Itinerary B

Baltra airport. Reception at airport. Transfer in. Welcome on board Galaxy II Cruise. Welcome drink and lunch. Charles  Darwin Station is located in the Main Port of Santa Cruz Island, we will take our private bus that take us to the entrance of the center of breeding where we go to appreciate tortoises and land iguanas in captivity, this center is the main site of breeding of the islands. Animals that were in danger of extinction in the different islands are maintained in captivity and thanks at dedicated work of several institutions some species are saving, here was where the most famous tortoise “the Solitary George” the last survivor of the species of Pinta Island lived.

Tintoreras

Located in the bay of Puerto Villamil, this small island surrounded by calm turquoise waters has an easy trail with great landscapes and very interesting fauna. Along the trail we will see large numbers of Marine Iguanas basking in the sun, lava lizards, herons, gulls and sea lions. In the coves, it is easy to find Sea Turtles, rays and even Penguins. Among the many cracks and channels in the coast sometimes we can see White-tipped Reef Sharks (in Spanish “Tintoreras”). After the visit, we will return to the boat to have breakfast and begin the navigation to the next point.

Moreno Point

After lunch, we will disembarg in Moreno Point which is located near Elizabeth Bay on the west coast of Isabela Island. The plethora of birds seen during a dinghy ride along the striking rocky shores or a hike along path through lava rock leading to tide pools and mangroves create a birdwatcher’s delight. In the tide pools, green sea turtles or white-tip sharks can be spotted.

Elizabeth Bay

This is one of the island’s breeding sites for penguins. Located on the west coast of Isabela, Elizabeth Point is a marine visitor site. Visit red mangrove cove: Brown pelicans, flightless cormorants, spotted eagle rays, golden rays and sea lions are often seen. Lunch

Urbina Bay

This place is located at the base of Alcedo Volcano between Elizabeth Bay and Tagus Cove. Wet landing. Trail length is around 3.20 Km; during this walking we can observe land iguanas, hawks, tortoises; also it is possible to see red and blue lobsters.

Fernandina Island: Espinoza Point

Fernandina is the 3rd island bigger of Galapagos and has just one visit place: Espinoza Point. Espinoza Point is famous site because you will find big colonies of marine iguanas and to be the unique place where the flightless Cormorant lives, Galapagos penguin, hawk, snakes of Galapagos and many other. From Espinoza Point we can admire Fernandina Island and its volcano which last eruption was on May 2005. Fernandina is the only island that doesn’t have any mammal introduced and the open areas are very fragile. In nesting time of marine iguana (January to June) we have a lot care when we are walking. Return to EcoGalaxy. Lunch.

Isabela Island: Vicente Roca Point

Vicente Roca Point is comprised of two separate coves, this site is a large bay with spectacular sea life. Keep an eye out for seahorses, sea turtles, and the strange yet fascinating Mola-mola (sunfish).

Santiago Island: Egas Port

In this site we find a black sand beach; at south of this beach there is a volcano called Pan de Azucar, it has volcanic deposits which have contributed to the formation of this black sand beach.

The crater of this volcano has a salt lake which in warm time becomes dry and it is possible to appreciate a salt mine. Between 1928 and 1930 there were some explorations to this mine but they didn’t function; additionally, it caused damages to the environment because of workers use endemic woods. It is not allowed go down to salt mine. Lunch.

Rabida Island

The visitor site is located on the east coast of Rabida 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 the place is the red sand beach, scenery, aside from the vegetation of the arid zone and the presence of native and endemic species.

Black Turtle Cove

Welcome on board. After lunch our first visit is to Black Turtle Cove which is situated in the northern of Santa Cruz. This bay is surrounded by mangroves and is accessible by dinghy only. The superficial cove is a safe refuge for marine life. Black-tip reef sharks, marine turtles, and a variety of rays are often spotted here.

Transfer to the airport