Aida Maria 8 Days - Itinerary B

Upon your arrival to the Airport, you will be transferred to the Aida Maria Yacht. After lunch, we visit San Cristobal Interpretation Center, where you will learn about the origin and colonization of the island, their native species and the conservation efforts that have been made to preserve them.  Return to the yacht for dinner.

Full Itinerary map here: http://bit.ly/aida_maria_8_days__b

We disembark at South Plazas Island where you can find various species of land iguanas, and swallow-tailed gulls. Weather permiting we may swim or snorkel here too. After lunch head to Santa Fe, a great place to watch and swim with sea lions. This place is also the home to endemic species such as the Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos snake and a variety of finches. After this activity, dinner will be served 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 moisture-rich 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. 

Our first visit in the morning will be to Sierra Negra Volcano on Isabela Island; this is a large shield volcano at the South eastern end of Isabela Island in the Galapagos that rises to an altitude of 1124m. We trek up to see the impressive old lava flows inside the caldera. In the afternoon after lunch, you will go to visit the wetlands, a mangrove area with small brackish water lagoons that create the perfect environment for a small type of shrimp that serves as the food for the island’s flamingos.

Early in the morning visit Moreno Point in the north coast of Isabela, between volcanoes Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul, through a trail of solidified lava until a coastal lagoon where you will see several species of birds. During the afternoon we go to Elizabeth Bay, the excursion has no landing point so we travel by zodiac. You will visit the Marielas islets to see the most important penguin colony and a cove that is surrounded by red mangroves where you can observe seas turtles, flightless cormorants, spotted eagle rays, brown pelicans and sea lions.

The day begins when you disembark at Espinoza Point on Fernandina Island, a site rich in wildlife, such as sea lions, penguins, flightless cormorants, crabs & herons, living in the native mangrove forest. This site is also home to one of the largest populations of marine iguanas. In the afternoon we visit Vicente Roca Point (Isabela Island), this site is a large bay with spectacular sea life. You will also have the opportunity to see penguins, blue footed boobies and Nazca boobies.

First activity of the day will be a wet landing at James Bay, also known as Puerto Egas. An easy walk takes you to observe iguanas and sea lions along the coast line. We may also swim or snorkel here. In the afternoon, we head to Rabida Island, where lavas rich in iron have turned the sand red. There is a Galapagos sea lion nursery, and nesting area for brown pelicans. We may also practice snorkeling at the beach. End of the day and dinner.

Early in the morning we visit North Seymour to see the various species of birdlife that inhabit the island, such as blue footed boobies and frigate birds. Afterwards we land at Puerto Ayora and are transferred to Baltra Airport to take your flight back to the continent.