Your Travel Experience with Argentinien Pro
Day 1
Arrival on the island of Baltra
You will arrive on Baltra in the morning where your Crew will greet you and your guide will bring you to the boat. You will be informed about the coming days and get a chance to get to know the boat and your cabin.
Highland, Santa Cruz island
Afternoon: As you venture into Santa Cruz's higher altitude areas, you will notice the changes in the vegetation as the climate becomes wetter and warmer. The earth in the upper altitudes is rich in minerals. Coffee plantations and fruit orchards line the streets. Here you can observe the famous Galapagos giant tortoises in the wild, using the new knowledge you gained at Charles Darwin Station in the morning.
The Scalesia forests in this area offer the opportunity to discover endemic species of the Galapagos Islands, as well as giant cacti and a variety of deciduous trees and edible fruits.
Here you can also visit the twin 'craters' Los Gemelos. While they are not craters in the technical sense, these 70-meter vertical gullies with a carpet of lush vegetation are an impressive sight to behold.
Day 2
Tintoreras islet
Morning: Just off the harbour of Puerto Villamil, on the largest island of Isabela, a group of islands juts out of the ocean. The jagged black formations, dotted with mangroves and candelabra cacti, are the remains of a lava flow that entered the ocean thousands of years ago. It has since been eroded by the waves and today a collapsed lava tube forms a channel that fills during high tide and closes off the channel during low tide. Marine life is retained in the channel, including the spectacular whitetip reef sharks (called "tintoreras" in Spanish). This species of shark is quite common in the archipelago and is usually spotted snorkeling on the seabed while they rest from their nightly hunts. But at this unique location, you can observe the various animals in the crystal-clear, turquoise waters from the comfort of the shore. Sometimes you can see turtles and elegant white-spotted eagle rays or golden rays gliding through the calm channel, as well as smaller fish and Galapagos sea lions. The rocky coastline with its tidal habitat also attracts red cliff crabs, lava herons and Galapagos penguins.
Los Humedales, Isabela island
Afternoon: This is one of the most important wetlands in the Galapagos. With bogs and lagoons, there are many things to admire here. Walk along the path on good ground or a boardwalk and observe a variety of birds such as flamingos, Galapagos finches, Galapagos doves, Galapagos mockingbirds and sea lizards. Those interested in the flora of the wetlands will not be disappointed here either. This is one of the few places where you can see all four mangrove species. These mangroves are not only important for the inhabitants of the wetland, but they also protect the coast from the crashing waves of the sea.
Day 3
Punta Moreno, Isabela island
Morning: Punta Moreno is a rugged young lava bay. At first it appears to be a lifeless landscape, however as you walk over the cooled lava, you'll see new green areas and lagoons hosting a wide variety of birds. Marine iguanas and lava lizards are usually found in the lagoons you'll often meet flamingos foraging here for their favourite meal. While the sharp rocks make this hike a little tricky, its path itself is easy enough to be enjoyed by everyone and provides an unforgettable landscape set against a backdrop of the volcanoes Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul.
We recommend bringing plenty of water during this visit, as the lava field reflects the sun making the temperature higher than average. Don't forget to apply sunscreen!
Elizabeth Bay, Isabela island
Afternoon: The wide and sheltered Elizabeth Bay, on Isabela's east coast, hosts a bevy of the archipelago's unique wildlife. The mangrove-lined shore contrasts starkly against the surrounding lava fields. The myriad of small islets and rocky reefs make this is a particularly rich area for wildlife. The waters here are particularly clear, and this makes Elizabeth Bay a great place to spot the rays, sharks, green sea turtles, Galapagos penguins, pelicans, and Galapagos sea lions known to gather here. Nearer to the shores and mangroves you'll see Galapagos flightless cormorants and the sunbathing marine iguanas.
Day 4
Punta Mangle, Fernandina island
Morning: Hidden between the impressive new lava fields of Fernandina Island is a bay surrounded by mangroves. A rewarding place for birdwatching, as the bay is where the land meets the sea and connects the two habitats where sea, coastal and land birds live. The different types of mangroves: red, white and black mangroves have formed a root system that serves as a nursery for many species of fish, including juvenile sharks and green sea turtles. Snorkeling is also rewarding, as you can observe marine iguanas feeding on algae or flightless cormorants diving for their prey.
Urbina Bay, Isabela island
Afternoon: On the east coast of Isabela Island lies Urbina Bay, one of the youngest bays in the Galapagos. Formed in 1954, by an upwelling of the coast and was pushed up 5 meters. This brought a variety of corals to the surface, which can now be admired. However, this view will not last long as the air is destroying the coral reef. After a wet landing in the bay, you will go on a 3.5-kilometre march into the interior of the island. Here you have a high probability of seeing giant tortoises and land iguanas, which are only found in the Galapagos Islands.
As the trail leads back to the coast, you will encounter flightless cormorant colonies. The bay offers a fantastic place to snorkel and see Galapagos sea lizards feeding underwater.
Day 5
Tagus Cove, Isabela island
Morning: You will take an excursion to the infamous Tagus Cove - a favorite anchorage of pirates and whalers for centuries. The deep blue cove is home to breeding penguins, flightless cormorants, noddy terns, shearwaters and blue-footed boobies. A steep trail through dry balsam tree forests and cacti leads to a salty, green crater lake (Laguna Darwin). Sea turtles and marine lizards appreciate the food-rich bay, making it ideal for snorkeling despite the abundance of green algae.
Punta Espinoza, Fernandina island
Afternoon: Today you are heading towards Fernandina, the westernmost and with just about 700,000 years, the youngest island in the archipelago. Surrounded by hills amidst a lava landscape covered with cacti and mangroves is the visitor location Punta Espinoza. Meet sea lions and hundreds of marine iguanas basking on the black lava rocks and on the beach. While snorkeling you might come close to the resident penguins darting quickly through the water.
Day 6
Punta Egas, Santiago island
Morning: The black beach along the northwest coast of Santiago Island is a great sight, even from the boat. After arriving at the beach, two paths invite you to take a walk. One leads you along the coast to "Fur Seal Grotto", where fur seals lie in the shade and rest on the cool stones of the coast from the strong sun. The grotto provides an excellent place for this and the surrounding pools of the tide attract marine lizards to forage in them.
The second trail takes you to the island's Pan de Azucar volcano, it is responsible for turning the beach black. The volcano's crater is filled with salt water, which dries up in hot weather, leaving a dry saline landscape. Between 1928 and 1930, a salt mine was considered, but it was decided against because it was not feasible or lucrative. The lagoon is often home to Galapagos flamingos and other birds such as the Galapagos hawk, which circles high above the landscape.
Espumilla Beach, Santiago island
Afternoon: At the northernmost end of James Bay is Espumilla Beach. Next door, feeding sea lizards, the Green Galapagos Sea Turtles also visit this beach to lay their eggs here. In addition, the beach also offers a nice snorkelling experience, here sharks, rays and octopods have been observed in the clear water. Continue a trail that leads inland, passing a seasonal lagoon, some of which is quite green due to the algae in the water. Along the way, you might encounter Galapagos flamingos, Bahama ducks and many other species of Galapagos birds, if you are lucky, you might also spot a Galapagos hawk circling in the skies above you.
Day 7
Prince Philip's Steps, Genovesa island
Morning: Prince Philip's Steps are a staircase sunken into volcanic rock that leads to a plateau rich with vegetation and wildlife. True to the nickname of Bird Island, this area is home to nesting masked and blue-footed boobies, Bahama ducks, petrels and gulls amongst a host of other local species. The Galápagos horned owls bask on the warm volcanic rocks here, paying no attention to the tourists around them.
Darwin Bay, Genovesa island
Afternoon: Genovesa Island is secluded from the other main islands in the north of the archipelago and is well-known as the Bird Island. Emerging from the narrow entrance, you'll reach Darwin Bay, surrounded by protective cliffs. Frigatebirds regularly patrol the skies here and petrels can be seen hunting coastal waters for smaller fish. The green water in the bay is evidence of a high plankton content which attracts fish and seabirds, making this wildlife-rich bay a wonderful site for snorkeling. With some luck, you may also encounter peaceful hammerheads and black spotted stingrays.
Day 8
North Seymour island
Morning: The small island of North Seymour is one of the most diverse islands in the Galapagos archipelago. It is only about two square kilometers in size and above all known for the intensive courtship rituals of many magnificent frigatebirds, taking place here during mating season. The island is also home to large colonies of land iguanas, marine iguanas, and sea lions. The characteristic bush landscape features diverse species of animals amongst the aromatic endemic balsa trees.
Depature from the island of Baltra
You will conclude in the harbour of Baltra. From there, transfer to Baltra Airport in time for your return flight to the mainland, or continue with your planned route through the Galapagos.