7 days cruise Yacht Letty – A

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 you with your luggage, and accompany you on the short bus ride to the harbor, where you will board the yacht and enjoy your first lunch on board.

Baltra Airport was modernized and expanded beginning in 2007 to include additional restaurants, shops, and a more comfortable arrival area for travelers. Due to the island’s dry climate, vegetation mainly consists of palo santo trees, prickly pear cacti, and salt bushes. There are no visitor sites on Baltra itself.

Afternoon – Dragon Hill: A dry landing marks the beginning of a varied hike with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Discover land iguanas and other reptiles, Darwin finches, mockingbirds, endemic bird species, and yellow warblers among diverse vegetation, including palo santo trees. The trail leads to a viewpoint offering spectacular panoramic views over the bay.

Return to the yacht afterward for the daily briefing, dinner, and overnight stay on board.

Morning – Buccaneer Cove: After breakfast, visit the picturesque Buccaneer Cove on Santiago Island. The bay earned its name because buccaneers, pirates, and whalers once landed here, making it one of the archipelago’s earliest anchorages. Today, the cove is especially admired for its crystal-clear waters and rich marine life, including sea turtles, rays, and colorful tropical fish.

After a hike, you will have the opportunity to snorkel and explore the vibrant underwater world up close. Lunch will be served on board.

Afternoon – Egas Port, Espumilla Beach: In the afternoon, visit Puerto Egas and Espumilla Beach, two of the island’s most popular visitor sites.

A wet landing at Puerto Egas begins your excursion. The site was named after Jorge Egas, an entrepreneur who explored the island in the 1930s and established the first salt mine at Sugarloaf Volcano. Charles Darwin visited this coastal area in 1835.

The trail first crosses volcanic ash terrain and then continues over uneven black basalt rock formations along the coast. During the hike, numerous bird species may be observed, including lava herons, night herons, pelicans, American oystercatchers, blue-footed boobies, yellow-crowned night herons, finches, willets, and yellow warblers. Marine iguana colonies and bright red Sally Lightfoot crabs are commonly seen on the lava rocks.

Afterward, visit the idyllic Espumilla Beach with its turquoise waters. The beach is home to many bird species, including Darwin finches and Galápagos mockingbirds. Guests may swim or snorkel in the clear waters while discovering the rich marine life.

Return to the yacht for time to relax, followed by the guide’s briefing, dinner, and overnight stay on board.

Morning – Espinoza Point (Fernandina): After breakfast, travel by Zodiac to Punta Espinoza (dry landing), one of the most impressive sites on Fernandina Island, considered among the most pristine and untouched islands in the world. The landscape features spectacular lava formations and an exceptionally rich endemic wildlife population.

During the hike and snorkeling excursion, encounter the largest colony of marine iguanas in the Galápagos. With luck, you may also see Galápagos hawks, sea turtles, and mangrove forests of white and red mangroves. A particular highlight is the chance to observe the endemic flightless cormorant, found only in the Galápagos Islands.

Return to the yacht for lunch.

Afternoon – Urbina Bay (Isabela): After crossing from Fernandina, arrive at Urbina Bay on the western coast of Isabela Island. A wet landing is required for this visit.

Here, a former coral reef that once lay underwater now rises clearly above sea level – an impressive example of geological uplift. During the hike, weather permitting, enjoy panoramic views of Alcedo Volcano. Giant tortoises may be encountered in the wild, along with yellow land iguanas, hawks, flycatchers, mockingbirds, and several finch species.

Snorkeling from the beach offers opportunities to observe large colonies of marine iguanas, sea lions, flightless cormorants, and sea turtles.

Return to the yacht for the evening briefing, dinner, and overnight stay on board.

Morning – Elizabeth Bay: After breakfast, continue exploring western Isabela with a visit to Elizabeth Bay. This protected bay consists of several small islands surrounded by dense mangroves. The area is home to sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans, and a small penguin colony. In the water, white-tip reef sharks as well as eagle and golden rays may also be spotted.

Return to the yacht for lunch.

Afternoon – Moreno Point: After a short navigation, arrive at Punta Moreno. First enjoy a Zodiac ride along the rocky coastline before making a dry landing.

A hike through tidal lagoons and mangrove forests follows, offering excellent opportunities to observe wildlife. Green sea turtles, white-tip reef sharks, and colorful fish are often visible in the clear lagoon waters. Galápagos flamingos and several heron species may also be seen along the trail.

Return to the Letty for dinner and overnight stay on board.

Morning – Tintoreras, Volcano Chico, Sierra Negra: Early in the morning, visit Las Tintoreras, a group of small islets approximately 900 meters long with remarkable wildlife. Here you may encounter marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, sea lions, sea turtles, and sharks. The sea is usually calm and exceptionally clear, allowing excellent wildlife observation.

Afterward, travel to Puerto Villamil and continue uphill to Volcano Chico (approx. 860 meters above sea level). From the viewpoint, enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the massive Sierra Negra Volcano surrounded by lush endemic vegetation and abundant birdlife. A short hike is possible before returning for lunch.

Afternoon – Tortoise Breeding Center: In the afternoon, visit a special breeding and research center for giant tortoises in the highlands of Isabela. Part of the National Park conservation program, this facility allows the animals to roam in a semi-natural environment. During the visit, learn more about conservation efforts and research projects aimed at protecting these remarkable creatures.

Note: Today’s excursions may vary depending on weather and road conditions. Your guide will inform you of any changes the evening before.

Morning – Charles Darwin Station: After breakfast, arrive at the most populated island of the archipelago and disembark in Puerto Ayora. From there, walk along the main street to the world-famous Charles Darwin Research Station. Learn about the breeding and conservation of Galápagos giant tortoises and observe animals at different stages of development, from hatchlings to individuals more than one hundred years old.

There will also be time to stroll through Puerto Ayora, purchase souvenirs, and support the local economy before lunch.

Afternoon – Tortuga Bay: In the afternoon, hike to Tortuga Bay, one of the largest and most beautiful white-sand beaches in the Galápagos. The beach is named after the sea turtles that nest here.

Enjoy the breathtaking scenery and wide sandy shoreline. In a sheltered bay near the main beach – where swimming is safer due to calmer waters – there will be opportunities for swimming and snorkeling. Access is via a well-maintained trail from Puerto Ayora.

Afterward, return to the harbor and reboard the Letty for the farewell dinner and final overnight stay on board.

Note: Today’s excursions may vary depending on weather and road conditions. Your guide will inform you of any changes in advance.

Morning – Lobos Islet (San Cristóbal Island)

After breakfast, enjoy a final visit to idyllic Isla Lobos near Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The island owes its name to the numerous sea lion colonies that inhabit its beaches. Experience the special atmosphere of the “enchanted islands” one last time while observing these playful and curious animals along the shore.

Afterward, transfer back to the boat and continue to San Cristóbal Airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.

If you wish to extend your stay in the Galápagos Islands, services may alternatively end at the main pier.