Itinerary H: The Evolution Trail

Monday: BALTRA – SANTA CRUZ ISLAND AM Departure from Guayaquil/Quito to the Galapagos (1½-hour flight). BALTRA ISLAND – This island served as a strategic point during World War II. It is now the main airport of the Galapagos Islands, where tourists and residents arrive and depart. Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, our bilingual naturalist guide will assist you. Transfer to the yacht. Welcome briefing and itinerary overview. PM TORTUGA BAY BEACH – After lunch, visit Tortuga Bay, a stunning white-sand beach. The walk to the beach takes about one hour on a paved and well-marked trail. Beautiful birdlife can be observed along the way, including the famous Galapagos finches. Tortuga Bay features two beaches: the main one, with strong waves ideal for surfing, and a second area with calm waters. After this visit, you may enjoy the island’s nightlife. Accommodation and dinner at Hotel Fernandina or a similar property.

Tuesday: SANTA CRUZ ISLAND AM CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION – After breakfast, take a 20-minute walk to the Charles Darwin Research Station to observe giant Galapagos tortoises feeding. The station is part of the Charles Darwin Foundation, an international non-profit organization dedicated to scientific research in the Galapagos since 1959. PM HACIENDA PRIMICIAS – After lunch, visit Hacienda Primicias to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. They are easy to spot, often feeding on grass and leaves. Birds such as cattle egrets, mockingbirds, finches, and flycatchers can also be seen here. Return to the yacht after the walk. Dinner and briefing for the next day.

Wednesday: ISABELA ISLAND AM TINTORERAS – After breakfast, visit Tintoreras, located south of Puerto Villamil. This small bay features calm, turquoise waters where sea lions, marine turtles, marine iguanas, rays, and more can be observed. The bay is connected to a shallow, crystal-clear channel, which closes off at low tide. Here, reef sharks can often be seen swimming with small fish and sea lions. Lunch on board. PM ARNALDO TUPIZA BREEDING CENTER – This center operates a captive-breeding program for tortoise populations from southern Isabela. WETLANDS (HUMEDALES) – (Dry landing) A 30-minute walk through an area characterized by sandy beaches, rocky shores, and mangroves. The site includes various trails where you can see all four mangrove species found in the Galapagos and several migratory birds such as whimbrels, short-billed dowitchers, Wilson’s phalaropes, common terns, blue-winged teals, and ospreys, among others.

Thursday: RÁBIDA ISLAND – SANTA CRUZ ISLAND AM – RÁBIDA After breakfast (wet landing), explore one of the most colorful and geologically diverse islands of the archipelago, also an excellent snorkeling site. Begin at Rábida’s famous reddish-brown sand beach and take an easy 1 km walk to an impressive viewpoint overlooking spectacular landscapes. This island is a delight for birdwatchers. Some of the rarest species are abundant here, including nine species of finches, large flycatchers, Galapagos hawks, and brown pelicans. PM – DRAGON HILL After lunch, dry landing at a dock. The trail leads to a hypersaline lagoon—saltier than the ocean—often visited by flamingos, stilts, pintail ducks, and other bird species. A short hike up the hill offers great views of the bay and a nesting site for land iguanas. Many iguanas here have been repatriated by the Charles Darwin Research Station. Dinner and briefing for the next day.

Friday: BLACK TURTLE COVE AM BLACK TURTLE COVE – After breakfast, take a panga (small boat) ride through Black Turtle Cove, located very close to Baltra. This special site features a beautiful beach with sea lions and calm, clear waters. Green sea turtles and various bird species can often be seen feeding as you navigate through the hidden lagoons within the mangroves. After the visit, transfer by bus to Baltra Airport for your return flight to Guayaquil/Quito.