Galapagos Islands: Galapagos legend 5Days/4Nights
'West Itinerary'
 

Thursday departures

Day 1:  Thursday - Galapagos (Baltra Airport)

This fascinating journey through the mysteries Galapagos Island starts off with an arrival  transfer from Baltra airport. You guide will then transfer you to the port to board the Galapagos Legend.                      

Bartolomé
Today is a Dry landing where you will be able to see volcanic formations like lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. There is a opportunity to hike to the summit where you’ll be impressed by the view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock.

During your hike to the summit, travellers will often see colonies of marine iguanas, lava lizards, tiquilla, and various cacti, there are other walking tracks in the area if you do not wish to walk to the summit. Visitors are also able to snorkel and see the Galapagos penguin, sea turtles, and white tipped sharks from a safe distance.

Day 2:  Friday - Urbina Bay (Isabela)

Today your sightseeing starts off with a visit to the fossil beach and coral area. Depending on the season you may be able to observe giant tortoises, land iguanas and flightless cormorants. After the walk there will be time for snorkelling.

Fernandina (Espinosa Point)
After fossil beach we venture onto see the biggest marine iguanas mingling with sally-light foot crabs, as well as flightless cormorants nesting sites, Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks, and sea lions. 

Among the flora and volcanic formations observers will spot  brachycereus cactus, and “pa-hoe-hoe” lava and “AA” lava formations. Numerous mangrove beds extend into the sea.

Day 3:  Saturday - Santiago (Egas Port)

We start the day off on a dark sand beach where most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows.  You can observe hunting herons, great blue herons, lava herons, yellow crowned night herons and oyster catchers.

There is also a chance you can see marine iguanas grazing upon algae beds alongside red sally light-foot crabs. There is a colony of fur-seals swimming in deep pools of cool water where you can swim and snorkel and find octopuses, sea horses, star fish.

Rábida (Jervis)
The volcano-formed beach is dark red and frequented by  sea lions. It’s considered the geographic centre of Galapagos because it has the most diverse volcanic rocks on the Islands.

We start off in this area with a short walk to the nearby salt water lagoon, where flamingos can sometimes be found.

July through September is a good time to observe brown pelicans nesting in the salty bushes and 9 species of Darwin’s finches can also be observed. There is an option to take a boat cruise around the reefs, snorkel or relax.

Day 4:  Sunday - Santa Cruz (Charles Darwin Research Station)

The day starts off with a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, staffed with international scientists conducting biological research and conservation projects. Here you can admire the giant tortoises that  are part of the breeding program.

Visitors can also admire the prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds.  Later on, you’ll have some free time to walk around town and shop for souvenirs.

Santa Cruz (Highlands)
Travellers can trek through the highlands of Santa Cruz and visit Cerro Chato, where you’ll be able to observe the famous giant tortoises.

Additionally, you can walk inside the dormant lava tubes.

Day 5:  Monday - Santa Cruz (Bachas Beach)

This morning we land on a remote beach which located on north side of Santa Cruz Island. 

Here you will encounter many sea birds, marine iguanas, sea turtles, and have the opportunity to swim on the white sand beach. After a relaxing morning you will then be transferred to the airport.