Galapagos Island Excursion
An 11-day Luxury Cruise
Trip Itinerary
January 10 – 20, 2013
Galapagos Excursion: $5,995
Price does not include international airfare.
Day 1
Depart US and arrive in Quito.
Day 2
Free day in Quito.
Day 3
Transfer to airport, fly to Baltra in Galapagos.
AM: Arrival in Baltra, Highlands of Santa Cruz
After arrival in Baltra, visit of the highlands of Santa Cruz Island for a special opportunity to view the islands’ most famous reptile: the giant tortoises in their wild habitat. What a privilege to see an endangered species roving in this lush environment! The vegetation of the area includes the Scalesia Forest (an endemic giant daisy tree) and birds such as the vermilion flycatcher will delight everyone with its scarlet feathers against an emerald green forest. Look for Darwin’s finches (most of them from the tree-finch group), particularly the famous Woodpecker Finch.
PM: Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)
We will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and Galápagos National Park headquarters to learn first hand of the conservation and research efforts in the islands. There, you’ll see several subspecies of adult tortoises, lots of hatchlings, and learn of the repatriation programs that are saving several subspecies of tortoises and iguanas from extinction. Lonesome George has his own corral and we can view him from the elevated walkway through the area.
Day 4 – AM: Gardner Bay, Islote Gardner, Islote Osborn (Española Island)
We usually spend part of a day on the great white sand beach at Gardner Bay. This is the place where you can have time alone to reflect, take a long walk, jog in the surf, swim, snorkel, or stretch out on the sand for a snooze. Sea Turtles nest on this beach and sea lions conduct helpful snooze workshops as part of their compelling “Live Like a Sea Lion” programs.
Islote Gardner is a small island in front of Gardner Bay and is lined with vertical cliffs that drop to sandy ledges and large boulders.
Islote Osborn is a small Island, about 3 km from Española Island, perfect for swimming and snorkelling, depending on national park regulation.
PM: Punta Suárez (Española Island)
At the Punta Suárez visitor site, on the north-western corner of the island, birds are everywhere—underfoot, on the trail, overhead, diving into the sea, taking off from cliffs, engaging in ritual mating dances, sitting quietly, and hatching eggs. As the panga driver guides us in through the surf to the landing, sea lions are often seen “hanging 10” on the waves. A great tangle of marine iguanas, stretched out in the sun on the beach, is usually present when we land.
Day 5 – AM: Isla Lobos , Leon Dormido (San Cristobal Island)
Isla Lobos is about an hour by boat from Port Baquerizo Moreno. There is a small population of blue-footed boobies and common frigate birds nesting on this site. You can observe the two species of sea lions present in the archipelago. During the tour you go through a dry vegetation zone, substrate of volcanic rocks and a sandy area.
Located some miles offshore, Leon Dormido is a huge monolith that split apart creating a narrow passage that only the most skilful yacht captains can negotiate. Blue Footed Boobies and Magnificent Frigatebirds nest along the ledges.
PM: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Interpretation Center , El Junco (San Cristóbal Island)
The island of San Cristobal is the farthest to the east and consequently it is one of the oldest. The simple village of Baquerizo Moreno is the administrative capital of the Galápagos and is rapidly becoming an important base for tourist operations. The jet airport here is the second gateway to the Galápagos. Farming (in the damp highlands) and fishing are also an important part of the local economy.
We will visit the Interpretation Center and afterwards the highland El Junco, fed by rainfall and mist, is up in the humid highlands. There are resident tortoises, but it’s a challenge beyond the scope of our trip to visit them.
Day 6 – 
AM: Santa Fe Island
We spend a fascinating half-day on Santa Fé, the island home to a small population of very large land iguanas, and the largest of the Opuntia cacti. The lagoon appears like a scene from “South Pacific” and is ideal for swimming and snorkeling; sea lions and colorful fish abound here and sometimes we see sea turtles. You may snorkel from the beach to the yacht with your guide, provided the bull sea lions are not overly aggressive. Please stay with your guide when snorkeling here. The climb to the bluff is challenging but the payoff comes when you spot a couple of huge land iguanas. This is a lovely, restful site.
PM: South Plaza
This is a small, but very rewarding island to visit. Here you see lots of land iguanas munching on Opuntia blossoms and leaves, defending territories, and just looking sinister. On the upper edge, at the windward side, Swallowtail Gulls nest. It is a treat to watch these beautiful birds maneuver in the tricky air currents as they set up to land on the cliff face. The shrieks of the Red-billed Tropicbirds, flying overhead in tight formation, will linger in your memories of Galápagos. Giant chitons cling to rocks at sea level and Audubon Shearwaters nest along the cliff face. From the bluff you can see schools of Yellowtail Mullet, occasionally a shark, and lots of birds flying back and forth.
Day 7 - AM: Darwin bay (Genovesa Island)
On arrival in Darwin’s Bay, a protected bay in a volcanic crater that long ago broke open to the sea, we host a “welcoming committee” of juvenile Red-footed Boobies. They come on board to inspect us and perch on the railings (the crews love this!). On the beach we can observe these entertaining tree-nesting Red-footed Boobies, displaying male Great Frigatebirds, mockingbirds, Swallow-tailed Gulls and finches. At certain times of the year, the male frigatebirds sit in the green salt bushes with their great red, chest pouches all puffed up, looking skyward. Any time a female flies over, they put on a compelling show of yodeling, wing flapping, and beak waving, always with great hopes that they will be chosen by the passing lady! This season generally runs from February to May. There is always great commotion on this island as the nesting Red-footed Boobies are being constantly hassled by the kleptoparasitic frigatebirds for both their food and nesting materials.
PM: Prince Philip’s steps (Genovesa Island)
We explore the cliffs on a long tender ride en route to Prince Phillip’s Steps, also known as the El Barranco. We may see the white tails of the Red-billed Tropicbirds sticking out of cliff face nests. After a climb up to the plateau (it is a flat island) we see nesting Nazca and Redfooted Boobies and Frigatebirds. A few white variations of the normally brown Red-Footed Boobies may be roosting in the Palo Santo trees. This is one of the best places to see the Large-Beaked Ground Finch. Millions of Galápagos Storm Petrels nest here in the lava tubes. Short-eared Owls live off these petrels so you may see one or two of them. Swallow-tailed Gulls, pelicans and fur seals live along the cliffs. You may see hammerhead sharks lazing along, just below the surface, and you’ll hear Red-billed Tropicbirds shrieking as they race along the cliffs. This island is one of the most interesting to visitors.
Day 8 - AM: Sullivan bay
At Sullivan Bay, just across a narrow channel from Bartolomé, on the eastern end of Santiago, you will walk on recent, black pahoehoe lava flows. You will see some of the early colonizing plants—mollugo and brachycereus—struggling to gain a foothold in tiny cracks in the lava. Small cinder cones stand out where this black blanket flowed gracefully around them. You get a sense of the primordial, the beginnings of the planet, as you wander around on this primitive flow. Occasionally, a colorful Galápagos Grasshopper (actually a locust) flits ahead of you, over the flow. You may wonder how it makes a living out in this austere environment.
PM: Bartolomé
This is an exceptional place to observe volcanic island geology and to snorkel. Among the many colorful species you will see Bi-color Parrotfish, Streamer Hogfish, and Flag Cabrilla. Sometimes you get a special treat—a penguin “snorkeling” right around you in hunt of fishy treats. Most likely it will be a member of the small colony of Galápagos Penguins that nest in crevices at the base of the much photographed lava spire. The long climb up the wooden steps to the pinnacle of this cinder cone takes you through cinders and rough volcanic formations, a veritable moonscape. The lower slopes are graced with a light sprinkling of the delicate, silvery Taquilia, a ground hugging plant adapted to this harsh spot. On top you will enjoy the spectacular view of Bartolomé, Santiago, and several other nearby islands. From this height you can make out old submerged craters at the water’s edge.
Day 9 - AM: Rábida Island
This is a “small red island,” the colour of the volcanic cinders. It is located just across a small channel from the south side of Santiago, near the center of the archipelago. The red beach is usually well populated with sea lions and pups. At times the low salt bushes are loaded with nesting California Brown Pelicans. It is amazing that pelican chicks are just as bizarre looking as their parents. Just behind the beach, in a brackish lagoon, we usually see Bahamas White-cheeked Pintail Ducks, migratory shore and wading birds, and Greater Flamingos. Flamingos need the presence of a dozen or two other flamingos to stimulate their synchronous mating dance. If our timing is right, (i.e. lucky) we will be able to observe this highly entertaining ritual. Two species of boobies nest along the cliffs. The snorkeling is very good along the cliff face where Galápagos Penguins may swim with you; you can count on swimming with sea lion youngsters.
PM: Sombrero Chino
Sombrero Chino is a tiny island just off the southeast tip of Santiago. Its name (Chinese Hat) describes the island’s shape. Those visitors who travel to the island will find its special landscape worth the visit. Though centrally located it is one of the least visited sites in the area. The lava rock is very fragile and tends to break off when people walk over it. The sharp outcroppings caused from these breaks make it necessary to bring good shoes. Patches of pahoehoe lava, cracked lava and lava tubes can be found on the island. While the path does not lead up the striking red rust sides of the Sombrero to the caldera, it does venture high enough on the island to offer some spectacular views of the waves crashing below. White-tipped sharks frequent the area, as do the playful Galapagos Penguins and sea lions.
Day 10
Fly from Baltra to Quito, overnight in Quito
Day 11
Transfer to airport, and return to the US
Note: Itineraries may change without prior notice due to park regulations or flight operations.
