5 DAYS – 4 NIGHTS SUNDAY – THURSDAY

SUNDAY      BALTRA

AM       Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, travelers pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands, as well as to pay the park entrance fee of $100 (unless it has been prepaid).  A guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbor.

PM                  Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz Island

This site is located northwestern Santa Cruz Island and consists of a trail that leads to a hyper-saline lagoon behind the beach, frequented by flamingos, pintail ducks and other species of birds.  There is a short walk to the Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay.

MONDAY     BLACK TURTLE COVE

AM      This cove is located at the northern side of Santa Cruz Island. Its crystal waters permits to observe large groups of white-tip reef, black tipped reef and hammer heads sharks, schools of golden rays and spotted eagle rays.  The visit is done by panga or kayak.  Sea turtles are frequently seen and sometimes they are seen mating in the mangrove-lined waters.  Pelicans and herons are also seen in this area.

PM                  Chinese hat

This is a small islet located just off the southern east tip of Santiago Island.  It is a recent volcanic cone, shaped like a Chinese hat when seen from north side.  On the west it can be seen lava formations, formed under the sea and raised upward, this is why coral heads are found on the lava. The landscape is covered by sea lions colonies, marine iguanas and Galapagos penguins.

 

 

TUESDAY    EL BARRANCO, GENOVESA ISLAND

AM        It is located in the southern part of Darwin Bay and it is also known as Prince Philip´s Steps, passengers will climb to a plateau that is part of the stretch of land that surrounds Darwin Bay on its eastern side.  There is a big population of masked boobies and red-footed boobies in the trees; storm petrels and short-eared owls have found in Genovesa lava flows the ideal place for nesting.

PM                 DARWIN BAY, GEOVES ISLAND

This bay has origin when the crater of this island collapsed below sea level.  The wet landing is on a beautiful white coral sandy beach.  This is a favorite island for birdwatchers: red footed-bobby, masked boobies, wandering tattlers, lava gulls, whimbrels Yellow-crowned, black-crowned and lava herons, and yellow warblers can be seen in the area.  Continuing on the trail, visitors climb gradually to the edge of the cliff seeing red-foots nesting in the mangrove trees below. Reaching the end, the trail at the cliff´s edge offers an incredible view of the island and the many birds living there.

 

WEDNESDAY                    BARTOLOME ISLAND

AM      It is located across Sullivan Bay.  It has an altitude of 114 mts from where we can observe one of the most beautiful sceneries of the Galapagos Islands such as: volcanic cones, lunar-like craters, lava fields, and the famous Toba formed pinnacle eroded by the sea. It has two breathtaking beaches with marine turtles at the base of the pinnacle, and a very small colony of Galapagos penguins.

PM                  THE SULLIVAN BAY, SANTIAGO ISLAND

Santiago, also called James, or San Salvador Island, is located in the west central part of the Galapagos archipelago.  It is the fourth largest island in the archipelago. Along with some of the large western volcanoes of Isabela and Fernandina Santiago is also volcanically active, with any young flows and cones to be seen, particularly along the south, west, and east coasts.

 

THURSDAY             HIGHLANDS, SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

AM        The trail to the highlands leaves from Bellavista and passes through the agricultural zone, near the National Park boundary, the Miconia Zone, and then goes to the Fern and Sedge zone.

Then transfer back to Baltra airport for your flight back to the mainland.