Aida Maria 8 Days - Itinerary A

Upon your arrival to Baltra Airport, you will be transferred to the Aida Maria Yacht. After lunch, you will visit Bachas beach, two small beaches made of decomposed coral, and a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish water lagoon, where you may see flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. The other beach is longer, and has two old barges that were abandoned during the Second World War, when the USA used Baltra Island as a strategic point to protect the Panama Canal.

Full Itinerary map here: http://bit.ly/aida_maria_8_days__a

A wet landing at Darwin Bay, follow a trail to find red footed boobies, and great frigate birds trying to attract a female. You will also stumble upon Darwin’s Finches and native flora like mangroves and cactus. After lunch, the yacht will head to Prince Philip´s Steps (Barranco), where a steep climb takes you to a Palo Santo Forest and species like Nazca boobies & Storm Petrels. You will also have a panoramic view of all the Island from here.

Bartolome Island and Sullivan Bay: We begin with a hike to enjoy the most amazing panoramic view at the Galapagos Islands. After, relax on the beach or take the opportunity to snorkel at the reef to see various fish, friendly sea lions, and sea turtles. In the afternoon, we visit Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island, to see fascinating giant lava formations, due to the recent formation of the island. Return to the yacht and dinner.

In the morning, we head to Black Turtle Cove, which is a red mangrove lagoon on Santa Cruz, and home to sharks, rays & turtles. After lunch, the yacht will navigate to Dragon Hill, where we make a dry landing on lava rocks. This site is a small bay on the west coast of Santa Cruz that got its name from the many land iguanas that live in the area. End of the day and dinner onboard.

After breakfast we land at Santa Cruz Island, where you will visit the famous Charles Darwin Station, a non-profit institution that dedicates itself to studying and protecting the flora and fauna of the Galapagos, and a great place to see land tortoises. After lunch, we take a bus ride to Santa Cruz Highlands, which is a moisturerich area with fertile volcanic soils & lush vegetation. The main highlight here is to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat, & you may also spot bird species such as Darwin Finches, Yellow Warblers, and Bright Red Vermillion Flycatchers. In the late afternoon you’ will return to Puerto Ayora to enjoy the nightlife of the town.

Early in the morning we land at Cormorant Point, where you will be welcomed by a small Galapagos sea lion colony, and can visit two beaches: one with green sand containing olivine crystal, and the other a white coral beach. After this activity, head to Devil´s Crown, a sub-marine crater that offers some of the most spectacular snorkeling in the Galapagos. After lunch, we go to Post Office bay, established in 1793 by British whalers to send letters to and from England, and even today, visitors have the opportunity to send letters of their own.

Early in the morning head to Suarez Point, a basaltic cliff which forms a blowhole where water sprays high into the air. A hike to the top makes a great opportunity to take spectacular pictures, and spot sea lions, nesting sea birds (boobies & albatross), and Marine Iguanas. In the afternoon, the yacht will take you to the beautiful white sand beach at Gardner Bay to see lazing sea lions, and an opportunity to snorkel or swim.

The final visit of your cruise will be to Lobos Islet, a very small islet made of volcanic rocks that gets its name from the colony of Sea Lions (Lobo de Mar in Spanish) that lives there. We can observe the behavior and interaction of Sea Lions living in a small community. After this activity you will be transferred to the airport to take your flight back to the continent.