Galapagos Cachalote
ITINERARY DAY BY DAY
8 days / 7 nights
Wednesday to Wednesday
Day 5
Punta Moreno / Urbina Bay (Isabela Island)
This day we will start with the visit of the Punta Moreno. This young volcanic landscape is marked by several freshwater-pools where Bahama Ducks, flamingoes and other birds gather.
Urbina Bay is an easy wet landing on a gentle sloping beach. This area is very interesting in that it is a perfect example of the geological activity of the islands. In 1954 over 3 miles (5 kilometres) of the marine reef at the edge of the shore were uplifted by 13 feet (4 meters).
Day 6
Punta Espinosa / Isabela Island /Tagus Cove (Fernandina Island)
Fernandina is the youngest and most active volcano in the Galapagos with eruptions taking place every few years. The flat lava of Punta Espinosa offers a stark and barren landscape, but here flightless cormorants build their nests on the point, sea lions sprawl on the beach or play in the tide pools and marine iguanas dot the sand.
On the towering cliffs of Tagus Cove, 19th and early 20th century ships' graffiti can be seen. After hiking beyond Darwin Lake, a saltwater lagoon above sea level, you will be rewarded with extraordinary views of Darwin and Wolf volcanoes.
Day 7
James Bay / Bartolome Island (Santiago Island)
This island has several sites to visit at the western end of James Bay. Puerto Egas with its black sand beaches was the site of small salt mining industry in the 1960s and a hike inland to the salt crater is an excellent opportunity to sight land birds such as finches, doves, and hawks.
A walk down the rugged shoreline, especially at low tide, will turn up many marine species as iguanas basking on the rocks and sea lions lazing in the tide pools. At the end of the trail there is a series of grottoes or sea caves where fur seals and night herons are found resting on shady ledges.
Bartolome is a small island that has beautiful white sand beaches, luxuriant green mangroves and a colony of penguins. Activities will include swimming and snorkelling and a climb to the summit of the island for one of the most breathtaking views in all the Galapagos. From the summit you will have the best view of the often-photographed Pinnacle Rock.
Day 8
Caleta Tortuga (Santa Cruz Island) / Baltra Island departure
Before leaving the Galapagos Islands you will visit the mangroves of Punta Tortuga in Santa Cruz Island. The calm lagoon provides a nursery for many sharks and rays. Sightings of white-tipped reef sharks, hammerheads, golden rays, spotted eagle rays, and black-tipped reef sharks are relatively common.
Transfer to Baltra Island airport and from there return flight to Quito or Guayaquil.