M/C SIRUIS

Tuesday
AM: EMBARKATION TO THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS – SAN CRISTOBAL AIRPORT

Unfurl the sails of adventure and embark on an unforgettable journey to the Galapagos Islands. You’ll arrive at San Cristobal Airport, where a seasoned naturalist guide, the custodian of this ecological gem, will greet you. Feel the flutter of anticipation as your exploration of this astonishing world heritage site commences.

PM: ENCOUNTERING WILDLIFE AT LOBOS ISLAND
Venture to Lobos Island, a tranquil islet secluded from San Cristobal by a slim channel. This nature’s cradle, amidst a serene bay, is the playground for sea lion pups frolicking in tidal pools. The island might be modest in size, but it bursts with life, particularly with “lobos marinos” or sea lions. As you step ashore, welcoming committees of sea lions would greet you, only to be outraged by the male frigatebirds inland, presenting their inflamed red balloons amidst the verdant foliage. Stay vigilant for the blue-footed boobies nesting on the trails, ready to treat you to a display of their whimsical courtship dance.

Wednesday
AM: A TROPICAL PARADISE – GARDNER BAY

Embrace the morning at Gardner Bay, a pristine piece of paradise in the Galapagos archipelago. Sugar-white coral sands merge with crystal-clear turquoise waters, creating a tropical oasis. Watch as the beach becomes a theatre, starring sun-basking sea lions in a playful performance. This idyllic setting invites you to stroll along the coast, immersing yourself in an enlightening experience as you delve into the biology of the endemic fauna – from the melodious Española mockingbird and the unique marine iguanas to the regal Galapagos hawks.

PM: A WALK-THROUGH NATURE’S GALLERY – SUAREZ POINT
Transition into the afternoon with a thrilling adventure to Suarez Point. This rocky trail presents a natural gallery of the Galapagos islands, brimming with an awe-inspiring array of fauna. Upon landing, you’ll be greeted by sea lions and marine iguanas, your first hosts in this nature carnival. As you venture further, you’ll encounter a mosaic of seabird colonies – from the striking Nazca and blue-footed boobies to the elegant gulls and tropicbirds. The pinnacle of this journey brings you face-to-face with the waved albatross, the island’s largest bird (present from April to January). This majestic creature, exclusive to Española, will captivate you with its powerful flight and intricate courtship display.

Thursday
AM: MAIL FROM THE PAST – POST OFFICE BAY
Begin your day by stepping into the footprints of the past at Post Office Bay, located on the enigmatic Floreana Island. This locale is imbued with tales from the late 1920s and ’30s involving German settlers, a baroness, unsolved mysteries, and captivating intrigue. The bay was a historic anchoring point for whalers, who journeyed to the highlands for freshwater and tortoises. A mail system over two centuries old was established as a hub for visiting vessels centered around a barrel near the beach. This system endures today, offering a unique opportunity to send postcards from this remote part of the world. Apart from its rich history, Post Office Bay presents natural attractions such as a scenic beach, a lava tunnel, and sea tours that can unveil sea lions, green sea turtles, shorebirds, small sharks, and, if luck permits, Galapagos penguins.

PM: THE WONDER OF NATURE – CORMORANT POINT / DEVIL’S CROWN
Shift your expedition northwards to Punta Cormorant, renowned for its expansive coastal lagoon teeming with American flamingos, white-cheeked pintails, black-necked stilts, and other shorebirds. This natural haven also features a pristine white sand beach, a crucial nesting ground for green sea turtles, and a newly established breeding ground for blue-footed boobies near the trail. Amidst this vibrant wildlife, also take the opportunity to admire the island’s unique flora.

Friday
AM: THE CONTRASTING BEAUTY OF SANTA FE
Lead in the day with the stark beauty of Santa Fe, where the towering figures of giant Prickly-pear cacti strikingly contrast the rugged landscape of lava rocks. Tucked within one of the Galapagos’ most breathtaking bays, Santa Fe’s turquoise waters, and white-sand beaches form an inviting residence for a sizable colony of sea lions you’ll find lounging about. As you venture inland, remember to look down to spot the endemic Santa Fe land iguanas, but also glance upward to catch sight of the Galapagos hawks perched atop cacti, keeping a keen eye out for prey. You’ll likely encounter Darwin finches, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds, and lively lava lizards along the trail.
Snorkeling Experience: After your exploratory hike, the sheltered bay offers you a choice: paddle through serene waters on a kayak or plunge beneath the surface to snorkel with playful sea lion pups and reef sharks. Also, keep an eye out for graceful sea turtles, gliding rays, and the swirling colors of tropical fish, including large schools of Surgeonfish and Parrotfish.

PM: WILD WONDERLAND – SOUTH PLAZAS
Your afternoon destination is South Plazas, one of a twin pair of islands where the northern sibling is reserved exclusively for scientific research. Though petite in size, this islet brims with a fantastic array of wildlife. Upon landing, Galapagos land iguanas will welcome you from beneath prickly-pear cacti, eagerly awaiting their fruit. Sea lions populate the island in large numbers, allowing you to observe their fascinating social dynamics, from playful pups splashing in tide pools to formidable males protecting their territories. Your trail eventually leads you to a cliff, a vantage point to observe a myriad of seabirds, including frigatebirds, red-billed tropicbirds, boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and pelicans. A verdant carpet of reddish succulent vegetation dotted with scattered cacti blankets the island, giving South Plazas a genuinely unique personality.

Saturday
AM: THE CRADLE OF CONSERVATION – CHARLES DARWIN STATION
Kickstart your day with a profound encounter at the Charles Darwin Station, a dedicated non-profit working hand-in-hand with the Galapagos National Park to safeguard the archipelago’s unique biodiversity. This visit provides insights into the collaborative efforts of these institutions to shield native species and combat the invasive ones threatening the delicate balance of the Galapagos ecosystem. One of their emblematic endeavors includes the captive breeding giant tortoises, an integral part of the conservation strategy. Amidst the educational venture, enjoy the setting of an outdoor native dry forest adorned with towering cacti and a rich array of fascinating endemic flora. This is an ideal spot to discover various endemic Darwin finches, as well as vivacious flycatchers and melodious mockingbirds.

Saturday

AM: TAKEOFF TO BALTRA AIRPORT

Embark on an unforgettable adventure to the Galapagos Islands, starting with your arrival at Baltra airport. Our expert naturalist guide from the National Park will eagerly await your arrival to introduce you to the wonders ahead.

PM: EXPLORING THE HIGHLANDS

Whether you’re commencing your exploration from Baltra or Puerto Ayora, a comfortable bus ride will usher you into the verdant embrace of the highlands. En route, we’ll pause at a reserve, where you’ll step into lush highland forests to seek out Galapagos Giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Witness these gentle titans – some weighing more than 300 kg / 600 pounds – as they graze and recline in tranquil freshwater ponds. These highlands are also a sanctuary for many bird species seldom found in the lowlands, such as finches (tree, woodpecker, and vegetarian), flycatchers, and numerous waterbirds. Depending on your itinerary, you’ll also visit a lava tunnel. Here, you’ll delve into the fascinating geological history of the Galapagos, understanding how ancient volcanic eruptions crafted these extraordinary formations.

Sunday

AM: THE LAVA WILDERNESS OF MORENO POINT

Begin your day at the seemingly barren yet enchanting landscape of Moreno Point, a vast tableau of lava fields that unfolds into a tapestry of life. As you venture inland, discover brackish lagoons acting as life’s oasis, teeming with flamingos, gallinules, ducks, and herons. Along the coastline, keep an eye out for the playful penguins, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies, sea lions, oystercatchers, and a chorus of other shorebirds.

PM: MANGROVE HAVEN OF ELIZABETH BAY

As the afternoon unfolds, we explore the beautiful Elizabeth Bay, a tranquil refuge encircled by towering mangroves and desolate lava fields. Devoid of any trails, we’ll navigate the area via a dinghy, exploring the intricate network of channels, pools, and coves bustling with marine life. This site is one of the prime locations to observe the rare Galapagos penguins, which count only around 3,000 in total population across the islands. The region is also a nesting ground for flightless cormorants, while blue-footed boobies and pelicans often fish in these shallow, nutrient-rich waters. Look for the graceful rays and sea turtles that abound in this location.

Monday

AM: URBINA BAY’S DRAMATIC SEASCAPE

Our journey starts at Urbina Bay, a unique location known for a dramatic geological event in the 1950s. A significant uplift pushed a large coastal area upwards, revealing hectares of previously submerged land. Discover small shells and corals along the trail, a testament to the region’s underwater past. This path also provides a chance to see land iguanas and, during certain seasons, giant tortoises. Galapagos hawks are often spotted in the area, flying or perched on trees.

PM: TAGUS COVE, DARWIN’S STOMPING GROUNDS

In the afternoon, we visit the historical Tagus Cove, a site Charles Darwin once explored during his travels around the Galapagos islands. Traverse the arid Palo Santo forests, where Darwin finches and mockingbirds make their home, and take in the panoramic views of Darwin’s Lake and the towering volcanoes of northern Isabela.

A boat tour along the shore offers chances to observe penguins, cormorants, marine iguanas, and the rare Galapagos martin – an endemic, petite bird considered one of the most endangered species on the island.

Tuesday

AM: ESPINOZA POINT, VOLCANIC WONDERLAND

Begin your day at Espinoza Point, located at the base of an imposing volcano – the most active in the Galapagos islands. This site, one of the crown jewels of the Galapagos National Park, presents a unique spectacle right from the moment you step ashore. Hundreds of marine iguanas, forming the largest colony of the species, greet you upon arrival. Sea lions lounge on the beaches, their pups playfully exploring the tide pools. Along the shore, catch sight of flightless cormorants, a species confined to the western areas of the archipelago. Blessed with cold, plankton-rich waters, Punta Espinosa is a sanctuary for diverse species, including herons, pelicans, oystercatchers, sea turtles, shorebirds, and more.

PM: ALBEMARLE POINT, WILDLIFE MEETS HISTORY

In the afternoon, visit Albemarle Point, where wildlife and history intersect. During World War II, the Americans constructed a radar base here to detect the presence of Japanese warships approaching the Galapagos. The remains of the radar can still be seen today. Despite being barren and surrounded by infinite lava fields, the coast is home to some of the largest marine iguanas on the islands, Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, and shorebirds.

Wednesday

AM: EGAS PORT, THE WILD FRONTIER

Despite its misleading name, there isn’t a traditional “port” at Puerto Egas, yet some remnants of past attempts to colonize the island during the 1960s can still be seen. The trail here follows the coastline, an area rich in wildlife. You will see marine iguanas basking in the sun everywhere you turn, along with Galapagos sea lions, herons, oystercatchers, and many shorebirds. Towards the trail’s end, you’ll encounter “the grottos,” home to a small colony of the elusive endemic Galapagos fur seal, much more challenging to spot than its cousin. As recently as 2019, land iguanas were reintroduced to the area, so keep an eye out for these impressive reptiles, which had been extinct from Santiago for over a century.  

PM: ESPUMILLA BEACH / BUCCANEER COVE, PIRATES’ SANCTUARY

Espumilla Beach, located on the northern coast of Santiago, is a stunning 1km (0.6 mi) long expanse of rusty-brown sand. The beach is surrounded by large mangrove trees and a fascinating native dry forest, which houses Galapagos hawks and a wide variety of finches, mockingbirds, and doves. Don’t forget to check the salt pan; it could be home to flamingoes and ducks during the rainy season. Buccaneer Cove, named for its use by pirates and buccaneers during the 17th and 18th centuries as a hiding place and source of freshwater and tortoises, is an incredibly scenic site with beautiful cliffs and interesting rock formations. Although there’s no trail here, you will take a dinghy ride to observe the wildlife from the small boats.

Thursday

AM: DRAGON HILL OR DAPHNE, A GALAPAGOS ADVENTURE

Dragon Hill is located on the northwest coast of Santa Cruz and is named after the land iguanas that inhabit the area. This place is notable for the conservation and recovery of iguanas, once on the brink of extinction. Additionally, a nearby saltwater lagoon attracts flamingos, ducks, and shorebirds, making it an exceptional site for wildlife observation.

The Daphne Islands, consisting of Daphne Major and Minor, are essential for understanding evolution due to their rich diversity of seabirds and endemic species. However, they are primarily accessible for scientific and educational purposes, with visits restricted to preserve their ecosystem.

Depending on flight itineraries and the regulations of the Galapagos National Park, visitors might have the opportunity to perform a circumnavigation of Daphne instead of visiting Dragon Hill. This alternative allows for admiring Daphne’s impressive geology and wildlife from a maritime perspective, offering an unforgettable experience of nature in its most pristine state.

Thursday

AM: BALTRA AIRPORT – BEGINNING A NEW ADVENTURE

Departure to the Galapagos Islands, arrive at Baltra airport, where a National Park-certified naturalist guide will warmly welcome you to this biodiversity-rich paradise. Your exciting journey in the footsteps of Darwin is about to start!

PM: BLACK TURTLE COVE – A SANCTUARY OF MARINE LIFE

At Black Turtle Cove, named for the abundant green sea turtles, locally known as “Tortugas Negras,” you’re in for a delightful boat tour onboard the dinghies. Your adventure here is a peaceful exploration of shallow channels, small coves, and beautiful mangrove forests surrounding the area.

Reef sharks, sea turtles, and several species of rays inhabit this tranquil sanctuary, which is considered a crucial mating area for turtles and a nursery for various shark species. Look out for herons, pelicans, and boobies who make this their feeding ground, preying on schools of anchovies. There’s no landing at Black Turtle Cove. Still, the rich biodiversity experienced from the boat more than makes up for it, offering up-close encounters with the wonderful marine life of the Galapagos.

Friday

AM: RABIDA – A REDDISH HAVEN

Rabida Island, recognized for its unique reddish lava rocks enriched with iron, has a distinct appearance in the Galapagos. The beach’s unusual red hue reflects this characteristic, serving as a home for a small sea lion colony. If you’re lucky, you’ll discover a small saltwater lagoon inhabited by ducks, stilts, and flamingoes.

The trail invites you inland, offering spectacular beach and lagoon views. Keep an eye out for Darwin finches, flycatchers, and mockingbirds. Along the coastline cliffs, you can observe Nazca & blue-footed boobies, brown noddies, herons, and the two species of sea lions: the Galapagos and fur seals.

PM: CHINESE HAT – A PERFECT VOLCANIC CONE

Chinese Hat, named for its perfectly symmetrical volcanic cone shape, is a small islet separated from Santiago by a narrow channel, forming one of the most beautiful bays in the Galapagos. The contrast of the blue-turquoise water, coral sand beaches, and dark lava rocks add a real tropical flair to the area, making the sight of penguins resting on the rocks even more astonishing. The trail guides you along the shore, leading you through a small sea lion colony.

Saturday

AM: SEYMOUR – A BIRDWATCHER’S PARADISE

Seymour Island is a paradise for bird lovers, with large colonies of magnificent and great frigatebirds showcasing their impressive red gular pouches to attract females. Blue-footed boobies nest on the ground and perform their famous courtship dance in the open areas. At the same time, swallow-tailed gulls can often be seen perched on the cliff edges. Land iguanas, their numbers restored through a successful conservation program, are a common sight inland, while their marine cousins bask in the rocks by the sea, not far from playful sea lions that frequently body surf in the waves.

PM: MOSQUERA – A SEA LION PLAYGROUND

Mosquera, mostly a barren sandbar with some rocky areas and scattered salt-resistant plants, offers an incredible experience of watching playful sea lion pups surfing the waves and enjoying the tide pools. While strolling along the beach, keep an eye out for the endemic lava gulls often seen flying overhead in search of food.

Sunday

AM: SULLIVAN BAY – A VOLCANIC WONDERLAND

Walking through Sullivan Bay offers an extraordinary journey into the volcanic origins of the Galapagos Islands. Your hike will take you across a perfectly preserved Pahoehoe lava flow, providing endless opportunities to observe the delicate textures of this rare type of lava. While the landscape may appear barren and lifeless at first, a closer look reveals resilient pioneer plants, scurrying lava lizards, and small birds. Along the shore, penguins, pelicans, and oystercatchers add a touch of life to the stark environment.

PM: BARTOLOME – ICONIC VIEWS AND PENGUIN ENCOUNTERS

Bartolome Island is one of the most iconic places in the Galapagos, renowned for its accessible penguin population and the beautiful Pinnacle Rock. The beach nearby the rock is painted with peach-colored sand, adding to the surreal beauty of the landscape. A hike to the island’s summit will offer you panoramic views of lunar-like landscapes dotted with volcanic cones, numerous islands, Sullivan Bay, and, of course, the towering Pinnacle Rock.

Monday

AM: EL BARRANCO – BIRDWATCHER’S PARADISE

Located in the northern coast of Santa Cruz, Dragon hill gets its name from the land iguanas that inhabit this area, the only location in the whole island of Santa Cruz where you can see this large species of reptiles. Thanks to a very successful breeding program, this population of land iguanas, which was on the brink of extinction during the 70’s and 80’s, has rapidly recovered. There is also a small salt water lagoon where we can often see flamingos, ducks, stilts, sandpipers and other shorebirds.

PM: DARWIN BAY – ULTIMATE WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE

Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island is a birder’s dream come true. When you set foot on the beach, you will be amazed by the spectacle of hundreds of boobies, gulls, and frigatebirds soaring above, nesting in the bushes, or roosting on the sandy terrain. This immersive wildlife trail hosts sea lions and marine iguanas by the sea, and inland you’ll encounter night herons, lava and swallow-tailed gulls, Darwin finches, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds, and more.

Tuesday

AM: INTERPRETATION CENTER – A JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY

Situated on the outskirts of Puerto Baquerizo, the Interpretation Center serves as a rich repository of the history of human presence in the Galapagos Islands. Its exhibitions chronicle the stories of early Spanish explorers up to the present day, highlighting prominent visitors such as Charles Darwin. The displays at this center illustrate the challenges and perils faced by the first settlers as they endeavored to survive in the rugged Galapagos environment. 

Following your visit to the Interpretation Center, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to continental Ecuador. This marks the end of your Galapagos journey, leaving you with memories of incredible wildlife and landscapes that will last a lifetime. Safe travels!