 Day 1 – Sunday
Baltra Airport
Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra airport in Galapagos (aprox. 2 and a half hours flight). Passengers are greeted by guides at the airport and transferred to the  Itabaca canal, cross to the Island of Santa Cruz and travel to Puerto Ayora
Santa Cruz Island ( Highlands )
It is possible to Cross the Highlands of Santa Cruz. Passengers will observe the twin pit craters, Los Gemelos and later visit Cerro Chato. It's likely that another of the famous Giant Tortoises that gave the name to these islands will appears. Additionally, travelers can literally get into the Galapagos by walking in the dormant lava tubes.
Day 2 – Monday
 Española Island (Suarez Point)
Travelers enjoy a dry landing at Suarez Point. Upon landing visitors will learn more about the lava terrain while crossing the inactive lava fields. Aside from the Sea Lion colonies, this is one of the most important sites for bird watching.
As soon as visitors put foot on this island many species can be spotted and observed closely. Among the many species, the Hooded Mocking bird and Red Billed Tropic After crossing the nesting grounds you will reach the world's largest colony of Waved Albatross (15000 approx.) Their mating rituals are a highlight of the visit. Nearing the end of this excursion passengers will visit the famous blowhole, where water shoots into the air at almost 23 mts. ( 75 ft .).
 Española Island ( Gardner Bay )
In the afternoon the passengers visit Gardner Bay . This is a wet landing on a white coral beach amidst a large colony of Sea Lions. This site has no trails, therefore hiking, is not possible.
 But it is considered as open area where you can spot Galapagos Hawks, American Oyster Catchers, Galapagos Doves, Hood Mockingbirds, 3 species of Darwin Finches and Yellow Warblers, Lava Lizards, Marine Iguanas and a great place for swimming and snorkeling, the best place for this spot is by the rock outcropping that looks like a turtle. Often snorkelers see many of the Galapagos marine species such as King Angelfish, Creole Fish, Damsel Fish, Parrot Fish, Manta Rays, White Tipped Reef Sharks, and many more.
Cocktail of the day on the Sun Deck. Briefing by guides on next days activities.
Day 3 – Tuesday
Floreana Island (Cormorant Point)
  Wet landing on a greenish colored sand beach. Passengers will hike a well marked trail beginning in the Black Mangrove beds heading towards the back of the lagoon.
The large, brackish lagoon holds one of the biggest populations of flamingos in the Galápagos.
This island is best known for its endemic plant life, such as the Galápagos millwork, Passion flower, and unique button mangrove.
Novice snorkelers can practice back on the main beach where the sea lions are playful, while experienced snorkelers can roam the waters around Devils Crown.
 Santa Fe Island o Barrington
 Santa Fe is located in the southeastern part of Galapagos, 2 1/2 hours from Santa Cruz, is home to a number of endemic species, which have bounced back from the outside threat. They include the Galapagos Hawk, Land Iguanas, a variety of Finches and the Galapagos Mockingbird, Sea Lion, Marine Turtles.
Other attractive is one of the most beautiful coves in all the Galapagos, Santa Fe was formed from an uplift (rather than a volcano) giving the island a relatively flat surface rather than the typical conical  shape. The trail leads out along the coast into the Opuntia Forest . Santa Fe 's trees are the largest in the Galapagos
Day 4 – Wednesday
 North Seymour Island
This site is also known of being a major nesting colony of Blue Footed Boobies, and the largest colony of the Magnificent Frigate Bird. (a different species from the Great Frigate Bird). Travelers will also spot both endemic species of iguanas, the Marine Iguanas and Land Iguanas. Passengers will enjoy this relaxed hike around the nesting sites.
 Santa Cruz Island (Dragon Hill)
During this excursion visitors head for Dragon Hill. After a wet landing,  passengers walk to a hypersalinic lagoon behind the beach. Observers report a high number of Pink Flamingos. The trail then leads up to Dragon Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay,.
This area is a nesting site for a large number of reintroduced Land Iguanas, again thanks to the Charles Darwin Research Station. There is also a bizarre Scalesia tree forest.
Day 5 – Thursday
 Rábida Island (Jervis)
Dry landing at the dark red colored beach of volcanic origin, frequented by sea lions. It is often considered the geographic center of Galapagos because it has the most diversified volcanic rocks of all the Islands .
Here a short trail leads to a salt water lagoon, where we find small colonies of Flamingos feeding. The brown pelican nests in the mangrovesan be found at the far side of the lagoon. Also to be observed are boobies and 9 species of Darwin 's finches.
Dinghie ride by the reefs with an excellent snorkeling opportunity.
  Santiago Island ( Egas Port )
Visit the dark sand beach at Egas Port during a wet landing. Most of the landscape are tuff-stone layers and lava flows, the surrounding area is prime for spotting and observing Hunting Herons, Great Blue Herons, Lava Herons, Oyster Catchers, and the Yellow Crowned Night Heron.
Passengers enjoy the sight of Marine Iguanas grazing upon algae beds at low tide and sharing space with Red Sally Light-Foot Crabs.
 There is a colony of Fur-Seal swimming in deep pools of cool water called “grottos”.
 This is an excellent spot for swimming and snorkeling in search of Octopuses, Sea Horses, Star Fish and other sea life caught in the small tidal pools. From a safe distance travelers can admire Moray Eels, Hammerhead Sharks, White Tip and Galapagos Sharks, Golden and White Spotted Eagle Rays, Jacks, Wahoo, Tuna, Groupers, Red-Tailed and Dog Snappers, Sea Lions, and Sea Turtles. All located in the back drop of cold water and warm water corals, fans, and sponge.
Cocktail of the day at the Sun Deck. Briefing by guides on next days activities.
Day 6 – Friday
  Fernandina Island (Espinosa Point)
After a dry landing at Espinosa Point, passengers will see the largest colony of Marine Iguanas mingling with Sally-light Foot Crabs. They also will enjoy the Flightless Cormorants nesting sites, the Galapagos Penguins, Galapagos Hawks, and Sea lions. Among the flora and volcanic formations observers will note Brachycereus Cactus, “pa-hoe-hoe” lava, and other unusual lava formations. Travelers will see recent lava  flows from a safe distance. Also numerous mangrove beds extend into the sea, depicting a healthy and thriving eco-system.
 Isabela Island (Point Vicente Roca )
Another possible excursion is at Point Vicente Roca, on Isabela Island . There are no landings for this excursion. Only open for dinghy sightseeing, snorkeling, and scuba. Travelers will enjoy high cliffs with tuff stone, ash, and other lava formations. Caves and plenty of nesting sites for Brown Noddies and Blue Footed Boobies. Up close encounters with the occasional Dolphin, followed by Sea Cocktail of the day at the Sun Deck. Briefing by guides on next days activities.
Day 7 – Saturday
Bartolomé Island
  Dry landing. Arriving on this island, passengers will see volcanic formations including lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. After a hike to the summit visitors will have an impressive view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock. During the ascent travelers will often see a large colony of Marine Iguanas and Lava Lizards. Red Mangroves, Tiquilla, and various cacti all add to the experience. Visitors also enjoy a chance to cool off while snorkeling. Here travelers often see the Galapagos Penguin, Sea Turtles, and White Tipped Sharks from a safe distance.
 Santa Cruz Island (Black Turtle Cove)
Arrive at Black Turtle Cove located near Las Bachas beach in the north of Santa Cruz Island . This excursion provides passengers with a “panga” ride though the mangrove, during which the outboard motor of the small boat is turned off. This allows the close observation of Sea Turtles, White Tipped Reef Sharks, Spotted Eagle Rays, and Yellow Rays.
Day 8 – Sunday
 Santa Cruz Island (Charles Darwin Research Station)
 On another visit, travelers have the chance to investigate the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, staffed with international scientists conducting biological research and conservation projects. Here you can also admire Giant Tortoises, that are part of the breeding program.
Travelers can also admire the impressive Giant Prickly-Pear Cactus forest and many land birds. The visit to the station takes around 40 minutes. After this visit passengers have some free time to walk around town and shop for souvenirs.
* Disembark at the docks (Baltra), passengers board a bus that drives them to the airport for their flight back to mainland via Guayaquil to Quito .
*END OF THE 7 NIGHTS CRUISE ITINERARY |
