(Sunday). Day 1. QUITO - BALTRA – LAS BACHAS
Flight to the Baltra Island, where you will start your cruises abord the Guantanamera Yacht after a short drive to the harbour. The deserted, picturesque beach Las Bachas at the northern shore of Santa Cruz invites you for a swim in the crystal-clear water or to relax in the sun. Afterwards you will be visiting the bay Caleta Tortuga Negra which is close by. This bay is surrounded by mangroves where you can spot pelicans and herons. While snorkelling you can have a swim with the turtles, white-tip sharks and rays.

(Monday). Day 2. PLAZAS SOUTH – SANTA FE
Located In the east of Santa Cruz, the main characteristics of the small island of South Plaza are the Opuntia cacti and the carpets of red sesuvium, a succulent plant that turns green in the rainy season. The cactus is the main food of land iguanas, which are usually, found resting in the cacti's shade. The island contains one of the largest sea lion colonies of the Galapagos, along with swallow-tailed gulls and red-billed tropicbirds. Boobies are also found roosting on the southern cliffs of the island.
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 alsoo 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.

(Tuesday). Day 3. ESPANOLA ISLAND —PUNTA SUAREZ – GARDNER BAY
One of the oldest of all the islands, Española is small and flat with no visible volcanic crater or vent. Punta Suarez is one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago, with a long list of species found along its cliffs and sandy or pebble beaches. In addition to five species of nesting seabirds there are the curious and bold Española Island mockingbirds, Galapagos doves and Galapagos hawks. Several types of reptiles, including the brilliantly colored marine iguana and the oversized lava lizard, are unique to this island. When heavy swells are running, Punta Suarez is also the site of a spectacular blowhole, with thundering spray shooting 30 yards into the air.
Gardner Bay on the eastern shore has a magnificent beach. This beach is frequented by a transient colony of sea lions, and is a major nesting site for marine turtles. Around the small islets nearby, snorkelers will find lots of fish and sometimes turtles and sharks. On a trail leading to the western tip of the island you'll pass the only nesting sites in the Galapagos of the waved albatross, huge birds with a 6-foot wingspan. These huge birds nest here from April to December and represent the majority of the world's population.

(Wednesday). Day 4. FLOREANA- PUERTO CORMORANT – DEVIL’S CROWN – POST OFFICE BAY
Floreana Island is perceived as one of the most exotic islands of the archipelago. At Punta Cormorant you will land on a green olivine sand beach. Following a 100 m long path you will soon reach a lagoon with flamingoes, white-checked pintail ducks and other shorebirds. The trail goes on to a white beach made of grinned coral, representing flour. This is also the green sea turtle's nesting place. North of Punta Cormorant an eroded volcano, Devil's Crown, is a snorkelers delight. To the west, Post Office Bay is home to the legendary post barrel that whalers once used to send their mail.

(Thursday). Day 5. SANTA CRUZ – CHARLES STATION - HIGHLANDS
Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the Galapagos. The small town of Puerto Ayora is the economic centre of the archipelago, with the largest population of the 4 inhabited islands (approx 10.000). Santa Cruz is also the only island where six different zones of vegetation can be seen: Coastal, Arid, Transition, Scalesia, Miconia, and Pampa Zones. The Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park offices are based here. Scientists, park rangers and park managers among others, make huge efforts to preserve this Unesco World Heritage Site, involved in the conservation of the islands. The station is also a tortoise breeding and rearing centre, where tortoises of different subspecies are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. The most popular inhabitant of this island will probably be Lonesome George. He is the only survivor of this specific turtle species.
The lush greenery of the Santa Cruz highlands is a welcome contrast with the arid scenery of the smaller, lower islands. Points of interest are the famed lava tunnels, a fun and geologically informative visit. The trip to the highlands ends with a visit to the Twin Craters. The vegetation around these is very special and is renowned for its species of 300 ferns along with many sunflowers.

(Friday). Day 6. RABIDA – SOMBRERO CHINO
Today we will take a trip to the beach of the small volcanic island of Rabida. A small path leads to a small lagoon very popular with flamingos. On the way there you will pass many pelicans nesting. The beach is also considered as one of the most beautiful snorkeling locations in Galapagos and is frequently visited by many sea lions due to the abundance of fish. After, we will cross the Itabaca Channel to Baltra.Sombrero Chino is a tiny island just off the southeast tip of Santiago. Its name (Chinese Hat) describes the island's shape. Those visitors who travel to the island will find its special landscape worth the visit. Though centrally located it is one of the least visited sites in the area. National Park Service restrictions have limited the number of visitors to Sombrero Chino. The landing is on a beautiful crescent-shaped white sand beach, home to sea-lions and Sally Lightfoot Crabs. The trail on Sombrero Chino's explores its volcanic origin as one of the most evident in the islands. The lava rock is very fragile and tends to break off when people walk over it. The sharp outcroppings caused from these breaks make it necessary to bring good shoes. Patches of Pahoehoe Lava cracked lava and lava tubes can be found on the island. While the path does not lead up the striking red rust sides of the Sombrero to the caldera, it does venture high enough on the island to offer some spectacular views of the waves crashing below. Snorkeling in the waters near Sombrero Chino can create a stir; white-tipped sharks frequent the area, as do the playful Galapagos Penguins and Sea Lions.

(Saturday). Day 7. BARTOLOME ISLAND – SULLIVAN
Arriving at Bartholome we will ascend a lookout point from where you can admire the spectacular panorama of the Sullivan Bay and the famous needle shaped rock, the so-called Pinnacle Rock. The beaches at the foot of the Pinnacle Rock boast some fine snorkelling spots from which you can discover the marvellous underwater world with a good chance to encounter penguins or the softly gliding turtles.
Later on, we will anchor at Santiago Island's wonderful Sullivan Bay. At your arrival sea lions will stick their heads out of the water to welcome you and in the season, the beaches will be covered with little turtles. The main attraction of the bay is the broad, 100 year old stream of lava and its bizarre surface.

(Sunday). Day 8. NORTH SEYMOUR – BALTRA - QUITO
On your last day, a visit to the island of North Seymour which is renowned for its frigate birds and their intensive courting rituals. The island is also inhabited by other frigate birds and blue-footed boobies, as well as endemic black lizards and sea lions inhabit on its shores. After that we will have a short stop at the harbour of Baltra (formerly known as South Seymour), where you will cross the Itabaca Channel to Baltra to take your flight back to the mainland.

SPECIFICATION