Itinerary E

Endemic Galapagos Luxury Cruise

Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights

Size: Max 16 Passengers

Thursday AM: 

Arrival to Baltra Island Airport

Thursday PM:

Bartholomew Island

After lunch, you will discover Bartholomew Island. Once here, you will ascend to admire the spectacular panorama of the Sullivan Bay and the famous Pinnacle Rock. The beaches at the foot of the Pinnacle Rock are excellent for snorkeling from which you can discover the marvelous underwater world, and with a little luck, you’ll get to snorkel with penguins.

Friday AM:

Cormorant Point,
Devil’s Crown, Floreana Island

Cormorant Point features two distinctly beautiful beaches, one tinted a glistening green by a high content of olivine crystals; the other pure white and aptly referred to as ‘flour beach’.  The saltwater lagoon here is frequented by one of the largest populations of flamingos in the Galapagos as well as common stilts and white-cheeked pintails. Devil’s Crown is a stunning jagged volcanic crater, which has become mostly submerged beneath the water. It boasts a plethora of marine life making it an enthralling site for diving and snorkeling.

Friday PM:

Post Office Bay,
The Baroness’ Viewpoint, Floreana Island

Post Office Bay provides a fascinating insight into the human history of the island as you will discover the postal system developed by British whalers in the 18th century and can take part in the tradition that has continued to this day. The Baroness’ Viewpoint is named after an Australian baroness, who visited the island in the 1930’s and sparked a number of speculations about her mysterious disappearance. This vantage point is ideal for surveying the surrounding mangroves and other points of interest from above.

Saturday AM:

Chinese Hat, off Santiago Island

This small island off the coast of Santiago Island is a result of erupted lava, and the remaining cone curiously resembles the shape of a Chinese hat.  The short trail around the cove will guide you through a sea lion colony and provide opportunities to see eagles, oystercatchers and lava lizards. Furthermore, the channel of aquamarine water that runs between Santiago Island is very appealing to those who wish to enjoy some snorkeling, where you may be joined by sharks, rays and even a rare Galapagos penguin.

Saturday PM:

North Seymour Island

This island was formed by the uplifting of lava from underneath the ocean resulting in a relatively flat landscape. As well as land iguanas, sea lions and turtles along the coast, inland you will see colonies of blue-footed boobies who you may be lucky enough to catch performing their delightful courtship dance. Most notably though, the island is the largest nesting site for magnificent frigate birds, the male variety of which possess distinctive red gular pouches that they inflate during the mating season.

Sunday AM:

Black Turtle Cove

After breakfast, enjoy the visit to Black Turtle Cove, which is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz. It is a living illustration of how mangroves alter the marine environment to create a rich and unique habitat. Three mangrove species crowd the area from the shore out into the lagoon, which reaches almost a mile inland.

As you drift through quiet waters in the zodiac, you are likely to see spotted eagle rays and diamond shaped mustard rays, which swim in a diamond formation. White – tipped reef sharks slip beneath the boat and Pacific green sea turtles come to the surface for air and to mate. Waterfowl, including pelicans, herons and egret, all feed in the cove. This is a peaceful place that will make you feel calm.

Sunday PM:

Bachas Beach

In the afternoon, visit to Las Bachas, which is a beautiful white – sand beach, located on the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. There you can go for a stroll or do some easy snorkeling in the gentle surf. Sea turtles lay their eggs at the edge of the vegetation. You can also look for a rusted pontoon, a relic of the Second World War. In fact, “bachas” is a poor pronunciation of “barges,” two of which were wrecked offshore at that time: the locals mispronounced the name and it stuck.

Monday AM:

Darwin Bay, Genovesa Island

Arrive at this horse-shoe shaped island and step ashore the white sand and coral beach that was formed by a submerged volcanic crater. This is an ideal place to snorkel in calm, sheltered waters amongst hammerhead sharks, rays and a plethora of colourful reef fish. A short trail leads past a tidal lagoon and mangroves, home to a variety of land bird species, including Nazca and red-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. The top of the craggy hill provides the perfect viewpoint to pause and look down on the bay below.

Monday PM:

Prince Philip’s Steps, Genovesa Island

Begin your expedition at the bottom of the rocky stairway where you may be lucky enough to spot a small colony of seals. As you ascend the steep steps up the 25 metre cliff face, be sure to look out for the sea life nestled in the crevices and flocks of storm petrels, short-eared lava owls and Galapagos doves. Catch your breath at the top and take in the dramatic view before continuing along a rocky lava plateau that is a popular nesting spot for red-footed boobies and frigates.

Tuesday AM:

The Twins, Santa Cruz Island

Although volcanic activity here ceased long ago, the island’s geological features provide an insight into its history and formation. A trail will lead you around the rim of two remarkable, almost identical, craters located side by side. The surrounding highlands are lush with ferns and Scalesia trees and are home to mockingbirds, Bahama ducklings, white-cheeked pintail duckling and Darwin finches. Nearby you will also have the unique opportunity to walk through some of the extraordinary underground lava tubes, which have been carved out by molten lava.

Tuesday PM:

Departure from Baltra Island Airport