Estrella del Mar 8 Days - Itinerary A

 Upon your arrival to Baltra Airport, you will head to the first visiting spot at Santa Cruz Island, where we take a bus ride to the Highlands of this place, to visit El Chato Reserve, a perfect place to see giant tortoises in their natural environment. Explore the reserve’s lagoon and lava tunnels, keeping an eye out for owls that often roost in the tunnels’ entrances. After this activity head back to the yacht for dinner and rest

Full itinerary map here: http://bit.ly/estrella-de-mar-8-days-a

Early in the morning we visit Chinese Hat (Sombrero Chino), a volcanic cone that forms an islet with this particular shape. You can visit a white sand beach, and snorkel from here, along sea lions and penguins. During the afternoon, you will visit Rabida Island, where we walk a short trail to a water lagoon, home to wading flamingos. We also visit a Palo Santo Forest. After these activities head back to the yacht for dinner.

After breakfast, We disembark at Espumilla Beach, an important breeding site for sea turtles who return year after year to bury their eggs in the sand. During the afternoon, you will visit Puerto Egas. An easy walk takes you to observe iguanas and sea lions along the coast line. We may also swim or snorkel here. After these activities head back to the yacht for dinner.

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 colonies of marine iguanas at Galapagos. In the afternoon, navigate to Urbina Bay,for a unique walk among a massive marine reef that was raised out of the water in 1950 during an uplift where seasonally tortoises nest, and you can see Galapagos Penguins, flightless cormorants and brown pelicans. End of the day and dinner.

Early in the morning we visit Elizabeth Bay by a panga ride, keeping an eye out for wildlife hiding among the mangroves. Search for marine turtles, rays, and flightless cormorants in the sheltered waters. Also spot blue-footed boobies, penguins, and pelicans feeding on the abundant marine life. In the afternoon, visit Moreno Point on the north coast of Isabela, between volcanoes Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul. Walk a trail of solidified lava until a coastal lagoon where you may see several species of birds. End of the day and dinner.

At the beginning of the day, the yacht will anchor at Isabela Island, and we take a bus ride to Sierra Negra Volcano, where we hike to its crater, to enjoy the amazing view of all Isabela Island. After lunch, you will visit Tintoreras Islet to see marine iguanas, white tipped reff sharks & more. Finally we head to Isabela´s Giant Tortoise Breeding Center. End of the day and dinner onboard the yacht.

First activity of this day will be landing at Puerto Ayora town in Santa Cruz Island, form where you will take a bus ride to Charles Darwin Research Station, where you will learn about the conservation and protection of endangered species such as Galapagos tortoises, and also have the opportunity to visit the Breeding and Rearing Center for young tortoises, and adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity. In the afternoon we go to Tortuga Bay, to relax on the beach, walk along the mangroves looking for marine iguanas and birdlife, or rent a kayak and explore this marine wonderland.

Early arrival to San Cristobal in the morning. After disembarking we visit the Interpretation Center to learn the history of the colonization of the island and its flora and fauna. After this activity you will be transferred to San Cristobal Airport to take your flight back to the continent.