Eco Galaxy - 6 Days - Itinerary C

Upon arriving to Baltra Airport, you will be transferred to Eco Galaxy II Catamaran at the bay. During the afternoon, you will visit Bachas Beach: This beautiful beach is located in the north of Santa Cruz Island; the beach is one km long. The site was named during WWII (World War II) when the American army left two barges on the beach.  The early colonists couldn’t pronounce barges correctly, so they called the area “Bachas”.

Full itinerary map here: http://bit.ly/ecogalaxy-2020-6-days-c

SULLIVAN BAY: wet landing and hiking. Description of the place: all the road and the island is composed of lava flows that still they are virtually without eroding and they cover an extensive area, lava pohoehhoe or of cords, hornitos, mollugo, this plant grows in the lava. Lava Colonizers. Snacks and refreshing beverages expect for you. Lunch

BARTOLOME ISLAND: Dry landing, wet landing for the beach.  Activities on this island include:  walking, swimming, snorkeling, and photography.  We will follow a path to the top (114m) where we can see pioneering plants such as tiquilia, chamaesyce, and scalesia.  The island has been formed by cones, lava pipes where lava once flowed.  Following the wet landing at the beach, we will follow a path through mangrove swamps and sand dune vegetation, to the south beach.  At the north beach, guests can enjoy swimming and snorkeling.  From the top of Bartolome, we will be able to see the islands of Santiago, Rabida, and Isabela.  We will see penguins in the Rock Pinnacle.  Dinner

HIGHLANDS OF SANTA CRUZ: our first visit is HIGHLANDS OF SANTA CRUZ, where we have a trekking and we will find the giant tortoises in their natural habitat, this is a natural spectacular. For this visit we recommend to use sport shoes, long pants, raincoat, hut and sun block.   Lunch.

Charles Darwin Station: is located in the main port on Santa Cruz Island; we will take a private bus to the entrance of the breeding center where we will see tortoises and land iguanas in captivity.  This center is the main breeding site on the islands.  Animals that were in danger of extinction on the various islands are maintained in captivity.  Thanks to the dedicated work of several institutions, some species are being saved. Here lived Lonesome George, the famous last survivor of the giant tortoise species found on Pinta Island.  Dinner.

PUNTA CORMORANT: wet landing, snorkeling and short trekking. This point is located at west of Floreana Island and it is famous for its dark green beach (due to the great quantity of olivine crystals).You can see many marine invertebrates, as well as sea lions, sea iguanas, the frigates and pelicans.

Second visit: DEVIL´S CROWN: Activities in this place: panga ride and optional swimming. Enjoy a panga ride around a small island, a satellite islet of Floreana Island. Here, we will find a group of rocks that resemble a Crown due to the constant erosion caused by the sea. It is one of the better places to snorkel (shallow diving) in the interior and around the crown.  Excellent visibility allows guests to admire a great variety of fish and sea animals. Lunch.

POST OFFICE (Mail Bay): Wet landing. Activities:  short walk, swimming, snorkeling, explanation of the mail system.  Description:  Mail Bay is located on the north side of Floreana Island.  Captain James Colnett installed an empty barrel to be used as a post office for the whaling fleets that stopped at the Galapagos Islands.  You can leave postcards to your friends and relatives here and/or pick up mail to deliver.  Back at the ship, Delicious snacks and beverages are waiting for you.

SUAREZ POINT: Dry landing.  Activities:  Walking, sight-seeing.  We recommend sports shoes, hat or cap, and sunscreen.  There is no color more amazing and outstanding in this tropical desert island, than that of the blue-foot boobies.  These birds have an impressive form of “greeting” and it is a real thrill to see their mating dance.  The blue-footed booby can be seen on several of the islands as nesting grounds and feed are located in several coastal locations.  The albatross, an aristocratic bird weighing up to four kilograms, can be observed here.  One of the largest birds of the islands, approximately 12,000 couples nest on Espanola Island and a smaller number nest on Silver Island, near mainland Ecuador.  This species is considered endemic to this island; during our walk, we will observe these fantastic birds while taking in the beautiful landscapes offered by this island.  It is important to note that albatrosses will not be seen between January and March (non-breeding) season.  We will also see colonies of marine iguanas, zayapas, masked boobies, finches, Espanola cucuves, and seagulls unique to the islands.  Our walk will be on lava rock where we will be able to see lava tubes.  Red mangroves are found here.  Delicious snacks and fresh beverages are waiting for you on the ship. Lunch.

GARDNER BAY: wet landing, activities for this visit: short walk, swimming, snorkeling, and observation of seal colony.  The sea lion is one of the animals in Galapagos which gets the total attention of the visitors in the Galapagos: they are curious and playful, but at times aggressive; they are nice and loving, but also lazy. In Gardner Bay, we are going to find many of them relaxing on the beach enjoying the sun.  In addition to observing these fascinating animals, while snorkeling, we will be able to swim with sea lions, sea turtles, a diversity of tropical fish, marine iguanas, etc.  We will return to the ship and sail to Gardner and Osborn Islets. Dinner.

INTERPRETATION CENTER: Dry landing. This center is location in the main port.  After breakfast, our first visit is to the Interpretation Center of San Cristobal.  This modern and sophisticated architectural space was designed for the natural interpretation of the Galapagos.  You will learn about the volcanic formation of the islands, the evolution of the species, the history of human settlement, and complex systems and management models.  Transfer out.