8 days cruise yacht Aida Maria – A

Morning – Arrival at Baltra Airport. At the mainland airport, you have purchased your TCC or Ingala card and a luggage inspection has already been conducted to ensure that no foreign plant or animal species are introduced. Upon your arrival at Seymour Ecological airport, your TCC (Transit Control Card) will be stamped. This must be kept in a safe place during your trip, as it must be presented again on your return flight. In addition, the Galapagos National Park entrance fee is due upon entry (US$200), if not already paid. Your guide will meet you at the airport, help you with your luggage, and will accompany you on the short bus ride to the port. Here you will board the yacht. After greeting the crew and captain, you will be assigned your cabins and then have your first lunch together.

Afternoon – Bachas (Santa Cruz). These two small beaches are located to the west of Turtle Bay on Santa Cruz. Their sand is made of mined corals, which make it white and soft. This makes it a favorite nesting spot for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches is a smaller water lagoon where you can seasonally see flamingos or other shorebirds, as well as American Stilt and Rainbows. On the second, wider beach, you’ll explore the remains of two abandoned warships. These were abandoned by the U.S. during World War II, when Baltra was used as a strategic base to protect the Panama Canal.

Meals: Lunch / Dinner

Morning – Darwin Bay.  Within the submerged caldera of Genovesa lies Darwin Bay. This bay with its beautiful sandy beach holds some surprises as you walk over barren lava formations, past tide pools and shrubs, and then climb cliffs at the end. Every single species you observe along the way has its own ecological niche. Whimbrels and migratory sandpipers actively forage in the surf alongside resting Galápagos sea lions. Impressive frigate birds and red-footed boobies nest in the mangroves, where songbirds such as yellow warblers, Darwin’s finches and Galápagos mockingbirds can also be seen. Something special are the two subpopulations of cactus finches, distinguished only by their song. There is wonderful snorkeling from the sandy beach.

Afternoon – Prince Philip’s Steps (also called El Barranco. )In the afternoon you will continue sailing to Prince Philip’s Steps, one of the two visitor points on Genovesa Island. Sometimes Galápagos fur seals rest on the rocky ledges. After climbing the steep stone steps, you will take a guided walk where you will see many different birds such as red-footed and blue-footed boobies. The red-footed boobies are almost only seen on Genovesa and nest in the palo santo trees. The bushes on the edge to the ocean side are loosening up, and you can enjoy the incredible view and the ocean breeze. Continuing on, you will pass by a colony of Nazca boobies and eventually reach nests of storm petrels, where, if you are lucky, you can also see the short-eared owl hunting.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Morning – Bartolomé. Bartolomé Island towers 114 meters above the sea across from Sullivan Bay. Climb the steps of the Bartolomé Summit Trail and be rewarded with panoramic views of volcanic peaks, moon-like craters and lava fields. The island has two stunning beaches where sea turtles live as well as a very small colony of Galápagos penguins at the base of Pinnacle Rock. Afternoon – Sullivan Bay (Santiago). Arriving at Sullivan Bay is like landing on the moon. The desolate, sprawling area seems mostly lifeless, but this island, which is popular with photographers, still offers much to discover. There’s even life! Green turtles burrow on the small white beach, where you can also spot crabs, Canada herons and oyster fishers.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Morning - Black Turtle Cove. This small cove is located on the north side of Santa Cruz Island and offers a unique setting for adventure. The scenery makes you feel like you’re in the Amazon rainforest instead of by the sea. Discover the tranquil emerald lagoon and the surrounding flat coves by rubber dinghy. The crystal clear water gives you a view of groups of white tip reef sharks, hammerheads and eagle rays.

Afternoon – Dragon Hill. On Dragon Hill there are two main species that are most likely to be seen on any visit to the Galapagos, although not spread too widely across the islands: Galapagos land iguanas and American flamingos. They climb a hill with huge Opuntia cacti where these “dragons” feed and breed. Despite being quite shy and elusive, you have a fair chance to see the success of this project with your own eyes. The short trail crosses the coastal vegetation zone as well as the slightly higher dry zone with endangered tropical dry forest. In the warm and humid season in the first half of the year, everything turns green. Evergreen giant cactus prickly pears with internal reservoirs chose a different survival tactic in this dry climate than the leaf-dropping palo santo trees; in the end, both were successful. It’s also a very photogenic place, with stunning panoramas across the bay and onto a fascinating, steep volcanic spout of red lava that overlooks the area. Dragon Hill has become popular for its salty lagoons behind the beach; these contain seaweed and shrimp and attract seasonal foraging American flamingos. Dragon Hill is the best place on Santa Cruz to see them.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Morning – Charles Darwin Station. After breakfast, rubber boats will take you to the tourist pier of Puerto Ayora, from where you will continue to the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here biological research and indispensable conservation of the unique archipelago are carried out. The complex houses the Interpretation and Information Center of the National Park and the Galapagos Marine Reserve. The most unforgettable part of your visit will most likely be the successful hatchery and encounter with the Galapagos giant tortoises. Before lunch you will have some time to explore the area.Afternoon – Highlands (Santa Cruz)In the highlands of Santa Cruz you can admire different species of birds, such as the small and large tree finches, ground finches, Galapagos flycatchers and cattle egrets (often standing on the backs of turtles). As you drive into the island’s protected area, you can see the contrasts of this diverse ecosystem. The path leads from the coast through the agricultural land and directly to the dense wet forests. Often you can see the Galápagos giant tortoises in the middle of the trail or walking across the pastures and through the grass. This place is a paradise for ornithologists, because almost all birds either live on the island or pass through here. 

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Morning – Post Office Bay, Baroness Lookout. First you will visit Post Office Bay. The history of this place is closely connected with a wooden barrel built there by the crew of a whaling ship in the 18th century. At that time, the barrel was used by sailors as a post office. Even today, visitors use the barrel in the same way. The idea is to “send” letters and postcards to their destinations by placing them in the barrel. At the same time, other mail is taken out to be sent to one’s home address. This foreign mail is then delivered. Feel free to give it a try! It is possible that your mail will reach its destination faster this way than it would with the Ecuadorian postal service. In the north of Floreana Island is the beautiful “Baroness Viewpoint”. The island was the destination of the first colonialists in Galápagos. Among them was the Baroness Eloisa von Wagner. The viewpoint is located very close to the ruins of the house inhabited by the Baroness. From this viewpoint you have a wonderful view of the coastal landscape of Enderby Island to the Post Office Bay, Cerro Pajas, the Flamingo Lagoon and the Palo Santo Forest.

Afternoon – Cormorant Point, Devil’s Crown. The peninsula of Cormorant Point forms the northern cape of Floreana, formed by a series of smaller volcanic cones covered with tropical dry forest (palo santo). The green sand on the beach at the site contains a high percentage of glassy olivine crystals that were blown out by the surrounding tuff cones. The ‘flour sand’ beach on the south side of the peninsula consists of even whiter coral sand that feels very smooth on the feet. Parrotfish have provided pulverization by grinding up calcium-bearing skeletons of still-living corals. You may spot swarms of stingrays that like to bury themselves in the sandy bottom. During the first months of the year, green sea turtles come ashore to bury their eggs. Devil’s Crown is probably one of the best places to snorkel on the Galapagos Islands. Here you can observe an incredible variety of marine life.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Morning – Suarez Point. This rocky area is home to the most impressive and diverse seabirds of the archipelago. The endangered Galápagos Albatross returns to Española Island annually (March–December). This allows visitors to marvel at the courtship dance, characterized by whistles and bows (especially in October). Blue-footed and Nazca boobies, fork-tailed gulls and red-billed tropicbirds are also native to this island. Along the southern coast, high cliffs allow spectacular views of soaring birds and seawater shooting up through air holes like fountains.

Afternoon – Gardner Bay. On the northeastern coast of Española Island, Gardner Bay offers a wonderful place to refresh in the turquoise sea and marvel at the large number of colorful reef fish. Snorkel side by side with green sea turtles or enjoy the proximity of playful Galápagos sea lions. The white sand beach is additionally an important breeding ground for green sea turtles. You may also spot whales in the crystal clear ocean. Afterward, you will continue to Osborn Islet where you will have wonderful opportunities for snorkeling and swimming.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Lobos Island (San Cristóbal). The beach on Lobos Island welcomes you right away with a lively sea lion colony. As in other colonies in the archipelago, you can get within a few meters of the nursing females. During the mating season, you will also observe males visiting the colony and mating with the females. But the island offers much more: blue-footed boobies and frigate birds, which try to impress the females (and the tourists) with their clumsy dances – using their remarkably blue feet or blowing up their balloon-like red pouches. During mating season, the fluffed-up, hungry chicks call out for food, and when their wings are strong enough, they learn to fly. Transfer to San Cristóbal Airport (SCY)Accompanied by your guide and several crew members, rubber boats will bring you and your luggage safely ashore, where you will take a shuttle to the airport for your flight home.

Meals: Breakfast