Galápagos Islands | Investigating Endemic Wildlife: Cruising the Western Route

Upon arrival in Quito, you will be met and taken to your hotel. Arrival into Quito should be on a Wednesday for the Friday cruise departure.

The first day of this adventure starts with a city tour of Quito, Ecuador's capital. Surrounded by volcanoes, Quito is a unique city that boasts one of the largest and best-preserved colonial centers in South America, earning it a designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Have lunch at a local restaurant to enjoy some typical Ecuadorian food. Later, travel north of the city to the equator and the Middle of the World complex to experience being in two hemispheres at the same time. Before dinner, attend a lecture titled "Introduction to Geology of the Galápagos Islands."

Fly from mainland Ecuador to Baltra Island. After boarding M/C Tip Top II or V, attend your first orientation and have a light snack. Then, disembark on Mosquera Islet, one of the smallest islands in the archipelago but home to one of the largest colonies of sea lions across the islands. Mosquera features a reef of rocks and coral and a beautiful white sand beach. Observe the colonies of sea lions, Brown Pelicans, Blue-footed Boobies, and Sally Lightfoot crabs before boarding the boat again to enjoy a welcome cocktail with the entire crew, followed by dinner. Each night during the cruise there will be an orientation to discuss the events of the day and the next day's plans. Please note that cruise itineraries are subject to change without prior notice for various factors including, but not limited to: safety, weather, mechanical breakdown, unforeseen emergencies, and the discretion of the captain, guide, and the Galápagos National Park.

After having breakfast on the boat, go ashore at Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island, a perfect place to get a feel for the volcanic origin of the islands. Look for new plant growth among the two distinct types of lava, pahoehoe and a'a. Return to the boat for lunch, followed by an excursion on Rábida Island, distinguished by its red sand beaches. Here, it is possible to observe marine iguanas, sea lions, Blue-footed Boobies, Masked Boobies, and Brown Pelicans. Then, walk to a small saltwater lagoon in search of Galápagos Flamingos. This evening, enjoy a presentation by your Galápagos guide before dinner.

Start today with a visit to Espinoza Point on Fernandina Island to observe a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, Flightless Cormorants, and clumps of lava cactus. In the afternoon, take a panga boat ride around the islets of Elizabeth Bay to look for marine iguanas, sea turtles, seabirds, shorebirds, herons, Galápagos Penguins, and Blue-footed Boobies. Tonight, attend an orientation to learn about conservation efforts to protect the islands.

Today's journey begins by disembarking at Urbina Bay on Isabela Island, a coral area at the base of Alcedo Volcano where land iguanas, Flightless Cormorants, and giant tortoises can be found. Return to the boat for lunch. In the afternoon, take a panga ride around Tagus Cove, located between the shoulders of two volcanic craters, which protect it from the open sea. Observe marine iguanas, sea lions, and a variety of birds, including Galápagos Penguins, Flightless Cormorants, and Blue-footed Boobies. This evening, enjoy a presentation by your Galápagos guide before dinner.

Land at Puerto Egas, also known as James Bay, on Santiago Island to walk and observe a variety of shore birds, sponges, snails, hermit crabs, barnacles, sea lions, and the Galápagos four-eyed blenny. Then, visit Bartolomé Island in the afternoon to hike to the summit. During the hike, it is possible to observe colonies of marine iguanas and lava lizards; on the summit, visitors can marvel at an impressive view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock, one of the most iconic sights in the archipelago.

The day begins with a visit to Sombrero Chino, or Chinese Hat, a small island off the coast of Santiago Island. Here, it is possible to observe Galápagos Penguins, eagle rays, sea lions, and marine iguanas from the rocky shoreline. This afternoon, explore Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island, where you can see land iguanas and walk to a hypersalinic lagoon (saltier than the ocean) to observe flamingos, Common Stilts, White-cheeked Pintails, and other bird species.

Navigate to Santa Cruz Island today to take the bus up to its highlands for a visit to the strikingly beautiful native scalesia forest and Los Gemelos, two large pit craters formed as a result of the collapse of empty magma chambers. Then, visit a local farm where you can see Galápagos giant tortoises in the wild and have lunch. Return to Puerto Ayora to check out the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center and Interpretation Center inside the Charles Darwin Research Station before heading back to the boat for dinner and your nightly orientation.

Take an early morning walk along the coast and the interior of North Seymour Island, a low, flat island that was uplifted from the sea by underground seismic activity. Observe nesting Blue-footed Boobies, marine iguanas, pelicans, frigatebirds, shore birds, sea lions, and the endemic palo santo trees. Return to the boat and navigate to the pier, where you will disembark at 9 am. Your guide will accompany you on the bus ride directly to the airport. Lunch is on your own today, and there are several food options at the airport. Spend the afternoon in Quito at leisure for last-minute packing or relaxing in your room before gathering for a farewell dinner at the hotel this evening. For those departing tonight, you will be taken to the Quito International Airport after dinner for your flight(s) home.

Today, transfer to the airport for your flight home.