Galapagos Legend Boutique Expedition Cruise Ship

AM – Baltra Airport

Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island (2 ½ hour flight). Arriving in the Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by our naturalist guides and taken on a 10-minute bus drive to the pier to board the MV GALAPAGOS LEGEND.

PM – Mosquera Islet

This tiny, low islet, covered in coral sand is a set between North and South Seymour Islands. It is home to a group of sea lions that come to laze on the soft white sand. It is a good spot to observe shorebirds as well as herons, lava gulls and boobies. Snorkeling or diving here one can often see sharks, rays and barracudas.

Overnight on board the MV GALAPAGOS LEGEND

Difficulty Level: Easy

Type of Terrain: Sandy

Duration: 1 ½ hour walk and snorkeling

AM – Egas Port (Santiago Island)

The black volcanic sand sets this landing apart from most. It is best known for the dramatic shoreline where we meet a host of species that chose to live between land and sea. Particular among these are the endemic Galapagos fur seals which maintain a small colony at the end of our walk. Other species of note include American oystercatchers, sea lions, waders, herons, lava lizards and even Galapagos hawks. An optional visit takes us to an abandoned salt mine famous in its day for supplying salt to mainland Ecuador.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Type of Terrain: flat & semi rocky

Duration: 1 ½ hour walk / 1 hour snorkeling

PM – Rabida Island

Lying at the heart of the archipelago, this dramatic island, with its distinctive red-sand beach, is home to sea lions, mockingbirds, finches, endemic Galapagos doves and vermilion flycatchers. A walk takes us through a forest of palo santo and cacti to a beautiful overview of the bay. Snorkeling here can be excellent. Often with large schools of black-stripped salemas, sea lions and the ubiquitous turtles.

Overnight on board the MV GALAPAGOS LEGEND

Difficulty Level: Easy

Type of Terrain: Sandy

Duration: 1 ½ hour walk /1 hour snorkeling / 1 hour dinghy ride

AM – Urbina Bay (Isabela Island)

At the far end of a long, level hike we arrive at a strange phenomenon where large blocks of coral lie completely exposed after a dramatic geological uplift in 1954. Located at the western base of Alcedo Volcano we hope to run into a few very impressive land iguanas as well as some volcanoes endemic Galapagos giant tortoises during the wet season.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Type of Terrain: flat and rocky

Duration: 1 ½ hour walk / 1 hour snorkeling

PM – Tagus Cove (Isabela Island)

A well-known hideout and deep-water anchorage in the days of pirates. Tagus Cove was also one of the few sites visited by Charles Darwin and the HMS Beagle in 1835. A beautiful hike leads us past an overview of Darwin Lake and on to a stunning volcanic landscape revealing Isabela islands dramatic northern volcanoes. Once back at seal level the perfect activity is to snorkel along a submerged wall with turtles, lots of fish, penguins, and potentially flightless cormorants. You might even be tempted by a pongo ride or kayak!

Difficulty Level: Intermediate/Difficult

Type of Terrain: steep / steep

Duration: 2 hour walk / 40 minute dinghy ride / 1 hour deep water snorkeling

AM – Punta Espinosa (Fernandina Island)

The youngest island of Galapagos and one of the most pristine in the world. Fernandina is simply the marine iguana capital of the world. This desolate volcanic backdrop is home to a huge concentration of these enigmatic reptiles. Incongruously, sharing the same shoreline, we can find the diminutive Galapagos penguins. Here we also have the exciting opportunity to snorkel with marine iguanas feeding underwater, penguins, turtles, and the bizarre, endemic flightless cormorants.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Type of Terrain: slat / semi rocky

Duration: 1 ½ hour walk / 1 hour snorkeling

PM – Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island)

This is a spectacular visitor site, surrounded by immense cliffs of the eroded volcano. Stubbed with resting sea birds such as brown noddies and Nazca boobies, we will enjoy them in proximity from our dinghies. Snorkeling here is superb, with certain species of fish only found in the west of the archipelago. We also have a very real chance of swimming with penguins and potentially a plethora of green turtles.

Difficulty Level: Moderate / High

Type of Terrain: water

Duration: 1 hour snorkeling /1-hour dingy ride

AM – Highlands Tortoise Reserve (Santa Cruz Island)

Dry landing. In the mountains of Galapagos, it is possible to admire different kinds of birds, such as tree and ground finches, vermilion flycatchers, paint-billed crakes, yellow warblers, and cattle egrets (usually standing on the tortoises’ shell). The journey to the reserve offers great opportunities to see the contrasts that the island offers in reference to the variety of ecosystems. The road goes from the coast through the agricultural zone and straight up to the dense humid forests. Often, Galapagos Giant Tortoises are also seen on the way wandering through the pastures and in the paddocks. This spot is a birdwatcher’s haven, since almost every land bird present on the island lives or migrates here.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Type of Terrain: flat & muddy (depending on the season)

Duration: 45-minute driver / 1 ½ hour walk

PM – Baltra Island Airport

After the visit, passengers will be transferred to the airport for their return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.