Galapagos: Hermes | 7 days luxury

Fly from Quito or Guayaquil

Hermes Galapagos 7 day /6 night Monday-Sunday (itinerary C+D)
Other itineraries are available, please ask us for more info

Catch an early flight to San Cristóbal Island. In the afternoon, visit Tijeretas, a great
viewpoint and our first wildlife encounter. Learn about the origins of the Galapagos at the
Interpretation Center.


MORNING: Arrive in San Cristóbal Island

After clearing customs and immigration you will be met by a guide and transferred to the Hermes Luxury Catamaran.



AFTERNOON:

Interpretation Center Visit

Learn about the history of the Galápagos Islands from the very beginning of their volcanic
origins through to today’s conservation efforts. Tour the Human History exhibit to learn
about the islands’ discovery and colonization, and discover the natural history and variety
of flora and fauna that make the Galápagos so fascinating.

Tijeretas Hill

This hill bears its name thanks to the frigate birds as “Tijeretas” is how people locally call
them. Here we will enjoy from a great view of beautiful landscapes at the foot of a frigate
bird nesting colony.

Enjoy the day on Española Island, one of the oldest in the archipelago. Visit the white
sandy beach of Gardner Bay's and the bird colonies of Punta Suárez.

Arriving at Gardner Bay's in the morning, spend the day exploring on shore and snorkelling at Gardner Island in the bay. After lunch, sail to the western side of the islands to Punta Suárez, known for its amazing bird colonies and home to the waved albatross (April and December).


MORNING:

Gardner Bay

Visit Gardner Bay's magnificent white sandy beach, home to sea lions and sea birds. Be sure to explore the beautiful turquoise water and its incredible sea life. Spot young sea lions and large schools of surprisingly big tropical fish, including yellow-tailed surgeonfish,
king angelfish, and bump-head parrot fish.


Snorkelling Gardner Bay

Head to Tortuga Rock and Gardner Bay for a spectacular snorkelling experience. Spot
playful young sea lions and large schools of tropical fish, including yellow-tailed
surgeonfish, king angelfish, and bump-head parrot fish. Look for white-tipped reef sharks
napping on the bottom.


AFTERNOON: Punta Suárez Visit

Visit Punta Suárez, one of most rich wildlife landing sites in the Galápagos. Be greeted by
surfing young sea lions on arrival. Head to the trail to find many species of nesting sea
birds, and, if lucky, see the waved albatross. Follow the path up to a cliff for great views
over the ocean, and watch sea birds gliding in the wind.

Land at Punta Cormorant on Floreana. Guided walks to observe the bird and wildlife and
learn about the natural history. Snorkelling excursion at Champion Islet. Visit Post Office
Bay.


MORNING:

Punta Cormorant Visit

Visit Punta Cormorant, the only landing site on Floreana Island, and discover two
amazingly different beaches: one with green sand, coloured by olivine crystals, and
another with white sand particles known as 'Flour Beach'. Spend the afternoon observing flamingos and other shore birds feeding in the lagoon. Spot penguins and marine iguanas
at the water’s edge, and explore the lava tubes with the Galápagos CEO.


Snorkelling in Champion Islet

Jump on in and get up close and personal with the playful sea lion colony that reside in the
waters off this tiny island. Keep an eye out for sea turtles, rays and colourful fish swimming
by. There can be currents in this area, this activity should be done by strong swimmers
only.


AFTERNOON: Post Office Bay Visit

Visit Post Office Bay and learn about its unique history. In the late 18th century, English
whaling vessels placed a barrel here to be used as a post office. Today, the box is used
mainly by tourists, who may drop off and pick up unstamped letters to be carried to far
destinations. Continue the tradition – leave a letter and take one to deliver (be sure it
makes it to the correct location)

Disembark in Puerto Ayora and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to see the giant
Galápagos tortoises. In the afternoon enjoy the highlands, visit a tortoise ranch and see
some of the amazing volcanic formations on Santa Cruz.


MORNING: Charles Darwin Research Station Visit

Visit Fausto Llerena Breeding Center a great place to observe many species of tortoises
and land iguanas in captivity. Brought back from the brink of extinction, see the famous
Galápagos tortoise up close – a corral houses adult tortoises, and a nursery cares for the
young until around age three when their shells have hardened.

This area also houses the Charles Darwin Research Station, a scientific organization
initiated in 1964, which works to preserve the Galápagos' ecosystem through the
conservation efforts of scientists, researchers, and volunteers. While the offices
themselves are not open to visitors, the research station provides a study location for
international scientists and environmental education for the local community.


AFTERNOON: Highlands, Santa Cruz Island | 2-3H

Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz and see the Galápagos giant tortoise in its natural
surroundings. Explore the area and its incredible underground lava tunnels – some are
more than 1km (.6 mi) long! Wander along the volcanic tubes and keep an eye out for the
(mainly) nocturnal barn owls that sometimes roost here.

This morning we visit Dragon Hill on the west coast of Santa Cruz to see land Iguanas and
a saltwater lagoon frequented by flamingos and other species of birds. In the afternoon,
the boat arrives at a small uniquely shaped island off the southern tip of Santiago called
Chinese Hat. Here it is often possible to see Galápagos penguins, and the marine life is
fantastic for snorkelling.

There is also a large sea lion colony as well as many marine iguanas that can be seen
while walking amongst the volcanic scenery. Trek to see good views of the island's
volcano.


MORNING: Dragon Hill

Visit Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill) for some prime birdwatching. Take a short walk from the
beach to a hypersalinic (saltier than the ocean) lagoon frequented by pink flamingos,
common stilts, pintail ducks, and other species of birds. Pass through a Scalesia tree
forest; endemic to the area, there are only 400 specimens of Scalesia trees left in the
world.


AFTERNOON: Chinese Hat Visit

Explore Chinese Hat’s beautiful landscape and spectacular white-coral sand beach
followed by snorkeling with sea lions and penguins and swimming opportunities in the
cove.

Today we will be visiting the beautiful and remote Genovesa Island. This northern island,
famous for its red-footed colony, is a paradise for bird lovers. It is estimated that about
200,00 Red-footed boobies live on this island.


MORNING: Prince Philips's Steps

El Barranco or Prince Philips’s Steps as otherwise known, was named after a visit by the
British Monarch in 1964. El Barranco's steep 81-foot stairway leads up to a high cliff-face that opens out onto the plateau surrounding Darwin Bay. Here an amazing view can be
appreciated. Once at the top of the stairway we will meet Nazca boobies, red-footed
boobies, mockingbirds, and finches along the way of a palo santo trail. It will also be
possible to see wedge-rumped storm petrels swarm and short-eared owls.


AFTERNOON: Darwin Bay

Darwin bay was formed by the collapse of the flooded caldera of Tower Island, another
name used for Genovesa. After landing at a small sand and coral beach, it easy to realize
why this island is a bird lover paradise. Among the bird species found here, the most
common are swallow-tailed and lava gulls, mockingbirds, yellow-crowned night herons,
lava herons, Galapagos doves and yellow warblers. We will continue on a short and flat
trail to encounter red-footed booby and great frigatebird nests. We will visit a tidal lagoon
where sea lions swim playfully ending our path on a cliff with magnificent views of this
remote part of the Galapagos.

Take a morning panga ride and look for marine life in Black Turtle Cove. Disembark at
Baltra and fly back to Ecuador mainland.


MORNING: Black Turtle Cove Excursion

Explore the mangroves by panga to find rich marine wildlife between the fresh and salt
waters. Keep any eye out for manta rays and sea turtles in this tranquil ecosystem.
Whitetip reef sharks can also be seen gliding by.


AFTERNOON: Fly Back to Quito or Guayaquil

*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.