MC PETREL 5D 4N GALAPAGOS

Day by Day

Day 1 – Monday

AM: Baltra Island Airport: Arrival and Transfer to the boat
PM: Santa Cruz – Highlands

Day 2 – Tuesday

AM: Santiago – Sullivan Bay
PM: Bartholomew – Pinnacle Rock

Day 3 – Wednesday

AM: Genovesa – Darwin Bay
PM: Genovesa – Prince Phillip’s Steps

Day 4 – Thursday

AM: Santiago – Puerto Egas
PM: Santiago – Espumilla Beach / Santiago – Buccaneer Cove

Day 5 – Friday

AM: Santa Cruz – Carrion Point
PM: Transfer to the Airport

Arrival / Departure

When arriving at the Galapagos airport, you must first pass through the Galapagos National Park entrance and then onto baggage claim. Continuing through the airport with your baggage you will scan your belongings once more and then finally pass through.  

Just outside the doors will be your Guide waiting with a sign to greet you.  Once all those who will be boarding are together, the guide will escort everyone to the vessel to be welcomed by the crew and Cruise Manager.

At the end of your cruise, your guide will transfer you and the rest of the group to the airport specified in the itinerary with assistance at the check-in area.  

Special Note: The following itinerary includes all necessary details on each day’s activities.  If you have further questions please contact your Account Manager or Travel Agent.  

Day 1 - Monday

AM: Baltra Island

  • Arrival in Baltra airport and transfer to the boat. Briefing onboard about the boat and the island.

PM: Santa Cruz – Highlands

  • Here at the Highlands, you can walk along a path, observing the hills, ferns, volcanoes, and rich wildlife. This area is home to giant tortoises, forest, mockingbirds, Bahama ducklings, White-cheeked Pintail ducklings, Darwin finches, and many other species.
  • Highlights: Wild turtles, tortoises breeding center.
  • Possible Activities: Hike (1.5 mi/ 2 ½ km)
  • Type of Landing: Dry landing
  • Difficulty: Moderate (Long)

Day 2 - Tuesday

AM: Santiago – Sullivan Bay

  • Located southeast of Santiago Island, Sullivan Bay is of great geological interest. The area is covered by Pahoehoe lava flows combined with A’A lava. It was very active 200 years ago. This flow is geologically very young. The magma formed is flat, but the movement of underground lava, the rapid cooling and other eruptions led to the break in many places.
  • Highlights: Pahoehoe lava flows, which have hardened in accordion like formation. Small glass-like bubbles of lava can be found, called «hornitos». Swimming with sea lions and other wildlife from the shore is a lovely way to finish off the tour.
  • Possible Activities: Hike (1.3 mi / 1 1/2 km) swimming and snorkeling.
  • Type of Landing: Dry landing
  • Difficulty: Moderate

PM: Bartholomew – Pinnacle Rock

  • Home of the famous Pinnacle Rock, Bartholomew consists of an extinct volcano with a variety of red, orange, black and even green volcanic formations. A trail of stairs leads to the summit of the volcano, boasting one o the best views of the islands. The beach is perfect for snorkeling and possible sightings of the Galapagos Penguin.
  • Highlights: Pinnacle rock, panoramic view, moonlike landscape, penguins, pioneer plants, lava cactus; snorkeling: penguins, reef sharks, rays, and great colorful fish.
  • Possible Activities: Dinghy ride, snorkeling & hiking (1.2 mi/ 2km)
  • Type of Landing: Dry and wet landings
  • Difficulty: Moderate/difficult. Walk up to the top of volcano 114 meters, 375 wooden steps

Day 3 - Wednesday

AM: Genovesa – Darwin Bay

  • This white-sand coral beach heads a half mile trail (.75km) that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Nazca Boobies, Red-footed Boobies, and Swallow-tailed Gulls can be spotted here. Further down the path are tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully. At the end is a spectacular view off a cliff.
  • Highlights: Nazca Boobies, Red- footed Boobies, Swallow-tailed Gulls, mangroves, coral pebbles beach, snorkeling: rays, colorful reef fish and hammerhead sharks
  • Possible Activities: Hiking (0.9 mi/1.5 km), snorkeling, kayaking & dinghy ride
  • Type of Landing: Wet landing.
  • Difficulty: Easy / Moderate

PM: Genovesa – Prince Phillip’s Steps

  • Also known as El Barranco, Prince Phillip’s Steps’ steep, rocky paths leads up to a high cliff-face. A marvelous view can be appreciated from here. This site is also home to Palo Santo vegetation as well as Red-footed Boobies, Short-eared Lava Owls, Galapagos Swallows, and Galapagos Doves.
  • Highlights: Red-footed Boobies, Short-eared Lava Owls, storm-petrels, Galapagos Doves
  • Possible Activities: Hiking (0.9 mi/2 km)
  • Type of Landing: Dry, difficult landing
  • Difficulty: Moderate

Day 4 - Thursday

AM: Santiago – Puerto Egas

  • Also known as James Bay, Egas Port is home to the curious Galapagos Hawks and Quick-footed Galapagos Lava Lizards. The trail leads to a coastline with gorgeous tide pools and grottos full of fauna. Here the Galapagos Fur Sea Lions bathe in the sun. This is also a great snorkeling site.
  • Highlights: Fur sea lions, Galapagos Sea Lions, tidal pools and “grottos”, Galapagos Hawk, oyster catchers, marine iguanas, finches; snorkeling: reef sharks, turtles, rays, nice underwater formations.
  • Possible Activities: Snorkeling, hiking (1.25 mi/2 km)
  • Type of Landing: Wet landing
  • Difficulty: Easy / Moderate

PM: Santiago – Espumilla Beach

  • Espumilla Beach is a popular place for marine iguanas and Sally Lightfoot Crabs. The crabs attract the hunting herons, performing the dance of predator and prey. With an abundance of marine life including octopi, moray eel, and shark, snorkeling is highly recommended.
  • Highlights: Snorkeling
  • Possible Activities: Snorkeling and swimming
  • Type of Landing: Wet landing
  • Difficulty: Easy

PM: Santiago – Buccaneer Cove

  • Years ago Buccaneer Cove was a safe haven where pirates in the 1600 and 1700’s would stake out on the Northwestern side of Santiago Island. Sea turtles now take the pirates place and dig their nests for their eggs near the Mangrove trees. It is a great location for snorkeling and many marine birds and sea lions can be found here.
  • Highlights: Historical site, rock formations; tropical fish, turtles, sting-rays while snorkeling
  • Possible Activities: Hiking, snorkeling
  • Type of Landing: Wet landing
  • Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Day 5 - Friday

AM: Santa Cruz – Carrion Point

  • Carrion Point creates a sheltered lagoon with beautiful, turquoise water. During this visit you can snorkel and see a variety of fish, rays and perhaps the harmless white-tip reef sharks. The point is on the north coast of Santa Cruz Island at the entrance of Channel of Itabaca.
  • Highlights: Snorkeling
  • Animals: Fish, rays, white-tip reef sharks
  • Type of Landing: None
  • Difficulty: Easy

PM: Transfer to the Airport

  • Please keep in mind that on departures days, your morning visit will be early and short since we need to be prepared before heading back toward the airport for your returning flight to Ecuador’s mainland.

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Experiences

Facilities, flora, fauna, activities

Interpretations and definitions

These types of landings mean that you will have to step out of the panga by the shore onto a beach or another type of wet surface. Guides will give instructions on how to disembark safely and whether your footwear should be removed or not. Once ashore, guides will provide special towels in order to dry off before putting on your footwear.

On dry landings guests will disembark the pangas onto a dry surface. This could be a man made dock or boat landing. On these types of landings it is not necessary to remove your footwear.

If there is no landing, you will either do the excursion via panga ride or enter the water for a snorkeling activity straight from the panga.

This is the small boat or zodiac used in order to transport guests to and from the boat to visitor sites and ports.

These are merely suggestions by experts on items that can help you enhance your visit to create a more enjoyable experience.

We cannot guarantee a 100% chance of observing the wildlife listed in these sections. It is based on guide knowledge and what has been seen before. The animals in the Galapagos Islands are wild and come and go as they please. You may even see wildlife that is not listed.

Activities rated easy means no great efforts are required and the excursion will be very easy going.

These activities may require some effort on your behalf, depending on your physical conditions but nothing extreme or intense.

Activities categorized as difficult will include more intense hikes or uneven terrain. Examples may be climbing over small/medium sized boulders, walking uneven or slippery surfaces. Breaks may be needed, make sure to tell your guide if you need assistance. One should be in good overall health and physical conditions. Nevertheless, guides will always keep the pace of the slowest person and will be aware of the entire groups physical abilities in order for everyone to enjoy the activity.

Please take into consideration that each visitor site is allowed specific activities authorized by the Galapagos National Park Authorities. Your guide will explain the different activities available at each site and may even give provide two different options.

The use of Jacuzzi is subject to weather conditions, itinerary and the sea conditions. Please talk to the Cruise Manager if you are interested in using the Jacuzzi during your stay on any vessel.

Reservations

Make your reservation and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can to confirm it

Write us +593 99 972 5394

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