Email: sales@granddaphnecruises.com Phone: +593 99 852 1251 Location: Puerto Ayora / Galápagos Islands / Ecuador / South America
Arriving at Baltra airport, you are met by our certified naturalist guide, that accompanies you from the airport on a short bus to the dock were the tender is ready to transfer you to your home in the Galapagos, is time to start discovering the Ecuadorian and international cuisine prepared by our expert chef.
Later on the day there is a visit to a very peaceful place know as Las Bachas, the landing is on a fine white sand beach were hundreds of turtles next every year, this place invites you to go for a walk to start exploring the island, the landscape is spectacular, is a great introductory site where you are likely to see your first marine iguanas, sally lightfoot crabs, herons and flamingos.
Rabida Island is famous for its stunning red sandy beach, which gets its color from the rusting of iron particles. It is considered one of the most breathtaking islands in the entire Galapagos archipelago. As you follow the trail from the shore, you will come across a magnificent lagoon renowned for its flamingo sightings. Rabida Island is also a prime spot for observing nesting pelicans. Keep an eye out for pintail ducks, marine iguanas, and sea lions as well. The island is home to a dense forest of opuntia cacti, indicating the previous existence of land iguanas. You might also spot Galapagos hawks, mockingbirds, doves, finches, and lava lizards. Additionally, there will be an opportunity for snorkeling in an area teeming with sea stars, damselfish, gobies, and surgeonfish.
In the afternoon, make your way to Albemarle on the northeast side of Isabela Island. This bay is characterized by lush mangrove forests and is inhabited by sea turtles, sea lions, penguins, and flightless cormorants that feed on the abundant algae and fish in the area. Take a walk inland and explore the remnants of an old World War II radar base, passing by fascinating pahoehoe and a’a lava formations. This location also offers fantastic snorkeling opportunities, where you can search for sea turtles and flightless cormorants beneath the water’s surface.
Wake up near Tagus Cove, a historical site where pirates and whalers used to gather tortoises for their voyages. Take some time to explore this area, with approximately 2 hours available. You can go snorkeling or admire the graffiti on the walls, some of which date back to 1836. Keep an eye out for flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies, various species of waterfowl, and the northernmost penguins in the world. Take a walk to a lookout point for a breathtaking view of the northern part of Isabela Island and Volcan Wolf (Wolf Volcano).
Next, you will visit Bahia Urbina, located west of Isabela Island. Urbina Bay boasts a diverse range of plant life that changes throughout the seasons. You can observe the vibrant colors of the plants, which attract a variety of insects.
The site also offers a short inland trek, where you may spot giant tortoises feeding among the bushes in their natural habitat. Keep an eye out for land iguanas nesting along the middle of the trail, showcasing their unique textured and yellowish skin up close. You’ll likely encounter flycatchers, Darwin’s finches, and mockingbirds both on the ground and in the trees.
Today, we will explore Punta Espinosa, a narrow stretch of lava and sand that extends from the base of La Cumbre volcano. Take a leisurely walk along the stunning peninsula, where you’ll encounter a variety of wildlife and plant life. Keep an eye out for lava cacti, marine iguanas, barking sea lions, adorable penguins, and vibrant Sally Lightfoot crabs. Don’t miss the incredible Galapagos hawk, a skilled predator often spotted hunting from the treetops. The crystal-clear waters offer excellent snorkeling opportunities, where you can observe turtles and sea lions swimming and feeding near the shore. Keep an eye out for flightless cormorants drying their wings on the rocks.
In the afternoon, we will head to Punta Vicente Roca. This site is perfect for taking panga rides to observe the abundant wildlife and offers one of the best snorkeling experiences in the entire archipelago. The snorkeling route takes you along the cliffs, providing the unique opportunity to explore two shallow underwater caves. Here, you may encounter the primitive and non-aggressive Port Jackson shark, locally known as the bullhead shark. It often shares its habitat with fascinating species such as red-lipped batfish, frogfishes, Pacific seahorses, the endemic Camotillo fish, schools of barracuda, and brown-stripped snappers. The area is also rich in sponges, corals, and other marine invertebrates.
Head to Puerto Egas, a picturesque black-sand beach located on the west side of James Bay, in the northwest of Santiago Island. This beach is adorned with fascinating volcanic tuff formations. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the shoreline, accompanied by native marine iguanas, pelicans, finches, mockingbirds, oystercatchers, Galapagos sea lions, and Galapagos fur seals. Marvel at the captivating tidal pools, which have formed from ancient lava flows and now provide a habitat for sponges, snails, hermit crabs, barnacles, and fish. Keep an eye out for the playful Galapagos fur seals, as they are always eager to interact with humans. If you’re up for it, you can even go snorkeling and have the chance to swim alongside these friendly fur seals!
In the afternoon, we will travel to Caleta Buccanero, situated on the northwest side of Santiago Island. This sheltered bay served as a resting and repair spot for pirates and buccaneers in the past. While some crew members explored the land in search of giant tortoises to bring aboard for food, others took care of ship repairs. During our visit, we will have the opportunity to engage in snorkeling and a panga ride. Keep an eye out for blue-footed boobies, pelicans, and nocturnal sea gulls nesting on the cliffs. This activity will last approximately 2 hours, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the captivating surroundings.
We begin our day on Bartolome Island, a truly breathtaking destination with its striking volcanic landscape adorned with spatter cones and lava flows. This island is home to fascinating creatures like Galapagos penguins and lava lizards. Lace up your walking shoes and embark on a climb up 360 wooden steps to reach the summit. From there, you’ll be rewarded with a mesmerizing view of Pinnacle Rock, one of the most iconic and photographed sights in the Galapagos. This jagged rock formation juts out from the earth like a tooth, serving as a focal point for two nearby bays.
As you hike to the top of this once-active volcano, enjoy the superb views that extend across to Bahia Sullivan on the neighboring Santiago Island. If luck is on your side, you may even catch a glimpse of the elusive Galapagos hawk. Additionally, there will be an opportunity to go snorkeling and explore the vibrant marine life that surrounds the island.
In the afternoon, we will travel to Sombrero Chino, a small island located on the southeast side of Santiago Island. This picturesque island boasts pristine white sandy beaches and mesmerizing volcanic landscapes, where sea lions and penguins find solace and build their nests on the rocks. We will embark on an easy hike, allowing us to appreciate the unique environment up close. Following the hike, we will engage in snorkeling, keeping an eye out for reef sharks, sea turtles, penguins, and playful sea lions. This activity will last approximately 3 hours, giving us ample time to immerse ourselves in the beauty and marine diversity of the area.
Wake up this morning on North Seymour Island, one of the most popular destinations in the Galapagos. Begin with a leisurely walk around the island, where you’ll have the opportunity to spot some magnificent blue-footed boobies and elegant swallow-tailed gulls. It’s fascinating to observe the unique relationship between boobies and frigate birds on this island. While blue-footed boobies nest on the ground, frigate birds nest just above them in the saltbushes. Keep an eye out for other captivating creatures such as land iguanas, marine iguanas, Galapagos sea lions, and the endemic incense tree. After the walk, cool off with a refreshing snorkeling session and encounter a great variety of fish. If you’re lucky, you may even come across white-tipped reef sharks, rays, and playful sea lions.
In the afternoon, we will travel to Isla Santa Cruz, the second largest island in the Galapagos archipelago. The charming town of Puerto Ayora serves as the economic center of the islands and is home to the renowned Charles Darwin Research Station. This station plays a crucial role in conservation efforts and provides an excellent opportunity for exploration. Here, you can have close encounters with giant tortoises, including baby tortoises, and observe fascinating land iguanas. The visit to the research station offers unique insights into the ongoing conservation work and the remarkable wildlife of the Galapagos.
The last day of your visit the activities star early in the morning at Puerto Ayora, since the group has flights to catch to go back to mainland Ecuador, but before is time to say good bye to the island, your expert naturalist guide takes you to the highlands of Santa Cruz to see one of the longest living animals on earth, the giant tortoises that can live about 150 years and can weigh easily about 400 pounds.