Day 1: North Seymour Island
Arrive into Baltra Airport to meet you naturalist tour guide and ride the bus to the Itabaca Channel. Cross the channel by barge and then continue to Puerto Ayora by bus. Here you will board the vessel and have a light snack along with an orientation.
In the afternoon, visit explore the coast and the interior of North Seymour Island, which is a low, flat island that was uplifted from the sea by underground seismic activity. Meet native blue footed boobies who nest from May to November, marine iguanas, pelicans, frigate birds, shore birds, sea lions and the endemic Palo Santo.
Day 2: Santa Cruz Highlands & Charles Darwin Research Station
Take a bus ride to reach the highlands of Santa Cruz with its distinct deep green landscape. The dominant vegetation are native Scalesia trees which provide the lush green colour that contrasts the dry, lower lands. You will follow trails through lava tubes and meet the iconic Galapagos tortoises which are kept in a breeding centre that aims to prevent the gentle giant from becoming extinct.
The afternoon will be spent in the Charles Darwin Research Station and training centre that allows scientists, researchers and volunteers to work together and conserve the Galapagos ecosystem and wildlife. You will receive a tour of the exhibition centre and view photographs of recent volcano eruptions, charts outlining geological formations and drawings of evolutionary development of endemic species. Meanwhile observe the many species of tortoises and land iguanas as well as young turtles kept in the centre's nursery.
Day 3: Moreno Point & Urbina Bay (located in Isabela Island)
Start your morning at Moreno Point to marvel at a plethora of birds seen during a dinghy ride along the striking rocky shores of the coast. Walk along a path through lava rocks leading to tide pools and mangroves that are home to flamingo's, gallinules and pintail ducks. Keep an eye for green sea turtles and white-tip reef sharks that can be spotted in the tide pools.
After lunch, enjoy a walk to Urbina Bay located at the base of Alcedo Volcano which experienced an uplift from the sea in 1954 and now features an exposed delicate coral reef to be admired. Along the walk get up close to land iguanas, flightless cormorants and giant tortoises. Take some time afterwards to enjoy a relaxing swim or snorkel.
Day 4: Tagus Cove (located in Isabela Island) & Espinosa Point (located in Fernandina Island)
Spend the morning at Tagus Cove which is located across from Fernandina Island, near the Bolivar Channel dividing the two islands. This spot has been frequented by ships since the 1800s, using the area as an anchorage site. Along the trails by a lake you will encounter majestic penguins, and flightless cormorants.
Climb aboard for a delicious lunch and relax during the journey to Fernandina before making a dry landing on Punta Espinoza to observe a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants and clumps of lava cactus. Return to the comfortable vessel for dinner.
Day 5: Egas Point & Buccaneer Cove (located in Santiago)
In the morning visit Egas Point also known as James Bay, to spot the local plethora of wildlife such as a variety of shore birds, reptiles, hawks and herons. In the late afternoon you will get an opportunity to view a picturesque salt crater, as well as dark sanded beaches and tidal pools.
In the afternoon, the Nemo II will sail to Buccaneer Cove which is a testament to the fact that Santiago Island was once a refuge for British buccaneers. These pirates would anchor in the protected bay to make repairs and stock up on tortoise meat among other things. The steep cliffs, where hundreds of seabirds perch in front of the dark red sand beach, are a magnificent site.
Day 6: Rabida Island & Sullivan Bay (located in Santiago)
Visit the alluring red sands of Rabida Island and immerse yourself in a a great bird-watching experience. Some of the rarest species are in abundance, such as nine varieties of finches, large-billed flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans. As an option you can snorkel in the tropical waters to catch a glimpse of colourful schools of fish, sea lions and penguins diving into the deep.
In the afternoon, you will arrive at Sullivan Bay on the east coast of Santiago to inspect the fascinating volcanic origin of the Galapagos Islands. Observe large lava rock flows, and other volcanic formations that happened thousands of years ago up until the more recent eruption in the early 20th century.
Later following a lunch break, land on Bartholomew Island, to hike a trail of stairs towards the summit of an extinct volcano. During the trail peer at the multi-coloured rock formations, marine iguanas and lava lizards whilst gazing at the impressive panoramic view of the surrounding islands including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock.
Day 7: Prince Philip's Steps & Darwin Bay (located in Genovesa Island)
Start the morning at El Barranco or proudly named Prince Philip's Steps for an amazing wildlife watching opportunity to see a unique bird colony and the breeding grounds for the red-footed boobies and masked boobies.
Following on, you will enjoy a calm walk along the white coral sands of Darwin Bay, surrounded by many sea birds such as frigatebirds, gulls, and incredible red-footed boobies. Enjoy a snorkelling session to visit a sunken caldera crater to see large schools of fish swarming vertically whilst paying close attention to spot a manta rays or a hammerhead sharks.
Day 8: Daphne Island - Depart Baltra Airport
Daphne Major and Daphne Minor are located between Santa Cruz and Santiago Islands. The islands continue to be a popular stop for scientists researching the unique qualities of the Galapagos finches. You will enjoy bird watching which includes the famous Galapagos finches.
Finally return to the vessel to reach the island's pier and then take a bus ride directly to Baltra airport for departure.
