Isabela, Fernandina & Central Islands


Day 1: Baltra Island & Santiago Island: Sullivan Bay

Welcome aboard the M/T Horizon to the Galapagos Islands. Upon your arrival, the crew and guide will meet you and take you to your accommodation. After you arrive, the guide will brief you on safety and emergency procedures, as well as the different areas of the ship and the usual routine.

Santiago Island: Sullivan Bay

Sullivan Bay, located southeast of Santiago Island, is home to an interesting lava field that has a young geological flow dating back to 1897. It can get very hot because the rocks are blackened and made of lava. To protect your feet, you will need to wear appropriate footwear.

Day 2: Isabela Island: Punta Vicente Roca & Fernandina island: Punta Espinoza

Isabela Island: Vicente Roca Point

Isabela Island is the largest island in the Galapagos. It is best known for being the seahorse-shaped island. Keep an eye out for the stunning mola-mola Sunfish while you are in the panga

  • Activities: Snorkeling and panga ride
  • Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
  • No Landing: HTML0
  • Possible Wildlife
  • What to bring: Dry bag for your camera or electronics.

Fernandina Island: Espinosa Point

Espinosa Point lies between the Bolivar Channel that divides Isabela from Fernandina Islands. This visit will be remembered for its Flightless Cormorant nesting colony. It lost its ability of flying over time due to evolutions changes. However, it can now swim faster and better. The incredible remains of solid magma can also be seen at the site, but keep an eye out for the numerous marine iguanas that frequent the area.

  • Activities: Hike
  • DifficultyModerate
  • Landing Dry but can be slippery at low tide
  • Possible Wildlife
  • What to bring: Walking sticks and sturdy shoes.
Day 3: Isabela Island: Tagus Cove & Urbina Bay

Tagus Cove

You will love historical remnants if you enjoy them. This was their favorite stop on the way to the coast. This hike will give you amazing views of the cove, and the mangrove forest on the other side where the 35 remaining Mangrove finches live.

  • Activities: Hike, snorkeling and panga ride
  • DifficultyModerate To Difficult
  • Dry landing:Dry landing
  • Possible Wildlife
  • What to bring: Walking sticks, sturdy shoes for hiking, and a camera are a must!

Urbina Bay

Urbina Bay, which was once on the ocean floor millions of years ago. It was raised by volcanic uplifts. Now it is home to sea lions, land and flightless cormorants. You can spend some time at the beach, or ask the guide for a hike.

  • Activities: Hike, snorkeling and panga ride
  • DifficultyModerate To Difficult
  • Landing: Wet landing
  • Possible Wildlife
Day 4: Isabela Island: Elizabeth bay & Moreno point

Elizabeth Bay

Elizabeth Bay is a large area on the east coast of Isabela Island that includes many islets. These areas are popular with pangas and the Galapagos penguins can also be found on the rocks. Clear waters are home to a wide variety of marine life.

  • Activities: Panga ride
  • Difficulty Easy
  • No Landing:
  • Possible Wildlife:Freightless Cormorants, Sea Lions, Fry Birds, Sea Turtles, and Various Shorebirds.

Moreno Point

The beautiful, rocky shores at Moreno Point offer a wide variety of bird species to enjoy. This is a paradise for birders. It is a great place to see white-tipped sharks in the coastal lagoons. Also, the spectacular views of Cerro Azul and Sierra Negra volcanoes are not to be missed.

  • Activities: Hike, snorkeling and panga ride
  • DifficultyModerate
  • Landing: Wet landing
  • Possible Wildlife
Day 5: Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Station & Highlands

Charles Darwin Station

One of the most popular tourist attractions on Galapagos Island is the Charles Darwin Research Station. This research facility houses a large collection of Galapagos plant specimens that have been carefully preserved. It also serves as an active breeding center and biological research station for the Charles Darwin Foundation.

  • Activities: Go to the research station
  • DifficultyModerate To Difficult
  • Dry landing:Dry landing
  • Possible Wildlife -Galapagos tortoises captured in captivation, and other stages of tortoises.

Highlands

Santa Cruz's northernmost part contains the highlands, which can rise to elevations of up to 1500m. The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including ferns, volcanoes, and hills. This is a stark contrast to the hardened beaches of molten volcanic lava and the rocky areas on other islands. There are giant tortoises and mockingbirds there, as well as finches, and many other species.

  • Activities: Hike
  • DifficultyModerate
  • Dry landing:Dry landing
  • Possible Wildlife -Galapagos tortoises and mockingbirds. Also, lavalizards, pintail ducks and other shorebirds.
Day 6: Santa Fe island & South Plaza island

Santa Fe Island

Santa Fe is the home of the endangered Santa Fe iguana. It was formed by volcanic activity and now has a forest of Opuntia trees and Palo Santo trees. The island is picturesque and has two trails that lead to scenic views and small beaches.

  • Activities: Hike
  • DifficultyModerate
  • Dry landing:Dry landing
  • Possible Wildlife:Santa Fe Land Iguanas and Frugibirds, Sally Lightfoot crabs, Sea Lions, Finches, and other shorebirds.
  • What to bring: Strong footwear for walking and hiking.

South Plaza Island

The rising lava created this small island with its steep cliffs. This island is home to the largest colony of sea lions and colorful land iguanas. Sesuvium, which turns bright red in the dry season, is the most distinctive plant on the island. It creates a striking contrast on the island. Amazing photography opportunities are created by the contrast of the black lava and turquoise waters.

  • Activities: Hike
  • DifficultyModerate
  • Dry landing:Dry landing
  • Possible Wildlife:frigatebirds. Sally lightfoot crabs. Sea lions. Land iguanas. Swallow-tailed Gulls. Various shorebirds.
  • What to bring: Strong footwear for walking and hiking.
Day 7: Floreana island: Devil’s Crown, Cormorant Point & Post Office Bay

Post Office Bay

Ask the Cruise Manager to provide a complimentary postcard so you can write a note and send it home. It can be left in the same barrel that sailors and pirates used to keep them. Seek out other postcards that you might be able to take with you while you are there so you can send your messages to fellow travelers.

  • Activities: Leave a post office barrel and a postcard at the beach, while you relax or go snorkeling.
  • Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
  • Landing: Wet landing
  • Possible Wildlife
  • What to bring: Wear your swimsuit, and remember your postcards.

Devil's Crown & Cormorant point

The Devil's Crown is a great snorkeling spot located just off Floreana Island. There are many tropical fish species to be found, including galapagos sharks and white-tipped sharks. It is quite amazing to see sea lions playing in schools of hundreds of fish, or hunting fish. Cormorant Point on Floreana Island offers a wonderful opportunity to view one of the areas where flamingos are found in saltwater lagoons. The trail that leads to the lagoon takes you to a secret beach where you can walk on the soft sand. If you are going to be swimming in the ocean, watch your feet. Stingrays love this area.

  • Activities: Hiking and Snorkeling
  • Difficulty Snorkeling - Moderately to Hard / Hike Easy
  • Landing: Wet landing
  • Possible Wildlife:frigatebirds.
  • What to bring: If you have an underwater camera, Devil's Crown can be a great place to take it while snorkeling.
Day 8: San Cristobal island: Interpretation Center & Galapaguera

The interpretation center has many exhibits that provide information about the natural and geological history of the Galapagos Islands. It was opened as a means to enforce wildlife protection efforts and protect the natural environment by controlling tourist numbers.

  • Activities: Interactive Exhibitions
  • Difficulty Easy landing
  • Landing Dry

Transfer to Airport

Included

  • Scheduled visits and activities with a professional bilingual guide
  • All meals on board, snacks, purified water, tea and coffee
  • Accommodation in standard cabin / suite (with balcony where applicable) with private bathroom and air conditioning
  • Snorkeling equipment (mask, lenses, fins), sea-kayaks, wet-suits (some boats)
  • Assistance at the Airport and 24/7 during the trip

Not Included

  • Air tickets to / from Galapagos from / to Quito, Guayaquil or combined route
  • Entrance to the Galapagos National Park US $ 100 p.p. (cash in the Islands)
  • Galapagos Control Card US $ 20 p.p. (at the airport before check-in)
  • Soft and alcoholic drinks on board; personal expenses, extras and tips guide and crew (cash);
  • Travel insurance with medical, cancellation and other unforeseen coverage
  • Other services in Continental Ecuador and not specified in the program