Galapagos Explorer

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AM: Upon arrival, you will be welcomed and transferred to the Galapagos Explorer.

PM: Begin your journey traversing North Seymour Island on foot in search of blue-footed boobies, colonies of frigatebirds, fork-tailed gulls, sea lion and land iguana. Palo santo trees can also be found on the island.

AM: Sail to Punta Pitt to explore a cluster of eroded volcanoes sparsely populated by endemic vegetation.

PM: Discover Kicker Rock where you will find the remains of eroded lava flows as well as two vertical rocks rising 152 m (500 ft) from the ocean. This natural monument is great for spotting various tropicbirds, frigatebirds and boobies. You’ll also visit Lobos Island, a small flat islet located 10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. This is a fantastic spot to observe nesting frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies as well as snorkel with friendly sea lion.

AM: Today you will travel to Osborn Islet, Gardner Bay and Gardner Island. Bask in the sunshine on the pristine sandy white beaches and discover the vibrant underwater world by snorkeling along its rocky shores. Gardner Bay is also the only known breeding site for the critically endangered waved albatross.

PM: Explore the rocky landscape of Punta Suarez, home to one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galapagos as well as a large blowhole where ocean water has been seen to spray up to 15 – 23 m (50 - 75 ft) into the air.

AM: This morning you will explore Champion Island and Punta Cormorant on Floreana Island. Floreana Island also boasts one of the largest lagoons in the Galapagos. Situated between two volcanoes, the lagoon is home to flamingo, common stilt and white-checked pintail duck. In addition, the island hosts a high percentage of endemic plant species as well as two distinct beaches, the olivine crystal Green Beach and coral Flour Sand Beach.

PM: In the 18th century, sailors passing through the islands placed a wooden barrel on Floreana Island to use as an unofficial mailbox. Known as Post Office Bay today, the tradition continues as travellers leave addressed postcards in the barrel and sort through left mail to deliver at home.

AM: Begin your day with a visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the important conservation work taking place in the Galapagos. Next, visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center which was established to protect and preserve the Galapagos’ tortoise population. Strolling through the park not only showcases the various tortoises but also the land iguana that are bred and nurtured at the centre.

PM: After lunch, discover the highlands of Santa Cruz. Explore a pair of volcanic sinkholes called ‘The Twins’ (or Los Gemelos) formed by land collapsing beneath the surface before spending time at the Tortoise Reserve El Chato where several subspecies of giant tortoises roam free.

AM: The rocky, low-lying hill, Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) on Santa Cruz Island is home to an impressive population of Galapagos land iguana. These miniature dragons roam around the sun-scorched, boulder-strewn island, enjoying the fruits and flowers of their favourite food, the prickly pear.

PM: Next, head to the famous Pinnacle Rock on Bartolomé Island. A walking trail leads to the summit of an extinct volcano, boasting some of the best views in the Galapagos. Pinnacle Rock beach is also ideal for snorkelling with Galapagos penguin.

AM: The 14 km2 (8.6 mi2) island of Genovesa is the tip of a submerged shield volcano that rises 76 m (249 ft) above sea level. Its central crater is filled with salt water while ocean erosion over time created the Darwin Bay on its southern slope. The island is known for its great swimming, snorkelling and panga excursions.

PM: Genovesa is a paradise for sea birds, including large colonies of red-footed boobies and frigatebirds. Discover Prince Phillip’s Steps (El Barranco), the breeding ground for the tree-loving red-footed booby and ground-nesting masked booby. The island is also home to four species of Darwin finches: the large ground finch, the sharp-beaked ground finch, the large cactus finch, and the warbler finch.

AM: The Daphnes include two islands, Daphne Major and Daphne Minor, situated just north of Santa Cruz. Spend your last few hours in the Galapagos exploring Daphne Major. Nazca boobies, red-billed tropicbirds and blue-footed boobies can be found nesting here.

Thereafter, it is time to wave a fond farewell to the Galapagos as you head to Baltra Airport on Baltra Island for your flight onward.

AM: Upon arrival, you will be welcomed and transferred to the Galapagos Explorer.

PM: Begin your journey exploring Black Turtle Cover located along the northern shores of Santa Cruz Island. Accessible only by panga, Black Turtle Cove is a mangrove estuary. Pristine and naturally secluded, the cove is a haven for rare wildlife and plant species and has been declared a turtle sanctuary.

AM: Today you will explore Sombrero Chino Island, otherwise known as “Chinese hat”. The island features a gently sloping volcanic cone that emerges from the ocean, resembling the distinctive shape of an old-fashioned Chinaman’s hat. In the west you can see lava formations topped with coral heads, which are an indicator that the flows were once formed under the sea. Look out for bright red Sally lightfoot crab, marine iguana and Galapagos sea lion. The lava cactus growing in between the lava cracks is also an incredible sight.

PM: Rabida Island is one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago. Its famous red sandy beach and stunning viewpoints provide unmatched photographic opportunities.

AM: Today you will explore Santiago Island’s Espumilla Beach. Here you will visit the palo santo forest and the island’s beautiful shores which are home to multiple marine turtle nesting sites.

PM: Next, discover Buccaneer Cove. Named after the first navigators that used the island as an anchorage place to beach their boats while searching for food and fresh water, today, the cove is home to a variety of marine birds, sea lion and fur seal. Accessible only by panga, look out for pelican, heron, swallow-tailed gulls and boobies.

AM: Explore Espinosa Point on Fernandina Island, the perfect spot to see marine iguana, the Galapagos hawk and multiple flightless cormorant nesting sites. No foreign species have ever invaded Fernandina and the untouched landscape was created by lava fields of the volcano La Cumbre.

PM: An afternoon panga excursion along Tagus Cove provides you with the opportunity to also see the Galapagos penguin and other iconic sea birds up close.

AM: Located on the west shore of Isabela Island at Perry Isthmus is Elizabeth Bay. Enjoy a panga excursion in search of penguin and blue-footed boobies.

PM: Punta Moreno is ideal for snorkeling boasting an array of colorful fish, sea lion and even sharks. The coastal lagoons found in the middle of black lava flows are a fascinating sight.

AM: Begin your day with a visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the important conservation work taking place in the Galapagos. Next, visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center which was established to protect and preserve the Galapagos’ tortoise population. Strolling through the park not only showcases the various tortoises but also the land iguana that are bred and nurtured at the centre.

PM: After lunch, explore the highlands of Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz is the only island in the Galapagos that boasts every habitat type that exists in the archipelago. The journey from the coast into the highlands presents a wonderful opportunity to experience the lush tapestry of plant life that exists on these islands. You will also spend some time at the Tortoise Reserve

El Chato where several subspecies of giant tortoises roam free.

AM: Today you will explore Santa Fe Island, a charming little bay with two walking trails leading to a scenic viewpoint upon a craggy cliff and the other to a fascinating prickly pear cactus forest.

PM: Later, visit South Plaza Island, a landscape of steep cliffs and Opuntia cacti, and home to playful sea lion and bright yellow and red land iguana.

AM: The small island of Mosquera with its white sandy beaches, black lava rocks and turquoise waters is the last stop of your Galapagos adventure. Keep an eye out for the island’s lively colony of Galapagos sea lion as well as the nesting grounds of the lava gull.

Thereafter, it is time to wave a fond farewell to the Galapagos as you head to Baltra Airport on Baltra Island for your flight onward.