James Itinerary
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Start / End: Baltra / Baltra
Highlights: Land iguanas, marine iguanas, fur seals, lava lizard, Galapagos snake, frigate bird, blue-footed boobies, red-footed boobies, short-eared owls, lava herons, sea lions, sea lions, Galapagos hawk, mockingbirds, flamingos, penguins
Included: All meals and accommodation in double cabins while on board, all excursions and activities while on board, bilingual naturalist guide
Not Included: Flights to and from Galapagos, Galapagos National Park entrance fee, Migratory card fee, any extra beverages on board (anything in a bottle), tips, personal expenses
This itinerary focuses on the Southern and Northern Islands, including visits to Tower one of the highlights of the Galapagos Islands.
Itinerary:
Day 1 (Tuesday):Arrive at Baltra Airport / Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz Island (Indefatigable): Santa Cruz is the second largest island and the most populated of all islands.
-
Highlands of Santa Cruz: Galapagos giant tortoises can be seen in the wild in the highlands of Santa Cruz.
Day 2 (Wednesday): Sombrero Chino Island / James Island
Sombrero Chino (Chinese Hat): Sombrero Chino is a small volcanic island just off the southeast tip of Santiago. The name of the island describes the shape of the island. Fauna includes Sea lions, marine iguanas and the Galapagos penguin.
James Island (Santiago): James Island is located between Isabela and Santa Cruz Islands. This Island offers a wide variety of seabirds, marine iguanas and fur seals.
-
Sullivan Bay: This site is of great geological interest. Highlights: 100 hundred year old lava flow field, pahoehoe formations, and lava bubbles.
Day 3 (Thursday): Tower (Genovesa) Island
Tower Island (Genovesa): Tower is an eroded flat volcanic island, with a natural harbor, which is actually the submerged caldera of this volcanic island.
-
Darwin Bay: The steep cliffs of this area dominate the island. This area is home to thousands of frigate birds, red-footed boobies, Noddy terns, lava gulls, tropicbirds, doves, storm petrels and Darwin’s finches.
-
El Barranco: There is a good possibility of seeing the unique “Short eared owl” at this site. During the dinghy rides along the cliffs fur seals and several species of seabirds can be spotted.
Day 4 (Friday): Santa Cruz Island / Baltra for return flight to Quito
Santa Cruz Island
-
Caleta Tortuga (Turtle Cove): Turtle Cove is a red mangrove lagoon on Santa Cruz and a perfect example of how mangroves alter the marine environment to create a rich and unique habitat.
Baltra: Return flight to Quito