AM Flight to Galapagos from Quito/Guayaquil Airport:

Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, guides will meet you, collect your luggage, and escort you to the ship, where the crew will welcome you aboard. After an orientation and safety briefing, lunch is served and the cruise begins.

PM: North Seymour Island:

Galapagos Sea Lions, Blue-footed Boobies and Magnificent Frigate birds are abundant on North Seymour Island. Enjoy a leisurely walk along the coast of this flat island and take in the beautiful flora and fauna. Evening briefing, welcome cocktail and dinner.

(Lunch, Dinner & Accommodations, La Pinta)

AM: Isabela Island: Punta Vincente Roca:

Since there is no landing site at this location, the coastal exploration is by panga (a type of boat), while the naturalist guide explains the dramatic geology of the area, with remains of lava flows and tuff stone layers. There is abundant wildlife and, depending on the conditions of the ocean, we'll be able to snorkel along the cliffs, hopefully in the company of green sea turtles.

PM: Fernandina Island:

This afternoon's stop is at Punta Espinoza on Fernandina, the youngest and most pristine Island in Galapagos, with no introduced animals. Recent lava flows formed by an active volcano stretch their way around the coast. Observe sea lion harems with resident bulls carefully guarding their territory, and hundreds of marine Iguanas, the largest colony in Galapagos, basking in the sun along the rugged shoreline. Out on the point, the Flightless Cormorants build their nests close to shore since they lost their ability to fly. There is a chance to snorkel here with large sea turtles that frequent this area before returning to La Pinta for dinner.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Accommodations, La Pinta)

AM: Urbina Bay on Isabela:

This morning you disembark at Urbina Bay on Isabela, where four miles of coastal seabed were exposed due to a dramatic uplift during a volcanic eruption in 1954. See the remnants of coral skeletons, some of them waist-high, and keep an eye out for the very large and colorful Galapagos land iguanas, as well as marine iguanas, Darwin's finches, brown pelicans, flightless cormorants, and the occasional giant tortoise. Return to La Pinta for briefing and lunch.

PM: Tagus Cove:

Go ashore on Tagus Cove, a favorite anchorage for pirates and whalers over the centuries. Sections of the rocky cliffs are covered with graffiti dating back to the 1800s. An uphill hike leads to a saltwater lagoon and a scenic overlook with a spectacular view of the ocean, lava fields and volcanic formations. Take advantage of the secluded cove and explore the shoreline by kayak, or snorkel in search of Galapagos penguins, boobies, pelicans and other seabirds. Return to La Pinta for briefing and dinner as we cross the Equator.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Accommodations, La Pinta)

AM: Rabida (Jervis) Island:

This morning, disembark on Rabida (Jervis), a small Island considered the geographic center of Galapagos. The dark red color of the beach comes from the high iron content in the volcanic stones. Follow the trail to a saltwater lagoon where greater flamingos migrate, keeping an eye out for marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and Darwin's finches. Afterwards, do not miss the opportunity to snorkel with a colony of sea lions and rays, or explore the waves in a glass-bottom boat. Return to La Pinta for lunch.

PM: Santa Cruz Island:

We head across to Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) for a majestic view of the bay and the island landscape covered in opuntia cactus and palo santo. The trail also offers excellent opportunities to see Darwin's finches, Galapagos flycatchers, yellow warblers, Audubon shearwater, as well as the endemic land iguanas, that were once part of the Station's breeding program. In the saltwater lagoon, pink flamingos feed alongside other birds such as stilts, pintail ducks and sandpipers.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Accommodations, La Pinta)

AM:

The morning visit heads to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest. These are the Galapagos' headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation and the National Park administration. A delicious lunch is served at the poolside of the Finch Bay Eco Hotel.

PM:

After lunch, we head up to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island by vehicle. This is a great place to look for the emblematic Darwin's Finches and the endemic Scalesia trees. The highlands are also great for exploring the exuberant vegetation where giant tortoises roam in the wild. This will surely be one of the most remembered visits of the whole voyage.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Accommodations, La Pinta)

AM: Post Office Bay - Baroness Point

Floreana is one of the few populated islands in Galapagos with a rich and intriguing human history. After lunch, visit one of the most famous sites in Galapagos, Post Office Bay, where a post barrel was erected in the late 18th Century for use by English whaling vessels. Visitors are invited to leave a post card and to pick up any mail destined for their home area. There is an opportunity to swim from the beach with sea lions. Take a panga ride near Baroness Point to look for sea turtles and rays, or kayak along the beach. Return to La Pinta for a briefing followed by lunch.

PM: Floreana-Cormorant Point:

Before disembarking at Punta Cormorant we can snorkel or ride our glass-bottom boat along the coast of an extinct cone called "Champion Islet". Later in the afternoon, our visit to Punta Cormorant takes in an olivine-crystal beach for an easy walk by a brackish water lagoon where bird species like greater flamingos may be observed. On the other side of the island, we come to a white-sand beach where sea turtles come out at night to nest.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Accommodations, La Pinta)

Your journey ends at the Baltra Airport, for your return flight to mainland Ecuador - where you can continue on to your next Avanti destination!

(Breakfast, La Pinta)