Solaris Itinerary

Itinerary A - 6N

Day 1: Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, a check-up is carried out first, to ensure that no foreign plant or animal species are introduced on the islands. Furthermore, your TCC (Transit Control Card) is stamped; this must be kept safe during your trip, as it has to be presented again on your return flight. In addition, entrance to the Galapagos National Park is due for entry, if this has not yet been paid. Your guide will meet you at the airport, assist you with the luggage and accompany you on the short bus ride to the harbour of Puerto Ayora. Here you will climb aboard the yacht San Solaris. After greeting the crew and the captain, your cabins will be assigned to you and then you will enjoy your first lunch on board. 

In the afternoon, we will visit two small beaches located in Turtle Cove, Santa Cruz. Their sand consists of decomposed corals, which makes it white and soft. This makes it the favourite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there are small water lagoons, where flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilt birds and rainbows, can occasionally be spotted. On the second beach, which is the wider one, you can explore the remains of two abandoned warships. In the Second World War these were left by the US, as the island of Baltra was used as a strategic point for the protection of the Panama Canal. 

Day 2: Just outside the harbour of Puerto Villamil a group of islets protrude just above the ocean. This morning, we will explore these jagged black formations, dotted with mangrove and candelabra cactus, where a variety of marine life can be found, including whitetip reef sharks. Sometimes turtles and elegant white-spotted eagle rays or golden rays glide back and forth through this calm channel, as well as smaller fish and Galapagos sea lions. Also, this is where the largest species of marine iguanas reproduce. 

After lunch on board, you will visit the local tortoise breeding centre, where you can see hundreds of giant Galapagos tortoises of all sizes. In Puerto Villamil and the surrounding wetlands there is the historical ‘Wall of tears’, where prisoners were punished and forced to build this long wall of lava rocks. Also, you might have the chance to see American flamingos. At the end of the afternoon you will have some free time to explore the village and its beach. 

Day 3: We will be heading to Punta Moreno, on the north coast of Isabela Island. Here, a trail leads along the lava river to a complex of several coastal lagoons. The main attraction are various bird species which can be found in lakes and mangrove forests. Back on board, we will enter the Bolivar Channel to Tagus Cove, while you enjoy the delicious lunch buffet. Once at Tagus Cove, you can enjoy snorkelling and hiking along the edge of Darwin Lake.

Day 4: This morning we will visit Espinoza Point, Fernandina. The highlight here is the flightless cormorant that lives exclusively in the remote west of Galapagos. Whilst having lunch we will cross the Bolivar Channel for the last time to Vicente Roca Point. While entering a dark cave below a spectacular arch, roaring echoes of the waves will accompany you. Just around the corner the collapsed amphitheatre of Volcan Ecuador offers another impressive view. The calmer waters of the coves are well-protected against the ocean swell and are a fairly cold, but great place for snorkelling amongst various species of shark, penguins, pufferfish and even seahorses. 

Day 5: Espumilla Beach is a visitor’s site at the northern end of James Bay, on the western coast of Santiago. This beach has been revived as an important breeding site for turtles. The turtles return year after year to bury their eggs into the cinnamon coloured sand dunes. Climbing the hill, you will be rewarded with a beautiful overview of the transitions from sea into beach into mangrove into dry palo santo forest. At lunchtime we will navigate south to Puerto Egas with its famous fur seal grottos, where you will enjoy another, very different guided walk along the coastline. Its masterly sculptured coastline of black basalts and polished multi-coloured ash-layers forms a photogenic scene with collapsed lava tunnels, natural arches, caves and blowholes.

Day 6: After a ‘wet landing’ on the remarkable red beach of Rabida, there are two short guided hikes. The beach wall holds a shallow green-fringed lagoon; this oasis is the most fertile place on the otherwise arid islet, which is overgrown with leaf-dropping palo santo trees. The salty pool attracts all kinds of aquatic birds, like pintails and sometimes American flamingos. Between the evergreen foliage of the surrounding mangrove bushes many species of songbirds hide and breed. One of the most outstanding attractions is the major breeding colony of brown pelicans, the only ones in the world that plunge-dive. On return you will be picked up by the inflatable dinghies, to get ready for snorkelling. 

In the afternoon, we will visit Chinese Hat, off the coast of Santiago, where a small colony of Galapagos penguins has settled. This is an excellent place to learn more about volcanism, lava bombs and lava tunnels. 

Day 7: Our dinghies will bring you to the pier of Puerto Ayora, from where you will be brought to the Charles Darwin Research Station. This is where biological research and indispensable conservation management of this unique archipelago are carried out. The most memorable part of your visit will probably be the successful breeding centre and the enclosures with Galapagos giant tortoises.

After that, it is time to say goodbye to the Galapagos. Assisted by the naturalist guide and some crew members, the dinghy will bring you and your luggage to the pier, where you will take the shuttle back to the airport. In case you have booked your trip for a longer stay with us, we would be welcoming any potential new fellow passengers to the yacht, and continue our trip to the next visiting site.

Sample itineraries are for guidance only. Actual itineraries may differ slightly due to factors such as weather, wildlife, logistics and local regulations.