Southern and Northern Galapagos Paradise Loop

Monday: San Cristobal & Lobos Island

Arrival to San Cristobal Islands from Mainland and board the ALYA for Lunch.

PM: Lobos Island
The name of the island means “Sea Lion Island” and it’s quite appropriate as is filled with noisy, frolicking, jolly and playful Sea-lions who will welcome you to their home with “open fins”. This island also offers great snorkeling opportunities as well as the chance to see blue-footed and Nazca boobies during the 0.6 miles hike.

AM: Cerro Brujo

Ubicada en la costa norte, esta colina erosionada y sus alrededores presentan una de las playas más pintorescas de Galápagos con su arena blanca y abundante vida silvestre: tortugas marinas, rayas, pájaros bobos, pinzones y sinsontes. Sus aguas cristalinas brindan una excelente oportunidad para disfrutar de la natación y el snorkel para disfrutar de las maravillas de la Reserva Marina.

PM:  Punta Pitt
Situado en el extremo noreste de San Cristóbal, alberga fragatas, Nazca, piqueros de patas azules y rojas y petreles de tormenta. Un sendero empinado (1.50 millas) sube por un acantilado y atraviesa un barranco que lleva a los visitantes a un área con grandes colonias de aves. Esta ubicación también es un gran lugar para bucear con una gran variedad de vida silvestre submarina.

AM: Suarez Point

This area is great for spotting blue-footed & Nazca Boobies, red-billed tropicbird, Hawks  plus Waved-Albatrosses by the ocean front, where these magnificent large birds use the cliff as a launching mat. We also find here the famous blowhole constantly spraying water high into the air for wonderful photograph opportunities.

AM: Gardner Bay

Gardner Bay, on the eastern side of the island, is the breeding site of nearly all of the world´s 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. It has an ample white sandy beach with a myriad of sea lions, perfect for relaxing. Its rocky shores make this site a great place for diving and snorkeling.

Thursday: Santa Cruz Highlands & North Seymour Island

AM: Santa Cruz Highlands

Reached by bus from Puerto Ayora, the highlands of Santa Cruz are a deep green contrasting beautifully with much of the dry, lower islands. The dominant vegetation in the highlands is the forest of Scalesia trees creating the lush green color and surrounded by the famous Galapagos Tortoises in semi-wild state at the Breeding center. The lava tubes, over half a mile long, are underground and walking through them is a unique, surreal experience.

PM: North Seymour Island

Galapagos sea lions, frigate-birds and blue-footed boobies are abundant on North Seymour Island. The island was formed by a series of submarine lava containing layers of sediment that were uplifted by tectonic activity. The island is characterized by its arid vegetation. Opportunity to snorkel and see reef-sharks, rays and garden eels.

AM: Darwin Bay

This breathtaking white-sand coral beach heads a half mile trail (0.75km) that winds through mangroves filled with land-birds such as Masked & Red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls. Further down the path are tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully; at the end is a spectacular view off a cliff.

PM: El Barranco:
Also known as “Prince Phillip’s Steps”, El Barranco is a steep, rocky path that leads up to a high cliff-face with truly stunning views. This site is also home to “palo santo” vegetation as well as Red-footed Boobies, Doves, Galapagos swallows and short-eared lava owls. The hike is for about 1 mile.

 

AM: Sullivan Bay

A coral beach landing leads you towards a lava field as far as the eye can see. Hunt and peck over the two distinguished types of lava (sharp and pointy), pahoehoe and “’a’a”, for signs of plant life that have managed to emerge over the past 100 years since the most recent volcanic explosion. A truly amazing volcanic experience.

PM: Bartolome Island
The Island houses the fantastic Pinnacle Rock, consists of an extinct volcano with a variety of red, orange, black and even green volcanic formations. A trail of stairs leads to the summit of the volcano, boasting one of the best views of the islands. The beach is perfect for snorkeling and possible sightings of Galapagos penguin, Reef sharks and rays.

AM: Dragon Hill

Situated on Santa Cruz Island, Dragon Hill is one of the newest visitor sites accessible to tourists in the Galapagos Islands. One of the longest Galapagos, yet interesting walking trails will lead visitors along a beach and up a trail to the lagoon lookout where bright flamingos, pintail ducks, and land iguanas can be spotted.
 

PM: Black Turtle Cove

Situated in the northern part of Santa Cruz Island. This inlet is surrounded by mangroves and is only accessible by dinghy. The shallow cove is a safe haven for young marine life. Black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, and a variety of rays are often spotted here.

AM: Charles Darwin Station & transfer out

The Charles Darwin Research Station is home to turtles ranging from 3-inches (new hatchlings) to 4-feet long. Subspecies of turtles interact with one another and many of the older turtles are accustomed to humans stretching out their heads for a photo opportunity. The babies are kept until they are about four years old and strong enough to survive on their own.

Afterwards continue to Baltra airport for your flight back to Mainland. End of cruise.