Northern Galapagos Islands Cruise - ALYA M/Y

Arrival at Seymour Airport on Baltra Island (GPS)
Meet and greet your guide at the airport who will escort you to the Alya Catamaran.
Your captain and crew will welcome you onboard the luxury vessel with a refreshing welcome drink. Get acquainted with your cabin while lunch is prepared.

Black Turtle Cove
Following lunch, discover Black Turtle Cove - a tranquil landscape of mangrove forest situated on the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. Seemingly unscathed by human development, this bay is accessible by dinghy only, and the shallow cove acts as a refuge for a wealth of marine life, where you will have the opportunity to encounter black-tip reef sharks, marine turtles and a variety of rays.

Dinner and night onboard.

Darwin Bay
Set sail to Genovesa Island, north of Santa Cruz Island, where you will reach Darwin Bay by wet landing. Disembark at this coral beach for leisurely strolls along its shoreline and bountiful photo opportunities as you encounter colonies of frigatebirds, red-footed and mask boobies and marine iguanas as you reach a nearby mangrove swamp. Passionate birdwatchers will also be delighted by the presence of herons, the great terrestrial finch and cactus finch. Following your visit on land, you will enjoy some time at leisure to swim and snorkel in the shimmering waters of Darwin Bay. Re-energize with snacks and refreshments on board before indulging in lunch. 

El Barranco
Named after a visit by the Duke of Edinburgh in the 1960s, El Barranco is also fondly recognized as Prince Philip's Steps, a steep and rocky path that leads visitors to a set of rugged cliff faces some 25 meters up to view the island's varied species of sea birds. Despite its daunting appearance, this climb on the eastern stretch of Darwin Bay is made easy with the presence of sturdy wooden handrails. Embark on a walk along the Barranco Path, winding your way past colonies of red-foot and mask boobies, and observing tropical birds, petrels, frigatebirds and finches in their natural habitat. Enjoy dinner on board after an exciting afternoon of birdwatching.

Dinner and night onboard.

Santiago Island
A favorite stop on any Galapagos itinerary because of its unique geological characteristics, reach Sullivan Bay on the southeastern end of Santiago Island by wet landing this morning and embark on a hike across a wild terrain of volcanic features. This stretch of Santiago Island was carpeted in flowing lava following an eruption in the early 1900s, formulating a relatively young landscape. Well preserved due to its remote location, you will have the opportunity to observe Sullivan Bay's collapsed craters, hornitos or lava ovens, and experience hardened lava flow and pahoehoe - ropy lava, beneath your feet. Indulge in snacks and refreshing beverages onboard the Alya before lunch.

Bartolome Island
After a wet landing at the beach, follow your guide on a 114-meter footpath to the summit of Bartolome Island to discover the pioneering plants of tiquilia, scalesia and chamaesyce that inhabit this region. Budget time to revel in the sweeping views of Santiago, Rabida and Isabela Islands from atop Bartolome, and follow along a path that leads to the south beach, winding through mangrove swamps and sand dune vegetation. Make your way to the north beach, where you have a leisurely time to swim and snorkel off the pristine shores of the island. Visit the Galapagos' iconic Pinnacle Rock before dinner on board, a highly anticipated attraction of the Enchanted Islands for its opportunity to spot penguins.

Dinner and night onboard.

Chinese Hat
A gently sloping volcanic cone in the shape of a Chinaman's hat gives this islet near the southeast coast of Santiago its name. Volcanic in origin, the spatter cone Chinese Hat is a product of an eruption on nearby Santiago Island, which spewed a mountain of molten rocks and lava, forming this islet. The mass accumulation of volcanic debris was eroded over time to give it its gentle incline, and the ocean carved a channel that separated the Santiago Volcano and Chinese Hat. Disembark on a white sand coral beach, and with your guide, follow the 700-meter roundtrip footpath that hugs the coast of the islet, discovering lava fields and tunnels while spotting marine iguanas and lava lizards along the trail.

Mosquera
Situated between Baltra and Seymour Islands, this islet is a popular stop on any Galapagos itinerary for its sizable sea lion colony. Observe as they sunbathe or splash in the water, and then enjoy time on Mosquera's white sand beach while keeping your eyes peeled for sightings of sea birds.

Dinner and night onboard.

Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island after breakfast this morning, and reach the entrance of the breeding center via private bus. As the main breeding site of the Galapagos Islands, 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. As the final stop on the Galapagos itinerary, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward journey.