Aida Maria Itinerary B1 - 6 Days

DAY 1: TUESDAY
AM: BALTRA ARRIVAAL AND TRANSFER TO THE BOAT- CHARLES DARWIN STATION
Fly from the Ecuadorian mainland to the islands on an early morning 90-minute flight. As you prepare to land in Baltra, look out the window. The landscape below will seem otherworldly – you’ll truly be landing in a place like no other. The Galapagos Islands are completely unique and you’re about to see why. Your bilingual naturalist guide will greet you at the airport and meet you after customs. During lunch your guide will introduce you to the islands, specifically the flora and fauna that you will encounter.

PM: SANTA CRUZ: HIGHLANDS
After shopping in Puerto Ayora and lunch on the boat (guests may dine in town if they desire), you’ll explore the highlands or “parte alta” of the island, which is a moisture-rich area with fertile volcanic soils. You’ll learn about the vegetation and animal life of this zone, often strikingly different than that found at lower elevations and our best opportunity to find the famous giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Darwin’s Finches, Yellow Warblers, and other land birds will fly in and out of the moss-covered trees. From this high vantage point you’ll be treated to beautiful views of the island.
In the late afternoon you’ll return to town. For those who wish to check out the nightlife, this is your chance; the boat will be docked in port most of the night.

DAY 2: WEDNESDAY
AM: ISABELA: SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO
Your first visit in the morning will take place to Volcan Sierra Negra, will be a walk around 30 minutes to the lap of this famous volcano at Isabela Island. Volcan Sierra Negra is a large shield volcano at the South eastern end of Isabela Island in the Galapagos that rises to an altitude of 1124m. Also is considered one of the oldest Volcano at the Islands.

PM: ISABELA: WETLANDS AND WALL OF TEARS
In the afternoon after lunch, you will go to visit the Wetlands, which is a mangrove area with small brackish water lagoons that create the perfect environment for a small type of shrimp that serves as the food for the island’s flamingos. The Wall of Tears is one of the remaining ruins of the penal colony that existed in Isabela between 1946 and 1958. The construction of this wall caused much suffering to the prisoners who were physically and psychologically tortured to carry the stones that make it up since long distance. The Wall of Tears is located at the end of the Wetlands route, on the way to the wall there is a viewpoint with a wonderful view of Puerto Villamil and you can also see giant tortoises in the wild along the way.

DAY 4: FRIDAY
AM: FERNANDINA: ESPINOZA POINT
Espinoza Point is a narrow ledge of lava and sand that extends from the base of the volcano to the sea. There is a vivid description from Captain Benjamin Morrell who witnessed and recorded and eruption of Fernandina in the 1820’s that probably gave rise to the Point. In 1975, there was an uprising, about 90 cm, which is why the pier built for landing can only be used during high tide. Espinoza Point is a place famous for its large colonies of Marine Iguanas as well as being the habitat of unique species like the Flightless Cormorant, the Galapagos Penguin, the Galapagos Hawk, and the Galapagos Snake, among others. It’s an ideal place to observe the lava cactus (Brachycerus Nesioticus), which grow on young lava and survive with little water. Back on board for lunch and a short navigation to Punta Vicente Roca.

PM: ISABELA: VICENTE ROCA POINT
During lunch time, we will start to navigate to Vicente Roca Point  on the northern tip of Isabela island, after a couple of hours we will arrive to this visitors place , the activity for the afternoon is snorkeling, Punta Vicente roca is home to sea lions, fur seals , penguins , turtles , flightless cormorants , so there is always the opportunity to find any of this animals in the water. The snorkel takes place along a wall of volcanic ash called tuff stone featuring amazing underwater volcanic formations including a small cave where in season it is possible to see sea turtles. After snorkeling we will come back on board and continue on our way to James island. 

DAY 5: SATURDAY
AM: SANTIAGO: EGAS PORT
James Bay is a black sand beach located on the west side of James Bay and northwest of Santiago Island. South of the beach is Sugarloaf Volcano, which has deposits of volcanic tuff, the same that helped the formation of the black sand beach. El Cráter is just north of this site, it has a saltwater lagoon, which during the summer dry season becomes a salt mine. Between 1928 and 1930 was the first exploitation of salt; but the efforts did not last long. Then again in 1964 a new attempt was made that lasted for some time. After lunch on board we’ll navigate to our next destination, Rabida.

PM: RABIDA ISLAND
Rábida Island consists of a red sand beach, a coastal lagoon behind the beach, and a loop trail. The approximate distance of the trail is 1.1 kilometers. The color of the rocks and sand on the beach is due to the very porous volcanic material, which with the help of environmental factors (rain, salt water and sea breeze), has acted as an oxidizing agent. The main attraction of this spot is the red sand beach and scenery, aside from the vegetation of the arid zone and the presence of native and endemic species.