SOUTH 4 DAYS

Transfer to the yacht after arrival at the Baltra airport.

Charles Darwin Station

Lunch service. Visit to Charles Darwin Scientific Station & Breeding Center Dry landing

Charles Darwin Station is the main attraction in Puerto Ayora. This is a great way to learn about the islands and their formation. Learn about the raising of the Galapagos turtles and meet Jorge, the famous single turtle. On weekends, the Scientific Station hosts many visitors to its beach.

Guide briefing. Navigation to Floreana Island and dinner service

Breakfast service. Visit Floreana Island: Cormorant Point and Champion Islet. Baroness Viewpoint. Wet landing. Nature walk* Possible activities: shallow water snorkeling, kayaking, panga boat exploration rides.

Cormorant Point

Cormorant Point has two beaches. On the shore, you'll find a sandy beach with a green color. This is due to the olivine crystals that are silicates or magnesium and iron. You will then follow the trail to the lagoon, where you can see Pink Flamingoes as well as other shorebirds making their home. You will see cracks in the mud at this lagoon. These cracks are not due to dryness, but are actually flamingo footpaths. You can also see Large-Billed Flycatchers and Small-Ground Finches. Continue the walk to "Flour Beach", a beach made up of fine white sand particles. You can see ghost crabs and rays swimming in the water. You can even go snorkelling or swimming if you have the time and weather.

Champion Point

You can also go on a panga ride up to Champion Point or kayak at Baroness Viewpoint.

Post Office Bay

Lunch service. Panga boat ride to Post Office Bay*. Wet landing. Nature walk** Snorkeling at the beach

*In 1793, British whalers created the Post Office Barrel in order to send letters from England to and from England. The tradition has been carried on over the years and visitors can still drop by to pick up letters without stamps to be transported to distant destinations. This site is the only one that can be visited solely for its human history. The wooden post barrel was established by Captain James Colnett, a whaling captain. It was built in 1793. Whaling was a large industry at the time, so ships would often be gone for two years. These ships often stopped at the Galapagos Islands. After rounding the cape, outbound ships would drop off their letters and return home to mail them. Over the years, thousands of ships stopped at Post Office Bay to receive and send mail. Many people have left a memorial sign with driftwood or other materials to remember their trip. Graffiti is only allowed in this area of the Galapagos.

**As you land at Post Office Bay, you will see sea lions basking in the sun. The guide will collect a few letters from the group at the post barrel. The letters are then taken home by the traveler to be mailed to the recipient. Visitors can also send their own letters. The remains of the Norwegian Fishing Village, a commercial fishing operation that was established in 1926 but abandoned several years later, are also available. A group of Norwegians came to the Philippines with hopes of riches and started a canning and fishing operation for $900 each. They were forced to abandon their dreams by the Galapagos' harsh life and some misfortunes.

If the weather and time permit, you might be able to snorkel from the beach again.

Guide briefing. Navigation to Santiago Island and dinner service

Breakfast service. Visit Santiago Island. Wet landing at Chinese Hat. * Nature walk Deep-water snorkeling

Santiago Island: Chinese Hat

Visit Chinese Hat, a small island located just southeast of Santiago. The island's unique shape is reflected in its name. It is worth the trip for those who visit the island. It is centrally located, but it is not the most visited site in the region. Chinese Hat has been restricted by the National Park Service. Only multi-day cruises of 14 or fewer passengers are allowed at this location. The landing site is located on a crescent-shaped, white sand beach that is home to Sea Lions as well as Sally Lightfoot Crabs. Sombrero Chino's trail explores the volcanic origin of this island, which is one of the most prominent in the region.

It is extremely fragile and can break apart when people walk on it. These breaks cause sharp outcroppings, so it is important to wear sturdy walking shoes. On the island, you will find patches of Pahoehoe Lava and cracked lava. Although the path doesn't take you up to the red rust sides that make up the Chinese Hat, but it does allow for spectacular views of the waves below. Snorkeling near Chinese Hat can cause a stir. White-tipped sharks, Galapagos Penguins, and Sea Lions all frequent this area.

Bartolome Island

Lunch service. Deep-water snorkeling. Bartolome. Dry landing. Nature walk*

This is the most photographed and visited island in the Galapagos. It has very few plants. It is home to an extinct volcano as well as a variety red, orange and green volcanic formations. Pinnacle rock, also known as the Tuff Cone, is one of the most well-known features on the island. This large, black, partially eroded lava form was formed when magma from the volcano reached sea level. The seawaters cool the hot lava and cause an explosion. The fragments that exploded eventually fuse together to form a rock made of thin layers. Pinnacle Rock, Bartolome's most famous and photographed landmark in the islands. It was a prominent landmark that served as a target for US Airmen during WWII. The Pinnacle Rock is surrounded by twin beaches of half-moon shape.

Visitors can swim with fish, Sea Lions, and Galapagos Penguins at the northern beach. You will also find stingrays and spotted eagle Rays as well as white-tipped sharks and black-tipped Sharks near the southern shore. This barren area is home to very little vegetation. The beach is surrounded by mangroves, and the tiny shrub Tiguilia thrives in the volcanic sands. The tiny, white Chamaesycae flowers and seeds provide food for the island’s finch. These plants can survive in harsh volcanic environments and are common in arid areas.

Guide briefing. Farewell cocktail. Navigation to Santa Cruz Island and dinner service

Panga boat ride to Black Turtle Cove*. Breakfast service. Check out at 8 AM and depart for the airport

*In the morning, a trip by panga boat to Caleta Tortuga (also known as Black Turtle Cove). This sight does not have a landing. It can be found on Santa Cruz Island's north side. You will need a panga boat (motorized kayak) to get there. It has a mangrove swamp, where you can see marine turtles nesting in certain seasons. You may also spot sharks and rays.