Tip Top II 8 Days - Option 1 West

Upon your arrival to Baltra Airport, you will be transferred to the harbor to get onboard Tip Top II Catamaran. After navigation, you will disembark on Mosquera Islet, a reef of rocks and coral (the result of an uprising) and a great white sand beach. You can also observe tide pools, where colonies of sea lions, brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies and sally light-foot crabs reside. The contrast between these bright red crabs on top and blue on the bottom and the black lava is stunning. You can swim or snorkel in this place too.

Full itinerary map here: http://bit.ly/tip-top-ii-8-days-1

Early in the morning, the yacht will land in Sullivan Bay at Santiago Island where you can witness the rope lava flows, and sea lions that rest through the shore, you can also practice shallow water snorkeling. After this activity, you will head to Rabida Island, a red sand beach, with a salt water lagoon where flamingos are usually present, along with Darwin’s finches, and Galapagos Mockingbirds. End of the activities and dinner.

After breakfast, you will head to Espinoza Point at Fernandina Island, that is one of the youngest islands with the most active volcano, and where you can spot pelicans, marine iguanas, and flightless cormorants. In the afternoon, you will go take a panga ride to Elizabeth Bay to see marine iguanas, penguins, marine turtles, seabirds and shorebirds, herons and blue-footed boobies. Return to the Yacht for dinner and rest.

Early in the morning, the yacht will take you to Urbina Bay, one of the recent examples of geological uplift in the Galapagos, where you will see land iguanas, giant Galapagos turtles, and marine iguanas. You can also snorkel here. Then, you will go to Tagus Cove, a cove between the shoulders of two volcanic craters, which protect it from the open sea; here you will observe penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions and a variety of birds including flightless cormorant and blue-footed boobies.

Early in the morning, you will visit Port Egas, a beach located at the west side of Santiago Island, its main attractive is its black sand beach, where you can also see Galapagos Fur Seals, Galapagos Hawks, and salt water lagoons where flamingos can be seen. After lunch, head to Bartolome Island, famous for its Pinnacle rock and its beautiful landscapes where you can take amazing pictures. You can also practice snorkel at this island. End of the activities and dinner.

After breakfast you make a wet landing on Chinese Hat, where Lava formations can be seen, formed under the sea and later raised upward, you will spot sea lions colonies resting here. In the afternoon, head to Dragon Hill at Santa Cruz Island, where you can walk through a trail that leads to a hyper-saline lagoon, that is frequently visited by flamingos, pintail ducks and other species of birds. End of the day and dinner on board.

The first activity of the day will be landing at Santa Cruz. Then, you will be transferred to the Twin Craters and a private reserve where you will see Galapagos Tortoises in their natural habitat. In the afternoon, you will go to Charles Darwin Research Station where you will learn about the protection and conservation of the island, and visit the Breeding and Rearing Center for young tortoises and adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity. End of the day and dinner on board.

After breakfast, make an early dry landing at North Seymour to see the various species of birdlife that inhabit there, like blue-footed boobies and frigate birds. After this activity, you will be transferred to Baltra Airport and take your flight back to the continent.