Itinerary

Day 1 • Friday

U.S. / Guayaquil

Fly independently to Guayaquil, Ecuador, where you begin your Galapagos Islands adventure, and transfer to the Hotel Oro Verde. (Meals Aloft)

Day 2 • Saturday

Guayaquil / San Cristobal: Playa Ochoa & Kicker Rock

Board our flight 600 miles across the Pacific to the Galapagos Islands. Our crew meets us on San Cristóbal Island and escorts us on the short bus trip to the harbor, where we board the Evolution. After a briefing on water safety and what to expect during our Galapagos Islands expedition itinerary, enjoy a delicious lunch. Stroll along the white-sand beach at Playa Ochoa, home to a large colony of curious sea lions. Nearby is a tidal lagoon frequented by migratory and endemic bird species, such as flamingos, finches and Chatham (San Cristóbal) mockingbirds. At sunset, we cruise around Kicker Rock, remnants of an eroded tuft cone said to resemble a sleeping lion. Our naturalists point out blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, red-billed tropicbirds and frigatebirds along the cliffs. (B,L,D)

Day 3 • Sunday

South Plaza Island

At only 426 feet wide, South Plaza is one of the smallest islands in the archipelago. However, this tiny uplifted island features rich wildlife and the turquoise waters contrast brilliantly with the black lava of the shoreline. The rocks have grown thick with green seaweed in places, speckled with bright Sally Lightfoot crabs. Our walk takes us to a grove of prickly-pear cactus, where we also see yellow land iguanas. Non-hikers can enjoy a Zodiac ride, watching for swallow-tailed gulls, red-billed tropicbirds, pelicans and blue-footed boobies. After lunch, gather your snorkeling gear for an excursion into the waters around Punta Carrion, where you are likely to see sea lions, sturgeon rays and white-tipped reef shark. The flat sands of the Mosquera Islet, between North Seymour and Baltra Islands, attract sea lions, herons and lava gulls. Since there is no true trail on the islands, you are able to stroll at your leisure. (B,L,D)

Day 4 • Monday

Sombrero Chino Island / Santiago Island: Puerto Egas

Today our Galapagos Islands cruise stops at the highly interesting Sombrero Chino. Just off the southern tip of Santiago, the tiny uplifted island of Sombrero Chino – or Chinese Hat – features a primeval landscape of volcanic rubble and lava tubes. The entire island is a cinder cone with a steep-sided crown like a Chinese hat, hence the name. This is a prime spot for snorkeling with Galapagos penguins! Enjoy a relaxing Zodiac ride watching for manta rays, penguins and white-tipped reef sharks before returning to the Evolution for lunch. This afternoon, search the tide pools of Puerto Egas for octopus, sea snails, moray eels and other sea life. Along with large marine iguanas, which can be seen feeding on algae at low tide, the bay is home to the remains of two failed salt mines. Explore the fur seal grottos. Our Galapagos Islands nature travel guides will point out the bountiful birdlife, including great blue herons, lava herons, oystercatchers and yellow-crowned night herons. (B,L,D)

Day 5 • Tuesday

Genovesa Island

Exploring outlying Genovesa feels like exploring a private wildlife sanctuary! Genovesa Island harbors one of the largest and most diverse bird populations in the Galapagos. Climb Prince Philip’s Steps to an area with colonies of great frigatebirds, red-footed boobies and Galapagos doves. Search for well-camouflaged short-eared owls as they hunt tiny storm petrels. Explore Darwin Bay, home to yellow-crowned night herons, the nocturnal swallow-tailed gull and the rare lava gull. While anchored at Genovesa, enjoy an opportunity to swim, kayak and snorkel in the calm caldera of this partially eroded volcano. (B,L,D)

Day 6 • Wednesday

North Seymour Island / Santa Fe Island

North Seymour is the nesting site for a large population of magnificent frigatebirds and the only place where we can always find males showing their red pouches to attract females. Plus, we are sure to see blue-footed boobies perform their comical courtship dance in the open areas. Hike to a scenic turquoise lagoon, where we may observe Galapagos hawks, mockingbirds, a variety of Darwin’s finches and land iguanas that feast on the fruit of the prickly pear cactus. We’ll have a chance to kayak and snorkel from the beach. (B,L,D)

Day 7 • Thursday

Floreana Island

Take a leisurely hike to Post Office Bay, once used by British navigators to send mail and messages for homebound messengers. Swim and snorkel in the bay before a walk along the olivine beaches of Punta Cormorant among the sea lions. After hiking to a flamingo lagoon, spot fish and sea turtles during a relaxing stroll along a powder-white coral beach. There’s even a soccer field for those who want to challenge our guides to a quick game! Enjoy superb snorkeling at Devil’s Crown, where sea water has filled the sunken cinder cone of an extinct volcano. (B,L,D)

Day 8 • Friday

Santa Cruz Island

Begin at the Charles Darwin Research Station, learning about vital work being done to study and preserve Galapagos wildlife, and also meet the famed Lonesome George. Head into the forested highlands, with ample opportunity to see and photograph giant tortoises in their verdant habitat. Stop at a locally owned sugar cane and coffee farm, El Trapiche. Enjoy a peaceful afternoon strolling around Puerto Ayora, with time to relax in a local restaurant or shop. (B,L,D)

Day 9 • Saturday

Galapagos / Guayaquil

Cap off the last morning of our Galapagos Islands cruise with a Zodiac ride through Black Turtle Cove, drifting silently through this area of mangroves. Fly to Guayaquil, with time to relax at the Hotel Oro Verde. (B,L Aloft)

Day 10 • Sunday

Guayaquil / U.S.

Sunday we fly to the U.S. and connect with flights home. (B, Meals Aloft)

Please Note: Galapagos Islands tour itinerary may vary due to changes in air schedules, weather, Galapagos National Park regulations or other local conditions.

Read more about Galapagos Islands cruises on the IE Travel Blog.