8 days cruise yacht Petrel – B8

Morning – Arrival at San Cristobal 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 the San Cristobal 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 take you to the ship. After greeting the crew and captain, you will be assigned your cabins and then have your first lunch together.

Afternoon: Cerro Colorado: In the afternoon, you will visit the Turtle Conservation and Breeding Center in Cerro Colorado, about 40 minutes by bus from the southeast of the island. This center was built to improve the population of turtles on the island. The center has a large enclosure, a visitor center, a hatchery and a walkway along which it is possible to see different species of native and endemic plants, as well as birds such as the San Cristóbal mockingbird, the golden warbler and many species of finches and the Galápagos flycatcher.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Morning – Gardner Bay, Osborn Islet: On the north-eastern 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 Galapagos sea lions. The white sandy beach is also an important breeding ground for green sea turtles. You may also spot whales in the crystal-clear ocean. Afterwards, continue to Osborn Islet, where you have wonderful opportunities for snorkeling and swimming.

Afternoon – Suarez Point: This rocky area is home to some of the most impressive and diverse seabirds in the archipelago. The endangered Galapagos Albatross returns to Española Island annually (March – December). This allows visitors to marvel at the whistling and bowing courtship dance (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.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Morning – Devil´s Crown, Coromorant Point: Devil’s Crown is probably one of the best places to snorkel in Galapagos. Here you can observe an incredible variety of marine life. The peninsula of Cormorant Point forms the northern cape of Floreana, which was 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.

Afternoon – Baroness Lookout, Post Office Bay: In the north of Floreana Island is the beautiful “Baroness Lookout”. The island was the destination of the first colonialists in Galapagos. 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. Later, you will visit the Post Office Bay. The history of this place is closely linked to a wooden barrel that was 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 could well be that your mail will be at your destination faster this way than it would be with Ecuadorian mail.

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 – 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 oysterfischers.

Afternoon – Bartolomé: Bartolomé Island reaches 114 meters high and towers 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, is home to sea turtles, and a very small colony of Galapagos penguins at the base of Pinnacle Rock.

Meals: Breakfast/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 Galapagos sea lions. Impressive frigatebirds and red-footed boobies’ nest in the mangroves, where songbirds such as yellow warblers, Darwin’s finches and Galapagos 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 Galapagos 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, 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 – Puerto Egas: Puerto Egas is famous for its fur seal caves, where you will take a special guided walk along the coast. The artistically sculpted coastline of black basalt and multicolored ash layers forms a photogenic backdrop of collapsed lava tunnel, natural arches, caves and holes like “Darwin’s toilet”. In a grotto just below a spectacular stone arch at the end of the beach, a colony of sea lions cavorts in the shade. Hundreds of red cliff crabs glow bright orange on the pitch-black stones.

Afternoon – Espumilla Beach, Buccaneer Cove. Espumilla Beach is a visitor spot at the northern end of James Bay, on the west coast of Santiago. Hidden behind the beach are two picturesque lakes. The beach is an important breeding ground for turtles, which return year after year to bury their eggs in the cinnamon-colored sand dunes. Climbing a hill, you are rewarded with a beautiful view of the transition from sea to beach, to mangroves to Palo Santo Forest. At nearby Buccaneers Bay you will have the opportunity to snorkel.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Morning – Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz): This small cove is located on the north side of Santa Cruz Island and offers a unique setting for adventure. The landscape gives you the feeling of being in the Amazon rainforest instead of the ocean. Explore the tranquil emerald lagoon and surrounding flat coves by rubber boat. The crystal clear waters will give you a view of groups of whitetip reef sharks, hammerheads and eagle rays. After this excursion, you will be transferred to Baltra airport for your return or onward flight.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner