Archipel I 8 Days - Itinerary B

Upon your arrival to Baltra Airport, you will be transferred to the Archipel I. After lunch, you will visit Bachas beach, two small beaches made of decomposed coral, and a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish water lagoon, where you may see flamingos and other coastal birds, such as blacknecked stilts and whimbrels. The other beach is longer, and has two old barges that were abandoned during the Second World War, when the USA used Baltra Island as a strategic point to protect the Panama Canal.

Full itinerary map here: http://bit.ly/archipel-i-8-days-b

Early in the morning, you begin with a hike up the steep stairs of Prince Philip to a bush of palo santo shrubs on the top, where you can see red footed boobies; upon arriving at the edge of the rim you will enjoy a panoramic view of Genovesa Island. At the end of the trail, there will be Nazca boobies and petrel nesting places. After lunch, we go to Darwin Bay, to walk along a coral sand beach, crossing barren lava formation and creeks where some species have occupied its own ecological niches. Return to the catamaran and dinner.

The first activity of the day will be to visit the beautiful volcano islet of Bartolome, which offers the most iconic landscape and panorama of the entire Archipelago. You will have to climb the stairs to the view on top of the island called Pinnacle Bay. After lunch, head up to Sullivan Bay, at a recently formed island called Santiago, where you will see pacific green turtles, crabs, and strayed blue herons or oystercatchers. Return to the yacht and dinner.

In the morning, you will take a bus ride to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to the National Park boundary, where you will see the Twin Craters and then you will visit El Chato Reserve to observe the giant tortoise of Santa Cruz Island in its natural habitat.  Next, you will visit Charles Darwin Station to learn about the conservation efforts and scientific research that has been made to preserve the Galapagos giant tortoise.

Early in the morning head to Floreana Island, first to the Peninsula of Cormorant, where you will be welcomed by a small Galapagos sea lion colony. You will also see a green sand beach that contains olivine crystal, and a flour sand beach made up of finer white coral sand. You may spot stingrays along the shore. After lunch, we go to Post Office Bay, where you can bring your postcards and post them in the peculiar barrel of this historic site. This place commemorates the improvised mail service that was situated here during the 16th century. End of the day and dinner.

Early in the morning head to Gardner Bay at Española Island, that is an important breeding site for pacific green turtles. But the main attraction is the Galapagos sea lion colony. After lunch, head to Suarez Point, a basalt cliff which forms a blowhole where water sprays high into the air, and a spot to see nesting blue footed boobies, and waved albatross. You may take your time to contemplate this emblematic viewpoint form the yacht.

The first activity of the day will be the visit to Pitt Point, which was the first sight of land that Charles Darwin spotted when he first arrived at the Archipelago in 1835. You will see a group of Galapagos sea lions, a male colony. From here you will take a trail that leads up to tropical dry forest vegetation, and after a bit of walking you may spot various species of boobies, such as blue footed, red footed and Nazca boobies. After lunch, head to Witch Hill. Its main attraction is a coral sand beach, which is an excellent place to swim and snorkel. This place was one of the first that Darwin visited, and you may also see coastal and migratory birds. Return to the yacht and dinner.

First activity in the morning will be a visit to Lobos Islet, where a colony of Galapagos sea lions lives, in particular nurturing mothers with their babies. You may also spot male blue footed boobies and great frigate birds. After this activity you will take a shuttle back to San Cristobal Airport, to take your flight back to the continent.