Land-Based with Windrose, Galaxy Daily, Sea Lion or Narel 5D/4N

North Seymour or Bartolome Island (Just one of them)

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Activity level: Moderate
Tour style: Hiking |Snorkeling
Pick up: 7:30 am
Departure & Return location: Hotel
Drop off: 17:00 pm

WHAT TO BRING:

We recommend to bring a small backpack ( waterproof ) , comfortable walking shoes , sneakers or rubber soles, shorts trousers, t-shirts, long and shorts sleeved shirts , windbreaker, bathing suit, hat or cap, sun block, sunglasses, binoculars & camera.

North Seymour Island is a small land mass located an hour away from the Itabaca Channel on the north side of Santa Cruz. This rocky island is home of one the most impressive colonies of different species of animals. While exploring the island you will find Great frigate birds that during courtship they spend hours handing nesting materials to each other. While around you will encounter some blue footed boobies cleaning the ground and transporting some twigs here and there, but never actually construct a nest. The area where the eggs are laid is marked by a ring of white guano. Heading along the shore, you traverse a wide expanse of sand criss-crossed with marine iguana trails. These reptiles nest here, so be careful where you tread. Some of the island’s finest waves pound a boulder beach on your left; young sea-lions often body-surf here. Looking west, there are good views of the two Daphne islands, Major and Minor.
After a delicious lunch onboard The WINDROSE Board, we will head to Bachas Beach, a beautiful coralline beach. This is the perfect place for practicing snorkeling, swimming or to simply enjoy the white soft sand. Several brackish lagoons only a few steps away from the sea are the feeding grounds of various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos.

Notes:

• We can’t guarantee that you will see all the animals since they are wildlife.

BARTOLOME & CHINESE HAT 

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Activity level: Moderate
Tour style: Hiking |Snorkeling
Pick up: 7:00 am
Departure & Return location: Hotel
Drop off: 17:00 pm

WHAT TO BRING:
We recommend bringing a small backpack ( waterproof ), comfortable walking shoes, sneakers or rubber soles, shorts trousers, t-shirts, long and shorts sleeved shirts, windbreaker, bathing suit, hat or cap, sunblock, sunglasses, binoculars & camera.

Bartholomew is considered one of the best snorkeling sites in the central Galapagos region, a swim at the foot of the Pinnacle Rock and around its base is the most important deep-water snorkel with many different species of parrots fishes, marine turtles, sea lions, and sometimes Galapagos penguins. After an exquisite lunch on board the M/Y WindRose we will head to Chinese Hat, which is a very small volcano near Santiago Island, surrounded by small spatter cones creating a dramatic landscape. Because of its distinctive shape, Chinese Hat has fascinated visitors as long as they have been coming to Galapagos. It’s one of the smallest Galapagos Islands but don’t be fooled: it has a unique visitor site with an unforgettable view! Galapagos Penguins and eventually Galapagos hawks are active across this patch of land which is also beautiful for visitors who just come to see and enjoy the scenery. A wet landing in the main beach of the island will give you the opportunity to enjoy the sandy beach where sea lions rest and a variety of wade birds feed on the shoreline.

Notes:

• We can’t guarantee that you will see all the animals since they are wildlife.

Santa Fé or South Plazas Island (Just one of them)

Meeting point: Puerto Ayora’s pier

Meeting point Address: Small square next to the playground

Departure hour: 08h00

Arriving site: Puerto Ayora’s pier

Coming hour: 16h00 approx.

We will meet at Puerto Ayora’s pier early in the morning, beginning the adventure and heading toward Santa Fe Island. Once we have embarked on the Galaxy Daily, we will sail for a couple of hours, during which we will enjoy the view and the soft Galapagos Sea breeze.

During this day of adventure, we will also be able to appreciate the largest species of opuntia cactus and the Galapagos hawk (the largest predator on the island), the blue-footed booby, the Galapagos sea lion, the magnificent frigate birds, and the marine iguana, also known as the Galapagos dragon due to its peculiar appearance.

The landing in Santa Fe will be wet, so we will have to jump on the impressive white sand beach. Several sea lions will immediately receive us, inviting us to start a walk to look for the resident species of Santa Fe.

Once the walk is over, we can enjoy a swim in the Encañada. Here, we can snorkel and observe sea turtles, rays, sea lions, and colorful fish while swimming in this island’s warm, crystalline waters.

In this itinerary, we will enjoy a delicious lunch on board the Galaxy Daily before a short rest and later navigation back to Santa Cruz Island.

Notes:

• We can’t guarantee that you will see all the animals since they are wildlife.

SOUTH PLAZAS & PUNTA CARRION

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Navigation Time: 1 Hour 20 minutes
Pick up Time: 8h00

WHAT TO BRING:

South Plazas is situated on the east coast of Santa Cruz Island, it`s formed from uplifted marine lava and is one of the smallest islands in the archipelago. This Island despite its size has a lot of concentration of wildlife. We will disembark in a small dock frequently occupied by sea lions. After this, we will continue through a small forest of prickly pear cacti with their yellow flowers where could be lots of land iguanas waiting for their fruits and flowers to fall to the ground, to get finally up to the cliff, where you can often see a shoal of the endemic yellow-tailed mullet. The cliff is excellent to view swallow-tailed gulls, tropic birds, frigate birds, and pelicans, at the eastern end of the island bull sea lions congregate there to rest after losing their territory and recover energy and try to be again the beach master. After this nice walk, we go back to the boat for lunch and sail to Punta Carrion for a snorkeling activity where we can see sea turtles, white tip reef sharks, sea lions, and lots of fish, back to Puerto Ayora around 16:30.

Notes:

• We can’t guarantee that you will see all the animals since they are wildlife.

Tortuga Bay and Bay Tour 

Bay Tour: It’s an interesting tour in where you could visit these places: The Dog’s Beach, Love Channel, Shark’s channel, and Las Grietas.

1. Channel of Love
   It is a wonderful vantage point ideal for photographs, where the turquoise water and the geological formations that resembles the natural Jacuzzi accompanied by flora make this scene a romantic place.
2. Beach of the dogs
   Called thus for being the habitat of the Crab of Galápagos that can grow up to 20 centimeters. In addition, we will observe colonies of marine iguanas and enjoy a landscape view.
3. Channel of the Sharks
   It is a viewpoint where we can appreciate the Galapagos sharks resting thanks to the marine currents that converge in this unique geological formation.
4. The Cracks
   Wonderful landscape is formed by interesting lava figures that form two gigantic walls crossed by an arm of brackish water that mixes with the seawater recommended for swimming and diving surfaces due to the transparency of its waters.

St. Cruz Island and Flight back to Quito (Thursday)

• Breakfast
• Pick up from your Hotel in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island.
• Transfer to Twin Craters in Santa Cruz.
• Visit to Twin Craters
• Transfer from San Cristobal to Baltra Airport
• Return Flight.

Place to Visit:

• Twin Craters: The Twin Craters are, in fact, not craters. These impressive holes were formed by magma (lava) domes which hardened on the outside but continued to flow on the inside, leaving huge but empty chambers that collapsed with the passing of time, creating this breathtaking scenery that resembles two pit crates. The Twins are located in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island and are surrounded by lush and green forests, dominated by the endemic Scalesia plants. It is possible to walk along the rim of the craters to better appreciate the magnitude of the holes as well as the local flora and fauna. This site is also one of the most likely places to observe the endemic short-ear owl of the Galapagos.

Details:

• Activities: Trekking

• What do you bring: Sunscream, Repellent, Light clothing, Binoculars, Camera, swimsuit and water.

• Include: Breakfast, Transport

• Not Included: Lobbito Bus $5, Guide, Dinner, Lunch, Tips, and Additional Expenses.

Notes:

• We can’t guarantee that you will see all the animals, since they are in wildlife.
• This day is not included Guide, just driver.