Friday

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno/Cerro Colorado Tortoise Centre (San Cristóbal Island) 
We arrive by plane to San Cristóbal Island and transfer to Yacht La Pinta for cabin assignment, introductory briefing and lunch.

Cerro Colorado Tortoise Centre / Tijeretas (San Cristóbal Island)
After lunch, we land back at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Depending on weather conditions, we drive 40 minutes to the island’s southern shore to Cerro Colorado where we visit the breeding centre of the highly-endangered giant tortoises in the midst of a fantastic deciduous forest. Otherwise, we visit Cerro Tijeretas where we can encounter the two species of frigate birds nesting in the same colony.

Saturday

Punta Pitt (San Cristóbal Island)/ Cerro Brujo (San Cristóbal Island)
We land at the eastern tip of San Cristóbal Island this morning. The trail that ascends from the beach provides spectacular views of the shoreline; we can observe frigates, plus a colony of bachelor sea lions. After the walk, if conditions are favourable, there is a chance to swim from the beach and snorkel by an islet.

Cerro Brujo (San Cristóbal Island)
In the afternoon following lunch on board, a dinghy ride along the shores of tuff-stone layers takes us to Cerro Brujo's expansive, white coraline beach, great for walking, with rewarding birdwatching, including good views of seabirds and shore birds. Also, look out for Galápagos sea lions. These are the same shores that Charles Darwin walked upon, back in September 1835. 

Sunday

Punta Suarez/Gardner Bay (Española Island)
Our morning outing at Punta Suárez provides an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April - January), boobies, swallow-tail gulls, and the famous “blowhole”. Also, look for red-green-black marine iguanas. Many regard this site as the best in the Islands. Back on board for lunch.

Gardner Bay (Española Island)
In the afternoon, we set down at this beautiful, white coral beach for a short walk to observe the sea lions, mockingbirds, finches or enjoy the beach. There is great snorkelling in this area, or else there’s time to kayak or ride the glass-bottom boat.

Monday

Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)/ Baltra Airport
Disembarking in the morning, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the ‘rearing in captivity’ programme for the giant tortoises. Here we witness the efforts and results of all the field work done in the name of science. We transfer by bus across Santa Cruz Island and a short ferry ride to Baltra. Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

•Please remember that the exact route and programme may vary according to weather and ocean conditions and the wildlife we encounter. It's also subject to change without previous notice due mainly to readjustment of the National Park policies and regulations.

-Dry landing: guests step from the dinghy onto rocks or a dock.
- Wet landing: as the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into around 20 cm (8 inches) of water and wade ashore.