DAY 1: THURSDAY
SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
AM: BALTRA AIRPORT ARRIVAL
Morning flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra, Galapagos Islands. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by a Galapagos Angel staff member and brought into a private bus to start your adventure in Galapagos.
*The first excursion will be after being picked up at the airport upon arrival to the islands, so it is advisable to travel with suitable clothing and footwear for walking.
PM: HIGHLANDS
Accessible by bus from Puerto Ayora, the highlands of Santa Cruz are a deep green which contrast beautifully with the dry, lower part of the islands. The predominant vegetation in the highlands are Scalesia trees which create a lush green forest. The lava tunnels, over half a mile long, are underground and walking through them is a unique, surreal experience. At this place you’ll have lunch.
DAY 2: FRIDAY
ESPAÑOLA ISLAND
AM: SUAREZ POINT
On the trail to Suarez Point you will have the chance to spot blue-footed boobies, albatrosses, and Nazca boobies. This island is the breeding site of nearly all of the world’s 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. You will also visit a beautiful site on the ocean front where there is a cliff that the large albatrosses use as a launching pad! You will have the chance to see the famous blowhole that spurts sea water into the air. The landscape is great for photography.
PM: GARDNER BAY, GARDNER ISLET & OSBORN ISLET
This excursion takes you to the spectacular Gardner Bay. After landing, you can walk across a lovely white-sand beach amongst a busy sea lion colony or dive into the water to swim with sea lion pups. You may also see curious mockingbirds on the beach.
DAY 3: SATURDAY
SANTA FE AND SOUTH PLAZA
AM: SANTA FÉ ISLAND
Santa Fe Island (Barrington) is home to the small picturesque bay and anchorage on the island’s northeast coast. The bay has two visitor trails: one leading to a scenic viewpoint atop a cliff, and the other spanning from a small beach to a tall prickly pear cactus forest.
PM: GARDNER BAY, GARDNER ISLET & OSBORN ISLET
This small island with steep cliffs was formed by rising lava and is now covered by Opuntia cacti. It is also home to one of the largest sea lion colonies as well as colorful yellow and red land iguanas. The most characteristic plant is the Sesuvium. During the rainy season its color is a greenish to yellowish tone and in the dry season (end of June through January) a bright red.
DAY 4: SUNDAY
SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
AM: BLACK TURTLE COVE
Visit Black Turtle Cove in the northern part of Santa Cruz. This inlet is surrounded by mangroves and is only accessible by dinghy. The shallow cove is a haven for young marine life. Black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, and a variety of rays are often spotted here
After this final visit, you will be transferred to the Baltra airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.
Baltra Airport Departure
