8 day western Galapagos islands cruise | Yolita Yacht II Itinerary A


The Western islands of Galapagos have been the focus of extensive exploration. It is an amazing area. This is where you will find rare species such as the cormorant and penguin that can survive in the tropics.
Day 1: Baltra Airport & Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach

Take an early flight to the Galapagos Islands. Head to Bachas Beach to see Sally Light foot crabs, flamingos and sea lions.

Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach

Head to Bachas Beach where the sand is made of decomposed coral, making it soft and white, and a favourite site for nesting sea turtles. Spot abundant Sally Lightfoot crabs on the lava rocks along the water's edge -these crabs will eat anything they can get their claws on! Trek to see a wide range of wildlife, including flamingos, hermit crabs, black necked stilts, and sea lions.

Day 2: Genovesa Island

Darwin Bay

You will find bustling seabirds as you walk along the white coral sands at Darwin Bay. Follow the trail to see nesting frigatebirds and gulls. You will want to capture some photos of your feathered friends so bring your camera.

This sunken caldera is a great spot for snorkelling. You will see large schools of tropical fish near the vertical walls. If you are lucky, you may even spot a manta Ray or a hammerhead.

El Barranco

For amazing wildlife viewing, visit "El Barranco", aka Prince Phillip's Steps, located at the southern tip. To see a seabird colony full of life, including breeding grounds for red-footed and masked bobies, hike up the steps.

 

Day 3: Bartolome Island & Santiago Island: Sullivan Bay

Bartolome Island

To get a better view of the islands' volcanic origins, hike to Bartolome's summit. Enjoy a spectacular panoramic view - it's one the most beautiful among the islands! You can also see other Galapagos Islands off to the left and Pinnacle Rock, Pinnacle Rock's iconic landmark. Galapagos penguins, the only species found north of Equator, can be seen walking precariously on narrow volcanic ledges at their base.

Isla Santiago: Sullivan Bay

Santiago Island's Sullivan Bay is home to one of the island's most famous natural attractions, its striking and impressive giant lava formations. Due to the island's harsh environment and new lava flow, very few plants have survived. Take a stroll along the lava formations to reach a white-coral beach where you will find abundant Sally Light foot crabs as well as sea lions.

Day 4: Isabela Island

Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre

To visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre, walk through the town's wetlands. You can pass flamingos and basking iguanas as you walk through the town's wetlands to reach the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre. The reserve is home to gentle giants that live in the forest. This program was created to save these magnificent creatures, as the giant tortoise was on the verge of extinction in late 1950s.

Sierra Negra Volcano Hike

Trek to the Sierra Negra volcano's crater, which is 10 km (6 mi) in diameter. It has the largest basaltic caldera of any volcano in the Galapagos. Enjoy spectacular views of Fernandina Island and Fernandina as you trek across the lunar-like landscape of the fumaroles and lava fields. This volcano was the latest eruption in the Galapagos, having last occurred in October 2005.

Day 5: Isabela Island: Elizabeth Bay & Urbina Bay

Elizabeth Bay

You can explore the area by panga, but keep an eye out for wildlife hidden in the mangroves. In the protected waters, look out for flightless cormorants, marine turtles, and rays. You can also spot blue-footed bobies and penguins in the sheltered waters.

Urbina Bay

Urbina Bay is the perfect place to take a walk amongst a huge marine reef, which was reconstituted in 1950 by an uplift. While walking around the area, you can see "sculptures" made of coral and other ocean formations. Urbina Bay offers many opportunities to view land iguanas with amazing yellow skin, flightless cormorants, brown pelicans, and marine turtles, rays, as well as amazing views of Urbina Bay.

Day 6: Isabela Island: Tagus Cove & Fernandina Island: Punta Espinoza

Isabela Island: Tagus Cove

Tagus Cove is an Isabela Island anchorage location that was very popular with pirates and whalers. For stunning views of Darwin Lake (a spherical saltwater lake), the bay and Darwin and Wolf volcanoes, you can walk around the area. Follow the trail through dry vegetation after landing. Continue climbing to a promontory with spatter cones (small volcano cones).

Fernandina Island: Punta Espinoza

This is a must-see landing spot that houses some of the most important colonies of seabirds and marine iguanas. There are many trails to explore. For a rare opportunity to see one of the most remote areas of Galapagos, follow the path that runs along the beach and crosses lava flows.

Day 7: Rabida Island & Santiago Island

Rabida Island

To explore the trails, you can arrive at Rabida's red sand beach. One trail takes you to a saltwater lagoon. Another trail leads you to the interior where the palo santo tree is found. The branches of this tree emit a pleasant aroma when they are burned. They also repel mosquitoes. You can see the prehistoric-looking pelicans nesting in low-lying bushes on the beach. It's an amazing sight to witness the parents returning with their gullets full fish for their squawking young.

Santiago Island: Buccaneer Cove

You can jump in the panga to cruise along high cliffs and rock formations during this Bucaneer Cove visit. This was once a popular hideout for pirates who needed to fuel their boats with food. You can spot sea lions on the beach, and you will also see seabirds nesting in the cove. There are many things to do at this location.

Day 8: Daphne Island & Quito

Visit Daphne, a tiny conical island, home to nesting blue-footed boobies,frigatebirds, Darwin's finches, and other wonderful wildlife before flying back to Quito.

Travel to Daphne, a tiny conical island, home to nesting blue-footed boobies,frigatebirds, Darwin's finches, and a variety of marine life. This island is dedicated for scientific research. This is where Dr. Peter Grant did a long-term study on Darwin's finches.

Included

  • All programed visits as per itinerary with specialized naturalist bilingual guide
  • Accommodation in twin/double cabin with private facilities (surcharge for suite)
  • All meals on board, drinking purified water, coffee and tea
  • Snorkeling equipment (fins, mask & snorkel) & sea-kayaks
  • Transfers within the islands on cruise dates as per itinerary
  • Personalized 24/7 assistance during tour.

Not Included

  • Airfare to/from Galapagos from/to Mainland Ecuador (to be added)
  • Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee US$100 per person (in cash only upon arrival)
  • Galapagos Migration Card US$20 in cash per person (at Mainland’s Airport)
  • Alcoholic/soft drinks, personal expenses, extras, and tips
  • All sizes wet-suits for rent on board (in cash)
  • Travel, medical & cancelation Insurance and any services on Mainland
  • Other services not specified in the program.

Highlights

  • Encounter entire armies of marine iguanas on the west side of Isabela
  • Visit the nesting sites of tropical Galapagos penguins and flightess cormorant
  • Explore Fernandina the youngest island in the archipelago, still volcanically active
  • Snorkel in the Bolivar channel with the possibility of swimming with whate sharks