FRIDAY
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristobal [Chatham] Island)
Arrival by plane to San Cristobal Island and transfer to the M/V Santa Cruz, anchored at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the provincial capital of the Galápagos Islands. Cabin assignment and lunch. After lunch, introductory welcome talk and emergency drill.

Tortoise Reserve at Cerro Colorado (San Cristobal Island)
In the afternoon, disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (dry landing) for a 45-minute bus ride to the highlands of San Cristóbal. The National Park service has created this site to preserve and re-establish the population of giant tortoises of San Cristóbal Island, affected due to hunting by early colonizers. Hike through a transition forest, where terrestrial birds such as finches, mockingbirds, doves can be seen. Return to town by bus to board the MV Santa Cruz. Briefing on the next day’s activities, followed by a cocktail offered by the Captain and dinner. (B/L/D)

SATURDAY
Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal Island)
A dinghy ride along the shores of tuff-stone layers takes guests to Cerro Brujo’s white coraline beach (wet landing). The beach is a large expanse, great for walking, with rewarding birdwatching with good views of seabirds like blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, herons, frigate birds, and more shore birds. Also, look out for Galápagos sea lions. Highlights ashore include the Chatham (San Cristóbal) mockingbird, Chatham lava lizard; both species are endemic to this island, and seen nowhere else in the Galápagos. These are the same shores that Charles Darwin walked upon, back in September 1835, as San Cristóbal was the first island where he set foot in the Galápagos. Back on board for lunch.

Punta Pitt (San Cristobal Island)
In the afternoon, disembark (wet landing) on the northeastern side of the island. Pitt Point is an eroded tuff cone; the trail that ascends from the beach provides spectacular views of the shoreline. This is the only site in the Galápagos where the three species of boobies can be found together, as well as the two frigate species, plus a colony of bachelor sea lions along the beach. After the walk, if conditions are favourable, there is a chance to swim from the beach. Briefing and dinner. (B/L/D)

SUNDAY
Santa Fe Island
After breakfast, a wet landing on a sandy white beach with many sea lion harems. Bulls vie for the right of “Beach Master”, while smaller males masking as females make stealthy mating moves. Galápagos hawks are often easily observed, perched atop salt bushes. The giant prickly pear cactus found here live up to their name with tree-sized trunks! The endemic land iguana, unique to this island, may be spotted during the afternoon walk. Snorkelling and swimming from the beach rounds off the rewarding experience. Lunch on board.

South Plaza Island
Disembark (dry landing) in the channel between North and South Plaza Islands, where the island tilts toward the water, the approach makes for a lavishly colourful sight! The turquoise waters of the channel contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline. The rocks have grown thick with green seaweed in places, speckled with bright orange ‘Sally Lightfoot’ crabs. Further up the shore a carpet of scarlet sesuvium succulents serves as groundcover for a grove of luminescent green prickly-pear cactus. Yellow-grey land iguanas sit beneath these, waiting patiently for pears to drop. Along the coastline one finds sea lion colonies, while frigates, swallow-tailed gulls and shearwaters glide playing with the thermals that form along the cliffs of this small but amazing island. Briefing and dinner. (B/L/D)

MONDAY
Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station
Morning disembarkation (dry landing) visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens, including tortoise celebrities like “Lonesome George” within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest home to many land birds. These are the headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation and the National Park administration. Lunch at the poolside of the Finch Bay Eco Hotel.

Highlands of Santa Cruz Island
After lunch visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, with their impressive Scalesia forest and the geological formation of the twin pit craters known Los Gemelos. From December to mid-April a visit to see the giant tortoises in the wild may be included, if weather conditions are good. Next day’s expedition plan and dinner. (B/L/D)

TUESDAY
Punta Suárez (Española (Hood) Island)
Morning outing at Punta Suárez (dry landing) for an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including waved albatrosses (April – December), Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tail gulls, as well as a view of the Galápagos famous “blow-hole”. Among its land birds, the Hood island mockingbird, and three species of Darwin’s finches are common highlights. Also, look for red-green-black marine iguanas. Back on board for lunch.

Gardner Bay (Española Island)
In the afternoon, disembark (wet landing) at a white coral beach for a short walk to observe the sea lions, mockingbirds, finches or enjoy the beach. There is great snorkelling in this area, or a ride aboard the glass-bottom boat. Briefing and dinner.(B/L/D)

WEDNESDAY
Baltra Island
Disembark at Baltra Island. Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to Quito or Guayaquil. (B)
• Dry landing: guests step from the dinghy onto rocks or a dock.
• Wet landing: as the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into knee-deep water and wade ashore

IMPORTANT NOTE:
The itineraries and programme are subject to change without prior notice, due mainly to adjustments in the policies and regulations of the Galápagos National Park, weather conditions, seasonal changes and safety reasons.