Galápagos' Wildlife and Scenic Wonders (Northern Route)

Day 1: Arrival to Quito

Upon your arrival in Ecuador's captivating capital, Quito—nestled at 2,800 meters above sea level at the base of the majestic Pichincha Volcano—you'll be warmly greeted at the airport and escorted to your hotel. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure, with free time to explore the vibrant city and its rich culture on your own.

Day 2: Quito City Tour

Experience the wonders of Quito, home to South America's largest historic center, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander through iconic landmarks like the majestic Basilica del Voto Nacional, the stunning San Francisco Church, and the intricate La Compañía. Plus, this tour includes a visit to the Middle of the World, where you can defy the laws of physics and stand on the equator itself. Discover the rich history and unique charm of Quito while enjoying these unforgettable experiences

Day 3: Arrival at Baltra & Black Turtle Cove

Your Galápagos adventure begins as you arrive at Baltra Airport, where your naturalist guide will be waiting to welcome you and assist with your transfer to the Itabaca Channel. From here, you’ll take a short ferry ride across to Santa Cruz Island, offering your first glimpse into the unique landscapes and history of the archipelago.

As you travel across Baltra, take in its strikingly arid landscape while learning about the island’s fascinating past as a U.S. military airbase during World War II. It’s just the beginning of the many stories, landscapes, and wildlife encounters that await you.

Your exploration continues at Black Turtle Cove, named for the abundance of green sea turtles, locally known as tortugas negras. There is no landing here, allowing you to experience this peaceful and pristine area from a small dinghy as you navigate its shallow channels and secluded coves, surrounded by lush mangrove forests.

Keep your eyes open for green sea turtles, reef sharks, rays, and other marine life that inhabit these calm waters. The area is also an important mating ground for turtles and serves as a nursery for several species of sharks. Above the water, herons, pelicans, and blue-footed boobies are often seen hunting among schools of anchovies.

Highlights: Mangroves, White-tipped and black-tipped reef sharks, Green sea turtles, Rays, Herons, Blue footed boobies, Reef sharks

Activity Level: 1 - Panga (boat) ride.

Day 4: Chinese Hat & Rabida Island

Named for its distinctive cone-shaped profile, Chinese Hat is a small islet just off the coast of Santiago, separated from the island by a narrow channel. Its turquoise waters, coral-sand beaches, and dramatic volcanic rocks make this one of the Galápagos’ most picturesque settings. A coastal trail winds through a sea lion colony, while the lava rocks along the shore are a favorite resting spot for Galápagos penguins. It’s a beautiful combination of scenery and wildlife, with plenty of opportunities to slow down and take it all in.

Rábida is instantly recognizable for its deep red volcanic landscape, created by the high concentration of iron in its lava. Even the beach has a striking reddish hue, where a small colony of sea lions can often be found resting along the shore.

A short trail leads inland toward a saltwater lagoon, where you may spot ducks, stilts, and, occasionally, flamingos. Along the way, keep an eye out for Darwin’s finches, flycatchers, and mockingbirds. The coastal cliffs are home to a variety of seabirds, including Nazca and blue-footed boobies, brown noddies, and herons. You may also encounter both Galápagos sea lions and fur seals.

Snorkeling: Spot sleek reef sharks, penguins, and plenty of fish!

Highlights: Lava tubes, Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos penguins, Oystercatchers, Galapagos hawks, and finches.

Activity Level: 2 - Dry Landing, Hiking, Snorkeling

Day 5: North Seymour & Highlands

Seymour island is home for large colonies of both magnificent and great frigate birds and you can see them displaying their red balloons to attract a female. Blue-footed boobies nest in the ground and perform their famous dance in the open areas, while swallow-tailed gulls perch on the cliff edges. Land iguanas are common inland while their marine cousins bask in the rocks by the sea, close to sea lions, which often like to body surf in the waves.

A scenic bus ride will transport you to the lush highlands of the Galapagos. Along the way, you’ll stop at a reserve to explore the verdant highland forests and search for the magnificent Galapagos Giant Tortoises in their natural habitat. These gentle giants, some weighing over 300 kg (600 pounds), can often be seen grazing and resting in freshwater ponds. The highlands are also a birdwatcher's paradise, home to a variety of finches, flycatchers, and water birds that are rarely found in the lowlands. Depending on your itinerary, you may also explore a lava tunnel and learn about the fascinating geological history shaped by ancient volcanic eruptions.

Snorkeling: Tremendous diversity and amount of fish, but also sea lions, sharks, eels, turtles, rays and many more.

Highlights: Galapagos sea lions, magnificent & great frigate birds, land & marine iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, Darwin finches, lava tunnels and Giant tortoises.

Activity Level: 1 - Hiking

Day 6: Bahia Darwin & El Barranco

Genovesa is a favorite island for birdwatchers as it is home for very large colonies of seabirds. From the minute you set foot at the beach you will be amazed by the noise of hundreds of boobies, gulls and frigate birds flying over your heads, perched in the bushes or nesting on the sandy terrain. The trail is an ultimate wildlife experience as there are animals everywhere; sea lions and marine iguanas near the sea; night herons, lava & swallow tailed gulls, Darwin finches, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds and many more species inland.

Snorkeling: The bay offers several places to snorkel; from deep waters along the cliffs across the bay, to shallow waters by the beach. In either case, there are many fish to see and great chances of seeing sharks, rays and sea lions.

El Barranco is located in the southern part of Darwin Bay at Genovesa Island. The cliffs face the sea are made of very fragile fractured lava, making it the ideal place for storm petrel to build their colonies, which attracts an important population of short-eared owls preying of the nesting birds. Red footed and Nazca boobies are abundant along the trail. At the base of the cliffs you can see Galapagos fur seals resting in shaded areas, as well as several species of seabirds.

Snorkeling: You can snorkel along the cliffs where there are many fish and great chances of seeing sharks, rays and sea lions.

Highlights: Nesting great frigate birds, red footed & Nazca boobies, Galapagos sea lions, lava & swallow-tailed gulls, yellow-crown night herons, Genovesa ground finch, Genovesa cactus finch, Galapagos mockingbirds.

Activity Level: 3 - Wet Landing and Hiking

Day 7: Sullivan Bay & Bartolome

Embark on a captivating hike that unveils the fascinating birth of the Galapagos Islands. Traverse the well-preserved Pahoehoe lava flows, offering you countless opportunities to marvel at the intricate textures unique to these rare volcanic formations. Though the landscape may initially appear barren, a closer look reveals thriving pioneer plants, agile lava lizards, and an array of small birds. Along the shore, you'll encounter charming penguins, majestic pelicans, and curious oystercatchers.

Enjoy breathtaking views of Pinnacle Rock, situated on the island's northern side, adjacent to a stunning peach-colored sand beach. The hike to Bartolome's summit is a highlight, offering panoramic vistas of lunar-like landscapes scattered with volcanic cones. From this vantage point, you'll see multiple islands, Sullivan Bay, and the iconic Pinnacle Rock.

Snorkeling: Bartolome is celebrated as one of the Galapagos' most iconic spots, and it's one of the few places where you can observe penguins without venturing to the remote western regions of Isabela and Fernandina.

Highlights: Witness Galapagos penguins, dramatic volcanic landscapes, Pinnacle Rock, blue-footed boobies, herons, sea lions, and sharks.

Activity Level: 3 - Dry Landing and Hiking

Day 8: Interpretation Center & Return to Quito

Located on the outskirts of Puerto Baquerizo, this center offers a captivating journey through the history of human presence in the Galapagos. From the early Spanish explorers to modern times, including the notable visit of Charles Darwin, this permanent exhibition vividly illustrates the challenges and triumphs of the first settlers as they endeavored to survive the harsh environment of the Galapagos. This engaging display provides a profound understanding of the islands' historical significance and the enduring spirit of those who shaped their legacy.

In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Quito and onward journey.

Highlights: Endemic plants, an exhibition on human history.

Important Information

Your return flight will go to Quito.

Quito’s altitude is approximately 9,350 feet above sea level. You may experience mild altitude sickness during your stay.

All planned activities are subject to weather conditions.

Excursions and activities are subject to change.

Depending on your flight times, an additional overnight might be needed (not included).

Full-day excursion: Historic Quito and Middle of the World, including lunch, before the expedition cruise.

English-speaking Expedition Team who organize and guide activities, both on board and ashore.

Escorted landings with small panga boats.

Inquire about exploring Ecuador mainland.