Endemic Itinerary

Itinerary C

AM – Baltra Island Airport. Arrival to Baltra airport and transfer to the yacht.

PM – Cerro Dragón/Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz Island.

Some say the rocky hill got its name because it’s shaped like a dragon, others say it’s because there are so many land iguanas along the trail. Either way, Dragon Hill is a fun hike along a dusty trail winding through cacti and Palo Santo trees. Look for birds, including flycatchers, warblers and flamingos and pintail ducks in the salty lagoons. This visit is followed by the opportunity to snorkel offshore.

AM – Leon Dormido/Kicker Rock, off San Cristobal Island.

No one seems to be able to agree on what Kicker Rock looks like. This distinctive rock formation off the coast of San Cristobal island is called León Dormido, or “Sleeping Lion” in Spanish, but “Kicker Rock” in English. Depending on how you squint at it, it can be seen as vaguely shaped like a lion or a boot. As one of the archipelago’s most iconic features, we sail around it for some incredible photographic opportunities. Lucky visitors may even get a glimpse of rays and sharks swimming just below the surface.

AM – Cerro Brujo/Witch Hill, San Cristobal Island.

“Witch Hill” gets its name from the “pájaro brujo,” or witch bird, better known in English as the Vermilion Flycatcher. The site bewitches visitors even without the little red birds: it consists of a white coral sand beach perfect for playing in the sand, kayaking or snorkelling. It is possible to snorkel or kayak in the gentle surf off the beach. Panga rides take guests past some interesting rock formations along the island shore.

PM – Isla Lobos/Sea Lion Island, off San Cristobal Island.

“Sea Lion Island” lives up to its name! One of the best snorkelling spots in the Galapagos, Isla Lobos is a long islet parallel to the coast of San Cristobal Island, creating a calm channel perfect for beginner snorkelers. The island is home to a large colony of sea lions who sometimes splash into the water and frolic with swimmers and snorkelers. It’s also a great place to practise your kayak skills if you’re rusty!

AM – Bahía Gardner/Gardner Bay, Española Island:

One of only two sites on spectacular Española island where visitors are allowed to land, Gardner Bay is a gorgeous white-sand beach where guests can lounge and get some sunshine alongside sleeping sea lions. There isn’t much wildlife (crabs and marine iguanas are common, as are some wading birds) but it’s one of the best beaches in Galapagos! Those who have not had their fill of snorkelling earlier in the morning can putter around in the gentle surf off the beach.

AM – Islote Osborn, Islote Gardner/Osborn and Gardner Islets, off of Española Island.

One of the best snorkelling spots in all of Galapagos, Osborn Islet is known for tranquil waters and abundant sea life. Sea lions frolic with snorkelers while brilliantly colorful parrot fish nip at the coral on the sea bed. Nearby, Gardner Islet is also home to a sea lion colony. These islets are close to one another and guides may decide to go to one or the other depending on conditions.

PM – Punta Suarez/Suarez Point, Española Island.

An amazing visitor site, Punta Suarez is the personal favourite of many veteran Galapagos guides. It is the only place in all of the islands where visitors can reliably expect to see the majestic Waved Albatross. The albatrosses migrate away from Española between January and April, but are there for the rest of the year. Suarez Point is also home to Nazca Boobys, Blue-footed Boobys, Red-billed Tropic Birds, marine iguanas, mockingbirds and more.

AM – Isla Santa Fe/Santa Fe Island.

Santa Fe is a small island, but it has a memorable trail which winds its way through a forest of tall, prickly cacti. The cacti are the preferred food of a booming population of endemic Land Iguanas. The Santa Fe rice rat, one of the few mammals native to the islands, is also found there, although the elusive rodent is seldom seen by visitors. The native population of giant tortoises on Santa Fe was wiped out by whalers over a century ago, but in 2015 some Española tortoises were released onto the island. It is possible to go snorkeling and kayaking off of the island after the hike.

PM – Charles Darwin Station/Fausto Llerena Breeding Center / Santa Cruz Highlands.

The Fausto Llerena Breeding Center was home to Lonesome George, the world-famous giant Galapagos tortoise. Unfortunately, he was the last known tortoise of his species, and when he passed away, his species went extinct. The purpose of the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center is to prevent that from happening again, and today it is home to many baby tortoises from several different species of giant tortoises. Dedicated park rangers and scientists keep these young reptiles in captivity for research and conservation, but once the tortoises have grown enough, they are released into the wild. This must-stop visit will enrich your knowledge of Galapagos endemic wildlife and all of the efforts and programs that the Charles Darwin foundation has launched to keep these amazing animals alive in their natural habitat.

After visiting the Charles Darwin station, we will continue to the verdant highlands of Santa Cruz to see the giant tortoises in the wild. These amazing reptiles is where the name of the archipelago comes from. Enjoy the quiet beauty of these gentle giants, and keep an eye out for a wide variety of endemic birds, as well! To wrap up our visit, we’ll visit some fascinating lava tunnels to better understand how the islands were formed. This is a fun adventure that adds a flourish to the end of our day! After the visits, we will return to the Endemic for a delicious dinner.

AM – Plaza Sur/South Plaza Island.

A low, rocky island populated by cacti and a healthy population of land iguanas, South Plaza Island is always a favourite among visitors to Galapagos. The island is home to the sesuvium plant, which is bright red at certain times of the year. This gives the site an otherworldly look and makes it one of the most picturesque sites in the islands. As you hike, look for boobies diving for fish offshore!

PM – Depart.

Transfer from the M/C Endemic to Baltra airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.

Sample itineraries are for guidance only. Actual itineraries may differ slightly due to factors such as weather, wildlife, logistics and local regulations.