Galapagos on board the Cormorant II

Day 1: Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island

 

Arrival to Baltra

Morning flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra, Galapagos Islands. You will arrive at Baltra Island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by a Cormorant II staff member and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.

 

PM |  Bachas Beach

Bachas Beach is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz and is a beach for swimming. One of the few remnants of the U.S. World War II presence in the Galapagos, a floating pier, can be seen here. You may see flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black-necked stilts, and whimbrels. Sea turtles also nest on the beach.

 

Expert tips

PM |  Bachas Beach

  • Possible Activities: Hiking
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Type of Landing: Wet Landing
  • Highlights & Animals: World War II remnants. Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black necked stilts, whimbrels, sea turtles

Day 2: Genovesa Island

 

AM |  El Barranco 

Also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps, is a steep, rocky path that leads up a high cliff rock face. A marvelous view can be appreciated from here. This site is also home to Palo Santo vegetation as well as red-footed boobies, short-eared owls, Galapagos storm petrels, and Galapagos doves, 

 

PM | Darwin Bay

Visit the white-sand coral beach of Darwin Bay which includes a half mile trail (0,75km) that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls, which can easily be spotted here. Further down the path we’ll find tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully. At the end is a spectacular view of a cliff.

 

Expert tips

AM |  El Barranco 

  • Possible Activities: Hiking (0,9 miles / 2 Km)
  • Difficulty: Moderate T
  • ype of Landing: Dry Landing
  • Highlights & Animals: Red-footed boobies, short-eared owls, storm-petrels, Galapagos doves

PM |Darwin Bay

  • Possible Activities: Hiking (0,9 miles / 1,5 Km), snorkeling, kayaking, and dinghy ride
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Type of Landing: Wet Landing
  • Highlights & Animals: Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, swallow-tail gulls, mangroves, coral pebble beach, snorkeling: rays, colorful reef fish, and hammerhead sharks occasionally

Day 3: South Plaza Island, Santa Fe Island, Plazas Islands

 

AM | South Plaza Island

This small island with steep cliffs was formed by rising lava and is now covered by Opuntia cacti. It is also home to one of the largest sea lion colonies as well as colorful yellow and red land iguanas. The most characteristic plant is the Sesuvium. During the rainy season its color is a greenish to yellowish tone and in the dry season (end of June through January) a bright red.

 

PM | Santa Fé Island

Santa Fe Island (Barrington) is home to the small picturesque bay and anchorage on the island’s northeast coast. The bay has two visitor trails: one leading to a scenic viewpoint atop a cliff, and the other spanning from a small beach to a tall prickly pear cactus forest.

 

Expert tips

AM | South Plaza Island

  • Possible Activities: Hike (1.5 miles / 2 ½ km)
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Type of Landing: Dry Landing
  • Highlights & Animals: Land iguanas, sea lion colony, Audubon’s shearwater

PM | Santa Fé Island

  • Possible Activities: Hiking (5 miles / 8 km)
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Type of Landing: Dry Landing
  • Highlights & Animals: Land iguanas, giant Opuntia cactus

Day 4: San Cristobal Island

 

AM | Pitt Point

Pitt Point, situated on the north-eastern tip of the San Cristobal island, hosts frigate birds, storm petrels, and all three types of booby birds: the Nazca, blue-footed and red-footed boobies. A steep trail goes up a cliff and through a ravine leading visitors to an area with an abundance of birds.

 

PM: Witch Hill "Cerro Brujo"

Located on the northern coast, this eroded hill and its surroundings present one of the most picturesque beaches in the Galapagos with its white powdery sand and the abundance of animals. Wildlife includes sea turtles, rays, and various types of booby birds. The clear water provides an excellent opportunity for enjoying swimming and snorkeling

 

Expert tips

AM | Pitt Point

  • Possible Activities: Dinghy ride, snorkeling, kayaking & hike (1.5 miles / 2.5 km)
  • Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
  • Type of Landing: Wet Landing
  • Highlights & Animals: Frigate birds, storm petrels, Nazca boobies, blue- and red-footed boobies

PM: Witch Hill "Cerro Brujo"

  • Possible Activities: Hike, dinghy ride, snorkeling & kayaking
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Type of Landing: Wet Landing
  • Highlights & Animals: Beautiful rock formations, sea lions, shore birds, finches and mockingbirds; Snorkeling: nice tropical fish, anemones, sponges, coral

Day 5: End of Itinerary, San Cristobal Island

 

AM | "La Galapagera" San Cristobal Island Breeding  Centre

Experience the wonders of the newly established Breeding Center David Rodriguez, known as "La Galapaguera". This captivating site boasts a diverse array of land birds, including warblers, finches, and mockingbirds, inhabiting the surrounding trees and shrubs. Explore the trails where giant tortoises roam freely in their natural habitat, carefully protected from introduced predators such as pigs and goats, ensuring their survival and contributing to the preservation of these magnificent creatures.

After this final visit, you will be transferred to San Cristobal´s airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.

Expert tips

AM | Twin Craters, Santa Cruz Highlands

  • Possible Activities: Short hike (0,6 mi / 1 Km)
  • Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
  • Type of Landing: Dry Landing
  • Highlights & Animals: Giant tortoises, finches, warblers, mockingbirds.
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