Southern & Western Galapagos Islands Cruise - ARCHIPEL I M/C

San Cristobal Island

Arrival at San Cristobal Airport. Meet and greet your naturalist guide upon arrival at San Cristobal Airport. Before leaving the airport, you'll pass an inspection point where your Transit Control Card will be stamped. Be sure to store this with your travel documents as you'll need to show it again when you depart the Galapagos Islands. If you haven't already, you'll also pay the Galapagos National Park entrance fee of 100 USD here. You'll then be escorted onboard the Archipel I where your captain and crew will welcome you.

Cerro Colorado

On an unpaved road to reach the highlands of San Cristobal, you'll pass a sugarcane plantation and row of wind generators along a ridge. Officially, the breeding center on Colorado Hill is named Galapaguero Jacinto Gordillo, though locally, it has adopted the name of the red hill on which it's situated. With your naturalist guide, learn how these endangered species are cared for by the breeding center. Walk the botanical trail and discover the natural history of the Galapagos giant tortoises as you spot a colorful collection of songbirds - Chatham mockingbird, large-billed flycatchers, and Yellow Warblers.

Evening onboard Archipel M/C. 

South Plaza

Half a pair of Plazas Island off the eastern shores of Santa Cruz, South Plaza is recognized for its outstanding collection of wildlife species despite its small size. While the North Plaza Island is visited for research purposes only, you'll visit the South Plaza Island this morning to see one of the largest sea lion colonies in the Galapagos, which is estimated to be at about 1000. On a hike with your naturalist guide, you'll notice that the land iguanas on South Plaza Island are smaller, primarily due to overpopulation and heavy competition for food sources. You'll also have the opportunity to observe them as they feed on the fruit of the prickly pear cacti as you wind along a rugged cliff where seabirds nest.

Santa Fe

At an estimated four million years, Santa Fe Island is one of the oldest in the Galapagos archipelago. With a relatively small land area of 24 sq. km, this island situated between Santa Cruz and San Cristobal boasts a diversity of endemic species - the Santa Fe land iguana, Galapagos Mockingbird and rice rat. Its landscape is unique for its population of the large prickly pear cactus, Opuntia Echios, which feeds Santa Fe's land iguanas. Following a wet landing among a sea lion colony at Barrington Bay, enjoy a swim or snorkel in its shimmering waters as hawks fly overhead, keeping your eyes peeled for rays, tropical fish and marine tortoises.

Evening onboard Archipel M/C. 

Champion Islet

On a dinghy ride along the pristine shoreline of Champion Islet, witness species of endemic sea birds - blue-footed boobies, magnificent frigatebirds, swallow-tailed gulls and red-billed tropicbirds. Keep your eyes peeled for Galapagos penguins and playful sea lions in the water, and allow bottlenose dolphins to accompany you on your passage to Champion Islet.

Loberia & Asylum of Peace

A historical site, this island boasts a rewarding hike that leads to a cave and freshwater spring. Swim in the waters of La Loberia beach before boarding the Archipel I.

Evening onboard Archipel M/C. 

Charles Darwin Research Station

Arrive at the Charles Darwin Research Station on the outskirts of Puerto Ayora, the premiere breeding site of the Galapagos archipelago. Featuring a number of interpretations and information centers about the National Park throughout, this facility is dedicated to marine life conservation and maintaining biodiversity in the region. Learn the story of Lonesome George, the fabled final survivor of the giant tortoise species who lived at the Charles Darwin Research Station for four decades. Enjoy some free time to stroll the quaint streets of Puerto Ayora before boarding the Archipel I.

Highlands

This afternoon, you'll visit the Highlands of Santa Cruz where you'll trek with your naturalist guide to see the Twin Craters and visit a local ranch to observe giant tortoises in their natural habitat. If weather permits, you'll also be able to view the stunning scenery of extinct volcanic cones carpeted with lush greenery. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes, long pants, a hat, and sunblock. Return to Puerto Ayora after your visit to the Highlands.

Evening onboard Archipel M/C. 

Las Tintoreras

A group of islets just off the shores of Puerto Villamil, Las Tintoreras is the Spanish name for white-tipped reef sharks, which can be commonly spotted resting in the calm and clear waters. As you walk along the nature trail with your guide, keep your eyes peeled for Galapagos penguins and sea lions along the mangrove-lined shoreline.

Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Centre

Visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center situated just outside Puerto Villamil, where endangered Galapagos giant tortoises live in captivity. See five different endemic subspecies and how they're cared for to ensure their survival in the wilderness on the Galapagos Islands. Walk the manicured botanical garden that surrounds this breeding center and observe the colorful Yellow Warblers, Darwin’s finches and Galapagos and vermilion flycatchers that make this garden their home. In an adjacent saltwater lagoon, watch for American flamingos as they hunt for shrimp and algae.

Evening onboard Archipel M/C. 

Punta Moreno

Arrive at Isabela Island after breakfast this morning and visit Moreno Point on its western shores. Explore the tidal lagoons and extensive lava fields, keeping your eyes peeled for sightings of herons, frigatebirds and green turtles. Take in the shrub dotted landscape of Moreno Point, where candelabra cacti reach impressive heights of up to seven meters, towering above surrounding mangrove bushes and saltwater lagoons fringed with sea grass. On a guided walk along a trail, experience the solidified lava beneath your feet and keep your eyes peeled for marine iguanas, brown pelicans and a striking panoramic view of the Sierra Negra, Cerro Azul and La Cumbre - the three most active volcanoes in the Galapagos.

Elizabeth Bay

Made up of a collection of small islets, coastal mangrove forests and rocky reefs, Isabela Island is a sanctuary for wildlife and the premiere breeding site for Galapagos penguins. View a variety of wildlife on your visit to Red Mangrove Cove, ranging from brown pelicans to spotted eagle rays and sea lions.

Evening onboard Archipel M/C. 

Tagus Cove

This morning, the Archipel I will cross the Bolivar Channel and reach Tagus Cove on the northwestern shores of Isabela Island. This site was historically frequented by pirates who left their mark by carving the names of their ships onto the cliff faces that surround the cove. Following a 3 km trail with your guide, reach Darwin Lake, a saltwater lagoon reaching nine meters in depth contained within a tuff cone. The cliff faces of Tagus Cove provide a number of nesting sites for sea and coastal birds, and from the inflatable dinghy, you'll have the opportunity to see flightless cormorants, storm petrels and flocks of blue-footed boobies and brown pelicans.

Punta Espinosa

As the third-largest island in the Galapagos, Fernandina is also the youngest. Visit Espinosa Point across from Tagus Cove, home to the flightless cormorant and recognized for its large colonies of marine iguanas that bask in the sun. Free of any introduced species, Fernandina is one of the world's most pristine islands, and despite its barren landscape, the lava cacti thrive here, against a dramatic backdrop of Volcán La Cumbre. Tread with care between January and June, during the nesting period of the marine iguana.

Evening onboard Archipel M/C. 

Las Bachas

Arrive at Santa Cruz Island on the Archipel I this afternoon and traipse the white coral sands of Bachas Beach on its northern shores, just west of Black Turtle Cove. This beach earned its name after World War II when the American army abandoned their barges on the beach. Unable to pronounce "barge" in the English language, "bachas" is the result of a mispronunciation, resulting in the name of the beach. Stroll the pristine coastline where its sands meet the turquoise bay, and orange Sally Lightfoot crabs scurry between the rocks at your feet. Reach a brackish lagoon on your walk, where white-cheeked pintails and hunting herons wade in the water and catch a glimpse of the American flamingos that inhabit this island. From your naturalist guide, learn about the role Bachas Beach plays as one of the island's main sea turtle nesting sites.

Transfer to Seymour Airport on Baltra Island. Your visit to Bachas Beach concludes this eight-day Southern Western Galapagos Islands cruise on the Archipel I. Your guide and friendly crew members will transfer you to Seymour Airport on Baltra island for your onward journey and accompany you to the check-in counters and departure hall.