8 Day Luxury Galapagos Escape

After breakfast we will take a boat to Kicker Rock, just off the coast of San Cristóbal. Kicker Rock is a lava cone eroded by the waves, with 2 vertical rocks rising high above the ocean. This natural monument has become a highlight of the Galapagos due to the many tropical birds, frigate birds and boobies that fill the sky.  Under the ocean, the crystal clear waters offer the spectacle of brightly colourful fish, such as rainbow fish and sharks, like the hammerhead and white tip. After lunch, we will spend some time on the beach before we head back to the hotel. 

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Isla Lobos, to observe many marine animals before we even reach the island. The island is the home to frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, manta rays, sea lions and sometimes sharks who live on land or in the surrounding ocean. The white coral beaches of San Cristobal are spectacular to walk around. We can relax or swim here before heading back to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

Today we will take a trip to the largest island of the Galapagos and the most volcanically active! The island was formed by six volcanos, Alcedo, Cerra Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf; five of these are still active, making the island one of the most volcanically active places on the planet. In the afternoon, we will head out on bicycles along the stunning coast, riding through an incredible ecosystem, home to many bird and animal species such as flamingos, giant tortoises and sea iguanas. We will pass by the “wall of tears” built from lava rocks and once the wall of a penal colony on the island. We will then carry on passing by idyllic white beaches, lagoons and mangrove forests where we will be able to see flamingos, herons, oystercatchers and finches, as well as their bigger buddies, such as sea lions and sea iguanas. In the afternoon, we will visit Tintoreras Islet near Puerto Villamil by kayak, home to a wide variety of wildlife. Its turquoise, crystalline waters are inhabited by white-tipped reef sharks, Galapagos Penguins, marine turtles and sea lions. One of its beaches, surrounded by mangroves and is one of the few sites in the world where marine iguanas can successfully reproduce. Before dinner, we can enjoy a breath-taking sunset on the beach of Puerto Villamil. 

After breakfast, we will head out on a hike to the Sierra Negra. From the trailhead, we will hike through a young forest ecosystem to the Sierra Negra Crater rim, an active volcano that last erupted in June 2005. From the crater, we can appreciate spectacular views and explore the massive, 10 km wide, lava-filled crater. We will continue our hike to the Volcan Chico, a secondary crater that has a wild landscape of smoky fumaroles and colourful lava formations. You will have a free afternoon to explore the island some more!

Today we will explore the amazing lava formations along the shore, left by the island's last volcanic eruption. National Geographic and the BBC have filmed several documentaries on this impressive island. This labyrinth of lava arches and crystal clear water is replete with sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, sharks and other sea creatures. The turtles navigate their way from the mangroves to the open sea through "Los Tuneles". This is where we will have the best snorkelling on the island with an array of spectacular sea creatures, including the Galapagos penguins.  We can enjoy many optional activities such as snorkelling, biking, or simply relaxing on the pristine white-sand beaches.

Today we will take the boat to the Santa Cruz Island, the home of the Charles Darwin Research Station. We can learn all about the endemic species found on the islands, as well as the ongoing conservation work on the Galapagos Islands. In the afternoon, we will head to the 'El Chato' reserve in Santa Cruz's highlands, home to the famous Galapagos tortoises. Hiking through El Chato's picturesque landscape with these giant creatures is an unforgettable experience! We will also see other highland wildlife such as pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches and frigate birds. We will then head back to Puerto Ayora to spend the evening in this town.

North Seymour Island is regarded as a true highlight of any Galapagos travel itinerary. This rocky island is home to one of the most impressive colonies of different species of animals in the archipelago. We can see the great frigate birds that spend hours handing nesting materials to each other during courtship. We also find blue-footed boobies who don’t actually nest but lay their eggs surrounded by a simple ring of white guano. 

The shoreline, with its wide expanse of white sand, is home to the black marine iguanas. Young sea-lions can be seen playing in the waves and the two Daphne islands can be seen in the distance. After a delicious lunch onboard the yacht, we head to Bachas Beach, a beautiful white coral expanse, perfect for snorkelling, swimming, or simply relaxing on the white soft sand. Several close by lagoons provide feeding grounds for various birds, such as stilts and flamingos. 

Bartolome is a small Galapagos Island located northwest of the Itabaca Channel. It’s among the most famous of all the islands, due to its impressive volcanic landscapes and the wildlife species that inhabit the island. The other-worldly landscape explains all we need to know about the origins of the island. The summit trail begins at the dock, with its accompanying sea-lions greeting us on arrival. The trail twists and turns uphill over volcanic ash and old craters. The only vegetation is the Tiquilia plant. This is one of the best snorkelling sites in the central islands of the archipelago. We can swim at the foot of the famous Pinnacle Rock and around the base, accompanied by many species of parrotfish, marine turtles, sea lions and Galapagos penguins. 

Sullivan Bay, located on the eastern coast of Santiago Island. Sullivan Bay is the most fascinating lava field in the Galapagos. A short walk on lava is a unique chance to experience the origins of these volcanic islands, resembling a lunar landscape. We will then have time to snorkel and enjoy the amazing white sandy beach, the home of many different species of fish, turtles, sea lions and penguins.

Today we will collect you from the hotel in time for your flight to the mainland, where this amazing 8 day luxury tour of the Galapagos ends.