Eastern Islands Itinerary
Eight Days / Seven Nights
Saturday to Saturday

Cruise dates 2013: August 24 to 31; October 5 to 12; October 19 to 26; November 2 to 9; November 16 to 23; November 30 to December 7; December 14 to 21
Cruise dates 2014: February 8 to 15; April 5 to 12; May 31 to June 7; August 9 to August 16; October 4 to 11; October 18 to 25; November 1 to 8; November 15 to 22; November 29 to December 6; December 13 to 20

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Saturday – Arrival in Galapagos from Quito or Guayaquil

A first impression
After arriving at Baltra airport we will be greeted by an Angermeyer Cruises representative to transfer and boarding the Mary Anne and have lunch. After lunch, we will navigate a short distance to Black Turtle Cove, a large mangrove lagoon on the north coast of Santa Cruz Island. Pelicans and herons roost on the branches, while marine dwellers such as Green Sea Turtle or Golden Ray may cruise right next to the panga as it makes its way through the mangroves. (L/D)

DAY 2: Sunday – Galapagos Islands

Darwin Bay – Genevesa Island
Morning we travel to Genovesa Island and reach Darwin Bay (wet landing), a unique site lined with red mangrove and soft-haired prickly pear cacti where Red-footed Boobies and Great Frigatebirds perch tamely.

Prince Philip Steps
Afternoon we excplore Prince Philip Steps (dry landing), we climb the edge of a cliff where Frigatebirds, Nazca Boobies, and Red-footed Boobies nest. We will be seeking out the impressive Red-billed Tropicbird amidst Galapagos Storm Petrels. (B/L/D)

DAY 3: Monday – Galapagos Islands

Bartholomew Island -Contours of Sullivan Bay
Morning. Dry landing at Bartholomew to climb up the wooden steps and reach the summit of this spatter cone for a most breathtaking panorama of the islands’ well photographed Pinnacle Rock, views of neighbouring Santiago and many other central islands in the distance.

Afternoon. We head across to Sullivan Bay (dry landing) in Santiago to walk over a recent lava flow, including very fresh pahoehoe lava formations, lava bubbles containing crystallized minerals, and pioneer plants. Along the shoreline, we may find Galapagos penguins and herons going after small fish.

DAY 4: Tuesday – Galapagos Islands

Rabida Island – Mars on Earth
Morning. Wet landing onto Rábida’s deep-red beaches to explore the red island’s fascinating interior and saltwater lagoon. Darwin’s finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, and yellow warblers feed off the vegetation; given the right time of the year brown pelicans nesting on salt bushes that fringe the beach.
Cerro Dragon

Afternoon. We head across to Cerro Dragón on Santa Cruz’s north-west shore (dry landing); we visit a saltwater lagoon, home to Greater Flamingos, Black-necked Stilts, and White-cheeked Pintails. Further inland we find a fantastic land iguana nesting site.

DAY 5: Wednesday – Galapagos Islands

The islets
Morning. We will step ashore (wet landing) onto a beautiful white coralline beach, on Mosquera Islet, home to one of the largest Galapagos sea lion colony in the archipelago. Here we will do a short hike to explore the surroundings before snorkelling around the beach.

Afternoon. After a leisure lunch, we will hop on board our dinghy to do a panga ride around Punta Carrión to take in the beautiful landscape and observe the wildlife. We will then end the day with snorkelling in these shallow and colourful waters.

DAY 6: Thursday – Galapagos Islands

Plaza Sur – Heading Eastward
Morning. Dry landing on one of the oldest docks of the Archipelago, colourful Plaza Sur is home to vibrant green prickly pears, deep red Sesuvium and coppery-orange land iguanas; impressive seaward cliffs are excellent for a variety of coastal birds. This is also a great place to observe the adult and pup sea lions swimming along the shores.
Santa Fe

Afternoon. After a wet landing onto a white beach where sea lions are usually resting, on Santa Fe, we will be looking for the endemic species of land iguana, larger and yellower than land iguanas on other islands. The largest prickly pear cacti in the Galapagos are also found here.

DAY 7: Friday – Galapagos Islands

Punta Suarez – From albatrosses to blowholes
Morning. Punta Suárez (dry landing) is a spectacular walk into the intimacies of life at sea, with nesting sites of Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies, as well as the fascinating breeding rituals (April to December) of Waved Albatross. Lined with neon-colored marine iguanas (January), and lazy Galapagos sea lions, we walk up to an amazing viewpoint of the famous blowhole.

Afternoon. We wil spend te rest of the day in fantastic Española, starting with Gardner Bay (wet landing), an outstanding beach with sea lions, marine iguanas, and the intrepid Española Mockingbird.

DAY 8: Saturday – Depart Galapagos Islands

A last goodbye with the tortoises
Morning. We will visit the Fausto Llerena breeding station, located at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here, we will see tortoises from different islands. The animals are found in large semi natural pens for their protection, but also to ensure an easy view for the tourists. The pens are divided according to four different stages: eggs, neonates, juveniles (held here until they are mature enough to be “repatriated”), and adults.
After this visit we will take a bus to Baltra airport for the flight back to Quito or Guayaquil. (B)

In addition to the land visits we offer a good balance of other activities such as snorkeling, panga rides and kayaking.