Galapagos Angel – 5 Day Itinerary

AM: Morning flight from Quito to Baltra, Galapagos Islands.

You will arrive at Baltra Island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by a Galapagos Angel staff member and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.

PM: North Seymour Island

In North Seymour you may see Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and magnificent frigate birds which are abundant on this island. North Seymour was formed by a series of submarine lava flows containing layers of sediment that were uplifted by tectonic activity. The island is characterized by its arid vegetation zone.

Highlights: Land & marine iguanas, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, sea lions, snorkeling: rays, reef sharks.
Activities: Dinghy ride & hiking (2.5 km)

AM: Chinese Hat Islet

This small islet is located near the southeast coast of Santiago Island. Its name comes from the distinct shape of the islet’s summit.
Chinese Islet is a great location to view many geological formations such as lava tunnels and lava flows. Some of the lava flows were formed underwater and subsequently raised above sea level. The presence of coral heads on the lava flow indicates this phenomenon.

Highlights:  Lava formations, great site for snorkeling with an abundance of marine species such as sea lions, sharks, rays and Galapagos penguins.

Activities:  Hiking (3 km)

PM: Sullivan Bay

Visit Sullivan Bay located on the southeast part of Santiago. This place is interesting for its geology because the area is covered by lava flows. This place has elevations in the form of small volcanoes formed by the lava flows.

Highlights: Lava flows, small volcanoes

Activities:  Hiking

AM: Darwin Bay

Visit the white-sand coral beach of Darwin Bay which includes a 0,75km trail that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls, which can easily be spotted here. Further down the path we’ll find tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully. At the end is a spectacular view of a cliff.

Highlights:  Nazca boobies, red- footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, mangroves, coral pebbles beach, snorkeling: rays, colorful reef fish and occasionally hammerhead sharks

Activities:  Hiking (1.5 km), snorkeling, kayaking & dinghy

PM: El Barranco

El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps, is a steep, rocky path that leads up a high cliff rock face. A marvelous view can be appreciated from here. This site is also home to Palo Santo vegetation as well as red-footed boobies, short-eared owls, Galapagos storm petrels, and Galapagos doves.

Highlights: Red-footed boobies, short-eared owls, storm-petrels, Galapagos doves

Activities:  Hiking (2km)

AM: Egas Port

Egas Port, also known as James Bay, on Santiago Island is home to the curious Galapagos hawks and quick-footed Galapagos lava lizards. The trail leads to the coastline with gorgeous tide pools and grottos full of fauna. Here the Galapagos fur seals bathe in the sun. This is also a great snorkeling site.

Highlights:  Furseals, Galapagos sea lions, tidal pools and grottos, Galapagos hawks, oyster catchers, marine iguanas, finches.  Snorkeling: reef sharks, turtles, rays and excellent underwater formations.

Activities:  Hiking (2km) and snorkeling

PM: Rabida Island

Rabida Island (or Jervis)  is one of the most colourful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago as well as a great snorkeling site. We will start on Rabida’s famous maroon/red sand beach, and after an easy hike, you will arrive to a stunning lookout to enjoy the amazing landscapes. The island is a birdwatcher’s delight. Some species are abundant such as a few varieties of finches, Galapagos vermilion flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans.

Highlights:  Snorkeling: white-cheeked pintail ducks, colourful fish, sea lions, brackish water lagoon, pelicans

Activities:  Hiking (1 km) and snorkeling.

AM: Fausto Llerena Breeding Center

Today you visit “Fausto Llerena” Tortoise Breeding Center in Puerto Ayora, where giant tortoises are bred in captivity. This is home to tortoises ranging from 3-inches (new hatchlings) to 4-feet long adults. Subspecies of the giant tortoises interact with one another, and many of the older tortoises are accustomed to humans stretching out their heads for a photo opportunity. The babies are kept until they are about four years-old and strong enough to survive on their own.

Highlights: Giant tortoises, finches, Galapagos rails

Activities:  East Walks

Baltra Airport Departure

After this final visit, you will be transferred to the Baltra airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.