Galápagos Islands | Nature and Wildlife with Wildstock Photography

Upon arrival in Guayaquil you will be met and escorted to your hotel. Check in starts at 3 pm.

Your wonderful day in Guayaquil will be spent exploring gardens and natural areas surrounding this coastal city of Ecuador. On the way out of town, stop for a quick visit to Lineal Park, a small but charming park with ornamental and endemic species that are found in this region. Continue on to the Cerro Blanco Protected Forest, a 15-acre reserve within the tropical dry forest ecosystem of the Ecuadorian coast, located in the extreme southwest area of the Chongón-Colonche mountain range. The ecosystem of this lush native flora is home to 54 mammal species, 221 bird species, 8 amphibian species, and 12 reptile species. In addition, there are more than 700 species of vascular plants, 20% of which are endemic to the southwest of Ecuador. After your time in the reserve, have lunch at a typical restaurant, and then visit Jardín Botánico de Guayaquil. The garden sits on a hill overlooking the Guayas and Daule rivers. Development of the garden began in 1979, and it was opened to the public in 1989. There are approximately 324 plant species that can be observed in their natural habitat, as well as timber and fruit trees, ornamentals, and exotics. Orchids are the main attraction. Return to your hotel; dinner is on your own.

Fly from mainland Ecuador to Baltra Island. After boarding M/Y Tip Top IV, attend your first orientation and have a light snack. After lunch, explore the coast and the interior of North Seymour Island, a low, flat island that was uplifted from the sea by underground seismic activity. Look for Blue-footed Boobies, marine iguanas, pelicans, frigatebirds, shorebirds, sea lions, and endemic palo santo trees. *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.

After breakfast, land at Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island to walk and observe frigatebirds, herons, mockingbirds, boobies, shorebirds, sea turtles, marine iguanas, and other wildlife. There will be time for those who would like to swim, snorkel, or kayak. Return to the boat for a delicious lunch. Later in the afternoon, go ashore at the natural stone staircase of El Barranco (Prince Philips's Steps) to observe the interesting lives of the birds here. Tonight, learn about conservation efforts to protect the islands.

After breakfast, visit Puerto Egas (James Bay) on Santiago Island to walk and observe sponges, snails, hermit crabs, a variety of shore birds, barnacles, the endemic four-eyed blenny, marine iguanas, and sea lions. This afternoon, travel to Espumilla Beach, a brown-sand beach that's an important site for nesting sea turtles. Also look for land birds like Yellow Warblers, Darwin's finches, and Galápagos Flycatchers. Follow a trail that leads through a palo santo forest and behind the beach to arrive at a saltwater lagoon, where flamingos are sometimes seen. Later navigate around Caleta Bucanero (Buccaneer Cove), an area of steep cliffs and dark beaches. This was a popular place for 17th and 18th century buccaneers to careen their vessels, and the cliffs and pinnacle are used as nesting areas by several species of seabirds.

After breakfast, take a panga ride around Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island to observe sea lions, marine iguanas, Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies, and Flightless Cormorants. There will be time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel. In the afternoon, land at Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island, home to a large colony of sea lions, as well as marine iguanas, Flightless Cormorants, and lava cactus. Return to the yacht for dinner and your nightly orientation.

After breakfast, explore Tagus Cove, which sits between the shoulders of two volcanic craters that protect it from the open sea; look for Galápagos Penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions, Flightless Cormorants, and Blue-footed Boobies. In the afternoon, a panga boat ride around the islets of Elizabeth Bay should afford sightings of marine iguanas, sea turtles, seabirds, shorebirds, herons, Galápagos Penguins, and Blue-footed Boobies.

After breakfast, disembark on Isabela Island at Urbina Bay, a coral area at the base of Alcedo Volcano with land iguanas, Flightless Cormorants, and giant tortoises. Return to the yacht for lunch. This afternoon sail to Punta Moreno. Walk along coastal lagoons located among petrified lava flows where different types of birds can be seen. The trail leads to a panoramic view of the island's famous Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcanoes, as well as the highest part of nearby Fernandina Island. Return to the yacht for dinner and nightly orientation.

This morning, land on the green beach at Floreana Island's Cormorant Point and walk inland to a brackish lagoon to see American Flamingoes and shorebirds. Continue walking to La Picona, a beautiful white-sand beach that serves as an important nesting site for Galápagos green sea turtles. At the start of the year, turtles come ashore at night to dig nests and lay their eggs; by April and May the hatchlings begin to emerge from the sand and make their perilous journey to the sea. Head back to the green beach to enjoy swimming and snorkeling among reef fish and sea lions. This afternoon, disembark on the beach at Post Office Bay and follow a short trail to its historical mail barrel site. In the 18th century, British whalers placed a wooden barrel here to use as an informal post office; today, visitors continue the tradition by leaving their own postcards in the barrel for fellow travelers to carry to their destination. Continue to Baroness Viewpoint, named after the Baroness Eloise von Wagner, who once lived here. Enjoy the beautiful landscape and observe the ruins of her house.

Today, return to the Baltra airport for your flight back to Guayaquil. Upon arrival, you will be met and taken to your hotel. There will be time this afternoon to explore your surroundings and perhaps take a stroll along the Malecón boardwalk before gathering for an early farewell dinner at the hotel. Depending on your international flight schedule, you will either be transferred to the airport this evening or tomorrow morning.

Assuming your departure was not the night before, this morning you will be transferred to the Guayaquil International Airport for your flight(s) home. Check out is at 12 pm.