AM: Mosquera

This small sandy island located between North Seymour and Baltra is the home of one of the more significant sea lion colonies of the Galapagos, with several harems. It is an excellent place to observe their behavior. Depending on the tide, the wet landing is sometimes a little bit difficult. We also may see the endemic lava gulls and other coastal birds. We find marine iguanas and sally light foot crabs on the lava rocks and, sometimes, even scorpions under the stones. First snorkeling of this week! Fantastic and recommendable, even if you never did it before. We include the snorkel equipment in our cruise prices.

PM: Dragon Hill

The name Cerro Dragon means Dragon Hill, and it is a very scenic visiting point. The hike passes first a flamingo lagoon behind the beach vegetation and leads through an impressive forest of prickly pear cactus. The following loop trail goes to a small hill where land iguanas live and nest. The view from this little peak over the surrounding landscape is spectacular.

Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner

AM: Tagus Cove

This protected cove was a favorite resting site of early pirates and whalers in the 19th century. They carved and painted their names in the high cliffs of the bay; it is emotive to see this historic testifies. We start with a dry landing, and then the scenic hike leads uphill through the Dry zone vegetation to Darwin Lake, a saltwater crater lake. At the end of the trail, we go up to a parasitic spatter cone and have a fantastic view of the Darwin Volcano's lava field. Later, we enjoy a fantastic panga ride along the cliffs to look out for Galapagos penguins and flightless cormorants. Tagus Cove is a fascinating snorkeling place to discover many marine invertebrates in the vertical walls if the water is clear.

PM: Espinoza Point

This visit to one of the youngest islands of the Galapagos is undoubtedly a highlight of a cruise in Galapagos. The terrain of Fernandina is rocky due to its volcanic nature. It depends on the tide if the dry landing is on the pier in the mangroves or directly on the lava. On the hike in this pleasant marine environment of the Galapagos, we find large colonies of marine iguanas. We take care to stay strict on the pathway because the dunes are their nesting areas. On the lava coast, close to the shoreline, are the nesting places of the flightless cormorant, one of the most enigmatic Galapagos birds. Also, watch out for lava lizards, the Galapagos hawk, marine turtles, snakes, and the Galapagos penguins. And, obviously, more Galapagos sea lions. We enjoy the largest groups of the endemic lava cactus that are to find on the lava flow. A short trail inland on a lava field leads to the edge of a large of lava flow.

Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner 

AM: Urbina Bay

Urbina Bay is another exclusive site! It is an area which was uplifted out of the sea, at the foot of Volcan Alcedo. The wet landing is on a steep beach, which is sometimes a bit difficult because of high waves. But, with care, we do it. Along the shore, occasionally, we find flightless cormorants and huge marine iguanas. On the trail leading inland, we watch out to see the colorful land iguanas. If we are lucky, we cross with a Galapagos tortoise along the pathway! Then, we have time for snorkeling at this remarkable place.

PM: Elizabeth Bay

This afternoon, we do not walk but drive (panga ride) into the protected mangrove cove with the zodiacs. The entrance through a very narrow channel is not always easy, but our experienced crew manage it carefully, and so we find us in the midden of this peaceful lagoon. In the small and far-away little corners, we turn the motor off to noiselessly observe sea turtles. In Elizabeth Bay, we find within the tallest red mangrove trees of the Galapagos.

Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner

AM: Moreno Point

Early in the morning, we start a hike on Punta Moreno's rough lava field. It is a place where we can see all the three cactus species: candelabra cactus, prickly pear cactus, and lava cactus. This lava field also has many pioneer plants. The lava field turns out to fantastic scenery, with oases with brackish water pools with flamingos, common gallinules, white-cheeked pintail ducks, and paint-billed crakes. We also may see the flightless cormorant. The Galapagos surprises never end! The snorkeling at this great place is, once more, unique!

PM: Navigation to Villamil Pier with Whale Watching

At approximately 10:30 in the morning, we start our longer navigation. It usually takes about 6 hours, and it is a beautiful part of our cruise along the shoreline around the Volcano Cerro Azul. Sometimes, this navigation may be a little bit rough, but it is easier to enjoy on the sun deck to watch out for dolphin schools and whales. We hope to be lucky today too! Just before the dark, we arrive in the small harbor of Puerto Villamil. Villamil is the main settlement in the south of Isabela Island. The village has grown up in the last years but is still small and calm with its scenic beaches and peaceful ambiance.

Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner

AM: Sierra Negra Volcano

Today, we discover a totally different Galapagos! By bus, we go uphill approximately 17 miles/27.3 km, to arrive close to the caldera of the Vulcan Sierra Negra. We can observe the changes in the different vegetation zones of the volcano. The Sierra Negra (Spanish: Black Mountain) is a massive shield volcano, and it is one of the most active of the Galapagos, with the most recent eruption in June 2018. Often it is a little bit rainy or misty and foggy, but it is therefore why here it is so unexpected green. On a hike of about one hour, we go to the volcano's rim to appreciate the large caldera measuring 6.2 miles/10 km from North to South and 5.6 miles/9 km from East to West. If the weather allows, it is impressive scenery! We also can see the vast new lava field from the eruption of 2005.

PM: Tortoise Breeding Centre & Lagoons of Villamil

In the afternoon, we make an excursion to the lagoons of Villamil. We start at the Tortoise Breeding Centre to discover different subspecies of the Galapagos Giant Tortoises and the station's efforts to restore the endangered populations. We take a beautiful trail going from lagoon to lagoon on the walk back to town, watching out for flamingos, common gallinules, white-cheeked pintail ducks, and black-necked stilts. There also is a forest of button mangroves.

Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner

AM: Cormorant Point

The wet landing is on the Green Beach of Punta Cormorant. If the light conditions are the correct ones, the sand shines green due to the high percentage of olivine crystals. On the easy walk through the Arid Zone, we come to a big saltwater lagoon with flamingos, white-cheeked pintail ducks, black-necked stilts, and, depending on the season, more migratory shorebirds. On a short walk, we find ourselves at the White Flour Sand Beach, named because of the fineness of the sand of white corals. It is a famous nesting beach for marine turtles. Often, we can see many stingrays in shallow water.

Devils Crown (Corona del Diablo), a leftover of a volcano looking like a black crown emerging from the sea, is one of the most famous snorkeling places of the Galapagos. The experience is utterly unique, but it is essential to know that this snorkeling place is only for experienced snorkelers due to the strong currents.

PM: Post Office Bay & Navigation to Puerto Ayora Pier  

Before lunch, we make a short visit to the famous barrel in Post Office Bay, beginning with a wet landing. It is named after a barrel put her by whalers in the 18th century to start a first post service to send letters home. We fulfill the unwritten law and visit this place where the most peculiar stampless system of sending mail functions since then! If there is a letter or postcard to our city or village, we bring it home and deliver it personally or, modernly, by mail. We, too, deposit our postcards there to maintain the tradition of this historical curiosity and help that it does not get lost. After this visit, we ride to Puerto Ayora on the Island Santa Cruz to arrive there at approx. 5 pm. It is the largest city in the Galapagos and the head of tourism. There are several hotels, bars, restaurants, a hospital, banks, and many small shops. If you like, you can go out for a moment and walk around, drink a coffee, or buy souvenirs. During this time, Angelito's staff is busy with the supply of food and all the other necessary things.

Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner

AM: Daphne (Panoramic) & Transfer out to Baltra Airport

Daphne is a tuff cone with little vegetation. This island is famous for the studies by Peter and Rosemary Grant about the Darwin Finches. The perfect literature to read about: The Beak of the Finch, written by Jonathan Weiner. We make panoramic navigation around the small tuff cone, respecting the regulation of distances to avoid the introduction of insects. Unfortunately, after this, it is time to say goodbye to the Angelito, our home of the last days, and its crew. We disembark at the harbor of Baltra.

Drive back to the airport for a morning flight back to the continent. Our guide takes care until the last minute! Meantime, the Angelito is thoroughly cleaned and prepared to be ready for the next group arriving on the same flights as the leaving group flies out!

Meals: breakfast