DESCRIPTIVE ITINERARY 8 DAYS – 7 NIGHTS
ISLAND DESCRIPTIONS ….
SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
Bachas Beach: These two small beaches are found to the West of Turtle Cove. Their sand is made of decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft, making it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish water lagoon, where occasionally is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. The other beach is longer, but it has two old barges that were abandoned during the Second World War, when the USA used Baltra Island as a strategically point to protect the Panama Channel. (The metal is rusty and sharp, so it is not a good place for swimming).
Black Turtle Cove (Caleta Tortuga Negra): An interesting point of visit. Here a panga ride will take us around a beautiful lagoon surrounded by green lush mangroves. We can expect to see manta rays, sharks, turtles, blue footed boobies, masked boobies, sea gals, etc.
Charles Darwin Station: Although the great majority of Galapagos visitors come here to observe and appreciate natural wonders, it is also interesting to learn how the protection and conservation of the islands are carried out. One of the principal attractions are National Park information center, Van Staelen Exhibition Hall, Breeding and Rearing Center for young tortoises, Lonesome George (tortoise from Pinta), adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity.
Highlands of Santa Cruz Island: The trail to the highlands leaves from Bellavista and passes through the agricultural zone, near the National Park boundary, the Miconia Zone and then goes to the Fern and Sedge zone. With clear weather (unpredictable) this area affords beautiful scenes of rolling hills and extinct volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery all year round.
PLAZAS ISLAND
These are two small islets that were uplifted a short distance from the East Coast of Santa Cruz. The unusual vegetation and location of the island create an interesting landscape in which the fauna and flora of Galápagos are enhanced. Moreover despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the archipelago occur here. It is possible to guarantee the observation of land iguanas that often are in the shade of a cactus. Nesting on the rugged southern cliffs, are usually swallow tailed gulls, which seen along with various other sea birds. The protected rocky seashore is a prime habitat for a large colony of noisy sea lions. The principal attraction of Plazas is the land iguanas, the sea lions and the swallow tailed gulls. Also we can see yellow tailed mullets, Audubon’s shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds, and brown pelicans gliding past the cliff.
SANTA FE (BARRINGTON) ISLAND
The small bay on Barrington’s northeast coast is an extremely picturesque anchorage. There are two different trails at this site one leads to a scenic viewpoint on top of a cliff where it is possible to find land iguanas, endemic to the island. The other trail is near the beach and is a short circular trail where it is possible to see land iguanas, but early in the morning or in the afternoon when the sun is low. A particular attraction is the unusually tall forest of prickly cactus.
ESPANOLA ISLAND
Punta Suarez: This rocky point of land sustains one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galápagos. Along its southern shore, high cliffs rise up from the sea affording the visitor spectacular views of soaring birds and of the blow whole, where water spouts up to 50-75 feet into the air according to the intensity of the surf.
Bahia Gardner: Located on the northeastern coast of Hood, Gardner Bay provides an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming and an opportunity to observe sea lions.
FLOREANA ISLAND
Punta Cormorant (Charles Island). This site probably, offers one of the largest and the best flamingo lagoon in the Galapagos. It is situated between two tuff cones that give the area a special atmosphere. There are various species of shorebirds to be seen besides flamingos, the most frequent are stilts, white-cheeked pintail ducks and other migratories. This is a unique zone due to the high percentage of endemism in the plant life. Is also very interesting the two distinct beaches: the “green beach (due to high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand) and the “Flour sand beach” made up of coral.
Post office bay: Historically, this site is the location of a wooden barrel that was placed in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. It has been used since this time by mariners and tourists as a post office. The idea is to carry letters or postcards to their destination by hand. Apart from being the Post Office Barrel, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists.
BARTOLOME ISLAND
A small barren island, located in Sullivan Bay off James Island, Bartholomew has two visitors’ sites. At one of them it is possible to climb to the highet point of the island, from where visitors can observe a variety of volcanic formations, spatter and tuff cones, lava flows and lava tubes. The moon like landscape provides the most scenic panorama in the archipelago. At the other site, the visitor may swim and snorkel from a beautiful beach or walk across the isthmus to another beach that faces south, where swimming is prohibited. Multi –colored fish and occasionally penguins may be seen at the base of the tall pinnacle rock, which dominates Bartholomew’s landscape.
Sullivan Bay: This visitor site provides a unique opportunity to view a recent lava flow of approximately 100 years old. The East Side of James Island is known to have barren volcanic landscapes, dominated by black pahoehoe (ropy) lava flows of very young age. On the surface of the lava is possible to observe some tree that was carried down by the flow of the fresh lava. It is also interesting to see how some Mollugo plants are starting to colonize the small lava fissures.
SANTIAGO ISLAND
Chinese Hat: This small islet, found only 218 yards (200m) of the southeastern coast of James Islands, is a volcanic cone and due to its particular shape is known as the Chinese Hat. Practically the entire island is covered with very fragile lava, which breaks easily when trampled or stepped on. For this reason is not possible to climb to the summit. Here we find sea lions, Galapagos penguins (occasionally), lava cactus, pillow lavas.
Egas Port: Is located at the West of James Island. This site has been seriously affected by the activities of the salt mining in the 1960’s and by the large quantities of introduced animals, especially the goats, which have caused great damage to the vegetation. Nevertheless, visitor sites are all of great beauty and scientific interest.
RABIDA ISLAND
This Island has a striking dark red color due to the high content of iron in the lava and its oxidation. Behind the beach there is a picturesque salt-water lagoon, where white-cheeked pintail provides a beautiful view from its southeastern cliffs.
NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND
This Island is located to the North of Baltra. It’s a flat and low-lying island, formed as a result of the uplift of a submarine lava formation. The vegetation is mainly low and bushy, and contains the largest colony of magnificent frigate birds in the Galapagos. There is also a large population of blue footed boobies nesting from May to November and by the coastline resides a colony of playful sea lions.
GENOVESA ISLAND
The main attraction is the Prince Phillip’s Steps. This site is part of the narrow arm of land, which encircles the eastern section of Darwin Bay. It is an excellent place to observe various species of sea birds. After ascending 25 m up the cliff, the visitor arrives to a lava platform, where masked boobies, red footed boobies and frigate birds nest. The trail crosses a section of dry “Palo Santo” forest, typical of the island’s vegetation.
MOSQUERA ISLET
This is a small, flat, sandy island almost devoid of vegetation and located between Seymour and Baltra islands. This is one of the best places to observe sea lion behavior. It is also a good place to observe herons, lava gulls and coastal birds. The beach is composed of white coralline and excellent for swimming.
SAN CRISTOBAL
Cerro Brujo: it is an impressive geological site, is an eroded tuff cone that offers roosting sites for brown pelicans, boobies and gulls. The white coraline sand beach is beautiful and idyllic for sun bathing and swimming. Behind the beach there is a brackish water lagoon where stilts, ducks, herons and other coastal birds feed.
Interpretation Center: This was built with the cooperation of the Spanish Science Center. It gives a very good introduction to the Galapagos Islands, its marine and land life, fauna and flora. It is located in the outskirts of the small city of Pto. Baquerizo Moreno, which is the capital of the Galapagos Province.
Sleeping Lion Rock Formation: This impressive geological formation is located at about one hour navigation from Pto. Baquerizo. It shapes as a sleeping sea lion and from there its namecomes. On the cliffs we can observe lots of blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, pelicans and other several marine birds.
Isla Lobos (Marine Wolfs Islet): this small islet, located only an hour by boat from Pto. Baquerizo Moreno is separated from the main Island by a narrow strecht of calm water. Upon its rocky shores blue-footed boobies nest and sea lions rest. The atmosphere is one of tranquility and primitive beauty. A typical Galapagos environment.
ISABELA ISLAND
Tagus Cove: A favorite site of the early pirates and Whalers. Tagus Cove a continuing historical tradition (now discouraged), the names of hundreds of ships which were first carved and now are painted on the high cliffs that enclose the protected areas. More important, how ever is the inside trail around a salt crater called Darwin Lake, the Dry zone vegetation and the lava field Darwin Volcano. A dinghy ride (tour) along the cliffs will give the visitor a good chance to see brown pelicans, marine iguanas, brown pelicans, marine iguanas and quite few marine invertebrates in the intertidal zone.
Villamil Port: These lagoons are found within and around the small settlement port of Puerto Villamil. They harbour numerous populations of lagoons birds, the flamingo and the black-necked. During Certain seasons it is not unusual to observe several species of migratory birds, either on the long white sand beach or around the lagoons. Dense vegetation separates the lagoons from one another, making it difficult to find them.
Last minute Galapagos: Sulidae
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Last updated: September 1st, 2010
ITINERARY
Itinerary changed as of June 26, 2009
NOTE: ITINERARIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE