Darwin Adventure 8 Days - Itinerary A

Upon your arrival to the airport in Baltra Island, you will be transferred to the Darwin Yacht at the bay.  After lunch our first visit  will be to North Seymour. Seymour was formed by the lifting of volcanic marine lava. Marine fossils dating back to the Pleistocene period were found on this island. In 1932, Captain Alan Hancock and his crew took 72 malnourished land iguanas from Baltra Island to North Seymour Island so that the iguanas could live in better conditions.  In 1934, colonists verified that the iguanas were in good condition. The vegetation of North Seymour is bushy and is host to nesting Real Frigates of the Galapagos. 

Full itinerary map here: http://bit.ly/darwin-adventure-8-days

First activity in the morning will be a visit to Pitt Point, offering an impressive view after climbing up a steep narrow path onto a plateau surrounded by reddish hills. After this visit, we head to Kicker Rock (León Dormido), to take a dinghy ride observing the narrow channel and the marine species that nest there.

Early start after breakfast, to begin with a visit to Witch Hill (Cerro Brujo), a beautiful white sand beach, where species like brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies and sea lions are found. You may also have the chance to swim or snorkel from the beach. After lunch, head to Lobos Island, famous for its population of sea lions and fur sea lions. Head back to the yacht and dinner.

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. In the late afternoon you’ will return to Puerto Ayora to enjoy the nightlife of the town.

Early in the morning we visit Tintoreras Islet, a small bay of completely calm turquoise waters, where you can appreciate sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, rays, and reef sharks called tintoreras, hence the name of this island. During the afternoon, you will head to the Wetlands, and walk through a trail to Cerro Orchilla, a lookout from where you will see all Puerto Villamil and Sierra Negra / Cerro Azul Volcanos from afar. After this activity, head to the Tortoise Breeding Center, to learn about conservation efforts to improve the status of the population of Isabela giant tortoises.

Early start after landing at Rabida Island, where we walk a short trail to a water lagoon, home to wading flamingos. We also visit a Palo Santo Forest. During the afternoon, you will visit Dragon Hill, named like this because of the land iguanas species that reside there. We follow a trail that leads to a hyper-saline lagoon behind the beach, frequented by flamingos, pintail ducks and other species of birds. After these activities head back to the yacht for dinner.

Early breakfast, and the day begins a visit to Chinese Hat (Sombrero Chino), a volcanic cone that forms an islet off the rocky coast of Santiago, where a small colony of Galapagos penguins have settled. You may also see Galapagos sea lions and marine iguanas. After lunch, you will have a dinghy ride through Black Turtle Cove, which is a red mangrove lagoon on Santa Cruz, and home to sharks, rays & turtles. After this activity return to the yacht for dinner.

After breakfast, the boat will take you to Daphne Island, Major and Minor, and you will sail around them to admire their ecosystem and the species that inhabit it. After this activity you will disembark at Baltra Island to take your flight back to the continent.