Destinations
Experiences
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Unique Experiences |
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Itinerary F |
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DAY 1 - TUESDAY
BALTRA AIRPORT – SULLIVAN BAY
Upon arrival, reception and assistance at the airport, transfer from Baltra Airport to the M/C Endemic.
Located in the highlands of Santa Cruz on the road to Baltra airport from Puerto Ayora, the Scenic Twin Craters are approximately 30 meters deep. These two huge land depressions are surrounded by a Scalesia Forest with abundant birds such as yellow warbler and the Vermilion Flycatcher. Gorgeous views of the leafy green highlands forest are also part of the visit. Then we will continue our journey to board the M/C Endemic.
SULLIVAN BAY
In the afternoon, you will visit Sullivan Bay on the east coast of Santiago Island. We land on a white coral sand beach and begin our walk over lava that flowed less than 100 years ago. This is the perfect place to see and feel the volcanic origin of Galapagos. Also in this area you will admire flora that grows in lava fields.
(B, L, D)
DAY 2 - WEDNESDAY
VOLCAN SIERRA NEGRA – WETLANDS – WALL OF TEARS – BREEDING CENTER
Isabela Island is the largest of the archipelago with a surface of 4588 sq.km. It engages more than the half of the land area of whole Galapagos. Sierra Negra Volcano is one of largest craters in the archipelago with a diameter of five kilometers. It offers mesmerizing views with great contrast in colors between lava fields, vegetation and fumaroles.
Humedales (The Wetlands) are a complex of trails of 6 kilometers long, located south of Isabela Island. They have a wide variety of flora and abundant bird life, including gallinules, finches, stilts and ducks among others. On the way up to Orchilla hill, giant tortoises and marine iguanas will appear. From the viewpoint the spectacular scenery of the bay, the town of Puerto Villamil, volcanoes, islets and rocks can be appreciated. Isabela wetlands has endemic and introduced species.
You will also visit the Wall of Tears. This is a man-made monument which has been built in the 40’s by prisoners, since Isabela island was once an Ecuadorian penal colony and building up the wall was part of the punishment.
Finally, at the breeding center of Isabela, Arnaldo Tupiza, giant baby tortoises can be seen until they are ready to survive in the wild. On the way back to the yacht, be ready to spot flamingos and other water birds.
(B, L, D)
DAY 3 - THURSDAY
ELIZABETH BAY – BAHIA URBINAElizabeth Bay is a marine visitor site, the excursion is carried out in a zodiac and so there is no landing point. Your zodiac ride starts with a visit to the Marielas Islets where there is the largest and most important penguin colony in the Galapagos Islands. The excursion continues into the cove that is surrounded by red mangroves where you can spot sea turtles, flightless cormorants, spotted eagle rays, golden rays, brown pelicans and sea lions.
During a visit to Urbina Bay you can see coral formations and large colored land iguanas. The possibility of seeing giant turtles, flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies, penguins and marine iguanas is excellent.
(B, L, D)
DAY 4 - FRIDAY
TAGUS COVE - ESPINOZA POINT
A tour along the cliffs of Tagus Cove in a zodiac will give visitors a good chance to see the Galapagos penguin, the flightless cormorant and other sea birds. From the landing dock it is about a 30-minute hike along the trail up to the top of the cliff from where you can view Darwin Lake, a saline lake saltier than the sea. You can also see several volcanoes from this location.
Espinoza point, one of Fernandina Island’s visitor points, is situated within a fascinating lava scenery with lava-cactuses and mangroves growing directly out of lava rock. The highlights are sea lions, penguins, the flightless cormorant (especially in spring and summer) and one of the biggest marine iguana colonies of the Galápagos.
(B, L, D)
DAY 5 - SATURDAY
ESPUMILLA BEACH– BUCCANEER COVE – RABIDA ISLAND
Espumilla Beach is a pristine sandy beach and a popular place for marine iguanas and Sally Lightfoot Crabs. The crabs attract hunting herons, performing a dance of predator and prey. With an abundance of marine life including octopi, moray eel, and shark, snorkeling is recommended and available.
Just north of James Bay is Buccaneer Cove which was known as a safe haven for pirates in the 17th and 18th century to stash their loot, take on freshwater and capture tortoises for food. It is a nice place for a zodiac ride, snorkeling and kayaking. Blue-footed, Nazca boobys, and Galapagos hawks can be seen flying overhead.
Rabida Island’s main attraction is the red sand beach, famous for its cactus groves, lounging sea lions, rock formation scenery, the vegetation of the arid zone, and the presence of native and endemic species. During the walk on the red sand beach you will see brown pelicans’ nests and a lagoon where flamingos are seen from time to time.
(B, L, D)
DAY 6 - SUNDAY
BLACK TURTLE COVE – BALTRA AIRPORT
Located on the north shore of Santa Cruz, is a living illustration of how mangroves alter the marine environment to create a rich and unique habitat. Three species of mangroves crowd the area from the shore out into the lagoon, which reaches almost a mile inland.
As we drift through the quiet waters in our zodiac, with some luck, we will see spotted eagle rays and diamond shaped mustard rays, which swim in a diamond formation. White-tipped reef sharks slip beneath the boat and Pacific green sea turtles come to the surface for air and to mate. Waterfowl, including pelicans, herons and egret, all feed in the cove. This is a peaceful place that will leave you feeling, well, peaceful.
Transfer from the M/C Endemic to Baltra airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.
Assistance and farewell at the airport.(B)
*The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather, National Park regulations or notifications and unforeseeable circumstances.
