Day 1: Morning Flight to Baltra - Black Turtle Cove
After arriving at Baltra airport we will be greeted by a Angermeyer Cruises representative to then board the Mary Anne and have lunch. After lunch, we will navigate a short distance to Black Turtle Cove, a large mangrove lagoon on the north coast of Santa Cruz Island. Pelicans and herons roost on the branches, while marine dwellers such as Green Sea Turtle or Golden Ray may cruise right next to the panga as it makes its way through the mangroves.
Day 2: Darwin Bay & El Barranco
We travel to Genovesa Island and reach Darwin Bay (wet landing), a unique site with a beautiful beach, lined with red mangroves and soft‐haired prickly pear cacti where red‐footed boobies and great frigatebirds perch tamely.
At El Barranco (dry landing), we climb the edge of a cliff where frigatebirds, masked boobies, and red-footed boobies nest. The trail will take us to the inner part of the island, populated by holy stick trees and cacti. We will be seeking out the impressive red‐billed tropicbird amidst Galapagos storm petrels and the endemic short-ear owl.
Day 3: Bartolome Island & Chinese Hat
Dry landing at Bartolome to climb up the wooden steps and reach the summit of this spatter cone for a most breathtaking panorama of the island’s well photographed Pinnacle Rock and views of neighbouring Santiago and many other central islands in the distance.
Less than a quarter of one square kilometer in size, this island gets its name from being shaped like a Chinese hat. The hat shape is best appreciated from the north side. Lava formations can be seen on the western side of the
island, formed under the sea and raised upward and for this reason it is possible to observe coral heads on the lava. Be amazed by the landscapes covered by sea lions colonies, marine iguanas and Galapagos penguins.
Day 4: Rabida Island & Cerro Dragon
Wet landing onto Rabida’s deep‐red beaches to explore the red island’s fascinating interior and saltwater lagoon. Darwin’s finches, Galapagos mockingbirds and yellow warblers feed off the vegetation. Given the right time of the year we may see brown pelicans nesting on salt bushes that fringe the beach.
We head across to Cerro Dragon on Santa Cruz’s northwest shore (dry landing) to visit a saltwater lagoon, home to Greater Flamingos, black‐necked stilts and white‐cheeked pintails. Further inland we find a fantastic land iguana nesting site.
Day 5: Santa Cruz Highlands & Darwin Research Station
We will spend this day visiting Santa Cruz Island´s most famous highlights. We will have a dry landing at the dock
of Puerto Ayora to then board our transportation and head to the island’s highlands. This area, in contrast to
the coastal region, has lush vegetation and forest due to the humidity in the higher regions. We will visit one of the ranches of the area where it is possible to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. As these animals migrate from the coastal area to the
highlands and back, the chosen ranch will depend on the presence of the tortoises since they roam free and
change locations. This is also a good place to see the ground finch of the Island, which populates these forests where is also
possible to see the vermilion flycatcher or the yellow warbler.
We will return to the ship for lunch and to freshen up to then head back to Puerto Ayora for our second visit of
the day, the Fausto Llerena Tortoise Breeding Center. Here, we will see tortoises from different islands. The animals are found in large semi natural pens for their protection, but also to ensure an easy view for the visitors. The pens are divided according to four different
stages: eggs, neonates, juveniles (held here until they are mature enough to be "repatriated"), and adults. After this visit, we will have some time to browse the shops in the town of Puerto Ayora before boarding the ship, as this is the only opportunity we will have for
souvenir shopping during the itinerary.
Day 6: South Plaza & Santa Fe Island
Dry landing on one of the oldest docks of the archipelago, colorful Plaza Sur is home to vibrant green prickly pears, deep red Sesuvium and coppery‐orange land iguanas. Impressive seaward cliffs are excellent for a variety of coastal birds. This is also a great place to observe the adult and pup sea lions swimming along the shores.
After a wet landing onto a white beach where sea lions are usually resting, on Santa Fe, we will be looking for the endemic species of land iguana, larger and yellower than land iguanas on other islands. The largest prickly pear cacti in the Galapagos are also found here.
Day 7: Suarez Point, Gardner Bay, Gardner Islet & Osborn Islet
In the morning we will head to Suarez Point, one of the most popular landing sites in Galapagos.
The highlights include: sea lions near the landing place, sometimes to be seen body‐surfing in the large breakers,
large marine iguanas, with red‐colored males in the breeding season, oystercatchers, blue-footed and Nazca
boobies, Galapagos hawks, Galapagos doves, swallow‐tailed gulls, red-billed tropicbirds, and three species endemic to
Española: the waved albatross (present only from April to December), the Española mockingbird, and the Española
lava lizard. The trail ends in “El Soplador” a blowhole that sprays water some 25 m (75 feet) into the air.
We will spend the afternoon in the fantastic Gardner Bay (wet landing) of Española Island; an outstanding beach with
sea lions, marine iguanas, and the intrepid Española mockingbird. Close to Española, there is a good spot for
snorkeling called Gardner Islet. While snorkeling, there is a good chance playful sea lions will join you. Get ready for
more snorkeling at Osborn islet, a great place to observe great quantities of marine life.
Day 8: Twin Craters & Departure
This is our last day in the islands. After breakfast we will disembark in Puerto Ayora to take our transport to the Baltra airport, making a shortstop to visit the Twin Craters. The Gemelos (twins)are in fact not craters, but magma domes that have collapsed, leaving two deep and wide holes located to the side of the road that leads to Puerto Ayora from the other side of the island.
After this visit, we will make our way to the Baltra airport for the flight to mainland Ecuador.
