Day 1: Thursday
Galapagos (Baltra Airport).
Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra (aprox. 2 and half hour flight). Passengers will be picked
up at the airport by our guides and taken to the pier to the M/VGalapagos Legend.
Bartolome.
Dry landing. Passengers will see volcanic formations like lava bombs, spatter, and cinder
cones. After hiking to the summit you can enjoy a great view of the surrounding islands, including Pinnacle Rock’s
eroded tuff cone. During the hike to the summit, travelers will often see colonies of marine iguanas,
lava lizards, tiquilla, and various cacti. Visitors will be able to snorkel and see the
Galapagos penguin, sea turtles, and white-tipped reef sharks from a safe distance.
Day 2: Friday
Urbina Bay (Isabela).
Wet landing. Passengers will visit the fossil beach and coral area. Depending on the season you may be
able to observe giant tortoises, land iguanas and flightless cormorants. After the walk we
will have time for snorkeling.
Fernandina (Espinosa Point).
Dry landing. Visitors will see the biggest marine iguanas mingling with sally light-foot crabs,
as well as flightless cormorants at their nesting sites, Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks,
and sea lions. Among the flora and volcanic formations observers will spot
brachycereus cactus, and "pa-hoe-hoe" lava and "AA"
lava formations. Numerous mangrove beds extend into the sea.
Day 3: Saturday
Santiago (Egas Port).
Wet landing on a dark sand beach. Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows.
You can observe hunting herons, great blue herons, lava herons, yellow crowned night herons and oyster
catchers. Passengers will see marine iguanas grazing on algae beds alongside
red sally light-foot crabs. There is a colony of fur seals swimming in deep cool-water
pools. Here you can swim and snorkel and find octopuses, sea horses, star fish.
Rábida (Jervis).
Wet landing. The volcano-formed beach is dark red and is often occupied by sea lions. It’s
considered the geographic center of Galapagos because it has the most diverse volcanic rocks on
the Islands. You’ll hike to a salt water lagoon, where flamingos can sometimes
be found. July through September is a good time to observe brown pelicans nesting in the
salty bushes. Boobies and 9 species of Darwin’s finches can also be observed. You can take a
ride along the reefs in a dinghy, as well as snorkel.
Day 4: Sunday
Santa Cruz (Charles Darwin Research Station).
Travelers will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, staffed with international scientists
conducting biological research and conservation projects. Here guests can admire the giant
tortoises that are part of the breeding program. Visitors can also admire the prickly-pear cactus
forest and many land birds. Later on, you’ll have some free time to walk around town and shop
for souvenirs.
Santa Cruz (Highlands).
Travelers can trek through the highlands of Santa Cruz and visit Cerro Chato, where they
will be able to observe the famous giant tortoises. Additionally, travelers can walk inside the dormant lava tubes.
Day 5: Monday
Santa Cruz (Bachas Beach).
Wet landing. This beach is located on the north side of Santa Cruz Island. Visitors will encounter many
sea birds, marine iguanas, sea turtles, and have the opportunity to swim on the
white-sand beach. Return to the Galapagos Legend, check out and transfer to Baltra’s airport.
Return flight to Quito via Guayaquil.