Galapagos 8 Day Western Route | Integrity

Today, you arrive in the Galapagos Islands, where we'll facilitate a transfer from the airport in Baltra to the Santa Cruz Highlands. Here, you'll have a unique opportunity to witness the islands' most renowned reptile, the giant tortoises, in their natural habitat. It's a rare privilege to observe these endangered species freely roaming amidst the lush surroundings. The area boasts a diverse vegetation, including the endemic Scalesia Forest, home to an array of avian species such as Darwin's finches, notably the famed Woodpecker Finch. Keep an eye out for the elusive vermilion flycatcher, whose scarlet plumage contrasts beautifully with the emerald green forest.

In the afternoon, our itinerary takes us to the Charles Darwin Research Station and Galápagos National Park headquarters. Here, you'll gain firsthand insight into the conservation and research endeavors undertaken in the islands. Witness several subspecies of adult tortoises and numerous hatchlings, and learn about the vital repatriation programs aimed at preserving various tortoise and iguana subspecies from extinction. Later in the afternoon, we'll board our yacht, INTEGRITY, for dinner and embark on our island cruise. You'll reside aboard the yacht, maximizing exploration time within the confines of park regulations. Each night, we'll set sail to our next destination, ensuring a seamless and immersive island-hopping experience.

Today, your journey begins with a visit to Punta Cormorant and Champion Island. Upon landing on a green, olivine sand beach adjacent to a sprawling lagoon, you'll likely spot feeding flamingos and other water birds. A brief hike through diverse plant communities leads to Flour Beach, a nesting ground for sea turtles and a playground for small rays in the surf. Next, snorkeling awaits at Champion Island, where curious sea lions abound, and if luck is on our side, we may catch a glimpse of the rare Floreana Mockingbird.

In the afternoon, our exploration continues at Post Office Bay, Asilo de la Paz, and Black Beach. Our first stop is the iconic wooden barrel, serving as a mariner's "post office" since the 18th century, offering you the chance to participate in the timeless tradition of the "postmaster." We then venture into the Floreana Highlands to encounter a collection of tortoises and delve into the island's captivating human history at Wittmer Caves and one of the Galapagos' few freshwater springs. The day concludes with a leisurely walk on Black Beach followed by a barbecue onboard INTEGRITY.

Today's adventure begins at Punta Moreno. As you step onto the young lava flow at the base of Cerro Azul, you'll pass by cacti and other pioneering plants. This dynamic landscape is punctuated by numerous "oases" of brackish lagoons teeming with a diverse array of life, including flamingos, Paint-Billed Crakes, White-Cheeked Pintails, and Common Gallinules.

In the afternoon, we'll explore Elizabeth Bay. Glide silently in our skiffs through the narrow channels of this mangrove lagoon, where a wealth of marine life awaits. Keep your eyes peeled for rays, Flightless Cormorants, penguins, pelicans, Lava herons, sea turtles, sea lions, Blue-Footed Boobies, and an abundance of fish and other species that thrive in this vital ecosystem.

Today's exploration commences at Urbina Bay on Isabela Island. This site holds a remarkable tale of nature's power. In 1954, volcanic upheaval uplifted a 6-kilometer stretch of coastline by 5 meters in a matter of hours, leaving coral heads and marine life stranded over a kilometer from the new shore. As you traverse among the skeletal coral garden, now inhabited by lizards and mockingbirds, keep an eye out for the large, colorful land iguanas that call Urbina Bay home. Depending on the season, you might even encounter Alcedo Tortoises descending from the highlands to nest in the warm sands of Urbina Bay.

In the afternoon, our journey leads us to Punta Espinosa on Fernandina Island, the most pristine and youngest island in the Galapagos archipelago. Fernandina is characterized by its intense volcanic activity, with eruptions occurring frequently, including the latest in 2008. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted by an abundance of small, dark marine iguanas and vibrant Sally Lightfoot Crabs. As you walk across the younger pahoehoe lava flow, past pioneering plants, you'll be treated to sightings of Flightless Cormorants, pelicans, and numerous lounging sea lions along the sandy shore.

This morning you will visit Tagus Cove, a historic site frequented by pirates and whalers in the 19th century. Their legacy is etched into the cliffs of this sunken caldera, a tradition that endures today. A short, steep hike leads past Darwin Lake, nestled within a tuff cone. This spot is ideal for birdwatching, offering sightings of Ground and Tree Finches, Galapagos Hawks, Yellow Warblers, Large-Billed Flycatchers and even sometimes the Woodpecker Finch. Land iguanas are occasionally spotted, adding to the allure. A dinghy ride or kayak along the cliffs provides views of geological features and birdlife, including penguins.

In the afternoon, we head to Punta Vicente Roca, known for its impressive geological formations. Nesting birds such as Blue-Footed and Nazca Boobies, gulls, Storm Petrels, and Brown Noddy Terns, while sea turtles gather in the calm waters. Snorkelers can observe colorful fish, penguins, sea lions, sea anemones, small jellyfish and other marine creatures.

Today's exploration begins at Puerto Egas. Two separate trails offer diverse experiences: the first follows the coastline to the fur seal grottoes, a sanctuary for the elusive Galapagos Fur Seal. Here, amidst crags and swimming inlets, you'll encounter American Oystercatchers, marine iguanas, and ubiquitous sea lions. The second, less-traveled trail leads inland to a lagoon at the Salt Mine Volcano, home to flamingos and various bird species.

In the afternoon, we visit Espumilla Beach and Buccaneer Cove. Espumilla boasts a red-sand beach and serves as a nesting site for sea turtles. An inland trail meanders past a small lagoon and into the arid zone, offering glimpses of Galapagos Hawks and other land birds against a picturesque backdrop. Meanwhile, snorkeling or kayaking at Buccaneer Cove may yield sightings of sea lions, fur seals, sea turtles, rays, sharks, pelagic fishes, and fascinating underwater geological formations.

In the morning you will explore North Seymour, renowned for its flat terrain. The inland trail leads to the largest colony of Magnificent Frigatebirds in the Galapagos, alongside Blue-Footed Boobies and occasionally bush-climbing land iguanas. Along the coast, ample opportunities arise to observe sea lions and marine iguanas. Snorkelers can savor their final underwater experience in the channel between North Seymour and Mosquera, known for its captivating marine life.

In the afternoon, we visit Bachas Beach and Caleta Tortuga Negra. Enjoy a tranquil morning at Bachas' pristine white sand beach, where two small lagoons occasionally host flamingos. The name "Bachas" stems from the remains of a barge that ran aground decades ago, leaving only a few rusty spines visible today. A silent skiff ride takes us to Caleta Tortuga Negra, a mangrove lagoon where sea turtles feed and mate in the calm waters. Here, encounters with sharks, rays, egrets, and Lava Herons are common. Caleta Tortuga Negra serves as a shark nursery, offering glimpses of very small sharks in the shallows. Conclude the day with a serene sunset aboard INTEGRITY.

This morning, we'll enjoy breakfast on board before disembarking at Baltra Island.