5 days cruise Yacht Monserrat – B

Morning – Arrival at Baltra Airport: Your TCC (Transit Control Card), also known as the Ingala card (US$20 per person), will be issued digitally after you complete an online form. At the airport, this digital card will be checked, and your luggage will be inspected to ensure that no non-native plant or animal species are introduced. In addition, the Galápagos National Park entrance fee (US$200) must be paid upon arrival if it has not already been paid.

Your guide will welcome you at the airport, assist with your luggage, and accompany you on the short bus ride to the harbor, where you will board the yacht. After meeting the crew and captain, you will be shown to your cabin and enjoy your first lunch on board.

Afternoon – Highlands: You will visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, so be sure to bring suitable walking shoes and a rain jacket. Observe giant tortoises in their natural habitat along with a variety of endemic and migratory bird species, including tree finches, ground finches, Galápagos flycatchers, and cattle egrets, which are often seen perched on the tortoises’ backs.

Morning – Chinese Hat Islet (Santiago): Chinese Hat is a small volcanic cone rising about 52 meters above sea level, located just off the rocky coast of Santiago Island. A small colony of Galápagos penguins inhabits the area.

Approaching the islet from the north, you will quickly understand the origin of its name. It is an excellent location to learn about volcanic activity, lava bombs, and lava tunnels. You will witness how pioneer species have begun colonizing this barren landscape.

Beautiful white coral sand beaches and eroded lava fields covered with volcanic sand provide fertile ground for new plant life. Galápagos sea lions and countless marine iguanas also contribute to the island’s unique ecosystem.

Afternoon – Sullivan Bay: Arriving at Sullivan Bay feels like stepping onto the surface of the moon. Although the vast lava fields appear almost lifeless, this striking volcanic landscape remains one of the Galápagos’ most fascinating locations, especially for photographers.

Despite the harsh environment, life persists here: green sea turtles nest on the small white sand beach, while crabs, blue herons, and oystercatchers can also be observed.

Morning – North Seymour: North Seymour is a flat uplifted island formed from the ocean floor. Among the dry shrubs, you may spot Galápagos land iguanas as well as numerous seabirds, including brown pelicans, red-billed tropicbirds, swallow-tailed gulls, and seasonal Nazca boobies.

The island’s main attraction is the Galápagos’ largest breeding colony of blue-footed boobies — be careful not to step on their nests — along with magnificent frigatebirds. During breeding season, male frigatebirds inflate their bright red throat pouches to nearly the size of a football.

Afternoon – Santa Fe: Santa Fe Island is especially famous for its endemic land iguana species, the Santa Fe land iguana. The small island lies within sight of Puerto Ayora and is known for its giant Opuntia cactus forests and beautiful coastal scenery.

Morning – Pitt Point: Two wind-sculpted tuff cones at Pitt Point form the easternmost point of San Cristóbal Island.

At the small green-sand beach, barking Galápagos sea lions welcome visitors ashore. A trail through thorny shrubs leads into dry tropical vegetation with palo santo trees, Cordia lutea bushes, Opuntia cacti, and colorful succulent plants that turn red during the dry season.

After a steep climb through a ravine, you will reach the only place in the Galápagos where all three booby species can be observed together: red-footed, blue-footed, and Nazca boobies.

Afternoon – Witch Hill: Witch Hill (Cerro Brujo) is the remains of a tuff cone and features a stunning coral sand beach bordering a calm bay. Snorkeling here reveals a rich marine ecosystem with marine iguanas, stingrays, white-tip reef sharks, eagle rays, sea turtles, moray eels, garden eels, and numerous reef fish species.

Behind the dunes lies a dark lava field with salty lagoons frequented by iguanas and coastal birds such as pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls. This was also one of the first sites visited by Charles Darwin during his voyage through the Galápagos.

A short but often hot uphill trail with steps leads from the Interpretation Center near Puerto Baquerizo Moreno to the summit of Tijeretas Hill, also known as Frigatebird Hill.

Four viewpoints offer panoramic views over Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and the surrounding bays. On clear days, the distant rock formation of Kicker Rock can even be seen offshore. These wooded hilltops are one of the few places where magnificent frigatebirds and great frigatebirds nest together in a mixed colony.

A viewpoint featuring another statue of Charles Darwin commemorates the anchoring of the HMS Beagle in the bay below.

After the morning excursion, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.