M/C Alya

AM: DARWIN BAY

Start your day surrounded by the bustling avian life of Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island, a birdwatcher’s paradise. As soon as your feet touch the sandy terrain, you’re welcomed by a symphony of seabird calls, with frigatebirds, boobies, and gulls soaring overhead or nestled in the foliage. The trail meanders through colonies of sea lions, marine iguanas, night herons, Darwin finches, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds, and more.

PM: BARRANCO

Next stop, El Barranco. Known for its fractured lava cliffs serving as the perfect dwelling for storm petrel colonies, this unique ecosystem draws a significant population of short-eared owls. A trail alongside these cliffs reveals red-footed and Nazca boobies aplenty. Resting in the shadows at the cliffs’ base, you may spot Galapagos fur seals and numerous seabirds.

AM: SANTIAGO – SULLIVAN BAY

Step back in time at Sullivan Bay, an open book to the volcanic birth of these islands. Traverse the well-preserved Pahoehoe lava field, studying its delicate, unique textures. The seemingly lifeless landscape gradually unveils a resilience of nature, with pioneer plants, lava lizards, and tiny birds emerging on careful observation. Keep your eyes on the shoreline for resident penguins, pelicans, and oystercatchers.

PM: BARTOLOME

Stand atop Bartolome Island for unparalleled views of the lunar-like landscape, punctuated by scattered volcanic cones, Pinnacle Rock, and the bay of Sullivan. Bartolome is a jewel in the Galapagos crown and home to a vibrant population of penguins.

AM: SANTIAGO – CHINESE HAT

Welcome to the perfectly symmetrical volcanic cone of Chinese Hat! Separated from Santiago by a slender channel, this idyllic islet is framed by turquoise waters, coral sand beaches, and dark lava rocks – an unexpected haven for penguins. A shore trail brings you up close to a small colony of sea lions.

PM: MOSQUERA

Our afternoon destination is Mosquera, largely a barren sand bar with rocky outcrops and salt-resistant vegetation. Stroll along the beach, observing the playful antics of sea lion pups in the surf and tide pools. Keep an eye out for endemic lava gulls, often spotted in mid-flight hunting for their next meal.

AM: SANTA CRUZ – CHARLES DARWIN STATION

Spend your morning at the renowned Charles Darwin Station. As a nonprofit organization working closely with the Galapagos National Park, the station is committed to the preservation and study of the archipelago’s biodiversity. Discover the myriad initiatives underway to safeguard native species and combat invasive threats to the Galapagos ecosystem. This visit offers the unique opportunity to see giant tortoises bred in captivity.

PM: BALTRA (AIRPORT)

Your Galapagos adventure comes to an end. Today, you will be transferred to Baltra Airport, where your National Park naturalist guide will assist you with final details before your flight back to mainland Ecuador. As you bid farewell to this paradise, take with you the unforgettable memories of one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations.

AM: MORENO POINT

Commence your day at the enchanted Moreno Point. The extensive lava fields may first appear lifeless, but within its borders lie scattered brackish lagoons teeming with life such as flamingos, gallinules, ducks, and herons. Along the coast, keep an eye out for penguins, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies, sea lions, oystercatchers, and other shore birds.

PM: ELIZABETH BAY

Elizabeth Bay, your afternoon stop, is a sheltered bay encircled by towering mangroves and barren lava fields. There are no trails here, so you’ll undertake a dinghy tour to explore the teeming channels, pools, and coves. This location is one of the finest to observe Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies, pelicans, rays, and sea turtles.

AM: ISABELA – URBINA BAY

Urbina Bay, known for its dramatic uplift during the 1950s, awaits your visit in the morning. As you traverse the trail, observe small shells and corals, indicators that this area was submerged just over sixty years ago. Here you can encounter land iguanas and, during certain seasons, giant tortoises. Galapagos hawks nest in the area, often seen soaring or perched on trees.

PM: FERNANDINA – ESPINOZA POINT

Espinoza Point is a National Park gem located at the base of an imposing volcano (the most active in the Galapagos islands). Upon landing, be greeted by hundreds of marine iguanas in the largest colony for the species. Also present are sea lions, flightless cormorants, herons, pelicans, oystercatchers, sea turtles, shorebirds, and more. Look to the mangroves where Galapagos hawks often perch, on the lookout for prey.

AM: TAGUS COVE

Tagus Cove, a location visited by Charles Darwin during his Galapagos exploration, offers a dry Palo Santo forest where Darwin finches and mockingbirds reside. Take in the marvelous views of Darwin’s Lake and the grand volcanos of northern Isabela. A boat tour along the coast will reveal penguins, cormorants, marine iguanas, and the Galapagos martin, an endangered endemic species.

PM: VICENTE ROCA POINT

Vicente Roca Point, surrounded by some of the tallest cliffs in the Galapagos, is ideal for observing breathtaking landscapes and interesting volcanic features. A dinghy tour will offer closer views of pelicans, flightless cormorants, sea turtles, boobies, Galapagos fur seals, and marine iguanas. Whales and dolphins also frequent the area.

AM: ESPUMILLA BEACH

Discover the beauty of Espumilla Beach, a long stretch of rusty-brown sand on Santiago’s northern coast. Surrounded by dense mangroves and a captivating dry forest, it is home to various bird species, including the Galapagos hawk, finches, mockingbirds, and doves. During the rainy season, the salt pan bursts with life as flamingos and ducks wade through the shallow waters. This destination blends stunning landscapes with rich biodiversity, making it a perfect spot for birdwatching and nature immersion.

PM: EGAS PORT

Puerto Egas is a fascinating destination where history and wildlife intertwine. While there is no actual port, remnants of 1960s colonization attempts still stand. The coastal trail is teeming with marine iguanas basking in the sun and sea lions resting on the rocks. Herons, oystercatchers, and shorebirds complete this thriving ecosystem. Towards the end of the trail, the grottos are home to a small colony of the elusive Galapagos fur seal. Additionally, land iguanas were reintroduced to the island in 2019 after over a century of absence.

AM: SANTA CRUZ – BACHAS

End your Galapagos adventure at Bachas Beach, a key sea turtle nesting site from November to May. At low tide, remnants of WWII barges emerge from the white sand. Explore its saltwater lagoons, home to flamingos, herons, and aquatic birds. After this final stop, transfer to the airport for your flight back to the mainland, concluding an unforgettable journey.

PM: BALTRA (AIRPORT)

Your Galapagos adventure comes to an end. Today, you will be transferred to Baltra Airport, where your National Park naturalist guide will assist you with final details before your flight back to mainland Ecuador. As you bid farewell to this paradise, take with you the unforgettable memories of one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations.

AM: PLAZAS

Discover the richness of South Plazas, where land iguanas feed on prickly-pear cacti and playful sea lion pups frolic in tide pools. Walk along the cliff trail and witness the flurry of sea birds such as frigatebirds, red-billed tropicbirds, boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and pelicans.

PM: SANTA FE

Explore the cactus-strewn, lava-rock landscapes of Santa Fe. See sea lions basking in the white sand beaches, and keep an eye out for Galapagos hawks, Darwin finches, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds and lava lizards.

AM: INTERPRETATION CENTER/ KICKER ROCK

Located near Puerto Baquerizo, this center explores Galapagos’ human history, from early Spanish explorers to Charles Darwin. Learn about the struggles of the first settlers in this remote and harsh environment.

PM: LOBOS ISLAND

Witness the bustling wildlife of Lobos Island, home to large groups of sea lions, male frigatebirds, and blue-footed boobies.

AM: GARDNER BAY

Gardner Bay, located on Española Island, boasts one of the most stunning beaches in the Galapagos. Its soft coral sand and crystal-clear waters create a paradise-like setting, perfect for relaxation and exploration. As you stroll along the shore, spot curious Española mockingbirds, marine iguanas basking in the sun, and Galapagos hawks soaring overhead in search of prey. This natural sanctuary is also home to playful sea lions, making for an unforgettable wildlife experience in a pristine, breathtaking environment.

PM: SUAREZ POINT

Experience an awe-inspiring nature walk at Suarez Point. Encounter sea lions, marine iguanas, and large colonies of sea birds, and from April to January, catch a sight of the waved albatross, the largest bird on the islands.

AM: CORMORANT POINT / DEVIL´S CROWN

Venture into Punta Cormorant, famous for its large coastal lagoon inhabited by American flamingoes, white-cheeked pintails, black-necked stilts and other shorebirds.

PM: ALIERI HILL

Alieri Hill is a haven for nature enthusiasts offering a spectacular blend of endemic plants and breathtaking views. This volcanic terrain nurtures unique flora found only in the Galapagos. As you explore the trails, keep an eye out for yellow warblers, flycatchers, and the iconic Darwin finches, whose diversity contributed to the theory of evolution. From the hilltop, take in the sweeping views of the northern coast, where the deep blue ocean meets the untouched landscapes of the island.

AM: SANTA CRUZ – HIGHLANDS

Embark on a highlands adventure, either from Baltra or Puerto Ayora. A bus journey brings you to the verdant highland forests, home to Galapagos Giant tortoises. You’ll find these impressive creatures, weighing up to 300 kg/600 lbs, casually grazing or lounging in freshwater ponds. The highlands also host a variety of bird species seldom seen in the lowlands. Depending on your itinerary, explore a lava tunnel and delve into the geological history of these volcanic islands.

PM: RETURN AT BALTRA AIRPORT

Your Galapagos adventure comes to an end. Today, you will be transferred to Baltra Airport, where your National Park naturalist guide will assist you with final details before your flight back to mainland Ecuador. As you bid farewell to this paradise, take with you the unforgettable memories of one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations.