Galapagos catamaran eastern islands vacation itinerary 8 days M/C Anahi

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Upon flying in from Quito or Guayaquil, the flight will arrive around noon (local time) on the island of Baltra. The guide will greet us in the lobby and escort us to the Yacht Anahi. A crew member will handle the luggage and transport it directly to the yacht via small Zodiacs. Once aboard the Yacht Anahi, the captain and crew will welcome us, and we will be assigned to the cabins. After lunch, the guide will give a brief overview of the afternoon activities.

PM: Bachas Beach

The sand here is composed of decomposed coral, making it very white and soft, and it is a favored nesting spot for sea turtles. We can visit a small lagoon where we may observe flamingos, black-necked stilts, and thrushes. Additionally, we will see two old barges abandoned during World War II, sea lions resting on the beach, marine iguanas, and seabirds. We will have some time to enjoy the peacefulness of the beach and interact with the playful sea lions swimming with the visitors.

At 7 pm, we will have the official welcome followed by a delicious dinner. After dinner, the guide will brief us on the next day's activities.

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AM: Darwin Bay

This is a stunning site due to the great abundance of seabirds that nest in the mangroves dominating the area. Here, we can observe red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, storm petrels, seabirds, Darwin's finches, mockingbirds, and the endemic Galapagos pigeon.

PM: Prince Philip's Steps

We will ascend 25 meters of stairs at one of the best bird nesting sites on the islands. We will have the opportunity to go on a panga ride, snorkeling, kayaking, and hiking.

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NOTE: Activities for this day may be adjusted based on weather conditions.

AM: Plazas Islands

The unusual vegetation creates an interesting landscape that enhances the fauna and flora of the Galapagos. We can guarantee the observation of land iguanas, often found in the shade of cacti. The main attractions of Plazas Island include land iguanas, sea lions, and swallow-tailed gulls, as well as lizards, island insects, red-billed sparrows, frigate birds, and pelicans gliding along the cliffs. We will return to the yacht for lunch and a well-deserved rest.

PM: Santa Fe Island

Extremely picturesque, we can visit two different trails. One leads to a scenic viewpoint atop a cliff where it is possible to find land iguanas endemic to the island. The other trail is near the beach and is a small circular path where it is possible to find another colony of land iguanas. Here, we will also have the possibility of kayaking, snorkeling, panga rides, and walks to observe and enjoy nature. Then we will return to the yacht for dinner and relaxation time.

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AM: Punta Pitt

Considered one of the most beautiful and impressive sites in the Galapagos, it has become a favorite nesting spot for seabirds. Here, we can observe the three species of boobies and frigate birds nesting in the same area. We will return to the yacht for lunch.

PM: Sleeping Lion

This is a gigantic and impressive rock formation known locally as Kicker Rock, where we can see a multitude of blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, pelicans, and seabirds, delighting us with their majestic flights for photography.

Later, we head towards Lobos Island, an islet separated from San Cristobal Island by a narrow stretch of calm waters. On the islet, we will take a walk that allows us to observe frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, and a colony of sea lions. We can also snorkel in the sea, possibly accompanied by sea lions and schools of colorful fish. The atmosphere is one of tranquility and primitive beauty, a typical environment of the Galapagos Islands.

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In the morning, the guide will take you to the upper part of San Cristobal Island. The tour offers two options. The first starts from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, with the first point of visit being El Junco Lagoon. Rainwater and condensation have accumulated over hundreds of years in the caldera of an extinct volcano, creating this paradise for frigate birds and turtles.

Alternatively, the visit will be to the Turtle Breeding Center "Cerro Colorado." There is a pleasant walk along a trail that allows you to be in close contact with turtles of different sizes, from the smallest to the oldest giants.

PM: San Cristobal Interpretation Center

Located on the outskirts of the small town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos Province. The interpretation center provides a great introduction to the islands, their natural and human history. We will then walk to "La Colina de las Fragatas," or "Cerro Tijeretas." This short hike starts from the interpretation center and takes about 30 minutes to reach the top of the hill. Once there, visitors enjoy a spectacular view of the white sandy beaches and the incredible emergent formations of the Pacific Ocean. The hill is often visited by frigate birds that nest here at certain times of the year. From the hill, we descend to the small inlet known as Punta Carola, where we find a colony of sea lions.

In the evening, if you wish, you can go into town for a stroll and perhaps enjoy a drink in one of the local bars.

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AM: Punta Suarez

This destination is of great interest due to the abundance of birds. The island is home to unique species, such as the Española mockingbird, which has a longer and more curved beak than variations on other islands; the Española lava lizard; and the marine iguana subspecies venustissimus, which features red markings on its back. We can also observe seagulls and other tropical birds that inhabit the rocky slopes. Among the most notable attractions are the waved albatross, with nearly the entire world population coming here to breed from March to December, and the mating dances of the amusing blue-footed boobies. The area hosts hundreds of Nazca boobies, colonies of sea lions, large groups of marine iguanas, and various bird species.

PM: Gardner Bay

This beautiful beach is excellent for swimming and snorkeling. Here, we find a large colony of playful sea lions, and with luck, we may spot Galapagos hawks and local snake species. We are sure to see Darwin's finches, mockingbirds, and sea turtles.

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AM: Punta Cormorant

This site offers the largest and best flamingo lagoon in the Galapagos, nestled between two tuff cones that create a unique atmosphere. In addition to flamingos, several species of shorebirds can be seen, with stilts, white-tailed ducks, and other migratory birds being the most common. The area is notable for its high percentage of endemic plants unique to the island. Here, we can explore the "green beach," characterized by olivine crystals in the sand, and the "flour sand beach," made of coral, both of which are among the islands' most interesting beaches. We will then return to the yacht to start the snorkeling activity at Corona del Diablo (Devil's Crown), a submerged eroded volcanic crater that provides an ideal habitat for a stunning coral reef, making it one of the most fascinating marine sites in the Galapagos.

PM: Post Office Bay

Historically, this site served as a letter exchange station, featuring a wooden barrel placed in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. Sailors and tourists have utilized this rudimentary system to send correspondence worldwide! The idea is to hand-carry letters or postcards to their destinations, creating a special "Postal Service." This location was also the landing spot for some of the first settlers. Next, we will visit "Asilo de La Paz," known for its intriguing history as one of the first inhabited areas of the islands by a German family named Wittmer. We will return to the yacht to begin the journey to Puerto Ayora, the largest city in the Galapagos.

With luck, we may observe pods of dolphins during the navigation, as well as manta rays and sea turtles.

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After breakfast, we will visit a special place before heading to the airport. The first stop is the Fausto Llerena Interpretation Center, where we can observe various sizes and species of land turtles. If time permits, we will also visit the special compartment displaying the embalmed body of the famous turtle "Lonesome George."

Next, we will be transported to the Itabaca Channel, where we will cross via a local ferry and take a bus to Baltra Island Airport. Here, the trip concludes, and we will bid farewell to the guide and the Galapagos Islands, which look forward to your next visit.

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