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December 21. QUITO
Arrival to Quito. Reception and transfer to your hotel.

December 22. QUITO – GALAPAGOS ISLANDS – NORTH SEYMOUR
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Baltra. You will be met at the airport by the Estrella del Mar’s crew for the start of your Galapagos tour. A visit to North Seymour for a walk along the coast and the interior of the island observing bird colonies of blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow tailed gulls and also sea lions and marine iguanas.

December 23. ESPAÑOLA – GARDNER BAY – PUNTA SUAREZ
Today, we will visit the isolated Española where there is a high percentage of endemic fauna. Gardner Bay, on the eastern shore has a magnificent beach. The beach is frequented by sea lions, and is a major nesting site for marine turtles. Around the small islets nearby, snorkelers will come across many species of fish, turtles and perhaps even sharks. On a trail leading to the western part of the island, several nesting sites of the waved albatross will be encountered. These huge birds nest here from April to December. Finally at Punta Suarez, along with many nesting seabirds there are mockingbirds, Galapagos doves and Galapagos hawks. Several types of reptile, including the marine iguana and the lava lizard, are also inhabitants of the island. Here you may also see a spectacular blowhole, which shoots spray 30 metres into the air.

December 24. FLOREANA- PUERTO CORMORANT
Punta Cormorant offers two highly contrasting beaches; the landing beach is of volcanic origin and is composed of olivine crystals, giving it a greenish tinge. At the end of the short trail is a carbonate beach of very fine white sand, formed by the erosion of coral skeletons; it is also a nesting site for green sea turtles. Between these two beaches is a salt lagoon frequented by flamingoes, pintails, stilts, and other wading birds. An old eroded volcanic cone called Devil's Crown is a popular roosting site for seabirds such as boobies, pelicans, and frigates and it is not uncommon to see red-billed tropicbirds in rocky crevices. The center of the crown is an outstanding snorkeling spot full of sea lions and colourful fish.

December 25. ISABELA ISLAND – TORTOISE CENTRE – SHARK LAGOON
After lunch, a scenic cruise along Bolívar Channel for possible whale and/or dolphin spotting. Swimming and snorkeling depending on local conditions. A visit to the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center ("Centro de Crianza de Tortugas Gigantes"), which is a twenty-minute walk from the town centre on Isabela. The best place to see marine life is at Las Islas de los Tiburones (also known as Las Tintoreras). From the natural dock a trail leads past scuttling marine iguanas up to a lagoon and a narrow channel, where a "viewing gallery" allows you to see the sleek shapes of white-tipped reef sharks cruising back and forth. You can swim and snorkel in the lagoon - though don't swim in the channel itself as it's not big enough for both you and the sharks - or back at the landing site. If you're lucky you may see rays and marine turtles.

December 26. SANTA CRUZ – CHARLES STATION - HIGHLANDS
A visit to the second largest island in the Galapagos, Santa Cruz. With six different zones of vegetation: Coastal, Arid, Transition, Scalesia, Miconia, and Pampa Zones. The Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park offices are also based here. The station is also a tortoise breeding centre, where tortoises of different species are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. The most famous inhabitant is probably Lonesome George, the only survivor of this specific turtle species. The lush green scenery of the Santa Cruz highlands is a welcome contrast to the aridity of the lower islands.

December 27. CERRO DRAGON - BARTOLOME ISLAND
Before breakfast, a visit to Cerro Dragon, along the northwest coast of Santa Cruz, which contains two lagoons where flamingos and land iguanas can sometimes be seen. Vegetation in this area includes Palo Santo trees and Opuntia cacti. Later we will disembark at Bartolome Island (dry landing) for a hike to the summit. This is a steep climb aided by a wooden staircase but the view from the top is worth the effort. Return to the boat for breakfast. Panga ride around the colossal Pinnacle Rock, with time to enjoy the beach (wet landing) and perhaps some snorkelling with the Galapagos Penguins.

December 28. SANTA FE – GALAPAGUERA
Santa Fe has one of the most beautiful coves of all the visitor sites in the archipelago. A turquoise lagoon with two small white sandy beaches are protected by a peninsula where sea lions rest. A trail runs along the side of the coast and then crosses through an Opuntia Forest. These prickly pear cacti are the largest found anywhere in the Galapagos. The Santa Fe species of land iguanas are also larger and of a paler yellow than on the other islands. After the hike you can swim or snorkel in the bay in the company of sea lions.  A visit to the newly opened site called La Galapaguera. We travel by bus into the highlands passing El Junco Lake. At La Galapaguera, we should find the Galápagos tortoise living in the wild. Return to the yacht .

December 29. CALETA TORTUGA NEGRA – QUITO
Our last day on the Enchanted Islands where after breakfast we will visit Caleta Tortuga Negra (Black Turtle Beach), here among the mangroves, turtles enjoy swimming in the calm waters peaking their heads above the surface while fish, rays and small sharks circle below. To the west of Black Turtle Beach lies Bachas beach whose sand is made of decomposed coral, making it white and soft, and a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish water lagoon, where occasionally we can observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the mainland. Arrival in Quito, reception and transfer to your hotel .

December 30. QUITO (Breakfast)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

End of services.