Endemic

Itinerary A - Western Galapagos - 7 nights

Departing Sundays

SUNDAY - BALTRA AIRPORT – SANTA CRUZ ISLAND: Bachas Beach

Upon arrival, reception and assistance at the airport, transfer from Baltra Airport to the M/C Endemic. 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 snorkelling 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 - GENOVESA ISLAND: Darwin Bay - El Barranco (Prince Philip’s Steps)

In the morning, visit to Darwin Bay, which is the only sandy beach found in the caldera on Genovesa. Colonies of the Great Frigates are found along the beach. Male exhibit their red balloon pouch to females for hope of a match. Red-footed boobies nest in the trees in contrast to the other two booby species which do so on the ground. 

In the afternoon, you will go to El Barranco (Prince Philip’s Steps), a carved out of stone stair. This will lead you to a wide plateau, where you can observe large colonies of masked boobies, frigate birds, storm petrels and ducks. During this easy stroll you will cross a small Scalesia forest, habitat of the short-eared owl. The same path will lead you back to your boat.

TUESDAY - SANTA CRUZ ISLAND: Twin Craters – SANTIAGO ISLAND: Sullivan Bay

In the morning, after breakfast, the Twin Craters will be visited. Located in the highlands of Santa Cruz on the road to Baltra airport from Puerto Ayora, these scenic craters are approximately 30 meters deep.  These two huge land depressions are surrounded by a Scalesia forest with abundant birds such as the yellow warbler and the Vermilion Flycatcher. Gorgeous views of the leafy green highlands forest are also part of the visit.  You will stay in the highlands of Santa Cruz island to see giant tortoises in the wild. These impressive animal gives the name to the archipelago. You can easily appreciate the Galapagos giant tortoises in their natural habitat, eating, walking among others. This is also a good place to see birds such as short-eared owls, Darwin’s finches, yellow warblers, Galapagos rails and paint-billed crakes. As part of this experience, you will visit underground lava tubes formed by cooled and solidified lava. Then we will continue our journey to board the M/C Endemic.

In the afternoon, you will visit Sullivan Bay, located on the east coast of Santiago Island. We land on a white coral sand beach and begin our walk over lava that flowed less than 100 years ago. This is the perfect place to see and feel the volcanic origin of Galapagos. Also in this area you will admire flora that grows in lava fields.

WEDNESDAY - ISABELA ISLAND: Wetlands/ Sierra Negra volcano – Breeding Center/ Wall of Tears

Isabela Island is the largest of the archipelago with a surface of 4,588 square kilometres. It encompasses more than the half of the total land area of Galapagos. In the morning, you will be transported to the Wetlands (Humedales), that are a complex of trails of 6 kilometres long, located south of Isabela Island. They have a wide variety of flora and abundant bird life, including gallinules, finches, stilts and ducks among others.

Or you may visit Sierra Negra Volcano, one of largest craters in the archipelago with a diameter of five kilometers. It offers mesmerizing views with great contrast in colors between lava fields, vegetation and fumaroles.

On the way up to Orchilla hill, giant tortoises and marine iguanas will appear. From the viewpoint the spectacular scenery of the bay, the town of Puerto Villamil, volcanoes, islets and rocks can be appreciated. Isabela wetlands has endemic and introduced species. 

After lunch visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Centre of Isabela, infant and juvenile giant tortoises can be seen until they are ready to be released and survive in the wild.  Or you may visit the Wall of Tears. This is a man-made monument which has been built in the 40’s by prisoners, since Isabela island was once an Ecuadorian penal colony and building up the wall was part of the punishment.

On the way back to the yacht, be ready to spot flamingos and other water birds.

THURSDAY - ISABELA ISLAND: Elizabeth Bay – Urbina Bay

In the morning, you will discover Elizabeth Bay, which is a marine visitor site. The excursion is carried out in a zodiac and so there is no landing point. Your zodiac ride starts with a visit to the Marielas islets where there is the largest and most important penguin colony in the Galapagos Islands. The excursion continues into the cove that is surrounded by red mangroves where you can spot sea turtles, flightless cormorants, spotted eagle rays, golden rays, brown pelicans and sea lions. 

In the afternoon, Urbina Bay will be visited. Here you can see coral formations, large coloured land iguanas. The possibility of seeing giant turtles, flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies, penguins and marine iguanas is excellent.

FRIDAY - ISABELA ISLAND: Tagus Cove – FERNANDINA ISLAND: Espinoza Point

After breakfast, Tagus Cove will be the first attraction to see. A ride along the cliffs in a zodiac will give visitors a good chance to see the Galapagos penguin, the flightless cormorant and other sea birds. From the landing dock it is about a 30-minute hike along the trail up to the top of the cliff from where you can view Darwin Lake, a saline lake saltier than the sea. You can also see several volcanoes from this location. 

After lunch, Espinoza point will be visited, which is one of Fernandina’s visit points. Located within a fascinating lava scenery with Lava-Cactuses. On the surface of the lava, mangroves thrive. The highlights are sea lions, penguins, the flightless cormorant (especially in spring and summer), and one of the biggest iguana colonies of Galápagos.

SATURDAY - SANTIAGO ISLAND: Buccaneer Cove/ Espumilla Beach – RABIDA ISLAND

In the morning, you will have the opportunity to discover the Buccaneer Cove that is located just north of James Bay. It was known as a safe haven in the 17th and 18th century for pirates to stash their loot, take on fresh water and capture tortoises for food. It is a nice place for a zodiac ride, snorkelling and kayaking. Blue-footed, Nazca boobys, fur seals, and Galapagos hawks can be seen flying overhead.

Or visit to Espumilla Beach will take place. It is a pristine sandy beach and a popular place for marine iguanas and Sally Lightfoot Crabs. The crabs attract the hunting herons, performing the dance of predator and prey. With an abundance of marine life including octopi, moray eel, and shark, snorkelling is recommended and available.

In the afternoon, you will be taken to Rabida Island. Its main attraction is the red sand beach, famous for its cactus groves and rock formation scenery, aside from the vegetation of the arid zone and the presence of native and endemic species. During the walk on the red sand beach you will see brown pelicans’ nests, and a lagoon where flamingos are seen from time to time.

SUNDAY - Mosquera Islet – BALTRA AIRPORT

In the morning, visit to Mosquera, a small islet found between Baltra & North Seymour Islands. Lava gulls, sea lions, Sally light foot crabs inhabit this sand bank with an extension of over 600 meters. It also hosts the largest populations of sea lions and orca whales that can be seen occasionally depending on the season you visit the islet.

After this last visit, transfer to Baltra airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.
Assistance and farewell at the airport.

Itinerary B - Southern Galapagos - 7 nights

Departing on Sundays

SUNDAY - BALTRA AIRPORT – SANTA CRUZ ISLAND: Dragon Hill

Upon arrival, reception and assistance at the airport, transfer from Baltra Airport to the M/C Endemic. In the afternoon, visit to Dragon Hill will take place, which is located in the north-western part of Santa Cruz island. Here you will have the opportunity to walk into the island and view the land iguana. Be among these magnificent reptiles, that just a few decades ago were on the brink of extinction. 

Moreover, at Dragon Hill you will see a flamingos’ lagoon, pintail ducks and other endemic birds including flycatchers and warblers. After a short trek, amazing view awaits us up the hill. Offshore snorkelling before returning to the yacht.

MONDAY - SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND: Kicker Rock - Witch Hill – Lobos Island

In the morning, the first spot to be visited is Kicker Rock, an impressive geological formation due to erosion. This is a nesting place of sea birds and a nice spot to take pictures while the vessels circumnavigate around the rock. The next attraction to see is Witch Hill, a tuff cone hill located south west from San Cristobal. This name comes from the Spanish name of the bird known in English as Vermilion Flycatcher. A zodiac ride will take passengers into amazing rock formations along the island shore. A white sand beach and crystal-clear waters are part of this enchanted location. Fantastic opportunity for snorkelling.

In the afternoon, you will be taken to Lobos Island, where a small population of blue-footed boobies, frigates, marine iguanas, and great frigate birds nesting can be observed. Snorkelling with sea lions in this calm bay is also part of the excursion.

TUESDAY - ESPAÑOLA ISLAND: Gardner Bay/ Osborn & Gardner islets – Suarez Point

Española Island will be explored today. You will have the chance to observe endemic wildlife such as the Hood-Mockingbird. This is the southernmost island in the Galapagos archipelago, and home to several wildlife species, including masked and blue-footed boobies. Spectacular views from the top of a cliff.

In the morning, after breakfast, the first attraction to be seen is Gardner Bay that provides an excellent beach for swimming. Around the small islets nearby, snorkelers will find lots of fish and sometimes turtles and sharks. The bay is also frequented by colonies of sea lions which like to swim with you. Or visit the Osborn and Gardner islets that are amazing for underwater discovery. Snorkelling is a highlight on this visitor point.

After lunch, Point Suarez will be visited, which represents one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago, with a long list of species found along its cliffs and sand or pebble beach. 

WEDNESDAY - SANTA FE ISLAND – SANTA CRUZ ISLAND: Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre

In the morning, after breakfast, Santa Fe island will be visited, which is one of the most entertaining destinations for shore excursions in the Galapagos Islands. It has two trail choices for visitors, one of which takes you to the tallest Opuntia cactus in the Galapagos. While the other trail takes you into the highlands where land iguanas can be seen. After a long walk, the opportunity to swim in calm waters or snorkel with playful sea lions will be pretty tempting. 

In the afternoon, visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre, which is also known as Charles Darwin Research Station. This place has an information centre, a museum, a library and a tortoise breeding station. In the tortoise breeding station, you can encounter tortoises of different subspecies, which are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. The most popular inhabitant of this Station is probably the Lonesome George turtle, that already died in 2012.

THURSDAY - SOUTH PLAZA ISLAND – BARTHOLOMEW ISLAND

In the morning, South Plazas island is the next island to be discovered. It has unique Sesuvium plants and Opuntia cactuses scattered across the landscape which provide some of the most interesting wildlife observations available in Galapagos. Land iguanas are easily seen from the trail, frequently under the shade of cactuses, waiting for a prickly pear to fall. 

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 wonderful underwater world, and with a little luck, you’ll get to snorkel with penguins.

FRIDAY

FLOREANA ISLAND: Devil´s Crown /Cormorant Point - Baroness’ Lookout/ Post Office Bay

In the morning, after breakfast, the first spot to be visited is Devil´s Crown that is an underwater volcanic crater, almost covered completely by Galapagos waters. Just a small portion of the rock formation can be seen from above and it looks like a crown. The underwater world is very rich in coral reefs, abundant marine species. Birds are also part of this visitor point due to its location in open waters. Or visit Cormorant Point where you will land on a green olivine sand beach. Following a 100 meters long path you will soon reach a lagoon with flamingos. 

In the afternoon, you will visit the Baroness’ Lookout (Mirador de la Baronesa). This viewpoint is located on the north of Floreana Island. The way up and trail is very easy, steps are placed in this area for security.  Your naturalist guide will tell the murder and mystery legend of the Baroness. Or you will go to the Post Office Bay, which keeps the legendary post barrel that whalers historically used to post their mail in.

SATURDAY - SANTIAGO ISLAND: Chinese Hat – NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND

In the morning, after breakfast you will visit Chinese Hat, which is a small islet off the south coast of Santiago, with a maximum elevation of 160 feet (52 meters). Though within easy reach of Santa Cruz, Chinese Hat is typically only visited by those aboard a Galapagos Cruise.

In the afternoon, North Seymour island will be discovered. It is located slightly to the north of Baltra. It is a low, flat island, formed by submarine lava formation uplift. Covered with low, bushy vegetation, it contains the largest colony of magnificent frigate birds in the Galapagos. There is also a large population of blue-footed boobies that perform an amusing courtship dance when nesting conditions are right.

SUNDAY - SANTA CRUZ ISLAND: Black Turtle Cove – BALTRA AIRPORT

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.

After this last visit, transfer to Baltra airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.