Your Travel Experience with Peru Pro
Day 1
Transfer at Baltra Airport to Santa Cruz Island
After arrival at Baltra Airport, transfer to the harbour and board the Beluga.
Highlands of Santa Cruz Island
Afternoon : As you venture into Santa Cruz's higher altitude areas, you will notice the changes in the vegetation as the climate becomes wetter and warmer. The earth in the upper altitudes is rich in minerals. Coffee plantations and fruit orchards line the streets. Here you can observe the famous Galapagos giant tortoises in the wild, using the new knowledge you gained at Charles Darwin Station in the morning.
The Scalesia forests in this area offer the opportunity to discover endemic species of the Galapagos Islands, as well as giant cacti and a variety of deciduous trees and edible fruits.
Here you can also visit the twin 'craters' Los Gemelos. While they are not craters in the technical sense, these 70 meter vertical gullies with a carpet of lush vegetation are an impressive sight to behold.
Day 2
Darwin Bay, Genovesa Island
Morning: Genovesa Island is secluded from the other main islands in the north of the archipelago and is well-known as the Bird Island. Emerging from the narrow entrance, you'll reach Darwin Bay, surrounded by protective cliffs. Frigatebirds regularly patrol the skies here and petrels can be seen hunting coastal waters for smaller fish. The green water in the bay is evidence of a high plankton content which attracts fish and seabirds, making this wildlife-rich bay a wonderful site for snorkeling. With some luck, you may also encounter peaceful hammerheads and black spotted stingrays.
Prince Phillips's Steps, Genovesa Island
Afternoon: Genovesa island Darwin Bay, Genovesa Genovesa Island is secluded from the other main islands in the north of the archipelago and is well-known as the Bird Island. Emerging from the narrow entrance, you'll reach Darwin Bay, surrounded by protective cliffs. Frigatebirds regularly patrol the skies here and petrels can be seen hunting coastal waters for smaller fish. The green water in the bay is evidence of a high plankton content which attracts fish and seabirds, making this wildlife-rich bay a wonderful site for snorkeling. With some luck, you may also encounter peaceful hammerheads and black spotted stingrays. Prinz Philip Steps, Genovesa Prince Philip's Steps are a staircase sunken into volcanic rock that leads to a plateau rich with vegetation and wildlife. True to the nickname of Bird Island, this area is home to nesting masked and blue-footed boobies, Bahama ducks, petrels and gulls amongst a host of other local species. The Galápagos horned owls bask on the warm volcanic rocks here, paying no attention to the tourists around them.
Day 3
Bartolomé Island
Afternoon: One of the most popular destinations for visitors to the Galapagos Islands, Bartolomé is known for its double beach. The popular photo motif can be admired from a platform that can be reached via a path from the beach. The path leads upwards for just under a kilometre with many erected wooden steps, but rest assured that the climb is worth it. From here, you not only have a great view of the double beach, but also of Pinnacle Rock, which rises 120 metres into the air. You can also see Sullivan Bay, the small island of Daphne Major and Daphne Minor. On your way back, observe the different rock formations formed by the lava, such as tufa cones or various rocks. The island is also a good example of how the environment adapts to its circumstances. Look out for the plants that grow here, they may look like they have no leaves, but on closer inspection, you can see little white hair that reflects the light so that the plant can store water. On the beach, you then have the opportunity to snorkel in underwater caves and meet sharks, rays and tropical fish. With a bit of luck, you might even see a penguin or two swimming by.
Bowditch Point, Santa Cruz Island
Afternoon: Bahía Bowditch is a true hidden gem in the north of Santa Cruz Island. This sheltered bay, with its turquoise waters and soft, pale sand, feels like a private lagoon – peaceful, spacious and wonderfully untouched. During your landing, you can soak in the tranquil atmosphere far from larger visitor sites. Snorkeling here reveals the magic of the Galápagos underwater world: with a bit of luck, sea turtles glide gracefully through the clear water while colorful reef fish dart among the rocks. An idyllic stop on your cruise that once again highlights the remarkable diversity of the Galápagos Islands.
Day 4
Las Bachas Beach, Santa Cruz Island
Morning: On the north side of Santa Cruz, you will land on Bachas’s beach - one of the most important nesting sites for the Galapagos Islands’ Sea turtle population. A hidden lagoon behind the bay reveals a treasure trove of animal sightings - sunbathing iguanas, curious shorebirds, and Darwin finches, mockingbirds, and seagulls frolic here. Native plant life is also interesting in this area. Red and black mangroves and salt bushes line the edges of the pond. In this heavenly place, you will also find the remains of barges that sank long ago when the US Navy operated a base on the island of Baltra during the Second World War. Local people changed the word Barges to "Bachas".
Transfer to Baltra Island
Transfer to the Baltra airport in time for your return flight to Quito or Guayaquil.