Itinerary A

Today you fly to the magical Galapagos Islands! At the departures hall of the Quito airport, you must reach the Galapagos Government Council counter, to purchase the Transit Control Card ($20 per person, must be kept safe during the trip as it has to be presented again upon return). Then your luggage will be inspected to make sure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced on the islands. Next you will catch the flight to Baltra island, and upon landing there, authorities will collect the Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($200 per adult, $100 per child), unless it has been prepaid. A guide holding an Oniric Cruises sign will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbour, and board the Treasure cruise. After a warm welcome, cabins will be assigned and lunch served.

On your first visit, you will explore the highlands of Santa Cruz island, where you will meet the iconic Galapagos Giant Tortoises in their natural habitat. Because these magnificent reptiles don’t stop their migration patterns at the official limits of the National Park, dozens of them also roam the island’s agricultural properties, enjoying muddy baths, devouring fallen fruits, and carrying birds on their backs. The endemic carpenter finch, which is considered a holy-grail of evolution, can also be seen in these areas using tools to feed. Return on board for a welcome toast and dinner.

The arrival in Sullivan Bay is like a moon landing. These desolate, sprawling fields seem to be out of this planet, therefore this island is very popular among photographers and geologists. The last eruption here occurred in 1897, and covered the bay with Pahoehoe lava flows, which are characterized by smooth, gently undulating, or broadly hummocky surfaces. The nearby beach has clear, shallow waters that invite to snorkel, and if you venture to deeper waters, generous marine life can be found, like Galapagos penguins, Pacific green turtles, whitetip reef sharks (careless about humans), Galapagos sea lions, and rays.

We have navigated to Bartolome island, which offers some of the wildest landscapes and best panoramas of the entire archipelago. Your first sight here will be an iconic pinnacle rock that rises majestically from the bay. You will be able to enjoy it from different angles, before disembarking to the island and climb 350 steps to the summit, crossing paths with lava lizards, Galapagos hawks and Galapagos racer snakes. The view from the top is simply indescribable. Next, at the appropriately named Golden Beach, you can practice snorkelling in crystal-clear waters. Swim from the beach and witness precious coral formations that are an important feeding area for sea turtles and colourful reef fish. Swim around the pinnacle and find several species of (harmless) reef sharks.

Today’s visit is to a bird’s paradise. The islet of North Seymour is actually part of the seabed that was uplifted by the movement of tectonic plates, and now hosts the largest breeding colonies of both the Magnificent and Great Frigatebirds in the Galapagos. You will explore a circular trail that lets you approach these and many other birds from a distance of only a few respectful steps. This islet is also inhabited by the adorable blue-footed boobies, which can be seen courtshipping, mating, or nurturing their fuzzy chicks. They might approach you, as they are fearless and very curious.

While landing this afternoon at South Plaza islet (its northern counterpart is closed to tourism), a barking Galapagos sea lion bull may block the jetty for a loud welcome to his beach and rookery. All around, this tiny islet counts hundreds of them, the second largest population of the entire archipelago. From the sand beach, a red carpet of purslane and sesuvium plants are laid out uphill, giving the whole area a psychedelic ambience. You will admire the sight of ubiquitous Galapagos land iguanas waiting under giant opuntia cacti for a falling pad, fruit or flower to eat with their leathery tongues. At the contiguous Carrion Point, you will be able to swim over a reef of boulders that attracts an amazing variety of tropical reef fish, harmless whitetip sharks and playful Galapagos sea lions.

The wind-sculpted cliffs of Pitt Point were the first sight of land when Charles Darwin arrived in the Galapagos aboard the HMS Beagle on September 15, 1835. Today you will disembark to that very same small green sand beach, where you will first be greeted by a group of barking sea lions. Behind this dreamy beach, crossing some thorny bushes, begins a trail that will take you to the top of the cliff through a ravine. While you ascend, marvel at the landscapes of this geological wonder, where its possible to find three species of boobies breeding and playing: blue-footed, red-footed and Nazca. Two species of frigate birds can be found as well (Great and Magnificent) Do not miss the chance to snorkel or kayak around these far-away, dreamlike shores.

Your final visit will be to the Interpretation Centre of San Cristobal island. This place has attractive exhibitions that help visitors understand what makes this archipelago so unique, so you will return home with a mindset of ecological responsibility. Using information panels (in English and Spanish), you will be told background and conservation stories about the islands. Right behind the Interpretation Centre is Frigatebird Hill. You will climb to its summit and reach four panoramic viewpoints that show Puerto Baquerizo Moreno from above, as well as the bays on both sides of the headland. After completing this experience, on board for the last time, to be bid farewell by the cruise crew.