AM: Arrival in San Cristobal Airport
Your guide will escort you to the M/C Seaman. This is a short transfer from the airport to Baltra´s dock. Boarding and cabin assignment. Lunch on board.
PM: Interpretation Center - San Cristobal Island
This is an interpretation center with exuberant gardens and stunning ocean views. Visitors at the interpretation center can learn a lot from the geological and human history of the islands, conservation facts, and natural history. This is the oldest museum of Natural History in the Galapagos Islands which attempts to preserve the archipelago. It is indeed inspiring and motivating to watch and learn about their research and educational programs for preserving Galapagos.
AM: San Cristobal Island, Galapaguera
A short visit will take place at the Galapaguera, a good place to observe Galapagos tortoises in their natural habitat
San Cristobal island has endemic species such as the Mockingbird Nesomimus melanotis, lava lizard (Microlophus bivittatus), Chatham Leaf-toed Gecko (Phyllodactylus leei), and its own species of endemic giant tortoises. All of these species can be observed in this place, the beach is really big and it works as a nesting zone for marine tortoises. Between January and May, it is common to find the footprints of the female tortoises who have climbed to the sand dunes to deposit their eggs! This truly a worth experience to be part of.
PM: Cerro Brujo - San Cristobal Island
Cerro Brujo is a beautiful white coral beach where you can swim and watch birds and sea lions, plus you can snorkel. This is the first coast where Charles Darwin walked on, in 1835. In this marvelous lava landscape, you can watch seabirds like blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, herons, frigate birds, and shorebirds. The protected bay is well known for its young tortoises which like to swim around.
The pools with salty water behind the sand dunes were used by the fishermen as a salt mine in order to preserve food for the local population. Among the fauna, you can observe the Chatham Mockingbird and the San Cristobal Lava Lizard, both species are endemic to the island and unique to the area.
Furthermore, you will see the Galapagos turtles and with luck, the little bird is known as the Pájaro Brujo in Spanish, an endemic species in San Cristobal Island. The vegetation covers all the route, where you can find species like the candelabrum cactus and carob trees. Located on the north coast of Isla San Cristobal it is a peaceful place with white sand and crystal water, a perfect combination for an incredible stay.
AM: Española Island - Gardner Bay
Located on the north-eastern coast of Hood, Gardner Bay offers an excellent beach to relax, swim, and even kayak, plus the opportunity to observe sea lions (Zalophus wollebaki),. Here we can also observe sharks in the crystal clear ocean waters. At this place one can see three species of Darwin finches: A subspecies of the large-billed cactus finch (Geospiza fuliginosa), which is similar to the large-billed terrestrial finch; The small-beaked ground finch (Geospiza fuliginosa and the singing finch (Certhidea Olivacea) which is another endemic subspecies. Both resident and migratory birds are observed.
PM: Española Island - Suarez Point
This area is great for spotting blue-footed boobies, albatrosses, and Nazca boobies. A beautiful sight on the oceanfront, the large waved albatrosses use the cliff as a launching pad. The famous attraction is the magnificent blowhole, spurting water high into the air at least from 50 to 75 meters high. This site presents wonderful photograph opportunities.
AM: Cormorant Point, Champion Islet
This site offers probably the best flamingo lagoon in the Galapagos; it is also one of the largest in the islands. It’s situated between two tuff lava cones that give the area a special atmosphere. There are various species of shorebirds to observe besides flamingos; the most frequent are common stilts, white-checked pintail ducks, and other migratory birds. It is very interesting to see the two distinct beaches: “The Green Beach” (due to its high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand) and the “Flour Sand Beach” which is made up of coral.
After the interesting walk, the group is taken to Champion Islet, a great place to enjoy snorkeling and underwater wildlife. Some of the animals that can be seen are sea turtles, sea lions, and schools of fish thanks to the nearby coral reef.
PM: Post Office Bay
Historically, this site is the location of a wooden barrel that was placed in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. It has been used since this time by marines and tourists as a post office. The idea is to carry letters or postcards to their destination by hand. Besides, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists.
This day’s afternoon is thought to be a relaxing time for visitors to enjoy the beach and the beauty of the Galapagos.
AM: Charles Darwin Research Station - Santa Cruz Island
Short visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about their efforts to preserve and reproduce certain species of giant tortoises, most of them, in the brick of extinction.
Later, transfer to Baltra airport and flight to Ecuador´s mainland.
