Aida Maria Yacht

Detailed Itinerary

Sunday: Baltra Island - Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach
This morning you will be met by Andean Discovery staff and transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Galápagos. Upon arrival, you will be met by your Galápagos naturalist/guide and transferred to the Aida Maria Yacht. This afternoon you will disembark on Bachas Beach, located on the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island, where you will find nesting sea turtles, flamingos and other migratory birds. The sand at Las Bachas is made of decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft, and a favorite site for nesting sea turtles. The Sally Lightfoot crabs are abundant on the lava rocks along the water's edge. Evening lecture and briefing with your naturalist and dinner.

Monday: Plaza Island - Santa Fe Island
This morning disembark on Plaza Island. This small island is full of fascinating wildlife, at sea side and along the cliffs: sea lions, land iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, Opuntia cacti and vegetation that changes colors with the seasons. This afternoon you’ll pull into the bay at Santa Fe (or Barrington) where it may be possible to get a good view of the Opuntia (or Prickly Pear) forest along the shore to the north. These are the famous Giant Opuntia of the Galapagos. Remember, gigantism is a characteristic of oceanic islands (due to their isolation). Evening lecture and briefing with your naturalist and dinner.

Tuesday: Española Island: Suárez Point - Gardner Bay
Today you cruise to the island of Espanola - the southernmost island of the Galapagos. Because of its remote location this place has a large population of endemic fauna. After breakfast, you will have a dry landing at Punta Suarez for an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April - December), Nazca (masked boobies), and the famous blowhole. This is a great hike for observing blue-footed boobies, swallowtail gulls, the Hood island mockingbird, red-green-black marine iguanas, and of course a rookery of sea lions right at the landing site. Back on board for lunch. Afternoon disembarkation at Gardner Bay (wet landing) for a short walk along the whitest coral beach you can possibly imagine. As you walk along the sand, the many tractor-like marks is evidence of sea turtle nesting. There is much to do here such as observe the sea lions’, mockingbirds’ and finches’ behavior, enjoy the beach, or snorkel. Rewarding snorkeling at these locations. Evening lecture and briefing with your naturalist and dinner.

Wednesday: Floreana Island: Cormorant Point - Post Office Bay
After breakfast, disembark at Cormorant Point (wet landing) for an easy walk to see the flamingos that inhabit a brackish-water lagoon, and other birds like ducks, stilts, sandpipers, etc. There is great snorkeling from the beach or near by, at the Devil's Crown. Lunch on board. After lunch, there will be a wet landing at the historical Post Office Bay to learn about the human side of the islands, its early inhabitants and the adventures of pirates and whalers. Then, a panga ride will take you to nearby islets to observe sea lions, rays and sea turtles, boobies and possibly the Galapagos penguin. Evening lecture and briefing with your naturalist and dinner.

Thursday: Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Station - Highlands of Santa Cruz
This morning proceed on a guided visit of the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you will learn about current scientific research and the Station’s mission to ensure the conservation of the environment and biodiversity in the Galapagos Archipelago. The Station is also a tortoise breeding and rearing center. Observe how tortoises of different subspecies are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. This afternoon transfer to the highlands of Santa Cruz island. As you ascend through several different vegetation zones, witness the landscape become increasingly lush and green by the minute. Near the highest point on the island, you will visit Los Gemelos for an up close look at these twin extinct volcano craters. Keep your eyes peeled for the beautiful Vermilion Flycatcher bird, often seen on the branches of the Scalesia trees (endemic to the Galápagos). Continue on to an open space where it is possible to see wild Galapagos tortoises in their natural habitat. These gigantic creatures weigh up to 500 pounds and are scattered all over the highlands. Late afternoon transfer to the port to enjoy a little free time on your own before dinner and a briefing on the boat.

Friday: Rábida Island - Puerto Egas, Santiago Island
This morning disembark (wet landing) on Rábida. Pelicans nest in this area and sea lions can also be seen here. A lagoon near the beach offers an opportunity to see white-cheeked pintails. A short trail leads to a snorkeling area and offers fine views of the island. This afternoon you will land on the dark sand beaches of James Bay at Puerto Egas. Enjoy a mid-length walk along the rocky coast and observe sponges, snails, hermit crabs, barnacles and fish including the endemic four-eyed blenny. Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows. This visit is a great opportunity to see land and marine birds such as Darwin Finches, the endemic Galapagos Hawk, and the colorful Vermillion Flycatcher. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds and there is a colony of fur-sea lions. There is good snorkeling and swimming from the beach after the walk. Evening dinner and briefing by your naturalist guide.

Saturday: Bartolomé Island - Sullivan Bay
This morning disembark at Bartolome Island (dry landing) for a hike to the summit. Bartolome, a desolate island with few plants, is the most photographed island in the archipelago. The island consists of an extinct volcano and a variety of red, orange, green, and glistening black volcanic formations. This is a steep climb aided by a wooden staircase; the view from the top is worth the effort. There will be time for a Panga ride around Pinnacle Rock to observe penguins, to enjoy the beach (wet landing), and to snorkel and swim from the beach. The Sullivan Bay lava field consists of a variety of interesting patterns. The Sullivan Bay Lava is known a Panoehoe (Hawaiian for Rope). This thin-skinned lava's molten material cools down after an eruption causing the surface materials to buckle creating a rope like appearance. Panoehoe Lava is rare to the rest of the world, but is common to the volcanoes of Hawaii and the Galapagos Islands. Evening briefing with your naturalist and farewell dinner.

Sunday: North Seymour Island - Baltra Island Airport - Depart
Early morning visit to North Seymour Island. The sandy shore teems with Galápagos sea lions and marine iguanas. Vegetation is made up of cacti, Palo Santo trees and Salt Bushes, and land iguanas may be observed. This site is a major nesting area for blue footed boobies, and has the largest colony of the magnificent frigate bird. Late morning transfer to Balta Island Airport in time for your flight to Quito. A light snack will be served on the plane. Upon arrival in Quito, you will be met by Andean Discovery staff and transferred to your hotel.

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