Galapagos Coral II
ITINERARY DAY BY DAY
8 days / 7 nights
Sunday to Sunday
Day 5
Rabida Island / Puerto Egas (Santiago Island)
Wet landing at the dark red colored beach of volcanic origin frequented by sea lions. It is often considered the geographic center of Galapagos because it has the most diversified volcanic rocks of all the Islands. A short trail leads to a salt water lagoon, where you will occasionally find flamingos. July thru September is a good time of the year to observe how brown pelicans nest in the salty bushes found at the far side of the salty lagoon. Also to be observed are boobies and 9 species of Darwin’s finches. Dingy ride by the reefs and an excellent opportunity for snorkeling.
Visit the dark sand beach at Egas Port on Santiago Island, during a wet landing. Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows, the surrounding area is prime for spotting and observing hunting herons, great blue herons, lava herons, oyster catchers, and the yellow crowned night herons. Passengers enjoy the sight of marine iguanas grazing upon algae beds at low tide sharing space with red sally light-foot crabs. There is a colony of fur-sea lions swimming in deep pools of cool water called “grottos”. On this beach you can swim and snorkel in search of octopuses, sea horses, star fish and other sea life species.
Day 6
Punta Espinosa (Fernandina Island) / Tagus Cove (Isabela Island)
After a dry landing at Espinosa Point, passengers will see the biggest marine iguanas mingling with sally-light foot crabs. They will also enjoy the flightless cormorants nesting sites, the Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks, and sea lions. Among the flora and volcanic formation observers will note brachycereus cactus, and two kinds of lava formations “pa-hoe-hoe” lava and ”AA”. Numerous mangrove beds extend into the sea, depicting a healthy and thriving eco-system.
Isabela is the largest island in the Galapagos. At Tagus Cove, passengers enjoy a dry landing. Visitors will learn more about the eruption of five volcanoes that flowed together to form this land mass. The marked trail leads to Darwin’s salt water lagoon and an excellent view of the lava fields, scoured with unique volcanic formations. Time allows us to observe marine life from the dingy. Frequently, visitors see Galapagos penguins at this site. A view of graffiti dating back to the 1800’s can help passengers to better appreciate the relationship between the islands and tourism today. Most of the graffiti is believed to be done by pirates and buccaneers.
Day 7
Bartolome Island / Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz Island)
Arriving on Bartolome Island, passengers will see volcanic formations including lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. After a hike to the summit visitors available to enjoy an impressive view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock. During the hike to the summit, travelers will often see large colonies of marine iguanas, lava lizards, tiquilla. Bushes and various cacti.
Arrive at Black Turtle Cove located near Las Bachas beach in the north coast line of Santa Cruz Island. This excursion provides passengers with a “dingy” ride though the mangrove, during which the outboard motor of the small boat is turned off. This allows the close observation of marine turtles, white tipped reef sharks, spotted eagle rays, and yellow rays.
Day 8
Charles Darwin Station (Santa Cruz Island) / Baltra Island departure
Travelers will have the chance to investigate the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, staffed with international scientists conducting biological research and conservation projects. Here you can also admire giant tortoises that are part of the breeding program. Disembark at the docks. Coral passengers will take a bus to the Baltra Island airport for their flight back to mainland via Guayaquil to Quito.