Coral I & II

(B: breakfast/ L: lunch/ D: dinner)

Day 1: Sunday
– AM – Baltra airport
Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra (2 ½ hours flight). Arriving in Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by our naturalist guides and taken on a ten minute bus drive to the pier to board the M/Y Coral I or M/Y Coral II.

– PM – Punta Carrion (Santa Cruz Island)
Dinghy ride at the entry of the Itabaca Channel in a lagoon with turquoise water, where we can observe sharks, bluefooted boobies, and different kinds of fish.
Difficulty level: low
Type of terrain: none
Duration: 1 hour dingy ride
( -, L, D)

Day 2: Monday
am – Barranco (Genovesa Island)
Dry landing. Be marveled at the variety of sea life that uses the crevices of the lava cliffs for shelter. Red-billed Tropic birds fly overhead, switching between their nests and the bay, and a small colony of fur seals may be found near the landing site. You will be dropped off at a steep stairway that begins on rocks at the foot of a path that leads through a seabird colony full of Nazca and Red-footed Boobies. At the plateau, the trail continues inland allowing you to see more nesting booby colonies in the thin Palo Santo forest. Near the end of the trail, over a rocky lava plain, Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrels can be observed
flying in all directions. If you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of a Short-eared Owl.
Difficulty level: moderate
Type of terrain: rocky – lava
Duration: 45 minute walk

pm – Darwin Bay
Wet landing. Disembark onto a small sand and coral beach. A short trail heads west along a tidal lagoon and then up a rocky hill that leads to a point overlooking the cliffs and Darwin Bay. Along the trail near the tidal lagoon, visitors will see pairs of Swallow-tailed Gulls, Lava Gulls, Yellow-crowned and Lava Herons. The trail continues through Palo Santo trees, Opuntia cacti, and Saltbushes inhabited by Great Frigate birds and Red-footed Boobies. This is one of the few places in the islands where visitors are guaranteed to see Red-footed Boobies. It is estimated that more than 200,000 Red-footed Boobies live in the trees and bushes of Genovesa.
Difficulty level: moderate
Type of terrain: sand and lava.
Duration: 2:30-hour walk
( B, L, D)

Day 3: Tuesday
am – Rabida Island
Wet landing. Dark-red sand covers the unique beaches of this island, home of sea lions colonies; Rabida is considered the epicenter of the Galapagos Islands due to the diversity of its volcanic geology. Nesting brown pelicans are found from July through September plus nine species of the famous Darwin’s finches. Here a dinghy ride along marine cliffs is done, to observe nesting seabirds. Snorkel off the coast, where marine life is particularly active.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 1 ½-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling / 1-hour dinghy ride

pm – Bartolome Island
At the center of the archipelago, Bartolome (Bartolom ) is one of the most frequently visited sites of all the islands. The highest point is only 374 feet (114 m) above sea level and it has a surface area of 0.74 mi (1.2 km). The island is separated from the island of Santiago by the Sullivan Bay. It is an excellent site for snorkeling, filled with the breathtaking volcanic landscapes that make this corner of the world so unique. The first landing possibility is by a dock, made out of lava and concrete, which soon turns into a wooden staircase built to avoid erosion and consists of 372 steps. It leads to the island’s summit, where you will find what probably constitutes the most photographed site in the Galapagos: the Pinnacle Rock. Due to its altitude, the lack of vegetation is immediately noticeable. Pioneer plants can be observed, which are called this way because they are the first to establish roots on new ground. They include Tiquilia nesiotica (which is endemic to the island) and Chamaesyce (known as sand mat or spurge in English), lava cactus, and Scalesia bushes. Behind the beach, there are dunes covered by mangroves. The second type of landing possibility is at coralline beach next to Pinnacle Rock which is a wet landing site. From this point, you will be able to snorkel among tropical fish, perhaps sea lions and penguins as they rest on the lava floors of the intertidal zone and sometimes decide to take a dip.
Disembarking:
Landing 1): dry, to trek up Summit Trail.
Landing 2): wet, to visit Bartolome Beach.
Type of terrain: sandy volcanic ash trail and 372 step in a wooden stairway.
Difficulty level: intermediate.
Duration: 1:30 hour hike, 1 hour beach time, swimming or snorkeling.
( B, L, D)

Day 4: Wednesday
am – Highlands (Santa Cruz Island)
In the central highlands of Santa Cruz Island, we have our best opportunity to interact at close quarters with totally wild, Galapagos giant tortoises. A short walk among these huge, 600lb, reptiles will also offer the chance for more highland species, especially several species of the famed finches.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: Flat & Muddy
Duration: 1 hour walk /
45 minutes drive..

pm- Baltra Airport
After the visit you will go to Baltra Airport for their return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.

(B, -, - )

***End of cruise***

* Itineraries are subject to change without prior notice due to weather conditions, National Park regulations, emergencies on board or any unforeseen situation.

(B: breakfast/ L: lunch/ D: dinner)

Day 1: Wednesday
– AM – Baltra airport
Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra (2 ½ hours flight). Arriving in Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by our naturalist guides and taken on a ten minute bus drive to the pier to board the M/Y Coral I or M/Y Coral II.

– PM – Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz Island)
Here we can find four species of mangrove in the extensive tidal lagoon system that stretches for almost a mile inland. During our panga ride through the labyrinth we will spot many turtles, herons of several species, sharks and rays. The experience is otherworldly and seems to transport us back to the beginning of time.
Difficulty level: Low
Type of terrain: None
Duration: 1 hour dingy ride
( -, L, D)

Day 2: Thursday
– AM – Vicente Roca Point (Isabela Island)
This point is a promontory with two protected turquoise coves on either side of the remains of a tuff cone, one of them accessible from the sea only through water-filled subterranean passages, so it is a marine-only visitor site with really great opportunities for deep-water snorkeling thanks to its location at one of the richest marine ecosystems on Earth (Bolivar Channel). In this part of the Galapagos, the upwelling of cold water currents from the West offer an abundant food supply for marine species that supports a wide variety of marine life: Red-lipped batfish, Sea horses, Frogfish, Nudibranchs and Octopi, the Mola mola or Sun fish has also been spotted close to the rock walls. It is common to observe groups of dolphins, Sea Lions and tunas feeding here. The geological formations here are very impressive, a sheer cliff provides the perfect setting for a dinghy ride along the coast to observe a great diversity of sea and coastal birds: Noddies, Brown pelicans, Galapagos Penguins and Flightless Cormorants. Marine birds such as Pelicans or Nazca and Blue-footed boobies are often seen feeding all at once in these waters. There are whale-watching opportunities during the cold season (May – December) while navigating from Vicente Roca Point to Espinosa Point.
Duration: 1 hour snorkeling / 1 hour dinghy ride

– PM – Espinosa Point (Fernandina Island)
Dry landing. Espinosa Point is the only spot that we visit on Fernandina, and from it we can see the island of Isabela across the Bolívar Channel, an area that boasts some of the highest diversity of endemic sea fauna in the Galapagos. The largest, most primitive-looking race of marine iguanas are found mingling with Sea Lions and Sally Lightfoot Crabs; a wonderful opportunity to encounter Flightless Cormorants at their nesting sites, Galapagos Penguins and the “King” of predators on the Islands, the Galapagos Hawk.
“Pa-hoe-hoe” and “AA” lava formations cover the majority of the terrain. Vegetation is thus scarce inland, but we encounter Brachycereus cacti and extensive mangrove beds lining the shores.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: rocky
Duration: 2 hours walk / 1 hour snorkeling
( B, L, D)

Day 3: Friday
– AM – Urbina Bay (Isabela Island)
Wet landing on a volcanic black beach. Depending on the season, we may find Giant tortoises, Land iguanas and the unusual Flightless Cormorant. After a short walk inland, snorkeling time is allotted, giving you yet another chance to swim with Sea turtles, Sea lions and countless tropical fish. Urbina Bay features a wide variety of plant life that changes depending on the season. We can observe the beautiful colors of plants that attract different insects, birds and reptiles. We will explore the uplifted coral reef that resulted from 1954 volcanic activity, with a spectacular view of Alcedo Volcano.
There are whale-watching opportunities during the cold season (May – December) while navigating from Urbina Bay to Tagus Cove.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: flat
Duration: 1h30 walk / 1 hour snorkeling

– PM – Tagus Cove (Isabela Island)
Dry landing on Galapagos’ largest Island where we will learn about the eruption of the five volcanoes that formed it. The trail leads to Darwin salt-water Crater Lake and excellent views of lava fields and volcanic formations. This us a great site to see landbirds such as Galapagos Hawks, Ground and Tree finches, Large-billed flycatchers and Yellow warblers.
We will return by the same path for a dinghy ride along a shoreline full of marine wildlife, where we will admire a variety of Seabirds such as Blue-footed booby, Brown Noddy, Terns, Flightless Cormorant and, depending on the season, a large number of Galapagos Penguins which are only 35 cm tall; the only penguin species in the world to extend its range into the northern hemisphere along the Equator. They lay their eggs in small cracks of lava, on the lower parts of the island near the shoreline not reached by the ocean waves. Most of the individuals live on this Western portion of Isabela, others are scattered further South on the Island. We will have an opportunity to snorkel in deep water.
Graffiti believed to have been left by19th-century pirates is a curious reminder of an intriguing past. Many names of the early visitors to this site, pirates and whalers, are written on the cliffs along the shore.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: flat and steep
Duration: 1 hour walk / dinghy ride 40 minutes / deep water snorkeling: 1 hour
( B, L, D)

Day 4: Saturday
– AM – Salt Mines / Egas Port (Santiago Island)
Wet landing a beach of black volcanic sand, visited by Darwin in 1835. Salt Mines visitor site has an important history, on 1683 William Ambrose Cowley visited this place, it was he who gave the English name of James to the Bay and the Island. British buccaneers anchored in this whole area during the 1600s since it was a good place to provide them with water, tortoises and salt from the salt-lake that lied down into the crater. The first part of Egas Port trail is comprised of volcanic ash (eroded tuff) and the other half of the trail is partially uneven terrain, comprised of volcanic basaltic rock that lounges the shoreline and take you to the best tidal pool areas in the Galapagos that are populated by Fur Seals and Sally Lightfoot crabs.
The unique, truly striking layered terrain of Santiago’s shores is home to a variety of resident and migrant birds including the bizarre Yellow-crowned Night Heron, the Galapagos hawk is often observed in this area as well. Snorkeling in this place is a highlight, astounding array of marine wildlife including Lobster, Starfish and Marine iguanas grazing on algae beds alongside Sally Lightfoot Crabs. Snorkeling also offers rarities such as Octopus or Squid. At this visitor site you can observe the two species of sea lions: Fur “seals” and Galapagos Sea Lion. Colonies of Endemic Fur Seals swimming in cool water pools formed by volcanic rocks can be seen.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: the first part flat and then semi rocky
Duration: 1h30 walk / 1 hour snorkeling/swimming

– PM – Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island)
Wet landing. This visitor site located at the Southeastern portion of Santiago Island is of important geologic interest, features extensive Pahoehoe lava flows believed to have been formed during the last quarter of the 19th century. In the inland section of the trail, in the middle of the lava flow, appear older reddish-yellow-colored tuff cones where Mollugo plants and their yellow-to-orange whorled leaves which usually grow out of the fissures. Walking on the lava is breathtaking, this flow is geologically very young, the magma formed is flat but the movement of underground lava, the rapid cooling, and other eruptions make it look like it just solidified.
Difficulty level: demanding, 1.5 km path
Type of terrain: flat volcanic lava
Duration: 1h30 walk / 1 hour snorkeling/swimming
( B, L, D)

Day 5: Sunday
– AM – “El Chato” Reserve (Santa Cruz Island)
Dry landing. We will reach the Santa Cruz highlands and visit a private farm and natural tortoise reserve “El Chato” / “Primicias”, where Giant Tortoises are found in their natural habitat, as well as land birds such as Tree and Ground Finches, Vermillion Flycatchers, Paint-billed Crakes, Yellow Warblers and Cattle Egrets. The journey to the reserve offers great opportunities to see the contrasts that the islands offer in regard of variety of ecosystems, life and geology, the road goes from the coast through the agricultural zone and straight up to the dense forests of the highlands that emerge from a light fog. Often, tortoises are also seen on the way, wandering through pastures in the agricultural zone. Land birds can also be observed along the excursion, this visit is actually of important interest for birdwatchers since they can observe here almost every land bird present in the islands.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: flat & muddy sometimes (depending on season)
Duration: 45 minutes drive / 1h30 walk

After the visit you will go to Baltra Airport for their return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.

(B, -, - )

***End of cruise***

* Itineraries are subject to change without prior notice due to weather conditions, National Park regulations, emergencies on board or any unforeseen situation.

(B: breakfast/ L: lunch/ D: dinner)

Day 1: Sunday
– AM – Baltra airport
Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra (2 ½ hours flight). Passengers are picked up at the airport by our naturalist guides and taken on a ten minute bus drive to the pier to board the M/Y Coral I or M/Y Coral II.

– PM – North Seymour Island

This flat, uplifting, island is an important spot to see both magnificent and great frigatebird males courting the females and, we will also likely see courting blue footed boobies too. Sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, crashing surf and distant views of the Daphne Islands top off a great visit.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: Rocky & Sandy
Duration: 1 hour 45 min hike / 1 hour deep snorkeling
( -, L, D)

Day 2: Monday
– AM – Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)
Once home to the famous Lonesome George, the last tortoise of the Pinta race. The center is set in the Galapagos National Park Service where various interpretative buildings are available to visit. The grounds, with large stands of native vegetation are one of the better places to spot some of the seldom seen Darwinís finches.
Difficulty level: Low
Type of terrain: Flat
Duration: 1 ½ hour visit

– PM – Mosquera Islet
This tiny, low-lying islet, converted into coral sand, is set between the north and south Seymour Islands. It's home to a group of sea lions that come to laze on the soft white sand, it's an excellent spot to observe shorebirds, herons, lava gulls, and boobies. Snorkeling or diving here, one can often see sharks, rays, and barracudas.
Difficulty level: High
Type of terrain: Flat volcanic lava
Duration: 1 ½ hour walk / 1 hour snorkeling or 1 hour beach time
( B, L, D)

Day 3: Tuesday
– AM – South Plaza Island
Sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, and land iguanas are all present at the landing site. The small island is covered with a carpet of a red succulent studded with Opuntia cacti. At the cliff edge, we spend time watching birds like frigatebirds, flocks of Galapagos shearwaters, and of particular note, flights of displaying red-billed tropicbirds.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: rocky
Duration: 2 hour hike

– PM – Santa Fe Island
After a fabulous snorkel in the turquoise waters of the protected bay, we may have enjoyed time with sea lions, turtles, reef sharks and spotted eagle rays. Landing on a sandy beach, we spend time watching the abundant sea lions there with us and. We begin a walk past a forest of island-endemic giant Opuntia cacti and we can watch the Santa Fe land Iguana.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: Rocky
Duration: 30min Kayaking / 1 hour 45min hike / 1 hour deep snorkeling
( B, L, D)

Day 4: Wednesday
– AM – Lobos Island
Isla Lobos is approximately 20 minutes by boat from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Once on the island, the trail is about 850 meters and there will be rocky trails and a nice & easy sand trail too. There is a small population of blue-footed boobies and great frigatebirds nests at this site.
Difficulty level: Medium
Type of terrain: Rocky - Sandy
Duration: 1 ½ hour walk

– PM – San Cristobal Airport (San Cristobal Island)
After the visit you will go to the Airport for their return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.

(B, -, - )

***End of cruise***

* Itineraries are subject to change without prior notice due to weather conditions, National Park regulations, emergencies on board or any unforeseen situation.

(B: breakfast/ L: lunch/ D: dinner)

Day 1: Wednesday
– AM – San Cristobal airport (San Cristobal Island)
Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to San Cristobal (2 ½ hours flight). In Galapagos passengers are picked up at the airport by our naturalist guides and taken on a ten minute bus drive to the pier to board the M/Y Coral I or M/Y Coral II.

– PM – Interpretation Center & Frigatebird Hill (San Cristobal Island)
The interpretation center is full of interesting information and offers the perfect overview to the formation of Galapagos, its significance in the world, threats and conservation efforts. Followed by a hike to Frigatebird Hill (Cerro Tijeretas) we will have great looks at both species of frigatebird, with the bonus of a beautiful view of the bay below.
Difficulty level: Low / High
Type of terrain: Flat path / Rocky
Duration: 1 hour hike / 1 hour walk
( -, L, D)

Day 2: Thursday
– AM – Kicker Rock & Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal Island)
Kicker Rock:
This ancient and eroded volcanic tuff lava named Leon Dormido or Kicker Rock, is formed from two rocks approximately 148 m, named for its resemblance to a sleeping lion.
Cerro Brujo:
From our dinghy ride, as we head to shore, we are first humbled by the immensity of the stunning cliffs of the Sorcerer's Hill. You can enjoy simply sharing the beach with sea lions, snorkelling from shore, or taking a walk to a hidden lagoon.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 1 hour hike / 30 min kayaking / 1 hour 45 min beach or deep snorkeling

– PM – Pitt Point (San Cristobal Island)
Wet landing followed by a high intensity hike on rocky terrain. The trail includes an olivine beach of 90 meters long and a path that climbs to the top of a volcanic tuff, through several magnificent viewpoints. This is probably the only site where the three booby species of the Galapagos can be seen together: Nazca, Blue-footed, and Red-footed; as well as the two species of Frigate birds and a Sea Lion colony; it is also excellent for dinghy rides and snorkeling, where a good range of sea birds can be observed.
Difficulty level: demanding
Type of terrain: rocky and steep
Duration: 1 hour 15 min hike / 1 hour beach snorkeling
( B, L, D)

Day 3: Friday
– AM – Punta Suarez (Española Island)
Punta Suarez is a naturalist´s paradise. The oldes extant island in the archipelago is our only opportunity to commune with the endemic wave albatross during their breeding season between April and December. With luck, we can watch their complex courtship display.
Difficulty level: High
Type of terrain: Rocky
Duration: 2 hours 15min hike

– PM – Gardner Bay (Española Island)
One of the most stunning beaches in all of the Galapagos. The long, white, sandy beach, lapped by turquoise waters, home to a colony of Galapagos sea lions. Hood mockingbirds, endemic to this particular island. We can also snorkel here from the beach, in the shallows of the bay.

Difficulty level: Low.
Type of terrain: Sandy & flat
Duration: 1 hour 45 min hike / 45 min deep or beach snorkeling
( B, L, D)

Day 4: Saturday
– AM – Cormorant or Champion (Floreana Island)
Our walk takes us to a large, shallow lagoon, often inhabited by a variable number of shockingly pink greater flamingos. We arrive at a powdery white beach, a nesting area for green turtles.
Difficulty level: Medium
Type of terrain: Rocky
Duration: 45 min walk / 1 hour 15 min snorkeling

– PM – Post Office (Floreana Island)
The famous Post Office Barrel. Claimed to have been first set up in 1793 by Captain James Colnett. The system involved whalers and fur sealers would leave addressed letters in the barrel to be picked up by homeward-bound colleagues. Actually visitors often take letters and hand-deliver them to their home countries.
Difficulty level: Low
Type of terrain: Sandy
Duration: 30 min walk / 30 min kayaking / 1 hour snorkeling
( B, L, D)

Day 5: Sunday
– AM – “El Chato” Reserve (Santa Cruz Island)
Dry landing. We will reach the Santa Cruz highlands and visit a private farm and natural tortoise reserve “El Chato” / “Primicias”, where Giant Tortoises are found in their natural habitat, as well as land birds such as Tree and Ground Finches, Vermillion Flycatchers, Paint-billed Crakes, Yellow Warblers and Cattle Egrets. The journey to the reserve offers great opportunities to see the contrasts that the islands offer in regard of variety of ecosystems, life and geology, the road goes from the coast through the agricultural zone and straight up to the dense forests of the highlands that emerge from a light fog. Often, tortoises are also seen on the way, wandering through pastures in the agricultural zone. Land birds can also be observed along the excursion, this visit is actually of important interest for birdwatchers since they can observe here almost every land bird present in the islands.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: flat & muddy sometimes (depending on season)
Duration: 45 minutes drive / 1h30 walk

Baltra airport
In the morning you will go straight to the airport for return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.
(B, -, - )

***End of cruise***

* Itineraries are subject to change without prior notice due to weather conditions, National Park regulations, emergencies on board or any unforeseen situation.