Theory Itinerary

Itinerary B - Volcanic Wonders (photography departure)

These voyages are the same itineraries that we would cover on a non-photography departure cruise, and so are perfect for anyone looking to explore and enjoy the Galapagos, not just photography aficionados.

There is no need to bring professional cameras or long lenses, and all levels are welcome!

One of the benefits of booking a photography tour are earlier or later excursions to take advantage of the best natural lighting, and the pace may be slower to allow time for that perfect angle shot.

Day 1: When you land at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal, our guides will be there to greet you and escort you to your yacht by bus and zodiac. Once you’ve boarded, you’ll have a welcome briefing and a short safety drill. As the yacht sets sail, climb to the top deck and enjoy a drink from our sun deck bar to get ready for a circumnavigation at sunset around Kicker Rock. An elegant multi-course dinner, prepared by our accomplished chefs and accompanied by wine, will be served, and you’ll set sail for Genovesa Island.

Day 2: In the morning, you’ll land at Prince Philip’s Steps on Genovesa Island - one of the most spectacular places in Galápagos for birdwatching. Your guides will point out red-footed boobies nesting in palo santo trees, Nazca boobies nesting near the trail, and storm petrels gathering in large numbers in an open lava field. With luck, you may even get to see the elusive short-eared owl. After a BBQ lunch on the yacht’s sun deck and a demonstration on how to make Ecuadorian ceviche, you’ll have the option to explore the cliffs up close, either by kayak or stand-up paddleboard, or on a snorkelling excursion from the zodiac. 

Later in the afternoon, you’ll land at Darwin Bay, a gorgeous coral sand beach. Here, you’ll see both swallow-tailed gulls and lava gulls gathered near the tide pools. Round out the afternoon by relaxing on the beach, or choose to swim with friendly, playful sea lions in these warmer northern waters. When you return to the yacht, you’ll have a short briefing followed by a delicious dinner. 

Day 3: This morning you’ll visit Las Bachas on the northern side of Santa Cruz. Dozens of bright pink flamingos feed on the interior lagoons, and a long white sand beach is a beautiful site for a stroll. Before returning to the yacht for lunch, you’ll have time to snorkel from the beach.

In the afternoon, when you step ashore on Cerro Dragon, you’ll have a magnificent panoramic view of the bay and island landscape. As you walk the trail, look for Darwin’s finches, Galápagos flycatchers, yellow warblers, and Audubon shearwaters. The guides will also pause to point out birds such as stilts, pintail ducks and sandpipers. Scan the path for yellow land iguanas, strikingly different from their marine cousins, resting in the sun. After walking the trail, you’ll return to the yacht for a briefing and dinner.

Day 4: Begin your morning with a zodiac ride at Punta Vicente Roca. Your skilled driver will navigate you through the wave-sculpted caves and bring you up close to the tuff walls covered in colourful Sally light-foot crabs. Don’t miss the opportunity to snorkel here, with penguins diving playfully in the water or grooming themselves on rock formations. Look for sea turtles poking their heads above water before swimming gracefully beneath the surface. 

After lunch, take a seat on the sun deck to enjoy the scenery as we sail through the Bolivar Channel. In addition to the dramatic scenery, you might get to see whales riding the bow wave or dolphins jumping in graceful arcs. You may even spot mola mola. In the afternoon, you’ll disembark at Urbina Bay on Isabela Island and see some surprising evidence of volcanic activity. When you’re finished exploring, you’ll return to the vessel for your nightly briefing and dinner. As we cross the Equator, guests of all ages can enjoy an optional pirate-themed party.

Day 5: Stop at Punta Espinoza on Fernandina, the youngest and most pristine Island in Galápagos. With no introduced animals on this island, you can observe the ecosystem at its most pristine. Sea lions lie on the beach and hundreds of marine iguanas warm themselves along the rugged shoreline. On the point, your guide will also show you the nests of flightless cormorants. You’ll have an opportunity to snorkel here, in the company of the large sea turtles that frequent the area. Return to the yacht for a BBQ lunch served on the sundeck where you’ll have a prime view for whale watching.

Your guide will offer a lecture about Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution as well as social and environmental projects that benefit the Galápagos. After lunch, you’ll get to see some of the human history of the Galapagos when you go ashore on Tagus Cove. This was a favourite stopping point for pirates and whalers for centuries, and sections of the rocky cliffs are covered in graffiti from as far back as the 1800s. Tonight, as we sail toward the geographic centre of the archipelago, we’ll cross the equator for the third and final time.

Day 6: This morning, you’ll disembark on the dark red beach of Rabida Island. A short trail will lead you to a saltwater lagoon filled with greater flamingos. Along the way, look for marine iguanas, mockingbirds and yellow warblers. You may also see Darwin’s finches. If you choose to snorkel this morning, you may be able to see a colony of sea lions, as well as golden rays and spotted eagle rays.

Guests will then visit Puerto Egas on Santiago Island, where you’ll stroll along the shoreline looking for octopus, starfish and other sea life caught in the tide pools. Watch out for great blue herons, lava herons, American oystercatchers and yellow-crowned night herons. At low tide, catch a glimpse of marine iguanas as they feed on exposed green algae. The walk ends at the grottos, deep pools of clear water where you’ll encounter sea lions. Before returning to the yacht, take the opportunity to snorkel from the beach. 

Day 7: Wake up in the lively harbour of Academy Bay and disembark at Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz. This morning, we will visit the breeding centre Centro de Crianza Fausto Llerena and Charles Darwin Research Station where we learn about ongoing conservation efforts. Afterwards, you’ll learn about the history of the settlers of this Island on a guided tour through the back streets of Puerto Ayora. Stroll through town to shop for handmade souvenirs, Ecuadorian chocolate ice cream or coffee grown in the Galápagos.

Return to the yacht for lunch and later board a bus for a short ride to a lava tunnel. Your next stop will be Los Gemelos, a pair of large, deep craters with vibrant plant life at higher elevation. Next stop is at a privately-owned hacienda, where giant tortoises roam freely in their natural habitat. Return to the yacht for dinner or, if you wish, remain ashore on your own at a local restaurant. Zodiac shuttles from the yachts to the main dock will be offered throughout the evening for your convenience.

Day 8: On your last morning in the Galapagos we disembark after breakfast. As a perfect way to sum up the trip, you’ll visit the Interpretation Center on San Cristobal to discover more about the human history of the Galapagos Islands. Before your flight back to the mainland, you’ll have time for any last-minute photos or shopping. A short bus ride will get you to the airport with plenty of time for check in.

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