Bonita Itinerary C - 5 days

DAY 1: WEDNESDAY
AM: BALTRA ARRIVAL AND TRANSFER TO THE BOAT
Welcome to Galapagos! Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, naturalist guide will greet you and assist with the transfer to Itabaca Channel. This initial journey offers your first connection with the archipelago as you take a short ferry ride to Santa Cruz Island. Along the way, observe Baltra’s arid landscape and learn about its history as a former U.S. WWII airbase. This is just the beginning of the many fascinating stories awaiting you on your adventure.

PM: SOUTH PLAZAS
Of the two twin islands, only South Plazas is open to visitors, while North Plazas remains a scientific research site. Despite its small size, South Plazas is teeming with wildlife. Upon landing, ll find land iguanas lounging beneath Opuntia cacti, waiting for fallen fruit. A large sea lion colony dominates the shore, where playful pups explore tide pools while massive bulls defend their territory. The trail leads to a dramatic cliffside, offering breathtaking ocean views where frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, and swallow-tailed gulls soar. A blanket of reddish succulents covering the island adds to its striking beauty.
Stunning Views, Boobies, Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos shearwaters, Galapagos land iguanas, Tropicbirds, Pelicans

DAY 2: THURSDAY
AM: SANTA CRUZ: BLACK TURTLE COVE
Black Turtle Cove gets its name from the abundance of green sea turtles, locally known as: “tortugas negras”. There is no landing here so you will be doing a boat tour on the dinghies, exploring shallow channels and small coves surrounded by beautiful mangrove forests. Reef sharks, sea turtles and several species of rays inhabit this beautiful area which is considered an important mating area for turtles and a nursery for several species of sharks. Herons, pelicans and boobies are also common here as they pray in schools of anchovies.
Highlights: Mangroves, White-tipped and black-tipped reef sharks, Green sea turtles, Rays, Herons, Blue footed boobies, Reef sharks

PM: SANTA CRUZ: HIGHLANDS
Embark on a pleasant journey into the verdant highlands, where a bus ride leads you through lush forested landscapes home to Galapagos Giant Tortoises. These impressive creatures, reaching up to 300 kg/600 lbs, can often be seen peacefully grazing or resting in freshwater ponds. The highlands are also home to a variety of bird species rarely found in the lowlands. Depending on your itinerary, you may have the opportunity to visit a lava tunnel and learn about the volcanic forces that shaped these remarkable islands.
Highlights: Lava tunnels, Darwin finches, Galapagos flycatchers, Giant tortoises, Barn owls, White-cheeked pintails

DAY 4: SATURDAY
AM: SANTIAGO: SULLIVAN BAY
This hike is a journey into understanding the birth of these volcanic islands. You will walk in a very well preserved flow of Pahoehoe lava, which will give you endless opportunities to see the delicate textures of these types of lavas which only appear in a few places throughout the world. At first sight the barren landscape looks completely deprived of life, but look carefully for pioneer plants, lava lizards and small birds. By the shore, you can find penguins, pelicans and oystercatchers.
Snorkel Experience: You will have the option to swim or snorkel from a coral sand beach or from the dinghies. Getting underwater is like traveling to another world: if the land is almost lifeless, the sea is teaming with life, including large schools of fish, Galapagos penguins, reef sharks, turtles and rays.
Highlights: Lava tubes, Galapagos penguins, Oystercatchers, Galapagos hawks

PM: BARTOLOME
Bartolome is one of the most iconic islands in Galapagos, renowned for its dramatic volcanic landscape and the famous Pinnacle Rock. Nestled beside a peach-colored sand beach, this island is one of the few places where you can spot penguins without traveling to remote Isabela and Fernandina. The hike to the summit offers breathtaking views of a lunar-like terrain dotted with volcanic cones, with stunning panoramas of Sullivan Bay and Pinnacle Rock. From the top, the vast beauty of the archipelago unfolds before you, creating a truly unforgettable experience.
Snorkel Experience: Enjoy an unforgettable snorkeling experience in Bartolome, one of Galapagos’ top spots. Swim in calm, clear waters alongside penguins, colorful fish, sea turtles, sea lions, rays, and reef sharks in a thriving marine ecosystem.
Highlights: Volcanic landscapes, Pinnacle rock, Herons, Bluefooted boobies, Galapagos penguins

DAY 5: SUNDAY
AM: NORTH SEYMOUR / AIRPORT
We will depart by bus to the Itabaca Channel, where we will board the Galaxy Daily. After arriving in North Seymour, we will have a dry landing and immediately start hiking on a 2.5 km (1.55 miles) trail where we can go clockwise along the coast or head inland first to visit the colony of boobies. Get ready to spot land iguanas and marine iguanas; also, a colony of sea lions, lava lizards, frigates, and pelicans!
Galapagos sea lions, Magnificent and great frigatebirds, Land and marine iguanas, Darwin finches

Your Galapagos adventure comes to an end. Today, you will be transferred to Baltra Airport, where National Park naturalist guide will assist you with final details before your flight back to mainland Ecuador. As you bid farewell to this paradise, take with you the unforgettable memories of one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations.