Itinerary A - Alya Catamaran - Galapagos Cruise

Santa Cruz Island: Black Turtle Cove

After lunch our first visit is to Black Turtle Cove which is situated in the northern region of Santa Cruz. This bay is surrounded by mangroves and is accessible only by dinghy only. The shallow cove is a safe refuge for marine life. Black-tip reef sharks, marine turtles, and a variety of rays are often spotted here.

• Return to Alya.
• Dinner.

Darwin Bay

Wet landing, coral beach, activities for this day: short walks, photography, swimming, snorkeling. Genovesa is a small island in the north of the Galapagos.  Our unloading in Darwin Bay will be wet.  Near the beach is a mangrove swamp where we will find a colony of frigates, marine iguanas, red-footed boobies and mask boobies, the great terrestrial finch, seagulls, herons, and cactus finch.  Following the land visit, our passengers can enjoy a swim in the bay.  Snacks and refreshments are available. Lunch.

El Barranco

Dry landing, activities: hiking. Also known as Prince Phillip’s stairs.  Here, we will go for a walk on the Barranco path. On our journey we will observe tropical birds, petrels, common frigate, red-foot boobies, mask boobies, doves, and finches. Dinner.

Santiago Island: Sullivan Bay

Wet landing and hiking. Description:  Virtually uneroded lava flows cover an extensive area of this island.  Lava pahoehoe (basaltic lava that has a smooth, billowy, undulating or ropy surface), hornitos, and mollugo (a lava colonizer) can be seen.  Snacks and refreshing beverages await you on board the ship.  Lunch.

Bartolome Island

Dry landing, wet landing for the beach.  Activities on this island include:  walking, swimming, snorkeling, and photography.  We will follow a path to the top (114m) where we can see pioneering plants such as tiquilia, chamaesyce, and scalesia.  The island has been formed by cones, lava pipes where lava once flowed.  Following the wet landing at the beach, we will follow a path through mangrove swamps and sand dune vegetation, to the south beach.  At the north beach, guests can enjoy swimming and snorkeling.  From the top of Bartolome, we will be able to see the islands of Santiago, Rabida, and Isabela. We will see penguins in the Rock Pinnacle.  Dinner.

Chinese Hat

A small islet located near the south-east coast of Santiago. It’s shaped like a Chinese hat when seen from afar. It is an island consisting of a cone type “Splatter” (lava ejected as drops which fall close to where they came from, which form an inclined cone) that forms the summit and many lava tubes that go down to the coast.

On the west side you can see pillow-type lava formations, which are an indicator that the flows were formed under the sea and have been raised upward, which is why coral heads are found on the lava. This visit provides an excellent opportunity for the interpretation of geological features such as lava tubes and lava flows.

The trail is 700 m (round trip) and the minimum time it takes for this trek is 30 minutes.

• Return Alya.
• Lunch

Mosquera islet

This islet is located between Baltra Island and North Seymour. Here, we find the biggest sea lion colony; it is also possible to observe several species of birds.  Enjoy the white sand beach.

• Return Alya.
• Dinner

After breakfast, we will visit Charles Darwin Station which is located in the main port on Santa Cruz Island; we will take a private bus to the entrance of the breeding center where we will see tortoises and land iguanas in captivity.  This center is the main breeding site on the islands.  Animals that were in danger of extinction on the various islands are maintained in captivity.  Thanks to the dedicated work of several institutions, some species are being saved. Here lived Lonesome George, the famous last survivor of the giant tortoise species found on Pinta Island.  Transfer to the airport.