Galapagos: Endemic | 6 days luxury

Endemic 5 Night Central Galapagos Cruise
Itinerary E

*Galapagos excursions are subject to change without prior notice. Changes in plans may arise due to weather conditions, National Park regulations, or other unforeseen circumstances.


AM Visit: Baltra Island Airport.

Meet upon arrival to Baltra airport and transfer to the Galapagos M/C Endemic.


PM Visit: Bartholomew Island

After lunch, you will discover Bartholomew Island. Once here, you will ascend to admire the spectacular panorama of the Sullivan Bay and the famous Pinnacle Rock. The beaches at the foot of the Pinnacle Rock are excellent for snorkeling from which you can discover the marvelous underwater world, and with a little luck, you’ll get to snorkel with penguins.

AM Visit: Corona del Diablo/Devil’s Crown, off of Floreana Island

Cormorant Point features two distinctly beautiful beaches, one tinted a glistening green by a high content of olivine crystals; the other pure white and aptly referred to as ‘flour beach’. The saltwater lagoon here is frequented by one of the largest populations of flamingos in the Galapagos as well as common stilts and white-cheeked pintails. Devil’s Crown is a stunning jagged volcanic crater, which has become mostly submerged beneath the water. It boasts a plethora of marine life making it an enthralling site for diving and snorkeling.


PM Visit: Mirador de la Baronesa/The Baroness’ View Point, Floreana Island

Post Office Bay provides a fascinating insight into the human history of the island as you will discover the postal system developed by British whalers in the 18th century and can take part in the tradition that has continued to this day. The Baroness’ Viewpoint is named after an Australian baroness, who visited the island in the 1930’s and sparked a number of speculations about her mysterious disappearance. This vantage point is ideal for surveying the surrounding mangroves and other points of interest from above.

AM Visit: Sombrero Chino/Chinese Hat, off Santiago (James) Island.

This small island off the coast of Santiago Island is a result of erupted lava, and the remaining cone curiously resembles the shape of a Chinese hat. The short trail around the cove will guide you through a sea lion colony and provide opportunities to see eagles, oystercatchers and lava lizards. Furthermore, the channel of aquamarine water that runs between Santiago Island is very appealing to those who wish to enjoy some snorkeling, where you may be joined by sharks, rays and even a rare Galapagos penguin.


PM Visit: Seymour Norte/North Seymour Island.

This island was formed by the uplifting of lava from underneath the ocean resulting in a relatively flat landscape. As well as land iguanas, sea lions and turtles along the coast, inland you will see colonies of blue-footed boobies who you may be lucky enough to catch performing their delightful courtship dance. Most notably though, the island is the largest nesting site for magnificent frigate birds, the male variety of which possess distinctive red gular pouches that they inflate during the mating season.

AM visit: Caleta Tortuga Negra/Black Turtle Cove, Santa Cruz Island.

After breakfast, enjoy the visit to Black Turtle Cove, which is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz. It is a living illustration of how mangroves alter the marine environment to create a rich and unique habitat. Three mangrove species crowd the area from the shore out into the lagoon, which reaches almost a mile inland.

As you drift through quiet waters in the zodiac, you are likely to see spotted eagle rays and diamond shaped mustard rays, which swim in a diamond formation. White – tipped reef sharks slip beneath the boat and Pacific green sea turtles come to the surface for air and to mate. Waterfowl, including pelicans, herons and egret, all feed in the cove. This is a peaceful place that will make you feel calm.


PM visit: Playa las Bachas/Bachas Beach, Santa Cruz Island.

In the afternoon, visit to Las Bachas, which is a beautiful white – sand beach, located on the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. There you can go for a stroll or do some easy snorkeling in the gentle surf. Sea turtles lay their eggs at the edge of the vegetation. You can also look for a rusted pontoon, a relic of the Second World War. In fact, “bachas” is a poor pronunciation of “barges,” two of which were wrecked offshore at that time: the locals mispronounced the name and it stuck.

AM visit: Bahía Darwin/Darwin Bay, Genovesa (Tower) Island.

Arrive at this horse-shoe shaped island and step ashore the white sand and coral beach that was formed by a submerged volcanic crater. This is an ideal place to snorkel in calm, sheltered waters amongst hammerhead sharks, rays and a plethora of colourful reef fish. A short trail leads past a tidal lagoon and mangroves, home to a variety of land bird species, including Nazca and red-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. The top of the craggy hill provides the perfect viewpoint to pause and look down on the bay below.


PM Visit: El Barranco/Prince Philip’s Steps, Genovesa (Tower) Island.

Begin your expedition at the bottom of the rocky stairway where you may be lucky enough to spot a small colony of seals. As you ascend the steep steps up the 25 metre cliff face, be sure to look out for the sea life nestled in the crevices and flocks of storm petrels, short-eared lava owls and Galapagos doves. Catch your breath at the top and take in the dramatic view before continuing along a rocky lava plateau that is a popular nesting spot for red-footed boobies and frigates.

AM Visit: Highlands, Santa Cruz Island.

On the highlands of Santa Cruz, you’ll have the opportunity to see the famous giant tortoises in the wild. So renowned are these endemic animals that they gave the archipelago its name. Birdwatching is also one of the activities do to in the Santa Cruz highlands, since this area is home of finches and other Galapagos birds.


PM: Departure from Baltra Island Airport


This is itinerary E - please ask us about other fantastic itineraries on the Endemic