Treasures of the Galapagos Small Ship Cruise

AM - Flight to Baltra Airport (GPS) Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, you will pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands, as well as to pay the park entrance fee of $200 (unless it has been prepaid). Your guide will meet you at the airport, help you with your luggage, and escort you on the short bus ride. You will then board the Treasure catamaran where the crew and captain will introduce themselves and you will proceed to your assigned stateroom. Finally, you will enjoy your first lunch on board. PM - Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre (Santa Cruz) Your first excursion will take place on Santa Cruz Island. You will disembark to the Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre, where you can observe tortoises that come from various islands of the archipelago. They are part of a breeding programme intended to repopulate the areas where the number of tortoises has decreased due to human activity or predatory invasive species

AM - Eden Islet El Eden is a paradisiacal tuff cone islet, just off the west coast of Santa Cruz (between Whale Bay and Dragon Hill). This morning we will disembark to the appropriately named Eden Islet. On its coast you will observe land iguanas and sea lions soaking up the sun, as well as seabirds feeding in the nearby mangrove forests. It is a perfect location for swimming activities, as the clear and calm waters will allow you to snorkel along tropical fish, rays, and two species of sharks. Alternatively, a kayak ride would be a memorable experience. PM - Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz) The visitor site at Dragon Hill has been open for visits on 1993. This site is located in nor thwestern Santa Cruz Island and consists of a trail that lead to a hyper-saline lagoon behind the beach, frequented by flamingos, pintail ducks and other species of birds. This site has been re populated with land iguanas from Seymour, Isabela and Santa Cruz islands. There is a short walk to the Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay

AM - Tintoreras Islet & Sierra Negra Volcano (Isabela) Just outside Puerto Villamil, a chain of lava islets rises from the ocean, formed when molten rock met the sea and solidified. At low tide, crystalline pools reveal whitetip reef sharks—locally called “Tintoreras”—resting alongside sea turtles and eagle rays. The islets also host the largest marine iguanas in Galápagos, some reaching 1.5 metres. Along the rugged shoreline, light-footed crabs, lava herons and Galápagos penguins thrive. The morning continues to Sierra Negra Volcano, whose immense caldera and expansive lava fields showcase Isabela’s extraordinary geological force and dramatic volcanic scenery. PM - Wetlands and Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center (Isabela) Back on the coast, the road reaches Flamingo Lagoon, one of Isabela’s most rewarding sites for observing these elegant pink birds in their natural habitat. The shallow brackish waters and surrounding wetlands create ideal feeding conditions, offering excellent opportunities for photography and quiet wildlife observation. The journey continues to the local tortoise breeding centre, home to hundreds of giant Galápagos tortoises of varying ages and sizes. Hatchlings, remarkably small and delicate, are often no larger than the palm of your hand — a striking contrast to the immense adults they will eventually become. Established to protect the endangered tortoise populations from the two southernmost volcanoes of Isabela, this conservation initiative plays a vital role in species recovery. At the Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Centre, guests gain insight into breeding programmes, habitat restoration and long-term preservation strategies safeguarding these iconic Galápagos species for future generations.

AM - Moreno Point (Isabela) Punta Moreno is located on the nor th coast of Isabela Island between the volcano Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcano. The trail runs along a lava flow Pahohoe (solidified lava in the form of corrugated or an accordion) into a complex of coastal lagoons, its main attraction are several species of birds which can be found around this lakes and mangroves PM - Tagus Cove (Isabela) A tour along the cliffs in a zodiac will give the visitors a good chance to see the Galapagos penguin, the flightless cormorant and other sea birds. From the landing dock it is about a 30 minute hike along the trail up to the top of the cliff from where you can view Darwin Lake, an uplifted ultra-saline lake saltier than the sea. You can also see several volcanoes from this location. Look carefully at the graffiti on the surrounding cliffs of the cove, it has been written by pirates, whalers and buccaneers in past centuries.

AM - Espinoza Point (Fernandina) Fernandina is the third largest island in the archipelago and has a single visitor site: Punta Espinoza located at the nor theastern tip of the island. Marine iguanas conglomerate in larger groups than in any other island. They bask around in the sand, swim near the shore and sometime block the way at the landing dock. Among the unique species found here, is the Flightless Cormorant. This bird had to adjust its way of survival and perfection its skills of finding food in the ocean. Their wings, tails and feet progressively adapted for swimming. To see these birds, is to witness evolution happening right in front of you. PM - Vicente Roca Point (Isabela) Whilst having lunch we will cross the Bolivar Channel for the last time to Vicente Roca Point, just at the mouth of Isabela’s seahorse-shape. While entering a dark cave below a spectacular arch, roaring echoes of the waves will accompany you. Just around the corner the collapsed amphitheatre of Volcan Ecuador offers another impressive view. The calmer waters of the coves are well-protected against the ocean swell and are a fairly cold, but great place for snorkelling amongst various species of shark, penguins, puffer fish and even seahorses!

AM - Puerto Egas (Santiago) Puerto Egas is a black beach is located at the west side of Santiago Island. Volcanic tuff deposits have favored the formation of this special black sand beach and this is the main attraction of the Island. This site is called Puer to Egas, because there was an attempt of company of Hector Egas, to star t the exploitation of salt, which failed because the price of salt on the continent was very cheap, and did not justify its exploitation in Galapagos. The project was abandoned and they left their infrastructure. PM - Rabida After a wet landing on the remarkable red beach of Rábida, there are two short guided walks. Iron oxide particles give rocks and sand their reddish color. The beach wall has a shallow lagoon fringed with green; This oasis is the most fertile spot on the otherwise barren islet, which is covered in palo santo trees. The salty lagoon attracts all kinds of waterfowl, including pintails and sometimes red flamingos. Many species of songbirds hide and breed among the evergreen foliage of the surrounding mangroves. One of the most outstanding attractions is the important breeding colony of brown pelicans, the only pelicans in the world that dive.

AM - Las Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz) These two small beaches are located to the west of Black Turtle Cove, in Santa Cruz. Its sand consists of decomposed corals, which makes it white and soft. This makes it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there are small lagoons, where flamingos and other shore birds, such as Galapagos gulls and lapwings, can be seen from time to time. On the second beach, which is the widest, you can explore the remains of two abandoned warships. In World War II, these were left behind by the US, as the island of Baltra was used as a strategic point for the protection of the Panama Canal. The name Las Bachas originated at this time, since the word with which the North Americans called these two boats, “barges”, was difficult for the local inhabitants to pronounce and they ended up making it Spanish. Transfer out to Baltra Airport (GPS) Transfer to Baltra Airpor t (GPS) for your flight back to Guayaquil or Quito.