Galápagos Expedition with Eric Simon

Upon arrival into the Quito airport, you will be taken to your nearby hotel.

This morning, return to the airport for your flight to San Cristóbal Island in the Galápagos. Upon arrival, visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center to view exhibits on the natural and human history of the islands. Next, continue to Punta Carola for snorkeling. This golden beach is home to sea lions and marine iguanas, so you will be in good company. This evening receive a program orientation before dinner.

Today, visit Punta Pitt, a green sand beach at the extreme northeast end of San Cristóbal Island. An energetic hike up the slope of a volcanic cone provides views of all three species of boobies here, while the boat ride allows for views of Kicker Rock, Pacific dolphins, and other sea life like sea lions and Sally Lightfoot Crabs. Great snorkeling can also be done along the way. Today, enjoy a packed lunch.

This morning, travel by boat to Floreana, the sixth largest island in the archipelago. It has a colorful history, with varying accounts of how the island was settled and how its first residents, German immigrants, mysteriously disappeared. After lunch, enjoy a walking excursion to La Loberia to view Galapagos sea lions on the beach and swimming and snorkeling nearby in Loberia Bay. Hike along almost 3,000 feet of trail that goes through the Galápagos National Park, where it is also possible to see marine iguanas and sea turtles. Later in the day, travel by boat to Puerto Villamil in Isabela Island, the largest island in the archipelago. Isabela is formed from six shield volcanoes that merged into a single landmass.

Today, hike to the southern part of Isabela, where the Sierra Negra Volcano is located. This volcano is the largest and one of the oldest craters in the islands, measuring 5 miles by 6 miles across. The last part of the hike goes down to Volcán Chico, a collection of small craters that erupted during the 1970s, where it is possible to see fumaroles and volcanic landscapes. Isabela boasts a diversity of eco-systems from barren lava flows to evergreen lush forests. Later in the day, snorkel at Concha de Perla. The bay's calm, shallow, clear waters are ideal for observing the incredible array of marine life like tropical fish, sea lions, penguins, and turtles. It is also possible to observe up to 20 bird species.

This morning, board a boat for the Tintoreras Islets and explore the rocky shores in search of marine iguanas, Galápagos Penguins, Blue-footed Boobies, sea lions, pelicans, and more. The islands are named after the white tip reef sharks, known as tintoreras in Spanish, that swim in these calm waters. After walking on the island, have a chance to snorkel in the bay and search for tropical fish. Don't be surprised if some of the sea lions jump in to play alongside you in the water. Take the boat back to Puerto Villamil, and then take a walk on a trail through the local wetlands to observe flamingoes and other species that frequent the brackish lagoons.

This morning, spend time at leisure to explore on your own, rent a bike, or go on a sea kayaking tour (at optional cost). In the afternoon, travel by boat to Santa Cruz Island. Upon arrival, check into the hotel.

This morning, travel to the highlands to participate in a reforestation project that is part of the efforts to keep endemic plants thriving on the island. Then, visit one of the local farms where deep green colors contrast the dry lower islands. The dominant vegetation in the highlands comes from the Scalesia trees, which create that lush green color. During this visit, explore the lava tubes, which are more than half a mile long. Return to Puerto Ayora in the afternoon and stop at the Charles Darwin Research Station. For 50 years, the station has worked closely with the Galápagos National Park to oversee the safeguarding of the islands' natural resources. During this visit, learn about their conservation projects. Their biggest undertaking is the Galápagos tortoise breeding project, where the Station gives visitors the chance to see tortoises at all stages of growth, from unhatched eggs to fully grown adults. Later, have free time to enjoy Tortuga Bay beach.

Today, visit Los Gemelos before being taken to the Baltra airport. Los Gemelos, also known as the Twin Craters, are located opposite each other on both sides of the road leading from Puerto Ayora to Baltra. The name is only figurative, as these are not real craters but formations that were created by the collapse of surface material in underground fissures and chambers. Upon arrival into the Quito airport at around 6 pm, check in for your flight home departing at midnight.

Arrive back in Boston.