Galapagos Cruise on the S/S DIAMONTE 7 Day

WEDNESDAY

On arrival at Baltra airport you will be met by our guide and transferred to the yacht. Diamante will then set course for North Seymour Island giving you the chance to become acquainted with the vessel and have lunch. On arrival, there will be a dry landing followed by a 2-hour walk during which Galapagos Sea Lions, Blue footed-Boobies and Magnificent Frigate birds can be seen.

THURSDAY

AM: Charles Darwin Research Station (Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz), where we will learn about the tortoise and land-iguana breeding programs, followed by some time in town for optional shopping & sight-seeing.

P M: Highlands (Santa Cruz), we will have the opportunity to see Galapagos Giant Tortoises in the wild. This is also one of the best sites for watching land birds: Darwin's Finches and Vermilion Flycatchers. The land visit may last 2-3 hours (including a bus ride).

FRIDAY

AM: Gardner Bay (Hood Island/Espanola Island), snorkeling along Gardner Islet, maybe kayaking, and a walk on the beach to observe sea lions and Hood Island Mockingbirds.

PM: Punta Suarez, there are large colonies of Blue-footed and Masked (Nazca) Boobies, Marine Iguanas, Albatrosses and Swallow-tailed Gulls. The walk will take 3-4 hours starting with a dry landing.

SATURDAY

A M: Punta Cormorant (Floreana Island), a wet landing onto a mineral beach, followed by a short walk to a lagoon, where we find flamingos and other waders. At the end of this trail we reach a beautiful white sandy beach where sea turtles nest. This will be followed by a short panga ride to Devil’s Crown for some snorkeling. The morning activities will take around 3 hours.

PM: Post Office Bay (Floreana Island), we will visit the historic Post Office Barrel. This short visit starts with a wet landing, spending no longer that an hour at the site.

SUNDAY

AM: Punta Moreno (Isabela Island), starts with a 2 hour walk across lava fields, while experiencing ‘oasis like’ lagoons, rich in flora and fauna. We will see Galapagos Flamingos and there is a good opportunity to spot our first cormorants and penguins.

PM: Elizabeth Bay (Isabela Island), there will be a panga ride to a quiet mangrove lagoon where sea turtles rest. Around Mariela Rocks, look for penguins, cormorants, and Blue-footed Boobies. The afternoon program will take around 2 hours.

MONDAY

AM: Urbina Bay (Isabela Island), we will walk over different terrains, seeing large Land Iguanas, a variety of native and endemic plants, and sometimes Giant Tortoises in their natural habitat. There are also the remains of a 50-year up-lifting, exposing coral heads and other marine fossils.

PM: Punta Espinosa (Fernandina Island), there will be a dry landing, walking over lava fields observing large colonies of Marine Iguanas, Flightless Cormorants, penguins and sea lions, which will take us around 2 hours.

TUESDAY

AM: Puerto Egas (Santiago Island), a coastal walk exploring the great variety of tidal marine life, Galapagos Fur Seals, sea lions, Marine Iguanas. There is good swimming off the beach and a broad array of marine life to view when snorkeling.

PM: Bartolomé, this is an up-hill walk and once at the summit we will experience panoramic views of Bartolomé and its famous Pinnacle Rock. We will also be swimming and snorkeling off the beach where we may see more penguins. It will take approximately 3 hours which includes a dry landing for the walk and a wet beach landing.

WEDNESDAY

AM: Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz Island), there will be a panga ride to observe sea turtles, rays and sharks. This will be a fairly short trip so we can return to Baltra in time for the flight to mainland Ecuador. This visit is done before breakfast.