Golondrina Cruise - Itinerary
Tuesday - Day 1
AM
Depart from Guayaquil to Galápagos (1½ hours of flight time). BALTRA ISLAND.- This island was a strategic point during the Second World War. It is the main airport for the Galapagos Islands where tourists and colonists arrive and depart. At the Arrival at Baltra Airport, our naturalist English speaking guide will assists you. Transfer to the yacht. Welcome and briefing.
PM
HACIENDA PRIMICIAS. - After lunch, visit to Hacienda Primicias to see the giant tortoises in their natural habitat. The tortoises are easy to spot, lumbering around eating grass and leaves and wallowing. Some highland birds, like cattle egrets, mockingbirds, finches or flycatchers can be seen here. After the hike return to the yacht. Dinner and briefing for next day.
Wednesday - Day 2
ISABELA ISLAND
AM
TINTORERAS. - After breakfast, Tintoreras is located south of Puerto Villamil. It has a small bay of completely calm turquoise waters, where you can appreciate sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, rays, etc. The bay is connected to a crevice of crystal clear water, that`s shallow and when the tide is low, the entrance closes. In this crevice, you can see how reef sharks swim along with other small fish and sea lions. Lunch on board.
PM
BREEDING CENTER ARNALDO TUPIZA. - This center has a captive breeding program for tortoises from the populations of southern Isabela.
HUMEDALES.- Disembark (dry landing), walk for about 30 mins. This area is characterized by sandy beaches, rocky shores, and mangroves. The area has a number of trails where you can see all four species of mangroves found in Galapagos and also migratory birds: whimbrel, short-billed dowitcher, wilson’s phalarope, common tern, blue-winged teal, osprey, black-bellied and semipalmated plovers, greater and lesser yellowlegs to name a few.
WALL OF TEARS. - By bus to Wall of tears a sad reminder of the history of Isabela. The wall was constructed between 1946 and 1959 while Isabela was a penal colony. As punishment the prisoners were forced to build the wall from huge blocks of lava. The wall is named for the many convicts that died while building the wall. Dinner and briefing for next day.
Thursday - Day 3
SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
AM
RABIDA
After breakfast disembark (wet landing) in one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago as well as a great snorkeling site. We will start on Rabida`s famous maroon sandy beach and after an easy hike (1 km aprox) will arrive to a stunning lookout to enjoy the amazing landscapes.
The island is a birdwatcher`s delight. Some of the rarest species are in abundance, such as nine varieties of finches, Large-billed Flycatchers, Galapagos Hawks and Brown Pelicans. Lunch on board.
PM
CERRO DRAGON.- After lunch, dry landing at a dock, the walk takes you to a hypersalinic (saltier than the ocean) lagoon behind the beach, often frequented by flamingos, common stilts, pintail ducks and other species of birds. There is a short walk to the hill, which rewards with a great view of the bay and a nesting site of land iguanas. Many of the Iguanas that nest here have been repatriated by the Charles Darwin Research Station. Dinner and briefing for next day.
Friday - Day 4
SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
AM
BLACK TURTLE COVE.- After breakfast a dinghy (panga) visit to Black Turtle Bay (Caleta Tortuga Negra). This is very close to Baltra. It is very special due to its lovely beach with sea lions and its clear, calm water. Black (Pacific Green) Turtles and many different types of birds can be seen feeding here as you are paddled around the beautiful lagoons hidden in the mangroves.
After this visit transfer to Baltra Airport by bus for your return flight to Guayaquil/Quito