Galapagos Polaris
ITINERARY DAY BY DAY
8 days / 7 nights
Saturday to Saturday
Day 5
Santa Cruz Island
Puerto Ayora on the Southeast corner of Santa Cruz Island is home to some 10,000 inhabitants and is the economic hub of the archipelago. You start the day by landing with our Zodiacs after breakfast at the Galapagos National Park dock. You take a short, quarter-mile walk to the Charles Darwin Research Station where scientists gather information for the conservation of the island's unique resources.
You will continue by bus further into the highlands for a visit to a pair of huge pit craters called Los Gemelos, which are surrounded by a forest of ferns and orchids. Small birds such as vermilion flycatchers and several species of Darwin's finches are found here. The woodpecker finches are especially worth looking for.
Day 6
Genovesa Island
Genovesa (Tower island) is truly a bird enthusiast’s dream come true. First stop is at Darwin Bay that offers an amazing white coral beach surrounded by sheer crater walls, and is home to hundreds of magnificent frigate birds and red-footed boobies.
The trail you take passes tide pools that attract swallow-tailed and lava gulls, before leading you into a forest of saltbush, where colonies of great frigate birds are nesting. The end of the trail gives you a majestic view of the bay.
When you arrive at Prince Phillip’s steps it is well worth the 25-metre climb up this natural rock formation to visit the high cliffs that surround Darwin Bay. Here you may spot red-footed boobies nesting in the mangrove trees, storm petrels and the elusive short-eared owl.
Day 7
Bartolome Island / Santiago Island
Bartolome, a lovely volcanic islet just off the east coast of Santiago Island. Few plant species can withstand the drought conditions that exist here, thus it is a volcanic moonscape of sooty lava flows where erosion has created graceful lines in the soft volcanic ash. Several gold-tinged beaches bordered by green mangroves add some color to this extremely unusual land.
Sailing along the northern coastline of Santiago Island and past scenic Buccaneer Cover, a one-time pirates' haunt. You'll anchor at Puerto Egas on the southwestern end of James Bay.
Snorkeling and swimming from the stark black beach. Walk the indented shoreline, the haunt of coastal birds and iguanas where deeply carved sea-level grottoes may be housing sea lions or fur seals.
Day 8
Baltra Island departure
Transfer to Baltra Island and from there return flight to the Ecuador mainland.