Day 1 : Welcome to the Galapagos – Santa Cruz Highlands

Sailing time: 30min.
Activities: 30min island walk.

Good morning from Ecuador!

Flights to the Galapagos depart early morning (7-9am), so a pre cruise night in Quito is almost always necessary. However you are also very welcome to meet us in Baltra if you plan to already be in the Galapagos beforehand.

If you book our pre-trip night in Quito with domestic flights, you will be taken to the airport in Quito on the day the trip starts after breakfast, and meet your airport assistant who will guide you through the check in process.

Flights to Baltra usually stop in Guayaquil (though not always), but you won’t have to disembark.

When you land in Baltra, you will be met by the onboard naturalist and team who will help you with the transfers to the catamaran.

If you have not booked the pre-trip add-on through us but are on the same flight, you will also be met by the naturalist.

If you were already staying in Santa Cruz island pre-trip on your own, you will make your own way to the airport to meet with the team.

IMPORTANT: If you did not book your Quito – Baltra flights with us, the boat may not be able to wait for you should there be any delays with your arrival, so we recommend arriving to Santa Cruz a day earlier.

A short zodiac ride will take you to the catamaran that will be your home for the week.

We will start the expedition with a briefing and introduction to the ship and the crew followed by a quick tour of the boat and your cabin.

You will then meet the rest of your cruise mates and introduce yourself.

Lunch will be served buffet style in the dining room and you will have the first opportunity to experience the Galapagos hospitality.

Our first excursion of the trip will take us to see the giant tortoises of the Galapagos.

We will disembark from the boat and take a bus to the island’s highlands.

Unlike the rest of the Galapagos islands we will visit, Santa Cruz has a higher, wetter and greener core that is almost permanently covered in clouds, giving it a tropical rainforest feel, cooler temperatures, and the perfect environment for the giant Galapagos tortoises to thrive.

This is the best place in the Galapagos to see these gentle giants (reaching over 300 kg / 600 pounds!) casually grazing and resting in freshwater ponds, or even mating if we are lucky.

This is because they abound in Santa Cruz and they have right of way. You can see them crossing the main roads, chilling in the fields and generally showing you who’s boss.

If you scare them, they’ll go inside their shells and not move, causing traffic to come to a stand still.

Santa Cruz’s central area is also home to a great diversity of birds rarely found in the lowlands, including finches (tree, woodpecker, and vegetarian finches), flycatchers, and several species of water birds.

Our exploration will begin in a lava tunnel, formed by the ancient volcanic explosions that created The Galapagos, which we will enter on foot.

We will then continue our visit of a large farm where Giant tortoises live happily.

Wander the property on foot and get up and close with these creatures for a selfie as you hear their stories and how they manage to survive so many years.

After the visit, we will return to the boat, freshen up and meet again for the naturalist’s debriefing.

Inclusions: Buffet lunch and gourmet dinner onboard. Airport greeting service if landing that day, and meet up and transfer to the boat from the airport for all. All activities listed. Unlimited water, snacks and hot drinks. One alcoholic drink per person.

Day 2 : Floreana Island – Cormorant Point and Post Office Bay

Sailing time: 30min.
Activities: 1 hour snorkeling, 2 hours island walking.

We will wake up one more day in the beautiful surroundings of the Galapagos and enjoy a gourmet meal before heading out to what is one of the most unique islands in the Galapagos.

In the morning, explore Champion Islet, known for its crystal-clear waters and coral reefs.

During a panga ride and snorkeling session, guests may encounter sea turtles, sea lions, and vibrant schools of fish.

Cormorant Point features two contrasting beaches: one with olive-green sand, and another with pure white sand derived from pulverized coral.

The saltwater pond is a must-see as it is frequented by one of the archipelago’s largest populations of Galapagos flamingos as well as other shorebirds such as stilts, white-cheeked pintails, and large-billed flycatchers.

Afterwards, guests will take a dinghy ride to Devil’s Crown, an underwater volcanic crater that is almost completely submerged, and it looks like a crown.

Snorkelers will discover a vast underwater world full of coral reefs and a myriad of marine species. Birds are also part of this visitor point due to its location in open waters.

This is one of the best snorkeling spots on the islands.

We will return to the boat for lunch and rest and go back out in the afternoon to visit the smallest inhabited island in the Galapagos.

Floreana has a small population of fewer than 500 people and a very interesting history that involves inbreeding, remote living, love stories and possibly cannibalism.

At Post Bay, we will have the chance to leave a letter / postcard for others to deliver and to ick one to deliver ourselves.

In the 18th century, whalers started this tradition using a barrel to place mail expecting other passing sailors to pick the letter that may be intended for someone living in their path and hand deliver them.

You can continue this tradition today, look for a letter / postcard whose recipient lives near you and deliver it to them upon your return.

The beach here provides for good snorkeling and kayaking and it is also possible to descend into and walk through a lava tube.

Next, take a dinghy ride to the Baroness’s Lookout, a volcanic rock formation named after an Australian baroness, who visited the island in the 1930 and is believed to have mysteriously disappeared.

A short trail leads to a brilliant vantage point with panoramic views of the surrounding mangroves and coastline.

Inclusions: Breakfast, buffet lunch and gourmet dinner onboard. All activities listed. Unlimited water, snacks and hot drinks. One alcoholic drink per person.

Day 3 : Española Island – Suarez Point, Gardner Bay

Sailing time: 1 hour.
Activities: 1 hour snorkeling, 2 hours island walking.

This morning we will visit Suarez Point famous for its blue-footed boobies, albatrosses and Nazca boobies that use the cliff as launching pad.

The site is packed with wildlife and famous for its blowhole that spurs water up to 25m into the air and make for a spectacular photo.

This is best explored by following the circular walking trail past nesting sites of large colonies of Nazca and blue-footed boobies and mockingbirds.

We will return to the catamaran for lunch and return again for a wet landing at Gardner Bay, world renowned destination for waved albatrosses, 12,000 of pair of which inhabit this spot.

This is the only place to see these huge birds which are a spectacle to watch.

Spend the afternoon on the soft white sands of Gardner Bay, a pristine beach where sea lions lounge and the ocean invites you in.

Whether you choose to swim, snorkel, kayak, or paddleboard, the surrounding turquoise waters offer a perfect opportunity to observe marine life.

Just offshore, Gardner and Osborn Islets are home to coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, rays, and playful juvenile sea lions — ideal for a vibrant snorkeling adventure.

The cliff is a fantastic spot for snorkeling, and weather permitting, we will jump in the water for a swim and to get up and close with the marine life, or take a dinghy ride along the shore.

Inclusions: Breakfast, buffet lunch and gourmet dinner onboard. All activities listed. Unlimited water, snacks and hot drinks. One alcoholic drink per person.

Day 4 : San Cristobal – Witch Hill and Kicker Rock

Sailing time: 1 – 2 hours.
Activities: 1 hour snorkeling, 1 hour island walking, 1 hour dinghy ride.

Today we arrive at at Pitt Point, which will feel as if you’ve landed on an extraterrestrial planet.

You can see the many different developments over time of how volcanic activity formed this island.

A walk to the top beholds amazing views of the surrounding waters.

Watch out for blue-footed boobies nests on the ground and keep an eye out for the red-footed boobies nesting in the trees once you reach the top of the island.

We will enjoy a dry landing with hiking and a snorkeling session.

In the afternoon we will head to Witch hill, a secluded bay with fine white sand and crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming or snorkeling.

Its shallow saltwater lagoon offers a peaceful setting ideal for spotting marine life and enjoying views of Kicker Rock from a unique vantage point.

During a circumnavigation on zodiacs, we will enjoy breathtaking views of Kicker Rock — a towering, twin-peaked volcanic formation rising from the sea.

This iconic landmark is a haven for seabirds such as blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds, often seen perched on its narrow ledges.

Afterwards be prepared to visit a powdery white sand beach with teal and turquoise waters for a swim or some chill time.

There are opportunities for kayaking and snorkeling here too depending on the weather and sea conditions.

Inclusions: Breakfast, buffet lunch and gourmet dinner onboard. All activities listed. Unlimited water, snacks and hot drinks. One alcoholic drink per person.

Day 5 : Santa Fe and South Plaza

Sailing time: 2 hours.
Activities: 1 hours island walking, 1 hour snorkeling, 1 hour kayaking, free time to swim.

We will enjoy another wonderful breakfast onboard before setting out for excursions on two islands between San Cristobal and Santa Cruz: Santa Fe and South Plaza.

Santa Fe Island offers Opuntia cactus forests, pale yellow land iguanas, scenic trails, and calm bay waters for swimming or snorkeling with sea lions, rays, and colorful reef fish.

We will begin our morning by landing on one of the oldest islands in the Galapagos, known for its towering forests of Opuntia cacti and distinctive paleyellow land iguanas.

We will hike along scenic trails that lead across the island’s arid landscape or into the highlands where these endemic iguanas bask under the sun.

After our walk, we will cool off in the calm, crystal-clear waters of the bay — ideal for swimming or snorkeling alongside playful sea lions, rays, and colorful reef fish.

This is a good chance to get in the water in relatively calm conditions and swim with a myriad of animals, including a large colony of sea lions.

We will go on a dry landing followed by snorkeling at one of the spots before returning to the boat for lunch and some free time to rest, enjoy the jacuzzi, etc.

In the afternoon, we will head out to South Plaza, a landing with vivid red and green Sesuvium vegetation, black lava, prickly pear cacti, and rich Galapagos birdlife, including swallow tailed gulls, tropicbirds, and seabirds soaring above the waves.

Inclusions: Onboard buffet breakfast and lunch, gourmet plated dinner. 1 alcoholic drink. Unlimited water, snacks and hot drinks. All activities listed.

Day 6 : Santiago and Bartolomew

Sailing time: 7 hours overnight.
Activities: 1 hour Kayaking / dinghy ride, 1 hour snorkeling, 1 hour island walking.

In the morning, we will enjoy breakfast onboard and get ready for a walk in Santiago Island, over lava flows in Sullivan Bay.

The lava flow was formed in the second half of the 19th century. As much of the barren, volcanic landscape of eastern Santiago, the trail at Sullivan Bay crosses relatively flat, black pahoehoe lava, dotted with a series of pyroclastic cones. 

After lunch, we will get ready to explore Bartholome Island, one of the most iconic spots on the Galapagos and possibly the most photographed and publicised viewpoint.

We will jump on the dinghy and go for a snorkeling excursion around Pinnacle Rock, a volcanic cone formed by magma expelled by an underwater volcano.

The sea cooled the hot lava and as it exploded from contact, the pieces formed together this huge rock of many, many layers of basalt.

The huge rock also has a beach where a small population of green sea turtles will nest during breeding season.

Galapagos penguins gather here and swimming can offer beautiful sights of colorful schools of fish and curious sea lions, as well as penguins.

We will be in the water for about an hour looking for penguins (they are very quick swimmers!), as well as tropical fish, rays, sharks, star fish, mantas and sea lions.

We will get back on the boat, enjoy snacks and drinks, get our wet suits off with the help of the crew, and change into clothes to go for a dinghy ride along the shore looking for penguins chilling on land.

We will disembark on Bartholomew, which offers one of the most impressive landscapes in the entire Galapagos Archipelago.

Our sunset hike up the hill on the elevated boardwalks will provide stunning 360 degree views over the volcanic landscapes and the islands and islets around.

We will walk all the way up, stopping to admire rare vegetation, volcanic formations and lava tunnels. Our naturalist guide will explain how the Galapagos were formed, and how they have and continue to evolve, as well as what inspired Darwin’s thesis.

We will return to the boat to enjoy the rooftop jacuzzi and sunset, freshen up and meet for a talk with the naturalist about the wildlife sightings of the day and the program for the following day.

We will end the day with a gourmet 3-course dinner in the air conditioned dining room followed by optional drinks at the bar or star gazing from the top deck.

Inclusions: Onboard buffet breakfast and lunch, gourmet plated dinner. 1 alcoholic drink. Unlimited water, snacks and hot drinks. All activities listed.

Day 7 : Genovesa Island – Darwin Bay and Prince Philip’s steps

Sailing time: 8 hours, overnight.
Activities: 3 hour island walking, 1 snorkeling, plus free beach time.

The boat will sail through the night to one of the least visited and most remote spots in The Galapagos, and we will wake up in front of El Barranco, Prince Philip’s Steps on Genovesa Island.

In the morning, we will go for a walk on the beach and mangrove area around Darwin Bay, a coral sandy beach that is much younger than those on the other islands.

Darwin Bay used to be a shield volcano, and now you can see where one of the sides of its caldera collapsed after hundreds of years of erosion.

This spot is known for the wide variety of birds that can be seen.

Over 20,000 red-footed boobies are estimated to call this island home within the trees and bushes of Genovesa Island and we will get the chance of getting pretty close to them as they seek shade in our own shadows.

We will also find blue-footed boobies, nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, finches, various shorebirds, rays, tropical fish species, marine iguanas, and sea lions who will be lazing on the beach, chilling in the shallow waters or even swimming with us in the sea.

During the low tide, we can observe the rarest gull in the world named the lava gull, there are approximately nine hundred individuals in all of the Galapagos Islands.

We will then have a bit of time to swim off the white sand beach and cool down, before returning to the boat to get changed into our wet suits for a dinghy ride and 1-hour of snorkeling before lunch.

In the water, we can spot sea lions, manta rays and hammerhead sharks, and tropical fish of all sorts.

Back on the boat, we will warm up with a hot towel and have a bit of time to enjoy the jacuzzi before lunch is served.

Lunch will be followed by a dry landing to climb up the natural stairway of Philip’s Steps, or El barranco in Spanish.

The rocky path up a cliff rewards guests with a remarkable view that is well worth the climb.

On land, the path passes through colonies of nazca and red-footed boobies, frigates birds, the famous Darwin finches, and Galapagos mockingbirds.

At the trail’s end, Wedgerumped storm petrels’ nest on the lava field where we look for well-camouflaged short-eared owls.

Back on the boat, you will have time to freshen up and enjoy the sunset before meeting the naturalist for the evening’s briefing and recap of wildlife sightings.

Dinner will be another gourmet feast in the air conditioned dining room followed by drinks at the bar or star gazing on the roof.

Inclusions: Breakfast, lunch and dinner onboard. Unlimited water, snacks and hot drinks. All activities listed. Overnight in your chosen cabin.

Day 8 : Black Turtle Cover & Transfer out

Hours sailing: 30min.
Activities: Dinghy ride, free time to walk around Puerto Ayora

This is our last morning onboard but we will still have time for one last sunrise excursion at Black Turtle Point.

Black Turtle Cove is a shallow inlet is surrounded by mangroves and provides a natural protection for a variety of marine life, attracting the vulnerable juveniles of many species.

Below the surface of the water, you can see both blacktip and white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, golden cow-nose rays, and spotted eagle rays.

Pelicans and blue-footed boobies hunt here, diving gracefully into the water.

We will return to the boat and enjoy breakfast before disembarking on the small zodiacs which will take us to Baltra Island for our bus and boat transfers back to the airport.

If you have booked your return flight and extension with us, you will be picked up from the airport in Quito to continue with the extension.

Inclusions: Breakfast onboard. Morning excursion, transfers from the boat to the airport.

This trip will be co-hosted by Ana and a local, female, naturalist guide onboard.

The cruise will be hosted by a local female naturalist guide, expert in the wildlife of the Galapagos, its behavior and characteristics and Ana Santacruz, our Ecuadorian host who also hosts our Ecuador & Galapagos tours.

Our extension will be guided by our Ecuadorian guide, Ana, a graduate in Ecotourism Engineering and licensed National Tour Guide and host of our Ecuador & Galapagos tour.

Since her university years, she has been motivated by nature conservation, participating as a volunteer in various environmental programs, which enriched her vision of biodiversity and responsible tourism.

She has been working as a national tour guide since 2016, collaborating with various lodges in the Amazon and different travel agencies, which has allowed her to diversify her experience in both the natural and cultural spheres. This work has given her the opportunity to share her love of nature, educate, and connect visitors with the environmental and cultural richness of her country.