Galapagos Legend

8-DAY/7-NIGHT ITINERARY  (for current and other itineraries, please contact Andean Treks)

 

Day 1 Monday

Morning: arrive Baltra Airport, transfer to dock; board yacht

Afternoon: Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach

Encounter sea birds, marine iguanas, sea turtles, Darwin finches, mockingbirds and gulls, as well as interesting native and endemic vegetation. Opportunity to walk on the white sand beach that is one of the main nesting sites of sea turtles.

 

Day 2 Tuesday

Morning: South Plaza Island

Observe land and marine iguanas, sea lions, blue-footed boobies and many other sea birds. Due to their proximity with marine iguanas, this is the only place on Earth where we will find the Galapagos hybrid iguana.

Afternoon: Santa Fe Island

This island is home to a number of endemic species including the Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos Snake, rice rats, a variety of finches and one of the four species of Galapagos mockingbirds. Deep-water snorkeling.

 

Day 3 Wednesday

Morning: San Cristobal Island: Pitt Point & Islet

This is probably the only site where the three booby species of the Galapagos can be seen together: Nazca, Blue-footed, and red-footed; as well as two species of frigatebirds and a sea lion colony.

Afternoon: San Cristobal Island: Cerro Brujo

Cerro Brujo is an eroding tuff cone which forms cliffs where seabirds are often nesting. It looks over a beautiful white sand beach where you can spot sea lions, pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and marine iguanas.

 

Day 4 Thursday

Morning & Afternoon: San Cristobal Island: Interpretation Center & Tijeretas

Here you learn about the history of the islands in the context of nautre, humankind and conservation. On Tijeretas Hill you walk through beautiful landscapes ending with a magnificent view near a large frigatebird colony.

 

Day 5 Friday

Morning: Española Island: Gardner Bay, Gardner & Osborn Islets

Be on the lookout for a variety of birds, lizards nad iguanas, such as Galapagos hawks, American oyster catchers, Galapagos doves, hood mockingbirds, 3 species of Darwin finches, yellow warblers, lava lizards and marine iguanas.

Afternoon: Española Island:Suarez Point

Explore volcanic formations and a riveting wildlife. Besides the sea lion colonies, this is a very important site for bird watching. A major highlight is their mating season, from May through December.

 

Day 6 Saturday

Morning: Floreana Island: Post Office Bay

Continue the tradition by placing unstamped post cards inside the barrel which reaches its destination for free. Observe the Galapagos mockingbird, some species of Darwin's finches, yellow warblers, and lava lizards.

Afternoon: Floreana Island: Cormorant Point

Endemic plants such as Scalesia villosa flourish here, as well as Galapagos daisies, holy stick and white sand black mangroves. Here you will see sea turtles, blue footed boobies and small reef sharks floating along the shoreline in search of food.

 

Day 7 Sunday

Morning: Santa Cruz Island: Cerro Mesa Reserve

Observe numerous endemic plants, 7 subspecies of Darwin's finches, and the Vermillion Flycatcher. Also you have an impressive view of Baltra, Santiago, Isabela, Santa Fe and Daphne Islands.

Afternoon: Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Station

Here you can get up close to the giant tortoises that are part of the impressive reproduction program of these magnificent tortoises.

 

Day 8 Monday

Morning: Daphne Island

This island has a volcanic tuff cone formed by successive explosions producted by the mixture of lava and water. You'll also see Darwin's finches, blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, swallow-trailed gulls and brown noddies.

Afternoon: Disembark yacht, transfer to Baltra Airport for flight back to Quito or Guayaquil.

 

Included in the Cruise rate: all meals on yacht, snacks, bottled water; daily excursions led by experienced English-speaking naturalist guides in groups of 16/per guide; welcome & farewell cocktails, free coffee/tea 24-hour station, use of snorkel equipment, kayaking opportunities. Shuttle service in Quito & Guayaquil to/from designated hotels to airport for Galapagos flights.

Not included: Round-trip airfare (figured separately & prepaid); Fuel Surcharge, Galapagos Park Fee & Galapagos Transit Control Card (figured separately & prepaid;) wetsuit rental ($25 on short cruises / $50 on longer cruises, payable on board;) medical services; tips to guide, crew and staff; soft drinks and  alcoholic beverages.

See Dates and Rates for more details on what's included and not included.