Galapagos Xpedition
ITINERARY DAY BY DAY
8 days / 7 nights
Sunday to Sunday
Day 1
Baltra Island / North Seymour Island
Arrive in Baltra via air and board ship; sail to North Seymour - Walk through island or tour by zodiac. Species observed: marine & land iguanas, mating frigates, blue footed boobied, mockingbird, sea lions, Sally Lightfoot Crab.
Day 2
San Cristobal Island / Espanola Island
Optional zodiac ride around Kickers Rock, tour to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, snorkeling tour, walking tour of Espanola to view Blow Hole, marine iguanas, sea lions, pups, mating albatrosses depending on season.
Day 3
Puerto Ayora / Cerro Dragon (Santa Cruz Island)
Hike to Turtle Beach and swim, observe giant tortoises & walk through lava tunnel in Santa Cruz, or visit Charles Darwin Station to observe large tortoises, breeding of turtles, "Lonesome George" & iguanas.
Day 4
Bartolome Island
On Bartolome Island, it seems like you are walking on the moon as this young Island is inhospitable to most plants and animals. The volcanic formations include lava bombs as well as spatter cones and cinder cones.
After a dry landing, you have a 30 minute steep climb to a summit of a once active volcano for a panoramic view including the famous "Pinnacle Rock", an eroded tuff cone.
Day 5
Caleta Tagus (Isabela Island) / Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)
Isabela (Punta Espinosa) and Fernandina (Caleta Tagus) - View graffiti dated back to 1800's at Tagus Cove. Snorkel along Fernandina coast, zodiac ride along coast or view Pahoe-hoe lave flows.
Day 6
Puerto Egas (Santiago Island) / Rabida Island
Rábida and Santiago (Puerto Egas) - Observe sea lion colonies, flamingo lagoon, Black Sand Beach.
Day 7
Floreana Island / Santa Cruz Island
This morning you visit the small settlement of Puerto Velasco Ibarra to visit its famous resident , Margaret Wittmer. The Wittmer Pension is the administrative headquarters of the Post Office Barrel, and one of the Wittmers will cancel-stamp your post cards with one of the various seals and emblems of this unusual post office.
After lunch, passengers will visit the Darwin Station staffed with international scientists doing biological research and conservation projects. Have your picture taken with the giant tortoises.
Day 8
Baltra Island departure
Disembark in the Baltra Island; flight return to mainland to Quito or Guayaquil.