Upon your arrival to Baltra Airport, you will be transferred to the Aida Maria Yacht. 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.
Full Itinerary map here: http://bit.ly/aida-maria-6-days-e
Early in the morning we land at Cormorant Point, where you will be welcomed by a small Galapagos sea lion colony, and can visit two beaches: one with green sand containing olivine crystal, and the other a white coral beach. After this activity, head to Devil´s Crown, a sub-marine crater that offers some of the most spectacular snorkeling in the Galapagos. After lunch, we go to Post Office bay, established in 1793 by British whalers to send letters to and from England, and even today, visitors have the opportunity to send letters of their own.
Early in the morning head to Suarez Point, a basaltic cliff which forms a blowhole where water sprays high into the air. A hike to the top makes a great opportunity to take spectacular pictures, and spot sea lions, nesting sea birds (boobies & albatross), and Marine Iguanas. In the afternoon, the yacht will take you to the beautiful white sand beach at Gardner Bay to see lazing sea lions, and an opportunity to snorkel or swim.
The first visit today is to Lobos Islet, where a colony of Galapagos sea lions live, in particular nurturing mothers with their babies. You may also spot male blue footed boobies and great frigate birds. After lunch, you will visit San Cristobal Interpretation Center, where you will learn about the origin and colonization of the island, their native species and the conservation effort that has been made to preserve them.
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.
Breakfast
Lunch
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. This is one of the best places to see land tortoises. After this activity you will be transferred to the airport to take your flight back to the continent.
Breakfast
