NORTH 8 DAYS A

Transfer to the yacht after arrival at the Baltra airport.

Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach

Welcome cocktail Lunch service and navigation to Bachas Beach, Santa Cruz Wet landing. Nature walks. Snorkeling.
The name spanglish means "barges" and was used to describe the ships that were lost offshore during World War II. This is a popular landing spot. There's a lovely swimming beach with a lagoon behind and a longer beach that can be used for wildlife watching and walking. There are often great blue herons in the saltwater lagoon behind, as well as small waders like semi-palmated and sanderling plovers. Both beaches are great nesting places for green sea turtles. They leave footprints in the sand at the beach's back, particularly from November through February. There is plenty of space to explore the beach at your leisure.

Guide briefing. Navigation to Genovesa Island and dinner service

Breakfast service. Dry landing. Nature walk. Prince Phillip's Steps.
Deep-water snorkeling

El Barranco

This is also known as El Barranco bird island. It's a strenuous walk up a steep cliff where nesting seabirds such as tropicbirds, red-footed bobies, and red-footed blue boobies can be found. The trail takes us through Palo Santo forest, passing red boobies as well as great Frigatebirds.
Lunch service. Wet landing. Nature walks. Scuba diving.

Darwin Bay

Darwin bay is the caldera from a collapsed volcano. It is a short walk to a coral beach. If you are looking for more action, there is an optional walk that crosses lava rock. The path offers stunning views of the cliffs and ample opportunity to capture the incredible bird life. This path may allow you to see species such as red-footed and swallow-tailed birds, Nazca boobies and large ground finches.

Guide briefing. Farewell cocktail. Navigation to Santiago Island and dinner service

Santiago Island: Sullivan Bay

Breakfast service. Panga boat ride to Sullivan Bay. Wet landing. Nature walks Snorkeling at the beach
This bay is known for its wide, Pahoehoe-style rope lava flows.
It's a great place to see the differences between lava flows and their characteristics.

Santa Cruz Island: Dragon Hill

Lunch service and navigation to Santa Cruz Visit to Dragon Hill. Wet landing. Nature walks. Deep-water snorkeling
Cerro Dragon is located in the northwest part of Santa Cruz Island. Its name comes from the fact that Cerro Dragon was the only place on the island where land iguanas could be found in a healthy condition in 1975. After being examined, the iguanas were taken to a facility that was specifically intended for their breeding in captivity. This allowed them to be protected from wild dogs, feral domestic animals and other domestic animals. The first specimens were born in 1979 and were then transported to Venice. Numerous iguanas reproduced on the island and were then repatriated to Dragon Hill in 1990. There are plenty of shrimp in the lagoons which serve as food for the flamingos. However, the shrimp is less abundant at certain times of year, so the population is higher.

Guide briefing. Dinner service

Breakfast service. Visit Santa Cruz Highlands. Dry landing.

Highlands & Rancho Primicias

Santa Cruz's highlands are home to incredible areas of vegetation. Visit the private estate, "Las Primicias". This reserve is the best place to see the giant turtles of Santa Cruz Island. They can be viewed from close range.

Charles Darwin Station

Lunch service. Visit to Charles Darwin Scientific Station & Breeding Center Dry landing
Charles Darwin Station is the main attraction in Puerto Ayora. This is a great way to learn about the islands and their formation. Learn about the raising of the Galapagos turtles and meet Jorge, the famous single turtle. On weekends, the Scientific Station hosts many visitors to its beach.

Guide briefing. Navigation to Isabela Island and dinner service.

Breakfast service. Dry landing. Visit Moreno Point. Deep-water snorkeling.

Moreno Point

Moreno Point is where the forces from the Galapagos joined together to create an art work. You will begin the tour with a paddle boat ride along the stunning rocky shores, where you can often see Galapagos Penguins as well as shorebirds. The path then traverses through jagged lava rock. Crystal tide pools were formed as the black lava flow swirled, some surrounded by mangroves. This area is home to small blue lagoons and blue herons as well as pintail ducks from the Bahamas. The mangroves' green leaves are home to brown pelicans, which can be found nesting within the mangroves. These pools can be viewed from the edge of the volcano. You can also walk along the lava and see puffer fish, white-tipped sharks, and green sea turtles. Introduced species have made this idyllic setting less beautiful. The area is home to feral dogs that are known for attacking sea lions, marine iguanas, and other wildlife.

Urbina Bay

Lunch service and navigation to Urbina Bay Wet landing. Wet landing. Shallow water snorkeling. Urbina Bay is located at the foot Alcedo Volcano south of Tagus Cove. This is one of the best examples of geological uplift within the Galapagos. When the molten material beneath the surface shifts, it causes an uplift. The shoreline was lifted by almost 15 feet (4 meters) in 1954. The coast was extended 3/4 mile out to sea, leaving behind giant coral heads and stranding large marine organisms. Shortly after, a Disney film crew visited the location and found skeletons of sea turtles, sharks, and lobsters that were unable to locate the ocean due to the rapidly rising land. Newly formed tide pools were home to schools of fish. Near the former beach, you can see boulder-sized coral heads. A few weeks later, Alcedo's eruption followed the uplifting of Urbina bay.
Many Galapagos animals nest in Urbina Bay during the season. To lay their eggs, female tortoises travel down from Alcedo. The area is also home to Galapagos penguins and flightless cormorants, as well as brown pelicans.

The journey begins with a wet landing at the white sand beaches. The difficulty of the route will vary depending on the season. The trail is quite passable in the dry season, but can be very difficult during the wet season. The visitors will learn about the geological wonders of this region as they cross it. You will then reach the area of sandy beach. You can return to the landing spot on shorter visits by following the same route, while you can continue past coral heads and onto the new beach with longer visits.
The site also features marine iguanas as well as some of the largest land-iguanas on the islands. Galapagos Cotton is an endemic plant that historians believe the Incas brought with them to the islands. Naturalists however think it may have floated from Peru.

Guide briefing. Navigation to Fernandina Island and dinner service

Breakfast service. Visit Fernandina Island Wet landing. Espinoza Point Nature Walk Deep-water snorkeling

Fernandina Island: Espinoza Point

Fernandina Island, the youngest and most active volcano of the Galapagos Islands, is active every few years. Punta Espinosa's flat lava is a barren and stark landscape. But here, flightless cormorants nest on the point, sea-lions play in the tidepools, and large numbers marine iguanas adorn the sand. Here, we will also have the chance to compare the Aa lava types with the Pahoehoe.

Isabela Island: Tagus Cove

Lunch service and navigation to Isabela Island Visit Tagus Cove. Dry landing. Nature walk. Panga boat ride. Deep-water snorkeling. Tagus cove (Isabela Island), is located east of Fernandina Island, on the west coast Isabela Island. This cove is protected by two volcanic craters. It has been used as an anchorage since over 300 years. The nature trail takes you through the typical dry vegetation zone to Darwin Lake. It is a saltwater lake with a long narrow inlet. The trail ends at the top, where you can see the various vegetation zones and the Darwin and Wolf volcanoes. You can also observe Galapagos Penguins and Flightless Cormorants.

Guide briefing. Navigation to Santiago Island and dinner service

Breakfast service. Wet landing. Visit Puerto Egas for a nature walk, salt mines, and fur seal grotto. Scuba diving.

Puerto Egas

The first step in a visit to Puerto Egas is to land on the dark sand beaches at James Bay. Walking along the rocky coastline offers the chance to see some of the best tide pools on Galapagos Island. You can see slugs, snails, hermits crabs, barnacles, fish, and even the rare four-eyed blenny. You will also find a variety shore birds, sea lions, marine iguanas and sally lightfoot crabs on the walk.
Two interesting excursions can be made from Puerto Egas. The first takes you to the location of one of the first entrepreneurs in the Galapagos. It is just a short walk away from the landing area. Salt was mined from the local salt crater for decades. In 1950, the industry was shut down leaving behind many rusted parts and old machines. From the crater cone, the trail follows the same path as wagon trains. Although the trail is not difficult, it can be one of the most intense hikes on the island. The trail is lined by arid vegetation that is cut by feral goats. The goats eat every leaf that is within their reach, leaving little for the endangered island animals. Bird lovers will delight in the chance to see a Darwin's finch or the endemic Galapagos Hawk, as well as the colorful vermillion flycatcher.
The view from the crater's rim is breathtaking. This extinct volcano, whose floor is now below sea level, can be seen from the crater's rim. The crater is flooded with salt water, creating a small lake. Many have failed to extract the salt from the sun.
The older orange lava fields that support vegetation, including Palo Santo trees, can be seen looking away from the crater.

The fur seal grotto is the next stop on the second excursion. It starts just beyond the tide pools. The lava-rocked pools are home to fur seals and sea lions. Visitors may have the chance to swim and see fur seals here.
Fur seals were once nearly extinct due to their fur coats. The Galapagos Fur Seal, which is the smallest fur seal in the southern hemisphere now ranks alongside the sea lions, is smaller than the others. They hide in caves or shelves built from lava rock cliffs during the day to protect themselves from the scorching equatorial sunlight. They eat squid, fish and avoid sharks at night.
This is a beautiful place to snorkel and swim in the clear waters.

Espumilla Beach

Most people who visit Espumilla Beach now do so to see birds, not water. You can walk just a few steps inland through mangrove forests that are home to the common stilt. These mangroves are also home to sea turtles who nest in them. There is also a brackish lagoon that houses pink flamingos as well as white-cheeked pintails. You will follow the trail for a loop, passing a small knob and then returning to the beach. If you are observant, you may see a variety Darwin finches and vermilion fly catchers along the trail. If time permits, visitors can swim or snorkel at the beach.

Buccaneer Cove

Lunch service. Panga boat ride to Buccaneer's Cove. Deep-water snorkeling.
Buccaneers Cove was located less than an hour from Puerto Egas and served as a safe haven to pirates, sailors, and whalers in the 18th and 19th centuries. They were able make repairs to their ships by anchoring in the bay, while others went ashore to get fresh water, salt, and firewood. Ceramic jars, which were the unrecognized cargo of a mariner many years ago, were discovered at the bottom the bay. The jars contained wine and marmalade.
Today, there are very few boats that stop at Buccaneers Cove. Many boats cruise by at a slower speed, allowing visitors to see the steep cliffs of tuff formations as well as the reddish-purple sand beaches. The dramatic scenery is enhanced by hundreds of seabirds perched on top of the cliffs. The "monk rock" and the "elephant rocks are two of the most well-known rock formations. Buccaneers Cove is home to a large number of feral goats. To protect native vegetation from being destroyed by this introduced species, the National Park Service has temporarily fenced off a portion of the area. Just north of the valuable fresh water supply, which once attracted whalers and pirates, is a wet landing.

Guide briefing. Farewell cocktail. Navigation to Daphne Island and dinner service.

Circumnavigation. Breakfast service. Check out at 8 AM and depart for the airport
Daphne Island is located north of Santa Cruz Island, and west of Baltra Island in the middle of the Galapagos Archipelago. There are actually two islands, Daphne Major & Daphne Minor. These islands are among the most accessible Galapagos Islands. They can be reached easily by cruises and tour boats. We will sail around these islands to take in the stunning views of Galapagos.