Trip plan:
Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, guests board the Galapagos Explorer. Later that same day, the first excursion takes place to North Seymour Island, where they can see the famous blue-footed boobies performing their distinctive courtship dance, frigate birds with their red throat pouches, and numerous sea lion colonies. It's the perfect introduction to the extraordinary world of the Galapagos.
The second day is dedicated to San Cristóbal Island, considered the kingdom of sea lions. During walks, you can observe seabirds, iguanas, and some of the most beautiful landscapes in the archipelago. The afternoon is devoted to snorkeling, where you can often spot sea turtles, stingrays, and tropical fish.
Española is one of the oldest Galapagos Islands and the only place in the world where waved albatrosses regularly nest. During breeding season, you can witness their unusual mating rituals and spectacular flights over the cliffs. The island is also famous for its colorful marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and picturesque rock formations.
Floreana delights with both history and nature. Guests visit the famous Post Office Bay, where for over two centuries travelers have left letters for subsequent visitors. Then, they stroll among land iguanas and flamingos, and snorkel in the crystal-clear waters surrounding the island.
On the fifth day, the cruise arrives in Santa Cruz. The program includes a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and an encounter with giant Galapagos tortoises in their natural habitat. This is one of the most educational parts of the entire trip and an opportunity to learn about the archipelago's conservation history.
Bartolomé offers some of the most recognizable landscapes in the Galapagos. Climb to the viewpoint and admire the iconic Pinnacle Rock and the lunar landscape created by ancient volcanic eruptions. In the afternoon, snorkeling is available, often with opportunities to swim with Galapagos penguins, sea lions, and turtles.
The final day of the expedition takes us to Genovesa Island, also known as the Island of Birds. It's one of the best places in the world to observe frigatebirds, red-footed boobies, and many species of seabirds. The cruise concludes by sailing past Daphne Major Island, famous for Darwin's long-standing research on finches, which played a key role in the development of the theory of evolution. The yacht then returns to Baltra, where the return journey begins.
