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11-day Galapagos Islands Experience
Itinerary
DAY 1 DEPART
Departure from the US. Arrive in Quito, Ecuador, where you’ll stay overnight before flying on to the next stage of your adventure.
DAY 2 SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
Take a cruiseboat to Baltra, then travel on to Puerto Ayora, one of the few remaining homes of the endangered lava gull. You’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you can observe the tortoise research and breeding programs. After lunch on board, you’ll spend the afternoon hiking through all seven of the island’s vegetation zones to visit the highlands. Enjoy a relaxing dinner and a night’s sleep on the boat.
DAY 3 FLOREANA ISLAND
After breakfast, you’ll set off for Floreana Island, studded with small volcanic cones. You’ll visit Punta Cormorant, where you can enjoy swimming, snorkeling and observing the local population of sea lions. After lunch on the boat, visit the Corona del Diabolo – the Devil’s Crown – a half-submerged volcanic cone poking out of the ocean and one of the most outstanding marine sites in the Galápagos. Here you can snorkel among tropical fish, coral and other marine life, before heading back to your boat for dinner, relaxation and a good night’s sleep.
DAY 4 ESPAÑOLA ISLAND
Española Island is the only nesting site of the waved albatross. Here you’ll visit Punta Suarez, where you may be able to spot some of the abundant bird life. Enjoy snorkeling in the company of sea lions, and visit the powerful El Soplador (Blow Hole) at the base of the cliff. After lunch on board the boat, you’ll sail to the beautiful white sandy beach of Gardner Bay, where you can enjoy swimming and relaxing before returning to the boat for dinner and sleep.
DAY 5 PLAZA AND SANTA FÉ ISLANDS
This morning you will explore Plaza Island, home to one of the largest colonies of sea lions in the world. Enjoy lunch back on the boat as you head for Santa Fé Island. Here you may spot the unusual Santa Fé Island iguana, found nowhere else on Earth. Later, enjoy excellent snorkeling in the island’s secluded cove, then back to the boat for dinner and sleep.
DAY 6 NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND
Following an early breakfast, you will disembark to spend the day on North Seymour, a tiny island just north of Baltra. Here you can watch sea lions basking on the shores and a variety of bird life, including magnificent frigate birds and colonies of blue-footed boobies. A circular trail will take you through some of the largest seabird colonies on the islands. You’ll then return to your boat for dinner and and an evening’s relaxation. Overnight on board.
DAY 7 BARTOLOMÉ ISLAND
This island’s distinctive, lunar-like landscape is home to the spectacular Pinnacle Rock, probably the most famous vista of the islands. You can enjoy splendid panoramic views, including Santiago Island across Sullivan Bay, from its 259-foot summit. Here you will also find volcanic formations, unusual species of cacti, and a nesting beach for the black turtle. After lunch on board, you’ll sail on to Puerto Egas, on Isla Santiago (James Island), with its long, flat, black lava shoreline. You’ll follow a path to Sugarloaf Volcano, teeming with wildlife and with breathtaking views from its 1,300-foot summit. On the west side of the island, James Bay leads to one of the most rewarding visits in the Galápagos – a swim in Fur Seal Grotto together with the local sea lions and fur seals. Afterwards, return to the boat for dinner, relaxation and bed.
DAY 8 RABIDA ISLAND AND CERRO DRAGON
After breakfast you will visit Rabida Island (also known as Jervis Island), a birdwatchers’ paradise where some of the rarest species of Galápagos birds are in abundance. The island is ringed with extraordinary red sandy beaches, among the best places to see nesting pelicans. There is also a salt-water lagoon where flamingoes and bachelor sea lions while away their days. After lunch visit Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) on the north side of Santa Cruz, before returning to your boat for dinner.
DAY 9 LOS GEMELOS
In Los Gemelos you may have the chance to visit a farm in the highlands and see the marvelous, ancient sight of tortoises in the wild. You’ll then travel to Baltra Island for an onward flight to Quito, where you will spend the night.
DAY 10 QUITO AND DEPARTURE
Spend your last day on a sightseeing tour of Quito, where you’ll have the chance to visit an Indian market to pick up some souvenirs. Later today you’ll head for home.
DAY 10 HOME
Arrival in the US.