Galápagos Expedition aboard M/V Coral I or II

Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Called the "Pearl of the Pacific," Guayaquil is the main port of Ecuador and the largest city. After the Spanish colonization, other Europeans arrived in South America and most of them settled in the lowland cities such as Guayaquil. Other peoples including Americans, Middle East and Asiatic became mixed in a huge group called mestizos. Las Penias is the oldest part of the city with charming wooden houses; the art deco and street lamps reflect the European influence. Cathedrals and City Hall were built by Italians. The Clock tower is Moorish, and federal buildings were designed by Spanish architects. During our tour we will discover the impressive mix of Guayaquil’s eclectic neighborhoods in addition to learning about gastronomy, culture and art throughout the city.
 

Take a flight to San Cristobal and head to the hotel. Afternoon free for relaxation and exploration of the town and its nearby beaches. Dinner on own this evening.

Morning excursion to the highlands and La Galapaguera giant tortoise breeding center to learn about the national park's conservation programs. Afternoon snorkeling expedition. Dinner on own this evening.

Enjoy the morning at leisure. Then check out of the hotel and head to the dock to board the yacht. After getting settled, visit the Interpretation Center on San Cristóbal, an excellent place to get a complete overview of the Galápagos. The center brings the history and geography of the archipelago to life, from its volcanic origins to the present day. The human history exhibit offers an insight into the discovery and colonization of the Galápagos and explores all the problems the islands face currently. Then, visit Tijeretas Hill, where a short but fairly strenuous uphill hike takes you through beautiful landscapes and steep, rocky terrain to a viewpoint at the foot of a frigatebird nesting colony. Please note: Cruise itineraries are subject to change without prior notice due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. weather) or at the discretion of the captain, guide, or the Galápagos National Park.

Start the day getting your feet wet while landing on the beach from your panga (dinghy) onto San Cristobal Island. As you head to shore, take in the immensity of the stunning cliffs of Cerro Brujo (Witch Hill). Here you can enjoy simply sharing the beach with sea lions, snorkeling from shore, or taking a walk to a hidden lagoon where you might spot Black-necked Stilts, Ruddy Turnstones, whimbrels, and White-cheeked Pintails. This afternoon, sea lions greet you as you land on the beach at scenic Punta Pitt and prepare for your climb to a high point on this steep eroded tuff cone. This is the only place in the islands where you will have the chance to see all three booby species in the same place: the Red-footed Boobies will be perched on the Cordia lutea and small trees, the Nazca Boobies on the ground near the cliff edge, and the Blue-footed Boobies will be a little further inland. Frigatebirds are also abundant here, and the views are breathtaking.

Today visit Española Island, the oldest extant island in the archipelago. Your first stop is at Punta Suárez, a naturalist's paradise. See numerous marine iguanas and sea lions and walk alongside boobies, endemic lizards, gulls and even a dramatic blowhole. This is also your only opportunity to observe the endemic Waved Albatross during its breeding season between April and December. With luck, you can watch their complex courtship displays. After returning to the yacht for lunch, visit Gardner Bay, one of the most stunning beaches in all of Galápagos. This long, white, sandy beach is lapped by turquoise waters and home to a colony of Galápagos sea lions, indifferent to the humans that walk among them. The Española Mockingbirds, endemic to this particular island, will be eager to inspect you and satisfy their innate curiosity. Darwin's finches may also join the throng, including the reclusive Warbler Finch. You can also snorkel here from the beach, in the shallows of the bay.

After breakfast, land on the beach at Punta Cormorant. On arrival take notice of the subtle green hue on the dark beach, a result of a volcanic crystal called olivine. Your walk takes you past the island's endemic Scalesia plants to a large, shallow, lagoon often inhabited by vibrant pink Greater Flamingos. Continue through a forest of palo santo trees to arrive at a powdery white beach and nesting area for green turtles. As you walk barefoot in the shallow water, spot diamond stingrays and white-tipped reef sharks. This coral-sand beach marks the end of your trail, so head back to the olivine beach to swim or snorkel among sea turtles, reef fish, and sea lions - and, on a good day, white-tipped reef sharks. A small colony of penguins resides on Floreana and can sometimes be observed as well. Next, snorkel around the Devil's Crown, an eroded volcanic cone, home to an abundance of fish and marine animals. Here you'll swim with schools of yellow-tailed surgeonfish, salemas, and creole fish, and with luck, you may spot turtles, spotted eagle rays, parrotfish, and even hammerhead sharks! The eponymous jagged "crown" is a roosting area for boobies, noddies, tropicbirds, and frigates. Nearby Champion Islet is the last remaining home of the island-endemic Floreana Mockingbird, which you may be lucky enough to see from the pangas. After lunch, return to the olivine beach and take a short walk inland to the famous Post Office barrel. Claimed to have been set up in 1793 by Captain James Colnett, it remains the oldest functioning "post office" in the Pacific. Whalers and fur-sealers would leave addressed letters in the barrel to be picked up by homeward bound colleagues; in the spirit of maintaining this tradition, visitors today will often take letters and hand-deliver them in their home countries

This morning, land at the pier on Santa Cruz Island, where you will visit the highlands and have the opportunity to interact with totally wild Galápagos giant tortoises. A short walk among these huge 600-pound reptiles will also offer the chance for more highland species, especially several species of the famed finches. Then travel to the Baltra airport for the flight back to the mainland. Farewell dinner at the hotel this evening.

Travel to the airport for the flights back to the U.S.