Itinerary F Endemic Cruise

Transfer from Baltra airport to M/C Endemic.

You will spend the afternoon at Sullivan Bay on the East Coast of Santiago Island. Our walk begins on the white coral-sand beaches of Santiago Island, where lava flows from less than 100 year ago. It is the best place to experience the volcanic origins of Galapagos. In this area, you can also see the flora which grows on lava fields.

 

 

Isabela Island has a total surface area of 4,588 square kilometers. More than half the land of Galapagos is covered by Isabela Island.

You will then be taken to the Wetlands, which is a 6 km long complex of trails located on Isabela Island. The wetlands are home to a variety of plants and birds, such as gallinules (a type of finch), stilts, ducks and more.

You can also visit the Sierra Negra Volcano. It is one of the largest craters on this archipelago, with a five-kilometer diameter. The lava, vegetation, and fumaroles create a stunning contrast of colors.

You will see giant turtles and marine iguanas on the climb up Orchilla Hill. The view from the top offers a spectacular panorama of the Bay, Puerto Villamil and the surrounding islets, rocks, volcanic peaks, and volcanoes. Isabela's wetlands are home to endemic species and some introduced ones.

Visit the Arnaldo Tupiza breeding center of Isabela after lunch to see the infants and juveniles giant tortoises until they're ready for release and survival in the wild.

You can also visit the Wall of Tears. The wall is an artificial monument that was built by prison inmates during the 1940s. Isabela Island was a penal colony for Ecuador and the building of this wall was part punishment.

Be on the lookout for flamingos, and other birds of the water.

You will visit Elizabeth Bay in the morning. This is an important marine visitor's site. This excursion takes place in a kayak, so no landing is required. The first stop on your zodiac trip is Marielas, where you will see the most significant and largest penguin colony of the Galapagos Islands. You will continue the excursion into a cove surrounded by mangroves. Here you can see sea turtles and other marine life such as flightless cormorants.

Urbina Bay is visited in the afternoon. You can find coral formations and large land iguanas. It is possible to see giant turtles as well as flightless cormorants and blue-footed boobies.

Tagus Cove is the first thing to visit after breakfast. Visitors can see seabirds like the Galapagos cormorant, and the Galapagos Penguin on a ride in the zodiac along the cliffs. The 30-minute walk from the dock to the top of cliff allows you to see Darwin Lake, which is a saltier lake than seawater. From this point, you can see a number of volcanoes.

Espinoza Point, one of Fernandina’s main points of interest, will be explored after lunch. The Lava Cactus are located in a stunning lava landscape. Mangroves flourish on the lava surface. Highlights include the sea lions and penguins (especially during spring and summer), the flightless Cormorant, and the largest iguana colony of Galapagos.

You will be able to explore the Buccaneer cove, which is just north of James Bay. In the 17th-18th centuries, it was a place where pirates could stash their loot and take fresh water. They also used to capture tortoises as food. This is an ideal place to go kayaking, snorkeling or on a zodiac. You can see Galapagos Hawks, Nazca Boobies and Blue-footed boobies flying above.

Espumilla Beach is also a possibility. The beach is popular with marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot Crabs and other animals. Herons perform a dance between predators and prey to attract crabs. Snorkeling offers a variety of marine species, including sharks, octopi and moray eels.

Rabida Island is your destination for the afternoon. The main attraction of Rabida Island is its red-sand beaches, which are famous for their cactus forests and rock formations, as well as the vegetation in the arid zones and the presence native and endemic plants. You will also see the nests of brown pelicans and the lagoon, where you can occasionally spot flamingos.

Visit Mosquera in the morning. It is a tiny island located between North Seymour and Baltra Islands. This sandbank extends over 600 metres and is home to Lava Gulls, Sea Lions, Sally Light Foot Crabs. The islet also has the biggest population of orca whales, and sea lions.

Transfer to Baltra Airport for your flight back to the mainland Ecuador. At the airport, assistance and goodbyes are provided.