- Navigate around Kicker Rock, one of the most photogenic landmarks
- Meet the fearless Galápagos mockingbirds at Gardner Bay
- See the rare waved albatross at Suarez Point
- Santa Fe is home to two species endemic to the island
- South Plaza is known for its spectacular landscapes
- Beautiful and elegant flamingos at Cormorant Point
- Climb the many steps of the Bartolomé Peak Trail for panoramic views
- Check the mail at Post Office Bay and gaze out over Baroness Lookout
DAY 1:
AM – Boarding
Arrival at Baltra airport and transfer to the yacht.
PM – Cerro Dragón/Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz Island.
Some say the rocky hill got its name because it’s shaped like a dragon, others say it’s because there are so many land iguanas along the trail. Either way, Dragon Hill is a fun hike along a dusty trail winding through cacti and Palo Santo trees. Look for birds, including flycatchers, warblers and flamingos and pintail ducks in the salty lagoons. This visit is followed by the opportunity to snorkel offshore.
DAY 2:
AM – Leon Dormido/Kicker Rock, off San Cristobal Island.
No one seems to be able to agree on what Kicker Rock looks like. This distinctive rock formation off the coast of San Cristobal island is called León Dormido, or “Sleeping Lion” in Spanish, but “Kicker Rock” in English. Depending on how you squint at it, it can be seen as vaguely shaped like a lion or a boot. As one of the archipelago’s most iconic features, we sail around it for some incredible photographic opportunities. Lucky visitors may even get a glimpse of rays and sharks swimming just below the surface.
AM – Cerro Brujo/Witch Hill, San Cristobal Island.
“Witch Hill” gets its name from the “pájaro brujo,” or witch bird, better known in English as the Vermilion Flycatcher. The site bewitches visitors even without the little red birds: it consists of a white coral sand beach perfect for playing in the sand, kayaking or snorkelling. It is possible to snorkel or kayak in the gentle surf off the beach. Panga rides take guests past some interesting rock formations along the island shore.
PM – Isla Lobos/Sea Lion Island, off San Cristobal Island.
“Sea Lion Island” lives up to its name! One of the best snorkelling spots in the Galapagos, Isla Lobos is a long islet parallel to the coast of San Cristobal Island, creating a calm channel perfect for beginner snorkelers. The island is home to a large colony of sea lions who sometimes splash into the water and frolic with swimmers and snorkelers. It’s also a great place to practise your kayak skills if you’re rusty!
DAY 3:
AM – Bahía Gardner/Gardner Bay, Española Island.
One of only two sites on spectacular Española island where visitors are allowed to land, Gardner Bay is a gorgeous white-sand beach where guests can lounge and get some sunshine alongside sleeping sea lions. There isn’t much wildlife (crabs and marine iguanas are common, as are some wading birds) but it’s one of the best beaches in Galapagos! Those who have not had their fill of snorkelling earlier in the morning can putter around in the gentle surf off the beach.
AM – Islote Osborn, Islote Gardner/Osborn and Gardner Islets, off of Española Island.
One of the best snorkelling spots in all of Galapagos, Osborn Islet is known for tranquil waters and abundant sea life. Sea lions frolic with snorkelers while brilliantly colourful parrot fish nip at the coral on the sea bed. Nearby, Gardner Islet is also home to a sea lion colony. These islets are close to one another and guides may decide to go to one or the other depending on conditions.
PM – Punta Suarez/Suarez Point, Española Island.
An amazing visitor site, Punta Suarez is the personal favourite of many veteran Galapagos guides. It is the only place in all of the islands where visitors can reliably expect to see the majestic Waved Albatross. The albatrosses migrate away from Española between January and April, but are there for the rest of the year. Suarez Point is also home to Nazca Boobys, Blue-footed Boobys, Red-billed Tropic Birds, marine iguanas, mockingbirds and more.
DAY 4:
Wednesday: AM Visit: Isla Santa Fe/Santa Fe Island.
Santa Fe is a small island, but it has a memorable trail which winds its way through a forest of tall, prickly cacti. The cacti are the preferred food of a booming population of endemic Land Iguanas. The Santa Fe rice rat, one of the few mammals native to the islands, is also found there, although the elusive rodent is seldom seen by visitors. The native population of giant tortoises on Santa Fe was wiped out by whalers over a century ago, but in 2015 some Española tortoises were released onto the island. It is possible to go snorkelling and kayaking off of the island after the hike.
PM – Charles Darwin Station/Fausto Llerena Breeding Center/ Santa Cruz Highlands.
The Fausto Llerena Breeding Center was home to Lonesome George, the world-famous giant Galapagos tortoise. Unfortunately, he was the last known tortoise of his species, and when he passed away, his species went extinct. The purpose of the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center is to prevent that from happening again, and today it is home to many baby tortoises from several different species of giant tortoises. Dedicated park rangers and scientists keep these young reptiles in captivity for research and conservation, but once the tortoises have grown enough, they are released into the wild. This must-stop visit will enrich your knowledge of Galapagos endemic wildlife and all of the efforts and programs that the Charles Darwin foundation has launched to keep these amazing animals alive in their natural habitat.
After visiting the Charles Darwin station, we will continue to the verdant highlands of Santa Cruz to see the giant tortoises in the wild. These amazing reptiles is where the name of the archipelago comes from. Enjoy the quiet beauty of these gentle giants, and keep an eye out for a wide variety of endemic birds, as well! To wrap up our visit, we’ll visit some fascinating lava tunnels to better understand how the islands were formed. This is a fun adventure that adds a flourish to the end of our day! After the visits, we will return to the Endemic for a delicious dinner.
DAY 5:
AM – Plaza Sur/South Plaza Island.
A low, rocky island populated by cacti and a healthy population of land iguanas, South Plaza Island is always a favourite among visitors to Galapagos. The island is home to the sesuvium plant, which is bright red at certain times of the year. This gives the site an otherworldly look and makes it one of the most picturesque sites in the islands. As you hike, look for boobies diving for fish offshore!
PM – Bartolomé/Bartholomew Island.
Bartholomew is a small but scenic island, home to the iconic, pointy Pinnacle Rock. There are only two visitor areas on Bartholomew: a series of wooden steps leading to a scenic overlook and a small, sandy beach. There’s not a lot of wildlife on the way up the steps – look for lava lizards – but the view is spectacular. The small beach is one of the better snorkelling spots in the Galapagos, as there is a small penguin colony there and the penguins enjoy darting around snorkelers underwater. You can also see any number of fish and rays, and maybe even a shark or two if you’re lucky.
DAY 6:
AM – Corona del Diablo/Devil’s Crown, off of Floreana Island.
The Devil’s Crown is a jagged set of rocks in a roughly circular shape off of Floreana Island: they are the final remnants of an ancient volcanic crater mostly eroded over the ages. It’s a marvellous snorkelling spot: the deep water on one side is good for seeing large rays, sharks and other spectacular large marine life, while the interior of the ‘crown’ is calm and often full of playful sea lions.
AM – Punta Cormorant/Cormorant Point, Floreana Island.
Cormorant Point features two beaches and a flamingo lagoon, but oddly enough, no cormorants (which are found mostly in the western islands of Fernandina and Isabela). Cormorant point is sort of like two sites in one: the landing site is a green sandy beach popular with sea lions, but a short walk takes you to the other side of the point and a gorgeous white sand beach. You can wade in up to your ankles, but don’t go any deeper: the waters of this beach are full of stingrays! On most days, you can see dozens of them just off the beach.
PM – Mirador de la Baronesa/The Baroness’ Overlook, Floreana Island.
From a sandy beach, a short trail leads to the Baroness’ overlook, where visitors will get a good view of the Floreana coastline. Ask your guide for the story of the “Baroness of the Galapagos.” It’s a murder mystery which is unsolved to this day! After a visit to the overlook, there will be the opportunity to take a panga ride along the coast or take out one of the sea kayaks.
PM – Bahía Post Office/Post Office Bay, Floreana Island.
Back in the day, whalers and other ships roamed the seas, often for years at a time. For the men who worked these ships, communication with home was very difficult and they would leave letters in certain places around the globe: one such drop off was a barrel at what came to be known as “Post Office Bay.” The barrel is still there: leave your own letter for a loved one! The site also features a nice sandy beach perfect for relaxing or snorkelling.
DAY 7:
AM – Sombrero Chino/Chinese Hat, off Santiago (James) Island.
Chinese Hat, named for its distinctive conical shape, is a visitor site memorable for geology and animal life. The island is known for lava tubes and pillow formations, meaning that it likely was formed underwater and later was pushed to the surface by geological forces. Besides being an informative case study in volcanic geology, Chinese Hat is home to sea lions, penguins and Sally Lightfoot Crabs. The hike is followed by panga rides, snorkelling and kayaking.
PM – Seymour Norte/North Seymour Island.
Another visitor favourite, North Seymour has something for everyone. The Frigate Birds and Blue-Footed Boobys nest right next to the rocky trail, allowing for spectacular photographs. The island is home to a booming population of Land Iguanas, often seen contently munching on cactus pads. There are usually dozens of sea lions near the landing site and along the beach. As if that’s not enough, the snorkelling is excellent!
DAY 8:
AM – Caleta Tortuga Negra/Black Turtle Cove, Santa Cruz Island.
Black Turtle Cove is a lagoon on Santa Cruz Island. It is a maze of mangroves, and pangas are forced to paddle so that their motors do not disturb the wildlife there. You never know what you’ll see in Black Turtle Cove: there might be sharks, sea turtles, herons or even a school of Golden Rays gently gliding through the water. There is no swimming or snorkelling permitted in Black Turtle Cove.
PM – Depart.
Transfer from the M/C Endemic to Baltra airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.
Sample itineraries are for guidance only. Actual itineraries may differ slightly due to factors such as weather, wildlife, logistics and local regulations.
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