Day 1: Baltra - Rábida
Arriving in Baltra
Galapagos Island has one of two airports that connect the islands with the mainland. After passing immigration, visitors are taken by bus to the Itabaca Canal pier or the cruise ships docked in Aeolian Bay. Baltra Airport started redevelopment in 2007 to offer more eateries, stores, and a better visitor area. Due to its dry climate, Palo Santo trees, prickly pear cactus, and salt bushes make up Baltra's vegetation. Baltra has no visitor sites. After having lunch on board, all passengers will go to Rábida.
P.M. Rábida 14:00 - 18:00 hrs,
Wet landing on a small black-colored sand beach where sometimes it could be difficult to disembark because of the waves on the beach. Rábida Island is a small but striking island located in the Galapagos archipelago, off Ecuador's coast in South America. The island is known for its unique red-colored sand and rocks, which are the result of the high iron content in the volcanic material that makes up the island. Rábida is also home to several unique species, including Galapagos penguins, sea lions, and a variety of bird species such as blue-footed boobies and pelicans. Visitors to the island can participate in various activities, such as hiking, snorkeling, and kayaking. These activities are to explore the island's natural beauty and observe its diverse wildlife. In 1954 the entire bay was uplifted 5 meters in one night by tectonic forces and the animals that lived there, such as coral reefs, sea urchins, lobsters, and other invertebrates were killed by the sudden uplift, which was so fast that it even affected animals that could have walked back to the sea.
This upwelling was a block 6 kilometers long by 1 kilometer wide so that at the end of the long trail you can see large heads of white and brain coral that before 1954 formed an interesting reef in the waters of the site.
Day 2: Caleta Bucanero - Egas Port - Espumilla
A.M. Caleta Bucanero 08:00 - 12:00hrs,
In the morning, you will go to Caleta Bucanero. This is a picturesque bay located on Isabela Island, in the Galapagos archipelago. The bay is known for its crystal-clear waters and abundant marine life, including sea turtles, rays, and colorful tropical fish. Visitors can enjoy activities such as snorkeling and kayaking while taking in the beautiful scenery.
P.M. Egas Port - Espumilla
In the afternoon, Puerto Egas and Espumilla are the most popular places to have fun and end the day. These sites are located on Santiago Island. It is known for its unique volcanic landscapes, marine iguanas, and fur seals. Espumilla is a beautiful beach with turquoise waters, home to a variety of bird species such as the Galapagos mockingbird and the Darwin finch. Visitors can hike, snorkel, and swim to explore the islands' natural beauty and observe their diverse wildlife.
Day 3: Espinoza Point - Urbina Bay
During the first part of the day, we travel to Fernandina Island, a small island on the west side of the Galápagos. It is the third largest and youngest, and less than one million years old. It is most famous for its volcanic eruptions, which early visitors documented. It is the most active and pristine of the Galapagos volcanoes, with 13 recorded eruptions since the establishment of Galapagos National Park. It has a large land iguana population, and the waters surrounding it are the richest in the archipelago due to the subsurface Cromwell Current.
A.M. Espinoza Point 08:00 - 12:00 hrs.
You will go to Punta Espinoza, which is a narrow ledge of lava and sand extending from the volcano's base to the sea. Captain Benjamin Morrell recorded a Fernandina eruption in the 1820s, which led to the Point. It is famous for its large colonies of marine iguanas and numerous other species. These species include the flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguin, Galapagos hawk, and Galapagos snake. Lava cactus (Brachycerus semiotics) grows on young lava and survives on scarce water. In the afternoon, you will enjoy Punta Espinoza. It is a narrow ledge of lava and sand extending from the volcano's base to the sea. Captain Benjamin Morrell recorded a Fernandina eruption in the 1820s, which led to the Point. It is famous for its large colonies of marine iguanas and unique species, such as the flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguin, Galapagos hawk, and Galapagos snake. Lava cactus (Brachycerus semiotics) grows on young lava and survives on little water.
Isabela is a large island in the Galapagos archipelago, home to fishing, farming, and tourism residents. It has an exceptional vegetation zone, high elevations of the Wolf and Cerro Azul volcanoes, and rich fauna. Conservation challenges include the eradication of introduced species, the continued presence of cats and rats, and the survival of the mangrove finch. Fishing controversies have been reduced or eliminated, but sustainability
in marine ecosystems where fishing is permitted is still a work in progress.
P.M. Urbina Bay 14:00 - 18:00 hrs.
A walk among land iguanas An impressive coral reef rises above the surface of Urbina Bay, which is west of Isabela Island. This is the result of a shallow sea bottom uplift in 1954. Depending on the season, Urbina Bay is home to a variety of plant life. The colorful plants attract many insects because of their beautiful color. A short trek inland offers the opportunity to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat while feeding. Moreover, land iguanas nest in the middle of the trail, where their yellowish skin can be observed close up. A variety of flycatchers, Darwin's finches, and mockingbirds can be seen on the Galapagos Islands, both on the ground and in the trees.
Day 4: Elizabeth Bay - Moreno Point
A.M. Elizabeth Bay 08:00 - 12:00 hrs.
On Isabela Island's western shore, in the Galapagos archipelago, sits Elizabeth Bay, a lovely and isolated bay. A wide diversity of marine life, such as sea turtles, rays, and fish species, may be found in the area. Visitors may take a boat excursion to explore the mangrove woods in the bay and see the distinctive flora and animals of the region. Elizabeth Bay is a must-visit location for nature enthusiasts and those looking for a quiet retreat in the Galapagos because of its tranquil and peaceful ambiance.
P.M. Moreno Point 14:00 - 18:00H
On Isabela Island, on the Galapagos archipelago's southwest coast, sits Punta Moreno, a distinctive tourist destination. The area is well-known
for its craggy volcanic scenery and varied biodiversity, including flamingos, sea turtles, and many bird species. Hikers can explore the distinctive lava formations in the area and enjoy the captivating natural beauty of this far-off island. Punta Moreno is a well-liked resort for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers in the Galapagos due to its spectacular scenery and numerous wildlife.
Day 5: Tintoreras - Walls of Tears
A.M. Tintoreras - Volcán Chico - Sierra Negra 10:00 - 12:00h
During high tide, blue sharks (white-tip sharks) cruise along the channel or rest peacefully on the seabed rocks of a saltwater crevice that is a favorite resting place. Hundreds of marine iguanas nest nearby this crevice. Several sea lion colonies live on the white mangrove beach. There is no better place to admire the Galapagos fauna than here.
P.M. Wall of Tears - Tortoise Center 14:00 - 18:00h
The Wall of Tears: A place where brave men weep and weak men die. It is a fascinating historical site located in Villamil, Galapagos. It is a 6-kilometer walk from Villamil, passing the Villamil cemetery and a white-sand beach with lagoons. It is a testament to cruelty and torture and stands 5-6 m high, 3 m wide, and 100m long. It was built by prisoners in a penal colony from 1944 to 1959. This was a kind of open-air prison, so the prisoners had to do forced agricultural work, as well as build their enclosure: a wall of volcanic stones. The inhabitants say that most of the stones came from the Sierra Negra volcano and that the wall was built without the help of machinery but by the human strength of the captives. Many of them died in accidents, which is why the Wall of Tears is considered a place of mourning. After 10 years of forced labor, the prisoners rebelled and planned an escape, a deception, as if it were the Trojan Horse. One night, the inmates presented the policemen with a play called "The Prisoners' Escape". With homemade liquor, made by the prisoners themselves, the guards got drunk, while they were amused by the performance. It was then that in one of the scenes, with the double intention of making it more real, the actors tied up the policemen stripped them of their weapons, and vandalized the place burning it and destroying its structures completely. Panic spread to the town of Puerto Villamil and its inhabitants hid in a church. After visiting this, we are heading to Tortoise breeding center. We start the tour through the corrals enjoying these unique animals in the world, where we will learn about the history of this Centre and the history of the turtles, we also have an information room with more interesting facts. We can return by a 30-minute walk where we will find many endemic plants and birds such as flamingos, patios, and gallinules that live in salt ponds. This walk takes approximately 2 hours.
Day 6: Charles Darwin Center - Tortuga Bay
A.M. Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Center 08:00 - 12:00h
Due to its closeness to the Baltra airport to the north, Santa Cruz serves as the primary tourism hub for the Galapagos. The interior and high heights of a Galapagos Island can only be observed on one island. The longest paved road in the Galapagos is on Santa Cruz; it spans the entire island from north to south and connects Puerto Ayora, the island's largest city, situated in Academy Bay on the southern coast, with the airport ferry at Itabaca Canal on the island's north coast. The Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) has managed the archipelago since 1964, with CDRS working on conservation, restoration, and sustainable development projects. In this renowned national park site, just northeast of Puerto Ayora, over 200 scientists and volunteers are involved in research and conservation efforts, the most well-known of which involves giant tortoise captive breeding programs. Through the arid zone vegetation, you can observe Galápagos giant tortoises in their enclosures. A nursery with incubators is also available (the baby tortoises are repatriated to their home islands once they reach 1.5kg or about four years old).
P.M. Tortuga Bay 14:00 - 18:00h
From Puerto Ayora's main street, Tortuga Bay can be reached in about an hour. Land birds may be spotted along the trail, which travels through arid areas. Once reaching the coast, there are two beaches; only strong swimmers should join the long beach open to the ocean due to its powerful undercurrents. Tortuga Bay's second beach lies to the north. The water is calm there.
Day 7: Lobos Island
A.M. San Cristóbal - Isla Lobos 08:00 - 10:00h
San Cristóbal is the fifth-largest and easternmost island of the Galapagos, home to the oldest permanent settlement, and where Darwin first stepped ashore in 1835. Manuel Cobos and José Monroy formed the Orchillera Company, a penal colony; sugar cane plantations were established; and a fishing company flourished from 1952 to 1960. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is the capital of the Galapagos province.
Isla Lobos - Return to the mainland
From San Cristóbal, it takes a boat one hour to reach this islet. Although it has been designated for the colony of sea lions that occasionally inhabit th area, it is a seasonal nesting spot for blue-footed boobies. There are occasionally fur seals as well. There have also been several frigatebird nests there. The islet is a wonderful location for snorkeling and offers a serene, picturesque environment.
