GALAXY

Dimensions

• Length: 35 mts / 114.82 ft
• Beam: 7.60 mts / 24.93 ft

Performance

• Cruising speed: 12 knots
• Capacity: 16 passengers
• Crew: 8 members + 1 bilingual guide

Operation and consumption

• Engines: 2 350 HP
• Electric power: 110V and 220V

Salvage and  Secury Equipment

• 6 lifebuoys 
• 2 survival rafts for 15 passengers each.
• 30 life jackets for passengers
• 20 life jackets for crew
• Flare gun, hand lights,smoke signals and other SOS visual signals.
• Fire detectors and complete fire
• protection system. Fire hoses
• CO2 extinguishers. Fire suits
• External automated debrillator

Social areas

• Dinning room
• Lounge
• Sundeck

Cabin Facilities

• Convertible beds.  Spacious closets.
• Personalized air conditioning
• Drawer and writing desk

INCLUDED

• Airport assistance
• Transfers in Galapagos
• Accommodations in double cabin
• All meals during the cruise
• Naturalist Bilingual Guide
• All visits & excursions according to the itinerary
• Snorkel Gear (mask, tube and fins). Kayaks
• Unlimited purified wáter, coffee and tea
• Wetsuit, soft drinks, beach towels

  NOT INCLUDED

• Local flight to/from Galapagos
• Galapagos National Park Entrance fee
• Galapagos Transit card
• Alcoholic drinks
• Tips
• Local taxes
• Travel insurance
• Service do not specified

  *The vessel itinerary is subject to change without previous notice, due to weather condition or Galapagos National Park regulations.

ITINERARY A – SOUTHERN ROUTE Day 1 - Tuesday: San Cristobal Airport – Lobos Island Day 2 - Wednesday: Gardner Bay – Suarez Point Day 3 - Thursday: Post Office Bay – Cormorant Point / Devil´s Crown Day 4 - Friday: Santa Fe – Plazas Day 5 - Saturday: Charles Darwin Station – Baltra Airport   DETAILED ITINERARY DAY 1 - TUESDAY: SAN CRISTOBAL AIRPORT – LOBOS ISLAND   AM: SAN CRISTOBAL AIRPORT Departure to the Galapagos Islands, arrival at San Cristobal airport, where our naturalist guide of the National Park will be waiting for you.   PM: LOBOS ISLAND Lobos island is a small islet separated from San Cristobal by a narrow channel, forming a sheltered bay where sea lion pups play in tidal pools. Despite its small size, the island is surprisingly packed with wildlife, especially with “lobos marinos”, the Spanish name for sea lions. Groups of sea lions will welcome you at the landing spot, but as you walk a few steps inland, male frigatebirds displaying their inflated red balloons will be perched on the bushes and trees. A small colony of blue footed boobies, which often nest right on the trail, will give you the opportunity to observe their famous courtship dance. Trail: 0,6 km / 0,4 mi   Snorkel: This is a great snorkeling location as the water are usually calm and the sea lions often play with divers to show off their swimming skills. Sea turtles and rays are often seen resting in the sandy bottoms.   Meals: Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Yacht Galaxy DAY 2 - WEDNESDAY: ESPAÑOLA ISLAND   AM: GARDNER BAY Gardner beach is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and interesting beaches to visit in the Galapagos. Its fine coral sand and turquoise water give it a totally tropical appearance, which contrasts with the presence of sea lions basking in the beach. You will have the opportunity to walk along the beach and learn about the biology of sea lions and other endemic species, such as the Española mockingbird, marine iguanas and Galapagos hawks.  Trail: 0,8 km / 0,5 mi   Snorkel: There are several great snorkeling places at Gardner bay. It is a fantastic site to swim with sea lions, reef sharks, rays and many species of fish, including; Angelfish, Parrotfish, Damselfish, Surgeonfish and many others.   PM: SUAREZ POINT This rocky trail is one the most amazing nature walks you can do in the Galapagos islands.  From the moment you set foot on the island and all the way along the trail the amount and diversity of fauna is truly amazing. Sea lions and marine iguanas will be the first ones welcoming us, followed by large colonies of sea birds, including Nazca and Blue-footed boobies, gulls and tropicbirds. At the end of the trail we will visit a colony of waved albatross (April to January), the largest bird in the islands and one of the most interesting because of its powerful flight and elaborate courtship. Waved albatross only nest at Española, so this is the only place where you will see them at close range. Trail: 1,7 km / 1,1 mi   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Yacht Galaxy DAY 3 - THURSDAY: FLOREANA ISLAND   AM: POST OFFICE BAY Floreana is famous for the tales of German settlers and the baroness during the late 1920’s and 30 ‘s.  Unsolved mysteries are the ingredients of this fascinating story. Post office bay was often used by whalers to anchor their ships and go up to the highlands to get freshwater and tortoises. A system of mail was established more than 200 years ago: a barrel near the beach became the way to leave messages to other ships and also to the outside world. This system is still in use and will allow you to send postcards from the Galapagos to the outside world.  Aside from a small beautiful beach, the area is great for dinghy tours to look for sea lions, green sea turtles.  Trail: 0,7 m / 0,4 mi   Snorkel: There is great snorkel from the beach, as you can see lots of sea turtles, rays, great diversity of fish and, if you are really lucky, Galapagos penguin,   PM: CORMORANT POINT / DEVIL´S CROWN Punta Cormorant is located in the north of Floreana and it is known for its large coastal lagoon with flamingoes, white-cheeked pintails, black-necked stilts and other shorebirds. There is a beautiful white sand beach which is an important nesting ground for green sea turtles where we can also see rays and reef sharks.. This is also a great trail to look at endemic plants.  Trail: 1,6 km / 1 mi   Snorkel: It will be done at Devil’s Crown, a heavily eroded little volcano right by Floreana island. This is considered by many as one of the best snorkeling sites in the entire archipelago as the current funnels plankton through the Crown, attracting huge schools of snapper, Creole fish parrot fish, angelfish, reef sharks, sea turtles, rays and a phenomenal amount of marine life.   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Yacht Galaxy DAY 4 - FRIDAY: SANTA FE – PLAZAS ISLAND   AM: SANTA FE Giant Prickly-pear cactus and barren lava rocks surround the landing spot at Santa Fe, located inside one of the most beautiful bays in the Galapagos. Turquoise water and white sand beaches make this location a perfect home for a large colony of sea lions which you will see basking in the sand. Inland, look down for endemic Santa Fe land iguanas, but also look up for Galapagos hawks, which often perch at the top of the cactus looking for prey. Darwin finches, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds and lava lizards are also common along the trail.   Trail: 0,8 km / 0,5 mi   Snorkel: After the hike, you will have the option to kayak or snorkel in the sheltered waters inside the bay, where you can swim with sea lion pups and reef sharks. Also look for sea turtles, rays and a large variety of tropical fish including large schools of surgeonfish and parrotfish.   PM: PLAZAS ISLAND Of the two twin islands, only South Plazas is allowed to be visited, while North plazas is kept exclusively for scientific research. This is a small islet, but it packs an impressive amount of wildlife. Right after you land you will see Galapagos land iguanas waiting under prickly-pear cactus feed on their fruits. A large colony of sea lions will give you the opportunity to see playful pups enjoying the tide pools, but also large grumpy males defending their territories. The trail will take you to a cliff where you can observe many sea birds, such as frigatebirds, red-billed tropicbirds, boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and pelicans. A reddish succulent vegetation with scattered cactus covers most of the islands like a carpet, giving this island a unique personality. rail: 1,4 km / 0,8 mi   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Yacht Galaxy DAY 5 - SATURDAY: CHARLES DARWIN STATION – BALTRA AIRPORT   AM: ESTACIÓN CHARLES DARWIN The Charles Darwin Station is a nonprofit organization which has been working for decades together with the Galapagos National Park to preserve the biodiversity of these unique islands. During this visit you will learn about the projects that both institutions carry together to protect the native species and eradicate the invasive ones which are threatening the Galapagos environment. One of the most important and emblematic projects has been reproducing giant tortoises in captivity. The visit is mostly outdoors in a beautiful dry native forest with giant cactus and many other interesting native plants. It is also a fantastic place to find several endemic Darwin finches, as well as flycatchers and mockingbirds. Then, transfer to the airport to take your flight back to continental Ecuador.  Trail: 2 km / 1,2 mi    Meals: Breakfast

ITINERARY B – WESTHERN ROUTE Day 1 – Saturday: Baltra Airport – Highlands Day 2 - Sunday: Moreno Point – Elizabeth Bay Day 3 - Monday: Urbina Bay – Tagus Cove Day 4 - Tuesday: Espinoza Point – Albemarle Point Day 5 - Wednesday: Egas Port – Espumilla Beach / Buccaneer Cove Day 6  -  Thursday: Dragon Hill – Baltra Airport   DETAILED ITINERARY   DAY 1 – SATURDAY: BALTRA AIRPORT – SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS   AM: BALTRA AIRPORT Departure to the Galapagos Islands, arrival at Baltra airport, where our naturalist guide of the National Park will be waiting for you.   PM: HIGHLANDS Either if you do this visit starting from Baltra or from Puerto Ayora, a bus will take you to the highlands stopping along the way at one of the reserves to visit the lush highland forests where you will look for Galapagos Giant tortoises in their natural environment. This is the best place in the Galapagos to see these gentle giants (reaching over 300 kg / 600 pounds!) casually grazing and resting in freshwater ponds. This is also home for a great diversity of birds rarely found at the lowlands, including finches (tree, woodpecker and vegetarian finches), flycatchers and several species of water birds. You will visit a lava tunnel (depend on the itinerary) and learn how these extraordinary formations where created by ancient volcanic eruptions. Trail: 1-1,5 km / 0,6-0,9 mi   Meals: Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Yacht Galaxy DAY 2 - SUNDAY: MORENO POINT – ELIZABETH BAY   AM: MORENO POINT Moreno Point is a magical place with extensive lava fields which look lifeless at first sight. Once inland, scattered brackish lagoons form oasis of life where you can find flamingoes, gallinules, ducks and herons. Along the shore we will look for penguins, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies, sea lions, oystercatchers and other shore birds. Trail: 1,6 km / 1 mi   Snorkel: We will snorkel to see sea turtles, cormorants and many species of fish. Look carefully in the long seaweeds and you might find a sea horse.   PM: ELIZABETH BAY Elizabeth Bay is a beautiful sheltered bay surrounded by large mangroves and barren lava fields. There is no trail here so you will take a dinghy tour to explore many channels, pools and coves teeming with life. This is one of the best locations in the islands to see Galapagos penguins, but don’t expect to see thousands of them, as the entire population of the islands is only about 3.000 of them. Flightless cormorants also nest in the area and blue-footed boobies and pelicans often fish in these shallow and rich waters. Rays and sea turtles are also very abundant.   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Yacht Galaxy DAY 3 - MONDAY: URBINA BAY – TAGUS COVE   AM: URBINA BAY This place is known for the dramatic uplifting that happened here during the 1950’s. A large portion of the coast was pushed up, exposing many hectares of previously submerged land. Look carefully along the trail and you will find small shells and corals, a proof that the area was underwater more than sixty years ago. The trail will give the opportunity to see land iguanas and, during certain seasons, giant tortoises. Galapagos hawks nest in the area and are often seen flying or perched on the trees. Trail: Short trail: 1,2 km / 0,7 mi. Long Trail: 3,0 km / 1,8 mi   Snorkel: You can snorkel from the beach to see sea turtles, cormorants and penguins. Fish are also abundant in the area.   PM: TAGUS COVE Tagus cove is one of the places Charles Darwin visited during his exploration of the Galapagos islands. A trail will take you through a dry Palo Santo forests where you can see Darwin finches and mockingbirds. You will get great views of Darwin’s lake and the large volcanos of northern Isabela. A boat tour along the shore will give you chances to see penguins, cormorants, marine iguanas and a very unique species: the Galapagos martin, a small endemic bird which is one of the most endangered species on the island. Trail: 2,6 km / 1,6 mi   Snorkel: The nutrient-rich waters around Tagus Cove attracts a lot of sea turtles and a great diversity of fish, but also penguins, who feast on large schools of anchovies. It is common to see cormorants underwater as they chase fish through the reef.   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Yacht Galaxy DAY 4 - TUESDAY: ESPINOZA POINT – ALBEMARLE POINT   AM: ESPINOZA POINT Located at the base of an imposing volcano, this site is one of the jewels of the Galapagos National Park. As soon as you disembark you will be surrounded by hundreds of marine iguanas, as this is the largest colony for the species. Sea lions bask in the beaches while their pups play in tide pools. Along the shore you will see   flightless cormorants, which are restricted to the western areas of the archipelago. Surrounded by cold plankton-rich waters, Punta Espinosa is home for an array of species, including herons, pelicans, oystercatchers, sea turtles, shorebird and many more. Look up in the mangroves as Galapagos hawks often perch to look for their prey.  Trail: 1,6 km / 1 mi   Snorkel: The nutrient-rich waters around Punta Espinosa attracts great numbers and diversity of fish and sea turtles.  Seaweeds are also abundant, making this place the best for seeing marine iguanas feeding underwater.  Following a cormorant underwater as it chases fish through the reef is one on the most amazing snorkel experiences you may have on your trip.   PM: ALBEMARLE POINT This place is great for wildlife as well as an historical site. During WWII, the Americans built a radar base in order to detect the presence of Japanese war ships approaching the Galapagos. The area is barren and surrounded by endless lava fields, but along the coast you will find some of the largest marine iguanas in the islands, Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants and shorebirds.    Trail: 1,0 km / 0,6 mi Snorkel: A couple of sheltered coves offer great opportunities to snorkel to look for cormorants, penguins and many species of fish.   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Yacht Galaxy DAY 5 - WEDNESDAY: EGAS PORT – ESPUMILLA BEACH / BUCCANEER COVE   AM: EGAS PORT Despite its name, there is no “port” at Puerto Egas, but you might see a few remains of the last attempts to colonize the island during the 60’s.  The trail goes along the coastline which is rich in wildlife, with marine iguanas basking in the sun everywhere, Galapagos sea lions, herons, oystercatchers and many shorebirds. At the end of the trail an area called “the grottos” is home for a small colony of the endemic Galapagos fur seal, much more difficult to see at close range than its cousin.  As recently as 2019, land iguanas where re-introduced to the area, so look around for these impressive reptiles which where extinct from Santiago for over a century.    Trail: 2,3 km / 1,4 mi Snorkel: You can snorkel from the beach and explore an area of rocky bottoms which is excellent for fish, turtles and reef sharks. Often, sea lions are also present and are happy to interact with divers.   PM: ESPUMILLA BEACH / BUCCANEER COVE Espumilla is a beautiful 1km (0,6 mi) long beach with rusty-brown sand. It is surrounded by large mangrove trees and a native dry forest, which is home to Galapagos hawks but also a great diversity of finches, mockingbirds and doves.    This site gets its name because it was used by pirates and buccaneers during the XVII and XVIII centuries as a place to hide and get freshwater and tortoises. There is no trail, but here you will take a dinghy to look at wildlife from the small boats.  Trail: 2,3 km / 1,4 mi   Snorkel: You can snorkel in a sheltered bay which is teaming with underwater wildlife including large schools of fish (angelfish, puffers, parrotfish, snappers, grunts…) but also reek sharks, sea lions and sea turtles.   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Yacht Galaxy DAY 6  -  THURSDAY: DRAGON HILL – BALTRA AIRPORT   AM: DRAGON HILL Located in the northern coast of Santa Cruz, Dragon hill gets its name from the land iguanas that inhabit this area, the only location in the whole island of Santa Cruz where you can see this large species of reptiles. Thanks to a very successful breeding program, this population of land iguanas, which was in the brink of extinction during the 70’s and 80’s, has rapidly recovered. There is also a small salt water lagoon where we can often see flamingoes, ducks, stilts, sandpipers and other shorebirds. Then, transfer to the airport to take your flight back to continental Ecuador. Trail: 2,2 km / 1,4 mi   Snorkel: After the hike, you will have the option to snorkel in shallow sheltered water where you will see large schools of surgeonfish and parrotfish, as well as reef sharks, rays and a large diversity of tropical fish.   Meals: Breakfast

ITINERARY C – NORTHERN ROUTE Day 1 - Thursday: Baltra Airport – Black Turtle Cove Day 2 – Friday: Rabida – Chinese Hat Day 3 - Saturday: Seymour – Mosquera Day 4 - Sunday: Sullivan Bay – Bartolome Day 5 - Monday: El Barranco – Darwin Bay Day 6 - Tuesday: Interpretation Center – San Cristobal Airport   DETAILED ITINERARY   DAY 1 - THURSDAY: BALTRA AIRPORT – BLACK TURTLE COVE   AM: BALTRA AIRPORT Departure to the Galapagos Islands, arrival at Baltra airport, where our naturalist guide of the National Park will be waiting for you.   PM: BLACK TURTLE COVE Black Turtle Cove gets its name from the abundance of green see turtles, locally known as: “tortugas negras”. There is no landing here so you will be doing a boat tour on the dinghies, exploring shallow channels and small coves surrounded by beautiful mangrove forests. Reef sharks, sea turtles and several species rays inhabit this beautiful area which is considered an important mating area for turtles and a nursery for several species of sharks. Herons, pelicans and boobies are also common here as they prey in schools of anchovies.   Meals: Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Yacht Galaxy DAY 2 – FRIDAY: RABIDA – CHINESE HAT   AM: RABIDA Rábida is a small island famous for its reddish lava rocks (rich in iron) which gives it a unique look. The beach is also red and hosts a small colony of sea lions. There is a small salt water lagoon where we will see ducks and stilts and sometimes flamingoes. The trail will take you inland to get beautiful views of the beach and the lagoon. Look for Darwin finches, flycatchers and mockingbirds. In the cliffs along the coast you can find Nazca & blue-footed boobies, brown noddy, herons and the two species of sea lions: Galapagos and fur seals.  Trail:  2 km / 1,2 mi   Snorkel: You can snorkel from the beach and explore a sheltered rocky area, which is excellent for fish, sea lions and reef sharks. Look at the high diversity of small invertebrates attached to the vertical walls.   PM: CHINESE HAT This small islet is formed by a volcanic cone with a perfect symmetrical shape. It is separated from Santiago by a narrow channel forming one of the most beautiful bays in the islands. Blue-turquoise water and coral sand beaches surrounded by dark lava rocks gives this area a real tropical character, which makes even more surprising finding penguins resting in the rocks.  The trail goes along the shore, taking you through a small colony of sea lions. Trail: 1,3 km / 0,8 mi   Snorkel: When you swim in this place you will get mesmerized by the incredible colors of the fish and the sleek silhouette of reef sharks and, it is not uncommon to see a penguin darting through the water chasing anchovies like a small torpedo.   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Yacht Galaxy DAY 3 - SATURDAY: SEYMOUR – MOSQUERA   AM: SEYMOUR This island is home for large colonies of both magnificent and great frigatebirds and you can see them displaying their red balloons to attract a female. Blue-footed boobies nest in the ground and perform their famous dance in the open areas, while swallow-tailed gulls perch on the cliff edges. Land iguanas are common inland while their marine cousins bask in the rocks by the sea, close to sea lions, which often like to body surf in the waves.   Trail: 1,4 km / 0,8 mi   Snorkel: This place is a really great snorkeling location, as it has tremendous diversity and amount of fish, but also sea lions, sharks, eels, turtles, rays and many more.   PM: MOSQUERA Mosquera is mostly a barren sand bar with some rocky areas and scattered salt-resistant plants. You can walk along the beach and enjoy seeing playful sea lion pups surfing the waves and having a great time in the tide pools. Look for endemic lava gulls which are often seen flying over the beach in the search of food. Trail: There is no trail, but you can walk along a sandy area of 0,6 km / 0,4mi   Snorkel: If the waves are not too big you can snorkel at the northern tip of the island or at one of the small beaches in the sheltered side.   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Yacht Galaxy DAY 4 DAY 4 - SUNDAY: SULLIVAN BAY – BARTOLOME ISLAND   AM: SULLIVAN BAY This hike is a journey into understanding the birth of these volcanic islands. You will walk in a very well preserved flow of Pahoehoe lava, which will give you endless opportunities to see the delicate textures of these type of lavas which only appear in a few places throughout the world. At first sight the barren landscape looks completely deprived of life, but look carefully for pioneer plants, lava lizards and small birds. By the shore, you can find penguins, pelicans and oystercatchers.       Trail: 2,2 km / 1,4 mi   Snorkel: You will have the option to swim or snorkel from a coral sand beach or from the dinghies. Getting underwater is like traveling to another world: if the land is almost lifeless, the sea is teaming with life, including large schools of fish, Galapagos penguins, reef sharks, turtles and rays.   PM: BARTOLOME Bartolome is one of the most iconic places in the Galapagos and one of the few where you can see penguins without going to the remote areas of western Isabela and Fernandina. You will get great views of Pinnacle Rock, located in the northern side of the island, right next to a beautiful peach-color sand beach.  The hike to the top of the island is fantastic and will offer you incredible views of lunar landscapes with scattered volcanic cones. Trail: 1,5 km / 0,9 mi Snorkel: You will have the option to swim or snorkel from the beach. This area holds a well-deserved reputation of being one of the best snorkeling places in the Galapagos, not only because it’s clear and calm water, but also because of the presence of penguins, which are relatively easy to find while snorkeling, along with an incredible diversity of fish, colorful invertebrates, sea lions, turtles, rays and reef sharks.      Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Yacht Galaxy DAY 5 - MONDAY: GENOVESA ISLAND   AM: EL BARRANCO El Barranco is located in the southern part of Darwin Bay at Genovesa Island. The cliffs face the sea are made of very fragile fractured lava, making it the ideal place for storm petrel to build their colonies, which attracts an important population of short-eared owls preying of the nesting birds. Red footed and Nazca boobies are abundant along the trail. At the base of the cliffs you can see Galapagos fur seals resting in shaded areas, as well as several species of seabirds.  Trail: 1,2 km / 0,7 mi   Snorkel: You can snorkel along the cliffs where there are many fish and great chances of seeing sharks, rays and sea lions.   PM: DARWIN BAY Genovesa is a favorite island for birdwatchers as it is home for very large colonies of seabirds. From the minute you set foot at the beach you will be amazed by the noise of hundreds of boobies, gulls and frigatebirds flying over your heads, perched in the bushes or nesting on the sandy terrain. The trail is an ultimate wildlife experience as there are animals everywhere; sea lions and marine iguanas near the sea; night herons, lava & swallow tailed gulls, Darwin finches, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds and many more species inland. Trail: 1,2 km / 0,7 mi   Snorkel: The bay offers several places to snorkel; from deep waters along the cliffs across the bay, to shallow waters by the beach. In either case, there are many fish to see and great chances of seeing sharks, rays and sea lions.   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Yacht Galaxy DAY 6 - TUESDAY: INTERPRETATION CENTER – SAN CRISTOBAL AIRPORT   AM: INTERPRETATION CENTER Located in the outskirts of Puerto Baquerizo, this center is dedicated to the history of human presence in the Galapagos. Since the times of the early Spanish explorers to the present times, including illustrious visitors such as Charles Darwin, this permanent exhibition will take you through the dangers and struggles of the first settlers trying to survive the harsh Galapagos environment. Then, transfer to the airport to take your flight back to continental Ecuador.   Trail: 0,2 km / 650 ft   Meals: Breakfast

ITINERARY D – WESTERN ROUTE Day 1 - Saturday: Baltra Airport – Highlands Day 2 - Sunday: Moreno Point – Elizabeth Bay Day 3 - Monday: Urbina Bay – Tagus Cove Day 4 - Tuesday: Espinoza Point – Albemarle Point Day 5 - Wednesday: Egas Port – Espumilla Beach / Buccaneer Cove Day 6 - Thursday: Dragon Hill – Black Turtle Cove Day 7 - Friday: Rabida – Chinese Hat Day 8 - Saturday: Seymour – Baltra Airport   DETAILED ITINERARY   DAY 1 - SATURDAY: BALTRA AIRPORT – SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS   AM: BALTRA AIRPORT Departure to the Galapagos Islands, arrival at Baltra airport, where our naturalist guide of the National Park will be waiting for you.   PM: HIGHLANDS Either if you do this visit starting from Baltra or from Puerto Ayora, a bus will take you to the highlands stopping along the way at one of the reserves to visit the lush highland forests where you will look for Galapagos Giant tortoises in their natural environment. This is the best place in the Galapagos to see these gentle giants (reaching over 300 kg / 600 pounds!) casually grazing and resting in freshwater ponds. This is also home for a great diversity of birds rarely found at the lowlands, including finches (tree, woodpecker and vegetarian finches), flycatchers and several species of water birds. You will visit a lava tunnel (depend on the itinerary) and learn how these extraordinary formations where created by ancient volcanic eruptions.   Trail: 1-1,5 km / 0,6-0,9 mi   Meals: Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Yacht Galaxy DAY 2 - SUNDAY: MORENO POINT – ELIZABETH BAY   AM: MORENO POINT Moreno Point is a magical place with extensive lava fields which look lifeless at first sight. Once inland, scattered brackish lagoons form oasis of life where you can find flamingoes, gallinules, ducks and herons. Along the shore we will look for penguins, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies, sea lions, oystercatchers and other shore birds.  Trail: 1,6 km / 1 mi   Snorkel: We will snorkel to see sea turtles, cormorants and many species of fish. Look carefully in the long seaweeds and you might find a sea horse.   PM: ELIZABETH BAY Elizabeth Bay is a beautiful sheltered bay surrounded by large mangroves and barren lava fields. There is no trail here so you will take a dinghy tour to explore many channels, pools and coves teeming with life. This is one of the best locations in the islands to see Galapagos penguins, but don’t expect to see thousands of them, as the entire population of the islands is only about 3.000 of them. Flightless cormorants also nest in the area and blue-footed boobies and pelicans often fish in these shallow and rich waters. Rays and sea turtles are also very abundant.   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Yacht Galaxy   DAY 3 - MONDAY: URBINA BAY – TAGUS COVE   AM: URBINA BAY This place is known for the dramatic uplifting that happened here during the 1950’s. A large portion of the coast was pushed up, exposing many hectares of previously submerged land. Look carefully along the trail and you will find small shells and corals, a proof that the area was underwater more than sixty years ago. The trail will give the opportunity to see land iguanas and, during certain seasons, giant tortoises. Galapagos hawks nest in the area and are often seen flying or perched on the trees. Trail: Short trail: 1,2 km / 0,7 mi. Long Trail: 3,0 km / 1,8 mi   Snorkel: You can snorkel from the beach to see sea turtles, cormorants and penguins. Fish are also abundant in the area.   PM: TAGUS COVE Tagus cove is one of the places Charles Darwin visited during his exploration of the Galapagos islands. A trail will take you through a dry Palo Santo forests where you can see Darwin finches and mockingbirds. You will get great views of Darwin’s lake and the large volcanos of northern Isabela. A boat tour along the shore will give you chances to see penguins, cormorants, marine iguanas and a very unique species: the Galapagos martin, a small endemic bird which is one of the most endangered species on the island.  Trail: 2,6 km / 1,6 mi   Snorkel: The nutrient-rich waters around Tagus Cove attracts a lot of sea turtles and a great diversity of fish, but also penguins, who feast on large schools of anchovies. It is common to see cormorants underwater as they chase fish through the reef.   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Yacht Galaxy DAY 4 - TUESDAY: ESPINOZA POINT – ALBEMARLE POINT   AM: ESPINOZA POINT Located at the base of an imposing volcano (the most active in the Galapagos islands) this site is one of the jewels of the Galapagos National Park. As soon as you disembark you will be surrounded by hundreds of marine iguanas, as this is the largest colony for the species. Sea lions bask in the beaches while their pups play in tide pools. Along the shore you will see   flightless cormorants, which are restricted to the western areas of the archipelago. Surrounded by cold plankton-rich waters, Punta Espinosa is home for an array of species, including herons, pelicans, oystercatchers, sea turtles, shorebird and many more. Look up in the mangroves as Galapagos hawks often perch to look for their prey.  Trail: 1,6 km / 1 mi   Snorkel: The nutrient-rich waters around Punta Espinosa attracts great numbers and diversity of fish and sea turtles.  Seaweeds are also abundant, making this place the best for seeing marine iguanas feeding underwater.  Following a cormorant underwater as it chases fish through the reef is one on the most amazing snorkel experiences you may have on your trip.   PM: ALBEMARLE POINT This place is great for wildlife as well as an historical site. During WWII, the Americans built a radar base in order to detect the presence of Japanese war ships approaching the Galapagos. The area is barren and surrounded by endless lava fields, but along the coast you will find some of the largest marine iguanas in the islands.  Trail: 1,0 km / 0,6 mi   Snorkel: A couple of sheltered coves offer great opportunities to snorkel to look for cormorants, penguins and many species of fish.   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Yacht Galaxy DAY 5 - WEDNESDAY: EGAS PORT – ESPUMILLA BEACH / BUCCANEER COVE   AM: EGAS PORT The trail goes along the coastline which is rich in wildlife, with marine iguanas basking in the sun everywhere, Galapagos sea lions, herons, oystercatchers and many shorebirds. At the end of the trail an area called “the grottos” is home for a small colony of the endemic Galapagos fur seal, much more difficult to see at close range than its cousin.  As recently as 2019, land iguanas where re-introduced to the area, so look around for these impressive reptiles which where extinct from Santiago for over a century.   Trail: 2,3 km / 1,4 mi   Snorkel: You can snorkel from the beach and explore an area of rocky bottoms which is excellent for fish, turtles and reef sharks. Often, sea lions are also present.   PM: ESPUMILLA BEACH / BUCCANEER COVE Espumilla is a beautiful 1km (0,6 mi) long beach with rusty-brown sand, located in the northern coast of Santiago. It is surrounded by large mangrove trees and a native dry forest, which is home to Galapagos hawks but also a great diversity of finches, mockingbirds and doves. Trail: 2,3 km/1,4 mi    This site gets its name because it was used by pirates and buccaneers during the XVII and XVIII centuries as a place to hide and get freshwater and tortoises. The place is very scenic with beautiful cliffs and interesting rock formations. There is no trail, but here you will take a dinghy to look at wildlife from the small boats.   Snorkel: You can snorkel in a sheltered bay which is teaming with underwater wildlife including large schools of fish (angelfish, puffers, parrotfish, snappers, grunts…) but also reek sharks, sea lions and sea turtles.   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Yacht Galaxy DAY 6 - THURSDAY: DRAGON HILL – BLACK TURTLE COVE   AM: DRAGON HILL Located in the northern coast of Santa Cruz, Dragon hill gets its name from the land iguanas that inhabit this area, the only location in the whole island of Santa Cruz where you can see this large species of reptiles. Thanks to a very successful breeding program, this population of land iguanas, which was in the brink of extinction during the 70’s and 80’s, has rapidly recovered. There is also a small salt water lagoon where we can often see flamingoes, ducks, stilts, sandpipers and other shorebirds. Trail: 2,2 km / 1,4 mi   Snorkel: After the hike, you will have the option to snorkel in shallow sheltered water where you will see large schools of surgeonfish and parrotfish, as well as reef sharks, rays and a large diversity of tropical fish.   PM: BLACK TURTLE COVE Black Turtle Cove gets its name from the abundance of green see turtles, locally known as: “tortugas negras”. There is no landing here so you will be doing a boat tour on the dinghies, exploring shallow channels and small coves surrounded by beautiful mangrove forests. Reef sharks, sea turtles and several species rays inhabit this beautiful area which is considered an important mating area for turtles and a nursery for several species of sharks. Herons, pelicans and boobies are also common here as they prey in schools of anchovies.   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Yacht Galaxy DAY 7 - FRIDAY: RABIDA – CHINESE HAT   AM: RABIDA Rábida is a small island famous for its reddish lava rocks (rich in iron) which gives it a unique look. The beach is also red and hosts a small colony of sea lions. There is a small salt water lagoon where we will see ducks and stilts and sometimes flamingoes. The trail will take you inland to get beautiful views of the beach and the lagoon. Look for Darwin finches, flycatchers and mockingbirds. In the cliffs along the coast you can find Nazca & blue-footed boobies, brown noddy, herons and the two species of sea lions: Galapagos and fur seals. Trail:  2 km / 1,2 mi   Snorkel: You can snorkel from the beach and explore a sheltered rocky area, which is excellent for fish, sea lions and reef sharks. Look at the high diversity of small invertebrates attached to the vertical walls.   PM: CHINESE HAT This small islet is formed by a volcanic cone with a perfect symmetrical shape. It is separated from Santiago by a narrow channel forming one of the most beautiful bays in the islands. Blue-turquoise water and coral sand beaches surrounded by dark lava rocks gives this area a real tropical character, which makes even more surprising finding penguins resting in the rocks.  The trail goes along the shore, taking you through a small colony of sea lions.  Trail: 1,3 km / 0,8 mi   Snorkel: When you swim in this place you will get mesmerized by the incredible colors of the fish and the sleek silhouette of reef sharks and, it is not uncommon to see a penguin darting through the water chasing anchovies like a small torpedo.   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Yacht Galaxy DAY 8 - SATURDAY: SEYMOUR – BALTRA AIRPORT   AM: SEYMOUR This island is home for large colonies of both magnificent and great frigatebirds and you can see them displaying their red balloons to attract a female. Blue-footed boobies nest in the ground and perform their famous dance in the open areas, while swallow-tailed gulls perch on the cliff edges. Land iguanas are common inland while their marine cousins bask in the rocks by the sea, close to sea lions, which often like to body surf in the waves.  Trail: 1,4 km / 0,8 mi   Snorkel: This place is a really great snorkeling location, as it has tremendous diversity and amount of fish, but also sea lions, sharks, eels, turtles, rays and many more.   Then, transfer to the airport to take your flight back to continental Ecuador.   Meals: Breakfast

ITINERARY E – NORTHERN ROUTE Day 1 – Saturday: Baltra Airport – Mosquera Day 2 - Sunday: Sullivan Bay – Bartolome Day 3 - Monday: El Barranco – Darwin Bay Day 4 - Tuesday: Interpretation Center – San Cristobal Airport   DETAILED ITINERARY   DAY 1 – SATURDAY: BALTRA AIRPORT – MOSQUERA   AM: BALTRA AIRPORT Departure to the Galapagos Islands, arrival at Baltra airport, where our naturalist guide of the National Park will be waiting for you.   PM: MOSQUERA Mosquera is mostly a barren sand bar with some rocky areas and scattered salt-resistant plants. You can walk along the beach and enjoy seeing playful sea lion pups surfing the waves and having a great time in the tide pools. Look for endemic lava gulls which are often seen flying over the beach in the search of food.   Trail: There is no trail, but you can walk along a sandy area of 0,6 km / 0,4mi   Snorkel: If the waves are not too big you can snorkel at the northern tip of the island or at one of the small beaches in the sheltered side.   Meals: Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Yacht Galaxy DAY 2 - SUNDAY: SULLIVAN BAY – BARTOLOME ISLAND   AM: SULLIVAN BAY This hike is a journey into understanding the birth of these volcanic islands. You will walk in a very well preserved flow of Pahoehoe lava, which will give you endless opportunities to see the delicate textures of these type of lavas which only appear in a few places throughout the world. At first sight the barren landscape looks completely deprived of life, but look carefully for pioneer plants, lava lizards and small birds. By the shore, you can find penguins, pelicans and oystercatchers.  Trail: 2,2 km / 1,4 mi   Snorkel: You will have the option to swim or snorkel from a coral sand beach or from the dinghies. Getting underwater is like traveling to another world: if the land is almost lifeless, the sea is teaming with life, including large schools of fish, Galapagos penguins, reef sharks, turtles and rays.   PM: BARTOLOME Bartolome is one of the most iconic places in the Galapagos and one of the few where you can see penguins without going to the remote areas of western Isabela and Fernandina. You will get great views of Pinnacle Rock, located in the northern side of the island, right next to a beautiful peach-color sand beach. The hike to the top of the island is fantastic and will offer you incredible views of lunar landscapes with scattered volcanic cones. Trail: 1,5 km / 0,9 mi   Snorkel: This area holds a well-deserved reputation of being one of the best snorkeling places in the Galapagos, not only because it’s clear and calm water, but also because of the presence of penguins, which are relatively easy to find while snorkeling, along with an incredible diversity of fish, colorful invertebrates, sea lions, turtles, rays and reef sharks.   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Yacht Galaxy DAY 3 - MONDAY: GENOVESA ISLAND   AM: EL BARRANCO El Barranco is located in the southern part of Darwin Bay at Genovesa Island. The cliffs face the sea are made of very fragile fractured lava, making it the ideal place for storm petrel to build their colonies, which attracts an important population of short-eared owls preying of the nesting birds. Red footed and Nazca boobies are abundant along the trail. At the base of the cliffs you can see Galapagos fur seals resting in shaded areas, as well as several species of seabirds.   Trail: 1,2 km / 0,7 mi   Snorkel: You can snorkel along the cliffs where there are many fish and great chances of seeing sharks, rays and sea lions.   PM: DARWIN BAY Genovesa is a favorite island for birdwatchers as it is home for very large colonies of seabirds. From the minute you set foot at the beach you will be amazed by the noise of hundreds of boobies, gulls and frigatebirds flying over your heads, perched in the bushes or nesting on the sandy terrain. The trail is an ultimate wildlife experience as there are animals everywhere; sea lions and marine iguanas near the sea; night herons, lava & swallow tailed gulls, Darwin finches, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds and many more species inland.   Trail: 1,2 km / 0,7 mi   Snorkel: The bay offers several places to snorkel; from deep waters along the cliffs across the bay, to shallow waters by the beach. In either case, there are many fish to see and great chances of seeing sharks, rays and sea lions.   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Yacht Galaxy DAY 4 - TUESDAY: INTERPRETATION CENTER – SAN CRISTOBAL AIRPORT   AM: INTERPRETATION CENTER Located in the outskirts of Puerto Baquerizo, this center is dedicated to the history of human presence in the Galapagos. Since the times of the early Spanish explorers to the present times, including illustrious visitors such as Charles Darwin, this permanent exhibition will take you through the dangers and struggles of the first settlers trying to survive the harsh Galapagos environment. Then, transfer to the airport to take your flight back to continental Ecuador.   Trail: 0,2 km / 650 ft   Meals: Breakfast