the airport for your return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.

DAY 1 – MONDAY

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/V Galapagos Legend.

Pm – North Seymour Island

Dry landing. Off  Baltra Island and not far from Santa Cruz, North Seymour is located.

This landmass was formed by a series of underwater volcanic eruptions, which deposited layers of lava on the ocean floor. An approximately two-hour walk amidst large nesting colonies of blue-footed boobies, magnificent and great frigate birds, and swallow-tailed gulls for an in-depth encounter with sea bird breeding cycles and sea lions. You will also encounter land iguanas, and on a lucky day, you might even come across the endemic Galapagos Snake.

Difficulty level: intermediate

Type of terrain: rocky

Duration: 2-hour walk, 30 minutes snorkeling

DAY 2 – TUESDAY

am – Bartolome Island

Dry or wet landing. We discover a fascinating landscape formed by different volcanic parasitic cones —lava bombs, spatter, cinder cones — that resemble the moon. Going up to the summit there will be an impressive view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone Pinnacle Rock. We also encounter marine iguanas, lava lizards, and blue-footed boobies.

Beach time is a great opportunity to do snorkeling and see the famous Galapagos Penguins, sea turtles and White-tipped Reef Sharks among a great variety of colorful fish. For many visitors, this may turn out to be the best snorkeling experience. Crystal clear water is the perfect spot to appreciate the incredible marine life it has to offer.

Due to its geographical location, the lack of vegetation is immediately noticeable however, there are pioneer plants including the endemic Tiquilia nesiotica and Chamaesyce (known as sand mat or spurge in English), lava cactus, and Scalesia bushes.

Difficulty level: intermediate

Type of terrain: trail made of 372 steps.

Duration: 1 ½-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling

PM – Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island)
Wet landing. Although, when viewed from the sea, the site does not look especially interesting visitors are always totally enthralled by the amazing beds of pahoehoe lava from the recent flow on the island. It is a landscape and macro photographer´s dream. The importance of pioneer plants such as the tiny Mollugo will be discussed as we hike over the lava. After our land visit, we can enjoy a refreshing snorkel in the company of sea lions, turtles, and rays.
Difficulty level: demanding
Type of terrain: flat volcanic lava
Duration: 1:30-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling/beach time

DAY 3 – WEDNESDAY

am- Punta Pitt(San Cristobal Island)

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 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

pm – Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal Island)

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 adjacent coast.

Difficulty level: easy

Type of terrain: sandy

Duration: 1-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling

DAY 4 – THURSDAY

am – Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve (San Cristobal Island

Dry landing in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Passengers visit the San Cristobal Giant Tortoise Breeding Center to learn about the National Park’s conservation programs. Enjoy a beautiful landscape on the way to the Reserve. Passengers will also have the opportunity to visit the village’s port, have a drink or shop for arts and crafts and other souvenirs.

Difficulty level: intermediate

Type of Terrain: sandy

Duration: 40-minute bus drive to the Reserve / 1-hour visit

pm – Interpretation Center & Frigatebird Hill (San Cristobal Island)

Dry landing in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos Islands. Passengers visit the Interpretation Center, an excellent place to learn about islands’ history in The Museum of Natural History which displays information about 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. Human history is also showcased, chronologically narrating the most significant t events related to the discovery and the island’s colonization.

Difficulty level: easy /intermediate

Type of terrain: fl t/stairs

Duration: 1-hour visit / 1-hour walk

Frigatebird Hill involves a high-intensity walk amidst beautiful landscapes and a magnificent view at the foot of a frigate bird nesting colony

Difficulty level: difficult

Type of terrain: Rocky

 Duration: 1-hour visit

DAY 5 – FRIDAY

am – Gardner Bay (Española Island)

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 viewing 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

pm – Punta Suarez (Española Island)

Dry landing. An island of geological interest, we explore volcanic formations and riveting wildlife: large sea lion colonies and seabirds including the 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 the 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 up water up to 23 m (75 ft) in the air.

Difficulty level: difficult

Type of terrain: rocky

Duration: 2 ½-hour walk

DAY 6 – SATURDAY

am – Post Office (Floreana Island)

Wet landing. Located on the north side of Floreana, the bay was named because in 1793 Captain James Colnett installed a wooden barthathich that served as an informal post office for sailors passing through, who would take letters with them back to their destinations. Today, visitors continue the tradition by placing unstamped postcards inside the barrel, hoping that some other traveler, going to the letter destination, will take it back for free. The chances are that the letter posted can take a long time to arrive at its destination. However, there have been cases where it has arrived before the sender.

We may also encounter Darwin’s finches, Yellow Warbler and Lava Lizards. Great snorkeling opportunities with Green Pacific Sea Turtles. As well, the island is best known for its endemic vegetation: Scalesia villosa, Lecocarpus Pinnatifidus, and the 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

pm – Punta Cormorant / Devil’s Crown (Floreana Island)

Wet landing, on an olivine green, sanded 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 sandy 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 the search for 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 & flat

Duration: 1-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling

DAY 7 – SUNDAY

AM –  Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz Island)

Arriving to a small lava dock our first encounters are with marine iguanas that blend-in perfectly to the dark rock. As we walk past large prickly pear cacti we arrive to one end of a long, sickle-shaped, beach with Dragon Hill standing in the distance. Our walk takes us on a circular path, past a shallow lake where flamingoes frequently come to feed. Waders such as stilts, turnstones and sandpipers work the muddy edges frenetically looking for food as we continue inland to a dry, forested habitat where land iguanas nest and burrow.

Highlights: Dry vegetation zone, endemic land iguana, Darwin finches, mockingbirds.

Disembarking: dry landing

Physical Condition: medium

Type of terrain: rocky

Activities: 2-hour hike / 1-hour beach snorkeling

PM – Punta Bowditch (Santa Cruz)

Feel the indescribable feeling of being where no one else has. Relax on a powdery beach. Snorkel around turquoise water islets and hike beside salt pools and dried white corals. Be one of the first humans –to visit Punta Bowditch at Legend´s  South itinerary D 

Highlights: Nice beach for swimming, marine iguanas, seabirds, a nesting area for sea turtles / Marine wildlife.

Difficulty level: easy

Type of terrain: sandy

Activities: 30 minute walk /1 hour snorkeling

DAY 8 – MONDAY

AM – Highlands Tortoise Reserve (Santa Cruz Island)

In the mountains of Galapagos is possible to admire different kinds of birds, such as tree and ground finches, vermillion flycatchers, paint–billed crakers, yellow warblers, and cattle egrets(usually standing on the tortoises shells) The journey to the reserve offers great opportunities to see the contrast that the island offers in reference to the variety of ecosystems. The road goes from the coast through the agriculture zone 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 birdwatcher’s haven since almost every land bird present on the island lives or migrates here.

Difficulty level: easy

Type of terrain: flat –muddy (depending on the season)

Activities: 45-minute drive/ 1 ½ hour walk.

Cruise D + A  (Thu – Thu)                8 days / 7 nights

Thursday — Day 1

AM – San Cristobal Airport

Departing from Quito or Guayaquil to San Cristobal in a 2:30 hour flight. Upon arrival, 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 (San Cristobal Island)

The interpretation center is full of interesting information and offers the perfect overview to the formation of Galapagos, its significance in the world, threats and conservation efforts.

Highlights: Learn about the history of the islands, San Cristobal mockingbirds.

Disembarking: dry landing

Physical Condition: low

Type of terrain: path

Activities: 1 hour hike / 1 hour hike

– Frigatebird Hill  (San Cristobal Island)

Difficulty level: difficult

Type of terrain: Rocky

Duration: 1-hour visit

Friday — Day 2

AM – Gardner Bay, (Española Island)

One of the most stunning beaches in all of Galapagos. The long, white, sandy beach, lapped by turquoise waters is home to a colony of Galapagos sea lions, indifferent to the humans that walk amongst them. The Hood mockingbirds, endemic to this particular island, will be eager to inspect the visitors and satisfy their innate curiosity. Darwin´s finches may also join the throng including the reclusive warbler finch. We can also snorkel here from the beach, in the shallows of the bay.

Highlights: Hood mockingbird, sea lions, marine turtles, marine wildlife.

Disembarking: wet landing

Physical Condition: low

Type of terrain: sandy

Activities: 1-hour hike / 1 hour 45 min beach snorkeling / 30 min kayaking / 30 min glass-bottom boat

PM – Punta Suarez (Española Island)

One of the highlight visits of the trip. Punta Suarez seems to have everything – a naturalist´s paradise. A slew of marine iguanas and sea lions greet us at the landing site from where our walk continues with close encounters of boobies, endemic lizards, gulls and even a dramatic blow hole. The oldest extant island in the archipelago it is our only opportunity to commune with the endemic waved albatross during their breeding season between April and December. With luck, we can watch their complex courtship display.

Highlights: Large colony of waved albatross, Nazca & Blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, viewpoint from the blowhole.

Disembarking: dry landing

Physical Condition: high

Type of terrain: rocky

Activities: 2 hour 15 min hike

Saturday — Day 3:

AM – Post Office (Floreana Island)

A very short walk from the beach leads us to the famous Post Office Barrel. Claimed to have been first setup in 1793 by Captain James Colnett it remains the oldest functioning ‘post office´ in the Pacific. The system was that whalers and fur sealers would leave addressed letters in the barrel to be picked up by homeward bound colleagues. In the spirit of maintaining tradition visitors today will often take letters and hand-deliver them in their home countries.

Highlights: Darwin finches, green Pacific turtles, historical place since 1793.

Disembarking: wet landing

Physical Condition: low

Type of terrain: sandy & rocky

Activities: 45 min dinghy ride / 45 min visit / 1 hour 15 min beach snorkeling / 30 min kayaking

PM – Punta Cormoran / Devil’s Crown (Floreana Island)

On arriving, the observant visitor will notice that olivine, a volcanic crystal, has proffered a subtle green hue on the dark beach. Our walk takes us past island-endemic Scalesia plants to a large, shallow, lagoon often inhabited by a variable number of shockingly pink greater flamingoes. We continue through a forest of palo santo trees to arrive at a powdery white beach, a nesting area of green turtles. As we paddle barefoot in the shallow water we will spot diamond stingrays and white-tipped reef sharks. 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.

One of the favorite snorkeling sites in the islands. Devil’s Crown, an eroded volcanic cone, is home to an abundance of fish and marine animals. We will swim with big schools of yellow-tailed surgeonfish, salemas and creole fish and with luck may spot turtles, spotted eagle rays, parrotfish, and even hammerhead sharks! The jagged ‘crown’ is a roosting area for boobies, noddies, tropicbirds, and frigates.

Highlights: White & black mangrove, flamingoes, sea lions and sea turtles. / Sting rays, white-tipped shark, and colorful fish.

Disembarking: wet landing

Physical Condition: low

Type of terrain: sandy & flat

Activities: 45 min glass bottom boat or 45 min deep or beach snorkeling / 1 hour 45 min hike

Sunday — Day 4

AM –  Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz Island)

Arriving to a small lava dock our first encounters are with marine iguanas that blend-in perfectly to the dark rock. As we walk past large prickly pear cacti we arrive to one end of a long, sickle-shaped, beach with Dragon Hill standing in the distance. Our walk takes us on a circular path, past a shallow lake where flamingoes frequently come to feed. Waders such as stilts, turnstones and sandpipers work the muddy edges frenetically looking for food as we continue inland to a dry, forested habitat where land iguanas nest and burrow.

Highlights: Dry vegetation zone, endemic land iguana, Darwin finches, mockingbirds.

Disembarking: dry landing

Physical Condition: medium

Type of terrain: rocky

Activities: 2-hour hike / 1-hour beach snorkeling

PM – Punta Bowditch (Santa Cruz)

Feel the indescribable feeling of being where no one else has. Relax on a powdery beach. Snorkel around turquoise water islets and hike beside salt pools and dried white corals. Be one of the first humans –to visit Punta Bowditch at Legend´s  South itinerary D 

Highlights: Nice beach for swimming, marine iguanas, seabirds, a nesting area for sea turtles / Marine wildlife.

Difficulty level: easy

Type of terrain: sandy

Activities: 30 minute walk /1 hour snorkeling

Day 5: Monday

AM – Highlands Tortoise Reserve & Charles Darwin Station (Santa Cruz Island

Dry landing. In the mountains of Galapagos is possible to admire different kinds of birds, such as tree and ground finches, vermillion flycatchers, paint-billed crakes, yellow warblers, and cattle egrets (usually standing on the tortoise s shell)

Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: flat & muddy sometimes (depending on the season)
Duration: 45-minute drive / 1,30 hours walk

Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz 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.

Difficulty level: intermediate

Type of terrain: flat

Duration: 1 ½-hour visit

PM- Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz Island)

Here, we can find four species of mangrove in the extensive tidal lagoon system that stretches for almost a mile inland. During our dinghy ride through the labyrinth we will spot many turtles, herons of several species, sharks and rays. The experience is otherworldly and seems to transport us back to the beginning of time.

Highlights: Four species of mangrove, declared a “Turtle Sanctuary.”
Disembarking: –

Physical Condition: low 

Type of terrain: –

Activities: 1 hour 30 min dinghy ride

Tuesday — Day 6

AM –  El Barranco, Prince Philip’s Steps (Genovesa Island)

Riding our dinghy to the far side of the caldera, red-billed tropicbirds display vociferously overhead while Galapagos fur seals can be seen on the shoreline. Once at the top of the rocky stairway we are immediately met by Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, mockingbirds and finches that line our way through a palo santo forest until we arrive at an expansive open lava field. Wedge-rumped storm petrels swarm above the lava where we keep our eyes peeled for short-eared owls.
Highlights: Dried lava field, red-footed bobbies, short-eared ow, Nazca boobies’ nesting site.
Disembarking: dry landing

Physical Condition: medium

Type of terrain: rocky

Activities: 2-hour hike / 45-min dinghy ride

PM – Darwin Bay (Genovesa Island)

From within the flooded caldera of Tower Island we set foot onto a sandy beach to be greeted by swallow-tailed gulls often said to be the most beautiful gull in the world. Our short, flat, trail leads us past stands of mangroves and saltbush on which we have our best possible looks at nesting red-footed boobies and great frigatebirds. At the tidal lagoon we may also see the rarest gull in the world, our very own, endemic lava gull.

Highlights: Sandy coral beach, swallow-tailed and lava gulls, mockingbirds, yellow-crowned night herons.
Disembarking: wet landing

Physical Condition: low

Type of terrain: sandy

Activities:  45 min kayaking / 45 min glass-bottom boat or 1-hour deep or beach snorkeling /

1 hour 15 min hike

Wednesday — Day 7

AM – South Plaza Island

Sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls and land iguanas are all present at the landing site.  The small island is covered with a carpet of a red succulent studded with Opuntia cacti. At the cliff edge, we spend time watching birds fly past at eye level in the up draught. These include, frigatebirds, flocks of Galapagos shearwaters and of particular note, flights of displaying red-billed tropicbirds. Back at sea level, we once again encounter land iguanas, some of which have hybridized with their resident marine cousins.

Highlights: Large colony of sea lions, endemic cactus forest, land & marine iguanas, Nazca & blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls.

Disembarking: dry landing

Physical Condition: medium

Type of terrain: rocky

Activities: 2 hour 15 min hike

PM – Santa Fe Island

After a fabulous snorkel in the turquoise waters of the protected bay we may have enjoyed time with sea lions, turtles, reef sharks and spotted eagle rays. Landing onto a sandy beach we are immediately distracted by the abundant sea lions there with us. We begin a walk past a forest of island-endemic giant Opuntia cacti. Here we search for another island-endemic the Santa Fe land iguana, paler than its cousins on other islands. Galapagos hawks and even endemic rice rats are also things to look out for.

Highlights: Endemic Santa Fe land iguana, Galapagos hawk, mockingbirds, sea lions.
Disembarking: wet landing

Physical Condition: medium

Type of terrain: rocky

Activities:  30 min glass-bottom boat ride / 45 min kayaking / 1-hour hike / 1-hour deep snorkeling

Thursday — Day 8

AM – Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz Island)    

Named for some wrecked World War II barges whose ribs are still visible in the sand this visitor site offers a lovely walk along the shore and a visit to a lagoon behind the high tide line with wading birds, marine iguanas and sometimes even flamingoes. The two beaches are also favorite nesting sites for green turtles which often leave tractor-like tracks in the sand.

Highlights: One of the main nesting sites of sea turtles, flamingoes, snorkeling to see sharks, rays.

Disembarking: wet landing

Physical condition: low

Type of terrain: sandy

Activities: 1-hour hike / beach time      

Baltra Airport

After the visit, passengers will be transferred to the airport for their return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.

^M/V GALAPAGOS LEGEND

A North – Central 4 days / 3 nights

Monday – Day 1
AM –  Baltra Airport
Departing from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island in a 2:30 hour flight.  Upon arrival in the Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by our Natural Guides and taken to a 10-minute bus drive to the pier to board the ^M/V Galapagos Legend.

PM – Highlands Tortoise Reserve (Santa Cruz Island)

In the central highlands of Santa Cruz Island, we have our best opportunity to interact at close quarters with totally wild, Galapagos giant tortoises. A short walk among these huge, 600lb, reptiles will also offer the chance for more highland species, especially several species of the famed finches.

Highlights: Giant tortoises, tree & ground Darwin finches.

Disembarking: dry landing                     
Physical Condition: low
Type of terrain: flat & muddy
Activities: 1 hour 30 min bus ride / 1 hour 30 min visit

Tuesday — Day 2

AM –  El Barranco, Prince Philip’s Steps (Genovesa Island)

Riding our dinghy to the far side of the caldera, red-billed tropicbirds display vociferously overhead while Galapagos fur seals can be seen on the shoreline. Once at the top of the rocky stairway we are immediately met by Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, mockingbirds and finches that line our way through a palo santo forest until we arrive at an expansive open lava field. Wedge-rumped storm petrels swarm above the lava where we keep our eyes peeled for short-eared owls.
Highlights: Dried lava field, red-footed bobbies, short-eared ow, Nazca boobies’ nesting site.
Disembarking: dry landing

Physical Condition: medium

Type of terrain: rocky

Activities: 2-hour hike / 45-min dinghy ride

PM – Darwin Bay (Genovesa Island)

From within the flooded caldera of Tower Island we set foot onto a sandy beach to be greeted by swallow-tailed gulls often said to be the most beautiful gull in the world. Our short, flat, trail leads us past stands of mangroves and saltbush on which we have our best possible looks at nesting red-footed boobies and great frigatebirds. At the tidal lagoon we may also see the rarest gull in the world, our very own, endemic lava gull.

Highlights: Sandy coral beach, swallow-tailed and lava gulls, mockingbirds, yellow-crowned night herons.
Disembarking: wet landing

Physical Condition: low

Type of terrain: sandy

Activities:  45 min kayaking / 45 min glass-bottom boat or 1-hour deep or beach snorkeling /

1 hour 15 min hike

Wednesday — Day 3

AM– South Plaza Island

Sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls and land iguanas are all present at the landing site.  The small island is covered with a carpet of a red succulent studded with Opuntia cacti. At the cliff edge, we spend time watching birds fly past at eye level in the up draught. These include, frigatebirds, flocks of Galapagos shearwaters and of particular note, flights of displaying red-billed tropicbirds. Back at sea level, we once again encounter land iguanas, some of which have hybridized with their resident marine cousins.

Highlights: Large colony of sea lions, endemic cactus forest, land & marine iguanas, Nazca & blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls.

Disembarking: dry landing

Physical Condition: medium

Type of terrain: rocky

Activities: 2 hour 15 min hike

PM – Santa Fe Island

After a fabulous snorkel in the turquoise waters of the protected bay we may have enjoyed time with sea lions, turtles, reef sharks and spotted eagle rays. Landing onto a sandy beach we are immediately distracted by the abundant sea lions there with us. We begin a walk past a forest of island-endemic giant Opuntia cacti. Here we search for another island-endemic the Santa Fe land iguana, paler than its cousins on other islands. Galapagos hawks and even endemic rice rats are also things to look out for.

Highlights: Endemic Santa Fe land iguana, Galapagos hawk, mockingbirds, sea lions.
Disembarking: wet landing

Physical Condition: medium

Type of terrain: rocky

Activities:  30 min glass-bottom boat ride / 45 min kayaking / 1-hour hike / 1-hour deep snorkeling

Thursday — Day 4

AM – Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz Island)    

Named for some wrecked World War II barges whose ribs are still visible in the sand this visitor site offers a lovely walk along the shore and a visit to a lagoon behind the high tide line with wading birds, marine iguanas and sometimes even flamingoes. The two beaches are also favorite nesting sites for green turtles which often leave tractor-like tracks in the sand.

Highlights: One of the main nesting sites of sea turtles, flamingoes, snorkeling to see sharks, rays.

Disembarking: wet landing

Physical condition: low

Type of terrain: sandy

Activities: 1-hour hike / beach time      

Baltra Airport

After the visit, passengers will be transferred to the airport for their return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.

Galapagos Legend

B West 5 days / 4 nights

Thursday — Day 1

AM –  Baltra Airport

Departing from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island in a 2:30 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/V Galapagos Legend.

PM – Mosquera Islet

This tiny, low lying islet, covered in coral sand, is set between North and South Seymour Islands. It is home to a group of sea lions that come to laze on the soft white sand. It is a good spot to observe shorebirds as well as herons, lava gulls and boobies. Snorkeling or diving here one can often see sharks, rays and barracudas.

Highlights: White sandy beach, large colony of sea lions.

Disembarking: wet landing                             

Physical Condition: low

Type of terrain: sandy

Activities: 1-hour hike / 1-hour beach snorkeling

Friday – Day 2

AM – Egas Port (Santiago Island)

The black volcanic sand sets this landing apart from most. It is best known for the dramatic shoreline where we meet a host of species that chose to live between land and sea. Particular among these are the endemic Galapagos fur seals which maintain a small colony at the end of our walk. Other species of note include American oystercatchers, sea lions, waders, herons, lava lizards and even Galapagos hawks. An optional visit takes us to an abandoned salt mine famous in its day for supplying salt to mainland Ecuador.

Highlights: Landscape comprised of tuff cone, volcanic ash, and petrified lava flows, Galapagos fur seal.

Disembarking: wet landing

Physical Condition: medium

Type of terrain: flat & semi-rocky

Activities: 2 hour 15 min hike / 1 hour 30 min beach snorkeling

PM – Rabida Island

Lying at the heart of the archipelago this dramatic island, with its distinctive red-sand beach, is home to sea lions, mockingbirds, finches, endemic Galapagos doves and vermillion flycatchers. A walk takes us through a forest of palo santo and cacti to a beautiful overview of the bay. Snorkeling here can be excellent, often with large schools of black-striped salemas, sea lions and the ubiquitous turtles.

Highlights: Incredible landscape, Brown pelicans, nesting spots of seabirds, red sandy beach.

Disembarking: wet landing

Physical Condition: low

Type of terrain: sandy & grabble

Activities: 45 min kayaking / 1 hour bottom-glass boat or 1 hour deep or beach snorkeling / 1 hour 15 min hike

Saturday — Day 3

AM – Urbina Bay (Isabela Island)

At the far end of a long, level hike we arrive at a strange phenomenon where large blocks of coral lie completely exposed after a dramatic geological uplift in 1954. Located at the western base of Alcedo Volcano we hope to run into a few very impressive land iguanas as well as some of the volcano´s endemic Galapagos giant tortoises during the wet season.

Highlights: land iguanas, giant tortoises, seabirds, flightless cormorants.

Disembarking: wet landing

Physical Condition: low

Type of terrain: flat

Activities: 1 hour 45 min hike / 1 hour beach snorkeling

PM – Tagus Cove (Isabela Island)

A well-known hideout and deep-water anchorage in the days of pirates, Tagus Cove was also one of the few sites visited by Charles Darwin and the HMS Beagle in 1835. A beautiful hike leads us past an overview of Darwin Lake and on to a stunning volcanic landscape revealing Isabela island´s dramatic northern volcanoes. Once back at sea level the perfect activity is to snorkel along a submerged wall with turtles, lots of fish, penguins and potentially flightless cormorants. You might even be tempted by a dinghy ride or kayak!

Highlights: Pirates’ history, calm waters, seabirds, blue-footed boobies, Brown noddy-terns, flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguin (seasonal), marine iguanas.

Disembarking: dry landing

Physical Condition: medium

Type of terrain: steep & eroded tuff

Activities: 1 hour hike / 45 min dinghy ride / 45 min kayaking / 1 hour glass-bottom boat / 1 hour deep water snorkeling

Sunday — Day 4

AM –  Punta Espinosa (Fernandina Island)
The youngest island of Galapagos and one of the most pristine in the world. Fernandina is simply the ‘marine iguana capital of the world´, This desolate volcanic backdrop is home to a huge concentration of these enigmatic reptiles. Incongruously, sharing the same shoreline, we can find the diminutive Galapagos penguins. Here we also have the exciting opportunity to snorkel with marine iguanas feeding underwater, penguins, turtles and the bizarre, endemic, flightless cormorants.

Highlights: Largest colony of marine iguanas, whales (seasonal), pahoehoe and AA lava formations, endemic lava cactus.

Disembarking: dry landing

Physical Condition: medium

Type of terrain: rocky & lava

Activities: 1 hour 45 min hike / 45 min glass-bottom boat or 45 min deep snorkeling

PM – Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island)

This is a spectacular visitor site, surrounded by immense cliffs of the eroded volcano. Studded with resting sea birds such as brown noddies and Nazca boobies, we will enjoy them in close proximity from our dinghies. Snorkeling here is superb, with certain species of fish only found in the west of the archipelago. We also have a very real chance of swimming with penguins and potentially a plethora of green turtles.

Highlights: one of the richest marine havens, marine turtles, sunfish, rays, landscapes, seabirds, blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, flightless cormorants.

Disembarking: –

Physical Condition: low / high

Type of terrain: –

Activities: 1 hour glass-bottom boat or 1 hour deep snorkeling / 1 hour 15 min dinghy ride

Monday — Day 5

AM – Highlands Tortoise Reserve (Santa Cruz Island)

In the central highlands of Santa Cruz Island, we have our best opportunity to interact at close quarters with totally wild, Galapagos giant tortoises. A short walk among these huge, 600lb, reptiles will also offer the chance for more highland species, especially several species of the famed finches.

Highlights: Giant tortoises, tree & ground Darwin finches.

Disembarking: dry landing
Physical Condition: low
Type of terrain: flat & muddy
Activities: 1 hour 30 min bus ride / 1 hour 30 min visit

Baltra Airport

After the visit, passengers will be transferred to the airport for their return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.

C East 4 days / 3 nights

Monday — Day 1

AM – Baltra Island Airport

Departing from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra for a 2:30 hour flight.  Upon arrival 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 – North Seymour Island

This flat, uplifted, island is an important spot to see both magnificent and great frigatebird males courting the females by clicking, bill-clapping, shuddering and flapping their wings, all while showing off their grossly inflated, bright red, gular pouch. We will also likely see courting blue-footed boobies displaying their unique feet while `dancing´ to a prospective mate. Sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, crashing surf and distant views of the Daphne Islands top off a great visit.

Highlights: Two species of frigatebirds: magnificent & great, swallow-tailed gulls, nesting colony of blue-footed boobies.

Disembarking: dry landing

Physical Condition: medium

Type of terrain: rocky & sandy

Activities: 1 hour 45 min hike / 1 hour glass-bottom boat or deep water snorkeling

Tuesday — Day 2

AM – Bartolome Island

Considered the most iconic landscape of the entire archipelago the view from the top of Bartolome Island, overlooking the famous Pinnacle Rock and the austere Santiago Island beyond, is well worth the climb up the wooden boardwalk. This volcanic scene has often been likened to a lunar landscape. Our subsequent snorkel here might put us face to face with Galapagos penguins, white-tipped reef sharks and playful sea lions.

Highlights: Landscape, Pinnacle Rock, penguins, blue-footed boobies.

Disembarking: dry landing

Physical Condition: medium

Type of terrain: wooden path of 372 stairs.

Activities: 45 min glass-bottom boat or 45 min beach snorkeling / 30 min dinghy ride / 45 min hike

PM – Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island)
Wet landing. Although, when viewed from the sea, the site does not look especially interesting visitors are always totally enthralled by the amazing beds of pahoehoe lava from the recent flow on the island. It is a landscape and macro photographer´s dream. The importance of pioneer plants such as the tiny Mollugo will be discussed as we hike over the lava. After our land visit we can enjoy a refreshing snorkel in the company of sea lions, turtles and rays.
Difficulty level: demanding
Type of terrain: flat volcanic lava
Duration: 1:30-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling / beach time

Wednesday — Day 3

AM – Punta Pitt & Islet Pitt  (San Cristobal Island)

Sea lions will greet us as we land on the beach and prepare for our climb to a high point on the steep eroded tuff cone. This is the only place in the islands where we will enjoy the chance to see all three of the booby species in the same place. The red-foots will be perched on the Cordia lutea and small trees, the Nazca´s on the ground near the cliff edge while the blue-foots will be a little further inland. Frigatebirds will be all around and the views are breathtaking.

Highlights: Magnificent viewpoints, colony of sea lions, 3 bobby species and 2 frigatebirds.

Disembarking: wet landing

Physical Condition: medium

Type of terrain: rocky

Activities: 2 hour hike / 1 hour beach snorkeling or 45 min kayaking

PM – Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal Island)

From our dinghy ride, as we head to shore, we are first humbled by the immensity of the stunning cliffs of ‘Sorcerer´s Hill’. We can enjoy simply sharing the beach with sea lions, snorkeling from shore or take a walk to a hidden lagoon where we might spot black-necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels and white-cheeked pintails.

Highlights: extensive marine wildlife.

Disembarking: wet landing

Physical Condition: low

Type of terrain: sandy

Activities: 45 min dinghy ride / 1 hour 30 min beach snorkeling or 45 min kayaking

Thursday — Day 4

AM – Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve (San Cristobal Island)

In the moist highlands of San Cristobal, we will visit the giant tortoise breeding center “La Galapaguera” to witness the most iconic creature of the archipelago in its various life stages. The tortoises wander in a semi-natural habitat which lends itself to good photographic opportunities. The aim of the reserve is to help restore populations of the threatened San Cristobal tortoise back into the wild. In town, there are shops to purchase local handicrafts and souvenirs.

Highlights: Giant tortoises in semi-captivity, beautiful landscape on bus ride to La Galapaguera, miconia plant zone.

Disembarking: dry landing

Physical Condition: medium

Type of Terrain: sandy

Activities: 1 hour 30 min bus ride round-trip / 1 hour 15 min visit

San Cristobal Airport

After the visit, guests will be transferred to San Cristobal Airport for their return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.