Monserrat Itinerary B+C - 8 Days
ITINERARY B+C - 8 DAYS
THURSDAY
AM: Baltra: Arrival and Transfer to the boat
PM: Santa Cruz: Highlands (HK)
FRIDAY
AM: Chinese Hat (HK/SN/PR)
PM: Santiago: Sullivan Bay (HK/SN/PR)
SATURDAY
AM: North Seymour (HK/PR/SN)
PM: Santa Fe (HK/SN/PR/KY)
SUNDAY
AM: San Cristobal: Pitt Point (HK/SN)
PM: San Cristobal: Witch Hill (HK/SN/PR)
MONDAY
AM: San Cristobal: Tijeretas Hill (PR/HK)
PM: San Cristobal: Lobos Island (HK)
TUESDAY
AM: Espanola: Gardner Bay (HK/SN)
PM: Espanola: Suarez Point (HK)
WEDNESDAY
AM: Floreana: Cormorant Point (HK/SN/PR)
PM: Floreana: Post Office Bay (SN/HK/PR)
THURSDAY
AM: Santa Cruz: Charles Darwin Station (HK)
PM: Baltra: Transfer to the Airport
HK: HIKE / SN: SNORKEL / PR: PANGA RIDE / KY: KAYAK /
PB: PADDLE BOARD
DAY 1: THURSDAY
AM: BALTRA ARRIVAL AND TRASFER TO THE BOAT
After clearing customs and immigration you will be met by our guide and transferred to the M/Y Monserrat. In the afternoon, you will be transfer to the highlands of Santa Cruz. We will visit a tortoise ranch and see some of the amazing volcanic formations of this area.
PM: SANTA CRUZ: HIGHLANDS EXCURSION
Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz and see the Galápagos giant tortoise in its natural surroundings. Explore the area and its incredible underground lava tunnels – some are more than 1km (.6 mi) long! Wander along the volcanic tubes and keep an eye out for the (mainly) nocturnal barn owls that sometimes roost here.
DAY 2: FRIDAY
AM: CHINESE HAT
Explore Chinese Hat’s beautiful landscape and spectacular white-coral sand beach followed by snorkeling with sea lions and penguins and swimming opportunities in the cove.
Snorkeling (Chinese Hat) (AM)
Snorkel right from the white-coral sand beach and come face to face with playful sea lions and large schools of tropical fish. Keep an eye out for marine iguanas and penguins too!
PM: SANTIAGO: SULLIVAN BAY
Walking through Sullivan Bay offers an extraordinary journey into the volcanic origins of the Archipelago. The hike will take you across a perfectly preserved Pahoehoe lava flow, providing the opportunity to observe the delicate textures of this rare type of lava.
While may appear barren and lifeless landscapes, a closer look reveals resilient pioneer plants, scurrying lava lizards, and small birds. Along the shore, penguins, pelicans, and oystercatchers add a touch of life to the stark environment.
DAY 3: SATURDAY
AM: NORTH SEYMOUR
The morning starts with a visit to North Seymour Island, a pectacular showcase of the Galapagos Islands diverse wildlife. This fairly flat island is home to a thriving population of blue-footed boobies and frigate birds.
The trail will walk you through a forest of low, bushy vegetation, where youll have the opportunity to witness the fascinating courtship dance of the blue-footed boobies. The island's coastline also let you observe sea lions and marine iguanas basking in the sun.
The large frigate bird colonies are a sight, especially when the males expand their bright red throat pouches to attract mates.
This is an ideal spot for birdwatching and photography.
PM: SANTA FE
This Island is known for its picturesque bay and turquoise waters, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The island hosts a large amount of land iguanas unique to Santa Fe.
Watching for these magnificent creatures as you walk through the giant prickly pear cactus forest will make a unique experience. The island's calm and clear waters are ideal for spotting the marine life, including sea turtles, rays, and colorful schools of fish. Santa Fe
also offers a chance to see the Galapagos hawk and various endemic finches.
This day offers a combination of terrestrial and marine activities as you will also do kayaking and panga rides, showcasing the diverse landscapes and wildlife the Galapagos Islands are famous for.
DAY 4: SUNDAY
AM: SAN CRISTOBAL: PITT POINT
Enjoy amazing wildlife watching and interesting geological formations on this fascinating expedition. Arrive at a quiet cove on the eastern tip of San Cristóbal to explore Punta Pitt.
Made up of volcanic tuff substrate, it's the only site in the Galápagos where its possible to see three species of boobies and two species of frigatebirds.
Snorkeling (Punta Pitt) (AM)
Snorkel around Punta Pitt Island and spot schools of fish swimming below. On the shore admire the nesting birds and sun-bathing sea lions.
PM: SAN CRISTOBAL: WITCH HILL VISIT
Witch Hill, isa breathtaking white sand beach on San Cristobal Islands northern coast.
This beach was one of the first sites visited by Charles Darwin. Its an attractive spot for walking and enjoying the landscape, with its powdery white sand and turquoise waters.
The area is home to a large sea lion colony, and the nearby lagoon often hosts several bird species, including pelicans and blue-footed boobies.
The clear waters also make it an ideal spot for snorkeling, where you can encounter rich marine life.
DAY 5: MONDAY
AM: SAN CRISTOBAL: TIJERETAS HILL VISIT
Tijeretas Hill (AM)
Tijeretas Hill is a tourist attraction on the San Cristobal Island, offering visitors a spectacular panoramic view and the opportunity to enjoy the rich marine life that surrounds the area.
The name “Tijeretas” refers to the frigate birds that inhabit the region, also known as earwigs.
It is one of the only places where you can watch the two species of frigate birds nesting in the same colony.
PM: SAN CRISTOBAL: LOBOS ISLAND
SExplore this tiny island by foot and boat for some great wildlife encounters.
Taking a zodiac ride to view the sea and shore birds nesting and feeding.
You will be able to spot a small colony of blue-footed boobies as well as two species of sea lions.
DAY 6: TUESDAY
AM: ESPANOLA: GARDNER BAY VISIT
Enjoy the day on Española Island, one of the oldest in the archipelago. Visit the white sandy beach of Gardner Bays and the bird colonies of Punta Suárez. Arriving in the morning, you will spend the day exploring on shore and snorkeling at Gardner Bay. After lunch, sail to the western side of the islands to Punta Suárez, known for its amazing bird colonies and home to the waved albatross (April and December).
PM: ESPANOLA: SUAREZ POINT.
The morning starts with a visit to Gardner Bays magnificent white sandy beach, home to sea lions and sea birds. Be sure to explore the beautiful turquoise water and its incredible sea life. Spot young sea lions and large schools of surprisingly big tropical fish, including yellow-tailed surgeonfish, king angelfish, and bump-head parrot fish.
Also, you will visit Tortuga Rock for a spectacular snorkeling experience. Spot playful young sea lions and large schools of tropical fish, including yellow-tailed surgeonfish, king angelfish, and bump-head parrot fish. Look for white-tipped reef sharks napping on the bottom.
Punta Suárez Visit (PM)
Visit Punta Suárez, one of most rich wildlife landing sites in the Galápagos. Be greeted by surfing young sea lions on arrival. Head to the trail to find many species of nesting sea birds, and, if lucky, see the waved albatross. Follow the path up to a cliff for great views over the ocean, and watch sea birds gliding in the wind..
DAY 7: WEDNESDAY
AM: FLOREANA: CORMORANT POINT
FloreaLand at Punta Cormorant on Floreana. Guided walks to observe the bird and wildlife and learn about the natural history. Snorkeling excursion at Champion Islet. Visit Post Office Bay.
Punta Cormorant Visit (AM)
Floreana Island Visit Punta Cormorant, the only landing site on Floreana Island, and discover two amazingly different beaches: one with green sand, colored by olivine crystals, and another with white sand particles known as Flour Beach.
Spend the afternoon observing flamingos and other shore birds feeding in the lagoon. Spot penguins and marine iguanas at the water’s edge, and explore the lava tubes with the Galápagos CEO.
Snorkeling (Champion Islet) (AM)
Champion Islet
Jump on in and get up close and personal with the playful sea lion colony that reside in the waters off this tiny island. Keep an eye out for sea turtles, rays and colorful fish swimming by. There can be currents in this area, this activity should be done by strong swimmers
only.na Island Visit Punta Cormorant, the only landing site on Floreana Island, and discover two amazingly different beaches: one with green sand, coloured by olivine crystals, and another with white sand particles known as 'Flour Beach'. Spend the afternoon observing flamingos and other shore birds feeding in the lagoon.
Spot penguins and marine iguanas at the water’s edge, and explore the lava tubes with the Galápagos CEO.
Champion Islet Jump on in and get up close and personal with the playful sea lion colony that reside in the waters off this tiny island. Keep an eye out for sea turtles, rays and colourful fish swimming by. There can be currents in this area, this activity should be done by strong swimmers only.
PM: FLOREANA: POST OFFICE BAY
Post Office Bay Visit (PM)
Floreana Island
Visit Post Office Bay and learn about its unique history. In the late 18th century, English whaling vessels placed a barrel here to be used as a post office. Today, the box is used mainly by tourists, who may drop off and pick up unstamped letters to be carried to far destinations. Continue the tradition – leave a letter and take one to deliver (be sure it makes it to the correct location)
DAY 8: THURSDAY
AM: SANTA CRUZ: CHARLES DARWIN STATION / AIRPORT
Disembark in Puerto Ayora and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to see the giant Galápagos tortoises. Fly back to mainland from Baltra airport.
Charles Darwin Research Station Visit (AM)
Puerto Ayora
Visit Fausto Llerena Breeding Center a great place to observe many species of tortoises and land iguanas in captivity. Brought back from the brink of extinction, see the famous Galápagos tortoise up close – a corral houses adult tortoises, and a nursery cares for the young until around age three when their shells have hardened.
This area also houses the Charles Darwin Research Station, a scientific organization initiated in 1964, which works to preserve the Galápagos ecosystem through the conservation efforts of scientists, researchers, and volunteers. While the offices themselves are not open to visitors, the research station provides a study location for international scientists and environmental education for the local community.
