GALAPAGOS DETAILED DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1: SANTA CRUZ:
Tortoise Farm Primicia Ranch
Upon arrival in Baltra airport our guide will be waiting for us to cross the Itabaca Channel and travel by private transportation from the northern side of Santa Cruz towards Puerto Ayora. The first stretch is a very dry area, but as soon as we get to the highlands, the vegetation changes completely. Here we can observe giant bamboo trees and dense Miconia vegetation. Arrive to Primicias Ranch, located next to the Reserve. Take a rain jacket as it can get muddy and misty. At the ranch we will observe the giant Galapagos tortoises in a natural environment; stroll around the compound and watch and learn about this magnificent endangered specie and their habitat.
Charles Darwin Research Station
This research laboratory is located near to the town of Puerto Ayora and is directed by scientists from several countries, who are involved in the study and protection of fauna and flora of the islands. The evolution that the islands have undergone since the formation can be seen here too. It also shows the animals that have been introduced to the different areas and possible solutions to protect them against extinction. Raising the Galapagos Giant Tortoises in captivity is the most important project the Galapagos National Park is involved with; this program has enabled the return of many tortoises into their natural habitat. The Charles Darwin Station is also home of several adult giant tortoises, which have been found in other parts of the world and are later brought back to their habitats of origin.
DAY 2: SOUTH PLAZA & SANTA FE:
South Plaza
The Plaza Islands, North Plaza and South Plaza, are small but have a great variety of flora and fauna. Only South Plaza is open for visitors. On this southern island we will find the smallest species of land iguanas, but also nests of gulls, boobies, frigate birds, tropicbirds, marine iguanas, lava lizards and on the dock are often large male sea lions and their young resting. It can be difficult to get on land because of the sea lions lying on the dock. Often the guides have to shoo them away by clapping their hands. Snorkeling off South Plaza is not allowed because there are too many sea lions. Offshore we can spot shearwaters, terns, mullet and surgeonfish. Farther out dolphins, mantas and killer whales have been seen. The island itself is an uplifted piece of sea floor. The island is only a kilometer long and a little wider than 100 meters. A big part of the island is dry with platforms of polished lava, parts without any trees, but many yellow flowers. The cliff is very steep and windy. From here we can observe the birds we described above perfectly.
Santa Fe
The arrival here is truly impressive: to a great white beach with colourful turquoise water; a forest of Opuntia cactus covers the Island. The walk is easy and short and on the trails we can find land-iguanas chewing on the fallen cactus pads. These iguanas are different from the ones we find on the South Plaza Islands, these iguanas are bigger. Other animals that can be found here are sea lions, yellow-tailed surgeonfish, sergeant majors, damsel- and parrotfish, stingrays, white-tipped reef sharks, rodents, Galapagos doves and snakes. The beach side is perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
DAY 3: ESPAÑOLA (HOOD):
Suarez Point
The trail runs round in a loop and the arrival on the rocks lead us to an open area where blue footed boobies nest in their hundreds. Virtually everywhere are nesting birds or young boobies being fed. Further on is a similar place where waved albatrosses are nesting, again on the ground. It is said that the total world population of waved albatrosses can be found here from March to December every year. Near here is a high cliff where the young launch themselves for their first flight. Further along the trail is a blowhole. Waves coming up against the cliff come up through a hole and produce a noisy spout of spray approaching 100 feet high. There is also a good possibility of seeing one or more of the three species of Darwin finch which are endemic to the island.
Gardner Bay
Located at approximately 45 minutes from Punta Suarez, Gardner Bay has a brilliant white sandy beach with hundreds of barking sea lions. This place is perfect for relaxing and snorkeling. There are 3 species of finches on this part of the island and other animals that we can find here are turtles, martins, small wading birds, surgeonfish and white-tipped reef sharks.
DAY 4: SAN CRISTOBAL:
Leon Dormido
A couple of tall rocks in the sea are called “Leon Dormido” because the Spaniards saw the shape of a sleeping lion in it. The rocks are remnants of a vertical tuff stone conformation, abruptly rising almost 150 meters (500 feet) from the ocean. Erosion has split the rock and given it its characteristic shape, The cliffs are cut through the middle, there are boats that can pass through this narrow sea channel, but most of the boats pass close to the rocks to watch the masked boobies and red-billed tropicbirds. Make sure to have binoculars and cameras in reach while we navigate around the rock, because there are many chances to observe hundreds of blue-footed boobies standing in their little caves. Further away, observe the frigate birds in the bushes of the coast side, when it is courting season we will be able to see a wonderful show of their brilliant red pouches.
Optional diving Leon Dormido
Leon Dormido is a very intersting dive site perhaps the best in the central Islands of the Galapagos archipelago. There are two vertical walls with a channel in the middle that gives a haven for sharks and many other species of fish such as huge schools of salemas and jacks, barracuda and rainbow runners. The walls are amazingly colorful almost sure sightings of great marine fauna including octopus and many sharks including scalloped hammerheads, white tipped and Galapagos sharks. Other sea creatures to be found are turtles, eagle rays and sea lions
Interpretation Center, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
This town, the official capital of the Archipelago, is home to one of the two main airports in the Galapagos region. It is known as a sleepy town overlooking the harbour with a truly relaxed attitude. We will visit the Interpretation Center close to this town. Afterwards we will have some free time to stroll around this lovely village.
Loberia Beach
We will depart after lunch to Loberia; Loberia is a beach area home to a colony of sea lions. We walk through beach trails and black lava rocks where we find the largest marine iguanas in the archipelago. Relax werself at the beach or go for a swim, the water is very clear.
DAY 5: SANTA CRUZ:
Bachas Beach
The charming Bachas beach is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. This is the part where the pacific green sea turtles nest and lay eggs, especially from November to February, so be careful to follow our guide, as we don’t want to step on one of the nests. Near the beach is a salt lagoon where we can see a flamingo population. Bachas beach is also perfect for swimming and here we can find marine iguanas resting on the rocks and hermit crabs in the sand.
Optional diving Seymour Island
North Seymour is an uplifted island of lava flow There are 5 dive sites suitable for all levels of divers, although sometimes the currents can be strong. These sites have the most different species per square foot of sandy bottom. We can see cleaning behavior, a large garden eel colony, sea turtles, sea lions, fur seals, eagle rays, yellow tailed grunts, big-eyed jack, and frequently white tip reef sharks and hammerheads. Occasionally, Galapagos sharks can also be seen here.
Caleta Tortuga Negra (Black Turtle Cove)
We can only enter a sheltered area with a dinghy and admire a turtle’s head coming up once in a while. From December to March, these beautiful animals breed here in peace and quiet. Also white-tipped reef sharks are often seen here. These are not the only animals we can observe, if we are lucky, we can see the amazing eagle ray and golden rays sliding under the dinghy!
DAY 6: GENOVESA ISLAND:
Prince Philip’s Steps (El Barranco)
Prince Philip’s Steps is a rocky climb, a 25m ascent to the open ground above. Here is where we find boobies, just having a great time on this beautiful part of the island. At this island there is an almost flat trail of 2km and here we can walk across fields of lava. This is a full day visit as the vessel stays in the bay.
Darwin Bay
Darwin Bay is an exotic, partially eroded volcano, famous for its crater walls, hundreds of magnificent frigate birds, red-footed boobies, swallowed tailed gulls and brilliant storm petrels, which all mate here. Darwin beach exists of white coral remains and during high tide a great part of the beach is underwater. The coral is quite sharp, so be sure to ware sneakers or sandals. Here the marine iguanas are the smallest of all in the Galapagos. Snorkeling can be amazing here, although visibility is poor but sharks are common here.
DAY 7: SANTIAGO & BARTOLOME:
Sullivan Bay
This part of the island is mainly covered with lava. The black lava is about 100 years old and full of gas bubbles. If we look closely, we can see parts of trees that were vaporized by the lava. The only plants that grow on this part of the island are tiny carpetweed herbs and the rare lava cactus. We will be able to walk over an extensive lava field formed by twentieth century volcanic eruptions. We may be able to see lava lizards. Sullivan Bay is also a perfect spot for snorkeling and swimming, we might even swim together with Galapagos penguins.
Bartolome
Climb up to a peak of a carbon cone 109 meters (359 feet) high and experience one of the most beautiful views of all the surrounding islands. The ascent takes about half an hour. The trail is not difficult as there are steps that will help make our climb easy. Take a walk through moonscape-like landscapes overgrown with “Tiquilia”, the island’s vegetation.
Santa Cruz
Only four islands are inhabited in the Galapagos Islands and Santa Cruz has the largest population of them all. It has a central location and the largest town Puerto Ayora has been the place that tourists visit the most. Here you will also have the opportunity to buy some souvenirs. This town offers a great variety of hotels and restaurants, an excellent option for the people that would like to extend their stay in Galapagos.
DAY 8: SANTA CRUZ – BALTRA:
Twin Craters (Los Gemelos)
On our way back to the Baltra airport we will break the trip with a short visit to the Twin Craters; another miracle of Mother Nature. Two huge craters were formed after a huge collapse due to the weight of the overlying rocks. Right now, this area is overgrown with vegetation and we can observe flycatchers and the amazing “woodpecker” finch.
