Itinerary
- Day 1
San Cristobal Island Arrival
You'll arrive at San Cristobal Island this morning and get transferred to your yacht. After getting settled in your cabin, you'll have lunch followed by a welcome briefing to go over the week. In the afternoon, head out to Kicker Rock for snorkeling where you can see marine life up close, then swing by Witch Hill beach where you'll have a chance to swim and spot sea turtles and various birds.
- Start point
- San Cristóbal, Galápagos, Ecuador (San Cristobal Airport, 12:00 - 13:00)
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (Natural Paradise Yacht)
Included Activities
- Circumnavigation of Kicker Rock with marine life viewing
- Swimming and snorkeling at Witch Hill
Landmarks Kicker Rock Witch Hill - Day 2
South Plaza Island and Black Turtle Cove
Start the morning exploring South Plaza Island, walking among towering cliffs and Opuntia cacti while watching sea lion colonies and colorful land iguanas. The Sesuvium plants show off vibrant red colors during dry season. Later in the afternoon, take a dinghy out to Black Turtle Cove, which sits in a mangrove-surrounded inlet. There you'll spot reef sharks, sea turtles, and rays moving through the shallow water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (Natural Paradise Yacht)
Included Activities
- Island exploration at South Plaza with wildlife viewing
- Dinghy excursion to Black Turtle Cove
Landmarks South Plaza Island Black Turtle Cove - Day 3
Rabida Island and Bartholomew Island
This morning you'll see Rabida Island with its distinctive maroon-red sand beach and volcanic rock formations. After an easy hike around the island, you'll get nice views from the lookout spots and can watch finches, flycatchers, hawks, and pelicans. In the afternoon, head over to Bartholomew Island where you'll climb stairs up to Pinnacle Rock's summit for panoramic views of the surrounding islands. Down at the beach level, you can snorkel and if you're lucky, spot Galapagos penguins.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (Natural Paradise Yacht)
Included Activities
- Hike and exploration at Rabida Island with lookout viewing
- Hike to summit of Bartholomew Island volcano
- Snorkeling at Bartholomew Island beach
Landmarks Rabida Island Pinnacle Rock Bartholomew Island - Day 4
Sullivan Bay and Dragon Hill
Start this morning at Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island's southeastern coast, where you'll walk across lava flows and check out small volcanic formations created by past geological activity. In the afternoon, head to Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island and walk one of the longer trails available in the Galapagos out to a lagoon lookout. From there you can see flamingos, pintail ducks, and land iguanas hanging out in the landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (Natural Paradise Yacht)
Included Activities
- Geological exploration at Sullivan Bay
- Walking trail at Dragon Hill to lagoon lookout
Landmarks Sullivan Bay Dragon Hill - Day 5
Santa Cruz Highlands, Twin Craters, and Fausto Llerena Breeding Center
Take a bus up to the Santa Cruz highlands where deep green Scalesia forests create a striking contrast with the dry lowlands you've been seeing. You'll explore underground lava tunnels that stretch over half a mile and feel pretty surreal to walk through. After grabbing lunch, you'll visit the Twin Craters formed by collapsed underground fissures, then head to the Fausto Llerena Tortoise Breeding Center in Puerto Ayora. There you can see giant tortoises at all stages, from tiny hatchlings up to four-foot adults.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (Natural Paradise Yacht)
Included Activities
- Bus transfer to Santa Cruz highlands
- Walking through lava tunnels
- Viewing Twin Craters formations
- Visit to Fausto Llerena Tortoise Breeding Center
Landmarks Santa Cruz Highlands Twin Craters Fausto Llerena Tortoise Breeding Center - Day 6
Genovesa Island
This morning you'll climb the steep rocky path at El Barranco, also called Prince Phillip's Steps, which rewards you with great cliff views and close encounters with red-footed boobies, short-eared owls, and Galapagos storm petrels. Palo Santo vegetation grows throughout the area. In the afternoon, you'll head to Darwin Bay where there's a white-sand coral beach and walk a half-mile trail through mangrove areas spotting land birds. Later you can explore the tidal pools where sea lions play and take in the spectacular cliff views from the water level.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (Natural Paradise Yacht)
Included Activities
- Climb El Barranco with cliff viewing and wildlife observation
- Walking trail at Darwin Bay through mangroves
- Tidal pool exploration at Darwin Bay
Landmarks El Barranco Darwin Bay - Day 7
Santiago Island
This morning you'll check out Espumilla Beach where marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs, and hunting herons hang out, plus the snorkeling there is excellent for seeing octopuses, moray eels, sharks, and tropical fish. If conditions work better, you could explore Buccaneer Cove instead, which has historical pirate heritage and steep cliffs lined with seabirds over a dark red sand beach. In the afternoon, visit Egas Port to spot Galapagos hawks and lava lizards, hike toward the coastline checking out tidal pools and grottos, and watch fur seals while snorkeling near the rocks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (Natural Paradise Yacht)
Included Activities
- Beach visit and snorkeling at Espumilla Beach or Buccaneer Cove
- Exploration at Egas Port with tidal pools and grottos
- Snorkeling at Egas Port
Optional Activities
- Buccaneer Cove visit (alternative to Espumilla Beach)
Landmarks Espumilla Beach Buccaneer Cove Egas Port - Day 8
Bachas Beach and Departure
Your last morning takes you to Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz's north shore for swimming and wildlife viewing. You might spot flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black-necked stilts, whimbrels, and sea turtles nesting on the sand. There's also a floating pier remnant from U.S. World War II presence that's interesting to see. After this final stop, you'll transfer to Baltra Airport for your flight back to the mainland.
- End point
- Santa Cruz, Galápagos, Ecuador (Baltra Island - Seymour Airport, 08:00 - 09:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Swimming and wildlife viewing at Bachas Beach
Landmarks Bachas Beach
