Day 1 

In Search of the Giant Tortoise

Welcome to the Galapagos!  You are met in the VIP Lounge at Baltra Airport by an English-speaking expert naturalist guide, who whisks you away to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island.  There you enjoy a delicious locally-sourced lunch at a farm restaurant in the scenic western hills.  Explore the Scalesia and Guayabillo forests as you discover pit craters, lava tunnels, and unique native shrubs and trees.

At the Tortoise Reserve, try to spot a giant tortoise and identify some of the abundant bird life in their natural habitat. Complete the day at Galapagos Safari Camp with a sunset cocktail and dinner.

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Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: The Galapagos Safari Camp

Days 2 & 3

Exploring Neighboring Islands

Wake bright and early to motor over to one of 4 neighboring islands.  Each island is an endemic treasure to explore and enjoy.  The Galapagos Marine Reserve surrounds the entire archipelago and is the second largest marine reserve in the world; snorkeling off the boat is the perfect way to appreciate the colorful underwater world of the Galapagos.

Destinations will be given when dates have been selected.

Bartolomé

Start the day with a hike to the highest point on the island, by way of a 600-meter wooden boardwalk and stairway across ancient red, black and orange lava fields. The lookout point offers a panoramic view framing the iconic Pinnacle Rock, with Sullivan Bay in the distance, and Daphne Major and Minor on the horizon. Following the hike, relax with a dinghy ride around the coastline, keeping an eye on the cliffs for Galápagos penguins and hawks.  In the afternoon, explore the beach where Sally Light-Foot crabs and marine iguanas spend their days and snorkel with playful Galápagos sea lions, penguins, reef sharks and rays.

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Santa Fé

Take two short walks to explore the island of Santa Fé: one loop at Barrington Bay through the endemic Opuntia Cacti, the other ​ascends to the cliffs for a sweeping view of the horizon.  Both trails are bursting with animal activity and travel through red and green fields of Galapagos carpet weed.  The rest of the morning is reserved for snorkeling, swimming and relaxing on the beach.  Playful sea lions line the shores and swim alongside when you are snorkeling.  Marine iguanas bask in the sunshine and dart quickly past under the water.  Sharks and rays may be spotted in these waters, while Galapagos hawks and blue-footed boobies soar overhead.

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North Seymour

Take a 2-mile stroll on a loop trail through the southern section of the rocky island.  At the beginning of the walk, you come across nests of comic-looking blue-footed boobies.  It is common to see land iguanas, Galapagos mockingbirds and yellow warblers before reaching the Frigate Colony.  The colony is densely populated with nests in almost every tree, but the impressive birds are capable of flying hundreds of miles from the colony.  Back in the dinghy, you head to Mosquera Islet, in the channel between Baltra and North Seymour.  Here you will be greeted by a thriving sea lion colony, they are a loud bunch, so be ready to say hello!

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South Plaza

En-route to Plaza, stop at Punta Carrión to snorkel in the shallow waters of the sheltered cove which schools of fish, rays and reef sharks are known to frequent.  Take a short hike along a beautiful trail that winds its way through groves of prickly pear cactus up to a vista in the cliffs overlooking the island.  The vibrant landscape features black lava outcrops and a carpet of red and yellow sesuvium cactus. At the island’s southern cliff edge, observe an assortment of birds swirling in the currents, including dazzling red-billed tropic varieties. Following the trail round to the west, you might see land and marine iguanas, Nazca and blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls.  Look down on the resident sea lion colony, boasting more than 1,000 members.

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Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: The Galapagos Safari Camp

Day 4

Experience the East

A morning drive takes you to the eastern part of Santa Cruz Island. At 490m above sea level, Cerro Mesa Reserve offers spectacular views of the largest crater on the island, exotic plants, and seven unique subspecies of finch and the elusive vermilion flycatcher. After lunch, check out Garrapatero Beach, where mangroves, black lava, white sand, a flamingo lagoon and turquoise water create stunning color contrast. Kayaking and mountain biking are available.

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Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: The Galapagos Safari Camp

Day 5

Sunrise Walk and Departure

Enjoy the serenity that Galapagos Safari Camp has to offer.  Take the last morning to relax, walk, or enjoy the sunrise from the observatory before departure.

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Meals Included: Breakfast